There is a nameless sympathy of congenial souls, even among those of the same sex which is felt-which cannot be describedbut which lisping mortals have denominated friendship; when this nameless sympathy meets in congenial souls of different sexes "Tis amazingly heightened. Friendship cannot express the sensation, and we have learned to call it by the name of love, a name, indeed, sadly profaned by the lips of the sensualist, the covetous and the ambitious but felt and understood in its true meaning and import, by those alone who seek for happiness in the sweet tranquility of domestic endearments-and who consider the lover and the husband but as one and the same character. Such an union is indeed devoutly to be wished for; and when once accomplished, the pleasures of life are enjoyed with a double relish, because each, besides his own, partakes of a beloved partner's sensations. Misfortunes too (and who ever tasted the cup of life, without finding bitterness in the draught?) lose half their weight by being divided, and as each assists the other to bear the load, so each comforts the other, whilst laboring under it. Time, the general destroyer of temporal objects and human joys, perpetuates and increases such a felicity as this, which depends not so much upon external circumstances, as upon the internal feelings of their own breasts. After their marriage they may with more propriety be called lovers, than in the days of their courtship. Failings, no doubt, each must discover in the other and will discover, as long as the Angel is clogged with fetters of mortality. But even in these, they so much resemble one another, that they soon learn, either to overlook, or to bear them with a meekness, which true love never fails of inspiring. This sweetness of disposition, mutual forbearance, and uninterrupted intercourse of endearing sensibilities, must not only secure to them all the bliss which this world has to give, but must be an excellent preparation for their future enjoyment of those eternal scenes, where love reigns without the least alloy of any sordid passion, and to which they will carry with them the same affections doubly purified, and darting back from their beatified spirits to that lovely centre from whence they originally came.

Great source of love ennoble me.

S. B. W., 1780.

Jos. Webb's Letter.

Mrs. Laidley

MY DEAR BROTHER:-Yours of the 6th Inst. I have rec'd. You mistake if you think I have not attended to the matter of your exchange, but a line of rotation is the mode insisted upon.

I can't say, but I am much disappointed You are not allowed to come home on parole.

Not long since I was at Boston, Cambridge, and that circuit, and waited on General Philips, who was polite enough to consent on his part that Colo. Sutherland should be exchanged for you and has wrote to General Clinton on the subject, a copy of which I now enclose you. I have wrote General Robertson which you may peruse and have delivered. I sincerely wish Mr. Baudinot may consent to the exchange of Colo. Sutherland as he is a convention officer & cannot be taken amiss by the American officers although there may have been prisoners longer than yourself. I wish to hear from you by the return of the Bearer. I have also sent you a few newspapers which after you have perused I wish to give Mr. Gain or Mr Joseph Clew. Mr. Gain was to have sent me his in return. You say you hear Silas Deane has returned from France. It's a mistake. He's yet there and I'm told is likely to be for a time. But Inion has arrived and is gone to South Carolina. General Putnam is at Hartford & has sent me word of the flag, bnt I could wish I had more time to write you. I could not at the time Salmon was caught find an opportunity to send you any. I should like you to bring our the London Magazines bound or otherwise.

I am,

Wethersfield, May 25, 1778.

Your most affec. Br.,

Jos. WEBB.

I have been to Hartford visiting the Prison, & find a mason, a Midshipman and two other officers closely confined. I am told its in consequence of complaints from Newport, Halifax, &c., of the treatment of the American prisoners, and Connecticut did not go into the Severe Law of retaliation until complained of very much, &c., &c., &c.

MY DEAR WEBB:-The enclosed I need not give any directions respecting its being put in the proper road to meet the owner. You will readily imagine it. The want of an opportunity has at length induced me to impose this task on my friend, conscious from long taught experience that he would do it with pleasure.

I can say little to you from this quarter that would be any ways diverting or novel, but that I am drudging on in the old way and I may say with propriety, living on anticipation, for were I to suppose that the last of Days would bear a comparison with these I know not what I would not be tempted to do.

I need not relate to you the state of my domestic affairs in my family in town. You doubtless know all, and I assure you my friend that altho' I am banished at present from the sight of those in this world most dear to me, yet I am infinitely more happy than a month ago saw me.

My love to Mrs. & Miss Wickham and oblige your troublesome yet believe me,

Gen'l S. B. WEBB.

Very sincere friend,

ROBERT MORRIS, JN'R.

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To Col. Welch and Capt. Hamilton the Humble memorial of a thoughtless Ensign.

First.-Your memorialist Requests forgiveness for his mistake on Wednesday last past and that it will be attributed to drunkenness a virtue your memorialist is much addicted to as are most gentlemen of his profession in order, he conceives, to drown thought.

Secondly.-In order to be assured of your forgiveness he requests the pleasure of your company to dinner Sunday.

Thirdly. He assures them that nemo mortalium omnibus ovit Saepit.

Ms. Laidler

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James Seagrove's Letter.

PHILADELPHIA, 25th March, 1781. DEAR SIR :-I wrote you yesterday by Mr. Shaw, since which Colonel Moytan came to town, and informed me this morning of his wagon going. Have therefore sent your things by it, which hope will reach you safe. Ale I could not find, but have substituted good porter. The port is excellent as you ever touched. The corks are in a bag. Inclosed you have an account of all. I have not time to add, and am

Yours, affectionately,

JAS. SEAGROVE.

By a brig this moment arrived we have advice of the French and British fleets engaging off Chesapeake Bay on Wednesday last. Eleven each. This brig was in company when the action commenced. The French began it. Further we know not.

Colonel Trumbull's compliments to Colonel S. B. Webb, and asks how he is. Pray forward Barnard in delivering his letters to General Washington, and get his warrant signed, and dispatch him back again as soon as may be. What are you about on your side? We can hear nothing from you that we can rely on.

Write a line

Miss Webb's Letter.

[28" 1778]

WETHERSFIELD, Feb'y, 1779.)
Friday Evening.

MY DEAR BROTHER-I have just heard that Col. Delaney sets off for New York in the morning. I could not let so good an opportunity pass without writing a few lines to assure you that we all are every hour wishing for you again with us. But alas! how unavailing are such wishes. We must make ourselves easy until you are exchanged, which I flatter myself will be before a great while. You may perhaps think from what I have said, that we have some prospect of a speedy exchange, but that is not the case. I think it right to hope the best, not to anticipate evils. I was very anxious on your account until Friday. Then your kind letter arrived and dispelled all my anxiety on your account. How happy you are to

omit

be in so amiable a family as our friend Mr. S. Him I know and have the greatest respect for. His lady is a fine woman. I am not acquainted with her virtues, but I am with her person. In company with such agreeable people you cannot but be content-I had almost said happy-but I hardly think it possible for a prisoner to be really happy. Do not let your spirits sink; everything depends upon keeping them up.

Your friends at the other house are well, and desire to be remembered. They have been much with us of late. The Major is with his friends. It is a week since he left us. Mr. Lt and Col. Ln are expected this evening; indeed, we have looked for them for this week past. They have paid Boston a much longer visit than they talked of when they left us. Should you see my friend Miss Howard, give my love to the good girl, and tell her that I want much to see her; that I often think of the many happy days we have spent together at our good Mrs. Howdings. Ask her, too, if you please, what is become of Miss Mobson. She was one of our happy family. I have never heard one word from her since we parted in Boston. I loved the good little girl, and should be happy to know that she got safe to her friends.

I am called. Adieu, my dear brother. turned to your anxious friends prays

Your truly sincere and

May you soon be re

ever affectionate

friend and sister,

HETTY W.

General Heath's Letter. Mrs. Laidley

HIGHLANDS, June 29th, 1782.

DEAR SIR-Your favor of this date, covering several certificates, is handed to me. Enclosed you will find them returned with discharges for the several soldiers therein named. Please deliver them as their terms of service respectively expire. The other soldiers you mention whose terms of service expire between this and the 25th of July may render service. Your resolution respecting them is a good one.

I am, with great regard,

Dear Sir, your obd't serv't,
W. HEATH.