in my power to take as much care of it as I did on the road, and I have now some thought of taking another journey, that I can have time to recover, as I'm sure I can never get well here.

I have never been able to get Colonel Stewart to the hatter's. When his engagements are over I expect he will attend to it, and as soon as the hat is finished, I will send it to Camp with the first safe hand. I have got a fashionable button and loop for it. Stand clear Miss Banker. Please to present my compliments to that good lady, to Mr. Lott & family, and all others with whom I had the honor to be acquainted. If you don't intend to come immediately this way, I beg you'll let me hear from you. Tell me how the girls feel; how you come on with Miss B.; and whether you have heard of of the adorable Hetty. I most sincerely wish you the Beggar's benison, viz: a guinea always in your pocket.

I am with much esteem,

DEAR COLO-I have just sent some papers to New York for Mrs. Van Horn, which are lodged in the hands of Capt. Murray, A. de Camp to Gen'l Robertson, who desired Mrs. Boulton (who delivered them) to inform me they would be delivered to Mrs. Van Horn in a few days. As they are matters of the greatest consequence to my Father, and I am told you are acquainted with Capt. Murray, must beg you to call on him for them, and present them to Mr. Van Horn as soon as possible, and convey the same to Col. James DeLancey, who will send them to your Friend Knaps. Shall go from this to Pennsylvania; on my return shall call at Knapps' for the papers. Your assistance in this matter will be duly acknowledged and rewarded, my Dear Sir,

Your most ob'd't serv't,

NATHAN FRINKE.

Capt. Bulkley and Hopkins Letter.

MORRISTOWN, 17 Dec., 1780.

DEAR COLO:-This will inform you of our being in the land of Liberty, God be praised! We intended doing ourselves the honor of waiting on you at your new quarters, but Capt. Hopkins is very ill, and our horses have been boarding at Flatbush, two circumstances much against us, and will, we hope, sufficiently apologize for the liberty we take in asking you to come here, as we are busy, and shall await the return of Hadley, the bearer of this. If you cannot see us, we wish to have your order and proceed home. The canteens, &c., have received. Please to make our compliments to your Lady & Capt. Webb & wish you, and we are dear Col, with every sentiment and esteem,

Your most obed't & most humble serv't,

COL. WEBB.

EDWARD BULKLEY,
ELISHA HOPKINS.

Nathan Booth to his Excellency General Washington.

STRATFORD IN CONNECTICUT, May 12, 1781.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON :-After serving my country six years in the glorious cause of liberty, I am at length reduced to the necessity of soliciting your excellencies permission to retire; as a distressed family now calls me from the field, being almost destitute of any of the necessaries of life to support them, by reason of sickness which they have experienced all the last campaign, and which is still continuing upon them, so that it calls upon me by every severed tie of humanity to relieve their distress as much as lies in my power; which I can not do whilst in service, as I am greatly reduced by the continuance of the war, so that I am not able to furnish myself with clothing and other necessaries that are decent and needful whilst in service.

Neither can I do it without my pay which is remaining due, being destitute of parents to give me or my family any assistance.

I have also devoted up the best part of my days with cheerfulness in the service of my country; which has very much hurt my constitution, and much diminished my private interests.

Under those distressing circumstances which I have mentioned, I have the greatest reason to think your Excellency will be pleased

to grant me permission to retire from service. I wish your Excellency and army under your command and all our allies, every possible success in the several departments which they command, and hope soon to see American independence established, to set her upon such lasting foundations that no power can destroy them.

I am with every respect your Excellencies

PHILADELPHIA, December 22, 1776.

DEAR BOYS-I hardly know whom to address particularly, and therefore you may take it all together. If I am not by this time as much forgot as if I had never existed, saving as far as respects promising the breeches, stockings, boots, &c., it may possibly be worth while to tell you that I am a very happy fellow, and have been really so since the night before last. I am very agreeably accommodated by Mrs. Yard with two rooms, and have every thing provided in an elegant, neat manner, so that I have not the smallest trouble in my new state as a housekeeper. Absolutely I don't envy the happiest man on earth.

Tell the old fellow he was more than half right in his remarks and lessons-but I beg his pardon for the unpolite appellation.

Mr. Harrison, I have taken all possible pains to get your breeches and stockings, but as yet have no prospect of success; however, I will persevere till I obtain them, if to be had in the city. Mr. Webb, you have no chance at present for your boots, but don't despair.

Dear Sam, don't lose sight of your matrimonial intentions, take my advice.

Capt. Gibbs, your letter went forward before I arrived here. hope it got safe to hand-please to send mine by Cris-God bless you all my dear boys, health and happiness ever attend you. My most dutiful respects to our worthy General.

I expect a letter from some of you.

R. CARY.

P. S.-I have detained the boy more than an hour in expectation of two tooth brushes which I had the promise of last evening, but am now told the person has not one left.

R. C.

Col. Rich'd Cary's Letter.

DR. WEBB-I have only time to inclose these Letters which I beg your care of, & to say may every blessing attend you. I shall sail this afternoon or this morning. Mrs. Cary joins me in best regards to your & all your Bros. family.

Adieu.

Yours, most sincerely,

R. CARY..

BOSTON, Thursday Morning, 27 Jan'y, '80.

Col. Rich'd Cary's Letter.

MILLSTONE, Oct. 1, 1780.

DEAR WEBB-We all agree that it will be equally as pleasing to attend you to Brunswick the next week as this, and, indeed, had it been a disappointment, the cause would, to Mrs. Cary and myself, have produced all that heart-felt delight and joy that a sincere friendship to such a deserving person is capable of exciting in our breasts. You will, therefore, naturally conclude that we cheerfully acquiesce in postponing the jaunt. For myself, I shall only say that I expect to set off the beginning of the week for Philadelphia, and, therefore, fear I shall not have it in my power to be present at the solemnity; but whether I am or not, I shall cordially participate in my friend's prospect of future happiness, and most ardently pray that the ceremony may be the introduction to an unchangeable scene of conjugal bliss which shall last for many many happy years. Miss Low & Mrs. Cary join in best regards to all the ladies and yourself.

With, Dear Webb,

Yours, most faithfully,

RICHARD CARY.

You may depend upon it, Mum's the word. COL. S. B. WEBB.

Capt. Caleb Gibbs' Letter.

HEAD QUARTERS, CROSS ROADS,

BUCKS COUNTY,

16th Aug., 1777.

DEAR WEBB-I cannot tell the reason of your so soon dropping the correspondence between us. I am confident this is not my fault, for I think you are indebted to me if I am not very much mistaken, but be that as it may, we should not be ceremonious when we consider the many agreeable hours we have passed together & in a family so happy and agreeable as the good General's.

Our good friend Cary I have not heard from by letter, since he left us. I shall write him by the next post to desire him to let me know the reason. If any one had told me it would have been so long I would have been very angry; however, I intend acting a generous part with all my old acquaintances in the latter way.

I have nothing here to write you. Gen'l Howe with the fleet, has not been heard of to our knowledge since the ninth, and then they were seen off Cenepulken, standing to the southward. This manoeuvre of Gen'l Howe's occasions, and I believe those who were so sagacious of his watching this movement to the southward as a finesse give up the point, and they can not think the North River is his object. Many may yet think that the Delaware is his object, but let the world say what they will, I will never alter my opinion of his going up the North River, for he can have nothing of so much consequence to British arms in view as that at, this juncture.

His Excellency would be glad to know if you received any money of his for the use of the family when at White Plains or after you left York Island until you came to Hackensack, or while you remained with the family, for he has been making up his accounts, and he thinks he has spent moneys out of his own private purse, and no charge made for it to the public of it.

It is his wish that you would let me know as soon as possible, & to make the letter come more safe to me you will direct & enclose it to him for fear it should miscarry.

The Lads are all well and desire to be remembered.

P. S.-In haste. My regards to Livingstone & all acquaintances.