Chagrined that you have been detained so long, but God only knows how much longer you may yet be in bondage, for it seems that the affairs of Full Colonels yet remains unsettled between the two parties. I did expect the British Officers, many that have been Prisoners in New England, more particularly in Connecticut, would have Interested themselves with the General Officers in your behalf. Gratitude is a virtue almost above every other, it must please Heaven itself. I have been told that Col. Campbell & some others have acted the Gent'm. They have my most unfeigned thanks for their politeness & civility, and I hope they may sooner or later be sensible that doing a generous good action meets with its reward. I feel for your situation and would do every consistent thing in my power for your release, but really I see no prospects as there are no full Colonels in the King's Service in America. You will therefore wait with Patience, or perhaps General Clinton will consent to your coming out on parole if you can't be released. You may tell General Robertson I have paid the money according to Order which I'll soon send the amt. of, that you may receive it. I saw Gov'r McKinley who was Endeavoring his Exchange for Gov'r Franklin, but I believe will not succeed. It seems they expect Thompson to be exchanged first. But, however, it's not determined. I could. wish to complete as much of a settlement with those Bills you may have as you possibly can. I wish you might exchange y'r Two Horses for a fine pair, & if cheap a Genteel Phaeton I much Want. I yesterday met with Mrs. Materine, Sister of Wm Livingston, out from York, who lives at Flushing, on Long Island, & returns in a few days who can tell you more particulars of the situation of Our Family. If you see Col. Barton you may ask him to settle with you the money advanced him when at home. He also took in some money to deliver Col. Heart, who was a prisoner on Long Island, but while Col. Barton was on his route to York, Heart was Exchanged & Col. Barton had no opp'y to deliver the money, but now has it which you'll please receive and give him a Receipt. I wish you to give my compliments to Mr. Jno. Winslow & ask him if I shall advanced money to the good Parson's Lady, Miss Lucky, &c., if it's his desire I'll do it with pleasure. I Rec'd two half sovs of Doctor Middleton to be Delivered to a Prisoner at Dunstables. (Lenten Horne 71st Reg't) which I forwarded, but very lately it was returned to me and this month he was exchanged; therefore you'll B. Deane is in company with me on our route from Philadel- Since writing the above I have met with the Gent'm bearer of this who is polite enough to say He will this day see you & will deliver it Himself. It gives me pain that you can't at least be Allowed to come out on parole, your affairs suffer very much & really want your personal attention Exceedingly. I can't think but if it was justly represented to Gen'l Clinton He would consent to it. Col. Campbell, French and many others will aid you and assist you. As to your parole they can't doubt, as they have already permitted it for Two months & found you strictly adhered to it. Poor Hetty not so well as I could wish. Adieu, & Believe me Col. WEBB. to be Y'r most aff. B'r, Jos. WEBB. ELIZABETH TOWN, Aug. 26, 1778. Capt. Hawlker I am sorry to find in close prison at Philadel-? phia. He I conclude ranks with a Col of the Army. The Reason Given for his close confinement is-that all the * Joseph Webb's Letter. Oct. 4th, 1777. 7 m We are still at a loss where General Howe is. If you know, for Heavens sake send us word. Report says he's in Philadelphia. I deny it and I do right until I have a greater certainty. Hetty & Sally Chester are returned from Doctor Johnson's. I am in hopes she is on the mend, but much weaker than we could wish. Mr. Munford, the last time I saw him complaining much of your not writing, perhaps you may find your pleasure in doing it. Tell Mr. Rogers I have received His letter & will forward it by the Hetty & Mrs. W. are gone out riding. Saturday 3 o'clock. I am, Your aff. brother, JOSEPH WEBB. Be thankful for these short Letters, for that's the way to get more. What's become of Bailey, the Cutler? Repealed to CAMP, 7th Feb'y, 1781. DEAR GENERAL :-Enclosed you have a list of eight men who If you'll be so obliging as to lend me a gallon of spirits I am, Dear General, Affectionately yours, Maj. Gen'l PARSONS. SAM'L B. WEBB. Major-General Parsons' Letter. Mr. Laidley General Parsons' compliments to Colonel Webb, informing him he is of the opinion the service will be benefited by discharging all the men named within, bearer included. The spirits are at Colonel Webb's service when he sends for them. 6th February, 1781. Col. WEBB. Gopud Repealis fr $.141. DEAR BARRELL :-We were made joyful by last evening's post on the news of Connecticut having adopted the Constitution, but a dampness is thrown on our spirits by information that at the Convention of Massachusets are much divided. Should that State re ject it we are ruined. On them depends everything. Every Federal man in this city looks up to your State for our political salvation, for then if Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire accepts it with tolerable unanimity, this State dare not refuse; but on the contrary, should they reject it, the anti-Federal Junto here will increase and come forward. The fact is that the sense and property here all are universally in favor, this city is very unanimous; but we have as you have before heard four or five characters violently opposed, none, however, whose influence is to be feared but Governor Clinton's. His has been astonishing in the country, but it is undoubtedly daily lessening. The Legislature is now sitting at Poughkeepsie, 80 miles up the river; what they will do we are at a loss to determine; that they will appoint a convention we haven't a doubt, but suppose the anti-federalists will be for delaying its meeting to as distant a period as possible. However, as I said before, almost everything depends on your State. I wish in your next you would dip a little into this subject. Let me know how the convention proceeds, and what the prospects are. you. God forbid that Adams should have much influence among We have in the press a pamphlet written by Colonel Hamilton, under the signature of Publius on the subject of a Federal Government, which I will send you by the first conveyance. He is undoubtedly one of the most sensible men in America, tho' yet not much more than thirty years old. I hold him one of my warmest friends and he possesses my undivided esteem.7 We have no late arrivals from Europe, but several ships are daily expected, when it is probable we shall know whether peace is continued. I think a war in Europe would be advantageous to our politics tho' our commercial reputations are so bad (or rather the want of any general regulations) that I am fearful the mercantile interests ? would not be able to take the advantages which would be presented Present me affectionately to Sally and Hetty, in which Aunt Your friend & B'r, SAM'L B. WEBB. Copud Riley out/ Dear Barrell Gen'l Sam'l B. Webb to Joseph Barrell. I wrote you by yesterday's post, but had not then time to be so particular as I wished, by Mr. Reilly, who sets off to-morrow. I have the pleasure to inform you that on my arrival at headquarters General Washington politely returned me the certificate with full power to negotiate the exchange as I thought proper. From this I proceeded to our posts, and by a flag wrote Mr. Loring (and I enclosed a copy of the certificate) and requested him to meet me, acquainting him at the same time that I was fully authorized to exchange them. sill After waiting a week I received for answer that it was quite found the two first/named are sent from Virginia, so that I have for reason to suppose three or four weeks at the farthest will release me. me; nor do I intend giving it up until my exchange is final. must have cleared us before this. a We are all extremely anxious about the Penobscot Fleet, know- / = We are told that Mr. W ▬▬e has at length met the Temple; let him bow at the shrine, and if he does not worship with zeal, fervency and true manly feeling, I'll venture to say that he has not 三 Sam white кир Het |
