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JOURNAL AND LETTERS

JOURNAL AND LETTERS
OF THE LATE
SAMUEL CUEWEN,
JUDGE OP ADMIRALTY, ETC.,
AN AMERICAN REFUGEE IN ENGLAND,
FROM
1775 TO 1784,
COMPRISING REMARKS ON THE PROMINENT MEN AND MEASURES OE
THAT PERIOD.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES
OF MANY
AMERICAN LOYALISTS AND OTHER EMINENT PERSONS.

BY
GEORGE ATKINSON WARD,
MEMBER OP THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND HONORARY MEMBER OP THE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

"For my native country I feel a filial fondness ; her follies I lament, her
misfortunes I pity ; her good I ardently wish, and to be restored to her embraces
is the warmest of my desires." S. Cuewen, Jan. 10, 1780. Page 231.

LONDON :
WILEY AND PUTNAM, PATERNOSTER-ROW.
NEW-yORKi C. S. FRANCIS AND CO.
boston: j. H. FRANCIS.
1842.

TO THE EIGHT HONORABLE
THE LOUD LYNDHURST,
LOUD HIGH CHANCELLOR, &c.; fee.; &c.;
whose family held a distinguished rank among the American Loyalists, proscribed for their
principles, THIS WORK, tending to exhibit the disinterested motives by which they were
actuated, and the sacrifices they cheerfully made in support of pubUc order and the laws
of their country, is, by permission, MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED ; with the hope
that talents which adorn the most exalted civil station in the BRITISH EMPIRE, and
which are no less a source of pride and admiration to his NATIVE COUNTRY, may long
continue to be successfully exerted for the great interests of mankind.
By his Lordship's most obedient
and most humble servant,
GEORGE ATKIXSON WARD.
New-York, November 19, 1842.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR OP THE AUTHOR.
His ancestry, birth, and education — visits Eufope — returns and engages
in commerce at Salem — joins the expedition against Louisburg
— extracts from his journal during the campaign — an account of the
expedition — appointed impost officer for Essex county — literary
clubs at Salem — affairs in Massachusetts before the Revolution —
difficulties with the governors Bernard, Hutchinson, and Getge —
commencement ofthe Revolution — departure ofthe author to Phila
delphia, and thence to England — his return and death — number of
exiles from Massachusetts, .... pp. 9-24.
JOURNAL AND LETTERS.
CHAPTER I. A. D. 1775-1776,— Causes of the author's departure—
his arrival in Philadelphia — state of affairs in that city — perplexities
of the author — he meets Col. Washington — reception of Hancock
and Adams — the author sails for England— arrives at Dover — pro
ceeds to London — dines in company with Mrs. Copley, mother of
Lord Lyndhurst— Samuel Q,uincy, Jonathan Sewall, Benjamin Pick-
man— letters to Rev. Thomas Barnard, William Pynchon, &c.— dines
with Gov. Hutchinson— visits Bow-street, Hampton Court, Windsor,
Twickenham, Nevrington, &c— destruction of Falmouth (now Port
land), Maine— New England Club in London— meets Sir Francis
Bernard— attends oratorio of Messiah at Covent Garden— lecture at
Salters' Hall by Dr. Price— visits Chapter House— doomsday book
— Portuguese synagogue — West's pictures— Tylney House— Lord
Mansfield's seat of Caen Wood— great bed of Ware— Rye House
—Westminster Hall— Maddock's garden— Pinchbeck's— Boar's-head
tavern— British museum— Duke of Bedford's seat at Croydon— Rev.
Dr. Apthorp— Rev. Mr. Peters, ... pp. 25-64.
CHAPTER II. A. D. 1776.— Leaves London for the country— visits
Salisbury— Stonehenge— Exeter— Sidmouth— Rev. Isaac Smith-
letter from Thomas Danforth— visils Bristol— Birmingham— Tewks
bury— Gloucester— returns to Bristol— Ratcliff church— Admiral
Penn— Clifton grotto— Shepton Mallet— Lord Arundel's seat— cabi
net of Pope Sixtus v.— Alfred's tower— spinning-jennies, pp. 64-81.
1

VI CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III. A. D. 1776— Visits Bath-Meets Col. SaltonstaU and
Mr. Boylston— Longleat, seat of Lord Weymouth— Glastonbury Ab
bey ruins— Bridgewater— Enra ore Castle, seat of Earl Egmonf—
Taunton— Sidmouth— Slade— Dr. Shebbeare-supposed Danish en
campment at Hembury— Admiral Graves - Exeter— news from New
York in Bristol Gazette— election of member of parliament at Exe
ter, candidates Baring and Cholwich-visits Lord Courtenay's Bel-
videre— birth-place of Sir Francis Drake- news from America— ru
mors of war between England and France— electioneering in Eng
land—remarks on election at Exeter- Baring elected - advices from
Gen. Burgoyne— report of Washington's defeat at Kingsbridge— re
marks on the tone of Englishmen towards America, and vindication
of the latter— letters to George Russell, William Pynchon, and
Judge Sewall,  PP- 81-95.
CHAPTER IV. A. D. 1777.— Author completes his sixty-first year-
remarks on the commencement of the new year— letters— Dr. Dodd's
case— visits Plymouth— Exeter— Bristol— journey to London— en
gages lodgings at Brompton Row, near London — dines with Gov.
Hutchinson— meets B. Hallowell— Thomas Russell-visits Christ
Church Hospital— the institution described— visits Cromwell's gar
den, in company with Judge Sewall and Abel Willard — attends
New England club at Mr. Blowers'-^dines with Harrison Gray —
letter to Rev. Isaac Smith on American affairs, . pp. 95-108.
CHAPTER V. A. D. 1777. Journey from London to Ipswich, in com
pany with Judge Sewall and Abel Willard — passes through Rum
ford, Ingatestone, Witham, Colchester — description of Colchester —
Roman antiquities — arrival at Ipswich — an unpleasing town — leaves
it for Cambridge — Newmarket races — description of Trinity College-
river Cam — University library — returns to London — journey to Ox
ford — visits Q,ueen's College — Jesus' College — Merton College —
Christ Church College — library — AUsouls — meets Sir F. Bernard —
leaves Oxford — visits Blenheim House at Woodstock — Bicester —
Buckingham— Stow Gardens — Lord George Germaine — Earl Tem
ple — Coventry — Birmingham — Leasowes of Shenstone — Hagley,
Lord Lyttelton's estate — Hales Owen — fair — returns to Birming
ham, ...... pp. 108-124.
CHAPTER VI. A. D. 1777.— Fair at Birmingham— Soho Gardens—
Ashton Park — the author leaves Birmingham for Sheffield — first
stage Lichfield — cathedral described — Burton — the great Stafford
shire canal — Derby silk mills — poreclain manufactory — Kiddlestone,
seat of Lord Scarsdale — Ashburn — residence of Chaucer — Castle-
ton — remarkable cave described — arrival at Sheffield— colliery—

CONTENTS. vii
Wakefield— original of Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield named John
son— Leeds— Armley—Huddersfield— Halifax— a great manufactur
ing town— Rochdale— Manchester— Duke of Bridgewater's canal—
St. John's church— coal mines at Worsley— description of Manches
ter— journey to Bristol— Stockport— Macclesfield— Leek— manufac
tories— Sandon— Stafford— Penkridge— Wolverhampton — .manufac
tories— Stourbridge— Bromesgrove— Worcester— Cathedral describ
ed— Tewksbury— Gloucester— Newport— Bristol, pp. 124-142.
CHAPTER VII. A. D. 1777.— Entry of member of parliament elect
into Bristol — the author visits the cathedral — Stapleton — Dundry
tower — Bath — American privateers in St. George's Channel — visit
to Wales — Swansea — Welsh customs — Neath — Cowbridge- Car
diff — Newport — return to Bristol — advices from New- York — adven
ture of Charles II. — Dean Tucker — John Wesley — journey to Exe
ter — Sidmoutlj — Axminster — birth-place ofthe great Duke of Marl
borough — carpet manufactories — Thorncombe — Cullilbrd — Slade —
Ottery — return to Exeter — news of Gen. Burgoyne's surrender —
close of the year, .... pp. 142-162.
CHAPTER vm. A. D. 1778.— Letter on American affairs— enumera
tion of troops to be sent to America — Lord Abington's motion — pas
sage from Dr. Robertson — ceremony of installing a bishop — writers
in the Spectator — amount of captures by American privateers — Rev.
Sir Henry Trelawney — political letters — report of a treaty be
tween France and the United States — war between England and
Prance,  pp. 162-181.
CHAPTER IX. A. D. 1778.— Letter to Judge Sewall on public affairs
— remarks on ability of England to sustain a war with France — pub
lic credit — number of troops sent to America — French medal in
honor of Washington — commissioners to settle the dispute with
America — Massachusetts exclusion bill — excursion to Tiverton — the
author removes his lodgings from Exeter to Sidmouth — ride to
Taunton— Colyton — Woodbury castle, the remains of a Danish fort
— ordination of Rev. Isaac Smith at Sidmouth— procession of lace-
makers at Honiton, .... pp. 181-198.
CHAPTER X. A.D. 1778.— Excursion to the west— Otterton—
Lympstone— Teignmouth— Newton Bushel— Dartmouth— Torbay
—Bridgtown — Chudleigh — Exeter— returns to Sidmouth— visits
beach at Axminster — letters on public affairs— excursion to Wey
mouth and Portland— Melcomb Regis — island of Portland described
— Roman remains — Dorchester — advices from New- York — quits
Sidmouth for Exeter— Arden's course of lectures on experimental

vm CONT'ENTS.
philosophy— letter from Judge Sewall—number of ships taken by
the French— votes ofthe bishops on the American war— the author
completes his sixty-third year, . . • PP- ^"^
CHAPTER XI. A. D. 1779.— Origin of custom of mal^ng presents on
New Year's day— letters on public affairs— British fleet at Torbay—
Lord North announces departure of Spanish minister— ordination at
Lympstone— combined fleet of France and Spain off Plymouth-
author suspected of being an American spy— leaves Exeter for Bris
tol—dines with Mr. Vassall— Dr. Gardiner— Captain Carpenter
arrives with letters, etc., from Salem— Mrs. Erving— William Ca
bot,  pp. 212-229.
CHAPTER XII. A. D. 1780.— Manilla ship described— visit to Bath
— letters— Mr. Washington, a Moravian preacher— celebration of
Admiral Rodney's victory over Don Langara-^death of William
Hutchinson — number of Americans at Bristol, and their names —
remarks on the theatre — on public affairs — advices from General
Clinton in South Carolina — his success — tour to the north in com
pany with the Sewalls — Newport — Newton — Honiton — Kiddermin
ster — Brosely — Shrewsbury — residence of Samuel Porter — EUes
mere — Wrexham — Chester — Warrington — canal locks at Runcorn
— Liverpool — Peak of Derbyshire — Derby — Wolverhampton — iron
bridge at Brosely — curious celebration of Gen. Clinton's success
at Charleston by S. Sewall — passage on the Severn from Bridge-
north to Worcester — adventure with a footpad — return to Bristol —
riots described in letter to W. Pynchon — leaves Bristol for London
— amusing sign at Devizes — arrival in London, . pp. 229-262.
CHAPTER XIIL A. D. 1780.— Letter to Judge SewaU giving an ac
count of the reported dark day in America — reply of SewaU.— visit
to ruins of King's Bench prison and Surrey Bridewell, destroyed by
mob — remarks on the evil of French troops in America — opening of
Bartholemew fair by the Lord Mayor at Smithfield — Richmond gar-
dene — elections in London — Saddler's Wells — Plowden's funeral
monument at the Temple — Roman coins — disputing club — excursion
to Hempsted, . , . . . pp. 262-285.
CHAPTER XIV. A. D. 1780.— Visit to Parliament-house— Ladies'
disputing society — Guildhall meeting — Lord Mayor's day — chancery
court — Essex House chapel — Rev. Mr. Lindsay — Carhsle House —
Montague House — British Museum — lottery drawing at Guildhall
— disputing club — affair of Major Andr6 — Mr. Copley's picture-room
— painting of death of Lord Chatham, etc. . . pp. 285-298.

CONTENTS. ix
CHAPTER XV. A. D. 1781.— Description of entertainment at Covent
Garden theatre— letters— American Academy of Arts and Sciences
founded in Massachusetts— trial of Lord George Gordon— visit to
Priory, Clerken well— Greenwich Hospital— Mrs. Cowley's new play
—Col. now Governor Browne— House of Commons— debate— Mr.
Burke— visit to Westminster Abbey— Mary-le-bone— Dr. Priestley-
British Museum— curiosities seen there— Benj. Thompson, (Count
Rumford,)— intercepted letter of General Washington— excursion to
Windsor— personal description of the King and Q,ueen— Eton Col
lege— Chis wick House— news ofthe burning of New London— Ad
miral iRodney's fleet at Torbay— consequences of .surrender of
Lord Cornwallis— Henry Laurens discharged from the tower on
bail,  pp. 298-330.
CHAPTER XVI. A.D. 1782.— Letters— visit to the Queen's house-
domestic habits of the King — letter fi-om Judge Oliver— secret ser
vice list for 1781— General Burgoyne — Welsh procession— disgrace
of Lord George Germaine— defeat of ministers— general rejoicing in
England— Lord Surrey and Benedict Arnold— new ministry— anec
dote of the Prince of Wales— Lord North— excursion to Hampton
Court— division in the cabinet— Admiral Barrington— news of the
defeat ofthe French fleet by Admiral Rodney— Maddocks the florist
— anecdote ofthe Shakspeare mug — Parson Wiswall — new arrange
ment of the ministry— visit to House of Commons — Parson Peters —
Sir William Pepperell— Lord Howe— Sterne's private character —
public notice of a provisional treaty between England and the
United States— state of parties — Sir Wm. Draper, . pp. 330-362.
CHAPTER XVIL A.D. 1783.— Meeting of refugees at Sir Wm. Pep-
perell's — death of Mr. Flucker— uncertain prospects ofthe loyalists —
Dr. Graham's lecture on health— meeting of the Royal Society
described — public affairs — procession in honor of Fox — Mrs. Siddons
at Drury-lane — visit to the House of Lords — Mr. de Berdt— excursion
to Herts — Hoddesdon — letters — St. Giles's — peace proclaimed with
France, Spain, and Holland — Nathaniel Gorham — Macklin at Covent
Garden,  pp. 362-396.
CHAPTER XVIIL A. D. 1784.— Pitt's Bast India bill lost— the author
receives letters from Salem encouraging his return — riots in London
between followers of Pitt and Fox — Dr. Watson, bishop of Llandaff—
letters from William Pynchon— funeral of Sheriff Turner — letter
from Judge Sewall — the author's petition for leave to return to
America, and to appoint an agent to receive his pension — visit to the
Treasury — preparations for leaving England— embarks in ship
Union— fellow-passengers— land at Cowes, Isle of Wight— excursion
on the island— arrival at Boston — Captain Coombs — the author's
classmates— letter from Noah Clap, . . pp. 396-419.

CONTENTS.

SUPPLEMENT.
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. ^
Address ofthe merchants and others of Boston to Governor Hutch
inson, May 10, 1774, . ' .
Address of the inhabitants of Marblehead to the same, May
25,1774, 
Address ofthe barsisters and attornies of Massachusetts to the same.
May 30, 1774, ...-••
Recantations of several ofthe Salem "addressers," May 30, 1774,
Address of the merchants and others of Salem to Governor Gage,
June 24, 1774, ...¦••
Names of the gentlemen and principal inhabitants of Boston who
signed an address to the same, Oct. 16, 1775,
Names of gentlemen driven into Boston who signed a loyal address
to the same, October 14, 1775, ....
Conspirators act of Massachusetts, Sept. 30, 1779,
Confiscation act of do., April 30, 1779,
Banishment act of do., Sept. 1778,
Counsellors of do., appointed by writ of mandamus,
August 9, 1774, ......
Worcester (Massachusetts) Resolutions respecting refugees and
absentees. May 19, 1783, (referred to in page 382,)

423 426 427429
431 432
434434
436 443
438 444

Adams, John
Adams, Samuel
Allen, Judge WiUiam .
Apthorp, Rev. Dr. East
Auchmuty, Rev. Dr. Saml
Auchmuty, Judge Robert
B.
Badger, Rev. Moses
Baring, Sir Francis
Bernard, Sir Francis
Bernard, Sir Thomas
Bliss, Daniel
Bliss, Jonathan
Blowers, Judge S. S.
Borland, John L.
Boutlneau, James
Boylston, Ward Nicholas
Brattle, Major Thomas
Brinley,. Thomas .
Browne, Colonel WiUiam

OGHAPHICAL NOTICES.
Burgoyne, General John
. 460 Byles, Rev. Matthew .
. 459
. 486 C.
. 533 Carleton, General Sir Guy
, . 511 Caswell, Richard
. 511 Chandler, Nathaniel
Chandler, Rufus
Chandler, William
. 551 Chipman, Judge Ward
. 541 Clarke, Rev. William
. 453 Clarke, Richard .
. 524 Clinton, Gen. Sir Henry
. 518 Coffin, Nathaniel .
. 508 Coffin, Thomas Aston
. 480 Colden, Governor Cadw'r.
. 500 Cooper, Rev. Dr. Myles
. 492 Copley, John S. .
. 466 Cornwallis, General Lord
. 510 Curwen's, ancestors
. 484 Curtis, Charles
. 500 Cushing, Governor Thomas

469 494

468484
550 522 551
492499505
473
484
484 537538503
473445
531
460

CONTENTS.

D. PAGE
Dana, Judge Francis . . 476
Danforth, Thomas . . 515
De Grasse, Count Joseph . 543
Dorchester, Lord . . .468
Draper, Sir WiUiam . . 525
E.
Edson, Colonel Josiah . . 547
Erving, George . . . 524
Erving, Colonel John, Jr. . 493
F.
Faneuil, Benjamin . . 492
Fenton, Captain John . . 493
Fisher, John . . .507
Flucker, Thomas . . .506
Franklin, Gov. WUliam . 552
Frye, Colonel Peter ' . .513
G.
Galloway, Joseph . . . 527
Gardiner, Dr. Sylvester . 535
Gates, General Horatio . 475
Goodhue, Hon. Benjamin . 488
Gorham, Hon. Nathaniel . 532
Gray, Hon. Harrison . . 506
Green, Joseph . . . 465
Green, Francis . . . 499
Greenleaf, Stephen . . 497
Gridley, Benjamin . . 528
Gridley, Colonel Richard . 452
H.
Hallowell, Benjamin . . 518
Hancock, John . . . 457
Harrison, Gov. Benjamin . 462
Hawley, Major Joseph . . 504
Hewes, Joseph . . . 485
Holyoke, Dr. E. A. . . 489
Hooper, Joseph . . . 467
Hovey, Ivory . . . 560
Howe, Admiral Lord . . 473
Howe, General Sir WiUiam . 474
Hutchinson, Elisha . . 502

PAGE
Hutchinson, Judge Foster . 547
Hutchinson, G n . Thomas . 454
Hutchinson, Thomas, Jr. . 499
Hutchinson, William . . 503
I.
IngersoU, Hon. Jared . . 502
Jeffries, Dr. John . . . 537
Jdtkson, Hon. Jonathan . 528

Lee, Judge Joseph) . . 487
Leonard, Daniel . . . 548
Lloyd, Dr. James . . . 517
Loring, Com. Joshua . . 523
Love 1, Rev. Benjamin . . 552
Lynde, Judge Benjamin . 490
M.
Marston, Benjamin . . 543
Mauduit, Jasper . . . 466
Mauduit, Israel . . . 466
Mifflin, Governor Thomas . 485
Xtloulton, Col. Jeremiah . 451
Murray, Colonel John . . 492
O.
Oliver, Brinley S. . . . 550
Oliver, Daniel . . . 510
OUver, Dr. Peter . . .511
Oliver, Governor Andrew . 462
Oliver, Governor Thomas . 515
Oliver, Judge Andrew . . 488
Oliver, Judge Peter . . 516-
Oliver, Peter, Jr. . . . 551
Orne, Timothy . . . 504
Otis, Hon. S. AUyne . . 535
Oxnard, Edward . . .508

Paine, Judge Robert T. . 461
Paine, Dr. William . . 551
Paxton, Charles . . . 537
Pepperell, Gen. Sir William 449

Xli

Pepperell, Sir WiUiam .
Phips, Colonel David .
Porter, Samuel
Peters, Rev. Dr. Samuel A.
Pickering, Hon. Timothy
Pickman, Colonel Benjamin
Poynton, Captain Thomas
Prince, Dr. John .
Putnam, Judge James .
Putnam, James, Jr.
Pynchon, WUliam Q,.
Q,uincy, Hon. Samuel . 463, 561
R.
Reed, General Joseph . . 486
Robie, Thomas . . .491
Ropes, Judge Nathaniel . 490
Routh, Richard . . .493
Rogers, Samuel . . . 543
Rogers, Jeremiah D. . . 552
Royal, General Isaac . . 523
Ruggles, Gen. Timothy . 508
Rumford, Count . . .497
RusseU, Judge Chambers . 516
Russell, Dr. Charles . . 513
S.
SaltonstaU, Col. Richard . 548
Sargent, John . . . 492
Sewall, Judge Jonathan . 463
Sewall, Samuel . : . 506
Shippen, Dr. William . . 485

CONTENTS.

PAGE

PAGE

. 526
Shirley, Gov. WiUiam .
. 450
. 527
Simpson, Jonathan
. 493
. 510
Smith, Judge William .
. 501
. 504
Smith, Rev. Isaac .
. 465
. 477
Sparhawk, Samuel H. .
, 497
. 502
. 515
T.
. 467
Temple, Robert .
. 497
. 514
Thompson, Benjamin .
. 497
. 552
Troutbeck, Rev. J.
. 511
. 487
*v
U.
Upham, Judge Joshua
VassaU, John
Vassall, WiUiam .
Vaughan, Col. WiUiam W.
Waldo, Francis .
Ward, Richard
Waterhouse, Samuel
Wilkins, Rev. Dr. Isaac
Willard, Abel
Willard, Colonel Abijah
Wentworth, Gov. Sir John
Williams, Elijah .
WiUiams, Seth
Winslow, Edward, Jr. .
Winslow, Pelham .
Winthrop, Admiral Robert
Winthrop, Gov. Thos. L.
Wiswall, Rev. John
519
515547 452
518533
513 555
521520 501
528
543 543
548528531
511
INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR.

The paternal ancestry of Samuel Cukwen, the author of the
Journal and Correspondence now submitted to the public, were tor
many centuries amongst the leading families in the county of Cum
berland, in the north of England, where the family seat, named
Workington Hall, still remains. George Curwin, his immediate
ancestor, was an early emigrant to New England, having established
his residence in 1638 at Salem, in the then recent colony of Massa
chusetts Bay, where he continued to reside during the residue of a
long life. He was highly esteemed by his contemporaries, for his
active and energetic character, and for several years represented
his adopted town in the " General Court," or legislative assembly
of the colony. He also commanded a squadron of horse in the
Indian wars that spread desolation throughout the frontier settle
ments of New England, and assisted in checking the inroads of the
savage foe. He died at Salem in 1685, at the age of seventy-four
years, leaving a large estate. His son, Jonathan Corwin,* was of
the provincial council named in the Massachusetts charter granted
by William and Mary in 1691, and a judge of the superior court
of the. province; he married a daughter of Sir Henry Gibbs.
George Curwin, a fruit of this connection, was the father of our
author : he graduated at Harvard College, (then the only collegiate
institution in British America,) in 1701, and was for a short period
pastor of a church at Salem. He died in 1717, at the early age
of thirty-five years.
* The ortliography of this name, like that of many others, seems to have
varied at different periods, both in England and America j our author after
his visit to England wrote it Curwen. 2

10 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR.
The subject of this memoir was born in 1715, and graduated
at Harvard College in 1735 ; he subsequently pursued the usual
course of preparatory studies for the church, but his health prov
ing inadequate to the labours of the profession, he was obliged to
relinquish the design. Disappointment in an affair of the heart
induced him to travel in England and on the Continent, and the
following- letter to his only brother, then temporarily absent,
shows the melancholy state of his mind at that time.
TO GEORGE CURWIN.
Salem, 16th July, 1738. Sunday evening.
Dear George :
It will no doubt be somewhat surprising and unexpected to hear
of my being gone, especially at such a time as this, the reason of
which may not perhaps be so proper to tell you by letter; but if I
could have had the happiness of informing you more fully in person,
I should have done so. Besides the extreme hurry and other con
curring circumstances forbid it. Had I not engaged too far to
retreat, I know not whether the various rumours spread abroad had
not stopped me. Yet extremities, you know, often dispose one to
that which otherwise would not have been undertaken. To say
no more, I am gone, and God alone, the sovereign disposer of all
things, knows the issue ; no human prudence is equal to the uncer
tainty of events.
I have to request you never to credit the least report or give ear
to what people say concerning me, (censure now-a-days being the
delight as well as the chiefest quality of the generality of mankind,)
as my affairs are not understood by any one. Show Madam
Lynde and Mr. Benjamin Lynde all imaginable respect ; they
have expressed much greater good will than any one else, therefore
omit no opportunity of thanks to them and Mr. William Lynde,
who has undertaken a great service for me. Let not any former
misunderstandings hinder your freely conversing together ; it will,
I can assure you, be your fault alone if it doth ; the business he has
undertaken will necessarily lead to it, and I hope I have not chosen
a person disagreeable to you.
My will is in the hands of Mr. Benjamin Lynde, which I have

INTKODUCTOKY MEMOIR. 11
made to secure the honor of the family, and if possible to maintain
them in some repute in case of your death ; — may God long pre
serve you. My dealings with sundry persons have more fully than
ever confirmed me in the maxim to treat all persons as if they were
dishonest; I mean no more than not to rely too much on their faith
and honor ; too much good nature in common dealings is no pro
fitable principle now-a-days. Nor do I know whether it be a
breach of Christian charity to suppose our New Englanders such;
there is most certainly a contracted selfish temper in most per
sons, which almost inclines one to think that justice and honor
in their full latitude are little understood.
The time of my stay abroad, if there happens no war, is uncer
tain, (although I ara not resolved at all hazards to gratify my
curiosity by travelling ;) it may in that case be eight months, perhaps
much longer ; otherwise I shall return in the same vessel.
I am, dear George, in all respects,
Your most affectionate brother,
S. Curwen.
On his return, Mr. Curwen engaged in commercial pursuits with
uprightness and success. His business was subsequently interrupted
by the depredations of French cruisers, fitted out from Louisburg in
the island of Cape Breton. New England suffered immensely in
her commerce from the same cause, and her enterprising people
resolved upon the reduction of that stronghold ofthe enemy at all
hazards. Accordingly, we find what was generally considered a
romantic expedition set on foot for this purpose in the winter of
1744-5 ; and Mr. Curwen as a captain, and his brother as a com
missary, joined it. The command of this expedition, comprising
some four thousand New England militia, was given to General
Pepperell,* who having suffered largely from the depredations of
French cruisers, advanced several thousand pounds towards the
outfit. The result of the expedition was completely successful, and
reflected great credit on the participators in it. The General was
* See Supplement for biographical notices of Sir William Pepperell and
other conspicuous persons whose names occur in this work.

12 INTKOD0CTORY MEMOIR.
created a baronet of Great Britain, an honor never before conferred
on a native of the North American provinces.
The following are extracts from Mr. Curwen's journal kept
during the campaign.
« Boston, March 23, 1745. The General is embarking, and
we shall sail this afternoon.— Commodore Warren is commg to
our assistance, which with the blessing of God will be of great
advantage.— There will go down in the first embarkation at least
twenty-five hundred soldiers.
Sheepscot, March 27. We have in our mess Mr. Walter,*
our chaplain, who is a very pleasant companion. — I dined to-day
on board of Capt. Grant, who to-morrow with Capt. King will
breakfast with me.— Our troops were landed at Chapeaurouge on
the 29th March.
Canso, April 17. Wrote home for provisions and stores to be
sent in case the goods I expect shall arrive safe from England. —
We are almost reduced to pork and pease.
Our men-of-war and privateers are stationed all round the
Island to prevent vessels going in or coming out. This evening an
other prize arrived, taken by Capt. Donahue, in the Swan of Mar
blehead, who behaved very bravely. The prize had captured the
packet sent from Boston to Cansof to notify us that Commodore
Warren was coming to our assistance, which heightens our
spirits. Canso, April 22. Capt. Durell is come in this afternoon to
our assistance ; as yet we have no news of Commodore Warren ;
hope it will not be long before he arrives with an account of the
French men-of-war expected. Our last transport arrived this af
ternoon ; we had almost given her up.
I believe our campaign will be short, and expect the place will
surrender without bloodshed.
Last night our chaplain and doctor went with two companies
* Son of Rev. Nath. Walter of Roxbury ; his son Rev. Dr. William
Walter, a proscribed refugee, became Dean of Shelbume, Nova Scotia, re
turned lo Boston in 1792 as vector of Christ Church, and died l&OO, M. 64.
He married a daughter of Ch. Justice Lynde,
t Canso or Canseau was taken by the French and Indians, the houses
were burnt and fisheries destroyed, the garrison and inhabitants made pris
oners, and sent to Louisburg.

INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 13
to attack St. Peter's, and we are momently looking for their return.
I long to be once within the walls of Louisburg. This is the
strangest country I ever knew ; not two fair days together.
Canso, April 27. The Connecticut fleet arrived, and Col.
Lathrop handed me my letter. The scheme of attacking Louis
burg is altered every day.
Commodore Warren has arrived. I trust the expedition will
prove successful, and that our friends will remember we are going
against our common enemy. May 1st, a small party went to the
harbour and burned a small quantity of wine, brandy, and naval stores.
Camp before Louisburg, May 6. We have got possession of
the Grand Battery; the French departed from it three days ago;
they spiked all the guns, but we have got seven of them clear, and
five of them are continually playing upon the town. Our soldiers
are all in good heart, and I doubt not in a few days we shall have
the town. We have taken a great number of prisoners.
Commodore Warren this day came ashore to visit the General :
he and all our officers have a good understanding among them
selves. Yesterday a gun at the Grand Battery split and wounded five
of our men. They now and then throw a bomb, but do no damage.
This morning came in Col. Moulton with his detachment from
St. Peter's, which they have demolished with the loss of but one
man. Providence has signally smiled, and I doubt not the cam
paign will be crowned with success. I am willing to undergo
any thing for the good of our cause.
Camp before Louisburg, May 12, 1745. Commodore War
ren has had two hundred marines and sailors ashore for three days
past in order to attack the Island battery, but something or other
has always prevented its accomplishment, so the Commodore has
ordered them all aboard and gone on board himself not a little dis
satisfied. Camp before Louisburg, May 26. Commodore Warren has
taken the Vigilante, a 64 gun ship from France, coming with am
munition for this garrison. She was manned with five hundred
men, had five hundred barrels gunpowder on board : she lost
thirty men before she struck. The command of her is given to
Captain Douglass, who before had the Mermaid, and Capt Mon-

14 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR-
tague is to have the Mermaid. This has given new life to all our
oflScers and soldiers. . •
¦ Capt. Gayton is safely arrived at last, which affords great joy,
for we almost despaired of him, being out so long after all the
transports had arrived that left under his convoy.
Capt. Fletcher has had the misfortune to lose ten men by the
Indians ; seven killed, and three taken prisoners. They went
ashore ten miles above where we lay to get wood, and keeping no
guard, were beset by the Indians and cut off.
Camp before Louisburg, June 2d. We have made an attempt
upon the Island battery, and failed. Abbot, a townsman of mine,
was wounded in the leg, and I fear he will lose his life. — An hun
dred men are missing, and we are in hopes they are taken, as two
boats laden with men were seen going into the town after the
attack, when the French gave three hurrahs. Young Gray is
¦dead, and three of Capt. Grant's men are missing, all of Salem.
Our scouts have had an engagement with a number of French and
Indians which we routed ; killed thirty and wounded forty ; we
lost but six killed ; among them is the brave Capt. Dimmock, of
Barnstable, and twenty wounded, some very dangerously. Our
men got under the very walls before the French fired a gun.
Louisburg, June 17th, 1745. The Governor, aware of our
preparations for a general assault, thought it best to capitulate, and
has just surrendered the city to our arms.
Louisburg, July 25th, 1745. An East India ship, worth at
least je200,000 sterling, came off the harbour, and fired a gun for '
a pilot. The Commodore sent out two sixty gun ships, which
came up with, and took her in three hours ; we had the pleasure
from the walls to see her strike to them. Two others, sent out
three weeks before her, bound hither, are hourly expected to heave
in sight. Col. Graham goes to-iUorrow in a sloop as a flag of
truce for Canada, with about thirty French prisoners ; he is the
only Englishman that goes in her.
I am going on board Capt. Lovett to St. Peter's, with a
number of my soldiers, to guard the wood-vessels going there : our
affairs will soon be settled, and I shall, to my great joy, return
home."

IHTRODUCTOEY MEMOIR. 15
FROM WILLIAM LYNDE.
Salem,, July 27, 1745.
Capt. Curwen:
I have had the pleasure of but one letter from you since you
left us. — If no more East Indiamen, &c. drop in, yet a line on any
occasion will be very agreeable. I should be glad* to hear of the
event of" these ships being at Louisburg, and what effect their
coming will have on the fleet, army. New England, the nation,
or any particulars of them, or concerning Louisburg ; the French
fishery, settlements on the island, &c., if not too troublesome to you.
I hope New England will be the happier for the event of the
expedition, which is known to have been too bold a stroke for your
enemy — how it will turn out is doubtful, since many are competi
tors for the honor. We here assure ourselves of the Governor's
good designs and influence on our part. I could say more than
write on this article, and cannot but be sanguine for the honor of
our country and friends, whose all was involved in the happy issue
of the expedition. We hope daily to hear of the Governor's arri
val and good measures for the general advantage. The fleet
assume their full share, from all accounts, and have much popu
larity ashore ; doubt not of the influence of omnipotent gold, which
perhaps .they have a greater share of, than of honor or jurisdic
tion on land. How you stand inclined yourself, I know not,
though don't doubt your zeal for our country and friends.
As to occurrences at Salem ; trade has been successful, and no
losses^ — if the Dutch break this year, you know how it will affect.
We hear from New-York and via Lisbon of some five French
men-of-war, designing for Cape Breton ; perhaps to convoy the
Indiamen. Undoubtedly you may expect some via Lisbon advices ;
they say Genoa has declared for the French and Spaniards. From
New-York they say the Duke of Tuscany is Emperor, but it is
doubted here. I believe there is matter enough in Europe for a
long war ; but perhaps you have later news than we. Our gov
ernment has declared war against the Penobscot Indians, who have
broke in on our new settlements ; so that we are at war with all
eastern Indians ; they are doubtless put on by the French of Canada.
New England has enough on her hands, though the season is
hopeful and trade brisk. Some particulars I could give verbatim,

16 introductory memoir.
which I cannot write ; hope to see you soon here, and spent! some
pleasant hours with you, as we have spent many past. Give my
hearty service to your brother and Capt. Grant. My brother* de
sires you would excuse his not writing by this opportunity. Capt.
Hillyer is now going to sail, having given but short notice.
Believe me, dear Sir, your real friend, William Lynde.
A late writer thus describes'this expedition, which is among the
most remarkable in our history—" The French had built a city and
fortress on the island of Cape Breton, at immense cost, and of
immense strength, which in honor of the King was called " Louis
burg." Their fisheries in the seas in its vicinity (as was ascer
tained by Mr. Kilby, as agent of Governor Shirley, of Massachu
setts), produced one million and four hundred thousand quintals
- annually, and they annoyed the colonial fishermen so much, that
the fishing interest of Massachusetts and New Hampshire resolved on
the destruction of Louisburg, and the expulsion of the French from
the fishing grounds. Application was made to Gov. Shirley ac
cordingly, by Vaughan, a son of the Lt. Governor of New Hamp
shire, who was largely interested in the fisheries, and whose fisher
men had imparted to him valuable information as to the weak
parts of its defences. The subject was considered in secret session,
the first ever held in the Colonies. After much diflUcuhy, and after
having been negatived once, it was resolved to undertake the des
truction of this wonderful city. But the Colonies south of New
England declined to aid in so mad an enterprise, though urged to
do so ; and Dr. Franklin, as if forgetting that he ' was Boston born,'
ridiculed the project, in one of the wittiest letters that he ever
wrote. The spirit of New England was up. A feeling something
like that which caused the Crusades, prevailed among her people,
high and low. Religion shouted " Popery" — and even White-
field made a recruiting house of the sanctuary ; and he not only
preached delenda est Carthago, but one of his followers actually*
joined the troop as chaplain, and carried an axe at the shoulder,
with which to hew down the Catholic images in the churches of
the fated city. On sailing, the troops were furnished with line
and other gear to catch fish on the passage. The original plan of
* Benjamin Lynde, afterwards Chief Justice Sup. Court.

IN T eoductory memoir. 17
attack was not observed, but to the surprise of all, the city fell, and
Pepperell was rewarded most magnificently, while Vaughan, who
claimed to have conceived its destruction, and who certainly did
much to effect it, and was second in command and performed ex
traordinary feats of valor before it, was suffered to die neglected,
though he went to London in person to press his claims. At the
peace of 1749, Louisburg was restored to France, much to the
displeasure of New England. In the war with France, which
preceded the Revolution by about twenty years, it was captured
a second time, and miners were sent from England to reduce its
walls to rubbish. In its second capture, Wolfe distinguished him
self much. He sailed from this doomed city for Quebec, at the
head of 8000 men, to rise from a sick bed, and ' die satisfied' on
the plains which his name has made immortal. Louisburg is now
desolate. Its walls were built of bricks brought from France..
Twenty-five years and thirty millions of livres were spent in
building it. It had nunneries, and palaces, and two hundred and
six cannon were mounted to perpetuate French dominion over it.
Six thousand troops garrisoned its fortress, and a fleet of ships of
the line and frigates were moored in its waters. But yet, though
all called it the " Dunkirk" of America, because of its exceeding
strength, it fell — and now it is almost unknown that such a place
existed. Its captors, by keeping fhe flag of France in its place,
after they became its masters, decoyed and captured ships and
cargoes worth some millions of dollars, but now, none but fishermen
visit it, and they for shelter and not for traffick. — That such a city
existed at so early a period in our history, is a marvel ; that such a
city yielded to the farmers and fishermen of New England, is al
most incredible. The lovers of the wonderful may read the works
which contain accounts of its rise and ruin, and be satisfied that
' truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.'
" The influence of the expedition to Louisburg has been felt ever
since. When, thirty years after it, the northern colonies became
embroiled with the mother country, many of those who belonged
to it were still alive. The confidence which their skill and success
inspired was incalculable. — When Gen. Gage was fortifying
Boston neck, the American people, whose curiosity led them to
watch the progress of the works, used to say that ' Gage's mud
3

18 II<*TR(iD0CTOKY jiEilorR-
walls are nothing to old Louisburg's.' ' The drum that beat
along the road to Lexington,' said Edward Everett, ' had been at
Louisburg.' This is literally true. Gridley, who had laid out the
works on Breed's or Bunker Hill, on the night previous to the
memorable 17th of June, was the engineer of the colonial forces
at the siege of Louisburg,— and many who rose to distinction in the
Revolution, were associated with him in the same perilous enter
prise. In truth, the biographers and letters of the men of the
Revolution, teem with incidents and allusions to this, — the great
event of colonial history."
Soon after Mr. Curwen's return from the reduction of Louisburg
he resumed his mercantile pursuits, which were continued for many
years with various success, yet he never failed in meeting all his
engagements. — In 1759 he was appointed Impost Officer for Essex
county, which office he filled for fifteen years, his commission being
renewed at intervals of three years during that period.
He was a member of a club instituted for improvement in phi
losophy and literature in his native town, in which originated the
Social Library in 1760, and the Philosophical Library, which were
afterwards united, and became the foundation ofthe Athenaeum, In
IS 10. The meetings of this club were interrupted by the Revolution,
but were resumed and continued many years afterwards. Among
the members were Dr. Holyoke, who was president of several lite
rary and scientific societies, and died at the age of a hundred years
and six months, in 1829 ; and who with the Hon. Samson S. Blowers,
Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, now living, are the only alumni
of Harvard University out of thirty-six hundred graduates, that
have arrived at that great age ; Hon. Benjamin Lynde and Hon.
Nathaniel Ropes, judges of the superior court; Hon. Andrew
Oliver, Judge of the Common Pleas; William Pynchon, Esq.,
an eminent lawyer; Rev. Wm. McGilchrist and Rev. Thomas
Barnard ; Stephen Higginson, Esq., an eminent merchant, who af
terwards removed to Boston ; Hon. Wm. Browne, judo-e of the
superior court, afterwards Governor of Bermuda ; Col. Benjamin
Pickman, Col. Peter Frye, and Thomas Robie, Esq. These gentle
men possessed literary attainments of a high order, and though ar-
dfenlly attached to their country, took different views of its interests.

INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 19
The four last, together with Mr. Curwen, in consequence of the
spirit of persecution which succeeded the battle of Lexington, fear
ing that the high-toned conduct of the people would bring ruin on
their country, became loyalist refugees, and retreated to England.
A brief account of the state of affairs in the colony of Massachu
setts at the period immediately preceding the Revolution, may serve
as an appropriate introduction to the parties and events referred to
in the following pages.
We find at the commencement of Governor Bernard's adminis
tration in Massachusetts, in 1760, the final reduction of the Canadas
causing a general jubilee throughout the continent ; for the colo
nists had only suffered from their French and Indian neighbors, and
these being at length completely subdued, they felt that they could
now sit under their own vines and fig-trees, having none to molest
or to make them afraid. They had felt the burden of government
less than any people who had received such benefits from it ; and it
was a common aspiration in the public prayers of the day, that the
civil and religious privileges they enjoyed might be transmitted to
their posterity forever. In 1763, Mr. James Otis, (afterwards the
great leader of opposition to Gov. Bernard's measures,) in his ad
dress, as moderator of the first town-meeting at Boston after the
peace, remarked, that " no other constitution of civil government
had yet appeared in the world so admirably adapted to the preser
vation of the great purposes of liberty and knowledge as that of
Great Britain. Every person in America is of common right, by
acts of Parliament, and the laws of God, entitled to all the essential
privileges of Britons. The true interests of Great Britain and her
colonies are mutual, and what God in his providence has united, let
no man dare attempt to pull asunder."
There does not appear to have been any cause for dissatisfac
tion in the colonies at that period, and there was no complaint of
the invasion of the rights of the people by any of the gov
ernments. Soon, however, the disturbances in England reached
America, and the cry of " Wilkes and liberty" in London was
echoed in Boston, and resounded through the colonies.
Accounts were received before the session of the legislature of
Massachusetts in 1764, that a bill had passed the House of Com
mons, imposing duties on articles heretofore exempted, which af-

20 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR.
forded a good opportunity to bring the officers of the crown into
disrepute, should they attempt to carry the law into effect. All
who were desirous of keeping up the authority of law, were branded
with the name of tories ; their characters were assailed in the nevvs-
papers, and they were charged with promoting measures to restrict
the natural and chartered rights and liberties of the people. The
law was attacked by Mr. Otis in a pamphlet, in which he asks this
question: " If taxes are laid in any shape without our having a
legal representative where they are made, are we not reduced from
the character of subjects to the miserable state of tributary slaves 1"
He allows the right of parliament to tax the colonies, provided they
^re represented ;" and had not the colonists soon after declared
against it, this privilege would probably have been conceded ; for
Mr. Grenvllle and many influential members of the government,
acknowledged themselves in favor of the measure. On the passage
ofthe stamp-act, there appeared a general determination to oppose
it throughout the colonies, and Mr. Andrew Oliver, afterwards
Lieutenant Governor, having been appointed distributor of the
stamps for Massachusetts, a mob attacked and destroyed a building
lately erected by him, as was supposed for a stamp-office ; on which
he gave notice of his Intention to resign, and never to act in that
capacity. Lieut. Governor Hutchinson's house was the next eve
ning attacked, with little damage ; but on the 26th August, 1765,
his windows and doors were burst in, and every article of furniture
and property that it contained, destroyed, to the amount of twenty-
four hundred pounds sterling, besides a great mass of public and
private papers of inestimable value. From this time governmental
power ceased in Boston. Smuggling had been extensively carried
on at that port for years. In 1766 exertions were made on
the part of government to prevent this illegal traffick by prose
cuting the parties concerned, which induced the most abusive
and licentious attacks on the governor and all the officers of the
crown. False and groundless as these charges were, they gained
too ready a credence with the people, as they were directed ao-alnst
their rulers. At length, however, Mr. Sewall (afterwards attorney-
general), in a series of papers signed Philanthropos, refuted the
charges, and silenced the calumniators.
The stamp-act was repealed, and the duty on molasses reduced

INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. 21
from 3d. to one penny per gallon; and for a short time, at the
close of the year 1766, the colonies reposed in tranquillity. This
calm was, however, interrupted the next year by the refusal ofthe
Assembly of New York to submit to parliamentary authority, by
making provision for quartering the king's troops. In 1768, the
Governor laid before the assembly of Massachusetts a letter from
Lord Hillsborough, secretary of state, directing him to dissolve the
same unless an obnoxious vote, passed in February, should be re
scinded ; and this being refused by a vote of 92 to 17, the minority
were ever after reproachfully termed " rescinders." In April, 1769,
Governor Bernard received orders to embark for England ; and
on his arrival, his conduct having met the approbation ofthe ad
ministration, he was created a baronet. He had been treated
with great bitterness here, which however was owing in part to
certain of his letters to England, in which he infers the necessity
of the king's appointing a royal council instead of that elected by
the people, and recommends an act to authorize the king to super
sede all commissions which had been issued to improper (i. e. dis
affected) persons. The destruction of the East India Company's
tea at Boston in 1773, only was wanting by their leaders to involve
the body of the people in the same circumstances in which their
course of opposition measures had placed them.
The leading principles of the Revolution, viz., a denial of the
right of taxation by Parliament, a claim ofthe privilege of juries in
admiralty courts, and the right of trial only in places where offences
are committed, should have been allowed to rest upon the broad
basis of their respective merits. Private letters, surreptitiously ob
tained in England, written by Governor Hutchinson and Lieut.
Governor Oliver, (whose spotless lives, devoted, as they believed,
to the best interests of their fellow men, had acquired for them an
almost unbounded influence,) were announced with great pomp
and circumstance by legislative resolves ; and garbled extracts were
circulated, and unjust inferences drawn, before the letters themselves
were permitted to be printed, which would have proved a sufficient
antidote to the poison so invidiously diffused. — The distemper, how
ever, was much arrested by a series of papers under the signature
Philolethes, from the pen of Mr. Sewall, developing the disguised
craft and fallacies which pervaded this deep contrivance, and written

22 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR.
with such moderation and candour that the calumniators thought
it best to leave these pieces unanswered, and suffer the flame to
die away, intending to keep the embers in reserve for raising a new
flame at a more propitious time for their purposes.— Governor
Hutchinson* had represented the transaction of the 5th of March
1770 (commonly called the Boston massacre), in his letters to the
secretary of state, far more favourably for the town than the evi
dence at the trial afterwards warranted, yet the Assembly consider
ed him as inimical to the province for conforming to his instructions,
and withstanding their attempts to compel him to yield the prerog
ative of the crown ; and the council instead of supporting him
sided with the House. The designs of particular persons to bring
about a revolution and attain independency, were apparent to the
Governor, but he did not think it possible that the people would be
induced to declare for it.
Under the discouragements of the times Governor Hutchinson
determined to visit England, and have at least a temporary relief;
but before he received an answer to his request, his able and
estimable coadjutor, Lieut. Governor Oliver,* succumbed to the
unwarranted attacks upon him, and fell a victim to wounded sensi
bility on the 3d of March, 1774.
In a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, granting Gov. Hutchin
son's wlshed-for permission to visit England, dated April 9, 1774,
he says : " It is impossible you can have any doubt of the light in
which your conduct on the late trying occasion is seen by the king
and his servants. I cannot however content myself without repeat
ing to you what cannot fall to give you the strongest consolation
and satisfaction, that it is his majesty's intention to testify his appro
bation of your services to all mankind by an early markof hlsfavor.f
This expectation will contribute much to alleviate the anxiety
of your mind, and to support you under any difficulties you may
yet have to encounter; but you will allow me to say, that to a
mind like yours there are secret sources of tranquillity that are
superior to such great and encouraging considerations. The con
scious sense which you possess of an upright and uniform regard to
» See Supplement.
f A baronetoy was offered Gov. Hutchinson and declined, which ought
Ito satisfy his countrymen offtheuprightness of his political motives.

lJ»TRODUCTGR Y MEMOIR. 23
the duty of your situation, joined to a dispassionate and real con
cern for the welfare of the people over whom you preside, which
equally appear throughout the correspondence that 1 have had
with you, do at this moment, if I am not deceived in my opinion of
you, supply you with that steadiness and fortitude which discover
themselves in your firm and temperate conduct, and which under
such support it is not in the power of the most unreasonable pre-
j.udice, or even ofthe most inveterate malice to shake or intimidate."
General Gage having arrived with power to administer the
government. Governor Hutchinson sailed on fhe 1st of June, 1774,
for England. Before his departure he had received addresses from
a hundred and twenty merchants of Boston ; from all the gentle
men of the law, with few exceptions; from the magistrates of
Middlesex and Plymouth, and the principal gentlemen of Salem
and Marblehead, all expressing entire approbation of his public
conduct and their affectionate wishes for his prosperity. These
addresses gave great offence to the disaffected portion of the com
munity, and many of those who signed them, afterwards stigma
tized as " Addressers," were compelled by the people to make
public recantations in the newspapers. Mr. Curwen, who had
subscribed the Salem address, declined to obey the popular voice,
saying that the prescribed recantation contained more than in con
science he could own ; and that as to live under the character of
reproach which the fury of party might throw upon him, was too
painful a reflection to suffer for a moment, he therefore resolved
to withdraw from the impending storm. He accordingly embarked
for Philadelphia, on the 23d of April, 1775, and thence for London
on the 13th of the following month.
Mr. Curwen had been in the commission of the peace for thirty
years, and at the time of his departure was a Judge of Admiralty,
in which office he was immediately succeeded by Timothy Picker
ing, the patriot, who afterwards so ably filled distinguished offices
in the army, in the cabinet of Washington, and the councils of our
country. Judge Curwen returned in the autumn of 1784, much to
the satisfaction of his friends, and was never molested for his poli
tical course.
Mr. Curwen was in early life married to a daughter of Hon.

24 INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR.
Daniel Russell, of Charlestown, and a sister of Hon. Chambers Rus
sell, whom he survived many years.
He died in his native town, in April, 1802, at the advanced age
of eighty-six years. He possessed a fine literary taste, was a
scholar and a Christian. He left no lineal descendants; but in
order that the name might not become extinct in New England,
at his request just before his death, a collateral relative since
deceased assumed it, who has left three sons residing at Salem,
who bear the name.
Of the families of the exiled loyalists, scattered as they have
been over the world, it is no small matter to obtain information ;
while some grace the peerage and baronetage of England, of
many ofthe exiled Refugees scarce a descendant, even in a collateral
branch, is to be found. Of the loyalists that remained to run the
risk of the spirit of the people, the task has been less difficult.
Of nearly two hundred that were banished by the government
of Massachusetts, upwards of sixty were graduates of Harvard Col
lege. And of the five judges of the supreme court of that pro
vince at the commencement of the difficulties, the Hon. William
Cushing alone was of patriot principles, who was afterwards on tbe
bench ofthe supreme court ofthe United States.

JOURNAL AND LETTERS.

CHAPTER I.

Philadelphia, May 4, 1775. , Since the late unhappy affairs at
Concord and Lexington, finding the spirit of the people to rise on
every fresh alarm, (which has been almost hourly,) and their tem
pers to get more and more soured and malevolent against all mod
erate men, whom they see fit to reproach as enemies of their
country by the name of tories, among whom I am unhappily
(although unjustly) ranked ; and unable longer to bear their un
deserved reproaches and menaces hourly denounced against
myself and others, I think it a duty I owe myself to withdraw for
a while from the storm which to my foreboding mind is approach
ing. Having in vain endeavoured to persuade ray wife to accom
pany me, her apprehensions of danger from an incensed soldiery,
a people licentious and enthusiastically mad and broken loose from
all the restraints of law or religion, being less terrible to her than a
short passage on the ocean ; and being moreover encouraged by
her, I left my late peaceful home (in my sixtieth year) in search of
personal security and those rights which by the laws of God I
ought to have enjoyed undisturbed there, and embarked at Beverly
on board the schooner Lively, Captain Johnson, bound hither, on
Sunday the 23d ultimo, and have just arrived. Hoping to find an
asylum amongst quakers and Dutchmen, who I presume from
former experience have too great a regard for ease and property to
sacrifice either at this time of doubtful disputation on the altar of
an unknown goddess, or rather doubtful divinity.
My fellow-passengers were Andrew Cabot,* his wife and childj
and Andrew Dodge.* My townsman, Benjamin Goodhue,f was
* Merchants of Beverly. t See Supplement.

26 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775.
kind enough to come on board, and having made my kinsman and
correspondent, Samuel Smith, acquainted with my arrival, he was
pleased to come on board also, and his first salutation, " We wUl
protect you though a tory," embarrassed me not a little ; but soon
recovering my surprise, we fell into a friendly conversation, and he
taking me to his house, I dined with his family and their minister,
Mr. Sproat, suffering some mortification in the cause of truth.
After an invitation to make his house my home during my stay
here, which I did not accept, I took leave, and went in pursuit of
lodgings, and on enquiring at several houses, ascertained they were
full, or for particular reasons would not take me ; and so many
refused as made it fearful whether, like Cain, I had not a discour
aging mark upon me, or a strong feature of toryism. The whole
city appears to be deep in congressional principles, and inveterate
against " Hutchinsonian Addressers." Happily we at length arrived
at one Mrs. Swords', a widow lady, in Chestnut-street, with whom
I found quarters, rendered more agreeable by S. Waterhouse's com
pany, who also lodges here.
May 5, 1775. I find the drums beating, colours flying, and de
tachments of newly raised militia parading the streets ; — the
wholecountry appearsdetermined to assume a military character, and
this city, throwing off her pacific aspect, is forming military compa
nies, a plan being laid for thirty -three ; composed of all ranks and
nations, uniting shoulder to shoulder, they form so many patriotic
bands to oppose like the invincible Macedonian phalanx, the pro
gress and increase of parHamentary authority. The Quakers, not
to be behind in manifesting their aversion, have obtained permis
sion of the city committee to make up two companies of Friends
exclusively, and they are to be commanded by Samuel Marshall
and Thomas Mifflin,* both of that persuasion.
So powerful is the love of liberty, and so great the dread of
ministerial designs, that the strongest prejudices and habits have
given way and are controlled by the former.
The House this day having received a message from the gover
nor with Lord North's conciliatory plan, has on a full debate re
jected it, being resolved to adhere to the union.
* See Supplement.

1775.] JOUBNALANDLETTERS. 27
Joseph Lee* hearing I was in the city, came to see me, and
advised my going to London.
May 6, 1775. Saw Pelatiah Webster,f who at the instance
of Mr Goodhue treats me civilly. Having had several intima
tions that my residence here would be unpleasant, if allowed at all,
when it shall be known that I ara what is called " an addresser;"
besides, solicited to sign " a recantation," which may contain more
than in conscience I can subscribe ; and after all with the uncer
tainty whether it will answer the purpose, or should it barely, to
live and die under the character of reproach and ignominy, which
the outrageous fury of party may throw upon me, is a reflection too
painful for a raoraent to support. I have, therefore, consulted the
few friends I think it worth while to advise with, and on the result,
am determined to proceed to London in the vessel in which I came
here. On the credit of Samuel Smith and Sons, I have with their as
sistance procured flour to freight a vessel.
May 7, 1775.— Sunday. Went with Mr. Smith to Arch-
street meeting house ; Mr. Sproat entertained us with a truly
American patriotic sermon, pathetically lamenting the evils we
are suffering from wicked and tyrannical ministers ; exhorting us
manfully to oppose them.
At 2 o'clock at the wharf, a large collection of people were
waiting news from London, Capt. Robinson having just anchored.
The only news was, that the restraining bill respecting New-Eng
land, and the other respecting the southern colonies, were passed.
Dr. Franklin arrived last night, which was announced by ring
ing of bells to the great joy of the city. I cannot but promise
myself some good, as his knowledge and experience must have in
fluence in the approaching Congress, which will I doubt not listen
to his judgment. He is, it is said, to return to England again soon,
at Lord Chatham's instance, who tells him he must be on the spot
at the opening of Parliament.
May 9, 1775. Dined with Stephen Collins; passed the
evening at Joseph Reed's,* in company with Col. Washington, (a
* See Supplement.
I In July, 1774, this gentleman directed his correspondent at Boston^ to
pay £10 to the commitee for the relief of sufferers by the Boston Port Bill.

28 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775.
fine figure and of a most easy and agreeable address,) Richard
Henry Lee, and Col. Harrison, three of the Virginia delegates.—
Besides Mr. and Mrs. Reed, were Mrs. Deberdt,* Dr. Shippen,
and Thomas Smith. I staid till twelve o'clock, the conversation
being chiefly on the most feasible and prudent method of stopping
up the channel of the Delaware to prevent the coming up of any
large ships to the city ; I could not perceive the least disposition to
¦accomraodate raatters.
Col. Caswell and Mr. Hewes, the North Carolina delegates,
arrived this day, and are at our lodgings.
May 10, 1775. Early in the morning a great number of per
sons rode out several miles, hearing that the eastern delegates
were approaching, when about 11 o'clock the cavalcade appeared,
(I being near the upper end of Fore street ;) first two or three
hundred gentlemen on horseback, preceded, however, by the newly-
chosen city military officers, two and two, with drawn swords,
followed by John Hancock and Samuel Adams in a phaeton and
pair, the former looking as if his journey and high living, or so
licitude to support the dignity of the first man in Massachusetts,
had impaired his health. Next came John Adams and Thomas
Cushing in a single horse chaise ; behind followed Robert Treat
Pajne, and after him the New York delegation, and some from the
province of Connecticut, etc., etc. The rear was brought up by
a hundred carriages, the streets crowded with people of all ages,
sexes and ranks. The procession marched with a slow, solemn
pace ; on its entrance into the city all the bells were set to ringing
and chiming, and every mark of respect that could be, was ex
pressed : — not much I presume to the secret liking of their fellow
delegates from the other colonies, who doubtless had to digest the
distinction as easily as they could.
May 11, 1775. Col. Caswell was innoculated for the small
pox. Mr. Lee again repeated his advice of my going to London.
Dined with J. B. Smith; rode with him to his farm six miles
out. Drank tea with Mr. Lee and Startin.
May 12, 1775. Sent my baggage on board the Lively— Ve-
* The mother of Mrs. Reed and widow of the Massachusetts Assembly
«gent to the British government.

1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 29
ceived a letter from Stephen Collins to Mr. Neat of London— paid
my respects to Mrs. Deberdt, and received a letter to her son. Re
ceived my invoice of flour from Samuel. Smith and Sons. Mr.
Startin presented me with an open letter on Wilkinson and Co.
Birminghara, and Mr. Reed and lady gave me letters to their brother,
Dennis Deberdt, London. From post office took Rivington's two
last newspapers, and received from the publishers all the present
week's Philadelphia papers. Messrs. Lee and Webster took leave,
and with my fellow passenger, Mr. Webster's son Pelatiah, I went
on board the Lively.
May 16, 1775. Spoke Capt. Waterman in a schooner from
Nantucket, who brought me a letter from Nathan Goodale, stating
that his family, Mr. Pynchon's, and Mr. Orne's, had arrived there,
to which I replied. TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ.
In the Delaware, May 16, 1775.
Dear Sir :
You can scarce conceive my joy at hearing that my neighbours,
suffering in the same cause as rayself, and for whom I sincerely
profess a friendship, were in a secure retreat. Continue there by
all means, safe from the alarms and dangers you have fled from.
Philadelphia is wholly American, strong friends to congress
ional measures ; at least, no man is hardy enough to express a
doubt of the feasibility of their projects. Mr. Joseph Lee leads a
recluse life there. The inhabitants are displeased that the New
Englanders make it their city of refuge. The new established
post (instead of the old eastern one which is stopped,) adraits no
letters to pass but those franked ; the contents of which must be
known to one of the committee to be entitled to that benefit.
Yours truly, Saml. Curwen.
June 1, 1775. At Sea. The Otter sloop-of-war, from Boston,
brought us to at 9 o'clock, and informed us all was quiet when
she left. The provincial forces, amounting to fifteen thousand
men, were waiting the determination ofthe Congress ; that forty-five

30 journal and LETTERS. [1775,
transports with the three generals, had arrived there eight days
ago ; and that a great fire happened there, beginning at the bar
rack stores on the docks, and consuming all from thence to King-
street. She detained us two hours in order to send letters to
England. July 3, 1775. Arrived at Dover, England, at 11 o'clock, A. M.
Mr. Webster and myself concluded to take coach for London
after visiting the Castle. We first ascended to one of the square
towers, in height 134 steps, from which in a clear day the French
shore is to be seen, and a most agreeable view into the country.
The town of Dover seems under foot, and even the steeples scarce
as high as the foot of the hill. We next visited Julius Caesar's
tower, (said to have been built by him,) old and in ruins ; on the
plains of it is a battery of twenty four pounders, — one of brass,
24 feet long, called Queen Elizabeth's pocket-piece, given her by
Holland at the time of its emancipation from Spain. It is curious
ly ornamented with the arms of England and Holland ; was cast
in 1544 ; weighs six tons, and carries a twelve pound shot seven
miles. The well is 375 feet deep. The original key supposed to be
eighteen hundred years old, is 21 inches long, and weighs three
or four pounds. We also saw a sword of state five feet long, the
handle twelve inches. At the coffee-house met James Teal, a
son ofthe widow ofthe late Gov. Belcher of Massachusetts by her
first husband. He wished to convey intelligence of his residence
here to his mother in New England ; his letters have miscarried
for some time past.
London, July 4. Arrived at the New England coffee-house,
Threadneedle-street, at 7 o'clock P. M. — July 5. Met my towns
man and friend Benjamin Pickman, which rejoiced rae; we walk
ed to Westminster Hall, — in Chancery saw Sir Thomas Sewell,
master ofthe rolls, sitting with his hat on, — at Common Pleas saw
Judge Blackstone and Sergeant Glynn ; and the King's Bench,
Lord Mansfield and Mr. Sergeant Wedderburne. Lord Mansfield's
manner is like the late Judge Dudley's of Massachusetts. His peer
ing eyes denote a penetration and comprehension peculiarly his
own. Mr. Wedderburne spoke, but at no great length.
July 9, 1775. Went to old Jewry meeting-house, where I met
Gov. Hutchinson, his son and daughter, — a cordial reception and

1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 31
invitation to visit him. Mr. Isaac Smith and Mr. Deberdt sat in
the pew next me.
TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM.
Jjondon, July 7, 1775.
Dear Sir :
I am glad for the calm season at Salem ; — could I have been
safe on the same conditions I find my friends permitted to reside at
home, I would joyfully have accepted them. However, this calm I
fear cannot last long; for if Congress does not offer terms that ad
ministration think they can in honour accept, I have good grounds
for saying the most vigorous measures will be pursued, which I
fear will cause the destruction of my country. There is an army
of New Englanders here. My old friend Mr. Sayre, a city banker,
married to a lady of fortune, invited me to dine with him in com
pany with my friend Mr. Deberdt.
Let Mr. and Mrs. Cabot know that her niece Mrs. Copley,*
with whom I dined yesterday at Mr. Bromfield's, Islington, is well,
and expects her husband on his passage frora Italy.
Yours truly, S. Curwen.
July 11, 1775. Waited upon Governor Hutchinson, (in com
pany with B. Pickman,) for the first time ; were well received, and
invited to dinner for Saturday.
July 18, 1775. Evening to Vauxhall Gardens ; fine gravel
led walks, shrubbery, and covered alcoves lighted by lamps, and
rendered a most enchanting spot. Tables spread under the trees
for entertainment. In one of the open retreats is a most finished
piece of statuary of Handel, sitting on a harp in a loose dress.
July 20, 1775. To J. Lane's house with B. Pickman, passed
the evening there in company with Samuel Quincy, Jonathan
Sewall, and David Green.
July 21, 1775. By boat from Temple stairs to Ranelagh ; a
numerous company of well dressed people there, among them the
Duke of Gloucester and French ambassador.
* Lady ofthe great artist.

32 journal and letters. [1775.
July 22, 1775. Spent the day at Hempsted, in company with
Isaac Smith, Samuel Quincy, David Green, and P. Webster.
TO REV. THOMAS BARNARD, SALEM.
London, 22d July, 1775.
Dear Sir :
The dissipation, self-forgetfulness, and vicious indulgences of
every kind, which characterize this metropolis, are not to be won
dered at. The temptations are too great for. that degree of philo
sophy and religion ordinarily possessed by the bulk of mankind.
The unbounded riches of many afford the means of every species of
luxury, which, (thank God,) our part of Araerica is ignorant of,
and the example of the wealthy and great is contagious. Ten
miles round is filled with pleasant villas, and Sunday is allotted to
visiting them. The congregation at old Jewry meeting-house, re
spectable for its appearance, did not exceed a hundred. The
preacher is called a Presbyterian, and all of that denomination here
are on a broader and more liberal plan of divinity than thos^ who
go by the name of Independents, such as the " Pinner's Hall Di
vines" and their associates. The style of the preachers in London
(of our way) is more just and correct than ours in New England.
To my surprise I saw an auditor taking notes. Notes for prayer
or thanksgivings are never read, and the raention of such cases is
deferred to the last prayer. Admission to the pews is by a feraale,
who unlocks the doors, (all having locks ;) strangers are conducted
to the table pew in the centre, where the sacrament is adminis
tered. * * « * *
TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM.
London, 25th July, 1775.
Dear Sir :
I dropped in at Guild-hall, where Judge Nares was sitting at the
City Comraon Pleas ; on his cushion were worked the city arms, 
and also on the Recorder's, I presume to remind them of the city
rights. I was fortunate in procuring a seat just behind Sergeant
Davy, and heard as far as my imperfect organs (and the noise and
confusion) would admit. While he was opening the case, he was
obliged to rise out of his seat, step forward and lean down to hear

1775.] journal and letters. 33
in a manner unbecoming the dignity of a judge. Every fact of
importance delivered by a witness was noted down by the judge as
well as counsel. The noise was much greater than would be al
lowed in our American courts.
I have seen the Lord Mayor in his court ; but this court seems
more like a reference business than any thing else. Through un
common good fortune, I have, without the customary delay of two
or three weeks, been admitted into the British Museum, Montague
House, a truly royal institution for the preservation of the produc
tions of nature and art. Saw the first Bible printed by authority,
on vellum, and turning to the 91st Psalm, 5th verse, instead of
" Thou shalt not be afraid of the terrors by night," etc., I saw the
following : " Thou shalt not fear the bugs and vermin by night," etc.
There are many other as remarkable differences, but had not time
to examine many texts.
I am just informed of a most melancholy event, the destruction of
Charlestown in Ma.ssachusetts by the king's troops, which all agree
in ; the other parts of the story are told differently. Mr. Breck
nock says the king's troops would not fight, but laid down their
arms, which is the reason of the great carnage among the officers.
My distress and anxiety for my friends and countrymen embitter
every hour. May it please God to inspire men of influence on
either side the Atlantic, with juster sentiraents of the real interest
of Great Britain and the colonies than they seera to have possessed
hitherto. Yours truly,
S. Curwen.
July 27. Dined at Mr. Sayre's, in company with four gentle
men and Lady Francis Sherard, only daughter of the late Earl
of Harborough ; returned home in Mr. Sayre's coach.
July 28. By invitation dined at Grocers' Company feast at
their hall in the Poultry. A procession was formed after dinner
(band playing,) and halted behind the chair of the new elected
master, when the secretary put a tiara on his head ; while another
officer held a large golden cup filled with wine, drank to him, and
delivered it; and the master on taking it drank to the prosperity
of the company. The ceremony was also had towards the newljr
made wardens. 5

34 journal and letters. [1775.
July 29. Dined with Governor Hutchinson, in company with
Mr. Joseph Green, Mr. Mauduit, and Mr. Ward Nicholas Boyl
ston ; the latter gave us an entertaining narrative of his travels
through Syria, Palestine, and Egypt.
July 30. Sunday attended worship at Dr. Fordyce's meeting
house, Monkwell-street. He discoursed with great energy and
pathos, abounding with flowers of rhetoric, metaphor, and with
uncommon theatric gesture, equal if not beyond Mr. Whitefield.
In the vestry room is hanging the original license frora
Charles II. to Mr. Doolittle for this present house of worship.
Took tea with Dr. Fordyce, at Mr. Kennedy's, and passed an
agreeable hour in conversation.
August 3. Walked along Hyde Park wall till arrived at the
turnpike between that and the Green Park; at the gate ofthe
former stands a noble house, built by the present Lord Chancellor
Apsley,* on ground taken out of the park, and given him by the
king for that purpose. Saw their majesties returning from the
drawing room, the king in a sedan chair surmounted by a crown,
dressed in very light cloth with silver buttons ; the queen carried
by two porters in a chair, dressed in lemon-colored flowered silk,
on a light cream-colored ground. They passed between two lines,
observed, smiled, and bowed as they passed.
TO DR. JOHN PRINCE, HALIFAX.
London, August 4, 1775.
Dear Sir:
I presume you little expected to hear from a fellow sufferer in
the cause of loyalty, a whole army of whora are here lamenting
their own and their country's unhappy fate. I heard of 'your
escape, and a circumstance connected with it that must render your
existence more tolerable, viz., that you were accompanied by your
wife and children, and I cordially rejoice in your and their deliver
ance from the evils which attend our common friends in Salem,
and elsewhere in New England. What melancholy scenes they
and we are to go through before this unnatural controversy is
ended, God only knows! — May you and I be prepared for the
worst events. If any of our common friends are in Halifax, be
* Afterwards Earl Bathurst.

1775.] journal and letters.

35

pleased to remember me to them in the kindest manner. Our old
friend Ben. Pickman desires to be remembered to you.
With much regard, etc., S. Curwen.
August 4. At Mr. Boylston's saw raany curiosities he brought
from Egypt, the Holy Land, etc. Amongst others the locust in
pods, the supposed food of John the Baptist.
August 5. Dined at Gov. Hutchinson's, in company with
Joseph Hooper, Benjarain Pickraan, Joseph Taylor, Isaac Sraith,
Mr. Silsbee, and the governor's faraily.
August 6. At Old Jewry meeting-house — coraraunion day —
in which service Governor Hutchinson, his son Elisha, Mr. Pick-
man, and myself participated. The minister brought the elements,
and repeated to each communicant some pertinent expression of
Scripture, waiting till each had received.
TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ., NANTUCKET.
London, August 8, 1775.
Dear Sir :
It really appears to me that administration will proceed to such
extremities as will terminate in the ruin of England and the
colonies. It is a capital mistake of our American friends to expect
insurrections here ; there is not a shadow of hope for such an event.
The manufactories are in full employ, and one of the warmest of
the friends of America told me that letters from Manchester
expressed joy that no American orders had been sent, otherwise
there must have been disappointment somewhere. What effects
may follow in the spring if orders from Russia and Spain are not
received, I cannot foresee : — some foretell discontent in the country
which will affect the stocks ; whether these will happen depends
on contingencies of which I am not a judge. There appears to be
a tenderness in the minds of many here for America, even of those
who disapprove of the principles of an entire independence of the
British legislature, and ardently wish an effort may be taken to
accommodate. It is said most vigorous measures will take place
in the spring if no offer be made on the part of the colonists.
With much regard, etc. S. Curwen.

36 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [l'^'^^-
August 23, 1775. Went to Sir John Fielding's office. Bow-
street- examination of prisoners for robberies, assaults, etc. He
is a venerable gentleman and blind (as justice is represented); his
queries manifested a mild deportment, ready apprehension and
great penetration. Visited Hampton Court and gardens, which are
exceedingly beautiful, although deserted by the royal family. Here
are chairs of state with rich canopies, tapestry in gold and silver
grounds, containing Scripture and ancient stories of Greece and
Rome— adorned also with reigning beauties ofthe court of Charies
IL— of the founders of the different orders of monks, friars, nuns,
etc., of former kings, queens, etc. ; Madonnas, the Supper, etc.
The ceilings in high colouring and fine preservation, by Verrio,
were as pleasing to me as any part of the ornaments, as they referred
to incidents in Charies Il.d's story. This palace consists of several
squares mostly old, and in same state (decay of time excepted) as
in Henry VIII th's time, when by the envy of the courtiers Cardinal
Wolsey (who built it for his own use) was obliged to present it to
the king. The front on the garden facing the river is magnifi
cent and in good rep.iir.
Thence to Windsor — St. George's chapel in excellent repair.
Here are deposited the bodies of Henry VIII. and one of his queens,
and Charles I. in the midst of the choir. In the side aisles are fu
neral monuraents of former kings, of which I recollect Edward IV.
and VI. ; some ancient nobility, and many canons of the Roman
church, with their images in sacerdotal garments cut in brass, let
into flat grave-stones on the floor ; stalls for the knights of the
garter ; the choir decorated with carvings, and the windows filled
with oil paintings of Scripture stories. We then ascended the royal
apartments in the castle, consisting as at Hampton Court of an ar
mory, the walls being covered with pikes, halberds, matchlocks,
small arms, etc., disposed in a variety of figures. Over the mantel
piece a fine full length of George Prince of Denmark (husband of
Queen Anne) on horseback ; the horse seemed alive. The other
rooms hung in rich tapestry on gold and other grounds, with paint
ings, originals and copies of the best masters. In Queen Anne's
china-closet were wooden sconces gilt, on which are set china por
celain jars of various shapes up to the ceiling. In a small apart
ment is to be seen a table fastened to the wall, whereon is a little

1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 37
flag of white satin, with the banner of France worked into it, fas
tened by silver clasps to a slender reed of black ebony capped with
silver, which the Duke of Marlborough is obliged to present, and
lay on that spot on the 2d of August annually, before twelve o'clock
at midday, on forfeiture of his palace of Blenheim and the manor
belonging to it ; this being the tenure by which he holds them,
agreeably to act of parhament. From the terrace we saw almost
under feet Eton college, another noble monument of Gothic archi-
tectui*e. In a square stands a brazen statue of Henry VL, the
founder in royal robes.
Visited Welbore Ellis's seat at Twickenham, formerly Pope's ;
the g-rofto, being arches under thehouse about a man's height, (ad
mitting a prospect into the longest shady contemplative walk, five
feet wide, in the garden,) filled with small flint-stones, Bristol and
other kinds in mortar, a few pieces of glass on the top and sides :
two or three niches filled with the busts of Pope and others ; — there
is also in a cross alley a statue of Terence, and in an addition
(made by Mr. Stanhope, late owner,) over the centre of an arch, is
a niche filled with a bust of Pope, and underneath are the follow
ing lines : " The humble roof; the garden's scanty line,
111 spoke the genius of a bard divine ;
But fancy now displays a fairer scope,
And Stanhope's plans unfold the soul of Pope."
Mr. Stanhope's addition is by far the most elegant part, wherein
are many foreign trees, such as the cedar of Lebanon, weeping
willows, etc. ; also a green-house filled with flowers, plants and
fruits. In a retired part of the grounds stands a plain obelisk,
eighteen feet high, dedicated by Pope to his mother, with the fol
lowing inscription : —
« Ah EDITHA !
MATRUM OPTIMA,
mulierum amantissima, Vale!"*
• " Alas ! Editha, best of Mothers, most affectionate of Women, Fare
well!"

38 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775.

TO riON. WILLIAM BROWNE, BOSTON.
London, Slst Aug. 1775.
Dear Sir:
As far as my experience reaches, I have observed that the upper
ranks, most of the capital stockholders, and I am told the principal
nobility, are for forcing supremacy of pariiament over the colonies ;
and frora the raiddle ranks down are opposed to it. America fur
nishes matter for disputes in coffee-houses, sometimes warm, hut
without abuse or ill nature, and there it ends. It is unfashionable
and even disreputable to look askew on one another for difference
of opinion in political matters ; the doctrine of toleration, if not
better understood, is, thank God, better practised here than in
America ; otherwise there would not be such numbers of unhappy
exiles suffering every disadvantage.
Incredible quantities of ammunition and stores shipped and
shipping frora Tower-wharf for America, manifests the intention of
adrainistration to prosecute the plan of subjection of the colonies
to the authority of parliament; for that is the only dispute, as it is
understood here. Administration would gladly have met the colo
nies half way or more, had there appeared any inclination to accept
terms in any degree consistent with the honor and dignity of the
mother country. Now, no alternative ; an absolute independence
of the colonies on Great Britain, or an explicit acknowledgment
of the British legislature over all the dominions of the empire.
The proclamation which you will receive by this conveyance was
published the day before yesterday at the Royal Exchange, with
all the circumstances of indignity the lord raayor could throw on it.
Instead of the languid measures hitherto pursued, more active
ones will succeed, and then wo to poor Massachusetts, which, like
the scape-goat, must bear the sins of many. Do urge our remaining
friends to flee from the destruction that will speedily overtake that
devoted colony.
You will not wonder at the luxury, dissipation and profligacy
of manners said to reign in this capital, when you consider that the
temptation to indulgence, frora the lowest haunts to the most elegant
and expensive rendezvous of the noble and polished world, are
almost beyond the power of numbers to reckon up.

1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 39
Please make my compliments to Judge Sewall and all other
friends and acquaintances with you ; and in the kindest manner
remember me to Mrs. Browne. Very truly your friend, S. Curwen.
Sept. 17. Attended public worship at the " Reformed Liturgy
Assembly," Essex House, Essex-street, Strand ; heard Rev. Theo
philus Lindsey, the Unitarian reformist, who gave up a living in
Yorkshire, (worth three hundred a year,) on the rejection of the
petition to parliament for a revisal and amendment of the common
prayer. Preacher serious, style good, discourse useful.
Sept. 20. At the Charter House, a foundation by Thomas Sut
ton, Esq., at a cost of ^£12,000 sterling, for classically educating
forty boys, and supporting eighty old bachelors and widowers, who
are to receive yearly a black cloak, without which never to appear
at meals, nor with it without the walks ; — ^besides ten pounds in
cash, house-rent, food, and firing. They have about forty acres
(enclosed by a brick wall twenty feet high,) laid out in gardens ;
at the entrance are the arras of the donor, formed by small pebbles
of the size of acorns.
Sept. 21. At the Disputation-club, Queen's arms ; question
debated, " 7s it not injustice in the administration to pursue mea
sures at the cost of the price of blood, without any benefit to the
nation ?" — which was voted in the affirmative, but not without a
few dissentients.
Oct. 11. Governor Hutchinson carae in his coach with Mr.
Copley from Mr. Bromfield's, and took Mr. Pickman and myself
to his house, where we dined in corapany with Mr. Bliss, Mr. W.
N. Boylston, Mrs. Copley, and the faraily.
J^ov. 18. News by a packet from New-York, that Gov. Tryon
and Gov. Campbell are obliged to retreat from their respective
governments on shipboard; and that Dr. Franklin had arrived
at the provincial camp at Cambridge to advise Gen. Washington
to attempt the lines on the neck ; — and that Sarauel Adams and
Mr. Dickinson were at odds.
J\'ov. 29. Saw Mr. Garrick in Hamlet at Drury Lane; in
my eye more perfect in the expression of his face than in the

40 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775.
accent and pronunciation of his voice, which, however, was much
beyond the standard of his fellow actors.
Dec. 1. At great St. Helen's, Bishopgate-street, where I saw
a monument to Sir Thomas Bancroft, a lord mayor's officer, and
an oppressive knave, who had heaped up much wealth, which
he left with trustees to be improved till his rising from the dead ;
which he imagined would take place after a certain period, when
his wealth was to be returned to him. In the meantime, he ordered
that his corpse should be laid and kept in a coffin, (with a lock
which he could draw back,) and deposited in a tomb with a glass
window and a glass door, to be opened once a year on a given day,
to be shown to any spectator ; all which has been complied with
hitherto. But his trustees have with these ill-gotten gains erected
an alms-house at Mile-end, for the support of poor women and
children. Made another unsuccessful attempt to enter the gallery of the
House of Commons, to hear the third and last reading of the bill
prohibiting all commerce with America ; learned at the door that
it is to remain shut to strangers, for the pretended reason that the
floor of the house is too small and the gallery necessary for the use
of members ; confirmed by Mr. George Hayley, a city member,
whom I met in the Strand.
Thence to Herald's office, where Parson Peters, with his friend
Mr. Punderson, lodges; the latter has lately arrived from Boston,
having escaped by rowing himself in a cockboat eighteen miles
into the sound from his native place, Norwich, Connecticut, and
being taken up by a vessel and put on board the Rose man-of-war,
Capt. Wallace, and conveyed to Boston. It seems he was harshly
dealt with by the " sons of liberty," being obliged to make two con
fessions to save his life ; notwithstanding which he was hunted, pur
sued, and threatened, and narrowly escaped death, (or the Simsbury
mines, to which he was finally adjudged, and he thinks with the
loss of his eyes,) which would have been his fate but for his sea
sonable and providential retreat.
TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, BOSTON.
London, Dec. 4th, 1775.
Dear Sir :
Yours of 7th Oct. affords me a pleasingly sensible proof of the

1775.] JOURNAL AND letters. 41
truth of King Solomon's observation ; " News from a far country
is as refreshing as cold water to a thirsty soul."
Uncertain what may be the fate of this, I am restrained from
writing what might prove amusing, perhaps informing ; should it
fall short of its intended destination, and get into the hands of the
provincials, though containing nothing prejudicial to the interests
of Araerica, even in their own view, nor reflecting on the character
of any individual, the raost innocent expressions, by the force of
party prejudice, might be construed into a sense entirely foreign to
one's intention, and render one obnoxious or ridiculous. Were I
ever so much of a mind to write on politics, I profess not to have
such connections as to justify any positive declarations concerning
the determination of the cabinet council, and whoever does, you
may be assured, if he writes more than, the court pleases to publish
in the Gazette, arrogates pretensions, to which he has no claim.
I will just hint what appears to be a matter of notoriety here :
the opposition in parliament is too inconsiderable in numbers,
weight and raeasures to hinder the progress of administration in
their plans respecting Araerica. Both houses repose entire confi
dence in the king and his ministers' resolution not to relinquish the
idea of compelling the submission of all subjects within the limits
of the British Empire to the authority of the supreme legislature :
preparations for which are making for increasing the number of
troops, to be sent over time enough for a vigorous push next
season. The events of war are uncertain, and victory is by many
thought doubtful, — yet it is more than whispered by some that
America had better be dispeopled than remain in its present state
of anarchy, — much more independent. Should this idea regulate
future measures, and should government despair of subduing them,
one may, without the spirit of prophecy, see beforehand what ter
rible destructive evils will then befall our poor, devoted, once happy
country. " 0 fortunatus," etc. Very truly yours, S. Curwen.
Dec. 12. To Newington to view the house and grounds of
Dr. Watts' friend Gunston, celebrated in his poem " Sacred to
Virtue," now owned by a daughter of Lady Abney, a niece of
Gunston. 6

42 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775.
In the hall is a half length of Caryl, the commentator on Job,
and by his side his wife, mother of Mr. Gunston and Lady Abney;
also Sir Thomas Abney and his lady. To Dr. Watts' study, being
occupied by the lady, we could not gain admittance. From the
balcony we had extensive views of the town and country, and
through and over the whole, as well as the house, are spread a
neatness and arrangement superior to any spot I ever beheld.
Dec. 15. At Covent Garden, to see Mrs. Barry as Constance
in king John — a fine person, and esteemed the best actress now on
the stage.
Dec. 17. At Foundling Hospital chapel; Mr. Bromley preached.
Compared the exaraple of Jesus with that of the most perfect of
heathen antiquity, Zeno, founder of the Stoic sect, in whose honor
Athens declared by public edict, that he had exemplified in his life
the precepts he taught, but of whose inconsistency the preacher
enumerated several gross instances, not much to the credit of mere
human reason, in comparison with the most eminent and brightest
of mere men recorded in the Scriptures, in whom great infirmities
and even follies are to be perceived ; his example only, pure and
spotless, being fit to be proposed to mankind for their practice and
imitation. Dec. 18. At New England coffee-house, where I read in the
New- York paper that forts St. John and Chamble had surrendered
to the provincials commanded by Col. Montgomery, formerly a
captain in the regular service, and well esteemed. The garrison
was commanded by Major Preston, with six hundred regulars and
Canadians. The provincials immediately investing the fort were
only two hundred in number. The officers, are to be sent home or
down to General Gage, the commander-in-chief in America, in
order to be transported. The provincials are supposed to be de
signed for Montreal, Gen. Carleton retiring there after a defeat. —
News of a contrary kind is, that Falmouth* in Casco Bay, con
sisting of 139 dwelling houses and 278 stores, warehouses, etc., to
gether with many vessels, was burnt by Captain Mowatt of the
Canseau sloop-of-war, after two hours notice to remove, for joining,
as the captain was pleased in his letter to the inhabitants to term
it, with the rebels ; the particular crime or crimes not mentioned.
• Now Portland, Maine.

1775.] JOURNAL andletters.

43

Dec. 22. Walked to Brompton-Row with B, Pickman, to dine
with Judge Sewall, who meeting us in fhe Strand two days ago,
appointed this day. The faraily, besides Samuel Quincy, who at
tended Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Green home, having been to see the
king robe and assent to the American prbhibitory hill from the
throne. After dinner Governor Hutchinson entered and invited
Judge Sewall, B. Pickman and myself to dine with him to-morrow.
Dec. 23. At Temple Bar took coach to Governor Hutchinson's,
where dined in company with Mr. Joseph Green, Mr. Copley, the
limner and lady with family, and his children. In our way through
Clerkenwell Green we saw five couple of young persons chained
together, going under care of tip-staves to Bridewell prison. The
news of the taking of St. John and Chamble on Sorel-river con
firmed by an arrival from Quebec which left 14th November.
Dec. 25. At Chapel Royal, St. James's ; saw the king and
queen, who joined in the services with becoraing devotion. Bishop
of London preached.
Mr. R. Clarke arrived from Boston yesterday, only twenty-one
days passage. All safe at Salera. The provincials have seized a
ship with five hundred casks gunpowder, cannon, mortars, and
stores de guerre et de bouche ; their activity and success is aston
ishing. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, IN LONDON.
Islington, December 27, 1775.
My Dear Sir :
I last evening received your favor of the 24th inst., and it
afforded me great pleasure to observe that a weekly New England
club was likely to be made up; and I am mortified that the
extreme coldness of the weather, and the indisposition I have
labored under for several weeks, prevent my being in town this
day. Be pleased to make ray compliraents to my brother exiles.
Yesterday I received letters from^alem of 18th and 20th November ;
all was well and quiet there, except a small fracas on account of an
expression said to have been uttered by Mr. Timothy Orne, which
gave offence to the ruling powers ofthe town, who assembled and
by force took him out of his house into School-street in the evening,
designing to inflict the modern punishment of tarring and feathering

44 journal AND letters. [177b.
on him ; but by the influence of the Committee of Safety and his
promise to appear before the Committee next morning, he was suf
fered to depart ; accordingly, the next morning he appeared m
person ; and he to whom it was reported he had used the expres
sion appearing and denying it, promising to submit to the present
government, pay the taxes required for support of it, and demean
himself quietly and submissively, and take care to avoid for the
future making use of unadvised expressions, his present offence
should be forgiven.
Mr. Lowell of Newburyport is an acting justice, the only one of
the " addressers" commissioned. The inferior court bench in Essex
is filled by Caleb Cushing, B. Greenleaf, Timothy Pickering, Jr.,
and Dr. Samuel Holton ; the last but one is the only acting justice
in our part of the county. Joshua Ward and John Gardner are in
•commission of the peace. On the supreme bench, John Adams,
William Cushing, William Reed and Peasely Sargent, all of whom
"tis said accept. Major Hawley refuses all employment, saying
what he did was purely to serve his country.
Very truly yours, S. Curwen.
Dec. 31. Went to Hollo way mount, passing through King
John's palace-spot ; nothing standing but the original front gate
way, under an arch and two pieces of old stone wall, man-height,
making part of the wall of stable. Evening at Silver-street meet
ing-house lecture; Mr. Smith pathetically addressed the young,
middle-aged and old on the close of the year :
May the afflictions I have suffered the past year, in an unhappy
banishment from my family, friends and country, be the means of
increasing my reliance on, and submission to the all-disposing hand
ofthe wise and righteous Governor ofthe universe.
January 1, 1776. May the events of the following year, how
ever unfavorable to the pride of my heart, be productive of more
moral improvement than the last.
Jan. 5. Visited Joseph Green — afterwards to Samuel Quincy's,
where I met Mr. Flucker, Judge Sewall and lady, Sarauel Sewall,
and Harrison Gray, who are bound to the theatre to see the Jubilee,
which is to be exquisitely decorated in the scenery.

1776.] journal and letters. 45
Jan. 20. Accompanied by B. Pickman and W^m. Cabot, went
to Panton-street, Haymarket, to see Mr. Fisher, lately arrived from
Araerica ; he had gone out as well as Mr. Flucker. From thence
we went to Gov. Hutchinson's, and after a short stay departed
through the park to Samuel Quincy's and David Green's lodgings.
Parliament-street, where we met Judge Sewall, Mr. Samuel Sew
all, Mr. Flucker, Mr. Harrison Gray, and Mr. Oxnard ; R. Clark
and Jonathan Clark going out of the door, whom I saw for the first
time since their arrival. ,
Jan. 26. Received a line from Mr. Isaac Smith, inviting me to
a dinner at the Adelphi tavern, designed as an introduction to a
New England club, which I have been long desirous of establishing.
Jan. 28. Almost as cold as ever I felt in New England.
Jan. 29. Cold without abatement from yesterday, which will
ever be known as the cold Sunday, 8| by Farenheit. The Thames
passed over on the ice : generous collections for the suffering poor.
The gains of the laborer are almost always spent on Sunday at
furthest; foresight and provision for a future day, is not a virtue
known among them. The fires here not to be compared to our
large American ones of oak and walnut, nor near so comfortable ;
would that I was away!
February 1. To the Adelphi, Strand, where by appointment
met twenty-one of my countrymen, who have agreed on a weekly
dinner here, viz. :
Messrs. Richard Clark, Joseph Green, Jonathan Bliss, Jonathan
Sewall, Joseph Waldo, S. S. Blowers, Elisha Hutchinson, William
Hutchinson, Samuel Sewall, Samuel Quincy, Isaac Smith, Harrison
Gray, David Greene, Jonathan Clark, Thomas Flucker, Joseph
Taylor, Daniel Silsbee, Thomas Brinley, William Cabot, John S.
Copley, and Nathaniel Coffin. Sarauel Porter, Edward Oxnard,
Benj. Pickraan, Jno. Amory, Judge Robert Auchmuty and Major
Urquhart, absent, are members of this New England club, as is
also Gov. Hutchinson.
London, Feb. 9. Passing through Westminster Hall, I stopped
for a small space at the courts of common pleas and king's bench ;
at the former were sitting the Chief Justice De Grey and his asso
ciates, one of whom was the famous Sir William Blackstone, author
of the well known commentaries on the laws of England ; but no

46 journal and letters. [1776.
cause of importance, or lawyer of note speaking, I proceeded to the
latter, where was sitting that excellent useful judge, but mischievous
politician. Lord Mansfield. For the same reason as the former I quit
ted my stand here, and retreated to the House of Commons' commit
tee-chamber, where for an hour or two I was entertained at the
examination of witnesses in the Worcester contested election. The
committee sat on an elevated bench, and looked like a court of
sessions; the causes managed by advocates with regularity and
decency. One of the committee was Sir George Saville, the chair
man Ferguson— all took minutes as is usual in all the courts.
Thence to Judge Sewall's, Brompton-row, where met a few New
England friends at dinner ; among them Mr. Thomas Robie, whom
I was very glad to see, he having arrived in England from Hahfax
but three days since. By him I received a letter from Dr. John
Prince in answer to mine dated in August.
FROM HON. WILLIAM BROWNE. Boston, Jan. 8, 1776.
*******
George Dodge, in a schooner frora Dorainica, and Ingersol in a
schooner of Hasket Derby's from Jamaica, were lately sent in. The
property of both vessels was transferred to merchants in the West
Indies to cover their interest.
James Grant is here from Halifax ; he has the promise of a com
mission in the army, and to keep his rank. About two months ago
Mr. Marston of Marblehead, carae by night frora Col. Fowles' farm.
He knows nothing about Salem. His wife died last summer.
The other day Gen. Robinson showed me the devices upon the
denominations of the continental bills. On one is represented a
heavy shower of rain falling on a new settled country, motto
around it " Serenabit ;" on another, a hand plucking the branches
from a tea-plant, with the motto, " Susfine vel abstinej" on a third
a hawk contending with a stork, motto "Exitus in dubio est ;" on
a fourth, an ancient crown on a pedestal, motto " Si recte facias /"
on a fifth a beaver gnawing down a full grown oak, motto "Perse-
verando ;" on a sixth an Irish harp, motto " Jfa/ora majoribus con
sonant." They are the inventions of Dr. Franklin.
When I wrote to you in October I forgot to send you the fol
lowing list of officers in part of the rebel army, found in the pocket

1776.]

JOURNAL AND LETTERS.

47

of one of their sergeants, who was
heights of Charlestown, viz. :
Col. Gerrish, Newbury.
Lt. Col. Parker, Chelrasford.
Major Bigelow, Worcester.
Lt. Col. Henshaw, Leicester.
Maj. Brooks.
Lt. Col. Holden.
Adjt. Green.
Col. Whitney.
Col. Woodbridge.
Major Buttrick.
Col. Porter.
Major Miller.
Col. Doolittle, Petersham.
Adjt. B. Moore.
Col. Frye.
Gen. Whitcomb, Bolton.
Col. William Prescott.
Gen. Ward, Shrewsbury.
Col.Peirce. .^
Gen. Poraeroy, Northampton.
Col. Patterson, Richmond.
Adjt. Guager.
Col. Nixon, Framingham.
Col. Ward, Southborough.
Maj. Sawyer.
Adjt. Warner.
Maj. Wm. Moore, Paxton.
Maj. Cady.
Adjt. Hunt.
Adjt. Holman.
Adjt. Hart.
Col. Mansfield.
Adjt. Putnam.
Maj. Jackson.
Lt. Col. Hudson or Hutchins.
Adjt. Hardy.

killed on the 17th June, on the
Col. Gardner, Cambridge.
Col. Bridge, Chelmsford.
Lt. Col. Brickett, Haverhill.
Lt. Col. Clark.
Major Stacey.
Major Wood, Pepperell.
Lt. Col. Powell.
Adjt. Holden.
Adjt. Gen. Js. Keith, Easton.
Col. Green.
Maj. Baldwin.
Adjt. Woodbridge.
Secretary J. Ward.
Adjt. Montague.
Adjt. Fox.
Lt. Col. Robinson, Dorchester.
Adjt. Feblger.
Adj. Stevens.
Col. Bond, Watertown.
Col. Simraons.
Lt. Col. Whitney, Harvard.
Lt. Col. J. Reid, near Manad-
nock.
Adjt. Marston.
Maj. Brigade, Samuel Osgood.
Lt. Col Moulton.
Maj. Putnam.
Lt. Col. Putnam.
Maj. Poor.
Maj. Durkee, Norwich.
Capt. Butler, Peterborough.
Joseph Trumbull, Judge Advo
cate, Norwich.
Adjt. Handy.
Lt, Col, Storer.

48 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
Those who have obtained leave to exchange the town for a
country residence the last two months, are taken on board an armed
ship at Hancock's wharf and are landed at Point Shiriey, where
they are cleansed and aired for the benefit of their brethren who
have not had the small pox.
I sent a verbal message to Mrs. Curwen by Bella McLeroy, in
forming her of your safe arrival and health ; but was discouraged
by Mrs. Gardiner from trusting her with your letter, which I still
have in my desk with those lately received, and know not if I can
ever send them until you will suffer them to be inspected at head
quarters on both sides the lines. Mrs. Browne and William desire
their best regards. Pray present mine to all friends with you, and
if you ever desire to hear from me again, give me reason to think
so by sending me a circumstantial account of yourself and of what
what passes on your side of the water.
I am your affectionate friend,
Wm. Browne.
London, Feb. 15. Dined with New England Club at Adelphi
Tavern ; was introduced to Sir Francis Bernard, and saw there, for
the first time since his arrival, Mr. Fisher, who promises to spend
a day with me soon. Received a letter from Col. Browne, at Boston,
acquainting me of the sad destruction of wooden houses for want
of fuel, till of late thirteen vessels arrived with coals, &c., raising
the despondency of the people.
Feb. 27. The city polled for a chamberlain; candidates,
alderraen Wilkes and Hopkins. The latter succeeded, to the no
small mortification of the Wilkites, who exceed in numbers, among
the lower classes, the friends of Hopkins. Mr. Wilkes must look
upon himself as one of the people, and lost henceforth to all
iraportance. Feb. 29. Dined with Mr. Gilbert Harrison, and delivered my
letter of credit frora Mr. Timmins to Messrs. Harrison and Ansley.
March 2. At Parson Peters' saw Mr. Troutbeck, lately ar
rived from Halifax, and Mr. Wiswall; mutually invited each
other to visit, and gave cards.
March 4. James Russell and his friend Mr. Newman dined
with me; received a card from Messrs. Clarke excusing them
selves, being pre-engaged.

1''"''6.] JOURNALANDLETTERS. 49
March 10. To Tichfield-street to pay my respects to Gov. Oli
ver's lady ; thence to Judge Sewall's, Brompton-Row, where dined.
March 13. At Covent Garden, obtained a very convenient
place in the first front seat lower gallery, when the oratorio
called the Messiah was performed — the whole stage an orchestra ;
in the centre a spacious organ embellished by a portrait of Handel
surrounded with a glory, or such rays as are placed round the
heads of the saints of the Romish calendar— our musical saint's per-
jormances being as much read and studied here as their manuals
of devotion are by their admirers. The form of the orchestra am-
phitheatrieal and the seats concentric, except of the vocal perform
ers, who sat in chairs in front. The leading singers were Mrs.
Wrighton, Mrs. Weischell, Mr. Leoni, etc. — nearly eighty per
formers in all. The first viohn, professor La Motte ; the first flute,
Mr. Florio. The music was noble, grand, full, sonorous, and aw
fully majestic ; the whole assembly as one, rising, added a solemnity
which swelled and filled my soul with an — I know not what, that
exalted it beyond itself, bringing to my raised imagination a full
view of that sacred assembly of blessed spirits which surround the
throne of God.
March 14. Surveyed the New River works at Spafields —
thence to see the ravages of the late fire at the Savoy, and through
to the gardens belonging to Soraerset House, now about to be pulled
down, and the ground between it and the river filled up. I cannot
but think with regret on so many noble and royal apartments in
good repair, to be destroyed to build offices for the army, that
bridle of the nation, its scourge, and will be its future ruin.
March 19. Attended lecture at Salters' Hall. Dr. Price
gave an excellent sermon frora " Forgive us owr debts as we forgive
our debtors." He observed that this was the only original part of
the Lord's prayer, (the rest being found in the Jewish liturgy,) and
was designed to inculcate the distinguishing characteristic of his
religion, universal love and good will to all mankind, making it the
very condition on which our hopes of forgiveness are suspended.
As forgiveness of injuries and love of all raankind are the most
amiable of all virtues, so are they the most difficult to be practised,
and ought therefore to be the more endeavored after ; and nothing
can recommend us better to divine favor and acceptance.
7

50 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
March 21. Mr. Heard, Norroy king-of-arms, having given me
a letter to A. Fariey, Esq., Chapter House, I went, accompanied
by WiUiam Cabot, Sarauel Porter, Judge Sewall and his kinsman
Samuel Sewall, and I. Bliss, and presenting my letter, we were ad
mitted to a sight of Doomsday Books. One, in the fold of a folio,
contained a valuation or estimate made for an equal tax of all the
counties of England in the time of Willlara the Conqueror, except
the three northern counties of Cumberiand, Westmoreland, and
Durhara, and the three counties of Essex, Sussex, and Kent, which
are contained in a smaller fold or large octavo. Sussex contained
but nine landholders in capite ; all tenures being then" from the
crown, all the rest being mesne lords or tenants under them. The
writing is fair and well preserved, but difficult to be read from its
abbreviations in a multitude of places. The initial letters stand for
words. The spelling of that age is very different from ours ; many
terms not known now being then in common use. The chapter
house is of a peculiar construction, and was formerly the parlia
ment house in the tirae of the Edwards, etc., and contains rolls of
court of King's Bench, Exchequer, etc., for many ages back.
Evening, at a show called Les Ombres Chinoises, at which saw
Earl Temple [supposed author of Junius] and lady, with several
well-dressed people of fashion — about forty spectators in all. The
" Ombres" were awkward and unnatural except the puppet dancing
— an insipid show.
March 24. Heard Dr. Fleming preach at Pinners' Hall ; his
ideas clear, and his delivery moderate and devout. He complained
of those mystics who denied the use of reason in matters of reli
gion ; said it was subversive of it, and contrary to the whole tenor
of the canon of Scripture, and rendered as useless and unmeaning
the motives and threatenings proposed to us therein for our obedience,
and progress in virtue and holiness ; declared mankind free agents,
endowed with the power of volition and choice, which was the
foundation of all religious obedience, and without which we were
not accountable. He denied the merit of Christ's sacrifice to render
us objects of divine acceptance, which, he said, by the divine prom
ise was to be obtained by man's own serious and diligent per
formances. March 25. Drank tea at Mr. Green's in company with Gov.

1776.] JOURNALANDLETTERS. 51
Hutchinson, whom I had not seen for some weeks, and who ex
pressed an uneasiness at my neglect to call, which I accounted for
as arising from concurrent disappointments.
March 31. At Joseph Green's in the evening, where I met
Samuel Quincy.
April 1, A. M. At Gov. Hutchinson's ; he was alone, reading
a new pamphlet entitled " An Inquiry whether Great Britain or
America is most in fault." I accepted an invitation to return to
dinner : taking leave for the present, I departed, walking through the
palace and park to Mr. Bliss's lodgings, where I met Judge Sewall,
Mr. Oxnard and Mr. Smith ; returned to the governor's, with whom
only young Oliver and myself dined. From thence, in passing
through Leicester-square, I called in at Mr. Copley's to see Mr.
Clarke and the family, who kindly pressed my staying to tea ; and
in the mean time amused myself by seeing his performances in paint
ing. He was then at work on a family piece containing himself, Mr.
Clarke, his wife and four children, of all of whom I observed a very
striking likeness. At tea was present Mr. West, a Philadelphian,
a most masterly hand in historic painting; author of the well-
known and applauded piece, now in print, called " West's Death
of Wolfe," and taken frora his painting. He is now at work on a
piece called the " Death of Stephen," for the king, and for which
he is to have one thousand pounds. Mr. West is the king's history-
painter, and was kind enough to put me into a way of obtaining a
sight of the queen's palace, which he tells me contains, except
Houghton Hall, the finest collection of capital paintings of any
house in England. Returned with Mr. Clarke, who was going to
see his son Jonathan, sick.
April 3. Breakfasted with Smith and Oxnard, where I found
Samuel Quincy and David Green, Judge Sewall and a Lieutenant
Merrick. Bought Dr. Price on " Civil Liberty and the American
War." Went with Mr. Clarke to procure more convenient lodgings for
his sick son, which we found as recommended by Dr. Pitcairn in
Cross-street, in what is called the Queen's house, said to be a
palace of Elizabeth's, on a sraall scale, low and in the taste of
the sixteenth century. The remains of the porter's lodge at the
bottom of the garden, in a peculiar style, are yet seen. In one

52 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
of the lower rooms is a painting on the windows with the date of
1588. April 4. At our New England club dinner, twenty-five mem
bers present.
April 6. At Portuguese synagogue ; a master informed me
'that the comraon people cannot read the Pentateuch without points,
.although it contains only alphabetic characters; that the points
were invented about the time of Christ in the reign of Tiberius, and
that they are necessary to ascertain the sense, which in many places
-would be wholly unintelligible without them, and that it would
cost six months study to understand the language so as to follow
them in their prayers.
April 7. Dined with Gov. Hutchinson, and we took tea at
Mr. Joseph Green's.
April 10. Took a view of West's pictures : amongst others
which filled two rooms, were the original of the death of Wolfe,
sold to Lord Grosvenor for six hundred guineas, about seven by
five feet, in high estimation, although censured by an anonymous
writer in yesterday's " Advertiser ,•" Lord dive's receiving the
Dewannah from the nabob, figures about twelve inches high and
likenesses well preserved, — fifteen feet by eight ; and many other
groups of modern persons in ancient characters. Likewise the
death of Stephen, the proto-martyr, and at the period of his being
received after his death by his friends ; the figures seven feet, the
size of the picture about sixteen feet by seven ; designed for the
altar of St. Stephen, Walbrook — six hundred guineas to be
received for it, which Mr. West esteems so small a price that he
considers it a gift to the church.
April 11. Visited Tylney House, Epping forest, in company
with Messrs. Flucker and Hutchinson. The walls of the ball-room
covered with tapestry of the most lively tints, being the story of
Telemaque — the ceiling covered with paintings by Mr. Kent. The
state dining-room is adorned with copies of capital paintings, three
of Titian. The state bedchamber hung with crimson damask,
lined with deckered silk, which I am told is India work and cost
two thousand pounds. Two other rooms hung in figured velvet on
satin ground, and crirason velvet with broad gold lace.
Dined at Mr. K's with five of my countrymen, among them

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 53
a Mr. Bourne, lately arrived from Halifax ; he appears a grave,
solid man, whose acquaintance I think I shall esteem.
AprU 14. Attended public worship at Dr. Price's in the after
noon, and In company with Benjamin Pickraan took tea with him.
Mr. Pickman had a long conversation with Dr. Price on American
affairs, but their sentiments were widely different.
April 15. Mr. Boylston called, and we went to Parliament-
street to see the procession of the Peers to Westminster Hall to
attend the trial of the Duchess of Kingston ; the lords wore their
robes. The queen, two princes and two princesses, and the peer
esses and ladies in great multitudes attended, and made a most bril
liant appearance.
April 17. Went with B. Pickraan to Highgate, where dined
with Mr. Boylston, and after dinner lo Caen Wood, the seat of
Lord Mansfield. The house elegant, not large: — the centre Is a
noble portico, the walls of the hall, saloon, chambers, etc. covered
with paper of India or Chinese figures — the library a beautiful room,
(having a fine prospect of St. Paul's, distant about seven miles,
through a wood, over a lawn, and ending in a fine piece of water,)
contains the largest mirrors I ever saw, being seven and a half feet
high by three and a half in breadth. In the hall are two tables
of jet-black marble. The walls hung with portraits of Lord Mans
field and lady, who was a daughter of Finch, Earl of Nottingham.
AprU 22. Visited Mr. Hughes seventeen miles out, at Hoddes
don, Herts ; the grounds laid out with great taste.
April 23. Walked to Ware, which contains five hundred
houses, besides a great curiosity called "the great bed of Ware,"
which is twelve feet square — the posts, which are of uncommon
size, are carved with white and red roses, built, it is said, at the
union of the houses of York and Lancaster ; the date, 1463, is
painted on the centre ofthe headboard, which with the tester is of
wood in the same style, laid out in compartments and surrounded
with roses. The whole weighs half a ton : twenty persons can
repose comfortably on it.
April 24. W^alked through the Rye-field to the Rye House,
famous as the rendezvous of those who concerted the plot of that
name : — the room in which they met Avas once a chapel ; indeed,
the whole appears as the remains of a famous seat. The walls

54 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
brick, and moulded round, forming two high round towers, joined
together by a line of defence ; holes in the walls for arrows, etc.
On returning home, passed a farm called Nether Hall, belong
ing to a Mr. Archer; here are the remains of a palace, said to
have been King Harold's before the conquest. The house, which
was very large, has been pulled down ; two lofty brick towers
remain, with a wall of equal height, crowned with battlements,
and within a moat surrounding an acre of land covered with ruins.
In one of the angles is a watch-tower, now converted into a hen
roost. Arriving at home, found John Inman, brother of Ralph,
our countryman, who dined with us ; he is of a blunt humor, easy
and jolly ; with him and a Mr. Musgrave we set off to Mr. Daute-
ville's, at Brocksburn, by invitation ; passed an agreeable evening
at Mr. Hughes'.
May 1. The young chimney-sweepers with their sooty and
chalked faces are dressed out with ribbons and gilt paper, a gro
tesque and merry-andrew appearance. With their brushes and
scrapers they made a kind of musical sound, raising contributions
on their employers and others. The milk- maids appeared in fine
and fantastic attire, and carried on their heads pyramids of three or
four feet in height, finely decorated. In Ave-Mary lane saw the
milkmen and maids again with a garland so called ; being a pyra
mid consisting of seven or eight stories, in the four angles of which
stood a silver tankard, and on the sides, between each, lessening in
height as the stories rose, stood a silver salver, the top crowned
with a chased silver tea-kettle, round which were placed sundry
small pieces of plate ; the whole adorned with wreaths and festoons
of flowers, gilt paper, etc., carried on a bier and hand-barrow, it
being a custom amongst them to collect of the customers a yearly
contribution. The wrought silver appeared worth many hundreds
of pounds, and is borrowed for the occasion.
May 3. Dined with H  H  , Esq., Capt. T  ,
and B. Pickman, at Jerusalem tavern ; on my way meeting Mr.
Elisha Hutchinson, who informed me of Col. Browne and son's
arrival. May 4. Called on my friend Browne, who had sent a message
last evening by Mr. Pickman to invite his three countrymen to his
lodgings. Col. Browne acquainted me with some facts relative to

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 55
the unfortunate abandonment of Boston by the king's troops ; which
after all has the appearance of being forced. W^ould to God this ill-
judged, unnatural quarrel was ended, but I fear thousands of useful
innocents must be sacrificed to the wickedness, pride and folly of
unprincipled men. Many of our countrymen called during our stay.
May 5. To Magdalen Hospital ; heard the Rev. Dr. Dodd
preach from John xv. 17, " These things I command you, that ye
love one another." — A most elegant, sensible, serious and pathetic
discourse, enough to have warmed a heart not callous to the im
pressions of pity. I own ray eyes flowed with tears of corapassion.
May 7. Atterapted to get into Drury Lane theatre, to see Mr.
Garrick in the character of Archer, but the crowd so great, that
after suffering thumps, squeezes, and almost suffocation for two
hours, I was obliged to retire without effecting it. Went to Mr.
Silsbee's lodgings to tea.
May 8. Visited Mr. Fisher, who very politely received me,
and appeared glad to see me ; from thence to Gov. Hutchinson's,
who was alone — having before called at Col. Browne's (my towns
man and friend) lodgings, whom I did not see, being gone abroad.
Thence to Judge Sewall's in Brompton-Row, but meeting Mr. Har
rison Gray near the house, was told that neither he nor Mr. Porter
were at home. Called again at Col. Browne's, where I found Col.
SaltonstaU ; they both agreed to dine with me.
May 9. With Col. Browne went to St. Paul's to hear the
music for the benefit of the sons of clergy. Dr. Porteus* preached
to a crowded assembly. The archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop
of London, the lord mayor and sheriffs, in their formalities present.
May 10. Met at Col. Browne's Gov. Hutchinson, Judge
Sewall and Col. SaltonstaU ; proceeded to W^estmlnster HaU, heard
opinions from Judges De Grey, Gould, Blackstone and Nares re
specting a verdict.
May 11. Advices of the arrival of a vessel which left Phila
delphia by consent of Congress, on the owner's paying them as
duty one third the cost of vessel and cargo ; and that Arnold is ap
pointed a major general, and still remained before Quebec, five
thousand men having been sent from Philadelphia. Took tea with
Mr. Copley and Mr. Clark.
* Afterwards bishop of Chester.

56 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
May 13. Walked to Walworth, the gardens of a Mr. Mad-
docks, a noted florist, wherein I saw the greatest variety of finely
variegated tulips I believe in England.
May 14. Went to the exhibition-room in the Strand, where
were more than fifty people viewing the pictures, models, etc., as
contained in a book delivered to each at entering. There were
raany performances and some very exceUent in their kind, of which
the view of the eruption of Vesuvius and a few night pieces struck
me most.
May 15. Visited Pinchbeck's to view stained glass ; most
elegant figures, finest tints, in the new revived art, by a Mr. Jervais;
among which were two full lengths of Christ and Moses, bought
at seventy guineas by a clergyman, and presented to Westminster
Abbey. From thence to the exhibition-room of the Royal
Academy, in Pall-mall, where were to be seen a most curious col-
ection of elegant and capital performances in oil, crayons, enamel,
sculpture, etc., a great number present. Meeting Colonels Browne
and SaltonstaU at the door of their lodgings, agreed to meet them
at the Exchange and dine together at three o'clock.
May 17. Took tea at Mr. J. Green's; Harrison Gray and
other company there ; having dined with eleven New Englanders
at St. Clement's coffee-house.
May 20. Took lodgings with a Mr. Palmer at the Herald's
office. May 21. Visited the Boar's-head tavern, Cannon-street, to
view the very room or rather spot in which Prince Harry with
Falstaff used to assemble with their friends Nym, Bardolph, etc.,
to hold their nocturnal frolicks. Agreed to make a company,
(if feasible,) to dine next Thursday. Returned home, where found
Richard Routh, who carae with B. Pickraan.
June 2. Called at Mr. Copley's, Leicester-square ; afterwards
at No. 11 Haymarket, the lodgings of Col. Browne and Col. Sal
tonstaU. June 5. Walked to Mr. Green's ; Major Brattle entered, and
we three took coach to Drury Lane, to see for the last tirae Gar
rick in Richard III. by coramand of their majesties, but were too
late — house filled.
June 6. To Westminster Hall to hear the sentence of Gen.

1776.] JOURNALANDLETTERS. 57
Smith and Mr. Hollis for bribing a borough, who are to be impri
soned six months, and pay one thousand marks.
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, EXETER.
London, June 6, 1776.
Dear Sir :
We have received advices from America, though not authenti
cated enough to find a place in the Court Gazette, still generally
believed ; there are some who doubt the whole.
Gov. Tryon In his letters by the packet from New- York, which
left 2d May, writes that " Arnold having received a reinforcement,.
made a second attack on Quebec, but finding it impracticable to
take it by storm, he, on the 19th April, after five days' attempt,
retreated ; In the meantime, the Isis, with eight hundred men on
board two transports which arrived with her, having landed, imme
diately joined the garrison and issued out, disturbing thera on their
march, and destroying seven hundred and fifty men." It is re
ported that eighty men taken last February on Montgomery's
defeat from the New England regiments, incorporated with the
garrison and behaved bravely ; on the contrary, seventy of the
regulars entered among the provincials, and turning against them
when hard pushed, occasioned the carnage stated above. Gen.
Lee is said to be taken with seventy men by a party of Gen.
Clinton's, as he was reconnolterlng, without firing a gun ; the
story is told in three different ways, but finds credit. A vessel from
Halifaxhas arrived, bringing their Governor Legge to answer com
plaints. Gen. Washington has issued a proclamation, forbidding
all rapine and plunder in Boston, a source of comfort to our friends
here. There Is a long list of military stores in the papers, said to
have been left at Boston by Gen. Howe, but it is thought to be a
false account.
London, my favorite place of abode, is, as the peasant said, " a
sad lickpenny," and truly one cannot breathe the vital air without
great expense. The numerous applications to the treasury by
Americans whose pretensions are so raach beyond mine,, exclude
the most distant hope of relief for me, should inadvertence or more
unjustifiable principles of conduct reduce me to the necessity of
asking a favor, which I ara determined at all events to defer to the
8

58 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
longest period, if it please the great Disposer of events to prolong
my uneasy abode in this country of aliens for many days yet to
come. To communicate with a friend is almost the only relief from dis
tracting thoughts ; for the harmless amusements in which I was
engaged last summer and faU, and which served to dissipate
uneasy reflections, now having lost their novelty, delight no
more. Yours truly, S. Curwen.
June 8, Dined with Judge Sewall at Brompton-Row ; and
with bin), his wife and sister, Mr. Blowers and wife, Samuel Sewall
and Willlara Browne, was admitted to the queen's palace in St.
James's Park. The rooms are large, lofty, and extremely well
filled with pictures ; many of them said to be originals of the best
masters; amongst them are seven Cartoons of Raphael, and a
large collection of miniatures in gilt frames and under glass. From
thence to tea at Col. Browne's, afterwards to the opera house ;
entertained with the opera of Antlgono, the Signers Rousini and
Gabrieli, principal performers, interludes of exquisitely fine dancing.
June 10. Read " Common Sense," published in America, and
republished here, in favor of American independence ; and also
" Plain Truth," an answer to it ; and Provost Smith's oration on
the Quebec herpes, Montgomery, etc.
TO DR. CHARLES RUSSELL, ANTIGUA.
London, June 10, 1776.
Dear Sir :
I congratulate you on your retreat from the land of oppression
and tyranny ; for surely, greater never appeared since the days of
Nlmrod. I sincerely wish well to my native country, and am of
opinion that the happiness of it depends on restraining the violences
and outrages of profligate and unprincipled men, who run riot
against all the laws of justice, truth and religion. Sad and deplo
rable is the condition of those few that like Abdiel, amidst hostile
bands of fallen spirits, retain their primitive loyalty. So strangely
unprosperous hitherto have been the measures of administration in

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 59
America, that the active provincials have taken courage, and ac
complished what in contemplation would have appeared morally
impossible. Gen. Burgoyne sailed from hence ten weeks ago for
Canada with four thousand Brunswickers and seven or eight regi
ments ; Lord Howe in the Eagle about a month, and the first divi
sion of Hessians, consisting of eight or ten thousand, about a fort
night before him. Gen. Howe, his brother, with nine thousand was
at Halifax the beginning of April. The second division, ('tis said,)
wUl sail this week, consisting of four thousand, which completes
the whole number of foreign troops. The whole of the regular
army on the continent wUl not be short of forty thousand men. It
is surprising what little seeming effect the loss of American orders
has on the manufactories ; they have been in full employ ever
since the dispute arose ; stocks are not one jot lessened, the people
in general little moved by it ; business and amusements so totally
engross all ranks and orders here that administration finds no diffi
culty on that score to pursue their plans. The general disapproba
tion of that folly of independence which America now evidently
aims at, makes it a difficult part for her friends to act.
By letters from Salera to the 16th April I find they were in a
quiet state there, and hugging themselves in the fatal error that
government had abandoned the design of reducing them to obedi
ence. Six vessels laden with refugees are arrived from Halifax,
amongst whom are R. Lechmere, I. Vassal, Col. Oliver, Treas
urer Gray, etc. Those who bring property here may do well
enough, but for those who expect reimbursement for losses, or a
supply for present support, will find to their cost the hand of charity
very cold ; the latter may be kept from starving, and beyond that
their hopes are vain. " Blessed is he (saith Pope) that expecteth
nothing, for he shall never be disappointed ;" nor a more interesting
truth was ever uttered.
I find my finances so visibly lessening, that I wish I could re
move frora this expensive country, (being heartily tired of it,) and
old as I am, would gladly enter into a business connection anywhere
consistently with decency and integrity, which I would fain pre
serve. The use of the property I left behind me I fear I shall never
be the better for ; little did I expect from affluence to be reduced
to such rigid economy as prudence now exacts. To beg is a mean-

60 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776,
ness I wish never to be reduced to, and to starve is stupid ; one
comfort, as I am fast declining into the vale of life, ray miseries
cannot probably be of long continuance. With great esteem, etc. S. Curwen.
June 13. Went early to call on my townsmen Messrs. Dal-
•glish and Hastie ;* met Capt. Poynton ; Mr. Hastie delivered me
a letter from Mr. Pynchon. Mr. Thomas Danforth, late from
Boston by the way of Halifax, and Mr. R. Russell, called and staid
with rae till eleven o'clock at night.
June 15. Accompanied Mr. Danforth to Gov. Hutchinson's
and Judge Sewall's.
June 18. CaUed on Mr. Hughes, who invited me to a second
visit to his seat at Hoddesdon ; showed me a Massachusetts libel for
a transport from London, signed by the new judge of admiralty,
Timothy Pickering, jun. Dr. Sylvester Gardner bitterly laments
his unhappy situation at Halifax, with a deplorable account of his
losses at leaving Boston, etc.
June 19. To the British Museum, accompanied by Mr. Dan
forth, In the library I saw King John's original charter called
Magna Charla ; a book of prayers of Queen Elizabeth, executed
finely by herself, the writing very plain, letters fair and well pre
served, the covering of red velvet worked in flowers by her own
hand. The Alexandrian manuscript copy of the Bible, said to
have been written in the fourth century, containing the gospel of
Nicodemus, a forgery composed in that age; all written on parch
ment, in capitals, without distinction of words, or verse, or sen
tences. Also many of the letters of Charles I., amongst which the
original of his to Glamorgan, a papist, in Ireland, promising to
make good his engagement to him in establishing the Roman
Catholic religion there, and toleration of It in England.
Thursday, June 20. Accompanied Mr. Danforth to Judge
Oliver's lodgings, in Jerrayn-street, and with him and his son pro
ceeded through the Park to Westminster Hall, expecting to hear
Lord Rochfort and Mr. Sayre's case, but it did not come on. Just
* Importers of Salem.

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 61
looking into Chancery, I observed the judges as they were going
out of King's Bench turned about and saluted with a bow. Chief
Justice Lord Mansfield's train borne up by a gentleman. Chief
Justice of Comraon Pleas, Sir William De Grey, made a speech on
a trial between a Mr. Popham, etc., on an election affair.
Met my townsman, Samuel Grant; the first time I have seen
him since his arrival from Mississippi.
June 21. Called at Messrs. Browne and Saltonstall's lodgings,
where I saw Col. Morrow and Mr. Johonnot, of Boston, refugees,
for the first time since their arrival.
Mr. Bourne, one of my countrymen, brought me a letter which
carae by a Cape Ann schooner, dated Salem, 21st April — when all
was well. My friend's advices concerning the discipline and
number of the provincial troops, and the number and strength of
the American navy, will prove, when put to the test, to be a delu
sive fancy: civil wars In time make good generals and soldiers, but
the immense inequality will, I suppose, put an end to this war be
fore they will have time to qualify ; in any case, America must be
ruined, perhaps desolated. I pray God inspire all with a spirit of
moderation and wishes for a reconcilement and oblivion of past
confusions ; and may the righteous flourish as the palm-tree, and
the wicked wither and their root consume away.
June 23. At Rolls' Chapel. Dr. Hurd, bishop of Litchfield
and Coventry, preached an ingenious discourse. Mr. Browne, R.
Clark, E. Hutchinson, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Johonnot, Judge Oliver and
son, accompanied me.
TO MR. ISAAC SMITH, EXETER. London, June 26, 1776.
Dear Sir :
I have received a letter from Rev. Thomas Barnard, of Salem,
filled with American fancies; their power, strength, grandeur, and
prowess, by land and sea ; their policy, patriotism, industry, pro
gress in the useful arts, and their fixed determination to withstand
the attacks of tyranny, etc., etc. All these fanciful notions will,
(too soon, alas! to their sorrow,) like Ephraim's goodness, "van
ish as the morning cloud and early dew," and prove to be fatal
delusions.

62 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
Two or three companies of Bostonians are lately arrived from
Halifax. I am determined to take a journey westward, and shall
stop as near you as possible. I shall, however, depart hence as
Abraham did from the land of the Chaldees, not knowing whither
I go ; fain would I trust in the same kind protecting hand that
guided that good old patriarch ; would to God I had his faith, but
fear my future allotments will be poverty and pilgrimage.
Your friendj etc, S, Curwen.
London, June 27f. At Westminster Hall to hear Lord Roch
fort, secretary of state, and Mr. Sayre's case, for false Imprisonraent
and seizing the latter's papers. Verdict, one thousand pounds for
the latter. Tried before Chief Justice De Grey.
July 1. Breakfasted with Col. SaltonstaU; afterwards to
Judge Oliver's to have a sight of Dr. EUiott's letters, conceived in
the whig strain.
Jidy 3. With Mr, Browne visited Bunhlll Fields burying-
ground to view Judge Chambers Russell's grave — passed John
Bunyan's tomb, 1688,
July 5. At Croydon, where the Duke of Bedford has a hunt
ing seat. In this place he and the Marquis of Blandford,* youths
of twelve and thirteen, are at a boarding-school. I arrived at
Mrs. Grosvenor's, the lodgings of the two Ingersolls, D. and J.,
and to the latter I had a letter frora D. Deberdt, recoramending me
to the house, which I found full, and am therefore disappointed.
Thence to the church : the vicar is Dr. Apthorp, my countryman ;
it is in exceUent repair ; in a separate corner are the tombs of six
archbishops, viz. Grindall, Whltglft, and Sheldon, with statues over
them and placed against the wall, and in decumbent postures, iff
episcopal habits and crowns, the latter of while marble polished,
and on the entablature the emblems of mortality in middle relief,
executed in a raasterly manner in Italy ; the three others are Wake,
Potter, and Herring, in flat tombs, and their names, &c, inscribed.
Dined with the Ingersolls at Mrs. Grosvenor's,
July 8. Paid visits to Mr, Fisher and Col. SaltonstaU ; left a
* Afterwards duke of Marlborough.

1776.3 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 63
card at Gov. Hutchinson's, who is in the country. Took tea at
Mr, Blowers' in company with Judge Sewall and family.
July 10, At Guildhall — Court Comraon Pleas, in which sat
Chief Justice De Grey — King's Bench, Lord Chief Justice Mans
field—the former addressed the jury in a case of slander in a most
agreeable manner.
Speaking of the Standard in CornhUl sometimes referred to in
books relative to distances, I called on an inhabitant there, but
could get no satisfaction, he telling me he had himself inquired
about It to no purpose. But very few are acquainted with the
curiosities, etc., the knowledge being confined to those skilled in
city history,
July 13. Breakfasted with Mr. Oxnard and Mr, Silsbee.
Asked a man how far it was to Chelsea, and was answered, in the
true New-England style, " / donH know — about half a mile."
This I note as the first instance, to my remembrance, of the like I
have met with on this side the water.
Had a free conversation with a couple of converslble gentlemen,
not comraonly to be met with ; the better sort or gentry being too
proud or reserved to mix with those they don't know, or to indulge
a promiscuous chat,
July 14, Worshipped at Allhallows, Lombard-street ; the of
ficiating priest was Mr, Peters, the refugee from Hebron, Connecti
cut;* his text 2 Peter chap. iii. verses 1 and 2, "But grow in
grace," etc, Mr. Peters dined with me,
* Author of a travestied history of Connecticut.

64 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776,

CHAPTER II.
London, July 15. Walked out with the intention of paying my
respects to Gov. Hutchinson before leaving London — met him in the
Park with Mr. Flucker, and took leave; receiving copies of two
letters with leave to show them to Mr. Isaac Smith, one being to
himself and the other to Mr. Hollis, both from Dr. Elliott, and
intercepted by Gen. Howe, -
Tuesday, July 16. Left home at an early hour in the Salisbury
coach. On Hounslow heath, through, which we passed, three
monuments of human folly and divine justice — as many gibbets
with the remains of so raany wretches, hanging in chains; a little
beyond, a high obelisk crowned with a large gilt ball, erected by
the late duke of Cumberland at his lodge in Windsor Park. On
the other hand, at a distance of twenty rods from the road, another
obelisk, ending in a blunt point ; two miles further stands a more
lofty one, scarcely finished, of four stories, illuminated by square
windows, the design of the present duke. The road from Wallop
to Salisbury is delightfully pleasant, and hard as a garden gravel-
walk ; at four mUes' distance is to be seen the spire of the cathe
dral, supposed to be the highest in England. The land rising
gradually from the plain till the sight is bounded by a ridge of high
hills, from the rising filled with enclosures, rows and clumps of
trees, and raany farm-houses ; alighted at Salisbury at seven
o'clock in the evening.
Salisbury, July 17. Started for Stonehenge, a distance of
eleven miles, the first five through highly cultivated, grounds. At
the distance of three miles from the city, on the right, is to be
seen an eminence apparently of an oval figure, lying beyond the
improved grounds, enclosed with hedges, etc., which seems lo be
raised by art, or formed into its present shape or figure, at least, by
the hands and industry of man ; the ascent to the plain on which
its base stands is above the level of the improvements on the hither

1776,] JOURNALANDLETTERS. 65
side ; it is an easy slope at an angle of 45°, and measures round one
mile ; on the rim of the first slope are cornfields ; within is a slope
of the same figure as the lower, rising nearly to the same height ;
in a plain on one side is planted a small group of trees ; this spot in
former days was the site of Old Sarum, containing about sixty
acres, unless I ara raislnformed, without one house on it, now enti
tled to send two raerabers to parliaraent. On the lower plain, and
bordering on the slope, stands one house, where dwells a family
supplying the curious who visit there with punch, wine, and tea.
The view under this long range of hills presents a most pleasing
and variegated prospect.
Turning out of the road over the lawn, void of trees, bushes,
stones, and as even as a bowling green, we soon arrived in sight
of the object of our pursuit, Stonehenge : its first appearance re
sembled a company of men ; in different views it assumed very
different shapes. About a mile from this place, encompassing it
in a circular line, stand many of those bodies of earth called bar
rows or tumuli, supposed burial places of the Druids ; their form
is globular, from nine to twelve feet in height, and from thirty-five
to forty in diameter : — their surfaces smooth, all of the same shape,
and not very different in size. I viewed thera well, and reraem-
bering that they never could be counted, I nevertheless set about
the task with confidence of success ; — my first enumeration was
eighty, second eighty-two, third and fourth different, so that I was
convinced of the difficulty of the task and gave it up — almost
imagining that the Druid presiding over these sacred ruins puzzles
and confounds the minds of all who make the iniquitous attempt. —
The outside row of stones is an imperfect oval, eighteen in number ;
those upright are about seventeen feet high and about four feet
wide. Eight very large, but not of so great length, lying flat
wise on the tops of the outside row — nine on the fops of those
within; fourteen small uprights stand within, in different direc
tions or lines ; twenty-eight, perhaps more, lying out of the
ground — two lying in the ground, that look as if in their natural
bed. Two columns of the largest size and of an uneven surface
stand upright; in one of these near the end, is a small hollow,
the size and shape of what Don Quixote took for Mambrino's hel
met. In the other near the ground, is a small hollow of the size
9

66 JOURNAL AND LETTERS.

[1776.

of a pint basin, said to have been impressed when the devil threw
the rock at the friar and struck him on the heel. Many other tra
ditions, tales and follies are related by the credulous and supersti
tious vulgar about this wonderful pile. There is no appearance of
the chisel or hammer, but in two of the rocks, one very large has
on each end an excavation about fourteen inches long and about
seven deep, designed to be placed on the upright ones. The up
right one, of which the former lies at its foot, has on top a circular
rising just the size of those below, and seems as if intended to be
let into the hollows to keep the arch stones and those lying on the
tops of the uprights steady and secure. And I doubt not the cross
stones lying still on the tops of the uprights are secured the same
way. This pile stands on a lofty eminence of great extent and has
on it neither tree, bush, shrub or stone within many miles on either
side, and is called " the plain of Salisbury." Thence at a distance
of seven miles, I was admitted to Lord Pembroke's seat. In the
court are fine busts and statues. The house is a noble building,
round a square ; the front is a plan of Inigo Jones, looks over a
lawn, through which is a natural river improved by art ; through
the lawn are interspersed clumps of trees, statues and busies, vases
and obelisks, rendering the spot delightful beyond description.
The rooms are filled with antique statues, busts, vases, urns, sarco
phagi without number. Among other things a curalis sella made
of iron and brass — the stone coffin that Terence's remains were
deposited in, and the urn that contained the ashes of Horace ; —
also an exact model ofthe Venus of Medicis and the Apollo Belvi-
dere ; — was it not for the complaisance due the fair sex, I should
prefer the latter to the former, and believe it is to that principle
alone that antiquarians are so lavish in theii- praises of the god
dess. On returning to Salisbury, three miles, after dinner I strolled
to the cathedral ; the pulpit of stone is in the body of the church,
the reading desk is in the choir ; the ceiling curious and finely
painted and gilded, laid out in compartments of many figures, with
roses, &c. in the centre. The windows filled with paintings ; the
buttresses, pillars and decorations are similar to Westminster
Abbey. This cathedral is supposed to be five or six centuries old ;
it stands in a place called Salisbury Close, surrounded by walls,
having three gates that are shut every night. It has privileges

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS.

67

distirict from the town, and is the residence of the bishop and his
clergy, besides private families.
Took coach for Exeter,
July 27. Two despatches frora America on their way to Lon
don, with advices that an engagement had happened between Gen.
Howe and the Americans, with a loss of 18,000 men on both sides,
and so great was the carnage that one regiment had but five men
left. On inquiry I believe the account cannot be true to the extent
of loss. July 28. — Exeter. It is remarkable that in many of the
churches of this city are placed in compartments, or tablets against
the walls in raany places, collections of texts of Scripture. Il is
believed that the cathedral has been standing nine hundred years,
and its ancient appearance justifies it ; the military garb some of
the statues are dressed in is of the period of the ninth and tenth
centuries. July 30, Attended divine service in the cathedral, to hear, as
is the custom, the assize sermon preached before the judges, who
were Barons Eyre and Holham ; the preacher, a Mr. Simmons ; a
sensible and serious discourse from Proverbs 14: 34, " Righteousness
exalteth a nation."
TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., BROMPTON-ROW, LONDON.
Exeter, July 30, 1776.
Dear Sir :
**********
Dined at Whitchurch ; we were joined at table by five gentle
men of the turf, going to the Andover races in this vicinity : the
jokes flew freely, and excited laughter among themselves and af
forded me some amusement, although conceived in terms to
which I was unaccustomed ; — their boisterous mirth and manners
brought to my mind the descriptions to be met with in hooks, of
gentlemen of that character, and is a proof that they have justly
copied the originals. Again we took fresh horses, and in an hour
measured eight miles, passing the Earl of Portsmouth's seat, remark
able for nothing that I could see, (but yet it covers more ground
than the neighboring farm houses,) lying just before we entered
the Andover race grounds, an extent of two or three miles under

68 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776.
a range of naked hills on one side, and on the other by enclosures
beyond which the road runs, and on which we met and overtook
multitudes of each sex, every rank and condition, dressed in their
best attire, fo partake of the diversions of the race ; being too
early, we missed a sight I would gladly have enjoyed. At a dis
tance of three mUes we descended into the town of Andover, which
like the situations of most towns in England, is in a bottom, con
taining two hundred houses, a church and town hall, with open
market under it, and adorned with a spire on the top, and a modern
structure, as many of the houses are,
« * # «.* * * * * *
At the distance of eight mUes from Salisbury, we passed
through five or six villages of houses with mud walls and thatched
roofs, such only being seen for many mUes in the west. Alighted
at last at the Red Lion in Salisbury, having rode eighty-three
miles in fifteen hours. The houses in Salisbury are in ancient
style of building, and contain five thousand inhabitants. I peeped
into the cathedral during service ; the worshippers were the dean,
five or six ecclesiastics, eight singing boys, and eight as raiserable
looking wretches as ever entered the doors of a hospital ; they
were literally, as the gospel says of those who are called, " the
blind, the halt," &c., and are hired to attend : and without this ex
pedient I fancy the lay hearers would be as few as Dr. Swift's con
gregation. The ceiling is as gaudy as gold and paint can make
it, and in the taste of Henry Vllth's chapel, but not open work,
and by its appearance has been neglected for some centuries. In
short, it looks like an old neglected military officer out of service,
with his regimentals worn threadbare and soiled. Indeed the whole
church is so slovenly and dirtily kept, that a stranger would judge
that these stewards of the Lord's inheritance regarded the revenues
more than the repairs of the mansion house. The pews or seats
are in a declining, and if not soon propped up, will be in a decum
bent state ; — the pulpit of stone, perhaps lo denote the blockish
quality of its possessors, A curious statue of St. Osmond is here,
said to have been brought from old Sarum, and supposed of the
eleventh or twelfth century ; but where he lived or died is not
within the compass of my reading.*
? Chancellor of England and Bishop of Salisbury under William the Conqueror.

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 69
Having performed a ride of ninety miles in seventeen hours,
alighted in this city of Exeter, my distance from London being one
hundred and seventy-two miles. The number of inhabitants is
scarcely seven-eighths as numerous as at Boston in New England ;
standing on much less ground, and on an eminence in the centre
of a bottom encorapassed by distant high hills ; on one side runs
the river Exe, over it a bridge some centuries old. The streets
narrow and dirty — houses of ancient style. The city is encom
passed with a wall, in some places almost entire, very high, and
crowned with battlements ; — perhaps more gates, gateways and
arches here than in any other place in England. I was told that
forty years ago there was not a coach to be seen in the city. Here
are nineteen parish churches, not one with a spire, but having large
towers and battlements ; and eleven meeting-houses for Presbyte
rians, Quakers, Methodists, Catholics, and Jews. The castle
lately deraolished to make room for a court-house. The cathedral
front is adorned with sixty .mutilated statues, having the appearance
of a thousand years. Among the various monuraents within, is one
erected many ages since, to perpetuate the remembrance of an
enthusiast, who died a martyr to his folly in presuming to fast in
imitation of our Saviour ; being a just resemblance of a body
wasted by hunger to a skeleton. I am, with great regard,
S. Curwen.
Exeter, August 1. Attended the assizes al the castle ; the cause
before Baron Eyre was a suit of Lord Clifford, a Roman Cathohc
peer, against a Mr, Prode, for encroaching on the rights of his
manor of Ringmoor, within which is part of the town of Teign
mouth, lying on the river Tyne. Lord Clifford claimed up lo high
water mark, below which for 178 feet he had built and enclosed ;
but on the trial Lord Clifford made an offer lo compromise the claim,
allowing Mr. Prode to enjoy one half his encroachment for three
lives or ninety-nine years, paying yearly ten shillings, and surren
dering the other half, which terms were acceded to, and the trial
was quashed.
August 5, Removed to Sidmouth, a watering place, where I
propose to reside some time with my friend. Rev, Isaac Smith,

70 JOURNALANDLETTERS. [1776.
who officiates as minister to the dissenting congregation, partly
made up of the company resorting hither for the benefit of sea
bathing and drinking the waters. I am now at Mr. FoUet's,
August 12. Sidmouth consists of about a hundred houses, built
of mud walls and thatched roofs, except a very few with Cornish
tile and with shingles, very low, situated in a bottom or valej; the
lands about are under good improvement. On each side stand
two ridges of hills, ending in cliffs, the foot washed by the tide.
In the town is an old church with a clock and a meeting house.
The inhabitants chiefly hired out to the Newfoundland traders, and
for the most part in low circumstances. The town is within the
manor of Sir WUmot Prideaux, whose ancestor having mortgaged
the estate to the ancestor of a person now insane, the leases cannot
be renewed, and therefore the houses are going to decay, none in
clining lo repair more than necessary at an uncertainty.
TO DR. CHARLES RUSSELL, ANTIGUA.
Sidmouth, August 14, 1776.
Dear Sir :
Your letter has given me great pain ; people in siraUar circum
stances of distress must be brutal not to feel for one another. Let
us endeavor to fortify our minds against despondency; perhaps
our prospects will brighten ; if not, reason and a submissive dispo
sition may greatly alleviate, though they cannot wholly remove
the weight of trouble. I sincerely wish you and your connections
a removal of the sufferings you are at present under.
You are candid enough to place my demand to the right ac
count. I would sooner have endured hunger than needlessly add
lo any one's distresses, much less those for whom I am bound by
many ties to promote their happiness and interest. Do not re
member the demand, consult your convenience ; Ihave not wanted,
although am reduced to a rigid economy, which you know was not
my case in New England. This watering place, the resort of
much genteel company for sea bathing, is the most frugal place in
England ; it is in Devonshire, in the neighborhood of Exeter, and
about two hundred miles from London.
Your favors, ever esteemed, I ask a continuance of, and re
main, etc. S. Curwen.

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 71
FROM THOMAS DANFORTH,
Knightsbridge, August 18, 1776.
My DEAR Sir :
Since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were.
I have received your two epistles, though the last but two or three
days ago, it having lain some tirae at Palraer's, from whence I re
moved a fortnight this day to Mr. Pemberlhy's in Queen's Row,
six or eight houses north of Judge Sewall's, where I have very
agreeable lodgings. I neglected answering particularly your first
letter, expecting every day a second, and having nothing particu
lar by way of news, I have now determined to write, news or no
news, and as you know it is not against ray conscience lo affirm
that I saw the same velvet in the loom, for the same reason I think
it very innocent to make a sraall budget of news. You wUl there
fore be pleased to understand and be inforraed,that a few days ago
the Coramissioners with Nathaniel Coffin, Mr. Porter, the Comp
troller, the Inspector General, Col. Leonard, Mr. Barack, Mr.
Mather, Mr. FaneuU, etc., etc., arrived frora Halifax ; what recep
tion they will meet with is uncertain. You see without doubt in
the papers the news from the army at Staten Island. Sheriff
Loring writes Col, Hatch, that he expects to spend the winter in
Roxbury, and shall clean up his house there for his place of resi
dence. Col. Tyng writes to Judge SewaU, that when he is settled in
his house, which he proposes to take at Amboy, he shall be more
particular. It seems that the accounts they have frora the de-
' sorters are very encouraging ; that they are much divided upon the
matter of independency, I think that the enemies of opposition
to Parliament may regard the matter in that light, and appear
openly ; that this will be a lucky handle, and will finally be the
means of oversetting the combination. It is said that there is a
large party in South Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, and New
Hampshire, in opposition ; these will assist the king's troops when
they are well warmed in dispute with their brethren. It would not
be strange if the rebel interest should melt like snow in a hot sun,
when once it begins to fail. All but the congress have an excuse
for revolting, and think that they save their honor. Thousands will

72 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776,
revolt from them upon a specious pretence, who never would if
such could not be found. You have seen in the papers an account
of the Yankee privateer brought into the river ; one Johnston of
Boston, is master, and Downer of Roxbury, surgeon. The prisoners
are now on board of a 74 gun ship at Sheerness, They give a more
favorable account of the situation of the friends of government than
we have before had, but some allowances must be made, Daniel
Bliss writes from Quebec, that they have reason lo think that above
a thousand men about Albany are ready to join Gen. Burgoyne ;
he makes the loss of the rebels in that expedition to be 2000 men,
kUled, prisoners, and by sickness, upon a moderate computation.
The 400 men, inhabitants of Staten Island, with others as they
come in, are put under comraand of Gen. Ruggles, who is to keep
possession of the island. I am much obliged by your agreeable
account of your journey, but an account of your journey to London
again will be more agreeable, which I hope will be soon. Our
friend Bourne is gone into the country, so that I am at some
loss lo give you so particular an account of the lottery as I could
wish. There is much about Molesworth's Plan in the Ledger of
this day. I shall examine it, and if it does not contain the whole
matter, wUl insert the remainder before I close this letter. Bourne
said that he discouraged hira from purchasing chances. Brattle,
Boylston, etc., have returned from France. I have heard nothing
farther of Porter, Treasurer Gray, Abel Willard of Lancaster,
and I, have just come from Salters' HaU meeting-house, where we
heard a Mr, Pickard of Carter-street, near St. Paul's, Being down
in the city, I took up Molesworth's pubUcation, and found it to be
the same with what is contained in the Ledger, I see that there
is an order in the papers for all the militia of New-York to be in
readiness to march. There will probably be warm work. I find
that you give no account of your situation in your letter. I sup
pose you have found the diamond mine, and choose to engross the
whole profits. I have paid Col. Pickman as you desired,— he
made no observations. Mrs. Bray did not know how to du-ect me
to pay for the wine and ale, so that remains as it was. I should
copy aU your excuses for your letter, were it not that I suppose
they are fresh in your memory, I hate both writing fairly and
copying my own letters particularly. I think I have covered the

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 73
same quantify of paper, and have therefore a right to close. To
conclude therefore, please remember me to the Doctor. Salute
Priscilla and Aquila, and all the pretty girls who are in Exon.
Your very humble servant, Thos, Danforth.

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH.
Bristol, August 24, 1776,
Dear Sir:
The regret with which I left Sidmouth was in some measure
balanced by the agreeableness of the day. To pass by our first
stage, the least amusing, our second to moisten our driver and
horses, for both often want watering, was on the borders of Black-
down at a place called Southhast, and at "the sine of George Inn,
heer all sorts ofleckers are sold ;" besides the peculiar taste of the
painter in spelling, the letters were of so doubtful a forra that my
fellow traveller, Mr. Davis, chose to read "leckys," which word,
(if to be found in the Devonshire nomenclature I ara ignorant of
its meaning,) he, being skilled in provincial dialects, raay be ac
quainted with. Our third stage was at the Castle inn, Taunton;
on our way hllhdr we saw a hill called Quantook, so like our
Indian names I could not help remarking il. After a small
delay we proceeded to Hillblshop, and dined at the hospitable table
of Mr, Jlrrald ;* his good husbandry is fully repaid by a plentiful
harvest of apricots, nectarines and apples ; nor is his table without
the best cider England affords, which is scarcely equalled by the
most sparkling champagne. Our next stage was at Bridgewater ;
from the inn we walked to Miss Sealy's garden, planned to pro
mote the wise purposes of thought and meditation. Here we re
galed ourselves with green gages and gooseberries, the boughs
being loaded. At the bottom of the garden is a small piece of
water, fiUed with large carp, brought to the surface by pieces of
bread thrown in, which they rose to catch, a pleasing sight I never
before had. Our next stage was eighteen miles to Cross, where
we were told the beds were full, and they had no horses; so we
* A dissenting minister.
10

74 journal and letters.

[1776.

could not pass the night nor be carried further :— however, we met
a friendly stranger in Mr, Cornelius Frye, of Bristol, who gave up
his room. Here we supped all together and passed our lime so
ciably, talking treason and justifying American independence.
Next morning we left at seven, and passing Clifton on the left
covered with excellent improvements, arrived at Bristol, the Bush
inn opposite the Exchange. Yours truly, S. Curwen.
Bristol, August 24. Called at Mr, Waldo's ; he being absent,
I left a card. Soon after he came and carried me to his house to
dinner, in company with John Boylston and Mr. Browne; — after
dinner, walked over Klngsdown Hill to the Hot Wells on the
banks of the Avon, where I took a glass of the water and returned
to the inn. Soon after left for Birmingham, through Newport,
Gloucester, and Upton, which latter rerainded me of the incident of
the amiable Sophia Western's muff, which Tom Jones picked up in
his own bed. There are many originals of Squire Western, but I
am told Mr. Allen, late of Bath, was the character from which
Mr. All worthy was drawn. Hence to Worcester, a handsome town,
wide streets, a fine cathedral in good repair, but not abounding in
funeral monuments. At last we arrived at Birmingham, which, in
its general appearance, looks more like Boston than any place in
England. Birmingham, August 26, Hearing that Judge Oliver and Mr.
Lloyd were in town, I repaired to the inn, but they had departed.
I met thera soon after as they were leaving town for London via
Woodstock, and gave a letter to Mr. Danforth.
August 28. Walked out and met a Quaker at the door of his
house, near the outskirts of the town, on the Litchfield road, com
manding an agreeable prospect bounded by distant hills in an am-
philheatric line ; engaged hira in conversation, and by invitation
went in for half an hour ; found hira a sensible man and a warm
American, as most of the middling classes are through the king
dom, as far as my experience reaches. Beyond the Tweed, I know
not; however, the Scotch within, to my knowledge are antimlniste-
rialists. Passed an agreeable day at Mr, Russell's, two railes out of

1776.] JOURNALANDLETTERS, 75
town ; he is of the house of Smith, Son & Russell, who ship
largely to New-York and Boston, He has been in America, and
is her steady and ardent advocate,
Augmt 31, Stepped to a gun-maker's to see a rifle, (the first
I ever saw,) and many other pieces of peculiar construction I was
a stranger to ; the master is to make six hundred rifles for govern
ment, but is in principle an anlirainisteriallsl, as is the whole town.
Sept. 6. Sir William Meredith the other day declared at Mat
lock, that he looked on the violent measures against America to be
very impolitic, and that Lord North was of the same mind, and
only joined out of respect for the king, who was warra and deter
mined to pursue such at all events, even though with the loss of a
hundred thousand men. It will be well if a pertinacious adherence
to a certain plan of conduct respecting that unhappy country be
not productive of evil fruits lo the interests of the king and empire.
May it please God to infuse wisdora, prudence, and raoderation into
the breasts of those on whose counsels the fate of both depend,
Sept. 9. A letter in the London Chronicle, said to have been
brought by the Isabella, an advice-boat from Quebec, relates a
defeat of the provincials before Crown Point, with the loss of eight
hundred killed, eight hundred wounded, and four hundred taken
prisoners; and that the garrison is in Gen, Carleton's hands, said
to have been obtained July 23d ; a story well told, but which wants
proof, Sept. 10, Was told as we passed Castle inn, that Lord North
was momently expected there from Sandwell, the Earl of Dart
mouth's seat,
Sept. 11. Took coach for Bristol by the way of Tewksbury;
met an officer who gave himself great liberties respecting America,
to which I took the freedom of giving several severe checks, and
my companion spared not tUl he was thoroughly silenced and
humbled ; he said many ungenerous, foolish and false things, and
I did not forbear telling him so,
Sept. 16, At 11 o'clock P, M. departed from Birminghara for
Bristol; at Worcester took a relay of horses, and arrived at
Tewksbury at breakfast ; went to the church, almost the magnitude
of a cathedral, which contains many curiosities ; in a flat grave
just hefore the choir is buried Prince Henry, son of Margaret of

76 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [17 < 6.
Anjou, widow of the unfortunate King Henry VL, who was slain
by Richard, Duke of Gloucester, after the defeat of the Queen at
" the battle of fhe bloody meadow," so called from the tradition
that it overflowed with the blood of the slain on that occasion.
Here is, also, in a kneeling posture, a statue of George, Duke of
Clarence, who is said lo have been drowned in a butt of malmsey :
—Richard, Earl of W^arwick, the king-maker : — Osrick, a king of
Northuraberland, who founded a church on fhe spot where this
¦church stands. In two hours after leaving this place we arrived
at Gloucester, and in the cathedral saw araong raany monuments
that of the unfortunate King Edward II., who was murdered at
Berkeley Castle, Here also lies another unfortunate prince, Robert,
Duke of Normandy, whose younger brother, WilUam Rufus, seized
the crown of England during his absence on a visit to the Holy
Land ; he was imprisoned many years in the Castle of Cardiff, —
Over his grave is a statue in a decumbent posture, made of Irish
oak, which, when struck, sounds as if of racial. This cathedral is
kept in fine order; has a vaulted choir, and the raost elegant
cloisters of any in England, Arrived at Bristol at 8 o'clock
evening, Bristol, Sept. 18. ToRatcliff church, supposed fo be the first
in point of elegance and magnitude of all the parish churches in
England, It has not in its construction one nail or piece of iron,
being built and supported by stone and marble only. It consists of
three aisles, besides two projections which give it the form of a
cross; — in one stands a great font, and in the other several funeral
monuraents. Over the altar are placed three masterly paintings by
Hogarth, on the subject of the burial, resurrection, and ascension ;
for which he received a thousand pounds.
In this church lies buried Admiral Penn, with an inscription
recounting his exploits on a pillar ; and suspended on the same pillar
below are his mihtary garb, sword, cuirass, helmet, gloves, etc.
This gentleman's services were rewarded by the royal grant of Penn
sylvania to his son William Penn, the founder of that province.
Took tea and passed the evening with Mr. Evelelgh, a native
of Charleston, South Carohna; educated at Harvard College, three
or four years after me, who on hearing my name recollected it,
having been schooled at Cambridge under Master Coolidge and

1776,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 77
boarded at the President's house. He and his famUy are hearty in
the cause of Ameriia.
Sept. 19, Accorapanied Mr. Bourne, one of my countrymen,
to the crown-glass manufactory, where the whole process was
shown. — On 'change met ray countryman Mr. Joseph Waldo,
who procured tickets for our admission to Mr. Gouldney's grotto at
Clifton, with whom, Francis Waldo, and Capt. Aldredge, (brother
of the late Col. Bradstreet's lady, and born in Nova Scotia,) we
proceeded over Brandon hill, the summit whereof yields the most
ravishing view that imagination can form, having a large portion
of fhe city under fool ; and a finely cultivated country for an
amazing extent has the appearance of a continued village, inter
spersed with towns and seats ; the prospect enlivened with live
hedges, lofty trees, Dumday lower, Kingwood, and the river Avon,
running through the city and joined with another called the Frome,
over both which are bridges; on the latter are the larger ships,
and on the former only smaller craft. Just as we arrived at the
gates, there passed by in his solitary walk, whom accident threw
in our way, a countryman, Mr. Harrison Gray, son of our late
(Massachusetts) treasurer, who, with his wife, had for a season left
London and retired to this place, and whora I was glad lo see.
Parting at the gate, we were soon admitted, and, attended by the
gardener, were conducted through the gravel-walks, kept in the
nicest order, the whole bearing the appearance of care and indus
try ; it is on a moderate scale, but well filled with orange and
lemon trees, etc., and a small piece of water abounding in gold and
silver fish, supplied from a natural fountain so lofty that a fire-
ensine is erected at one end of the terrace ; the stream runs under •
ground for a distance and discharges itself through an urn, on which
a Neptune rests with his trident. The ground between it and the
engine is made rough, scraggy, and woody, to resemble a wilder
ness, which I passed going through the main walk. We arrived
at the door of the grotto, situated under the terrace ; the object
that presented itself to our view was a lion in a sitting posture,
and behind, in a dark cave, a lioness, fhe latter so like life that I
could hardly persuade myself lo the contrary. The form of" the
grotto is octangular, its roof a semicircle, having a dome with a
round window in the centre ; the diameter about twenty feet on each

78 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776i
side, from the door in front to the mouth of the cave in which (he
honess is sitting ; to the right and left of the entrance the roof is
supported by pillars ; covered as its roof and sides are with a vari
ety of shells, stones, spars, petrifactions, etc, the mountains, even
the bowels of the earth and the bottom of the sea, seem to have
been pillaged to furnish materials lo adorn this curious subterrane
ous recess. On the left hand, beyond the dome and under a rough,
cragged stone arch, is a small quadrangular stone basin of wafer
supplied by small streams, issuing through almost imperceptible
channels, over which, in a lying posture, is a female deity. On
the other hand stands a door, the light and shade of which is so
artfully painted that it deceived the company, who thought it a
passage into the garden on a flight of stairs; the most perfect de
ception I ever saw. On the door was a miniature of a female face
with a seemingly broken glass covering il, in the same style and
manner, and producing the like effect. From hence we ascended
the terrace-walk four hundred feet in length, the front of the gar
den raised forty feet supported by a brick wall; the rear .bounded
by a border of flowers, and behind a shrubbery of lofty trees. On
the right is an octangular structure ending in a dome eighteen feet
in diameter, with seals all round, and having as many windows as
it has sides, which affords as many prospects, except on the side of
the garden, where they are darkened, yielding three delightful
perspectives. Leaving this charming spot and Clifton, I bade adieu to my
companions, and after dinner I departed for Shepton- Mallet, and
on my arrival met my friend and countryman Mr, Isaac Smith;
thus ends my ramble for a few weeks.
Shepton Mallet, Sept. 20. Walked to the market-cross, an open
structure supported by Gothic arches and pillars, and ornamented
in front by a few rautllated statues, but whether of saints or heroes
of antiquity, 1 know not. A few gentlemen of fortune live here,
but many worthy clothiers ; there are two places of worship, an
Episcopal and a Presbyterian, and the number of inhabitants is said
to be seven thousand, A Mr. Ames with whom I am acquainted
lives here on his six hundred a year,
Sept. 23, Rode through Lord Ilchesler's park, passing by
the late Lord Berkeley's estate, and through a vale to Lord Arun-

1776.] JOURNALANDLETTERS, 79
die's. One passes on a flight of noble steps to the centre door
letting into the hall ; — the walls are adorned with paintings of
the raost celebrated artists. There is a cabinet of Pope Sixtus
Quinlus, which stands on a mahogany frame ; — the front is of
ebony; and amber pillars, set with sapphires, emeralds and other
precious stones, and miniatures of all the Perotli family from
which he sprang, and elegantly executed in while alabaster. In the
drawers are prints of the principal royal and noble families of
Europe in metal frames.
In these grounds is an airy cross, bought of the city of Bristol
and transported here; in the Gothic style, four stories; in each are
four niches filled with kings in their regalia, supposed to have been
benefactors to the city ; the naraes in part are, Henry VI., Edward
IV,, John, Charles I. and II, and Queen Elizabeth. It is finely
decorated, and in the highest preservation.
Procured a guide to attend us to Alfred's Tower, which we
intended to visit before taking leave of Stourlon. We soon arrived
at Inson Hill on whose suramit stands the tower, and which is said
to be the spot on which Alfred erected his standard against the
Danes ; mostly a terraced walk. The tower an open triangular
structure, the angles covered by round towers; in one is a flight of
221 steps making 155 in height; on this is a sound balcony of 20
feet high, on the top a kind of cross standing on a globe. The
entrance into it is through a Gothic arched door — ten feet above is
a stone niche under a finely ornamented arch. In the centre is a
Saxon crown supported by double Gothic pillars; on each sideslands
the statue of Alfred in military habUlments and larger than life,
holding a sceptre in his right hand, his left resting on a sword, —
Below is a tablet, on which is the following :
in memory of
ALFRED THE GREAT,
WHO ON THIS SUM.MIT ERECTED HIS STANDARD AGAINST DANISH INVADERS.
HE INSTITUTED JURIES, ESTABLISHED A MILITIA,
CREATED AND EXERTED A NAVAL FORCE;
A PHILOSOPHEK AND A CHRISTIAN ;
THE FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE,
THE FOU.\DER OF THE ENGLISH MONARCHY AND
LIBERTY.

80 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776.
Leaving this grateful monument, dedicated to fhe memory ofthe
most deservins: monarch Entjlaiid ever saw, I returned home.
Sept. 25. To the Poor House to see the spinning-jennies,
which of late through the folly and madness of the spinners and
weavers have been the occasion of a riot in this town, which a
party of dragoons were called in to quell, who are yet continued to
prevent future ones; three were killed and a number wounded, and
but for the government orders to avoid blood.shed, more would have
been. These machines are to twist the threads after the first course
run from the common wheels, which despatch about three or four
times as fast as by hand in the customary way. They have been in
use some years in the north, and a premium obtained for them from
the Society of Arts and Sciences. They contain thirty-six spindles
turned by a common axis, communicating with a wheel placed
horizontally. Sept. 28. Walked with Mr, Morgan over the hills lo the re
mains of a Roman-way ; the ditch continues, although in an im
perfect state, and carried over Mendip hill, running from north to
south, and from shore to shore.

1776,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 81

CHAPTER III.
Shepton Mallet, Oct. 1, Rode to Bath ; — large meeting of cloth
iers from neighboring towns in Somerset and Wiltshire, to concert
measures to establish, if practicable, the use of the spinning-jenny in
these parts, which the weavers raised a mob to prevent. Two com
panies of dragoons are posted in this town for security of the
manufacturers, against the infatuated multitude. Met Col, Salton
staU, who with Mr, Boylston has taken lodgings here for some
time past. Departed for Lord Weymouth's seat, called Longleat ;
his grounds contain the whole parish of Horningsham. Over the
entrance in front is the date as follows:— "jErecfed by Sir John
Thynne, 1569."' The front is an addition to the old structure, the
remains of a Carthusian monastery standing round a large square
court. Within are pictures of Henry VIII., Sir Thomas Overbury,
Lord Strafford, beheaded in the time of Charles I., — Henry IV. of
France, — Charles I, when Prince of Wales, and his brother James
n. when Duke of York, General Monck, — Charles II, and his
Queen, Archbishop Juxlon, — Mary Queen of Scotts, Robert Dudley
Earl of Leicester, Lady Nottingham, — Archbishop Laud, Cardinal
Richelieu, — Sir Thomas Graham, — Count Tekeli and lady,
Oct. 11. Visited Glastonbury Abbey ruins, attended by a guide
naraed Thomas, who is as great a curiosity as the ruins ; for we
had no sooner entered on the holy ground than he doffed his bea
ver and hugged it under his arm, while with a solemn tone and
manner indicative of unshaken faith in the legendary tales which
the folly of credulity and superstition have handed down, by oral
tradition as well as books, through a long succes'sion of ages, he
began by informing us of some circumstances relative to a chapel
standing entire, which I had no wish to enter, nor do I remember
the tale. Proceeding on we approached the walls of the chapel
in ruins, but not to prevent a perfect idea of the size ; — making a
sudden stop, our guide told us with a solemn voice that the ground
11

82 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776,
we stood on was twenty-two feet above the natural surface, raised
by the rubbish from the monastery; which, if true, is a proof of
the immensity of the building, and the uncommon thickness of its
walls, the site of which covers fifteen to twenty acres. Descend
ing to the lower chapel, at present fiUed with dirt to the capitals
of the pUlars, eight feet, this he told us was the spot where Joseph
of Arimathea built a chapel of hurdles and boughs of trees;
twenty-three years after the crucifixion. In the upper chapel re
main the niches and pedestals on which stood the images of saints
of solid gold.
After hearing many tedious stories and incredibilities, we pro
ceeded to survey the outside, dormitory, chapter-house, etc. In the
centre of the east end stood the chapel of the first Saxon Christian
king of this island ; — from whence through the ruins, at a con
siderable distance, is to be seen the further or western end of the
double chapel we first entered ; both side walls are standing up to
the roof, and part of the eastern wall, under an arch of eighty feet
in height, and fifty in width, entire aU but the crown. The sight
of this brought to my mind the magnificent ruins of Palmyra,
although its ornaments were not of such exquisite workmanship ;
these being Gothic, but highly finished. Near an angle at the
eastern end stands a small room ; lately this was turned into a cow
house, but not one of the brutual intruders survived a year, as the
guide informed us of his own certain knowledge.
Within this holy ground is the holy thorn-tree, I had liberty
to pluck a branch, proposing to preserve it tUl my arrival in
America, (if it shall please God to grant me that favor.) The
three trees now standing blossom yearly within the Christian holy-
days, which it is the peculiar quality of this species to do, without
supposing a miracle; but the craft of these reverend impostors
knew very well how to turn a natural event into something mira
culous, and the superstitious folly and ignorance of the multitude
for a long course of ages has confirmed them in the same ground
less notions.
We arrived soon at a pleasant road, having in view extensive
progpects of waste lands, called moors ; ascending a lofty ridge on
the left, lay that called King's Sedgemoor, remarkable for the de
feat ofthe Duke of Monmouth by his uncle, King James the Second.

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 83
From hence, on one of these hills, is to be seen the obelisk erected to
the memory of the late Sir WiUiam Pynsent by the Earl of Chatham ;
a cheap purchase of an estate of eighty thousand pounds, besides
ten thousand in money, left lo a man the testator never saw. The
stage from Glastonbury to Bridgewater throughout extremely pleas
ant; the distance of fifteen miles we passed in an hour and a half;
thence to Enmore Castle about four miles, a seat of the Earl of
Egmont, which is built in the form of the ancient baronial castles.
Leaving this imitation of old English architecture, we rode to Castle
inn, Taunton, where we lodged : next day to Sidmouth,
Sidmouth, Oct. 13, Attended worship at my friend Mr, Isaac
Smith's, who preached from these words, " The Lord is my portion,"
which was the last sermon he preached in Araerica : the congre
gation the largest I had known since my residence here.
Oct. 17. Rode to Slade, the seat of a Mr. Lee, one of Mr.
Smith's hearers, who purchased of the father of the famous Dr.
Shebbeare, one of the writers for the court against America, Took
a stroll to the cliffs on the seaside, yielding a delightful prospect,
Oct. 18, Rode out to view an ancient encampment, supposed
Danish, and is called Hembury, about fourteen miles. Fording thte
gentle stream of Syd, we pursued our course over Cove HiU, so
called, being a lofly range, affording on each side very pleasant
views of a finely improved country ; here we met a number of
huntsmen on foot, with their long poles and a great number of
dogs, at default, unable to recover the track of the hare, which had
found means to elude the dogs' scent. A little beyond the village
of Burcherton is the seat of the well-known Admiral Graves, whose
base, unworthy conduct in America has justly brought the curses
of the people on his head, displeased his sovereign and the ministry,
and rendered himself deservedly the contempt of all. His house is-
at the foot of the hill on which Hembury fort stands. This fort is
situated on the extremity of a lofty ridge of hUls, in a parish of the
same name, four miles north of Honiton, and is supposed to Lave
been a Danish encampment, (formed in one of their incursions,
about a thousand years ago,) from its roundish form, the Roman
being all angular; there are many such in these parts, though few
so entire. Its form is a very long oval ; and measures, from the
low parapet or line of raised earth on the northeasterly quarter at

84 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776,
its further end, to the edge or brow of the ditch at the southwest
erly, (in which direction it runs exclusive of the ditches athwart
the hill, to defend or secure the centre enclosure,) about a thousand
feet ; and the width ofthe hiU on its sumrait on which the encamp
ment stands, with the middle included, is about a hundred feet. It
stands very high, and commands a view of the vales on each side to
a great extent. From the foot of the hill in front, for a considera
ble distance on either side, it is of a quick ascent ; but from the
foot of the hill in front there is an easy slope, as regular as a gla
cis, although of ten times its length and breadth ; the rest of this
long range, in a circular form, rises from the plains below as far as
the eye can discern, regularly and sudden, rendering the approach
difficult, except from the sumrait, which is continued to a great
extent. There are three fosses carried nine feet round the encamp
ment, the last deeper and wider than the rest ; the slope is about
sixty feet. The earth wall, if it may be so called, contains fifteen
to twenty acres. Here may be traced the foundations of one or
two buildings, which spot I presume was the officers' tents, the
place of arms and magazine. The avenue on the south side, for
there is but one, communicates with a walk running the whole
width of the hill, and is bounded by a parapet of raised earth, at
twenty feet from the entrance into the middle inclosure ; between
this and the brow of the hUl at the southwest, is, I suppose, the
encampment of the army, and here may be seen the effects of la
bor; but what were the works, enough does not remain to enable
us to judge. Having surveyed these remains of ancient military
defence, we descended by the common road, and arrived at home
in about three hours,
Oct. 20, Mr, Samuel FoUelt drank tea with us ; he is an old
Newfoundland trader, was in New England in 1726, and built a
ship at Charlestown.
Exeter, Oct. 26. In the Bristol Gazette is the following:
" Gen. Howe had landed the British army on the island of New-
York on the 15th September; the provincials had fled from the
city, with great precipitation and much loss, towards Kingsbridge,
where they were entrenched to the number of twenty thousand.
Gen. Howe, having taken possession of New-York, was encamped
witb his army of twenty-two thousand within cannon-shot of the

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 85
Americans, and it was hourly expected he would make a grand
attack upon them," This inteUigence came by the Hanover
Planter lo Bristol, who spoke with the Galatea, Capt, Jordan, who
left New-York the 17lh of September. The unaccountable story
of abandoning New-York, without a formal attack made on it,
needs explanation ; no doubt there were justifiable reasons for it,
Oct. 29, A busy week here, many persons daily arriving from
all quarters, at the instance and charge of the competitors Baring
and Cholwich, who are up for the representation of this city in par
iiament in room of Mr, Waters. The hands of the city officers are
fully occupied in making out freedoms to those who have a right to
it. The dispute runs high, " Cholwich forever" momently bawled ;
" Baring" not so often, though many think he may carry his election ;
papers are printed and public houses kept open by both, at great
expense. The joke would be complete should an unthought-of
rival step in and succeed,
Oct. 30, Rode out to Lord Courtnay's Belvidere, (about seven
miles,) a triangular structure of Portland stone ; from the top is an
extensive prospect, having on one side Exeter, Topsham, and several
seats ; on the other, Lympstone,Exmoulh,Star Cross, Lord Courtnay's
seat. Gov. Pawke's, a nabob late of Madras, the river Exe frora near
its mouth, and vessels in the channel, and, what is more curious,
the house wherein the great Sir Francis Drake was born and lived,
situated on the other side of the river, opposite the Belvidere.
Oct. 3L Mr. Shepard tells me there is great danger of a
French war; may the nation be preserved frora this dreadful
calamity. TO THE HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BROMPTON-ROW, LONDON.
Exeter, Oct. 31, 1776.
Dear Sm:
By a letter from Mr. Danforth I was informed some of my
countrymen were about to apply to the administration for relief. — ¦
As my residence has been much longer than the most, and the sud
denness of my departure from home rendering it morally impossible
for me to become possessed of much money, and ray pretensions, for
aught I know, being as good as any and better than many, I
presume I shall not be the only exile left in a forlorn condition if

86 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776,
any provision be made ; and if never made, forlorn I shall truly
be, my finances every day very sensibly lessening. Had I received
Mr. Deberdt's letter in time I should have returned to London, hut
it was otherwise ; and if my presence now can be dispensed with^
it wUl be more agreeable, as I live pleasantly enough among a few
acquaintances, at the rate of twenty guineas a year, in a state of
rigid economy that I never before was reduced to the necessity
of putting in practice.
In my answer to Mr. Deberdt, I referred him to you, whose
friendship on this occasion I doubled not, nor need I now repeat my
request of your assistance if that shall be necessary.
With great regard, etc,
S, Curwen,
J^ov. 1. I was informed that a messenger from General Howe
had just passed through the city, with advice that the provincial
entrenchments, containing nine thousand men from New- York,
were forced. General Washington wounded and taken, and ten
thousand men on both sides killed ; some other circumstances are
brought, but not to be divulged till six hours after the messenger's
departure from Exeter, Should this news prove true, I wish it
may not puff the British general with pride, and fill him with false
notions of the unequalled prowess and invincibility of the British
troops, nor indispose him to offer moderate terms ; and I trust con
gress may be willing to prevent further effusion of blood and destruc
tion of property by hearkening to reasonable proposals, which 1
hope the House have authority to make,
JVbt), 2. It is obvious the governraent is apprehensive of
a rupture, saying, " It is expedient we should he in a respectable
state of defence." The truth is there have been some discouraging
accounts from France for this week past, respecting the intentions
of that court to assist the colonies, and advices from Spain say
their ports are declared open to the Enghsh colonists ; upon these
events press-warrants are dispersed through this kingdom, and eight
hundred were taken on the Thames in one day into the service,
and five pounds per man are offered for able-bodied sailors. The
report of yesterday is contradicted in part ; Gen. Washington is
not taken, but six thousand Americans, and but two thousand

1776,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 87
British, This wants confirmation. It is also added that part of the
provincials only were engaged — a lame account. The fears of some
and the hopes of others dispose the people to the belief of any
improbabUities, nay, self-evident falsehoods.
Mov. 6, The important day has at length arrived, the election
of a member to parliament ; the city alive, except myself, who am
dead to curiosity. Interest and the hope of victory have inspired
all here with ardor. It is amusing to see how warmly their passions
are engaged.
Read Sharp's Travels in Italy ; entertaining enough ; his style
not above mediocrity; his picture of the country, if just, must render
his own more dear to those who know how to make a just estimate
of all the valuable enjoyments of life. In reading the above I learn
that in the state of Florence are nearly twenty-seven thousand ofthe
holy order, or if you please, the ecclesiastical troops are under a
solemn vow of obedience to a foreign potentate ; these with their
connections, relations and dependencies, render the authority of the
civil power extremely precarious in case they unite with a discon
tented party.
Amongst other instances of management in electioneering,
is the practice of closeting and locking up, beds being provided in
secure apartments to prevent the voters being spirited away to the
other side, of which there have been some instances, after the ex
pense of fetching them in from distant parts. — To prevent confu
sion and injustice, in the present election it is agreed to vote by
tallies, that is, each candidate to present by turns a certain num
ber, say ten or twenty. The majority of the city chamber is for
Cholwich ; the church for Baring, whose managers are the most
opulent, active and knowing : the contest fierce, some wounds and
broken heads, but no deaths ; enough to convince me of the de
plorable venality of the nation, and the high expectations derivable
from a seat in that assembly of untutored, inexperienced youths,
(for half, I believe, have not seen thirty,) called the Parliament of
Great Britain, or the great council of the nation. The number of
voters in this city is about fourteen hundred ; and I am told two
hundred of the most solid, judicious and prudent, thinking neither
ofthe candidates suitable, decline any concern, it being immaterial
to them whether Baring or Cholwich be the tool of adrainistration.

JOURNAL AND LETTERS.

[1776,

The charge on each side, five thousand pounds, is'doubtless intend
ed to be reimbursed from the national fund, for (not their services
but) their votes ! Would to God this great source of ministerial
power and influence, and the increasing cause of our public evils,
the national debt, was reduced to a moderate sum : a sponge is
dreadful in thought, and would be the ruin of some mUlions of in
nocent widows and orphans ; may that be prevented by a wise and
prudent expedient, if within the compass of human knowledge and
power. May a public and disinterested spirit^pring up and yet be
the stability of our times,
J^ov. 8, By the Gazette the wonderful account brought
frora America is, as usual, greatly diminished respecting the valor
and bravery of one side, number of slain, etc, on the other ; 6000
provincials and 2000 regulars are reduced to 400 provincials and
15 regulars 1 1 However, by the same intelligence, it seems one
quarter of New- York is burnt, and some lurkers menace the de
struction of the whole city, to prevent which Gen, Howe is using
assiduous endeavors to discover these incendiaries and prevent the
intended conflagration.
JVbt). 9, Walked out to the Gmldhall to see the conclusion of
the poll ended by the sheriff's declaring Mr. Baring duly elected,
the excess being one hundred and one votes. The unsuccessful
candidate, Mr. Cholwich, supported by the city chamber, went
home to put as good a face on their disappointment as they could,
araidst loud huzzas, flags displayed, having various devices^ of
which two were as follows : — the one divided into four compart
ments, between each half the word " Cholwich," and in the com
partments " no bribery ;" the other was the coat armor of his
father-in-law, (that is to be.) Sir John Duntze, properly embla
zoned, and in a scroll underneath these words, "free and indepen
dent." Mr. Baring, as is usual, was accompanied by a numerous
crowd, said to be ten thousand, huzzaing, clapping hands, etc. The
house he adjourned to was in fhe yard next to ours, and to honor
him variegated lamps were suspended in front, forming these
words, " Baring forever," surmounted by a crown. The evening
closed with a grand display of fireworks.
JVot, 11, Mr. Baring's friends wear favors of blue and
purple ribbons, and some ladies wear an emblematical device in

1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 89
allusion to the successful candidate's name, being a bear with a ring
in his nose, enaraelled pendant on a blue ribbon. The day was
ushered in by music and a procession, with flags inscribed " Baring
aM,d Trade." The inhabitants of this city appear proud, unsocial
and solitary, neither conversible nor hospitable ; but a few uncere
monious, hearty friends will render any place tolerable, and such
for that reason is this city for the present.
JYov. 26, A report prevails that Gen. Burgoyne has destroyed
all the provincial forces on the lake.
The later advice is, that Gen, Burgoyne became master of the
lake by taking, burning and destroying the naval force on the
12tb ult.
Dec. 3. This day is published a single sheet letter from a
master of a transport, giving account of the defeat of provincials
at Kingsbridge by Gen. Howe, having forced the entrenchments,
killing, wounding and taking eight thousand with a loss of twO'
thousand only, on the 17th October ; the remainder supposed to>
be fled to Philadelphia.
Sunday, Dec. 8, Mr, Towgood preached an excellent discourse,
from Isaiah Ivii. 15, In his prayer the most just and proper ex
pression for the king and royal family, and all in authority, both as
ministers of state and executive officers ; and although a warm
and hearty advocate for America, and her claims of exemption
from British legislation, right of taxation, yet moderate and dutiful
enough for me, who am far removed from wishing its entire inde
pendence ; for it is my firm belief it would sooner bring on oppres
sion and tyranny there than the former right allowed in its full
extent. May it please God to prevent both ; may the unreason
able and baneful wishes and attempts of all violent men be
disappointed, Dec. 13. The state fast, appointed by the king's proclaraation,
on account of the American war ; Bishop Keppel preached from
Deut. xxxiii. 27, " The eternal God is thy refuge," etc, a season
able and candid discourse ; he calls this " a civU war," and the
Americans " our unhappy fellow-subjects :" attempted no justifica
tion of the measures of government, I was pleased with his
candor and judgment.
Dec. 18, By a Mr, Lloyd of the 20th regiment, just arrived i»
12

90 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776,
the Lord Howe frigate from Quebec, and who was on the lake
with Burgoyne and Carieton, a report is brought that a merchant
man met the Active frigate at sea, and learned that Gen. Wash
ington had abandoned the lines at Kingsbridge, left his cannon and
stores, and that his army Is mouldered away; that New-York,
New-Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland have deserted the union,
and declared for government ; speaks of the Yankees, as he is
pleased fo call them, in the most contemptuous terras, as cowards,
poltroons, cruel, and possessing every bad quality the depraved
heart can be cursed with ; and says the regulars at Trols-Rivieres
took five hundred prisoners, killed one hundred, and -lost only
three raen, who were killed by Yankees, who had got upon trees
and fired down on them.
It Is my earnest wish the despised Araericans may convince these
conceited islanders, that without regular standing armies our conti
nent can furnish brave soldiers and judicious and expert command
ers, by some knock-down, irrefragable argument ; for then, and not
tUl then, may we expect generous or fair treatment. It piques my
pride, I confess, to hear us called " our colonies, our plantations,"
in such terms and with such airs as if our property and persons
were absolutely theirs, like the " vUlains" and their cottages in the
old feudal system, so long since abolished, though the spirit or
leaven is not totally gone, it seems.
TO MR. GEORGE RUSSELL, AT MOSELEY WAKE GREEN,
NEAR BIRMINGHAM. Exeter, December, 20, 1776,
Dear Sir :
I have delayed answering you till this time frora an hourly ex
pectation of hearing sorae Important advices from New-York ; but
in this I have been hitherto mistaken, the season having too far
advanced to expect any military achievements by the British forces,
and the Americans you know have formed no active plan of opera
tion by land ; confining their views of activity to the depredatory
naval department. As to a treaty, I am without the smallest hopes
of its taking place at present ; the Araericans do not despair of
maintaining their independence, and the court, I am told, has not
given up its view of laying America at its feet, for such is and has

1776.] JOURNAL AND letters. 91
been fhe court language, and the intention to force her to submit
to the unconditional authority of parliament ; — however, should
Gen, Washington be beaten out of his entrenchments, it would be
but one advantage out of a score that must be gained fo make
them " lower their topsails." The Americans are not without
resources, whatever may be thought on that subject in England,
Araong others France and Spain are no idle lookers on ; resent-
raent as well as political reasons influence them to keep the tram
mels on the neck of our court till a favorable opportunity may
offer to strike a blow which shall effectually humble the pride of
Great Britain, perhaps destroy her independence, or at best reduce
her to a state of as little importance in the grand political balance
of Europe as Portugal or Genoa now holds ; and that is the general
opinion here whatever raay be the opinion elsewhere. As to the
objects of the irapolicy of our court, we know from history that
statesmen to gain a present purpose sometimes disregard the true
interests and honor of the nation and all distant consequences.
The King of Spain is England's avowed enemy ; the court owes
this country a grudge for her success against her commerce and
garrisons last war ; nor does France love her better ; and ever since
her open opposition tb fhe ambitious views of that court in the
beginning of Louis XlVth's reign, who aimed at universal empire,
has looked on her rising greatness with a jealous, not to say
envious eye. It is no proof of want of bravery in the Americans
not to face the regulars; many good reasons may be assigned to
justify their conduct, and though it be the ground of much reproach
here, I see in it the effect of sound judgment — that little depend
ence can be placed on newly raised troops is well known the world
over. On account of the amazing expense with which Great
Britain carries on a land war in America, unless she can command
the troops of Europe and the wealth of the Indies, men and money
must in a few campaigns he wanting ; with regard to the insidious
offers made to America, as the warm partisans against the court
call them, I pretend not to such acquaintance with court measures
to determine about it ; if they be so, the greater is the pity. They
may however, if that should be the case, be taken in the snares
laid for others, and if good be derived from evil, thanks to an over
ruling Providence, who sometimes makes itself subservient to the

92 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776,
happiness of society. That more treasure must be consumed and
more blood spilled before this impolitic, destructive and fatal war
is ended, wiU, I trust, not prove a melancholy truth.
The accounts of the burning of the city of New-York in the
Gazette, are full, explicit and intelligible ; more than one fourth is
destroyed, beginning at the fort and all along the Broadway,
taking in the college, etc. ; and that it was fired by some northern
man, is undoubted. A Mr. Smith, son of a clergyman of Wey
mouth in Massachusetts Bay, whom and whose family I knew very
well, was concerned, taken, and I believe executed on due proof,
I remain, truly yours,
S. Curwen,
Exeter, Dec. 21. I am informed that by a letter from an offi-
'Cer of character, Arnold and the provincials are represented as
behaving with great intrepidity and good conduct ; and their defeat
was owing to the superior weight of metal on the side of their
enemies. I am rejoiced to find justice done my countrymen, and
that there are those who can look through the vista of party, see
truth and speak it. The news of the defeat of General Washing
ton at Kingsbridge is confirmed,
Dec. 22, The above defeat is not very important, save the loss
of cannon ; few prisoners taken, fewer killed, the retreat not defi
cient in military skill on the side of the provincials, nor much to
the reputation of the British general ; a rencounter not badly nor
unsuccessfully conducted on the American side.
Dec. 23. The unimportant, insignificant, fribbling governor
of Virginia is come back to England.
Dec. 26. Lord Barrington in his private judgment condemns
the present war as unjust, and will prove ineffectual, but votes with
governraent, as a ralnister of state.
TO THE HON. JUDGE SEWALL. Exeter, Dec. 31, 1776.
Dear Sir:
My little bark is in iraminent hazard of being stranded unless
the wind shifts quickly, or sorae friendly boat appears for its relief.
In plain English, my purse is nearly empty ; — which circumstance

1776.] JOURNALANDLETTERS. 93
has of late frequently reminded me of an emblematical device in the
beginning of Fuller's History of the Holy Wars, wherein on the
right is a purse distended with gold and standing upright, on the
left the same turned upside down, in a lank condition, emptied
wholly of its contents, with these words under the former, " we went
out full," and under the latter, " we returned empty." I do not
know bijt I am departed from my country, family and friends, on
as foolish and fantastic grounds as the misguided devotees of that
time did to rescue the Holy Land from infidels, though on opposite
principles, I confess; they to fight, I to avoid fighting. I now be
gin to tremble lest the same fate awaits me that befell them, I
dislike the motives of the chief agents in Araerica, and their whole
Systera frora its first sraall beginnings to its full raonstrous growth
of independency ; and I trust frora a very just motive, love of my
country ; which this place I am convinced has no tendency to pro
mote the welfare of. But what of that 1 It is my duty, and sure
the state is not to reward thepoyalty of every subject ; the court in
this case would have more than enough to do to satisfy the demands
of all claimants.
I cannot foresee what I may hereafter do, but easUy that I must
suffer hunger and nakedness in the comfortless mansions of the
wretched. These ideas I have not been accustomed to associate.
Seneca and many moral writers, heathen as well as Christian, with
all the fathers of the church, luxuriating in the midst of plenty,
have furnished the worid with elaborate, entertaining, and edifying
treatises on contentment, and the duty of submission and resigna
tion under pain, sickness, and poverty with her long train of hor
rors, and really they are amusing to a mind at ease and free from
the apprehensions of suffering, and make a pretty figure on paper ;
but book philosophy and practical philosophy differ from each other
widely. Let Seneca and the long list of moralists be brought to
the mouth ofthe cave of poverty ; let hunger, thirst and nakedness,
in all their grisly terrifying shapes stare them in the face, then let
them, if they can, exemplify these ideal doctrines; let a man
pricked, torn, goaded, and surrounded by the briers and thorns
sown thick in the path of poverty, take out his table-book and
write a treatise on contentment and submission to these severities
of his lot, and with a face of composure be able to recommend the

94 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776.
pleasing doctrines by his own exaraple, I will believe the existence
of such a singular phenomenon ; but tUl I can see such an instance
in real life, which I never yet have seen, I must doubt the existence
of it anywhere but In books and systems. Human practice knows
no such airy notions. History tells of savages singing amid tortures,
but the instances of unfeeling savages are the instances of unfeeling
savages only; civilized societies furnished with the means and
comforts and elegancies of life, afford no instances of such barbar
ous insensibilities. Job, indeed, is recomraended as a pattern to be
imitated for patience under the grievous sufferings of loss of pro
perty, and pain ; but he, as was natural to expect in his wretched
ness, cursed the day of his birth, and who can express himself with
more impatience ? Poverty with all her attendant evils, to one
unaccustomed to her presence tUl old age, is too formidable to be
vanquished by philosophy and religion ; nor is there a mind in
such a situation, in its own natural forces, capable of supporting
itself, and not bending under the weight of grief and despair. My
doctrine perhaps you may refuse your assent to, but I have said
nothing my reason doth not dictate in the coolest hours of reflec
tion. On the present occasion I feel the force of these truths in a
much more striking manner. With respect to my circumstances, I
will just add that several of my letters containing orders for remit
tances were intercepted, by order I suppose of the Amphyctionic
states of America, or the lesser hogan mogans of some particular
colony, by which manoeuvre my friends knew no more of my cir
cumstances than if I was in the region of the moon.
The melancholy event in your family drew frora my eyes the
tears of sympathy, well knowing the grief of a tender parent for
the loss of a beloved offspring ; and if you will not apply to me
Augustus' answer to the Trojan ambassador, I will add, you may
believe with sincerity, my real and unfeigned grief at the loss,
which I pray God to support you under. Yours, etc,
S. Curwen,

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 95

CHAPTER IV.
Exeter, Jan. 1, 1777, — This day is very near the commence
ment of my sixty-second year, being three days later ; my birth
day was the 28th ult. ; may this year be more productive of moral
improveraent than ray last was, and if it shall please the righteous
Disposer of huraan events to continue the dark cloud now hanging
over me another year, raay he support me under the dispensation,
and enable rae to discharge my duty, if not with alacrity, with
composure and an unreluctant temper,
June 5. Attended worship at Bow-church. Mr, Manning
preached a pleasing discourse on "friendship," which, like all fine
pictures, was too highly colored and above life.
TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., LONDON.
Exeter, Jan. 11, 1777,
Dear Sir :
The success of the British arms does not raise ray hopes ; the
political states of Araerica have resources much greater than you
and I raay be acquainted with. The courts of France and Spain
are too vigilant to let slip so fair an occasion of revenging
themselves for the losses and disgraces of their fleets and armies,
sustained frora British troops last war, not to avaU themselves of
this conjuncture. The advices from both countries but too justly
afford shrewd suspicions of their unfriendly designs towards Great
Britain, and God only knows the consequences ; the colonies may
be lost, and Great Britain, perhaps, in the event, may be very well
off if she can maintain her own independence. These are suggestions
of a mind in quite a different state frora your " head-quarter" folks,
who, in our country language, count their chickens before they are
hatched ; if they would deign to take me into their counsels, I
should advise them to be more sure of a victory before they cele
brate the triumph. The continuance of our evils is to my sickly

96 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
imagination much longer than the court conceives ; but what is to
become of me in the mean time 1 I need not take a peep into
futurity to know. ********
I want to know a thousand things, and ask a thousand questions,
which you at the source of intelligence are acquainted with, rela
tive to America and American exiles, but of which I am as igno
rant as if in New Zealand, If I continue here much longer, I
shall be fitter for a hermit's ceU; indeed I have thought, nay, often
wished for one, which at my time of life, and with my prospects,
would be a most welcome retreat, I remain yours, S. Curwen.
TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, LONDON.
Exeter, Jan. 19, 1777.
*******
Dear Sir :
So little did I know myself, so ignorant of consequences I might
have foreseen and avoided, had I possessed comraon discernment,
that, for what now appears to me a chimera, I abandoned my
dwelling, friends and means of life, which you know I possessed in
no small degree, and might, as the event proves, have retained
on the comparative trifling condition of insults, reproaches, and
perhaps a dress of tar and feathers ; — an alternative I now see
much to be preferred to the distresses of mind I am daily suffering.
The licentiousness of an unruly rabble, saving personal outrages,
with a plentiful purse, is an envied state to liberty, in the mildest
governraent on earth, attached to poverty with its horrid train of
evils ; this you may regard as a paradox, and so will all who are
at ease. I think it is Lucan who says, a good man struggling under the
storms of fate in adverse fortune, is a noble sight, and well pleas
ing to the gods. It may be so — may it be his condition on whom
the gods have bestowed fortitude enough to oppose the storms ;
for myself I had rather sail on a pacific ocean, and would willingly
dispense with some degree of honorable exaltation hereafter for a
more favorable state of trial here. But enough of this ; — to come
to matter of fact.
***#*«* With great esteem,
S, Curwen,

1777.] journal and letters, 97
Jan. 31. Lord Chesterfield being asked what he thought of
the three Georges, answered, " 1, George the wise, 2, George the
prudent, 3, George the unfortunate." — I am afraid his inflexible
temper, and the falling off of one of the richest jewels frora his
crown on the day of his coronation, forebodes a dismemberment of
the most rich and valuable of the English dominions ; — whether
Ireland, America, or the East Indies, I pretend not to foreteU, but
fear one or the other, perhaps aU, France and Spain will not fail
to avail themselves of our national folly to revenge their former
losses and disgraces. The English, though brave, are not dis
cerning ; they every day increase the relative strength of the ene
my by lessening their own real power. The end may possibly be,
instead of securing the dependence of the American colonies, the
loss of their own independence. May God in his mercy prevent
this mortifying event, if it shall be for the general good.
TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL. Exeter, Feb. 5, 1777,
Dear Sir :
Accept my sincere thanks for your last kind and friendly favor,
and for the prospect it afforded me of hearing again soon. * * * *
I presume the * * * * are too full of more important concerns to
attend to these lesser matters; however if it be * * * * and we
may rely on a * * * * I can cheerfully dispense with a few
weeks' delay ¦ * * * * but such is the whirl and impotence of hu
man affairs, that while we are on this stage we are often obliged
to play different parts ; I wish never to act an unworthy one ; my
only solicitude now is to pass off with decency, and escape with
out a hiss, — ^but enough of this.
On the possession of Rhode Island without loss of blood, may it
be attended with better consequences than my gloomy, foreboding
mind suggests. I fear France and Spain too closely watch the
motions of this nation to sufer us to avail ourselves of the advan
tages gained over the foolish, deluded countrymen of ours, which,
but for the duplicity of those courts, would yield me a pleasing
prospect, _ ' * * *
I often think of our common progenitor, Father Adam, on
13

98 journal and letters, [1777.
his being driven out of Paradise by an angel with his flaming
sword : " The world was all before him, where to choose
His place of rest, and Providence his guide."
With this difference between us, his banishment was by an angel,
and for a transgression ; mine by men almost as bad as devils, and
for none :— I am afraid our lot is also different in a third respect, he
had Providence for his guide, and I seem to be left to an ill-judg
ing, foolish mind t * * *
* * As you are at the source of intelligence,
shaU be glad to be favored with an answer to the foUowing que
ries: viz. — Is there a probability of a French or Spanish war?
And in that case, wiU Great Britain send more troops to America 1
WiU General Clinton be reinforced 1 WiU any Americans be
allowed to depart for America, and in what character 1 And if
so, will it be prudent for me to embrace the opportunity and de
part 1 Have you seen the Articles of Confederation ? Are they
real, or fictitious and made here ? Is there any late news from
Generals Howe or Clinton ? And if so, what is it ?
******* Very truly yours, S, Curwen,
Feb. 13, A reverend, known by the name of the Maccaroni
Doctor, is in Poultry Compter for forgery, and has confessed to the
sum of J64200 sterling ; his real name Dodd ; he figures in the
tete-a-tetes in the magazines, and unless defamed, is a worthless
character, though noted for some serious publications in the com
mon routine. He has two chapels and the Magdalen under his
care. It is reported that six hundred Hessians in an engagement with
the provincials are slain, and many wounded,
Feb. 20, The American high treason biU having passed through
two readings and to be printed, giving the king power to imprison
any person suspected of favoring, aiding or abetting the Americans,
without liberty of bail or mainprize, has raised an alarm in peo
ple's minds universally, as it suspends the habeas corpus act, that

1777.] JOtTRNAL AND LETTERS, 99
great bulwark of English liberty, as it is caUed; and it is suppos
ed to aim at some characters obnoxious to administration. Such
is the language of those who do not affect the present ministerial
measures respecting America, while the advocates on the other
hand plead the necessity of such a bill to render government secure,
as without it those who are and shall be hereafter taken, cannot
be kept in custody and brought to trial for what they call piracy
and treason. May the remains of English liberty and the consti
tution not be overlooked and lost in this fatal quarrel, Charles
James Fox said on this occasion, that four acts were over, and this
was the first scene in the fifth act, (alluding to the enormous power
given the crown,) and shows the precarious tenure on which the
liberty of England is held,
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Exeter, Feb. 20, 1777,
Dear Sir :
I have received a long letter from Judge Sewall, in conse
quence of which I am going to London, and shall depart from
hence next week, God bless you and succeed your pious endeav
ors to reform a very wicked world. May we preserve ourselves
unpolluted from the defilements thereof ; pray don't neglect to
write to your old friend and companion,
S, Curwen.
TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., LONDON.
Exeter, Feb. 20 , 1777,
Dear Sir :
Your information of * * * * * puts into my memory
many proverbs, of which, if it did not look too like Sancho Panza, I
could string near a dozen apropos. You tell me it is owing to my
being considered a merchant simply ; truly I think I have proved
myself a very simple merchant, and brought my wares to a wretch
ed poor market — thanks to the kind misadvisers of * * * *
but they forgot or perhaps never knew that I had been in the com
mission of the peace more than thirty years; nearly the same
period was impost officer for the county of Essex, and a captain
in the first Cape Breton regiment, for which I have never received

100 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
any gratuity or recompense ; but no matter, past services are easily
forgotten, and the novi homines are hke to reap all the emolu
ments. Please put the inclosed into a bag for Bilboa at New Lloyd's
Coffee-house, Exchange ; be assured it contains no love or treason ;
the times admit of writing on neither.
As to my return to London, I raust not think of it, for the
operation of this new law, like the fifth act in the reign of Charles
IL, banishes me effectually, and of course from every corporation
in England, and wiU oblige me to take up my residence from
henceforth in some village, I remain, etc,
S, Curwen,
Exeter, Feb. 27, Set off at six o'clock in the dihgence for
Plymouth ; at ten alighted at Ashburton, nineteen mUes, for break
fast ; at three arrived at Plymouth,
Feb. 28. Having taken a view of Catwater harbor, Plym
river, etc., I proceeded to the citadel, standing on an eminence,
being the eastern extremity of a range of bluff highlands command*
ing a fair prospect of the entrance from the sound, in the middle
whereof is an island, fortified ; the town appearing almost under
foot. Procuring a coach, rode to the Dock, lying at the distance
of two miles, passing through a settlement of a hundred houses on
the hither side of a stream dividing Lord Edgecombe's estate from
Sir John St, Aubin, on whose land the dock is bmlt, and of whom
the ground is rented, paying him yearly as lord of the manor.
There are many ships in the yard, chiefly on the Tamar river, (to
the east of which the dock-yard lies,) amongst others the Royal
Sovereign, the Queen, the Augusta, the Invincible; and at the
quay lay the Blenheim of ninety guns, on board of which I was;
and on the stocks thjree large ones, and the Royal George of one
hundred guns. Passed from thence to the dock, compassed by
hewn stone, into which the water flows to the height of twenty-six
feet in some and less in others ; the water is measured by pillars,
whereon figures are marked, and is admitted by great gates, open
and shut as needed. The rope-walks are of stone, of a thousand
feet in length; the work is wrought under cover, the pitch and tar

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 101
being in vaulted cellars run athwart the buUding, having no com
munication with each other. Each particular department has its
place detached from the other, and each store distant from another.
The stores are immense, andi nothing less than the riches of the
whole earth seem capable of supporting such an expense. The
numbers daily employed in the various branches are, I am told, ten
thousand in the yard, and regularly called over three times a day.
The great regularity with which business is conducted is very ob
servable, and, indeed, considering the incredible variety of branches,
and immense quantities of stores, the raost perplexing confusions
would otherwise ensue. I did not hear an oath, nor see any rude
ness during ray stay in the yard. Within the walls are the officers'
houses, and many very genteel, particularly the row in which
the commander lives, with a handsome avenue and a decent chapel.
At twelve o'clock the workmen regularly go out in order, two and
two, to their dinner, and the axraen suffered to take as raany chips
as they can carry, furnishing families with fuel, and the unmarried
with pocket-money, A little beyond the yard, containing fifty or
sixty acres, inclosed with a high wall, is the gun-dock, a square
where the artillery apparatus is lodged, and a small commodious
armory, but very much inferior to that of the same size in the
Tower of London. On our return took the route through the quarter
called the Storehouse, detached from the dock by a river, over
which is a bridge, and belongs to Lord Edgecombe, consisting of
a hundred houses, and additions are daily making ; in this is a building
called the long-roora, appropriated to tea, punch, wine, etc., for pri
vate companies and public assemblies, and there is an elegant roora
with drawing-rooms adjoining, nearly fifty feet long, about thirty
wide, and twenty-five high, with two handsome glass chandeliers
and a music-gallery ; not far frora this is a buUding with large
areas encompassed by high stone fences, called the Old Mill Prison,
now fitting up to receive American prisoners. From this we as
cended a high bluff-head reaching to the citadel ; whilst here, was
not a little mortified to see an American privateer prize coming
into the harbor from Dartmouth, nor were my ears a little
wounded to hear another sold by auction.
Plymouth, March 1. Being called at six o'clock, I arose and
entered the vehicle alone, taking up a country couple at Squire

102 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
Parker's lodge; first stage at Ivy bridge, eleven mUes, where
breakfasted, and frora thence ahghted at 12 o'clock at Totness,
from whence I departed to Mrs, Wingate's, late Sophia Reed, who
kindly received rae; frora thence, after an hour's rest, set off for
Newton Abbott and Newton Bushel, separated only by a bridge,
the forraer being the name the whole goes by : passing by Mr,
Coxe's seat called Penmore Park, and at six o'clock ahghted in the
churchyard, Exeter.
Exeter, March 7, I received a letter from London informing
me of my wife's health and welfare in November last, and that she
had been obliged to pay ten pounds steriing to find a man for the
American army in my stead. This inteUigence I received by a
letter from Doctor John Prince, at Halifax, Left for Bristol in the
dihgence, and arrived at the Bush tavern, opposite the Exchange,
at eight o'clock evening,
Bristol, March 8. Entered the diligence for London at one
o'clock at night — the frost was so intense that our breaths formed
a hard cake of ice on the glass, scarce to be taken off by the nails.
At the city of Bath we arrived, a distance of twelve miles, almost
stiffened with cold ; here I atterapted to thaw myself, but this
expedient I fancy only rendered my body and feet more susceptible
of the cold ; suffering, till the sun arose and chased away the frost,
inconceivable pain. At Calne we changed horses again, and
attempted a second thaw with better success than the first, being
aided by the sun then beginning to bless the upper hemisphere,
shining in a cloudless sky. From hence to Marlborough the road
lies over a place called the Down ; at the entrance is a hill, insu
lated in the form of a half egg, with the sumrait cut down to a
plain, and is called SUbury, supposed to be made by art or the
hand of man, on which are sorae of the bodies of earth like those
surrounding Stonehenge, called tumuli ; conjectured to be burying
places of the ancient Druids, Hence to Froxfield, on the borders
of which is an almshouse for the reception of forty-five tradesmen's
widows ; it has two fronts, each one hundred and fifty feet long,
of brick. The next town is Hungerford ; hence to Newbury, a
town larger in extent and more numerous in inhabitants than Marl
borough. Near this town are many single houses, which have the
appearance of wealthy persons' residences ; and on a pleasant plain,

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 103
commanding also a view of Newbury, lying to the right as one
comes from Bath, is a parish called Speen ; at the entrance is a
lofty building to be seen about half a mile distant, on a ridge
of hills, having a round tower called Dunnington Castle ; the road
lies through a street built on what is called Speen lands, belonging
to the parish of that name, but is connected by buildings continued
to Newbury town, spreading a great extent on a low plain in a
bottom. Here we took fresh horses, passing through two or three
villages to Reading, the distance of which from London is thirty-
nine mUes ; this, the chief town of Berkshire, contains between two
and three thousand houses ; from a little beyond Marlborough to
Reading, the land is a continued flat, much of it improved, the
roads like garden gravel-walks, and very pleasant. At Bayswater
we again shifted horses, and again at Hounslow ; between those
two places lies the noted heath called by the name of the latter,
which we passed over with a slow, solemn pace in the dark, being
more than an hour in crossing it. We arrived safe at eight
o'clock, evening, at the Swan-with-two-Necks Inn, Doctors' Com
mons, London, March 9, Set forward for Judge Sewall's, where I
dined and passed the evening, Colonels SaltonstaU and Phipps
being of the company : from thence I proceeded to Brompton-Row,
where Thomas Danforth, Edward Oxnard, and Jonathan Clarke
lodged, and here I engaged lodgings.
March 10, Walked out to Judge Sewall's, he having the day
before engaged to accompany rae to the Treasury, where after a
compliment I received information of a hundred pounds down,
and a hundred per annum during the troubles in Araerica, which
I esteem as a providential provision procured by the friendship of
my respected friend Judge Sewall. I received an order on the bank ;
accompanied by hira and Mr, TKoraas Danforth, I took a note at
the cashier's office for seventy pounds payable to myself on demand,
and thirty pounds in cash, departing very joyous and I hope grate
ful to that Being who has, by friends, been pleased in the midst of
gloomy prospects to set my feet on firm ground and establish my
goings : may I wisely improve this gracious indulgence,
Br omptonrRow, Kensington, March 11, Took an early walk to
London, and meeting Governor Hutchinson, was invited to dinner.

104 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
which I accepted, and receiving his address (147 New Bond-street)
arrived at it ; company beside myself, his son Ehsha and daugh
ter, was Mr, B, Hallowell. After dinner repaired to Haymarket
theatre, where was entertained in a very fuU house by the humor
ous George Alexander Stevens' lecture on heads.
March 12. Spent the evening with the Club, consisting of
twelve American exiles, at the Treasurer's house, Mr, Harrison
Gray's, March 31, Rode to Hackney with Judge Sewall to see his
son Jonathan at school ; returned to his house to dinner, where I
passed the evening. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH.
JYo. 23 Brompton-Row, March 19, 1777,
Dear Sir :
I am at length at my moorings in this port, not much to my
content except in this one circumstance, the early receipt of the
unum necessarium ; this, though it chases away all apprehensions
of future want, does not in every situation yield positive happiness;
perhaps I am enigraatical, — the solution must be deferred to a per
sonal interview hereafter.
The only article of political news is that Gen. Washington was,
about the beginning of the present year, declared Lord Protector of
the thirteen United States of America, Mr, Timmins is arrived
from Boston via Cork ; he left Plymouth about the first of Febru
ary ; says the affair of the Hessians was brought to Boston in four
days and put them in high spirits ; that the harbor of Boston is
strongly fortified from the hghthouse and Point Alderton to Fort
Nell ; the people sanguine in their expectations of a French war,
encouraged in their errors by the Danish, French and Spanish
traders, who are numerous in the port. King-street (Boston)
almost as rauch thronged with people of all nations, etc, as the
Strand or Cornhill ; two hundred and eighty-three prizes carried in
by the 23d December; four vessels with goods from France, with
powder, small arms, clothing and other articles ; one with twenty
thousand suits of mihtary clothing, an article not a little wanted
among them. Young R***S***has made twenty thou
sand pounds steriing by privateering, and S, A, Otis the most im
portant, busy man, as well as one of the richest there, etc.

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 105
I fancy I shall take my flight northward, as birds of passage
you know do, on the approach of spring. There are twenty
Americans going out with goods to New-York and Rhode Island
in the spring ; I think the adventures rash. Mr, Amory is delayed
by his wife's illness, which it is judged will soon end in mortality-
I have received a letter from Thomas Russell* of Boston, and
Russell Wyer of Salem, written in the beginning of February,
all well. Yours truly, S, Curwen.
Kensington, March 20, Evening at club at Mr. Harrison
Gray's, Sunday, March 23, To Christ Church Hospital to see the
children, to the number of eight hundred, sup ; admitted by a ticket
signed John Lane, one of the governors. The hall is a hundred
feet in length, and twenty feet in height, — on one side of which are
three pictures, the middle one sixty feet long and fifteen high ; in the
centre King William ; on the same range courtiers, life-guardsmen^
etc. In the foreground on one hand, hospital children of the males,.
and on the other females, and all in their proper garbs : — on the left,
or the first from the door, ofthe same length is a painting of King Ed
ward surrounded by his court with a roll, by me supposed to represent
the first charter of this institution, he being the founder thereof; and
on the other, a piece of the same size as the last, with a full length.
of Charles IL, with astronomical and mathematical apparatus,
perhaps to denote him to be the founder of the mathematical
school here. — Three tables were spread, on each side of which
benches; on a raised platform are circular seats for the spectators,.
in the centre front a two arraed chair for the governor, or treasurer,
whose name is Burford, Prayers are read by one of the upper
boys in a pulpit erected against the waU ; then singing by the
boys accorapanied by an organ ; afterwards supper, consisting only
of bread and butter ; grace before and after, by one of the boys
in the pulpit, and service concludes with an anthem. The boys
* An opulent and distinguished merchant of Boston, whose widow mar
ried Sir Grenville, son of Sir John Temple, first Consul General from Great
Britain to the United States. 14

106 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
come up in pairs to the platform to make their bow, and retire,
some with large pitchers, others with small wooden bowls, others
with table-cloths folded up under their arms, others with large bas
kets in which the bread was brought, and others with hghted
candles, March 27. Walked out with Judge SewaU and Mr. A, Wil
lard to Cromwell's garden, which is in iU repair ; drank tea at the
house of the former, and passed the evening with the New Eng
land Club, say " Brompton-Row Tory Club," at Mr. Blowers',
March 31, Evening with the club at H, Gray's,
AprU 3, Dined at Treasurer Gray's with Col, Browne and
John Sargent, TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH.
23 Brompton-Row, Kensington, AprU 6, 1777.
Dear Sir :
I have nothing to communicate worth a minute's attention.
The various news that each morning produces, the following day
contradicts ; however, in general, perhaps it may be new to you
to know that the tories here believe the American game of inde
pendency is nearly up; not so your doubting friend. Nay, so very
sure are some, that there is no small talk of going off in August.
You will scarce meet one that entertains the least shadow of a
doubt that government must succeed in the utmost extent of
its views before the fall ; the reasons and probability of which I
have not discernment enough to see, I wish the old Latin proverb
may not with too much propriety be applied to these implicit be
lievers, " Canunt triumphum ante vidoriam."*
I wrote you in my last that several, to the number of twenty,
were going off to New-York, I now add that another cargo of
twelve or fifteen, among whom is young Chipman, is to depart in a
vessel of 250 tons, laden with goods to the amount of jE80,000
sterling, defended by a force of 17 guns and 17 men, in ten
days. It is reported that the new levies, British and German,
going to General Howe, are in number eight thousand, and that
General Burgoyne is already gone, and is to take with him from
* " They celebrate the triumph before the victory is gained."

1776,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 107
Canada by way of St, Lawrence river, the greater part of the
troops at present stationed there ; no further attempts being to be
made on the lakes this season. Our head-quarter folks say that
Lord George Germaine declared to Col, Phips, who is going this
day to Halifax with Adrairal Montague vid Newfoundland, that
the first advices from America, he doubts not, will be joyful. AU
here are expecting to hear that General Howe is in possession of
Philadelphia, On the contrary, the Philadelphia papers are full
of the great exploits of the American troops against the royal
army, and the promising appearances of affairs on their side ; and
if Gen, Washington and Gen. Gates' letters are genuine. Gen.
Howe and his forces are not in so fair a way to possess themselves
of that capital as our folks seem to fancy, Mr, Dickinson's de
fection has proved a false alarm, he being only retired to his estate
seventy miles from Philadelphia, for what reasons politicians disa
gree. His brother Dickinson and his brother-in-law Cadwallader,
are both commanders in the American array. Last night I heard
read the following, from a letter dated Portsmouth, April 10, viz.,
*' Two thousand Anspachers sailed for New-York under convoy of
the Soraerset and Mercury : three thousand more Germans are
expected here to saU directly, under the St. Albans,"
Yesterday morn the late right reverend the Bishop of London's
corpse was carried by our door on a hearse to its place of inter
ment at Fulham — successor unknown ; probably the bench of
bishops will take care that the see of London do not stand long
vacant, under the modest pretence of JYolo Episcopari.
Yours truly, S, Curwen.
April 11. Drank tea and passed the evening at Mr. and Mrs,
Savage's, in company with Mr, and Mrs, Carpenter* and Judge
SewaU. * Of Salem,

108 JOURNAL AND LETTERS,

[1777,

CHAPTER V,
AprU 17, 1777. At seven A, M, departed in company with
Judge Sewall and Mr. A. WiUard, on our intended journey to Ips
wich ; our first stage at Rumford, a distance of sixteen miles ; this
town consists of about two hundred houses, some few modern.
The next stage at a town called Ingatestone, not unlike the former
for size and style, distance twelve mUes ; Witham was our third
stage, our fourth Colchester, famous for the manufacture of baizes,
and here oysters are taken from the sea and put into pits, in order
to give them that coppery taste so grateful to an Englishman's
palate, and so disgustful to a New Englander's, The streets are
ill paved with smallish pebbles, to my feet so harsh and hurtful as
to occasion frequent complaints. In our progress came to the cas
tle, built in forra of one of the old barons, not improbable to have
been one ; it is a square ; the angles defended by round towers,
pierced like the body of the castle with narrow and long holes,
through which the inmates were wont to defend themselves by
arrows ; the whole crowned with battlements formerly, the remains
being still to be seen. The parade contains a quarter of an acre,
and is now cleared of the barracks it was once encumbered with ;
in a room up one flight of stairs, is the library, belonging to a Mr.
Grey, minister for the town, consisting of about two thousand old
books. Here a weekly society raeet; its institution, orders and
purposes, my curiosity did not prompt me to make any inquiry
into :— hence to the chapel so called, an empty roora, containing
•only a reading desk, with a large folio Bible and a large wooden
chair. This castle was in the time of the civil wars defended by
Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle for the royal cause, who
were, after its surrender, shot on the parade and buried under a
small church in the road ; the precise spot on which they stood is
carefully preserved in memory, and told the curious visitant. The
only inhabitants are a family in one of the round towers, and the
rooks who occupy the holes on the outside in great numbers. The

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 109
site of the castle is somewhat high, has pleasant walks round,
planted with trees, and commands the neighboring grounds that
lie below it, except on the town side. On the same plain from
this spot we passed through the streets to another quarter of the
town, in which lie the St. John's Abbey gardens, now known by
the name of the pinnacle gardens, for reasons unknown to us, and
are surrounded by a lofty brick wall, and strengthened by but
tresses in good repair. These I suppose are the walls of the an
cient raonastery grounds, erabracing twenty acres. Hence we
proceeded home, and attended by our complaisant landlord, were
admitted to a sight of a tesselated Roman pavement lately discov
ered in a gentleman's garden, supposed by antiquarians to have
been the pretorium of an old Roraan encarapment, it being a
known fact that Julius Cesar landed in his second invasion of
Britain in the neighborhood of this place. It is probable herea
bouts was a Roman station, and the discovery of this piece of Ro
man work renders the conjecture not improbable.
From hence we proceeded over to a Mr, Great's, to see the
portraits of Sir John Jacquey and his lady, some of the first estab-
lishers of the baize manufactories here. These pieces are executed
on wood, by Vandyke, in 1623 ; we were told they are judged to
be capital paintings, and it is highly probable they are, if our in-
forraation be true that the possessors' descendants of this couple
have been offered a thousand guineas for thera.
Colchester, April 18. Departed at nine o'clock hence for Mist-
ley, a village in the lands of Richard Rigby, Esq,, who is lord of this
manor. In two hours we alighted at his gardens, in extent four
acres within the walls ; his hot and green-houses are in fine order,
and supplied with coraraon trees and shrubs, plants and vines, but
no exotics that are not fructiferous and of the useful kinds. Thence
through the pleasure grounds to the house, where, being conducted
through a more than Cretan labyrinth, at length arrived ; it is new
and elegant, but its extent does not rise above mediocrity ; its or
naments are silk hangings of cream color, with faint shades of
blue, red, etc.; chairs the same with three very large looking-
glasses, a beautiful chimney-piece, of polished marble; other
chimney furniture, and a pyrometer I had never seen before.
We arrived at Ipswich, distant from Colchester twenty-two

110 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
miles, where we dined. From the inn, accompanied by the master,
we walked along the old wall of the town to Mr, John Fonne-
rau's park ; the house wherein he dwells belonging to it is called
Christ Church, and was formerly a monastery of friars. The town
consists of old-buUt, ill-fashioned structures, and contains about ten
thousand souls. Its only trade is coals, imported from the north ;
but few people stirring in the streets, a visible decay. It lies on
the river Orwell, and is the chief county town. The corn market
has a small octagonal building, about twenty feet in diameter ; in
the centre on top stands a female statue as large as life, with a fil
let round her eyes ; in her right hand a sword, and in her left a
pair of scales, loose hung, moving up and down with every puff of
wind, perhaps to denote the instability of modern justice, or how
apt it is to swerve from the right hne when urged by force or
interest, or moved by flattery,
Ipswich, April 19. After breakfast departed from this solitary
unpleasing town, very like its namesake in New England in its
general complexion, and in two hours arrived at Stowmarket;
and soon after at St, Edmundsbury at two o'clock. Accompanied
by the landlord we went to view the ruins of the Abbey of St, Ed
mund of Saxon time, scattered over near twenty acres now owned
by Sir Charles Dacres and his maiden sister. The remains of this
stupendous building are astonishing, many foundations of walls and
piUars being yet to be seen ; the casings almost entirely taken
away, scarce any part of the front or sides being left except here
and there a stone which serve to show the materials. Some of the
walls were thirty feet thick. The pillars appear to have been from
eight to twelve feet ; and an arch, of which the foundation yet
remains, was said to have been seventy feet high, and is near
forty in width. The foundation also of the Abbot's hall remains ;
its area forty-five feet each side. In a spot, perhaps the dormitory,
a few years since was digged up the body of the Duke of Beaufort,
brother to the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France during the mi
nority of Henry VI,, and was entire ; a hand taken frora it is pre
served in spirits, and in the keeping of a physician here. The
grand entrance is preserved entire, and is a square lofty tower ; its
angles, like aU the ancient fortified structures, covered with round
towers rising up to the top. The passage way through is under a

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. HI
lofty arch defended by great gates that are kept shut. Many par
ticulars were told us respecting the various parts of the house, ap
purtenances and avenues, but not being noted at the time, are
forgotten. Among the notitia of this place by desire I insert
that the steeple of St. James's church stands at fifty feet distance
from the body of the church, A house containing four windows
in front being between ; and on the steeple on the same side are
two hour plates of clocks, to answer what purpose was beyond my
reach. At three o'clock we departed from this pleasant, handsome and
agreeable town. On , the right, about ten miles distant, Ely
Minster or Cathedral appeared in view. At twelve miles from
last stage is Newmarket, an indifferent inn, however frequented by
dukes and lords. We passed through the race grounds; — the
races were instituted to keep and preserve a race of good horses in
honor of the nation ; but as the institution is debased, it is not the
best horse that wins the race, but that which is destined for it by
combination ; indeed, some descend so low as to circumvent one
another. The diversion becoraing a public nuisance by spreading
itself, the legislature took cognizance of it, and by the 13th George
II. a law was passed in relation to it.' Departed for Carabridge
over a plain charapaign uninclosed country, which all this quarter
of the country seeras to consist of; at this place we arrived at
seven o'clock, at the W^hite Bear inn, where we were indifferently
treated at our first alighting, through the driver's foolish neglect or
mistake in not denoting that dignity and iraportance each gentle
man should assurae on the road in order to be respectfully treated ;
however, he seemed afterwards to be sensible of his own false
judgment, and partly made amends.
Cambridge, April 20. At ten o'clock, taking a servant of
the inn along with us, we walked out in order to have a sight of
the inside of King's College chapel, that, by delay at Trinity
College, we lost. This latter is by far the most magnificent in the
University ; has two spacious quadrangles, the front and one of the
squares are of Portland freestone, having a beautiful reservoir of
water in the midst ; the chambers occupy two sides, the hall and
* * * * room another side, and the fourth by the chapel, which
contained nothing remarkable but a full length statue of Sir Isaac

112 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777,
Newton in the porch. The other square contains chambers on aU
sides except the north or west, and is wholly improved by the
coUege library, a noble room of two hundred feet in length by
about seventy wide, filled with forty thousand volumes ; the alcoves
having on top the busts ofthe most famous ancient philosophers on
one side, and the most famous of the modern English authors, etc,
on the other. Here we were shown a perfect Egyptian mummy,
the flesh like a smoked tongue. In the same apariment was a
curious inscription in Greek capitals, without distinction of senten
ces or words, on a marble about eighteen inches square, having a
plain pediment on the top ; it is caUed Marmor Sandavicensis,
being presented by Lord Sandwich. There are also to be seen
some mutilated antique pUlars and capitals with inscriptions in
Greek characters, placed on the grand staircases leading to the
hbrary, given by Mr, Wortley Montague or his sister Lady Bute,
since her death, but which I forget ; and among thera his bust m
marble. From hence we departed through the college walks on the
banks of the river Cara, running on the back of King's CoUege,
Trinity College, Caius, Trinity Hall, Clare Hall and St. John's
College ; over the river are three handsome stone bridges for foot
walking, and between them a wooden bridge called the bridle
way, for horses and carriages ; the banks of the river within the
college grounds are faced with stone, the lawn carried down to its
very edge, with many slips for the advantage of the company who
shall please to divert themselves in boats on the water, flowing in
a very gentle stream about two rods wide. The pleasure grounds
are laid out in raost agreeable gravel-walks kept in the nicest
order, shaded with lofty trees ; they are extensive, all on a level,
and agreeable. Leaving these delightful walks we proceeded to
the chapel ; it being shut, we turned our walk to take a view of
the other buildings. A Mr. Pearce, a fellow of St, John's College,
whora I met in the walks, invited us to his chamber, where we
abode a few minutes to look in a book for an answer to a question
I put them concerning the age of an ancient manuscript in the
University library, and for the key of the library, to which he con
ducted us. It is not a handsome room, nor contains a large col
lection of books ; it was scarcely larger than our old Harvard

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 113
College library, and like it consisting of old books chiefly, Mr.
Prior was of this college, and left it a noble folio volume of all his
works, bound in raorocco, finely gUt. Here we also saw a most
elegant foho edition of Dr, Samuel Clarke's Julius Caesar's Com
mentaries, Having returned to our inn, we dined, and soon departed in a
post-chaise through a very level road to our designed stage, Bark-
way, distant sixteen miles, where we lodged and breakfasted.
This very indifferent collection of old fashioned buildings we soon
left, and entered on the fine improvements of Herts. The agreeable
unevenness of the earth, the verdure of the fields and corn grounds,
and excellent improvements for which this county is noted, rendered
our travelling for many miles dehghtfuUy pleasant. At Ware
alighted in two hours from our departure from the last stage, stop
ping at the Saracen's Head, to gratify my companions, whose curi
osity urged them to take a view of the great bed, which I before
described, and made, as our informant told us, for the use of King
Edward IV. in 1463, From hence we took the course to Hart
ford, lying three miles out of our direct road to London, and in
two hours from hence were set down at Judge Sewall's door, after
a ramble of one hundred and eighty miles ; and so good-by, Essex,
Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.
Passed the afternoon and evening at Judge Sewall's,
April 25. With Mr. Savage attended Longford's sales under
Covent Garden piazza — viewed and exarained his medals and
coins; Roman, Grecian, Egyptian, Saxon, and English. Saw a
brass farthing of the tirae of the Coramonwealth that sold for three
pounds four,
. AprU 29. Attended the exhibition in Piccadilly of Society of
Artists of Great Britain ; was really surprised at the meanness of
the portraits ; nothing appeared to my eye well executed but some
fruit-pieces and a few miniatures in crayons and water colors.
From hence Mr. Silsbee and myself adjourned to Mr. Joseph
Green's ; we drank tea and passed a pleasant hour. Stopped by
the way at Ely Palace, so called, on Holborn hUl, now sold and
pulling down to build two rows of houses. There are yet standing
the chapel and haU in the old Gothic taste.
15

114

JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777,

TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH, DEVON.
Brompton-Row, April 30, 1777.
Dear Sir :
Your favor of the 25th I received last night, and am obhged to
you for the intelligence it contains ; all of which respecting our
own country was new to me, having not heard a syllable of it
before ; the daily news inserted in the pubhc papers proves for the
most part to be manufactured here, and what is not, in event turns
out to be premature and void of truth. Nothing can be depended
on but what comes to us prepared by court cookery in the Gazette,
nor do I think administration to blame for withholding part, the
whole truth not being fit to be divulged in these captious, licentious
tiraes. I have wholly laid aside all regard to what is said to be
brought by expresses from America, but what comes immediately
from General or Lord Howe, or is contained in the American news
papers, of which we have now and then a sight in the New Eng
land Coffee-house. Nothing very important has of late come from
that quarter, except the death of General Washington and the
taking of Ticonderoga, both of these yet being matters of doubt
and dispute, as people wish, fear, or hope. Since ray last I have
rarabled through Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertford for
five days, in corapany with Judge Sewall and Mr, Abel Willard,
and am now about departing, say next Monday, for Oxford, and
from thence quo fata trahant ; designing never to make London
or its environs my future abode ; — the inhabitants, however, I hold
in much higher estimation than those of almost every other place,
God bless your reverence, and succeed your pious endeavors to
reform your flock, and I hope for and depend on your prayers,
and remain. Very truly your friend,
S. Curwen,
Brompton-Row, Kensington, May 1, 1777. Dined at GUbert
Harrison's with my friend John Timmins, the two Debloises,*
Benjamin FaneuU, and two ladies.
* Late of Salem.

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 115
May 3. Dined at Judge Sewall's ; from thence walked to
London to engage a seat in the diligence to Oxford, designing to
take that city in my way to the country, where for sorae months
I propose to abide, but in what quarter chance must determine. I
go hence like Abraham of old ; may the same kind and alraighty
Protector be my guide and defence.
May 5. Departed in the diligence, in which we found a late Ox
ford scholar, who proved a pleasant, chatty, well-bred companion ;
the road for the first eight miles as far as Acton, clear, level and
pleasant as a garden gravel- walk : from thence it assumed a differ
ent face, and from Uxbridge to Oxford, especially through Bucking
hamshire, generally a rich soil and well improved lands. The other
towns lying in the road were Beaconsfield and High Wycombe ; in
the latter lies Lord Shelburne's seat, pleasure grounds and park all
in view ; a little beyond is Lord Despenser's, rauch more cultivated
and in better order. On the right and on an eminence, stands an
edifice styled " the Mausoleum," of a peculiar construction ; but the
inclination of ray fellow travellers permitted me not to take a
nearer view than the transient sight as we passed the road. From
hence through a parish called Stoken-Church, and on bad roads?
we arrived at the Star inn, Oxford, not having stopped to refresh ;
here we called for dinner and engaged lodgings,
Oxford, May 6, After breakfast walked out to deliver Dr«
Chandler's letter to a fellow of Queen's College, naraed Monkhouse,
who received us respectfully enough, detained us in his room an
hour, and frora thence conducted us through the hall, chapel, libra
ry of his own college, and after setthng the route went to the the
atre, Radcliffe library, Clarendon press, and the schools. After re
peated invitations to dine in their hall, we declined for the purpose
of examining the Oxford Guide in our retirement. In the hall
of Jesus College were adraitted to a sight of the plate ; among
others is a bowl and ladle of silver double gilt, and holding ten
gaUons, the gift of Sir Watkins William Wynne ; here is also a
book of the college statutes written on vellum, and kept in a glass
case, having the characters as perfect and just as if struck on cop
perplate. From hence to our lodgings ; soon after our companion
Mr. Monkhouse came and conducted us through the Radcliffe In
firmary, open to all the nation, and filled with every conceivable

116 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777.
accommodation and supply, and kept in the neatest order. From
thence to the observatory, and from thence to the park, being a
long circular laid gravel walk round the improved fields, part of
which is bordered by lofty elms ; its high situation affords a fine
extended prospect of the country under high cultivation; part of
the city on the other side adds to the pleasure of the walk.
The grounds belong to Merton College, but the walks are
raaintained at the University expense and coraraon to it ; on our re
turn back we met two gownsmen both of our college, (Harvard,)
tone of whom was Dr. Nicholson mentioned in the superscription of
•our letter, with whom and a Mr. Hamilton, (a partner in the print
ing ofthe Oxford Bibles and Prayer Book, the sole liberty of which
is confined to the two Universities and the king's press,) and a few
gentlemen besides in the common room which all the colleges are
furnished with, 7th. Breakfasted at Mr. Deblois's hy invitation, and
after returned to our lodgings, to which Mr, Monkhouse soon came
and conducted us to the Divinity school, having a curious roof of
stone, and in as bold a style as King's College Chapel, Cambridge ;
from thence returned back into the convocation room ; and here
we spent some tirae in looking into the statute book and libro nigra ;
in the anteroom I saw the vice chancellor in his robes and the two
proctors, waiting for the completing a convocation, (consisting of
twelve at least) We were in hopes to see a baccalaureate degree
given to one of the students of Queen's College, but the difficulty
of making a convocation delayed the ceremony too long for our
leisure ; by this delay was deprived of a sight I should have been
greatly pleased with. Hence we ascended to the picture gallery,
and from thence to the Bodleian hbrary, which did not come up
to my idea; 'tis an old roora, its form an H; there are many re
cesses surrounded with lattice work in which the students retire
to read, transcribe, etc.; saw but few employed in that business.
From hence we passed over to the Ashmolean museum ; here we
were entertained but indifferently. In the staircase are a dead
Christ of Carrachi, and the Tradescant family, by what hands I
know not ; in the room a small miniature of St. Cuthbert in a gold
gorget, said to have been worn by Alfred the Great ; some very
nice frivolous carvings in peach and cherry stones ; the hat Brad-
shaw is said to have had on when he sat in judgment and condemn-

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 117
ed king Charles ; the skull of Cromwell, said to be known by a
small excrescence on the bone just above the eye, etc.
Retreated to the inn, dined, and being attended by G, Deblois's
father, I walked to Christ Church College, the most noble of any
in the University ; entered the picture rooms, crowded by paintings
of the most celebrated masters, being the gift of the late General
Guise, for the reception of which these rooms were fitted. Above
is the library of very fine bound books, placed in a room of about
two hundred feet long, sixty wide, and twenty-five high ; the ceU-
ing finely stuccoed as well as the walls in each kind of relief, in
oval and other figured compartments. The books are in cases of
oak, handsomely carved, and many seats in the same style. The
hall into which I entered whUst some of the students were at din
ner, is a noble room of the length apparently of the library, and
wider ; the ceiling is of oak, supported frora above, and in the
centre of each square corapartment into which it is laid, is a gilt
rose ; the walls in a line on each side filled with portraits, on the
ends with full lengths, I remember none of them but Lord Mans
field's, over the door in his jtidlcial robes. Here I was accosted
by a well bred sensible young student, with whom I held conversa
tion. Leaving him I departed, passing through the walk belong
ing to this college, of a mile in length, bordered on each side for
part of the way by lofty trees, rendering it raost delightful. Our
next delay was at Corpus Christi, into the chapel of which I just
peeped, and from thence into Oriel ; both of these are small foun
dations. Arriving at the inn, dismissed ray attendant, and soon
after being called upon according to promise by Mr. Monkhouse,
with whom I went to the schools. In two apartments the Arun-
delian marbles (and collection of statues presented to the Univer
sity by the Countess of Pembroke) are kept; the statues are
larger and smaller than the life, "
From hence we adjourned to AUsouls College ; the house for
the reception of the books was built by Col, Codrington, formerly
a member of this house, whose statue in white marble stands in the
centre of the room, a ndble one indeed j — the ceiling and walls
elegantly stuccoed, the books, very numerous, stand in beautiful
cases ; a fund producing two thousand pounds a year is allotted
for the increasing of it ; by this provision it will in time become

118 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777,
the largest and best in the University. From thence we adjourned
to the chapel, a beautiful room ; over the altar stands a raasterly
performance of a Mr. Minkes, the Spanish king's painter, of Christ
making himself known to Mary Magdalene in the garden, just at
the point of time when she having said to hira, " If thou be the
gardener, and have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid
him ;" he replied, " Mary," and she turning about discovered it
was the Lord ; this filling her with surprise, admiration, love, a
mixture of all these various passions is finely expressed in her
countenance ; and in his, self-composure, dignity, meekness. Over
this, in a semi-circular compartment, are many full lengths, being
the assumption of the founder Henry Chichely ; he is dressed in
rich robes, his eyes raised upwards, attended by angels.
From this pleasing spot we proceeded to Christ Church Col
lege, in Peckwater-square ; meeting Sir Francis Bernard* with a
son now educating here, was introduced to Doctor Leigh of Baliol
College, who was elected in 1727, and is now a sprightly and
active little old gentleman of eighty-six. We reached the church,
said to be almost the only reraains of a public building in the
Norman style, supposed to have been standing eight or nine hun
dred years. It was anciently an Abbey church, dedicated to St.
Frideswide, whose tomb is yet standing; here we were shown
several pieces of richly embossed double gilt plate, some of which
were dug from the ruins of Oshey Abbey, where it had been lying
for ages. The old abbey, distant from hence about eight miles, has
been removed to this spot. Passed this evening as the last, in the
same common roora, and with the same company, with the addition
of one or two more, hearing raany sarcastic speeches concerning
our New England follies and absurdities ; but every country has its
characteristic ones, and that comforts me under the but too just
ridicule we are loaded with. •
May 8. Took our farewell of G. Deblois's father and family —
walking out in order to take our last leave of Mr, Monkhouse,
whora we met, and were conducted by him through New College
and its pleasant grounds, and back to the inn ; making our ac
knowledgments, we took leave, and soon entering the post-chaise,
* Governor of Massachusetts from 1760 to 1769,

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 119
departed for Woodstock, distant six miles, through dirty roads ;
were set down at the Bear inn. We loitered through the town,
and at three o'clock, the hour appointed for viewing Blenheim
House, we proceeded to the park gate, an enormous portal, in the
triumphal style, with an inscription cut in the list, importing by
whom and when it was erected ; from this we have an oblique
view of that enormous load of building called Blenheim House,
the first sight of which reminded rae of that sarcastic couplet on
the architect : " Lie heavy on him, earth, for he
Hath laid a cumbrous pile on thee."
The near approach did not fall to add to the disgust I first re
ceived : — the huge piles that sustain the arcades, the almost un-
spannible pillars, and the inordinate size and clumsiness of its
outside appearance, were fully recompensed by the elegance and
grandeur of the rooras, the beauty of the tapestry, and the capital
paintings with which the apartraents are filled. The saloon is a
noble room ; the library possesses a grandeur and elegance inex
pressible. From this famed edifice we returned the same way by
which we entered, took a post-chaise and rode across the country
to Bicester, through fields and private grounds, passing gates, etc.,
the soil light and barren ; few fields of grain, but chiefly uninclosed
heaths for sheep walks. This town has no manufactures, wood
scarce and coals dear : it abounds in houses for the sale of spirituous
liquors ; we met in our ramble not less than a score. Lodged at
the King's Arms, the most magnificent edifice of the whole,
Bicester, May 9. Departed early for Buckingham, and alight
ing at Lord Temple's Arms, we breakfasted, and soon after left for
Stow Gardens, passing for a mile over a straight, level road through
Lord George Gerraalne's grounds, adjoining to the gardens on the
borders of which, and facing the road, stands a light, lofty triura-
phal arch ; leaving this on our left, we proceeded to the inn, and
from thence to the gate; being admitted, we remained two hours
in going through the gardens and house, the front of which is built
in a more pleasing style by far than Blenheim, not, however, to be
compared to it in extent and compass. These gardens are not to be
matched for grandeur, variety and taste in England, perhaps the

120 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777,
worid. They are capable of amusing for a much longer time than
I could allot, being viewed by rae currente pede. — Having trav
ersed the pleasure grounds half through, we arrived at the house,
the front of which has a very noble and airy appearance ; ascend
ing a lofty flight of steps, we saw an elderly person sitting on a
settee in half mourning, by the front door under the portico sup
ported by lofty pillars ofthe Corinthian order; approaching nearer
I espied a star on his right breast, by which I recognized Earl
Temple. PuUing off my hat, I was going to retire, when he put
his hand to his hat, and beckoned with the other to approach,
which we did, and entered the great hall yet unfinished, the whole
front having been lately taken down ; the outside is finished, but
within is yet in hand ; many of the rooms are in disorder, though
enough to manifest the elegance and grandeur of the owner's taste
and riches. From hence we set forward, passing through my
lord's grounds five railes, and Whittlebury Forest,belonging to the
estate of the Duke of Grafton, called Easton ; which, with the
other grounds we passed, till our arrival at the turnpike road, were
insufferably bad, besides being delayed by a multitude of gates, for
which purpose we brought a young lad to open them. The ap
pearance of the earth in this stage was greatly altered for the bet
ter, being diversified with hills and dales under better cultivation,
and the nature of the soil more fertile. The fences for many miles
of rails, such as are frequent in our own country, intended to defend
the young live hedges just set out, inclosures here just beginning to
take place. At 4 o'clock alighted at the Saracen's Head, Wor
cester ; here we abode no longer than to dine, and taking another
post-chaise, departed for Daventry, passing through a village
called Whadon,- where we supped and lodged.
Daventry, May 10, A. M. Took coach for Coventry, passing
through a finely improved, fertUe country, and in three hours
ahghted at an inn just without the city ; a regiraent of horse
called the Inniskilliners, were reviewing ; a body of stout, likely
men, dressed in red turned up with buff, and exceedingly well
mounted, Coventry is an old built city, noted for the ribbon weaving busi
ness ; here we were delayed some time ; took fresh horses ; our
road lay over a new canal between Oxford and the last mentioned

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 121
city, designed for the cheaper and more expeditious conveyance of
coals that these parts abound in, by which the forraer will be sup
plied at less than half the present price. In our road lay a vUlage,
called Dunchurch ; a little beyond is a long terrace road raised
above the level nearly three feet, and continued for more than
three miles almost in a straight line, and bordered on each side by
evergreens and elms, planted by the lord of the royalty, through
whose lands it runs, rendering it inexpressibly pleasing to the eye
ofthe traveller.
From Coventry to Birmingham we were delayed by scores of
wagons bound from thence, laden with goods, coals, etc., and at
four o'clock alighted at the Dolphin inn, Birmingham, in the street
called the Bullring, where we intend to remain ten days, (after a
circuit of a hundred and fifty miles,) if agreeable.
Birmingham, May 13. Being called upon by Mr. G. RusseU,.
we set off on foot for his house at Moseley Wake Green, having
been invited the Sunday before to dine on this day ; our corapany
consisted of his brother and lady and sister.
May 17, Waited on Mr, Wilkinson at his house, but he was
absent ; afterwards went with my companion to the locks on the
canal, and saw several boats go through, an amusing sight to him
which he had never seen before.
May 19, Having engaged horses the night before at eight.
o'clock, booted and spurred we mounted our Roslnantes, and de
parted for the Leasowes, late pleasure grounds of the famed Shen
stone, and Hagley, the estate of Lord Littleton ; the former distant
six raUes, the latter eleven, on the same road. Here we arrived
at eleven o'clock, passing through a town called Hales Owen, of
considerable extent, and by its appearance in the same way of
business as Birminghara. Attended by the gardener in the absence
of the park keeper, we walked over my lord's grounds, almost in
the centre of which stands Hagley parish church, a small building
in a shady recess ; passing this we ascended an eminence. On a
plain surrounded on all sides but in front with lofty trees, stands a
pillar with a statue of the late Prince of Wales, (father of his
present majesty,) dedicated to his memory by the late Lord Little
ton, who was one of the prince's household and favorites. This
spot commanded a sloping view of a pleasant lawn, bounded by
16

122 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
the mansion house, a large oblong edifice of two stories and an-
attic, with a low four-square tower on each angle, and a flat roof.
The exterior of the house is plain and void of ornament ; over
the lawns are planted clumps of trees by which the views are di
versified. From the heights in narrow channels run many smaU
streams, one discharging itself into a pool filled with trout, etc. ;
over this is thrown a bridge with an alcove. The grounds contain
in extent four hundred acres ; and trees are planted so artificially
as to yield an appearance hardly to be distinguished from nature a
little improved ; here are to be seen piUars, urns, rotundas, alcoves
and field seats judiciously disposed : amongst them an urn dedi
cated to the memory of Alexander Pope, on which is an inscription
savoring of flattery..
. Returning by the way we went, we alighted at the Golden
Cross, Hales Owen, where we were furnished with a room by our
selves and dinner. On this day was held a fair in this town; seeing
a large multitude collected I would fain have mixed with the people,
but the curiosity of my companion not prompting him, and my
fatigue by an execrable hard trotter rendering me indisposed to
needless exercise, prevented our seeing the humors of this part of
the country. In passing the road a few furlongs before, we arrived
at this town ; about an inn were collected two companies of
tradesmen with black rods tipped with brass. They assemble at
certain times and are under certain rules ; have a public box, sup
plying a fund to be eifiployed in maintaining the sick, blind,
wounded and disabled, and finally burying members and their
wives. Their regulations have a happy tendency to promote
among the laboring handicraftsmen cleanliness, good manners,
order and sociability.
The road to Hagley in general is though level but tolerably
good ; the views pleasing ; at two o'clock we arrived at the Lea
sowes, now in possession of a Squire Home, Attended by the
gardener we entered through what is called the priory gate, a
gateway and arch formed by old stumps and moss, communicating
with a serpentine walk on a shady bank of a stream running through
a craggy wild bottom to the pool now emptied of its waters. It is
supphed also by another meandering stream, on the banks of which
are judiciously placed statues, urns, and resting seats, from each of

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 123
which appear most agreeable and diverting objects, varied from
each other in every remove, consisting of hills, dales, streams,
houses, and clumps, rows, and forests of trees on lands in high culti
vation. The closing scene was a natural perspective view of a
charming cascade running in various directions, the whole, almost,
the eye could trace through bending oaks and osiers, from a spot
whereon is placed an urn inscribed to Virgil and called his grotto
or recess. Hence to the mossy bower or grotto, where after resting
I reluctantly mounted my horse, and arrived at my new lodgings
No. 20 Moor-street, at eight o'clock, much fatigued.

124 JOURNAL AND LETTERS.

[1777.

CHAPTER VI,
Birmingham, May 20, 1777. Breakfasted with Mr, G, Rus-
:seU, and with him proceeded to a Mr. Onion's, in order to have a
sight of his auriculas and polyanthuses, of which he has a great
variety, and of the finest hues and stripes, Mr, Russell having
invited company to meet us, we returned to his house to dinner,
and passed the day agreeably. Arrived at our lodgings before nine
o'clock. May 22, A fair begins here to day, proclaimed by the bailiffs,
constables, wardens, etc., in procession,heginning at eleven o'clock.
Streets crowded, many people coming in from the country; a day
of jollity rather than business, and the evening ends in riot, drunk
enness, etc. The low baUiff is the first officer in dignity, and by
custom is chosen from the dissenters. He nominates the jury, who
appoints the constables ; he also presides in the courts leet, gives a
yearly feast, and has no further concern in town affairs. His service
continues a year. The high constable inspects the markets, and is
appointed for life by the lord lieutenant of the county.
May 24. Walked to Soho Gardens ; the grounds naturally-
capable of improvements in a high degree ; they already consist of
gravel walks in the serpentine forra, shrubbery, flower borders, an
occasional cascade running down a narrow pebbled canal, and
emerging into a pond below, containing two islaiids. Took an
afternoon ramble with my companion to Ashton Park, now in pos
session of Lady Holt, about two miles distant ; the richness of the
soU and high cultivation they are in, almost ravished my companion.
It is almost surrounded with a lofty brick wall, and is agreeably
diversified by rows of trees, clumps and single trees, with many
large spots of clean lands. The house is of brick in the old Gothic
style, very large, having battlements on its top and round turrets.
The church standing on the lands and adjoining the avenues of
the mansion house of the estate of Sir Charles Holt, is remarkable

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 125
for the smallness of the buUding, and the loftiness of the tower
and spire. Returned home not a little fatigued.
May 2&. Left Birminghara for Sheffield, our first intended
stage being the city of Litchfield, sixteen railes ; roads level and
sandy, the lands in sight barren and uninclosed. Just without the
city, and in a field adjoining, we saw for the first tirae the English
militia ; the raen were as likely and well accoutred as the king's
troops, and as clean and well dressed. Arrived at the George inn,
where we bespoke dinner, and while it was preparing, walked'
forth to view the city and cathedral ; the former of about eight
thousand inhabitants, houses mostly in the old style, few shops and
little appearance of business. The cathedral is a venerable pile ;
round the western part of the building stand in mutilated condition
many statues, being defaced, as sorae of its inside ornaraents were
by the zealots of Cromwell's party in the unhappy times of Charles
I, There is nothing remarkable within except a curiously wrought ,
screen of stone, separating the altar frora the chapel of the Ten
Virgins, to whom it was dedicated, and where prayers at six iu the
morning are daUy said. The niches in which the Virgins stood
have remained unfilled ever since the pious purgators of those
times of confusion before mentioned ; and as another instance of
their enthusiastic madness, they broke to pieces all the stained
glass belonging to this church. Over the western door is an in
scription, stating that this church was erected in the 657th year of
the Christian era, was endowed by Offa in the Saxon times, and
by Henry II. and Richard I. since. In a flat tomb against the fourth
wall lies a Dean Haywood, who, many years since, fantastically
attempting to imitate our Saviour in fasting forty days, died in four
teen, a martyr to his folly ; two statues, one resembling hira in his
full bulk, and the other in his eraaciated state, reraain as monu
ments to perpetuate his impious folly.
From this survey we returned to dinner. Arrived at Burton at
four o'clock, over roads alraost an entire level, as soft as a carpet,
and in a straight direction as far as the eye could reach. At the
distance of eight miles from our last stage we passed the Trent,
near to where the great Staffordshire canal (joining the Trent and
Severn) begins ; crossing and recrossing it, and travelling on its
banks and within sight for many railes. This canal is carried over

126 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777,
the small river Dove and many streams. Took our departure for
Derby ; the roads as pleasing as last stage till near the town, when
the face of the country became hilly and uneven, yielding a new
picture to the eye. Stopped at the George-and-Dragon inn,
Derby; took tea, and accompanied by my fellow traveUer, rambled
through the town, which appears to be of considerable extent,
having four Episcopal churches. The streets are paved with small
pebbles ; some of thera of a convenient width, the rest narrow,
having a gutter in the raiddle, coramon to raost of the paved towns.
Here is a square, paved, serving as a parade for the mihtary, par
ties of which are posted in every great town. One side is buUt on
arches, forming a shelter for the inhabitants from inclement
vfreather. There is great appearance of trade, and, indeed, the silk
mills, flatting and rolling mUls, and lead works, employ many
hands. Here are also many shops, which for size and arrange
ment resemble those of London.
Derby, May 27. We visited the faraous sUk mills, and were
told by the master workraan that ninety-seven thousand movements
were set to work by a single large water wheel. The house is
two hundred feet long and thirty-six feet wide, and has five floors,
each filled by machines.
From thence made a visit to the porcelain manufactory ; — the
principal ingredient is common flint stones reduced to an impalpa
ble powder after being broken in a water mill. All the images
are cast in very small parts at first, joined together by hand, as the
head, the hands, etc. ; the moulds are made of plaster of Paris, and
not bigger than the outside shell of a large walnut, which they
resemble, aud like them consist of four parts. The fancy pieces,
as flowers, images, etc., are forraed a clear liquor poured into the
moulds ; in less than two minutes, by absorbing the liquor, leaves
a solid figure, which after it is dried is painted, gilded, etc., and
passes the fire four several tiraes, and if gUt undergoes polishing to
bring it to its lustre.
From this cursory survey we returned to our inn, and departed
for Lord Scarsdale's seat, called Kiddlestone, four mUes distant.
Arrived at the portal and lodge in the forra of a triuraphal arch
built of stone ; through this we were adraitted into the park, ob
servable for the greatest quantity of large white oaks and elms.

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 127
About a mile from the entrance over a straight, clean carpet road,
we came to the lawn terminated by the house, making a noble ap
pearance ; passing a large handsome stone bridge thrown over a
fine stream made by art. On the lawn, on every side of the house,
are large single oaks, also many clumps and rows, which with the
great herds of horned cattle make a most picturesque view. The
entrance to the house is by a double flight of steps under a grand
portico, being formed of noble columns supporting a pediment,
having in front my lord's arms, and crowned on the top with three
feraale figures, erect, representing plenty, peace, and wisdom.
The cehtre contains the great hall, and on the back front the sa
loon ; the ceihng of the former is supported by fourteen red veined
alabaster fluted pillars of the Corinthian order on each side ; its
height 40 feet, length 67, and width 42 ; the pannels of the doors
light airy papier mache manufacture ; the designs are from Greek
and Roman raythology ; the flooring the raost beautiful clear oak,
taken frora my lord's forests, as the pillars are from his own
quarry, and bear an excellent polish. The wings are connected
by circular corridors, and in each wing twenty-one rooms on a floor
elegantly finished and furnished. The state bed has very curiously
carved posts, its furniture and hangings blue damask; ray lady's
dressing plate the greatest in quantity of any I have seen except
the queen's, and is silver erabossed double gilt. My lady was at
home, and remained to indulge us with a sight of every part of the
house. The living of my lord and lady when in the country is
quite in the family way. Their eldest daughter, going in a loose
country dress to take a ramble over the lawn, on discovering us
retreated back and disappeared. This house for situation, elegance
and grandeur united, need not yield to any,
Frora this pleasing spot we departed for Ashburn, the first
town on the peak ; 'tis a country town, has a market and an Epis
copal church, but is remarkable for nothing that I could learn ex
cept its being a station for those whose curiosity brings them
rather to view Dovedale and Islam gardens, the residence of old
Chaucer, where strangers are shown the very Spot in which he
wrote many of his pieces.
May 28. Rising early we departed in a post-chaise for Cas-
tleton, situated near the mouth of the Devil's Peak ; the road is
over bare and dreary hills ; the whole country that is inclosed is by

128 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777,
stone walls, being extremely barren of trees, shrubs, and bushes,
many hundred acres together not having the appearance of either.
The divisions of land much larger than to be met with elsewhere,
and scarce a house to be seen, being situated, I presume, in bottoms
laid frora the road ; the sheep are sraall, and distinguished from all
others by a kind of ruff or ridge of long hair round the neck ; from
the plain we descended into the town, lying in the bottom, in a
road encompassing half the ridge of raountains, extending to a great
length frora hence ; this road in many places is very steep, and at
alraost every step hazardous, and the accident of the horses stum-
bhng, the reins breaking, or wheels coming off, would throw one
down a precipice, when nothing short of a miracle could preserve
him frora destruction. The tower of the church, of an ordinary
height, when first discovered seemed to be many hundred feet be
neath us. Arrived at the George inn, and took the guide, who
seasonably arrived with some gentleraen whom he had just at
tended through the cavern.
Set off from the inn to visit this remarkable subterraneous
frightful pit, etc., distance from hence about five hundred yards ; the
entrance is between two lofty eminences, almost perpendicular, or
rather overhanging, of a height eighty-seven yards ; its appearance
awfully great and terrifying ; part is craggy and clothed in trees
and shrubs. The passage into this natural cave is under an arch
fourteen yards high and forty wide, rising somewhat higher;
within the first cave resides a woman of thirty-seven years of age,
who was born in a hut here, and has inhabited it ever since ; —
besides her, here are dwelling two more families, and several of
the town's people who daily resort here to labor in the twine spin
ning, in which business more than a score are daily employed.
Light enough is adraitted to do that and any coramon work ; from
the mouth to the further end of post cavern is eighty yards, and
frora thence to the first water is seventy yards, making in aU one
hundred and fifty yards. Over this water, fourteen yards in length,
I was conveyed in a small boat, for the greater part of the distance
lying on my back ; the arch being too low to sit upright. The depth
of the water is two and a half feet, which the guide, Robert Dakin,
waded through, pushing the boat before him. My companion
choosing me to explore the unknown regions, I first entered, and
he took the second passage, and I waited for him before I pro-

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 129
ceeded. At the further end of the first cave, a good woman with
a dozen candles attended to furnish each of us with one, which,
having lighted, each took in his hand and proceeded from the
first water, one by one, in a narrow path to another cavern distant
ninety yards, the width of which was seventy yards, and height
forty ; from hence at a sraall distance is the second water, over
which I was carried first on our guide's back ten yards ; its depth
is perhaps a foot. My companion next foUowed at the right of
the attendants, and forded it on foot. Our next stage was in a
cave called Roger Rains, frora a continual dropping through the
rocks and earth. The entrance to the grand cavern is under an
arch fifteen rods high ; this forms a kind of hanging gallery, on
the top of which stood seven singers, each holding a lighted candle
in his hand. They entertained us with " Fill, fill the glasses ;"
the splendor of the lights reflected frora the vaulted roof, and the
grand echo, pleased us beyond expression. On our return we were
saluted by this same company with " God save the king." From
hence we went forward to the Devil's cellar ; of the origin of this
name we could not be informed ; there is nothing in its appear
ance hideous, nor frora whence we could conjecture its name.
Here we descended fifty yards on a road of firm sand, and from
hence the path leads to the cascade, which is heard at con
siderable distance ; the discharge is by a stream dividing itself into
two channels, crossing the cavern and continued under the hill, at
the bottom of which, at its opposite foot, it forms a small river.
From hence to a place called " the top," and thence to the
four regular arches, as regular as if formed by design ; and from
hence to Tom of Lincoln, (so called from its resemblance to the top
of a bell and its enormous magnitude,) and from thence to the ex
tremity of the cavern, distant from its mouth seven hundred and
fifty yards. The level at the further end of the cavern was taken
by Doctor Solander and Mr. Banks, and is two hundred and fifty
yards ; — the charming appearance of the external light on our ap
proach towards the first cave, on our return back, excited a most
pleasing sensation. Over the cavern is an ancient fortification in
the Roman manner. After discharging the customary dues for
candles, singers, etc, through a crowd of beggars who always
attend strangers at the mouth on their return, which we were cau-
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130 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
tioned to neglect, passed on to our inn, where we dined, and soon
departed for Sheffield, where we arrived about six o'clock, and
alighted at the George inn.
Sheffield, May 29, Presented an introductory letter frora Mr.
George Russell of Birmingham to his correspondent, a Mr. Broom-
head, whose reception of us at first was cool, but his after de
meanor and hospitality much more than counterbalanced the
former ; I rather imputed it to an honest bluntness and ignorance
of forms. He is a wealthy cutler, whose principal business lay in
the American line. Attended by him we walked round the town
to several branches, as rolling mills, grinding cutlery, white lead
mill, etc. After dinner strolled amongst the multitude to the race
ground called " Crooke's Moor ;" the number supposed to be full
twenty thousand. Frora a lofty stand opposite the ground I had a
full view of the race ; four heats were run, the first by seven horses ;
the plate, a silver gilt cup, worth seventy pounds, was gained
by a horse called " Why not," who, on the two first heats was
almost distanced. The humors of the race I had an opportunity
of seeing in perfection ; the different passions wherewith they were
agitated afforded me no small diversion. The horses were called
by the names of their riders, who were differently clothed, as pink,
orange, scarlet, striped, etc, etc. The plate procured by subscrip
tion of the town, was carried by the constable attended by the town
officers in their habits, preceded by a flag. On the ground were
erected many stands, and all filled; the last heat was scarcely
over tiU nine o'clock in the evening.
May 30. CaUed on Mr, J. Broomhead, and with him walked
through the town to the coUiery, so called, being a road-way
from the Duke of Norfolk's pits to the yard, in which the coal
is taken up into carts and conveyed to town ; the descent easy,
and by means of a spring, the carts, without horses, under the guid
ance of a man, being conveyed by a sort of self-motion for more
than a mile. At the end of the way the carts are run on stages,
through which, by tilting them, the contents are discharged. After
a view of this curious contrivance, we retired homewards, but
meeting Mr. Aspden of PhUadelphia, a gentleman with whora we
dined at Mr. Smith's in Birrainghara a few days before, agreed to
join company, and immediately departed in a stage coach from

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 131
Sheffield, and arrived at Black Barnsley through a delightful though
uneven road ; distance fourteen miles. Here we took post-chaises,
and in two hours alighted at Wakefield, a clothing town, wherein
appear evident tokens of taste in building and of wealth ; the av
enues to it delightful, the roads like a carpet walk, on one side a
raised terrace walk for foot passengers, flagged for more than two
miles ; the lands hereabouts excellent, and under the most Improved
cultivation. The Westgate-street has the noblest appearance of
any I ever saw, out of London ; its pavements in the best order ; its
length near half a mUe, and width ten rods. Were it not for
some old, low buUdings, London could not boast a more magnifi
cent street. It has a very large Episcopal church, with a remark
ably lofty tower and spire. The principal character in the novel
called " The Vicar of Wakefield" was taken from the late vicar of
this church, named Johnson, whose peculiarly odd and singular hu
mor has exposed his memory to the ridicule of that satire. We
soon after departed for Leeds in a post-chaise, through good roads
and fertile lands : from Sheffield to Leeds the face of the country
is more pleasing, the lands in better iraprovement and more peo
pled, than in more than twenty counties I have passed through in
England ; alighted at the " Old King's Arras" at nine o'clock,
where we supped and lodged,
Leeds, May 31. Sent our names to S. Elam and waited break
fast; he soon came, but having taken his, declined partaking with
us. We walked forth under his guidance, and took dinner with
him afterwards ; rambled to a village called Armley, to see a scrib
bling mUl, by which more wool is discharged than ten hands can
do in the same time. It is performed by a horse, but its construc
tion cannot be described, not being exposed to open view, it being
a favor shown to Mr. Elam, on whose account we were favored
with a sight of it. Too nice an inspection would have excited sus
picion, which we wished to avoid. The manufacturers of every
kind through England are not pleased to admit strangers to a sight
of the machines and process of their business. From thence we
returned back on the sides of the canal, which for the first time is
to be opened with ceremony next Wednesday ; no part of it has
hitherto been used.
June 2, This town is said to contain ten thousand people,

132 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
many well-filled shops, and various trades; its principal business in
narrow and coarse woollen cloths, consigned to foreign orders, but
little to London or inland trade; many of its merchants are
wealthy. It has a large cloth market of brick, of three ranges,
each range having two walks, and the walks are called King-street,
Queen-street, Cheapside, etc. Set off for Huddersfield, distant six
teen miles, and is the town to which the merchants of Leeds, Hali
fax and Wakefield resort to buy cloths from the clothiers abounding
in this neighborhood. The town of Huddersfield is very old-built,
and has a wretched appearance. The butchery was buUt by Sir
John Ramsey, proprietor of the land, whose rent is seventy pounds.
After dinner we entered a posf-chaise for Halifax, where we arrived
at six o'clock.
This town is supposed to be larger than Leeds; its streets, if it
can be said to have any, are excellently paved, and have a conve
nient flagged walk on each side raised ; lying uneven they are
always clean ; but in general they are narrow and short, each end
bounded by a triangular house ; many large and well-buUt ones
in, but more just without the town. The situation of the town is
on an uneven, low eminence, surrounded by lofty hills on all sides
in the most improved condition, laid out in lots bounded by live
hedges, rows of trees, and stone walls, almost as even as the walls
of a house. The whole country for raany miles within view
abounds in manufactories and farra houses ; the people here are
nuraerous and industrious, their houses very cleanly. Amongst
other kinds of good conduct, we in our rambles saw fifteen chil
dren employed in bending wires and preparing them in the various
branches of card making, and were told their earnings were from
two and sixpence to five shillings a week ; which employment
not only keeps their little minds from vice, but renders them early
capable of providing for their own support, and 'takes a heavy bur
den frora their poor parents. We entered a nap-raising mill ; the
process is performed by laying a cloth under an instrument divided
into little squares of the diameter of the nap designed to be raised,
or rather larger, carried by water. This instrument is about eight
feet long and two feet wide, and is jostled backwards and for
wards by means of a little gage filled with teeth suited to a cog
wheel, which receives its motion from another communicating

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 133
with the great wheel. By Mr. Aspden's desire, we accompanied
hira immediately on our arrival to a Mr. Rawson's seat, a little
out of Halifax, called "Stony-ride," meaning Stony-road, the road
to it being stony, (the Yorkshire people often using an i for an o.)
This was a friend to whora he had a letter ; neither Mr, Rawson
nor his sons were at home ; but soon after our return to the inn
one of his sons came, and would have engaged us to accompany
hira back, but it being late, we declined it for this evening, which
he passed and supped with us.
Halifax, June 3. Rarabled with my companions to the lofty
surrounding hills, from whence we had an ample view of the
town ; only one parish church, the mother of twelve of the neigh
boring ones ; sectaries of various kinds abound here. By the man
ufacturers living hereabouts there is building of stone, a large and
comraodious market house, containing a square of one hundred and
ten yards by ninety ; its lower story is fronted by short square pil
lars, forraing arcades, on the back part of which are rooms for
each separate manufacturer, of twelve feet by eight, and before
the rooms a covered walk of four feet wide ; the second story is
supported by square pillars cut into rustic, with a walk before as
below, but more open and spacious, the pillars not being so large.
The floor of the third story is surrounded by Doric pillars support
ing the roof, containing the same accomraodations as below ; the
height of each story twelve feet. The town is all buUt of stone,
very irregular, but its streets the best paved of any town in Eng
land, London not excepted, and from the unevenness of the ground
always clean. By the hospitality of Mr. Rawson we were de
layed here for two days, whose importunity would not suffer us to
depart till Thursday the fifth. We passed our time pleasantly
enough in visiting among other things his copperas works ; the
copperas made from that part of common pit coal called slate,
charged with sulphur; its process easy and short, being collected
and thrown into a large heap, perhaps of two or three hundred
tons; — water poured on it, which, filtering through, passes by
pipes into an underground cistern or large receiver, is boiled, and
from thence carried into a smaller cistern like the distillers' ; there
remaining until it cools and crystallizes.
Thursday, June 5. Departed from Halifax in a post-chaise,

134 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
taking leave of our late companion Aspden, who left us at the inn
for Preston, on horseback. Pursuing the road we ascended a long
hill of more than a mile, and soon arrived at a very lofty ridge of
the most desolateand foriorn appearance, caUed Blackstone Edge,
continuing for several miles. The road level, hard and straight,
and on that score pleasant ; the land waste and of a russet hue,
covered with furze ; not a tree, shrub, bush or plant, hedge or wall
to be seen. From hence we descended into low grounds, weU in
habited and improved ; in one respect this part of England is more
pleasing than the others; the grounds are covered with houses,
each manufacturer having a small farm or parcel of land besides
his trade to depend on, there being more freeholders or owners of
smaU farms and plantations here than in any county of the king
dom. We arrived at Rochdale about two o'clock, engaged din
ner, and took a ramble. The church stands on a hUl, to which
the ascent is by a hundred stone steps. This town is remarkable
for many wealthy merchants ; it has a large woollen market, the
merchants from Halifax, etc., repairing hither weekly ; the neigh
borhood abounds in clothiers. Frora hence the road to Manches
ter, distant about thirteen miles, is level and sandy, the soil light,
the general nature of the land in this county, where the people
speak an uncouth, peculiar dialect, unintelligible to the ears of
strangers. About six o'clock we alighted at the " Spread-eagle
inn," and procured private lodgings at Mrs. Barlow's, next door to
the inn. •
Manchester, June 6. Walked out to the Duke of Bridgewater's
canal, and on its banks met Mr. Nelson, who for some time lodged
at Mrs. Leavitt's in Salem, New England ; he is from Ireland,
passing through the manufacturing towns to London. We stepped
into St. John's church, a small but elegant edifice in Gothic style ;
over the altar is a fine stained-glass window, executed at York ;
three erect images of St. Peter, Christ, and St. James, the colors
quite lively, which the meridian lustre of the sun's rays not a httle
assisted. In the vestry is another window by the same hand ; on
this is stained the founder's name, a Squire Byrom. This church
was finished in 1769 ; its tower is crowned with battlements and
high pinnacles; the body of the church having such also aU
around its roof. From hence we adjourned to the Castlefield, to

1777,] JOURNAL ANDLETTERS. 135
see the exercise ofthe mihtia, making as good appearance as the
king's troops in discipline and dress. This field is an eminence of
oval form, and here are supposed to be the remains of an old Ro
man encarapment, the outside wall and ceraent yet to be seen.
Frora this place we adjourned to the " Royal Oak" ordinary,
June 7. With Mr, Nelson set off for the canal, intending to
take a passage to Worsley to visit the Duke of Bridgewater's coal
mines. After some delay we entered the passage boat, drawn by
a horse in the manner of the Trek-schuits in Holland. Arrived
at Worsley in two hours, passing athwart the river Irwell, over
which the canal runs, being raised on arches not less than fifty feet
in height above that stream. In raany places the bottom of the
canal is considerably higher than the level of the neighboring
grounds. Sent compliments to Mr, Gilbert, the steward, asking
the favor of seeing the duke's under-ground works, which was
granted, and we stepped into the boat, passing into an arch
way partly of brick and partly cut through the stone, of about
three and a half feet high ; we received at entering six lighted
candles. This arch-way, called a funnel, runs into the body of the
mountain almost in a direct line three thousand feet, its medium
depth beneath the surface about eighty feet ; we were half an hour
passing that distance. Here begins the first under-ground road to
the pits, ascending into the wagon road, so called, about four feet
above the water, being a highway for the wagons, containing
about a t8n weight of the forra of a mill-hopper, running on wheels,
to convey the coals to the barges or boats. Under the guidance of
a miner, with each a lighted candle in his hand, we proceeded
through an arched-way about five feet high, walking with our
bodies at an angle of less than sixty degrees, through a road of
three feet in width, a length of eight hundred yards, arrived at the
coal mine, which appearing about five feet through the roof, was
supported by many posts, the area being about twenty feet square
and height scarce four. Frora this disraal abode, which my com
panion, whose name was Chandler, would fain have dissuaded me
from proceeding to visit, after remaining a few minutes, I hastened
back to our boat. One may go six miles by water in various
directions, the wagon ways to the pits lying below the level of the
water ; it is said the distance from the mouth is six miles in the

136 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
funnel. A hundred men are daily employed, and each turns out
a ton a day ; the miners' wages two shillings, and the laborers'
about one shiUing, Price of coal at the pit twopence per hundred
weight ; at the key threepence halfpenny, and at the door four-
pence halfpenny. The boat having left, we returned to town on
foot, five miles through fields and vacant lands.
The centre of this town of Manchester consists principally of
old buildings ; its streets narrow, irregularly buUt, with many capi
tal houses interspersed. By act of parliament old buildings are
taken down to enlarge the streets. It has a few good ones; King-
street is the best built, is long and sufficiently wide ; raost of its
houses noble. Great additions of buildings and streets are daUy
making, and of a larger size than at Birrainghara, nor have all the
new ones so dusky a face as in that town, and in that respect are
fairer and better ; for extent of ground whereon it stands, nor num
ber of inhabitants, does the latter exceed or in ray opinion come up
to it. The disposition and manners of this people, as given by
themselves, are inhospitable and boorish. I have seen nothing to
contradict this assertion, though my slender acquaintance will not
justify me in giving that character. In all the manufacturing
towns there is a jealousy and suspicion of strangers ; an acquaint
ance with one manufacturer effectually debars one from connection
with a second in the same business. It is with difficulty one is ad
mitted to see their works, and in many cases it is impracticable,
express prohibitions being given by the masters. The dissenters
are some of the most wealthy merchants and manufacturers here,
but mortally abhorred by the Jacobites. The dress of the people
here savors not much of the London mode in general ; the people
are remarkable for coarseness of feature, and the language is unin
telligible. Manchester, June 8. Attended public worship at a dissenters'
meeting house, both services. Walked to the end of Danesgate,
and drank tea at our companion Nelson's lodgings ; and were
amused by the free and unrestrained chat of his landlady, naraed
Hudson, a quaker in religion, and jacobite in political principle.
The number of the latter description since the English prince
mounted the throne is somewhat lessened here, as I am told by our
landlady, who is in the abdicated family's interest, which is here

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 137
openly professed ; all of that party putting up large oak boughs
over their doors on the 29th May to express' joy at the glorious
event of the restoration of the Stuart family to the English throne ;
many such I saw. The ladles, who, if they take a part, are ever
violent, scruple not openly and without restraint to drink Prince
Charles's health, and express their wishes for his restoration to his
paternal kingdoms. I saw the house wherein the prince, as he is
called, dwelt whilst here, (at the time of his invasion ;) the
gentleman and his family still remain in it, and steady to their prin
ciples, which, however, did not hur^y thera into lengths that ex
posed thera to the resentment of government. His name is Dixon,
and his house is in Market-street lane, on the left as one goes
from the market ; and our host, a Mr. Bower, with whom we pass
ed a very social evening at his house in Leigh-street, told us Lord
John Murray and his secretary lodged at his house at that time.
One of those executed here in the last rebellion was a son of a
woman who had borne twenty-nine children.
June 9, Passed the day in rambling about town with our
new-found companion. Nelson.
June 11. Having agreed to join Mr. Nelson in a post-chaise
to York, in the neighborhood of which we propose to cease from
our labors, and hoping the rewards of a cheap plentiful country to
reside in for some time, for this purpose we went to engage a chaise
at the old " White Swan Inn," where we saw three young country
men, a "Capt. Gore, Mr. Joy and son, at the end of their ramble
northward from London, designing to return to Bristol by way of
Wolverhampton. My fellow traveller on this discovery, tired of
his expensive ramble, imraedlately took fire and determined to
abandon me, and accompany thera on their intended route ; loth to
part in this quarter and in the situation I was then in, for certain
prudential reasons, agreed to his fantastic plan, though entirely
contrary to ray wish and views ; and having disengaged ourselves
frora Mr. Nelson, to his mortification, engaged a post-chaise to
Macclesfield. On the 12th June we proceeded on through a road
of seven miles paved with pebbles to Stockport, a considerable
town, having sorae reputable buildings ; its streets are narrow and
paved. From hence to Macclesfield lying in Cheshire about twelve
mUes, being our first stage from Manchester. At five miles from
18

138 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
this is the seat of Sir George Warren, surrounded by finely im
proved lands and pleasure grounds, lying on my left. A little
beyond on the right is the seat of Charies Leigh, Esq., possessed
of four thousand a year, and of a considerable tract adjoining to
Manchester, which he has laid out in streets to be let on buUding
leases. At Macclesfield we alighted, breakfasted, etc., departed
for Leek, a distance of thirteen miles ; the former town has a silk
mill or mUls, and a manufactory which appears not to have much
business. The town in general is ill built, the houses, as in most
manufacturing places, of raost credit in its environs. From the
George inn we departed not greatly pleased with the host's attend
ance, nor I with my companion's behavior here.
Leek, at which I now am, has a manufactory of sUk and rib
bons, and one for hair-buttons ; the former chiefly for the great
dealers at Coventry, though very largely for foreign orders and the
London supply, as well as the inland towns. From hence to
Sandon, called in this country language Sand, is a distance of
eighteen miles, which we were four hours in passing. Here we
alighted at " the Dog and Duck," supped and lodged ; the former
as quietly served up, and as genteelly, as could be in London ; the
town is small, houses scattering, and of an indifferent aspect,
June 13. Departed without breakfast for Stafford, the coun
ty town ; the roads in general are sandy, but on our approaching
the town, the lands assumed a better face. The main street through
which we passed is paved, the houses well built, full shops, and an
appearance of business and of wealth. On our right, at the dis
tance of a mile, stands on the summit of an insulated hill, cut, as
should seem, by art into a cone about one third down, a stone edifice,
like a lofty tower, which is the only remains of Stafford Castle,
making an agreeable object to a traveller. Frora hence the lands
and roads are greatly altered for the better ; fine pastures, excel
lent live hedge fences, and rows of trees in great abundance. Our
next stage was a distance of ten miles, at a place called Penkridge ;
here again we took another driver, carriage and horses, and
through a most excellent turnpike road and a delightfully improved
country, arrived at the old " Angel Inn," Wolverhampton, where
we dined, and having despatched a messenger for my old friend
Timmins, he soon arrived ; by his invitation accompanied him and

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 139
our companion to see the great manufactory of Taylor and Jones,
(who are also exporting merchants,) for japanning tin, paper snuff
boxes, iron tools, etc. This town is large, has a capital manufacto
ry in the lock and hinge way, and most other branches of the iron
business, and is supposed to contain twenty thousand inhabitants.
Like all the old towns it is ill built, and like Birmingham has
a dusky look. Once for all, its numbers I judge are overrated ;
every town and borough is so. After repeated invitations to re
main we departed before six o'clock for Stourbridge, distant ten
miles, to which we arrived at half past seven, being driven Jehu
like through roads as level, hard and pleasant as a garden gravel
walk ; the country yielding a pleasant view frora good husbandry?
fruitful soU, lofty trees and live hedges. We were agreeably dis
appointed, for instead of a pitiful, mean town, as its avenues seemed
to threaten, we found a well built, large, lively and rich town,
having a noble, wide and convenient street a mile long, with cross
streets well paved. It is faraous for glass, nails, heavy iron work,
as anvils, etc, and some cloth manufactories. After rambling for
an hour over the town, we supped and retired to rest.
Stourbridge, June 14. Set off at eight o'clock and arrived at
the " Crown" inn, Bromesgrove, twelve mUes, at ten ; a respectable
town, but it contains no large manufactories ; the only one of any
consideration is for linen cloth. The lands about here In an exceUent
state of husbandry and fertile ; farm-houses and gentlemen's seats
more numerous in this and the foUowing stage than on any road
we had passed in this route, except the west riding of Yorkshire,
to which it bears a comparison. Were set down at the Bell inn.
Broad-street, Worcester, at twelve o'clock ; a very handsome,
well built city, having spacious, airy streets, a noble cathedral and
elegant modern houses ; its shops large and well filled, the town
lively and full of business ; its inhabitants have the character of
being polite and genteel, and indeed they have more the air of Lon
doners than at any place I have seen. The Severn runs on one
side of the city, hy which conveyance is easy to Gloucester, the
distance being twenty-eight miles, performed in seven hours in
small vessels. Here is a manufacture of porcelain, said to be the
hest made in England. While rambling through the streets we
fell by accident into the cathedral green, and meeting a boy with

140 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
a prayer book in one hand and the church key in the other, he
accosted us with," Gentlemen, are ye a mind to go into the church 1"
and on our answering in the affirmative, the doorkeeper admitted
us. It has many old monuments, (as weU as modern,) particularly
that of King John, whose body by his desire was buried in the choir
just before the high altar, over whiph spot is a flat statue of him.
Here also lies in a little chapel the body of Prince Arthur, eldest
son of Henry VIL, and likewise an Oswald, a bishop of this
see before the Norman conquest ; the only modern I thought worthy
to remember, is the worthy Dr. Hough, about forty years since a
ibishop of this see. The chapter house, also used as a library, is of
an oval form, and its walls to a considerable height covered with
cases faced with glass, and very well filled with books. In tbis
city is a raagnificent town haU, having below many full length
portraits. This being raarket day the streets were so thronged that
our chaise could scarce make its way through to the inn. Having
spent four hours in this beautiful and pleasant place, we departed
for Tewksbury, a considerable town ; here the apple orchards
began to appear of uncommon height and bigness. From the
western quarter of Staffordshire to the very houses of Bristol,
through the delightful counties of Worcester and Gloucester, the
fields, pastures and enclosures have an uncommon richness and
verdure ; fruit and forest trees in greater abundance and larger
girth and greater height than are to be seen elsewhere in England.
Tewksbury has no capital manufacture except for white cotton
stockings, for which it is noted. It is remarkable, however, for a
parish church one hundred and seven yards long, and more than
twenty-five broad ; its roof supported by round shafted piUars seven
yards in girth, contains several old raonuments. The first I observed
was Richard Nevil, the great Earl of Warwick, called the king
maker, raised on a lofty monument scarce as big as the life, in a
kneeling posture with uplifted closed hands; in a chapel are
decumbent his daughter and her husband George, Duke of Clarence;
and in a flat grave just before the door of the choir, is the tomb of
Henry, son of the unfortunate Henry VI.
June 15. From the Sun inn, Tewksbury, we departad before
breakfast, and through rough and dirty roads arrived at the " Bell"
inn, Gloucester, at nine o'clock ; notwithstanding the fine plenti-

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 141
ful harvests of corn, cider, and pasturage, for which this county is
noted, for railes around the city the houses are small, dirty, and in
ill repair, the avenues slovenly, fences and walls in a ruinous state,
the barns generally of wood, all tottering to their fall ; the bridges
the meanest and in the worst condition anywhere to be passed. After
breakfast and dressing, we all attended worship in the cathedral,
being decently and respectfully provided with seats in the choir ;
the service was chanted. The dean and sub-dean performed the
communion service. From church I repaired to our inn, leaving
my fellow travellers to pursue their ramble tUl dinner time. Dirty
narrow streets, and mean, ill repaired houses, constitute too great a
part of this city to render it an agreeable residence. After dinner,
young Joy and I rambled into the cathedral ; the cloisters are reck
oned the finest in England ; after viewing them we retreated into
the church, and meeting one of the vergers, were conducted by
him to the old raonuments. Thence back to the inn, when we
took coach and left the city, part of our company being already
gone. The next stage was at Newport, consisting only of four
inns and a dissenting meeting house, distant from our last stage
fifteen miles, and from Bristol eighteen ; the roads are dirty and
rough, the slovenliness of the farmers' houses and the richness of
soU, were as before ; here we lodged.
Jfewport, June 16. After breakfast departed alone, our fellow
travellers being already gone, and at twelve o'clock alighted at
the " White Lion" inn, Broad-street, Bristol ; dined and afterwards
visited Radcliffe church : drank tea at Mr. Waldo's.
Bristol, June 17. Breakfasted at Mr. Waldo's ; walked to
Hot Wells, and Mr. Gouldney's grotto ; after dinner accompanied
my fellow travellers to Taylor's glass works ; in our way through
" Long-row," were attacked by the virulent tongue of a vixen,
who saluted us by the names of " damned American rebels," etc.
In our return frora Hot Wells, we passed a person dressed in green,
with a small round hat flapped before, very like an English coun
try gentleman, who is the supposed Count Falkenstein, under
which character the Emperor of Germany travels incog. Remov
ed our trunks to a Mr. Sladen's in Queen's square.

142 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,

CHAPTER VII.
Bristol, June 18, 1777. This being the day in which Mr,
Chester, the county member elect, is to make his triumphal entry
into the city, it was ushered in by ringing of bells and discharging
of cannon, the noise of which early disturbed my rest. On the
towers of all the churches were displayed colors and jacks ; en
signs and pendants on most of the vessels at the quays. On Bran
don hUl were placed twenty-two cannon, discharging several rounds
in the day, answered by the vessels. After dinner I strolled through
the streets that were lined with people, reaching from the extent
of the city on the farther side quite through and up to the rising
grounds on the Down, beyond Park-street, the windows on each
side filled to behold the great man. My stand was on the open
space on the hither side of the bridge over the Frome ; the pro
cession began at seven o'clock ; footmen two and two, then follow
ed others on horseback, two and two in the centre. Mr. Chester pre
ceded, and was followed by more than a thousand persons, of whora
one hundred and fifty were mounted and clad in new blue coats
and breeches, with buff waistcoats, the Duke of Beaufort's hunting
garb. These were headed by the champion dressed in blue silk,
armed cap-a-pie, and at all points, bearing in his hand a raace that
he waved every hundred steps ; stopping his horse at the sarae
time, on which arose three loud huzzas. The rear was brought
up by nearly a hundred carriages ; the day was devoted to mirth
and festivity, nor was the following night without its share. The
Duke of Beaufort, whose man Mr. Chester was, privately left the
procession just before its arrival in town, and took a stand in a
friend's house with his duchess to see the parade through the
town, and enjoy the triumph over his rival without observation.
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH, DEVON.
Bristol, June 19, 1777.
Dear Sir :
After a long, expensive, and not very pleasing tour, I am at

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 143
length set down, for some weeks' abode at least, in this city. My
experience, dearly enough bought, teaches me that manufacturing
towns are not proper places of residence for idle people, either on
account of pleasure or profit ; — the expenses of living being as high
almost as at St, James's in every such town, how far distant soever
from the capital. The spirit of bargaining and taking advantage
runs through every line of life there, but in the north it is cruelly
predominant. I know not but I may ramble before cold weather
again to the west, for Exeter with all its faults is paradise itself to
Manchester or any town in the north I have seen.
Having by accident met Mr. John Boylston in the American
Coffee-house, who informs me he Is going off to-morrow for Exeter,
I would not fail to embrace so fair an opportunity to let you hear
from rae, though I had nothing but that simple article to acquaint
you with. Nothing will yield me more satisfaction than to hear of
your and my other friends' welfare in the west. I had the pleasure
to see Counsellor White, now on a tour through North Wales, &c.;
be pleased to make my corapliraents to his faraily and my acquaint
ance in your neighborhood. God bless your reverence, and suc
ceed your pious endeavors to reform your flock. You have mine,
and I hope for your prayers, and remain, Your assured friend,
S. CuRWEN.
June 22, Walked to the cathedral, entering just as service
was about to be begun, Mr. Haynes, a canon, preached ; a likely
figure, but a dull heavy writer and speaker : — the church is kept
in nice order. One half of this buUding was demolished by Crom
well when he bombarded it, and forced Prince Rupert to retire,
who for some tirae kept him out, but was at last forced to abandon
it. From hence adjourned to the mayor's chapel, in which I saw
several monuments erected A. D. 1268-9, it having been I pre
sume the chapel of a knight templar's house. Here we heard the
conclusion of an excellent sermon by the chaplain, Mr. Ireland.
In the afternoon, attended worship at St. Stephen's. Evening, at
Mr, J. Waldo's, in Brunswick square.
June 25. Passed the afternoon and evening at Mr. Barnes' at

144 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777
quadrUle with Mr. Waldo and Mr. Oxnard ; also met S. Porter
there, on his return from Wales.
June 26. In the evening stopped in our rambles at Lady Hunt
ingdon's chapel, where heard a sensible preacher on the doctrine
of love. June 27, Walked out with Mr. SewaU and Mr. Oxnard through
Stapleton to the late Lord Bottetourt's seat and pleasure grounds,
now the duchess dowager of Beaufort's ; the house is situated on
the brow of a hill, standing on a lofty foundation of stone ; its front,
as approached from Stapleton, has each angle covered with six
square towers, and between an open piazza below; the whole
house crowned with battlements. It is built of white stone, and
possesses an extensive view of the pleasure grounds, and a finely
improved country all before it. After tea took a second ramble to
Bedmlnster church-yard.
June 29. Attended worship at the mayor's chapel, met Mr.
Boutlneau, with whom we took a few rounds in the college green
amidst genteel company, and received invitations to tea. In the
afternoon, meeting Mr. Barnes and F. Waldo, we joined them going
to St. Nicholas' church; a Dr. Buck preached an excellent sermon,
and delivered it with great propriety and fervency.
TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON.
Queen's Square, Bristol, July 8, 1777.
Dear Sir :
After a long and expensive ramble to no good purpose, I am
at length in this city, proposing to make it ray abode for a month
or longer ; — to what place I shall retreat from hence I am unde
termined, though somewhere to the west, as that is a quarter of
great plenty and of the least expense. The report of the cheap
ness of living in Yorkshire is a mere fable, especially in or near the
neighborhood of the manufacturing towns, in the west riding, or
even in Lancashire as far as Manchester, which last place nothing
but interest or superior motives could confine me to.
The distance I ara from London, (and probably shall be for
many months,) wiU deprive me of hearing or reading the current
news, but few papers falling into my hands ; and coffee-houses, the

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 145
resort of newsmongers and political dabblers, I rarely enter ; so if
you will now and then employ a few of your leisure moments to
let me hear from you, I shall esteem it a favor.
I am, dear sir, very truly yours,
S. Curwen.
July 9. Walked five miles out to see Dundry tower, the steeple
so called of a church situated on a lofty ridge commanding an ex
tensive prospect over the Severn into Wales, far into the St.
George's Channel, into Somerset, Gloucestershire, and far beyond.
Strolling along the quay, met a Swansea coaster, and partly agreed
to make a tour through the southern and western parts of Wales,
July 11, Went to the theatre ; saw the West Indian and the
Misers, the former entertaining ; Major O'Flaherty well taken off
by Mr, Moody, the best imitation of an Irishman I ever saw ; -the
latter an unnatural plot, and but illy performed to a very full
house. July 17, Set off on horseback for Bath ; fine roads, sun ex
cessively hot and scorching, almost choked by the dust which arose
in clouds by the carriages and horses we overtook in great num
bers. Alighted at the Shakspeare inn. High-street; visited the
public places of resort ; rambled about the city, dined, and at four
o'clock departed by the way of Keynsham for Bristol.
July 18. Drank tea with Mr. Francis Waldo at his lodgings ;
afterwards adjourned to the theatre, where I was agreeably enter
tained. July 23, This day news arrived of the capture of the Fox,
man-of-war, of twenty-eight guns, by some American privateers.
Unless more spirited measures take place, or others are employed
to plan or execute, I know not whether this island itself will not
be surrounded by ships from the western continent and their allies.
Two ships, just sailed from Bristol, were taken ka St. George's
channel ; and several to and from Ireland, etc., withiii a month.
The nation is in a lethargy, and for aught that appears is like to
continue so ; treachery, venality, or inability, will, it is to be
feared, destroy this devoted people,
July 24, News vi& Liverpool ; Gen. Howe burnt Brunswick
about 20th June, broke up his camp, going to abandon the Jerseys,
19

146 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777.
to Strengthen his lines at Kingsbridge, apprehending an attack
there; and with the remainder of his forces and the ships to go up
the North river on a secret expedition. The Boston fleet of eigh
teen privateers saUed with orders to keep together for twenty-five
days, and afterwards each to repair to their several destinations. The
Newfoundland fishery disturbed, the ships on Grand Bank scattered ;
some sunk, the whole almost dispersed and ruined, London and
the trading parts, even those attached to the government, I am told,
begin to grow very uneasy and talk loud. If it should continue,
a change in administration must succeed. Alas ! to what a low
ebb is this nation fallen, that lately gave law to the potent states
of France and Spain, in a contest confessedly unequal on the side
of its own subjects ; but such is the state of human affairs. Go
liath was humbled and slain by little David, and those provinces
that lately sued to Great Britain for protection and aid, now boldly
defy and enter the lists against that very power.
July 26. Took passage to Swansea with Capt, Hawkins, and
at eleven o'clock, with two pUot boats ahead, cast off from the
quay. In four hours discharged our pilot boat in King Road, five
miles from Bristol; we soon grounded, and there remained all
night. The return of the ebb served instead of a favorable wind,
to carry us to our port of destination. Indeed, it was, as the
sailors say, right in our teeth ; the strength however of the current
is such as to overpower a light gale, in which case vessels coming
in or going out drop anchor during the ebb or flood, when unfa
vorable. This night proved dark and misty; just after midnight
we dropped anchor; daylight discovered the master's judgment in
selecting his ground to anchor on. W^e arrived without harm to a
stony beach called the ferry place, below the quay about a quarter
of a mile,
Swansea, July 29. Attended a court-baron, instituted for de
termining pecuMpry cases under forty shillings, and is equivalent to
our justice's court in New England ; it is, I presume, appendant to
every raanor, the lords of which have the nominating, if not the
appointing ofthe officers to this trust. The manor in which this town
lies is called Gower, and belongs to the Duke of Beaufort, who
chooses its chief magistrate, called Portreve ; the present is Mr.
Gabriel Powel, justice also in the former court, and whom I saw on

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 147
the bench. This town is the first in Glamorganshire for commerce
and manufactures, twelve hundred vessels being yearly employed;
its staples are coals, copper-plates, and white iron. The ore for
the former, and blocks for the latter, are brought hither in their
own vessels from Cornwall, and when manufactured, transported
to Bristol chiefly. The town consists of twenty-five hundred in
habitants, who occupy about three hundred and fifty houses, few
elegant or large ; a market-house, erected at Cromwell's expense,
the inhabitants being in his interest. Here are several Episcopal
and Dissenting churches, a synagogue and Quaker raeeting-house.
Service is said and sermons preached in the Welsh tongue once in
three weeks. A custom prevails here of raising the earth on the
summit of the grave in the forra and size of the coffin beneath, and
sticking in herbs and flowers, and during the season of roses, of
spreading the leaves thereon. The country inhabitants alraost uni
versally use the Welsh as their mother tongue, scarcely understand
ing a word ofthe Enghsh, which they call Sasnlc, meaning Saxon,
to distinguish it frora the true British, which was on the invasion
narrowed to the small districts of Wales and Cornwall ; English in
this principality is taught as the dead languages by the grammar.
In a place called Gower the inhabitants speak no Welsh, but be
yond they talk in no other tongue ; in the midland counties scarce
any thing but Welsh is spoken or known. Pembrokeshire was
settled some ages since by Yorkshire and west country folks, whose
descendants retain their native tongue, and are ignorant of the
country speech. In general the inhabitants affect to speak of Eng
land as a foreign country, and as we on the west of the Atlantic,
saying from England, to England, etc. The Welsh appear a
hardy race, short, clumsy, and strongly buUt. The extensive white
iron or tin plate works, and copper also, which abound, I fancy is
prejudicial to the products of the earth ; and the appearance of the
land justifies the opinion. I am told the land is good, but I confess
it has a dreary look ; the lofty hUls are, however, enlivemed, though
bare of trees, (their natural vesture,) by the great number of small
huts, so prettily and agreeably scattered over the sides of the hills,
being painted white, with the fences or stone walls encompassing
them, or forming the courts or yards.
July 30, A stranger sent in his name, Calvert, desiring an in-

148 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
troduction to me; he had married a niece of the late Mr, Gwynn,
of Newburyport, Massachusetts, who was one of the co-heiresses,
and he wished to inquire about his late uncle's affairs ; but I could
give only an imperfect account ; when I last saw his uncle he had
a wife and effects, supposed about two thousand pounds. I took
breakfast with Mr. Calvert, and one of the company was the Dr,
Collins to whora I had a letter from Mr. Barnes; but he not
choosing to make himself known, we took no notice of each other,
though we were both apprised of our meeting together, which I
thought on his part an impropriety. My companion's capricious
resolution to return back, and the ill reception of my letter, were
considerations that prevailed with me to accompany him, and we
imraedlately set about preparing for a departure ; and thus was my
design of remaining some months in this principality frustrated by
an injudicious connection which might have been foreseen and
avoided. It is with no little reluctance I abandon my only inten
tion of coming to these parts, which was to possess myself of the
knowledge of the peculiar manners, customs, and language of these
genuine descendants of the old Celts, that had long been the object
of my wishes, and I greatly regret my facility in giving it up.
But an unseasonable, ill-placed compliance, or perhaps want of
proper resolution to undertake a solitary residence in a district of
an unknown people, of a strange language, might have co-operated
to produce my determination. In passing the road I reckoned one
hundred and thirty chimneys in the great copper works lying on
the banks of the Swansea, a river just above the town. Dined and
took leave, and bent my course to the ferry ; was soon wafted over
the river Tawy in a boat guided by a rope, the rapidity of the
tide rendering such an expedient necessary ; having landed, we
jumped into a carriage standing on the shore ready to receive us.
The next town is Neath, which consists of about one hundred
and fifty houses, and is situated on the Bristol Channel, or about
the embouchure of the Severn ; it is a place of sorae trade in the
same way as the former, though not to so great an extent.
On the farther side of the river are the remains of a magnificent
monastery, but under what denomination its former occupants were,
I did not learn, having only a passing view. Just beyond the
town on the same side of the river, are the seat and grounds of Sir

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 149
Herbert Mackworth, under excellent iraprovement. Standing in
the court of the inn, I heard one tell another that the lad then
passing by, was the male descendant of hira whose name was
Pendrell, by whom King Charles II, was concealed on the oak at
Boscobel, (now standing,) after Cromwell's defeat of the Scotch
army at Worcester.
JVeath, July 31. Left the inn at eight o'clock, and ahghted at
the Bear inn, Cowbridge, twelve mUes ; a long, straggling town,
of better built houses, and to appearance larger than Neath, though
of less trade. Changed horses and started for Cardiff, where we
alighted in two hours, distance twelve miles. It is a small but
neat and clean town, the shire town of the county of Glamorgan ;
streets well paved ; has one Episcopal church, houses modern, but
none lofty or much decorated. The inhabitants here and farther
on towards Monmouth, begin to anglicize and lose the Welsh lan
guage and manners, few or none speaking it in town, though the
mountaineers all over the principality make it their mother tongue,
and politically, and I think prudently, continue it. The viUages
and towns that have the least connection with trade, retain their
original tongue in greater use. North Wales, more particularly
than South, has less mixture of foreigners. After an hour's rest,
we set off in a post-chaise for the mountain country, to obtain a
sight of a singular bridge over the river Taaffe, consisting of only
one arch, spreading one hundred and forty-two feet. In height thir
ty-four above the water. This surprising undertaking was planned,
and after two disappointments, executed by a mason named Tho
mas Edwards, still living : — it is said to be the greatest work of the
kind in the world, exceeding the Rlalto at Venice. Visitors say
it would do honor to Roman magnificence in the most flourishing
times of the empire. Asking a question of a passenger, he replied,
" Dim Saesneg," which was as rauch as if he had said, " / do not
understand English."
Cardiff, August 1. After breakfast walked through the town
to the castle, remarkable for its being the prison of the unfortunate
Robert, eldest son of the first WUUam, and Duke of Normandy,
who was not only deprived of his right to that dukedom, and the
kingdom of England, the governraent of which last was his by
right of primogeniture ; but being made a prisoner by his younger

150 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
brother Henry, he languished here twenty-six years, till death
kindly released him, at once, from captivity and suffering. This
castle is almost entire, and seems less ruined than any of the an
cient ones not in possession of the crown. The dungeon where
the prince was kept is shown ; it lies under the outward tower, the
descent by six steps, secured by two doors, one within another ;
the apartment about eighteen feet high and the same in diameter ;
of an octagon form, having an arched roof, admitting no hght but
through a wicket just under the covering, jutting out frora the body
of the tower. The extent of the castle within the walls is about
twelve acres. ,
From hence repaired to the inn, and took carriage for Newport.
After my departure learned that a daughter of the late Parsoh
Pigot of Marblehead, was an inhabitant of this place. Arrived at
Newport at twelve, and remained an hour, rambling through the
town, which, like Cowbridge, is long and straggling, and the
¦houses of a mean appearance. On the bank of the river Uske,
near the foot of the bridge on the town side, are the remains of an
old castle in ruins, reduced by Cromwell to its present state, as, I
am told, were all the castles in this country, where they abounded,
scarce a town being without one ; passed by several in sight of
the road, and all in a like decaying condition. At the inn we
dined, and loitered till five o'clock, waiting for the flow of the tide,
and then with a fair but faint breeze, entered the boat and loosed
from the Welsh shore. In forty minutes arrived at the Gloucester
side, and waited no longer than whUe the horses were putting to ;
and taking our seats, were conveyed across a pleasant, extensive
country, filled with herds of black cattle and large flocks of sheep,
bordered by a circular range of finely improved hills. In an hour
arrived at the city end of Durdham Down, and^soon alighted at our
late lodgings in Queen's square, having finished a tour of two hun
dred miles in seven days. From henceforth determined to consult
the genius, turn, and temper of ray future companions ; my late
fellow traveUer's want of curiosity, etc. etc, renders him a very
unfit companion, and frustrates every purpose of rambling.
Bristol, August 3, Attended worship at St. Stephen's ; Dean
Tucker preached. Returned home via Hot Wells. '

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 151
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH, DEVON.
Bristol, August 4, 1777.
Dear Sir :
The dark aspect of affairs in America on the side of govern
ment, renders it likely that England or some foreign country will,
for many months to come, be the residence of the wretched Araer-
ican fugitives. Our head-quarter folks have, I learn, lowered
their topsails, and talk in a less positive strain ; fear and appre
hensions seera to have succeeded assurance.
Of late I made a short ramble into Wales, and over many emi
nences, to which the hills in Devon are not to be compared ; the
middling and poor inhabitants are not unlike our Indians, though
inferior in size ; their manners as coarse and language as uncouth,
differing from the English as much as their customs, many of which
are peculiar. The outside of all their houses and walls is kept
white-washed, at a distance giving them a lively and pleasant
look ; the inside is filthy enough. The women, like our Indian
squaws, carry their young slung round them, some before and some
behind their backs, Cardiff, the chief town of the county, is near
the bank ofthe river Taaffe, and in a pleasant vale of fine improve
ments, surrounded by high raountains, cultivated to their summits.
Within two miles, and in sight, is the town of Llandaff, having a
cathedral of a respectable appearance : — the churches in this coun
try, however, make but an indifferent appearance, being of dimin
utive size. About twelve miles frora this toward the mountains,
my curiosity carried me to view a most astonishing piece of archi
tecture in a bridge, called bont-y-pridd, consisting of one arch, in
span one hundred and forty-two feet, and rising frora the spring of
the arch thirty-four ; planned and executed by a common mason,
who is now employed at a similar work In Radnor, This natural
architect is also to execute another bridge at Swansea, over the
river Tawy, the middle arch of it to rise one hundred and eight
feet above the surface of the water at full sea, and of a width suf
ficient for a large vessel to pass through. Yours,
S. Curwen.

152 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
August 7. Attended worship at the college ; Bishop Newton,
well known in the learned world by his writings, confirmed about
nine score persons, chiefly females, frora fourteen to thirty years of
age, August 10, Attended worship at Mayor's Chapel, Baron Ho-
tham, the nisi prius judge, present, accompanied by the mayor, in
their formalities, TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, DEVON.
Bristol, August 1 5, 1777.
Dear Sir:
A late rumor from the south that had exhilarated our sinking
spirits, is now raomently abating of its credibility, though it was
told in a way and with circumstances that induced a universal be
lief. The report I refer to you must undoubtedly have heard. My
faith in a speedy return to our native country is, as it ever has
heen, faint ; those, on the contrary, with whom it is ray fate to
bear corapany, have cherished, and still please themselves with the
fond, delusive hope that the disturbances on the western continent
will subside upon the least success of the British arras, and hourly
expect to hear of Gen. Burgoyne's arrival at Albany ; from whence
they date the end of troubles there. But supposing that to take
place, I foresee a great deal to be done before the fierce spirits
of the people in America will settle down into a submission to a
power they dread, and have been taught to detest. Besides, I
cannot help thinking France will Interpose and prevent a future
connection between Great Britain and the colonies ; perhaps, not
thinking it prudent to declare whUst the recovery of them remains
doubtful. This you may call a suggestion of fear, and it may be
the effect of a sickly disturbed imagination ; I presume, however,
I am not a singular instance. With real regard, yours, etc.
S. Curwen,
August 19. By the ship Lady Gage, from New- York, July
15th, advices that General Heister is returning to Europe;
that the troops are withdrawn from the Jerseys; that Lord
Howe and General Howe are embarking, destination unknown ; —

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 153
discouraging news for government, and is a convincing proof I
should think that an Insurrection excited by an enthusiastic ardor
for liberty, rightly or wrongly understood, and in such distant pro
vinces, is not to be easily quelled. A contemptuous idea of the
weakness of the colonies, and their inabUlty to withstand the pow
er of this opulent state, Is the chief if not the only source of the
present discouraging condition of their affairs in North America,
August 20. Advices from New-York are that General Pres
cott was surprised and carried off at midnight from a detached
house a little beyond his line, by a few daring sailors who landed
on the island. This was done in revenge for General Prescott's
setting a price on General Arnold's head, dead or alive, to be
brought in. General Pigot succeeds the former in command. That
Lord Howe and General Howe were soon to leave New-York with
seventeen thousand troops, destination not known, supposed north
ward, to act in concert with General St. Leger, "who is coming
down through the Mohawk country. That General Burgoyne has
taken Ticonderoga, and a confirmation of the capture of the " Fox"
man-of-war by the Hancock and Boston privateers. 'Tis also
stated that the Massachusetts people begin to be discontented, and
accuse each other of folly in engaging in an opposition that seems
to promise such bitter fruits. Should Great Britain be able to
establish a line of communication between Canada and New-York,
and thereby separate the northern colonies from the southern, wo
to the promoters and abettors of these disputes, and good-by to Con
gressional authority. The Indians will naturally fall into the hea
viest scale, especially when enforced by such powerful motives as
Great Britain can offer. Should that event take place, God pre
serve my poor country from the desolating judgraents — frora a mer
ciless savage war,
August 26, Intending for a long walk, took ray course for
Rownham passage, proceeding over Lelghdown through a Mrs. Gor
don's grounds, late Lady Trenchard, which she exchanged for a
husband. This house sheltered King Charles II. after his defeat
and flight from Worcester ; he was in the kitchen when his pursu
ers entered, in the character of a scullion, and the cook maid struck
him with a ladle, calling hira a careless dog, and ordering hira to wind,
up the jack, which he obeyed, getting on a stool for the purpose.
20

154 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777,
The house is a large, noble, old-fashioned structure. In the court
yard is a piece of water filled with carp. Dined at King's Weston,
and returned to lodgings much fatigued. King's Weston is an
estate belonging to Lord Clifford, family name Southwell. At the
inn I heard that Lord and Lady Clifford had that morning set off
for France, on account of the Ul health of the latter, leaving a deai^
child in ^he house to be buried when convenient.
August 28. The annual Gloucestershire feast this day ; the
procession, headed by the Duke of Beaufort, walked from Concert
Hall to the inn,
Sept. 2. Had a passing view of the half yearly fair held in St,
James's church-yard. Saw exposed in huts, sheds, etc., along the
street caUed Horse-fair, cloths, linen, hose, and every article in the
grocery and bauble way ; — besides the buyers, there were numer
ous flocks of such characters as compose our Cambridge Common
gentry on commencement days, and for the like purposes, festivity
and fuddling.
Sept. 3, Evening at Judge Sewall's, who introduced me to
Dean Tucker, a famous political divine and anti-colonist, who
judges thera a burden to Great Britain, and presses adrainistration
to cast them off,
Sept. 6. Had an hour's conversation with a stranger on
'change; a rare event, people in England being greatly indisposed
to join with unknown persons. The Bristollans are, however, re
markable for early inquiries into the character of all strangers, from
commercial motives, and soon fasten on all worth making a pro
perty of, if practicable ; all others, of how great estimation soever,
are in general neglected. This city is remarkable for sharp deal
ings ; there runs a proverb, " one Jew is equal to two Genoese, one
Bristolian to two Jews."
Sept. 7. At the college, the cathedral so called, Dr. Stone-
house preached ; he was a practitioner of medicine, and has now
turned his attention to spiritual maladies. His discourse serious
and sensible, and his delivery with becoraing energy, very unlike
the insipid coldness prevalent among the preferment-seeking,
amusement-hunting, "; macaroni parsons," who, to the shame and
dishonor of this age and nation, constitute the bulk of those of the
established clergy that possess valuable livings.

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 155
In the afternoon, walked to a street adjoining King's square to
attend John Wesley's preachment; he being seated on a decent
scaffold, addressed about two thousand people, consisting of the
middle and lower ranks. The preacher's language was plain and
intelligible, without descending to vulgarisms.
Sept. 14. In the afternoon I attended once more John Wesley,
having the heavens for his canopy ; he began with an extempore
prayer, followed by a hymn of his own composing, and adapted to
the subject of his discourse. He wears his own gray hair, or a wig
so very like that my eye could not distinguish. He is not a grace
ful speaker, his voice being weak and harsh ; he is attended by
great numbers of the middling and lower classes ; is said to have
humanized the almost savage colliers of Kingswood, who, before
his time, were almost as fierce and unmanageable as the wild beasts
of the wilderness. He wears an Oxford master's gown ; his atten
tion seemingly not directed to manner and behavior, — not rude,
but negligent, dress cleanly, not neat. He is always visiting the
numerous societies of his own forming in England, Scotland, Wales,
and Ireland ; though near eiglity years old, he reads without spec
tacles the smallest print. He rises at four, preaches every day at
five, and once besides ; an uncommon instance of physical ability.
Sept. 26, It is reported that General Howe is gone to Boston,
and if he makes a successful landing, and is powerful enough to
penetrate into the country, wo betide my poor native land, A few
days wUl undeceive us with regard to the object of Gen, Howe's
expedition. Sept. 29, Mr, Timmins and Judge Sewall visited me. Even
ing at Mr. Barnes's, where took tea with thirteen Americans. The
Temple church is so denominated from its having belonged to the
knights templars, which powerful and dangerous body of men was
dissolved about A, D. 12704
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH.
Bristol, October 6, 1777.
Dear Sir :
It is my intention to pass a fortnight with you, and could wish,
if convenient, to raeet you at Exeter, I long expected the pleasure
of seeing you here, but now despair of it, having seen Mr, John

156 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
Waldo, who informs me you have laid aside all thoughts of a jour
ney northward. The number of our country folks here is eighteen,
viz. : Mr. Boutlneau and lady, Mr. Benjamin FaneuU and lady,
Judge SewaU and lady, Mr. Barnes and lady and niece, Mr. Fen
ton and daughter and son, Mr. Fr. Waldo, Mr. Timmins, Colonel
Hatch's two daughters at school, and myself.
Gov. Hutchinson, in a letter to Judge SewaU, writes that the
news respecting the defeat of the Americans at Saratoga is cor-
Toborated by other circumstances concurring to establish the credi-
>bihty ofthe heutenant's letter; the remainder of the story stands on
sits own bottom, or in other words is doubtful ; it is, however, be-
'lieved by some that two hundred of the royal army fell in the at
tack, and of the Americans fifteen hundred are killed, wounded,
and prisoners, with artillery and stores. He also writes that he
has it from high authority, that Lord George Germaine believes Lord
Howe gone to Chesapeake bay, but the King to the northward ;
my belief is that this is a stroke of court policy, to keep down
'discontent in the minds of people who begin to grow impatient.
Your real friend,
S, Curwen.

Oct. 4. Before the " Lexington " privateer was taken, she had
burnt, sunk, and destroyed fifty-two British vessels, on the coast of
Great Britain and Ireland, as appears by her log-book, as well as
by papers and letters found on board,
Oct. 21. Rose at six o'clock, and went a coursing with two
grayhounds and a spaniel for hares. Started one, and left her in
a turnip-field; returned about two o'clock, not greatly fatigued,
after a ramble of fifteen miles over hedge fences, ditches, etc.
Oct. 28. Had a sight of the Pennsylvania test, -which mani
fests a confidence in their ability to support their lately acquired
authority. It is a triumph to a few ; misery to many, I fear.
Oct. 31. Departed at four o'clock from Bristol, in the diligence,
with two other passengers, brothers ; the one a parson of cheerful
humor, and of the learned tribe; the other, late frora the East
Indies with a few thousand pounds, which he was early retiring to
enjoy whilst he had a relish for the pleasures of sense. Breakfasted

1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 157
at White Heart Cross, dined at Bridgewater, and at half past eight
alighted at Exeter, eighty-two railes in sixteen hours.
Exeter, JVovember 1. Departed on horseback, attended by a
servant with my portmanteau, and in three hours alighted at my
friend Isaac SraUh's lodgings at Sidmouth,
Sidmouth, JVov. 7. Rode to Beer, a fishing town, containing
perhaps a hundred houses, mud waUs and thatched roofs ; the in
habitants in looks and dress resembling Marblehead folks. Stop
ped on our return at a farm called Baldash ; met here Mr. Cornish,
dissenting minister of Collylon, who is a cordial advocate for
America and its independence ; he is for retiring to woods and
caves to avoid religious persecution.
JVov. 10. Started on horseback for Axminster, through Kil-
mington ; frora an eminence on the road is a delightful prospect of
the vale through which the Axe flows in a serpentine direction,
under fine improvement, bordered by hills of a moderate height ;
pastures and fields to the summit, from which saw Seaton at the
mouth of the river, supposed to have been a Roman port, no trace
of which reraains. In this road lies a stately old house, called Ashe,
wherein John ChurchUI, the great Duke of Marlborough, was born ;
a village of no account called Musbury, and at the extremity Ax
minster, where we dined at the Green Dragon, and were introduced
to the carpet manufactory, named from the town; invented and
still carried on by an ingenious and obliging person of the dissent
ing profession. Here is also wrought, besides his own, of a pecu
liar construction, Turkey carpet, so very like in figure, color, and
thickness, as not to be distinguished from the genuine article.
They are wrought in perpendicular looms, by females, whose fingers
move with a velocity beyond the power of the eye to follow. The
shute, consisting of as many colors as the shades of the figures, is
placed aloft on a bar, through rings running thereon, each ring
passing a distinct color through. There was making a beautiful
one of thirty-six feet square, (amounting to ninety-six pounds,) for
the Countess of Salisbury. The knowledge of this manufacture he
obtained thus : an old ragged fellow, in mUitary garb, called and
said he had wrought all over Europe in the Turkey carpet way ; he
was engaged immediately, and complete success has resulted, not
only in this kind but also in the Wilton and Axminster.

158 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777,
We passed a dirty road in the dark and alighted at Thorncorabe.
The late vicar was father of Comraodore Samuel Hood, who lately
commanded a squadron at Boston. Supped and passed the night
here, next morning left early ; at eleven o'clock arrived at Lyme
Regis, lying in south channel in an exposed situation : It is a place
of little trade, supplying the neighborhood with coals imported
here from the north. It is also a watering place, being accommo
dated with a few bathing machines, a terrace facing the beach, and
near adjoining for walking ; a long room for tea and cards, of a
southern aspect, and a neat assembly room. About twelve hun
dred inhabitants, (chiefly dissenters,) and about two hundred houses.
Here is now standing, the George inn, wherein the Duke of Mon
mouth first slept on his invasion. For the security of vessels coming
in here, there is a circular pier of several hundred running feet, built
by the ever famous Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, and from
him denominated the Cob. The next stage, Culllford, at Mr. John
Carsluck's seat of Wlshcombe, where we were kindly entertained
and lodged. This place is called from its situation; "wish," in
Devonshire dialect means weary, and " combe" vale, — which well
describes it,
JVov. 12. At meridian took leave and departed through the
country to Slade, seat of Mr, Lee, one of Mr. Smith's parishioners ;
called and notified him of our intention to dine, and passed forward
to Brunscorabe, consisting of five clusters of small huts of mud
walls and thatched roofs. This parish, formerly an estate ofthe
Brunscombe family, was given to a raonastery at Caen, in Nor
mandy, and remained appended to it till the downfall of popery in
England, Dined and took tea with Mr. Lee, and resuming our
saddles, took leave, and crossing Salcombe hills, alighted at our
lodgings, after a circuitous ramble of forty-seven railes in four days;
the roads for the greater part more dirty, stony, and disagreeable
than are generally to be passed in our own country,
Sidmouth, Jfov. 17. Took an airing over Peak hill, — evening
in a large company at Mr. WUliam Carsluck's; Coddington house
his seat ; took tea and a generous and elegant supper,
JVov. 18, Rode out, passing a farm called Thorn, frora a thorn
bush or tree standing on a road near by, said to be more than three
hundred years old.

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 159
JVov. 19. Rode to St. Mary, Ottery, about eight miles out ; it
is a parish, a hundred, and a raanor ; the lords, Sir George Young
and Sir John Duntze. It is situated in a vale, the river Otter run
ning through the midst, frora which the town takes its narae. The
centre is modern, built of brick, covered with pantUe, a fire some
years ago having destroyed the old buUdings, it has a market, an
Episcopal church in the cathedral style of buUding ; by tradition
erected in 1060, a few years before the Noiman invasion ; it has a
look of antiquity, and is marked with decay within and without.
JVov. 20, At ten o'clock departed from Ottery, and at one
ahghted in Exeter at my intended lodgings in Fore-street.
Exeter, JVov. 22, Walked abroad, had a conversation with
young Reed, just returned from Salem, having been carried In there
in a prize ; from whom I learnt there was no business scarcely but
privateering, which he represents as surprisingly successful.
By the papers, I learn the king in his speech takes notice of
" the obstinacy of his rebellious subjects in America," and promises
himself " all needful assistance from his faithful Commons." It
will be well if additional supplies, and an increase of foreign
troops, do not prove a source of intolerable evil. Would to God an
expedient could be devised to terminate this unnatural quarrel,
consistent with the honor of both parties ; but this I fear is a vain
wish. The Dutch, frora a sordid thirst of gain, the French, frora
their dread of the rising power of Great Britain united with the
colonies, and Spain, frora an attachment to the court of Versailles,
are too deeply concerned to permit a re-union. Lord Chatham, on
motion for an address in the king's speech, says, " Without an im
mediate restoration of tranquillity, this nation is ruined and undone.
What has been the conduct of ministers 1 Have they endeavored
to conciliate the affection and obedience of their ancient brethren?
They have gone to Germany, sought the alliance of every pitiful,
paltry prince, to cut the throats of their loyal, brave, and injured
brethren in America, They have entered into mercenary treaties
with those human butchers for the purchase and sale of human
blood. But, my lords, this is not all ; they have let the savages
of America loose upon their innocent and unoffending brethren,
upon the aged, weak, and defenceless ; on old raen, women, and
chUdren ; upon babes at the breast, to be cut, mangled, sacrificed.

160 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777.
burnt, roasted ; nay, to be eaten. These are the allies Great Bri
tain now has; carnage, desolation and destruction, wherever her
arms are carried, is her new adopted mode of making war. Our
ministers have made aUiances at German shambles, and with the
barbarians of America, with merciless torturers of their species,
Whora they will next apply to, I cannot tell." Such is Lord
Chatham's fire, such his o/atory, such his indignation against minis
terial measures.
Dec. 14. This day General Burgoyne's mortifying capitulation
arrived in town. Nothing could be more disgraceful and humilia
ting, unless a submission to the victor's power without terms. The
loss of the military chest estimated at seventy-five thousand pounds,
the finest train of artUlery ever sent out of this kingdom before ;
all the boasted acquisitions of the year's campaign gone at a
blow, and Canada on the point of joining the grand American
alliance. In the House of Commons, on the 12th inst., after Lord Bar-
rington's report of army estimates. Col. Barre rose and called on
Lord George Germaine to inform the house whether the report of
the surrender of General Burgoyne with his army and artillery was
true or false; which Lord George did in a short narrative, and said
intelligence had been received of the capture by the way of Quebec,
which struck the house with astonishment ; and after a short pause
Col. Barre rose, and with an averted look, said : " Great God !
who can refrain from rage and indignation when the planner of so
much misery relates with the utmost composure, the horrid tale of
a British army destroyed ? We all know the General's bravery
and skill ; he did not surrender whilst there was a possibility of
defence ; but while justice demands a just eulogium, what raust we
say of the raan who reduced so gallant an officer to so sad an alter
native without the smallest advantage to his country 1"
Dec. 18. From a correspondent at the west of the town, I
learn that the language about the court is nowise lowered by the
last news from America ; " delenda est Carthago." The old poli
ticians, neither biassed by hatred to Araericans, nor interested in the
destruction of the colonies, shake their heads at this language.
Dec. 25, Christmas. Service at cathedral. No shops opened
entirely, nor business publicly or generally carried on : — though

1777,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 161
the day is otherwise negligently enough observed, nor indeed can
more be expected, considering the low ebb of religion here.
Soon after the surrender of Burgoyne was announced by
Lord George Germaine in parliaraent, an adjournment took place
till after the holidays, whereupon Sir George Young, Mr, Baring,
the Exeter member, and Mr, Barre, hurried down, and it was sus
pected that this foreboded a new parliament, a new ministry, new
measures, and that the most active opposition is coming into play ;
a few days will undeceive the public, however. On confirmation
of the American news, Manchester offered to raise a thousand men
at their own expense, to be ready for service in Araerica in two
months, and was followed soon after by Liverpool, It is said there
are to be proposals for raising two thousand men out of each
parish through the kingdom; that the American secretary wUt
resign, and Lord Hillsborough succeed him.
Dec. 31. The lenity shown to General Burgoyne and his army
is allowed on all hands to do more honor to Araerica, than the lau
rels, reaped by the Howes, can bring to this distracted country. God
knows what is for the best, but I fear our perpetual banishment
frora Araerica is written in the book of fate; nothing but the
hopes of once raore revisiting ray native soil, enjoying my old
friends within my own little domain, has hitherto supported my
drooping courage ; but that prop taken away leaves me in a con
dition too distressing to think of; however, amidst the increasing
evils of old age I have this consolation, that, mortifying as my lot
is, severe as my sufferings may be, their continuance cannot be
lasting. Accompanied by Mr, Sraith, drank tea with Mr. Towgood, and
they passed the evening and supped with me ; and thus ends the
old year. Mr. Pope observes :
" With added years, if life bring nothing new,
But like a sieve let every blessing through,
Some joys still lost, as each vain year runs o'er,
And all we gain some sad reflection more :
Is that a birth-day ? 'tis, alas ! too clear,
'Tis but the funeral ofthe former year."

21

162 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778.

CHAPTER VIII.
TO DR. DAUBENY, LONDON.
Exeter, Jan. 3, 1778,
Dear Sir :
By my friend Col. Browne's letter, received yesterday, I am in
formed of Col. Frye's arrival at Halifax, and of your quitting Salem
and arrival in London, Pray inform me whether his and your de
parture from your settled abode arose from the requirements of the
new established governments ; if there be any in our province of
sufficient authority to restrain the lower classes from their insolence
and outrageous behavior, who, when the bands of society are un
happily loosened and the laws are forced into silence, do not neg
lect to avail themselves of those times to run riot against peace,
order and security, the most valuable blessings of social civil
life ; — whether there be any civil government established in our
province — what it is — who the administrators — who are our Salem
magistrates — its condition with respect to order, trade, religion —
the state of our society and the situation of our friends 1 I could
fill a sheet with questions, but, loth to tax your good nature too
heavily, forbear. With congratulations on your safe arrival in a
land of plenty, and freedom from persecution, either on the score
of religion or politics, I reraain your friend, S, Curwen.
Jan. 6, Evening at Mr. N.'s, with Mrs. N. and Mrs. Tremlet,
sisters, of excellent understanding, great reading and refined taste.
Jan. 12, Bishop Ross installed arch-deacon in the chapter
house, as on Saturday he was prebend, and on the following days
this week is to be successively canon, treasurer, and bishop ; each
eeremony being ushered, accompanied, or announced by tolling the

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 163
great bell, and afterwards the chimes play. On the demise of a
bishop, the king in effect chooses under the fallacious compliment
of recommendation to the chapter, consisting of dean, prebends,
canons, etc., with a conge d'elire, or liberty to choose for that pur
pose ; the choice falls of course on the person recommended, and
is so understood. He is then presented, kisses the king's hand on
his preferment, and is installed by proxy in the distant see. He is
personally enthroned when his new lordship pleases ; how long it
raay he before we are to be favored with his personal presence, it
is not said. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Exeter, Jan. 17, 1778,
Dear Sir :
The account of General Burgoyne's surrender is confirmed, and
what think you of the Congress now 1 Of American independ
ence 1 Of laying the colonies at the ministers' feet 1 Of Lord
S.'s boast of passing through the continent from one end to the
other with five thousand British troops ; and with a handful of men
keeping that extensive continent in subjection 1 Of the invinci
bility of the said troops ? Of the raw, undisciplined, beggarly
rabble of the northern colonies ? Of the humiliating surrender of
a British general, five thousand troops, seven thousand small arms,
and thirty-six pieces of brass artillery, to the aforesaid rabble 1
What think you of the pompous proclamation of the said general '1
Of the figure he is now making in the streets of Boston, compared
to his late parading there, accompanied by his vainly fancied in
vincible cohorts, now, alas ! rendered as harmless and inoffensive
animals as you and II Of the condition General Howe is now or
soon may be in, should the combined army of Washington and
Gates, numerous as it may be, perhaps exceeding his own in the
proportion of two to one, elated with success, inflamed with an en
thusiastic ardor, invest Philadelphia, defended by an army almost
worn out by incessant labor, having, as the papers say, the shovel
and firelock always in their hands, and greatly weakened by losses 1
What think you of the twenty thousand men voted in parliament a
few days since, in addition to the array now in America 1 Where
are they to be raised 1 Is not Russia on the verge of a war with

164 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
the Turks 1 Have not the two great potentates of Germany re
fused to suffer their country to be further drained of its inhabitants'?
Is not Denmark too feeble, thinly peopled, and jealous of its potent
neighbors, to furnish men 1 Have we any alliance with Sweden 1
Is not Holland in the same predicament with the former, and does
not its coraraercial systera forbid lending us aid 1 Is not Portugal
too poor, dependent, and unable if disposed 1 Is not Spain unwU-
ling and unable, and too much inclined to follow French politics ?
Nay, does not the irapolicy of hiring troops from her, if willing and
-able, appear too glaring even in the most desperate case 1 And is
not France too insidious and insincere, too rauch interested both in
regard to politics and coraraerce, to apply to her for assistance ;
nay, would it not be too dangerous, considering her former state and
connections there? Have not the Switzers too strong a sense^of
liberty themselves to engage against a cause wherein civil liberty
is pretended to be invaded 1
Pray what resources, then, has Great Britain, without allies
able or willing to afford the needed help 1 Can her own country
furnish the requisite numbers 1 Can the manufacturers spare, with
out essential injury to its commerce, a supply from thence 1 Does
she abound in laborers 1 Are there not, rather, complaints that men
of the lower classes are wanting? Have not the recruiting parties
found great difficulty in raising men ? And is it not well known
that business goes on slowly and heavily at this day ? Would not
an act of parliament to press men for the American service, (and
without it, it cannot be done,) raise disturbances and insurrections
think you 1 Would not raising new regiments from among tbe
Catholics of Ireland disaffect the bulk of the nation 1 In this sad
dilemma, which way can administration turn to extricate them
selves 1 How can they escape out of this labyrinth wherein they are
intricated 1 What measures can be adopted consistent with the
honor and dignity of this late mighty empire— -alas, how fallen ! — that
gave law but a few years ago to two of the most powerful, politic,
and wealthy states in Europe, and thereby peace to almost all the
world t Common sense and prudence, in the case of a private
¦person, suggests, that when convinced his measures of conduct are
inadequate and incompetent to answer his wishes and designs, to
retrace his mistaken steps, pursue other measures, and undo what

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 165
has been done wrong ; for it raost surely is less dishonorable to
correct errors than pertinaciously continue in a track confessedly
wrong and fatal. Does not the American secretary. Lord George
Germaine, seem to be of this mind, when he announced General
Burgoyne's surrender in the house, declaring, at the sarae time, the
impracticability of carrying on this war any longer 1 Has this an
appearance of a pacific intention, or does it seem designed, as has
been suggested, to lull the opposition ? (which, however, I don't
consider but as the effect of party misrepresentation ; for you know
party views every thing in false hghts.) Think you this an indi
vidual opinion, uncomraunicated to his brethren in adrainistration,
and unknown in the privy council, delivered without their privity,
connivance or consent ? Is it probable he will long hold a post in
which he raust take so active a part as his duty requires, in prorao-
ting measures, in his judgment ineffectual, and which cannot long
be supported ? If a difference in the higher departments begins,
and a derangement in administration should fake place, where wUl
it end ? I shall tremble for the consequences at this period, as it
will weaken government when most it stands in need of support
from a general concurrence. Did not Lord North seem to yield to
the idea of conciliatory measures 1 The designs of a court are
deep and hidden ; who, by searching, can find them out, till time,
the great revealer of secret things, exposes to view the wisdora or
folly, the policy or Impolicy of cabinet councils 1 The language of
the court, the papers say, is, as it ever has been, " delenda est Car
thago ; if this be not slander, wo betide ray poor country. I con
fess I feel too strongly the amor patria not to wish it may be
slander ; its enemies will never, I hope, exult over its ruins ; but
its inhabitants be timely brought to a just sense and sight of their
real interest and security, which in my view consists only in a close
connection with this country.
Vigorous raeasures are talked of there ; but in parliament the
language held by the ministers seems mUd, leaning toward an
adjustment of matters otherwise than by the ultima ratio regum;
the out-door talk is just the reverse : unhappy the state of society
and government that renders such conduct in any regard expedient.
Should government seriously wish and intend to settle this quarrel
amicably, what can be the first step 1 The present situation of

166 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778.
administration puts me in mind of a story relative to Sir Christopher
Wren, who went yearly to visit King's College Chapel, Cambridge,
remarkable for its roof; on being asked whether he could construct
such another, replied, " Tell me where to place the first stone, and
I will engage to execute it." Are not our state architects as much
perplexed and embarrassed where to lay the first foundation stone
whereon to erect a temple to peace and concord ? Could they ever
devise a plan of accommodation dictated by wisdom itself short of
American independence ? Would the United States condescend to
enter into a treaty with this kingdom after so raany proofs of their
ability to defeat their designs and resist their most vigorous efforts,
and from whom they have received so many supposed indignities,
severities, and oppressions 1 I quit my theme and lay down my
pen to read the news just brought in ; but before I record it, let me
premise that not a syUable of it finds credit with me ; it is as fol
lows : — " General Vaughan, who burnt Esopus and made such cruel
havoc up Hudson river, is defeated by General Putnara ; he and his
army prisoners ; that the former has got between General Clinton and
New-York with a separate army ; that General Washington had
forced General Howe's lines, destroyed and taken seven thousand
raen." Should this, or half of it be true, I warrant (without gift
of prophecy) the garae is up. I forgot to add, Arnold is not kUled,
only wounded In the leg, and with General Green gone forward
to Quebec; the Araerican works on the Delaware not yet forced,
so that the two brothers Howe can as yet have coraraunlcatlon
together till that event takes place. General Howe's situation
must be very disagreeable, not to say dangerous, I will add a few
lines to fiU the sheet. Newspapers are crowded with articles of
the offers of towns and counties to enable his majesty's governraent
to carry on the war against America, which by some means is now
become to be considered as less a ministerial affair than sorae time
ago ; should the proposed numbers, however, be taken out of the
manufactories, I dare engage trade will sensibly feel it. Would to
God, that moderate and just views ofthe real interests of both
countries might possess the minds of those who direct the pubhc
measures here and there. That peace may again take place, and
trade and agriculture and commerce be established on a lasting
basis, is the raost ardent wish of your friend, S. Curwen.

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 167
Jan. 26. I am told the officers lately arrived from Araerica,
generally declare the conquest of it is a vain expectation, even
with a very great additional force. Notwithstanding this, the
ardor of the nation for subduing what is called the " American Re
bellion," seems to spread like a flame from north to south ; the new
troops talked of as proposed to be raised immediately, are as
follows : — Battahon of Highlanders under Lord M'Leod, 1000 ;
Manchester volunteers, 1000 ; Duke of Argyle's Highlanders,
2000 ; Duke of Athol's Highlanders, 1000 ; Colonel Gordon's do.,
1000 ; Duke of HaraUton's regiment of Arran, 1000 ; Colonel
Dalrymple's loyal Lowlanders, 1000 ; midland Highlanders, 1000 ;
Sutherland's and Mackay's Highlanders, 1000 ; Earl of Seaforth's
Highlanders, 1000 ; Dutch brigades to be augmented, 5000 ; Irish
Roman Catholics, 5000 ; ten English battalions, 10,000 :— 31,000.
Lord Abington's motion to be considered in parliament, against
the constitutionality of persons, corporations, towns, cities or coun
ties to raise men, and arm and equip them ; and if he defends his
position, it wUl put a stop to the loyalty of Manchester, Liverpool,
Norfolk county, and some Scotch lords, who have made offers of
money and men for carrying on the American war. Lord Abing
ton's motion was for sumraonlng the judges to attend the house,
that their opinions on this raatter may be known ; he considered
it not only repugnant to the principles of the constitution, but ex
pressly against the letter of the law. The attempt to raise men
in Warwickshire and Norfolk has failed, from the opposition of the
gentry and others.
Dr. Robertson, in his history of Scotland, says : " When men
have been accustomed to break through the coraraon boundaries
of subjects, and their ralnds are influenced with the passions which
civil war inspires, it is mere pedantry and ignorance to measure
their conduct by those rules which can be applied only when
government is in a state of order and tranquillity. A nation, when
obliged to employ such extraordinary efforts in defence of its liber
ties, avails itself of every thing to proraote its great end, and the
necessity ofthe case and iraportance ofthe object, justify a depar
ture frora the common and established forms of the constitution."
This is precisely what a sensible American, whose mind is strongly
impressed with the right of resistance to the authority and arms of

168 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778.
the mother country, would offer in defence of the many hardships
and violences imposed on his fellow-countrymen at the present
momentous crisis.
Jan. 30. This being in Church of England language, " King
Charles's martyrdom," it is farcically observed as a fast day ;
churches open and service suitable to the solemn occasion read.
To complete the absurdity here, the pulpit of the cathedral was
covered with black cloth ; the tip-staves, sword, and mace, carried
before the mayor in the same grim garb.
TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON.
Exeter, January 30, 1778,
Dear Sir :
General Burgoyne's defeat wiU, I think, prove a prelude to a
succession of fatal events. The rapid increase of military skill and
courage that enthusiasm produces, and the great numbers of Euro
pean commanders and engineers of experience now incorporated
amongst the Araericans, are considerations that extinguish my
expectation of the success of the following carapaign, even should
Great Britain send over in season the nuraber of troops ordered by
parliament, (and which do not amount to what all who have lately
arrived from Araerica agree to be necessary to insure success, or
rather, in any good degree, render it probable.) May those evUs
my gloomy mind forebodes, exist only in imagination ; but I must
confess I see, perhaps through a false vista, the expedition already
ended in the disgrace of this powerful and wealthy kingdom, and
in the ruin of that once singularly happy, but now, alas I deluded,
wretched America ; for, disconnected from this country, wretched
it must necessarily be, if anarchy and the most grievous oppressions
and taxes can make a people so. How weak, inconsistent, and
dangerous is human conduct, when guided by lawless ambition, or
any false or wrong motives ! Into what dreadful evils are commu
nities often plunged by hearkening to the declamations of pretended
patriots, of crafty, selfish, unprincipled demagogues of this and
many other countries; history furnishes us a present mortifying
proof and exaraple.
You raay console yourself in the late disgrace of the British
arms, with the hope that it may revive the ardor and bravery hith-

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 169
erto so peculiarly characteristic of British troops, but similar causes
do not always produce similar effects. At the tirae you refer to,
Rome was in the meridian of her glory, war the profession of her
citizens ; her inhabitants, through all her ranks, were at that period
actuated by the amor patrice, a principle publicly derided in this
age. Do not think me a cynic, when I say, I fear this nation has
sunk into too selfish, degenerate, luxurious a sloth, to rise into such
manly, noble exertions as^her critical situation seems to demand :
for which this people have in times past been famed, as the disaster
you mention forraerly produced araong the Romans, and as hereto
fore within my own memory, has been the case with this very peo
ple. But the breast of every Roraan was warraed with the amor
patrix at that period, and with this principle he could brave dan
gers, and even death, to bring honor to his country ; — when riches
poured in upon thera from all quarters of the world, when manners
degenerated, and selfish regards succeeded to the love of country ;
when luxurious tables and effeminacy araong the higher ranks took
the place of frugal raeals, and manly fortitude, with the sense of
honor sunk into venality and court dependence, they then became
abject, desponding, cowardly, and were exposed to every invader,
and instead of bravely defending, abandoned even their lands and
wealth to be possessed by their courageous army ; and such will
always be the condition of every people in similar periods of its
state. But away with politics.
You ask when I intend to come to London ; to take a long,
expensive journey that road, I have not at present in contempla
tion. Abstract Col. Browne, and a few acquaintances, and London,
in the present state of my finances, has not charms strong enough
to attract rae thither. With no relish for the amusements and
dissipations of that unavoidably chargeable residence, I should Ul
exchange my frugal and comfortable board, in a decent family, at
eight shiUings, for twenty, and a long train of e^ ceteras, araounting
to thirty-five more under strictest economy. It would add much to
my enjoyment, to have the company of my friend Col. Browne,
with or without a friend or two ; but to encourage his taking so long
and tedious a journey, I dare not, having nothing to offer him by
way of equivalent for his trouble, ignorant as I ara of his taste and
views of living : however, should a plan of frugaUty, inchnation to
22

170 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
ramble, or curiosity, push you out of the metropolis, as the season
grows milder, and chance or design direct your steps to this plen
tiful and cheap quarter, take the foUowing short imperfect sketch,
Exeter, for its numbers, is somewhat less than Boston ; in
buUdings as unlike as the wrinkled age of fourscore differs from the
healthy, florid complexion of thirty. To your or any eye faraUiar
to modern structures, this place wUl appear as uncouth as a female
tricked out in a ruff and fardingale, or in the court dress of old
Queen Bess, I am led to this comparison, from having often heard
that the houses, especially in Fore-street, are of her age, and in
deed they no more resemble the modern than the dress of that day
does the present. The streets are narrow, ill-paved, and (I wonder
why not to a proverb) dirty. There is a row of buUdings in the
form of the crescent at Bath, in the so called modern style ; but
it is crowded in a corner, out of sight ; built on land belonging to
the Duke of Bedford, and goes by the name of his title, on the site
of a late noble palace, wherein Henrietta, the youngest daughter of
Charles I., was born during his troubles. Within the walls are
three walks for taking the air ; on the north, a circular one, lying
back of the castle, encorapassed with trees, through which, on the
outer side, over a vale filled with houses and improved fields, are
cut vistas ; much frequented here is also the church-yard, or the
inclosure within walls and gates ; round St, Peter's, the cathedral,
another hard gravel walk called the Friars, commanding a fine
field view, besides many others without the city. And for in-door
amusements, a theatre, concerts, a coffee-house, called Moll's, and
a hotel, both in the church-yard, where the London papers are
brought four days in the week.
Having filled my sheet, I conclude abruptly, like Hudibras
breaking off in the middle. Very sincerely yours,
S, Curwen,
Feb. 3. This was the day appointed for the enthronization or
installation of Bishop Ross in the episcopal seat. The ceremony
was performed by Archdeacon Hull of Barnstaple, the proxy, and
one of the canons of St. Peter's, The chapter, consisting of the
dean, canons, prebendaries, &c, &c., a set of well-fed priests, all

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 171
of the largest dimensions, (except the first, who was in London,)
walked in procession to the cathedral, preceded by the officers
properly habited, and whose coming was announced by the sound
of the great bell. Having arrived into the church, the chapter
proceeded to the throne, where they all sat down; after being
seated a short space, the proxy arose, and advancing to the front,
read an oration in praise of the late bishop ; concluding with an
encomium on the present one, in which he declared he took real,
actual, and corporal possession ofthe episcopal chair; these words
being the same he used, and I fancy an essential part of the forra.
The seat, or throne, as it is called, is of a singular construction,
and the most magnificent of any ; it is a square of sixteen feet,
lined with crimson silk, the cushions velvet of the sarae color,
edged with a broad gold fringe ; the canopy thirty feet high, sup
ported by four wrought posts, carved up to the ceiling in Gothic
open work, decreasing till it ends in pinnacles ; opposite stands
the pulpit ; both at the upper end of the choir,
Henry Grove, a dissenting ralnister of Taunton, well known by
his writings among those of the same profession, wrote Nos, 588)
601, 626 and 635, in the 8th volume of the Spectator ; and Mr,
Parr, lately deceased in this city of Exeter, in his eighty-eighth
year, wrote those signed A, B. in the 6th and 7th volumes, and
some others, the signature of which his son, Surgeon Parr, told me
he had forgotten,
Feb. 10, Received a letter from William Cabot, London, in
forming me that by a letter from Nathan Goodale, Salem, all friends
are well,
Feb. 14, Received a friendly letter from Mr, Timmins, His
wife at Boston, seeing no end to the disturbances, is going to pluck
up stakes, and remove with flocks, herds, and children.
Lord Camden said the other day in the house of peers, on the
Duke of Richmond's motion to consider the state of the nation,
with liberty to refer to such papers as were hefore them, " the
origin of the mistake of our ministers in commencing the Araerican
war, was this: they ignorantly supposed the Americans to be
cowards, and foolishly imagined the French to be idiots."
Mr, Woodbridge's answer to the Duke of Richmond (on the
9th inst.) was, that by Lloyd's coffee-house books, the number of

172 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778.
British vessels taken from May, 1776, to the present time by Ame
rican privateers, was seven hundred and thirty-three, containing
upwards of thirteen thousand men. That the aggregate value of
the ships and cargoes, after deducting one hundred and seventy-
four retaken and restored, amounted to ^64,823,000 steriing. The
number of American privateers one hundred and seventy-three.
That American products had greatly advanced in price ; tobacco
from sevenpenceto two-and-tenpence, — pitch, from eight shUlings
to thirty-six ; tar, turpentine, oil, and pig iron, in the same pro
portion, Feb. 15, At the George dissenting meeting-house Sir Henry Tre
lawney, of fifteen hundred a year, an Oxford-bred scholar, preached
from " 0 worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Taking a
religious turn, he hadfaUen into Methodisra, and set out a flaming
preacher of their notions, to episcopal orders superadding dissent
ing admonition of the lowest kind. He has charge of a small
flock in the neighborhood of his own estate ; his natural good sense
has cooled his first heat, and he now addresses with fervor, but
candor and affection, a crowded assembly. Just as he entered,
before service began, an elderly lady in the pew adjoining to the
one I sat in, sunk down in a fainting fit, and breathed her last
without a groan or struggle.
TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON.
Exeter, February 17, 1778,
Dear Sir :
I would fain persuade myself my good friend does not enter
tain unfavorable sentiraents of the rectitude of my principles, what
ever doubts he may have of the justness of my opinion respecting
the appearance of things at this juncture, and the probable issue of
this destructive quarrel between Great Britain and the colonies, I
presume it needs no proof to convince hira of ray leaving Araerica
under a strong conviction of the alraost physical irapossibility of her
waging a successful war with this powerful state, and therefore of
the unjustifiableness, iraprudence, impolicy, and even madness of
the undertaking. Nothing short of such a state of mind could ab
solve me from the imputation of the extremest folly to abandon my
country, friends, and estate, and all my hopes in this world, at my

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 173
time of life, with but httle money, few connections here, and no
expectations. The pernicious system of politics adopted by France, ever since
she raised her views to universal empire under Louis XIV,, has
justly brought on her the detested character of unfaithful, false,
crafty, and perfidious ; so that French faith now, like Punic of old,
you are sensible, goes current in Europe for the four preceding
characters ; nor has the late behavior of the court of Versailles
failed to verify the disgraceful imputation : even at the very time
the ministers of France, upon sorae spirited reraonstrances frora our
court, were pouring forth a profusion of seemingly fair promises
and specious declarations of amity into the lap of Lord Stormont,
ordering a few vessels with, and a few without cargoes, to be
restored to their right owners, and even shutting up their ports, on
paper, against American privateers ; even at that very time, they
were not only conniving at, but carrying on a contraband trade to
the revolted colonies. In the port of Nantz there lay, ready to sail
for America, three or four large ships, laden with all kinds of mer
chandise, cannon, and artillery stores, and waiting for a fair wind.
Is it not a well known fact that the most successful depredations
on the trade of this island, that have ever taken place in Europe or
the West Indies, are now making on the latter by French pirates,
under congressional colors, and that prizes are daily selling at open
market, and all pretences to reclaim denied ; now and then, indeed,
to save appearances, in imitation of ministers on this side the
water, a few feeble, unregarded prohibitions are issued, but none
executed to effect,
Spain, whose political and commercial interests so naturally
ally it to England, that it is even a proverb, " Paz con Inglaterra
y guerra con todo el mundo,"* celebrated frora time immemorial for
honor, true magnanimity, and fidelity to its promises, has ever
since the Bourbon idiot that now fills its throne,* * * and ever since
the days of his pusiUanimous father, adopted French manners, friv
olity, levity, dress, politics, and faith, to the expulsion of true Cas-
tUian gravity, dress, honor, and regard to the real interest of the
* " Peace with England, if war with the rest ofthe world,"

174 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778.
country. Witness the shuffling and chicanery of the court of Ma
drid just before the iU-judged declaration ofthe last war ; review the
authentic accounts of the friendly reception of the American and
French privateers, and the open trade of the colonies at Bilboa,
Cadiz, and all the ports of Spain during these troubles, though
royal orders, edicts, and mandates, tagged with an " Yod Rey,"
have been successively transmitted down to the seaports. So well
are the court purposes understood, that within four weeks, two or
three English prizes were publicly sold in one of the southern ports,
in open day, and the privateers refreshed and furnished with aU
needed stores, and unmolested suffered to depart, laden with the
substance and property ofthe subjects of England.^ King Solomon
says, " where the word of a king is, there is power ;" this he said
from his own experience. Who in his wits can believe that the
Spaniards, or that abject Turkey-race of pirates ir^ablting on the
opposite shore, durst have acted thus in defiance of their sovereign,
if they had not well known the artful distinction between his secret
and revealed will ? With regard to the article of Nantz and a
Spanish port, they are facts that stand, for aught I know, on the
same footing of credibility with the other articles of foreign intelli
gence that pass uncontradicted ; and if these be facts, and facts are
of a stubborn nature, and bend not to our wishes, they carry con
viction, what must we not infer, loth as we may be 1 The natural
inference is, that both these two courts do invariably adhere to the
line of conduct marked out by thera from the commencement of
this trouble, to distress the government as much as it is in their
power, and to steal away our trade. The officers that throughout
thfe winter arrived at the western ports, passing through this city
in their journey to London, have one and all declared, as some re
ports are, that thirty thousand men, at least, in addition to those
already in America, are necessary to effectuate the reduction of the
continent. Probably these persons speak the sentiments of the
army ; there is not, that I know, reason to think them disaffected to
the service, nor partial to Araerica. The foregoing convictions are
the grounds of my fears, apprehensions, and as you ask me whence
I fetch my facts, my reply is, from the coramon spring-head of pop
ular intelligence. My practice is not to hunt after newspapers, as
I seldom go to the coffee-houses ; but when they fall by accident

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 175
into my hands, I indiscriminately read all, from the Court Gazette,
published by authority, to the Sherburne Mercury, The public
papers, I well know, are justly stigmatized vehicles of falsehood
and sedition : I rarely attend to political essays or remarks, scarce
ever give them even a cursory glance ; articles of foreign intelli
gence I credit as far as they are free from self-evident inconsisten
cies. In respect of time and other circumstances. As to country, my
principal view in the choice has ever been the instructive and en
tertaining ; nor am I unhappy in ray few acquaintances here ; my
chief companion is a philosopher of ray old friend the Rev, Mr,
Gilchrist's starap, and too deeply 'engaged in moral and phUosophi-
cal researches to trouble one with politics, for that is rarely a topic
of conversation. My friend, in reading this tedious letter, will see the high value
set upon his good opinion, and trust his candor will make due al
lowance for our difference in small matters, while in essentials we
keep " the faith whole and undefiled."
Wishing you increasing felicity, I remain
Your affectionate friend,
S. Curwen,
Feb. 25, The ministry on the 23d inst, received advices from
Lord Stormont that five ships of the line and three frigates had
sailed from Brest to Nantz, in order to convey eighteen transports
to America, laden with all kinds of military stores, agreeably to
the commercial treaty subsisting between the French and Ameri
cans ; the transports to return laden with tobacco from Virginia,
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Exeter, Feb. 25, 1778,
Dear Sir :
I presume you have seen Lord North's answer to Charles James
Fox and Mr, Grenville in the house ;* 'tis possible, nay, too proba
ble, but 'tis not authenticated hy the ambassador." This fatal treaty
is at length executed ; the coup de grace is given to British glory
* To the inquiry whether it was true that a treaty had been made be
tween France and America.

176 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778,
— its sun is set — alas, how fallen ! How short-sighted is human
wisdom, how weak is huraan power at best ! The roar of the Brit
ish lion wlU no more be heard; the French cock may now crow
and strut undisturbed,
Americans that lately were humble supplicants to Great Britain
for aid against a few French troops and Indian savages, disturbing
her frontier settlements, have dared — what have they dared 1 — to
renounce her authority ; have set her power at defiance ; reduced her
commerce ; defeated her armies ; sunk her national credit, nay, in
sulted her coasts, established their independence in spite of all ef
forts, and, tell it not in Gath, allied itself to her natural, professed,
and most dangerous enemy,
******* Your friend, S, Curwen,
Feb. 28, Received Lord North's two acts respecting the right
of taxation confined to commerce, and appointing commissioners to
adjust all matters in dispute. These offers are, I fear, too late ; the
fatal treaty with France is already signed,
March 2. By the mayor's zeal for a strict observance of the
fast, an order to prohibit hair-dressers and bakers exercising their
callings was published. In Canon Barlow's sermon in St. Peter's
were these remarkable expressions, which for a dignitary of the
established church wishing to rise, are singularly and dangerously
bold. He said, " the war with America was unjust ; that they are
a religious people and raay expect a blessing, and we the re
verse." March 6, The court hurried away the Androraeda with Lord
North's concUiatory propositions to the Howes in Araerica,
March 8. Yesterday the French ambassador declared to Lord
Weymouth, that France had signed a treaty of amity and alliance,
or of friendship and coraraerce, with the United States of Araerica,
who, said he, are in full possession of independence, as pronounced
by thera on the fourth of July, 1776, without stipulating any ex
clusive advantages in favor ofthe French nation, and that the Uni
ted States have reserved to theraselves liberty of treating with
every nation whatever, upon the same footing of especiahty and
reciprocity.

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 177
Being in the country, our advices from London are that a war
with France is dreaded ; there is fear of a general bankruptcy. —
It is further said the present adrainistration is alraost universally
reprobated — 'tis in my mind a doubt whether in the dregs of the
state less interested ministers can be found, though perhaps of raore
salutary politics, but the problem time only can solve. All men
here love money and power too ardently to sacrifice either to
interest or peace of state. 'Tis therefore, I fancy, equally indiffer
ent who are or shall be our political cooks ; the pottage, I fear,
will be spoiled. Stocks have fallen to 59 1-2, which has pro
duced an almost universal panic,
March 15, Despatches for the Howes passed through this
city ; contents a secret,
TO DR. JOHN PRINCE, HALIFAX.
Exeter, March 15, 1778.
Dear Sir :
Your favor ofthe 20th Jan, carae to ray hands a few days since
from London ; the advice of your retreat to Halifax I received in a
letter from ray friend Col, Browne, The spirit of intolerance
araong our New England brethren I vainly wished might have
abated, they having, at the period of your departure, nothing to
dread from the few individuals who could not, toto corde, embrace
the political orthodoxy of the multitude and their directors, I
doubt not that prudence would have screened and secured you from
the rage and insult of the lower classes, and rendered life tolera
ble, if prudence could have had its due influence ; but, such is the
popular violence when once it unhappily takes place, and raay be
exercised without restraint and fear of punishment, that like an
irresistible torrent it bears down all before it ; laws, justice, truth,
religion, the rights of humanity, civility, conscience, are made to
rush impetuous down the mighty stream,
I ardently wish once more to visit my natale solum, and impa
tiently wait for the day of ray redemption ; would I could say it
draweth nigh, but I see no end of the baneful Ul-omened war, for
news has arrived of a declaration by France against us. Should
it prove true. Great Britain has the worst to fear ; even her inde-
23

178 JOURNAL AND, LETTERS, [1778.
pendency is at stake ; for aught I can see, France has drawn down
from the interior alraost all her troops to the English channel.
She has forty-four capital ships ready for sea; not a vessel is al
lowed to go to Newfoundland from France, in order to man fhe
fleet. La Motte Piquet with five capital ships and eighteen large
transports sailed about a fortnight since, avowedly bound to
America, laden with military stores, Spain has forty capital ships
ready for sea, which are waiting only for the arrival of the Vera
Cruz fleet ; should then these united fleets of raore than fourscore
ships atterapt invasion, Great Britain has only thirty-seven ships
of the line and eleven frigates to oppose thera.
Lord North has proposed terms of reconciliation, but nothing
short of independency will go down with the colonies. France
will support them ; all thoughts of conquest, of unconditional sub
mission, be assured, are given up ; and I fear rauch more, that the
colonies have, contrary to their real interest and safety, entered
into a league offensive and defensive against the parent state, —
But it is a melancholy truth, which alraost every day's experience
verifies, that passion and resentment often urge raen and states to
actions and courses destructive of their raanlfest interest and safety,
and such wUl America find in the end this alliance will prove,
should Great Britain in the event become thereby oppressed, I
could wish (but wishes, alas, are vain) America had seen her in
terest in another point of light ; far, very far am I from wishing
her oppressed, or her liberties restrained; I am fully convinced
the colonies will never find any good purpose answered by inde
pendence. God only knows what is before us, and may we be
prepared for his allotments with subralssive resignation,
I find myself fast declining into the vale of life, therefore less
able to struggle with the unavoidable evils of this inconstant state,
than in the days of more strength and vigor.
Believe me, with real regard, yours,
S, Curwen,
TO GEORGE RUSSELL, ESQ., BIRMINGHAM.
Exeter, March 16, 1778,
Dear Sir :
The dark and threatening cloud hanging over this island calls

1778,] journal and letters, 179
aloud for a more serious turn of mind than seems to characterize
the present period ; but how sadly true is the reverse of such a
state of mind amongst us at this day ; thoughtlessness, levity,
frivolous manners, mirth and music, seem to have seized, and en
gross the upper ranks ; attention to business and a supine disregard
to national danger and honor, do they not too justly characterize
the middle ranks 1 As for the canaille, they are here, as they ever
have been, and wUl be in all states and times, stupidly indifferent
and unconcerned in the midst of impending destruction. If the
features of this ill-favored portrait are in your opinion too harsh,
believe me, it was not drawn by a pencil dipped in gall, nor dic
tated by envious misanthropy ; I am no cynic, nor cursed with the
spirit of a cloistered monk. The warmest regards to the country
which by long residence has become an altera patria, and holds
the second place in my affection, few and faint as my connections
with individuals are, — the most earnest wishes of ray heart for its
safety, and foreboding apprehensions of its danger and dishonor,
occasion the painful reflections that cease not hourly to distress ray
mind. When I cohtemplate the decline and final period of states
¦great and powerful, and their causes, which in the history of the
world are found to be uniformly the sarae ; that often in the midst
of thoughtless security and apparent safety they are on the brink
of ruin, and often suddenly and unexpectedly plunged irretrievably
therein ; that as divines say with regard to men, and experience
confirms its truth in both respects, " in the midst of Ife we are in
death ;" — I cannot review the state of Great Britain four years
since, and regard the present alarming crisis without horror, with
out trembling. Perhaps to a mind by nature formed and turned
as mine unhappily is, to doubt and despondency, danger may pre
sent a more ghastly, terrifying aspect than is natural ; be it so, may
my apprehensions exist only in imagination. I had much rather
have weakness of judgment, ignorance and error justly imputed to
me, than that the event should verify my predictive fears : — I had
rather be a mistaken man than a true prophet.
France and Spain, to compare great things with small, like the
heroes in romance, are armed cap-a-pie, at all points, ready to sally

180 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
forth, not like those redoubted sons of Mars and Venus to reheve
distress, but to cause it. Your friend, &c. S, Curwen.
March 17, This being assize week. Judges Perryn and Ho-
tham were waited on by the sheriff and his officers, about two
dozen in livery, Comraission sat in GuUdhall : — Baron Perryn on
the bench ; great celerity in despatching business, and great inter
ruption by talking, which the court authorities could not remove,
March 20, Heard the dreaded sound, war declared against
France ! It is reported the house of lords is almost in a tumult,
and that they implore the king to drive frora his service his minis
ters, and take Lords Chatham, Camden, and Shelbume,
March 21, The judges left the city, escorted out by the sheriff
•and his train, — trumpets preceding, etc.

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 181

CHAPTER IX.
TO JUDGE SEWALL, LONDON.
Exeter, March 23, 177a
Dear Sir :
I was meditating an answer to your favor, when the alarming
intelligence ofthe French court's perfidious dealings, and the hourly
expectation of war against her, arrived here. The denouement of
the plot, by the French ambassador's declaring in form to Lord
Weymouth Jiis court's interference and engagement to support the
claims of Congress, seems at present to render all speculation on
the subject of Great Britain's further attempts to reduce her late
deluded subjects in America needless : presuming all thoughts in
regard to vigorous efforts being to be laid aside, superseded, at least
for the present, as the papers inform us no more troops are to be
sent out.
These events ray fears have been long predictive of; not that
I pretend to the spirit of prophecy, or the gift of second sight.
States, like individuals, are liable to so raany sudden and unlocked
for vicissitudes, disappointments, untoward accidents, and evils that
neither wisdom can foresee, nor power nor prudence prevent ; he
whose raind, not however to the increase of his enjoyment, leans
towards doubts, fears, and apprehensions of evils, generally finds
more events corresponding to his forebodings, than he whose atten
tion is turned to the brighter and more pleasing views that hope
presents. The plan Lord North has offered, is, it seems to me, founded in
wisdora and sound policy, as you observe it contains nearly all that
America can reasonably wish for, and as it is, thence she can de
rive more real happiness and safety than is fondly and vainly ex
pected from their favorite, long wished for, and perhaps short-lived
independence : — for should Great Britain in this expected war be
oppressed, what wUl save sorae of the colonies from falling a prey
to the insatiable ambition of those powerful crowns united, I know

182 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
not ; it would be well if they should be satisfied with the recovery
of their late posse.ssions there. The consideration of the burden
necessary to maintain an independent state with dignity has never
yet, I presume, during the feverish paroxysm of our new legislators
and government-modellers, been a subject of calculation ; for how
ever fertile their brains have been of expedients, they are, I fear,
but indifferently skilled in political arithmetic.
Your sentiraents on the operation of the two concihatory acts,
and answers to objectors, appear to rae to be perfectly just, and I
am happy to say mine are so completely coincident, that had I
taken as many hours, as probably were employed in writing them
down, I could not have expressed them in terms so clear, concise,
and satisfactory to rayself as in the letter I am now considering ; I
can therefore subscribe to them toto ex animo. The improbabUity
of their acceptance of the terms offered on the other side of the
water, and of Great Britain's abUity to force them into a comphance
at present, seems to be a matter out of dispute. I am not vain
enough to wish myself in the king's councils, but I ardently wish
that imaginary principle of national honor, the king's honor, might
in this critical and dangerous condition the nation seems to be in,
be dispensed with and given up to infinitely raore important con
siderations, notwithstanding the clamors and reproaches to be ex
pected frora discontented, interested party raen. That the war,
should it unfortunately soon commence, to vindicate the king's
honor or nation's, must produce disgrace and irreparable losses to
the nation, a review of the present force Great Britain has, her
foreign dominions, etc., and the force requisite to secure her right,
may perhaps convince : — nor less so, Great Britain's inability at
present to force a compliance or convince them by mUitary exer
tions, that it is their interest to accept her reasonable offers. The
lucky minute for such an offer is past, irretrievably past, and a
series of surprising events, owing to ill concerted plans, interested
views, a total disregard to the public weal, or, if you please, a cer
tain fatality, has taken place, by which colonies of inestimable
value are lost to this country ; and I wish the loss may end there.
The subject that at present most employs and oppresses my
mind is the critical and dangerous situation that the kingdom seems
to be in. The tottering condition of national credit, the weak state

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 183
of the navy, the great power of the enemy, and the low price of
stocks, as low as at the end of the last eight years' war, when the
nation was alraost drained of its specie, are the considerations on
which I form my opinion. Lord North, on presenting the king's
rescript to the house, uttered what was sufficiently alarming, that
the reluctance to the present loan arose not so much from the pros
pect of war, as the largeness ofthe national debt ; it is of little im
portance what is the cause, should a national bankruptcy happen.
Should another panic like that of last Saturday again seize the
monied raen, and continue, and the loan be stopped, no one but
may foresee the most dreadful consequences ; should the present
loan be completed, a new war would require another of equal
amount, and the low price of stocks continuing, it will be well, if
instead of ^£450,000 premium paid raore than in 1765, ^6900,000
would tempt the lenders to advance, unless new resources can be
found, which my ignorance on this point makes me incompetent to
judge. It is a fact of too much notoriety to be denied, if the con
tractors avail themselves of the immense debt by this artful, selfish
management, the pubhc is supplied at an extravagant, unreasona
ble profit to the lenders, founded I suppose on this principle, that a
sponge, sooner or later, must wipe all out at a stroke. It is cer
tain the more government has occasion to borrow, proportlonably
are its disadvantages in procuring supplies ; and unless a new and
reformed system of economy be adopted, the premiums may not
unlikely rise to cent per cent, especially if Mr. Burke's assertions
in the House of Commons be true, tbat the contractors made a
profit of 57 1-2 per cent. Should America be lost to this country,
with her will be lost a considerable revenue, and what can be sub
stituted in its room, financiers can be.st tell us. Should a war with
the Bourbon famUy be attended with any possessions in the East
or West Indies, and thereby other valuable branches of the revenue
be cut off, I leave you to judge the distresses that must unavoida
bly befall this nation. The wealth of all nations is exhaustible.
All things are caUed greater or less, stronger or weaker, by cora-
parison. The fleet of Great Britain is, in itself considered, great
and formidable, but when compared to the united fleet of the two
Bourbons, whether it does in its present condition deserve that cha
racter, no Englishman wiU, I presume, affirm : — fifty-one English

184 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778.
line of battle ships, no one in his senses wUl say are a match for
eighty-six French and Spanish ships of equal force. Confident as
we may be of the superiority of our English saUors to all other
nations in vigor, bravery and skUl, we should be loth to put our
liberties or independency on the success of a battle fought under
such confessedly disadvantageous and unequal circumstances ; and
the ability of Great Britain to build and fit for the sea such an ad
ditional number as will put us on an equal or superior footing, be
fore some fatal blow be struck, is a question on which the well-
being if not existence of this kingdom as an independent state may
depend. In my view I could wish national as well as royal honor
might in this case be yielded up to the infinitely more important
consideration of our self-preservation, and the gross affronts of
fered by France pocketed tUl they can be resented with a fair
chance of coming off victors in the quarrel. Should a war speed
ily be entered into before we are better prepared for offence and
defence, I can't help fearing this late powerful and flourishing em
pire to be hastening by large strides to irrevocable ruin and indeli
ble disgrace, and but too likely to furnish a second instance in this
period of a once great, rich and powerful state reduced to insignifi
cancy in the political scale of Europe, by a dismemberment of
sorae of its most valuable appendages, consigned over to its am
bitious and raore powerful neighbors, I wish posterity may not
quote Poland and Great Britain as states in the same predicament
frora the future annals of Europe.
This iU-favored picture probably you may laugh at, but it is to
be remembered you are supported by hopes, I oppressed by fears ;
you in the train of Herachtus, I of the weeping philosopher ; but
nature has forraed us of different materials in our original contex
ture, and on my part habit and accident have confirmed the unhappy
bias. Whatever your sentiments may be of this reverie, dream,
rhapsody, or whatever indignant epithet you raay perhaps justly
enough think it deserving of ; I know you wUl believe rae when I tell
you they are the real sentiments of a mind oppressed with concern for
the safety, welfare and honor of a country, which by long residence
has become my altera patrice, and for aught I know will continue
to be so tiU I take my flight to the upper regions, or tirae shall
cease to be no more with me here. Continue to think favorably.

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 185
and beheve me what is my highest ambition to be, an honest man,
and your affectionate friend, S. Curwen.
Exeter, March 31, Witnessed a long dispute on American af
fairs between Mr. Bretland and Mr. Erving. I did not interfere ;
the opponents neither convinced nor conquered, as is usual in such
cases. April 8. Heard of Rebecca Tyng's marriage to John LoweU
of Newburyport, Visited Mr. Tremlet's on David's hill with com
pany as follows : the parson of the parish and lady, Mr. Pearce,
Mrs. Abbot and Miss Hicks ; after tea passed half an hour in his
delightful garden ; he presented me with a beautiful bouquet of a
great variety of odoriferous flowers, now adorning my room.
April 9, Mr. Erving called me out to walk; our course
Cowley bridge. He seems of a sensible, grave turn, not unac
quainted with moral science, and exceedingly communicative.
Afterwards rode to Topsham on horseback ; passed by an estate
kept in the male branch of a family, without addition or diminu
tion ever since the conquest.
April 11, With Mr, and Miss Bretland rambled through'
Winiford lane to Heavitree ; in one of the buttresses of the church
grows out a yew-tree, three feet high, cut into a fanciful form, and'
supposed to receive its nourishment from cement moistened by rain
and dew. The church has marks of age and decay.
April 13. Mr, Smith frora Sidmouth breakfasted with me;
visited Mr, Morgan confined by illness ; there met Mr. Berry of
Crediton. The land tax at four shillings in the pound produces
two miUions ; the real tax on a medium is two shillings nearly,
which, being a tenth part of income, makes that to be twenty rail-
lions. Should an expensive war or some unforeseen accident
throw the nation into a convulsion, and discourage lending and'
lessen supplies, it would, of course, reduce the value of lands, per
haps to twenty-five years purchase ; their real value then would
be five hundred millions. Court value of the kingdom supposed to
be eighteen millions, for the following reasons, viz. : fifteen mil
lions were brought into the mint to be new coined on proclamation f
the remainder, coin of George II. and III,, full weight, still con-
24

186 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
tlnuing current, amount to three millions. Amount of fabrics,
plate, etc, etc, on a modest computation, is worth one hundred
millions ; making in all six hundred miUions.
A nation possessing more than twice as rauch as it owes, need
not fear bankruptcy; — England's debt being one hundred and
sixty ralUions. I pretend not to judge what would be the fuU issue
of a shock to national credit, much less dare I determine; but I
confess, I fear it would be followed by dreadful convulsions, and
produce cruel ravages and carnage'araong the lower classes, who,
being deprived of daily subsistence for want of daily eraploy, on
stoppage of trade and manufactures, would not contentedly sit
down and suffer themselves with their wives and little ones to
perish with hunger ; nor even those whose large incomes, derived
frora national funds, being now stopped, are reduced to a level with
the raost indigent, and whose wants being supplied from their
charity, are now their equal fellow-sufferers.
List of raen by last returns, for America 19,381 ; prisoners
5,336; sick 4,639; loss in navy 4,314; army in New-York,
PhUadelphia, Rhode Island and Canada 36,731 ; to recruit army to
what it was last year 11,885 ; captures made by Americans amount
to ^£2,600,000, April 20. On horseback to Spencecomb, the seat of Mr. Rowe,
near Crediton, in company with Mr. and Miss Bretland ; passed an
agreeable day, with a numerous company ; this is a week of fes
tivity following Easter Sunday — hospitably lodged and entertained ;
our host is of the rank called gentlemen-farmers, or landholders in
fee of estates from jGIOO to j£800 sterling per annum. A medal
has lately been struck at Paris, by order of Monsieur Voltaire, in
honor of General Washington ; on one side is the bust of the gen
eral, with this inscription : " G. Washington, Esq., commander of
the continental army in America." The reverse is decorated with
the embleras of war, and the following : " Washington reunlt par
une rare assemblage les talens du Guerrier et les vertus du Sage,"
April 26. Comralssloners appointed to go over to America to
settle the dispute, if practicable. Earl of Carlisle, Lord Howe, Sir
Wm. Howe, Wm. Eden, Esq., and Governor Johnston, sailed from
Spithead on the 22d, and I fear it will prove a re infectd business.

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 187
TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, LONDON.
Exeter, AprU 26, 1778.
Dear Sir :
By our common friend, Mr, Smith, just returned by way of
Bristol, I am informed Mrs. Browne is with you ; 'tis with great
sincerity I congratulate her and you on her safe arrival ; would to
God it had been under more favorable circumstances ; such as they
are, your religion and philosophy, I am well assured, can improve
them to the best purposes, I presume London will not long con
tinue the place of your abode ; if you have no predUection for a
particular quarter, and are deliberating what course to take, no
thing shall be wanting on my part to afford you all the information
respecting these parts you may wish to have. It would yield me
inexpressible satisfaction, could Exeter, or its neighborhood, be
your choice ; I can assure you, that for cheapness, plenty and good
provisions, especially fish, poultry, game, and garden stuff, noplace
excels and few equal it. Late conversations with Col. Erving,
from whora I had intimations of your desire to hira last January to
be informed relative to these parts, (who owns himself to blame
in not attending to it,) induce the foregoing. If your views are
fixed, I wish the pleasure of your abode may be equal to your
highest wishes. A line frora ray worthy friend will never fail to
be a most acceptable present. With the warmest wishes for your
felicity, I ara Yours and Mrs. Browne's affectionate friend,
S. Curwen,
TO JOHN TIMMINS, ESQ., LONDON.
Exeter, AprU 30, 1778.
Dear Sir:
I have this day received a letter frora Eben, West, now on
board the Medway, lying in the Downs, who is in want of neces
saries. He was with me in my business at the commencement of
the troubles in New England, and by consent, left me to go to sea
in his father's employ, tlU taken by the Enterprise frigate, on the
20th of last July, carried to Gibraltar, and from thence brought to
England, where he has been ever since, I think it but charity to

188 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778.
advance a httle for hira, and therefore wish you to convey two
guineas to him for me. I presume Mr. WiUiam Cabot would not
refuse an old neighbor's son some small assistance, nor Col, Browne
a young suffering townsman, to whom, as occasion may serve, you
wUl do me a favor by mentioning his name, with the situation he
is in; nor would it be improper if they could procure a smaU sup
ply of money from his countrymen, who raust have a fellow-feeling
of others' sufferings, at the sarae time themselves experiencing the
•evil of banishment from their country and the raeans of subsistence,'
I ara your obliged friend and humble servant, S. Curwen.
May 1. Walked with Col. Erving to Mr, John Tremlet's
ihouse, David's hill, (the supposed site of an old Roman temple,)
to see a lamp having Diana's erablera, a crescent ; the points
¦crowned each with a ball, and thought to belong to a temple of
the goddess there, judged of more than two thousand years' anti-
equity. This being May-day, the mUk maids walk in procession
with their pyramid of plate, as usual ou this day.
May 5. Mr, Smith brought me a Massachusetts exclusion bUl,
whereby all who left New England after 19th April, 1775, are for-
icver banished, and their estates forfeited.
May 7. Took tea at Col. Erving's, with Mr, Smith ; agreed
<on a journey to Tiverton with them.
May 8. At nine o'clock set out in a post-chaise with Mr, and
Mrs, Erving, and my friend Mr. Smith on horseback, to Tiverton,
-Alighted at Three Tuns inn, at twelve o'clock, passing on a plea
sant turnpike fourteen miles. This town is supported by serge-
making, for which it was forraerly noted, now believed to be on
the decline, Sorae houses in good taste ; it has two dissenting
-congregations and one Anabaptist ; the Episcopal church is a
venerable pUe, low, outside greatly ornamented ; tower lofty, the
inside contains many funereal monuments, some of ancient date.
Here is a noted school, called Blandell's, faraous in the west ;
¦sends off yearly sorae students to Oxford and Cambridge ; its num-
"bers about fourscore. Besides here is an academy for dissenters'
children, kept by a Mr, Kiddle, the minister, and one for young
ladies. Has abundance of shops. Adjoining the church is a lofty

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 189
situation, commanding an extensive and pleasing view of the neigh
boring vale, through which the Exe runs, bounded by a long
range of moderately high hUls improved and inclosed to suramit ;
returned home by eight o'clock.
May 9, Rode with Mr, Cross to Star Cross, at the raouth of
the river Exe, opposite Exinouth,
May 1 1. Removed my lodgings to Sidmouth, and for which
purpose I mounted my Rosinante, and departed in company with
Mr, Smith, after dinner, having ordered the messenger on with ray
baggage. Taking the road • through Topsham, we staged it at
Ebford, the seat of the widow Lee, a wealthy, hospitable, dissent
ing lady ; here we alighted and took tea. The family having with
drawn to the house in the neighborhood, called the " Hermitage,"
to divert themselves at a game of quadrUle, that our coming inter
rupted, notwithstanding repeated desires to the contrary. The
family consists of an elderly lady, daughter and her husband, a Mr,
Yates and young parson Jarvis, the dissenting ministers of Lime
stone. From thence we departed, passing through Woodbury, Ot
terton, and across Peak hill, and arrived at my former lodgings at
Robert FoUet's,
Sidmouth, May 13, Rode to Wishcombe in company with
WUhara Carsluck and two young ladies named Upjohn of Exeter ;
dined, drank tea, and returned before eight o'clock.
May 21, Rode to Taunton ; passing through Honiton and
Blackdown, I arrived at Whiteheart, visited Mr. Welman and
Parson Ward ; drank tea with the latter. Evening and supper
at Mr. Toulmin's, the Baptist minister ; lodged at the inn. Next
morning departed for Poundisford, the seat of a Mr. Hawker, a
dissenting worthy gentleman of fortune ; passed an agreeable day,
and lodged there,
Poundisford, May 23. At eleven o'clock, in corapany with
Mr. Hawker we departed, shaping our course for Chard, where
we arrived at two o'clock. Between our two stages, on a lofty
ridge, are the remains of an old castle, in the country dialect
Laratchj supposed, but I know not for what reason, to have been
of Roman construction. Chard, where we arrived about two
o'clock, is a manufacturing town ; its lifeless appearance but too
justly confirms the general opinion that its trade is in a consumptive

190 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
State; its buildings hardly above the viUage style, one wide com
modious street, paved, having several reputable houses in it. One
Episcopal church, and two or three dissenting meeting-houses ; the
manufacturing towns generally abound in people ofthe latter per
suasion. At five o'clock left, and passing over an exceUent turnpike ,
road, entered Axminster, distant seven miles, without alighting,
and proceeded on to Seaton, where we in vain attempted to find the
remains, if any, of the old Roraan port said to have been estab
lished here, but it was hie labor, hoc opus. Turning our backs to
the English channel, we proceeded to Mr. Slade's at Colyton,
here taking up our rest for two nights ; the doctor supplying this
pulpit in exchange with Mr. Cornish, the ralnister, who did his
duty at Sidmouth.
Colyton, May 24. Entertained by the conversation of Mr.
Slade's youngest daughter, exceUing the coramon standard in point
of understanding, knowledge, and good breeding. Took a field
walk with all the faraily, and to the top of a hUl commanding a
view of a finely improved country all around, including the whole
vale from the mouth of the Axe to Axminster.
May 25. We set off at meridian, proceeding to Baldash, the
seat of a Mr. Hook, where we abode till I had bargained for a
horse to be sent me at an agreed time ; from hence departed for
Wishcombe ; dined and passed the evening at cards with Mr. John
Carsluck, his sister Miss C, and a Miss SneU, very agreeably ;
pressed to lodge, but Mr. Smith withstood their entreaties, and
carried me off reluctantly enough at nine o'clock.
May 28. Walked on the beach and up Salcorab hill with
Messrs. Erving and Smith; an extensive prospect from Portland
to the Start ; within these two headlands fifteen leagues ; the bay
is called Carnarvon. TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL.
Sidmouth, May 31, 1778,
Dear Sm :
Your favors of the 1st ult. and Sth inst. were delivered to me
yesterday afternoon, by the hands of a fair young lady in the alcove
on the beach, in this place, being the second day of my removal
hither from Exeter, which makes since my arrival in England just

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 191
the nuraber of mother Rowlandson's " removes." Having taken
minutes of thera, I fancy they cannot fall under the correct hand of
a judicious friend to forra a sensible appendix In the next edition of
that curious perforraance, unless you prefer the following title : —
" The perils and peregrinations of a tory or refugee, in quest of
civil liberty, which the author fondly imagined was to be enjoyed
in higher perfection in the land he travelled through, than in that
he precipitately abandoned, without money to support, friends to
advise, or wisdom to guide hira."
Having raade a short ramble the other day to Taunton and its
neighborhood, it carae into ray mind to point out to you the most
agreeable route, should you continue of the raind to take a journey
to these parts during the bathing season. As you will doubtless
prefer a post-chaise, you may command your own tirae, and choose
your road; in this case you wUl find the Wells road as pleasant as
any. On your arrival there, you will not fail to take a view of the
cathedral, which presents perhaps as fine, if not the finest front of
any old Gothic church in England, Within, it is renowned that I
know of, for nothing; its size is one of the smallest, and its bishop's
palace one of the largest, and has the appearance frora the moat
and battlements to have been the residence rather of a warlike
baron, than of a peaceable minister of religion. From hence, at
about four miles distant, is a natural cavern in the Mendip hUls,
called Okey or Wolkey Hole ; it is well worth visiting, and is of
the same kind, although not so deep, as that of the Peak of Derby,
From hence to Bridgewater, the famous Glastonbury monastery lies
right on your road, where you will probably stop at the inn. Your
curiosity when there cannot fail of being highly gratified by a view
of its remains, of which it is, however, alraost pillaged. Between
this last place and Bridgewater, the turnpike is delightful, and if
your driver should be as complaisant as mine, he will run you a
distance of fifteen miles in an hour" and a half. In this stage you
will pass over a ridge dividing the great Somerset moor, extending
beyond the reach of the eye, and filled with innumerable herds of
black cattle, from that called King's Sedgemore, lying on the left,
celebrated you know in history for the defeat of the unfortunate
Duke of Monmouth, in 1685. Far beyond, on that side, is seen
the obelisk raised by the late Lord Chatham to the memory of his

192 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
benefactor, Sir WiUiam Pynsent, From Bridgewater, at four or
five mUes distant, lying two railes out of the road to Taunton, Hes
Enmore Castle, a seat of Lord Egmont, buUt on the plan and in
the style of the old baronial castles.
Your next stage is the pretty town of Taunton, situated in a
vale or bottom called Taunton-Deanvale, remarkable for length,
breadth, and fertility ; of the forraer thirty miles, second ten or
twelve, and for the latter exceeded by none. In this stands the
tower of its principal church, called Mary Magdalen, which wUl at
tract your attention, being more crowded with Gothic decorations
than any edifice of that size that has fallen under your view.
Should you think it proper to take the road over Blackdown,
and so through Honiton, rather than through Wellington and Col-
lumpton road, you will on the ascent of Blackdon hill, about
five railes this side of Taunton, before you have reached the sum
mit, on a retrospection of the whole length and breadth of the vale,
see cultivation in its highest state of improvement, and a luxuri-
ancy, verdure and fruitage, no other region can boast of. You will,
I doubt not, join with me in saying so pleasing a rural view is not
to be seen but from this spot. From Taunton to Honiton is seven
teen miles, and frora thence to this place is nine, or to Exeter six
teen. You will, I know, take this tntimation in good part.
Very affectionately your friend,
S, Curwen,
June 1, Dr. Price, in his fast sermon on Feb, 10, speaking of
the dependence of a nation's safety on righteous men, has the follow
ing : " There is a distant country, once united to this, where every
inhabitant has in his house, as a part of his furniture, a book on
law and government, to enable hira to understand his colonial
rights ; a musket to enable him to defend those rights ; and a Bible
to understand and practise religion. What can hurt such a coun
try ? Is it any wonder we have not succeeded 1 How secure
raust it be whUe it preserves Its virtue against all attacks."
June 12. Between five and six o'clock rode with ray two fel
low boarders to Ottery beacon, commanding a prospect of Ottery
vale as far as Sir George Young's seat, in the neighborhood of
Honiton, Continued ride over the ridge tiU Honiton appeared in

1778,] journal AND LETTERS, 193
view ; returned in a mist through Sidbury, Sidford, etc., and in a
moist plight at eight o'clock dismounted,
JuikC 13. A large fleet appeared in the offing; near thirty
capital ships, judged to be Keppel's, Invited by Mr. Skaddon to
a sight of the cane King Charles I, had in his hand at his trial,
from whence the gold head dropped off in court ; interpreted by
the credulous as an ill omen. — It is a beautiful stick, and finely
shaded, and I suppose as much revered by his infatuated admirers, as
Aaron's rod that budded was by the devout Israelites. He also
possesses the Duke of Northumberland's golden key as Lord Cham
berlain, which, when he acts in that capacity, is fastened to his
pocket flaps. Also King Charles II.'s cabinet, and some fine old
royal porcelain, as precious relics of infinite value,
June 15, An early ride to Peak hill; a distant sight of
Portland and atout Abbotsbury,
June 22. Rode with Mr, Ogburn to Woodbury Castle, so called,.
the remains of a Danish fort, standing on the edge of a lofty range
of hills ; the ramparts of earth and ditches still reraain. The place
of arras contains about five acres : on the highest point is a house
built for hunting parties, etc., the roof projects in front, supported
by four pUlars in rustic order, the bark reraaining unstripped.
From hence to Exraouth to dinner ; a faraous bathing town ; nearly
four hundred strangers have been here at a tirae. More handsome-
houses than Sidraouth ; returned home before eight o'clock,
June 24. This day my friend Mr, Isaac Smith was ordained
to the pastoral office over the little congregation of dissenters here.
A minister of the Episcopal church, whose curiosity prompted hira
' to attend, continued through the whole service, expressed great
delight at, and approbation of the performances, and a high opin
ion of the solemnity and propriety of the whole. Pity that the
narrowness of party keeps asunder and divides in affection men en
gaged in the same worthy design, and servants of the same kind
and benevolent master, whose chief command is mutual love and'
good-wUl. June 28, Mr, Berguyn, a North Carolina gentleman, called on
his way to Falmouth to take passage in a packet for America ;¦
encouraged by their assembly having voted to admit all refugees;
who apply, 25

194 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [^1778.
June 30, Admiral Keppel's fleet has taken three French
frigates.

TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES.
Sidmouth, June 30, 1778,
Dear Sir :
I hope this will not be as long on the road as your favor ofthe
12th of May, that came to hand only a month after date. I de
layed an answer that I might be more explicit to your question
about the houses I mentioned to you ; they are not furnished, but
furniture is to be obtained at fifteen per cent., beds and such arti
cles at twelve. This I have from Col, Erving, who is now at Ex
eter, but does not propose to abide there longer than the 25th of
September, when his lease will expire. Where to retreat he seems
vmdetermined ; he wishes to reside among people hospitable, social,
unceremonious and not dressy ; if such can be found. He requests
you to inform him through me, whether you have received any
information respecting Abergavenny in Monmouth, Is it pleasant,
and has it a plentiful and cheap market 1 Are furnished houses to
be had- cheap 1 Are the people hospitable, social, and disposed to
form an unceremonious acquaintance, and are they expensive in
dress and dinners 1 The same is requested respecting Cowbridge
and Cardiff, Do you intend remaining at your present abode for a
long time, and who is with you in your neighborhood, and do they
propose to remain 1
My present companions are Dr. Smith, just ordained over his
little flock here, and our countryman Mr, Ogburn, in the same
house ; to which number I expect in ten days will be added Mr.
and Mrs, Sewall from Bristol, This place is a watering place, re
sorted to by the neighboring gentry. Having bought a pony, I
make frequent excursions into the country hereabouts, passing my
time as agreeably as the untoward circumstances of my affairs al
low. Should I not be happy enough to enlarge my party, I in
tend to make a ten days' ramble through CornwaU with my friend
Dr, Smith, who has become an inhabitant, and may continue to be
for some years.
Should that report induce Mr, Erving's retreating to your

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 195
quarters, and you continue where you are, I may pass a month
with you before winter. Yours truly, S, Curwen.
July 1. With Messrs. Smith and Ogburn rode to Honiton,
to see the annual procession of lace-makers; alighted at the
Golden Lion, and was soon called over and invited to dine at a
Mrs. Youat's, whose daughter is presidentess of this society, in nura
ber exceeding a hundred. They have an afternoon sermon, and
afterwards walk in procession, in the following order : — the presi
dentess with a wand adorned with flowers; then four maidens,
eight years old, with each a basket of flowers and large boquets,
walking between two arches adorned with flowers ; then follow
the patronesses, each with a white wand ; then the standard-bearer,
followed by two dozen couple, with a standard-bearer attending
them. In this order they paraded through the principal streets,
and then adjourned to the Golden Lion inn to take tea and pass
the evening in dancing and festivity. To this we were invited, but
my occasions calling me to Exeter, and a want of rehsh for such
mirth, concurred to send rae off the ground before the street parade
was over, leaving ray companions to return horae by moonlight.
Lodged at the " Valiant Soldier," Exeter.
Sidmouth, July 8, Rode to Hull-down to see the Exeter races.
The cup with two hundred guineas won by Mr, Wildraan's horse
Lubin; sport indifferent. The dust and heat were insufferable,
the numbers present supposed to be ten thousand,
July 10. Judge Sewall visited us ; in the afternoon walked
with him to Peak hill.
July 14, Received a letter from Peter Frye, Esq., without
mention of time or place.
TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON.
Sidmouth, Jidy 12, 1778,
Dear Sm :
I should be glad to see you at this bathing town of mud walls
and thatched roofs. Judge Sewall and lady, Samuel SewaU, Mr.
Smith, and Mr, Ogburn are here ; and at Exeter, fourteen miles

196 journal and letters, [1778,
off, are Col, Erving's family, Col, Vassall, Mr, Lechmere; and late
Lieut, Governor Oliver is soon to be there. The advices from
Boston discover a disposition I could scarce expect to hear, I
presumed in this flourishing state of their affairs, none durst whisper
a doubt of the omnipotency of the Congress, allied as they are to
J^rance, Very truly,
S, Curwen,
TO MR. GEORGE RUSSELL, BIRMINGHAM.
Sidmouth, July 13, 1778,
Dear Sir :
Accept my warmest thanks for your kind solicitude about my
'health, which is but in an ill state ; having a few days since re-
• ceived a shock of the kind which confined me last winter, and
jiearly translated me to another, or rather no state of existence.
Don't let this expression hurt you ; I mean not a doubt of a future
state, but whether the soul does not remain inactive during its
^separation from the body, and until roused by the last trumpet to
life and activity, is a doctrine I cannot entirely disprove ; but no
more of principles. My mind is as easy, submissive and resigned,
as a conviction that the divine conduct is right can make it; to
-aid which, I muster up all my religion and philosophy, some
times with success ; soraetiraes nature oppressed sinks under the
burden. Having proposed in my answer to follow the order of your
letter, I come to a tender point, the condition of the amiable and
worthy partner of your soul, for whom I feel more than a coramon
friend's affection and regard ; you have my earnest prayers that
her life may be continued tUl it shall cease to be a blessing ; nor
can our fondest wishes, guided by reason, extend further. The
vicissitudes daily taking place should be daily lessons to teach us
the vanity of too fondly expecting felicity from flattering, transitory
circumstances here below. Should it please the sovereign disposer
of life to deprive you of your dearest friend, may you experience
all the advantages that rehgion and true phUosophy afford ; as I
doubt not you view the evUs of life with too religious an eye not
to consider every event, however irksome at present, as capable of
yielding the most solid, pure, and lasting comfort in the final issue.

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 197
This day I received a letter from an old friend, now in banishment
with his wife and children at Halifax, conceived in the common
plaintive strain with all letters from that quarter ; complaining of
the spiritless measures of adrainistration and their railitary servants.
In truth, vigor and activity seera not the characteristic of this
nation at this period ; the continued series of untoward events on
the side of Great Britain, in this unnatural contest between her
and the colonies, has, I fear, given the coup de grace to her glory.
The sun of Britain is past the meridian and declining fast to the
west, and America is for ever eraancipated from the legislative
authority of this once potent empire ; alas ! no more so. The pro
phetic falling off of the best jewel from our king's crown when on
his head at coronation, is now accomplished by the loss of America,
which I consider irrevocably gone ; whether to their advantage,
is a point, I fancy, the Congress and I should not join issue in : —
the burden of supporting an independency with dignity is too heavy
for America to bear, especially the northern colonies, unless the
patriots there will discharge the troublesome public trusts and
offices without pecuniary emoluraents ; requiring a much greater
degree of virtue, self-denial, and public spirit, than I think now
does or indeed ever did exist there, unless in profession,
I fancy by this tirae I have tired my friend in reading, as I
confess I have myself in writing, and conclude by wishing he may
live long, and see raany prosperous days.
"Your affectionate friend, S. Curwen.
July 15. Went off with Mr. Withers in his phaeton, accom
panied by Messrs, Smith, Jarvis and Meservale, to Beer ; dined at
King's Head ; afternoon, were rowed a league out, and remained
out two hours.

198 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,

CHAPTER X,
Sidmouth, July 17, Set off alone on an excursion to the west ;
at nine o'clock passing over Peak hiU, through Otterton, and over
Welbry comraon ; my first stage at Mr. Withers', Lympston, inten
tionally to persuade hira to accompany me to Teignmouth, agreeably
to a vague promise from hira the preceding day. He was gone to
Exeter. I then proceeded through Star Cross and Dawlish Sands ;
on the other side of the beach is an extensive sea and land view ;
from hence is about four miles to Teignmouth, where arrived at
six o'clock at Globe inn, facing the sands and beach. This is a
bathing town, and resorted to by more, and company of higher rank
than Sidmouth can boast. It is irregularly built, but the houses
more in nuraber and of incoraparably better appearance. The
beach for bathing lies at some distance from the town. Lodged
here. July 18, Rose early, took the road to Newton Bushel, distant
six miles, through Bishop Stanton, passing also through King's
Stanton. Newton has three hundred houses, decently built ; shops
of alraost every kind of goods, streets paved, two Episcopal and
one Presbyterian church. Breakfasted and soon set off, passing at
half a raile distant an old fashioned seat called Ford, belonging to
Lord Courtenay, in whose manor this town lies. From hence to
Dartmouth, lying sixteen miles distant ; the land in the approaches
thereto hilly and uneven, but all improved ; at three alighted at
a Mrs. Quick's, in a place called Kingsware ; this is a cluster of
houses on the hither side of the river Dart, where the harbor pilots
dwell, and has an Episcopal church. Ferried over much the
width of Charlestown ferry, about half a mile within the extreme
points of the harbor.
Dartmouth, July 20, At twelve A, M. departed for Torbay,
five miles distant ; an ugly town, houses low, and for the greater
part slovenly in appearance ; araong them, however, a few decent
ones. The lower point adjoining the quay occupied by tbose who

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 199
depend on the hook and line ; here being no fewer than fourscore
boats daily employed in that service, all with a raast and sail, and
four to two tons burthen. They supply Exeter, Bath, Bristol, etc.,
quite across the country nearly a hundred miles north from them.
Dined at George inn, and took leave of Brixholra. Thence to
Barry Pomeroy, an estate of the Duke of Somerset, the house large,
but avenues in a neglected state ; raagnificent edifices and expan
sive pleasure grounds seem not to be this duke's taste, or a scanty
purse restrains it, ^ Hence to Bridgtown, contained in the parish of
Barry Pomeroy and part of the manor of the sarae narae, within
which I was told Totness stands. The duke derives from his
estate here two thousand pounds yearly, Totness is a corporation
and a parliamentary borough ; is remarkable for the singularity of
its address to the first George of the Brunswick line at his accession
to the throne of these kingdoms ; after the usual flattery, such as is
always paid to a new race of princes, they offered his majesty
sixteen shillings in the pound of their estates, and the other four if
he should want it, as a proof of the^r loyalty,
July 21, Arose at seven o'clock, mounted my horse, rode to
Newton, before mentioned ; stopped there for a night,
July 22, After breakfast departed for Chudleigh, but massing
the road, passed over Hull-down, leading to Dawlish, and arrived
at one o'clock at Exeter ; Mr, Erving happening in sight, urged
my driving with him,
Exeter, July 24, After visiting my old acquaintances, returned
to Sidmourh by eight o'clock, evening,
Sidmouth, July 26, Met Mr, George Evelelgh, a gentleman of
South Carolina, educated both at school and college at Cambridge,
New England, whom I remember a school-boy when I was in col
lege ; now the father of five grown up children,
TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON.
Sidmouth, July 28, 1778.
Dear Sir :
Please let me know whether you have received any late ad
vices from Boston or New England, by which you are informed of
the situation of the country, respecting its political, civil, or religious
condition ; the temper and disposition of its inbabitants respecting

200 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778.
those who have left the country ; their inclinations or ability to
continue the war. Would that the execrable spirit of persecution
might abate, they be restored to reason, and I to my native coun
try ; an event I ardently long for : indeed, I sometimes feel resolu
tion enough to attempt to go and throw myself on the mercy of
those whom party rage has rendered almost insensible to the ten
der feelings of humanity ; but fear, and a settled aversion to their
leveUing principles and persecuting practices, disarms rae.
With truth, your friend, S, Curwen.
August 16, News received that Congress has rejected any
treaty with the British comraissloners ; as might easily have been,
and was, I believe, fully imagined by all the world would be the
case at this late period, without an express specific acknowledg
ment of their independency,
Axminster, August 18, Walked to beach; seven bathing
machines standing there, dragged into the water by a horse each.
The alcove and ball room larger and more respectable than at Sid
mouth, TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON.
Sidmouth, August 31, 1778.
Dear Sir :
The dangerous, distrustful situation the nation is in, makes me
tremble for the next news frora abroad, lest it shake the government
to its centre. In the annals of this country, I know of no period in
which England stood on a narrower point; not in 1688, nor even
when the Scotch rebels had penetrated as far as Derby, in 1745.
The designs of Providence are inscrutable, not to be controlled by
huraan policy, nor defeated by human strength.
Although I have, all along, doubted that Congress would ac
cept terms short of independence, I confess myself not a little
deranged at the confirmation of it. That Congress should be loth
to quit their authority, is not to be wondered at, for it is the nature
of power to endeavor to preserve itself; but I cannot help flatter
ing myself with hopes that America will soon see her interest in a
different point of light from Congress, and disappoint the ambitious

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 201
views of men, however well qualified they may be to govern, evi
dently disposed to sacrifice that country's happiness to their lust of
power, God only knows what wiU be the issue of the troubles ;
raay it please him to save her from ruin, and accomplish a happy
re-union with this, and on a lasting basis.
Your assured friend,
S. Curwen.
Sept. 11. Keppel's and Byron's fleets are sources of incredible
reports from street and tavern politicians ; should both these sea
coraraanders be defeated, none knows the consequences — fatal ones
may be justly apprehended; this country was never in a more
perilous situation.
Sept. 21. The day of our half-yearly fair; great numbers
came in, passing on the beach to view the sea, going off in boats,.
eating, drinking and buying, in the sheds and booths erected on the
lower parts ofthe streets, and filled with confectionary, toys, hard
ware, ribbons, etc. Rode to Exeter in the evening.
Sept. 28. Departed on horseback, accompanied by Mr. Smith,
on an intended ramble to Weymouth and Portland. First stage to
Colyton, nine railes, where we dined. Hence to Charmouth, a
straggling town that extends from the top to the bottom of a long
hUl, and contains one street of perhaps a hundred houses ; passing
through, we arrived at a villa, two miles distant, part of the man
or of the Earl of Arundel, a Roraan Catholic peer, of which per
suasion most of the inhabitants on his lordship's estate here are.
The next cluster of houses on the road was Morkam's lake, which
with the former scarce make up a hundred houses. Our next and
last stage for this day Bridport, at the Bull inn, where we supped
and lodged.
Sept. 29. Left for Abbotsbury, ten mUes distant; the land
along the sea-shore a desert, not so rauch as a tree, shrub or bush
was to be seen. Passed through Weymouth to Melcomb Regis,
over bridge laid across the Wey, so caUed, being a small arm ofthe
sea, dividing these two towns. The latter lying on the land side, is
a neck formed by the bend, almost at right angles with the river
Wey, and is the place whereon the beach lies and visitors reside.
The market is large and better supplied than in the former.
26

202 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778.
There is a range of brick buildings, twelve in nuraber, tasty and
comraodious, facing the beach, and but a sraall distance above it ;
at the end is an elegant asserably-roora, and at a sraall distance
are shops of all kinds of articles, raillinery, toys, etc. Coffee-houses,
circulating libraries, etc. The beach is furnished with twenty-
two machines for bathing, in finer taste than any I have seen. This
town, like Weymouth, is concerned in shipping ; its quay is long
enough for sixty vessels ; not half that number then in port. It
has two Episcopal churches and a Presbyterian meeting-house,
W^eymouth is on the outer or south side of the river, consisting
principally of one street, well paved, but narrow. In front of the
town is a quay, facing Melcomb, filled with vessels. After dining,
we sallied forth ; finding nothing further to entertain us, soon re
turned, and ordering forth our horses, took our departure towards
Portland, the last stage. The passage to it is over a water caUed
the Fleet, between a beach seven miles in length and the main
land ; by this beach Portland is joined to the main, but the way
is scarce ever attempted, consisting of small loose stones or deep
sand, so that a horse would sink down half-leg deep ; this approach,
therefore, must be too tedious to be used. The road from Mel
comb to the island or peninsula is over a lofty plain of a'mUe in
length ; from hence is a hard gravel beach of over a mile : and
opposite the road stands an edifice in ruins, styled a castle, having
however more the look of a mansion house deserted by its own
er, its solitary black site rendering it an uncomfortable residence.
We soon measured the beach, and were wafted over the Fleet
by a rope-ferry, as it is called in New England dialect. But the
beach on the Portland side, of a mile and a half, required a more
leisurely pace. The first village on the island of Portland is called
Chesilton, of about a hundred houses of reputable aspect ; — situation
low, on the plain of a beach ; from hence, being an easy ascent of
half a mile, we carae to two villages.
In the morning (30th), climbed up the lofty plain to the spot the
flag-staff is erected on, being the northernmost suraralt, having the
castle situate at the noithern exetremity, from which may be seen
at one view as far into the Enghsh channel as eye can reach ; to
Isle of Wight in the east, and to the north a vast extent of country,
Portland island is about five miles in length, breadth two ; on the land

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 203
side it is defended by a castle before mentioned. On the southern
cliffs are two light-houses. Mounted our horses, and in our course lay,
in the middle road, the first vUlage, called Reffon, which contains
the only church on the island, encompassed by stone wall, inclosing
an acre of yard. Passed through Ishwell, Wikeham, Eison, Wes
ton, and returned to the rope-ferry by which we came to the island,
and at one o'clock arrived at Crown inn, Melcomb. Thence through
Upway, situated in a fertile vale, abounding in trees and hedges. The
next vUlage, lying a little out of our way, is Winterborne Monkton ;
the latter epithet I suppose denotes for what it was remarkable.
Through this village we passed to Maiden Castle, a famous en
campment of Roman construction, supposed to have been buUt by
them soon after their first invasion. In their times Dorchester, two
miles distant, was their winter, as this spot was their summer resi
dence. It is said to be the only reraains of the kind in Great
Britain — form oval ; contains within the inner intrenchment many
acres, enough to hold three legions or eighteen thousand men. The
intrenchments entire, four without the other at each end— two on
each side or flank, encompassing the whole — depth thirty feet. It
has a stupendous appearance, and looks like a work of a people
capable of any undertaking, however difficult. Thence we jogged
on to Dorchester,
Dorchester, Oct. 1. Rambled over the town : here are assize
and session-house, prison and bridewell ; about 2500 inhabitants ;
houses decent, and streets paved. Avenues to the town pleasant
at all quarters, being lined with a row of trees on each side for
two miles ; from hence at ten o'clock we departed, shaping our
course towards the remains of Roman antiquity, the occasion of our
coming hither ; and in half an hour arrived at the amphitheatre,
which is entirely of earth ; the forms whereon the benches were
laid for spectators are yet entire. The outer line an oval, the earth
thrown up in the manner of an encampraent, and about twenty
feet high, encorapassing the whole; the area or space wherein
spectacles were exhibited, measures forty or fifty yards longest
diameter ; two rows of benches, judged spacious enough to hold
two thousand spectators. Having satisfied curiosity, proceeded
through fields for the castle, lying on a lofty ridge at about a mile
and a half further. Having finished our survey, and amused our-

204 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778.
selves with fine prospects, we ascended by another quarter to the
fields and Inclosures adjoining hereto ; crossing which, at length
reached turnpike at a vUlage called Martinston, from hence to
Winterburn-Stepleton and Clenston ; here we met the great
London road to Plymouth and the west ; glad once again to salute
it and forsake the cross-roads that are but indifferent at best, and
some execrable ; in this we kept till arrival at first and last stage
of this day, ahghtlng in about two hours at Bull inn, Bridport,
distant from Dorchester seventeen miles. The business for which
this town is famed, and carried on to great extent, is in sail-cloth
and white cordage ; in size little inferior to Dorset.
Bridport, Oct. 2. To Axminster, Honiton, and Wishcombe,
w'here lodged.
Oct- 3. Alighted at Mrs. Godfrey's, my new lodging-house in
Sidmouth, Sidmouth, Oct. 10. Spirit of privateering against France sur
prisingly raised ; success incredible : three East India ships home-
Tvard bound taken, and thirty-six St. Domingo and Martinico ships,
and a multitude of others.
Oct. 26. Accompanied Mr. Smith to Mr. WUham Lloyd's, at
Otterton, a substantial farmer. In conversation on different ranks
of mankind, and different consequent mode of living, ray corapanion
told us the foUowing tale from an Irish lady. A young country
woman of hers wished she might be queen for a month, for then,
•said she, I would have bacon with my broth. To which our hostess
added one ofthe like kind: a young lad of Cornwall wished he
might be king, for then, said he, I would ride on gates and eat fat
•bacon with my broth. The demands of nature are few and easily
satisfied ; it is education and use that increase our appetites and
render thera troublesome,
Oct. 27. Evening Mr, Smith visited me. Our sentiments
on toleration differ ; he holds that every subject in a state has an
absolute right to unlimited toleration, be his principles what they
may. I think no man should be persecuted for opinion's sake, yet
he has no right to complain of any disabilities he may be under,
whose avowed persuasion is, that faith is not to be kept with those
whose religious tenets differ from his own, whose religion absolves
him from most solemn engagements, nay, who thinks himself in con-

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 205
science bound to violate promises, VOWS and oaths; nay, further,
thinks it highly meritorious to disturb the peace and overthrow the
very governraent he has sworn to support, when his priest directs
and opportunity presents. Opinions, merely such, the magistrate
ought by no means to concern himself with, nor be subject to his
control ; and therefore every peaceable man has an equal claim to
his protection in his person and property.
By letters from Lord Cornwallis at New-York, it appears Count
D'Estaing had been obliged hastily to retreat with his squadron
from Rhode Island by the arrival of Lord Howe, with twenty line-
of-battle ships and twenty frigates ; that a severe storm parted
the fleets ; that the Americans by a bridge of boats had landed
twelve thousand men on the island, and that General Clinton had
strengthened his garrison by several detachments he himself had
brought from New-York ; that Gen. Lee, being accused of cow
ardice and bad conduct, was suspended by a court martial.
Oct. 28. Lord Howe has arrived from Rhode Island in the
Eagle. Four of our frigates have been sunk at Rhode Island, when
invested by D'Estaing and the Provincials ; also twenty-three ships
destroyed. The Bostonians are said to be out of humor with their new
friends and allies, and no wonder ; French government, laws,
rehgion, manners, and policy, are totally alien and unnatural to
Americans, and wUl sit uneasy tUl custom and long use have fa
miliarized them.
JVov. 17. Rode to Beer with Mr. Smith ; visited the vicar of
Seaton and Beer, a character truly original ; a great humorist and
punster, not unlike Rev. Mather Byles of Boston In that line.'''' He
is of enormous bulk, confined by gout, which he told us was his
third attack, resembhng, in his own language, a furnace heated
seven times hotter than the former ; compared himself, in the midst
of excruciating pains, to his holiness seated to receive adoration in
his sanctified chair ; treated us hospitably, and was-'very facetious.
JVov. 23. Took ray leave of Sidmouth, my residence for ap
proaching winter being to be at Exeter ; passed the road in two
hours and a half, and sat down at new lodgings in Fore-street, near
East-gate. Exeter, J^ov. 26. With Mr. Smith road to Newton Abbot to

206 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778.
visit a Capt. Hendley, returned frora Newfoundland, taken by Capt.
Babson and carried into Boston, where and at Cape Ann he resided
six weeks. He reports that the country is in a distressed condition,
wanting almost every comfort ; no trade but privateering, by which
some have been raised from nothing to affluence : says the inhabi
tants are embittered against the French, who have engrossed all
the trade, from whom they do not in return receive any advantage
of labor or supplies, but their own goods at exorbitant prices.
Wretched effects of civil discord ! How deplorable is the situation,
how wretched the prospects of that once happy region, which se
curity, peace and plenty have of late abandoned.
December 4. Visited my venerable and reverend friend, Mr.
Towgood ; he is one of very few to whose respectful and undis-
serabled welcome I am not a little indebted ; to whom my grateful
acknowledgments are due. The river Exe, by late rains swelled
beyond the memory of forty years, has caused great damage. The
two islands lying within the banks of the river over against this
city, overflown; on them are tucks for drying woollen cloths
that are dyed and pressed in the city.
December 16. Attended for the first tirae Arden's course of
lectures on experimental philosophy, being the second ofthe course,
held in a chamber in the castle ; more than threescore present, and
continued two hours : subject, electricity.
December 21. Received a letter from Judge Sewall, full as
usual of humor and hopes. FROM HON. J. SEWALL.
Bristol, December 18, 1778,
Dear Sir :
TUl I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 1st inst.,
I was as rauch at a loss from what part of this or any other globe
I should hear of you, as I was with respect to a certain com
mander-in-chief, when, to use the words of a friend in a late letter
from New- York, " after having proceeded up the Delaware within
twenty raUes of PhUadelphia, his place of destination, when a
looker-on would say they raust (from the reason and nature of
thlngs)land at WUralngton,insteadof which he sees them tack about

1778,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 207
— away they come — down the river again — huzza — make a circle
round Asspeak, up Chesapeake, and after travelling in the heat of
the season, in a hell of a climate, over a monstrous extent of coun
try, they arrive at PhUadelphia — ' the army in high spirits.' "
Don't you think ray friend's description is truly Shandean 1 How
ever, raatters I hope are raending ; the account you give me from
America, seems to be confirmed from all quarters. Judge Howard
is lately arrived here from New- York; he tells me that a number
of gentlemen of influence and property, who have been lying on
their oars to see which way the game would finally go, as I sup
pose, have lately come in, among whom Is the famous Mr. Smith,
the lawyer ;* that they, together with Mr. Galloway, are unani
mously of opinion, that from the unexpected tyranny of the Congress
and their sub-devils, the almost universal poverty and distress of
the people, and the general aversion to French connections, the
quondam union of the thirteen states is upon the point of dissolution,
and that nothing is wanting but a single effort to crush the rebel
lion, root and branch. Judge Howard says he heard Sraith say,
" if Great Britain don't conquer the colonies, it can only be because
she wont j" that these gentleraen have been much with the com
missioners, by whom they have been greatly attended to. With
these favorable accounts frora Araerica, I can't help connecting
the union that appears in parliament, respecting the grand point,
the reduction of the colonies ; for though the opposition to ministry
is still faintly kept up for form's sake, yet the language is so differ
ent frora that held in former sessions, that I can't help thinking a
sense of public danger, and a regard to national interest and honor,
begin to prevail over private resentments. From all these appear
ances, I augur well ; and I am happy in finding the general opinion
among my friends and acquaintances is, that the prospect of a
speedy and happy suppression ofthe rebellion is fairer now than it
ever has been. Come, my dear friend, cheer up ; don't think of
going to that " country from whose bourne no traveller returns,"
though there be no sin or sorrow, before you have seen a happy
end to the sorrows and sins of your country. It will be such glo-
* The historian of New-York, and chief justice during the war . subse
quently of Canada.

208 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778.
rious news to carry with you, that it is well worth waiting patiently
for raany years; but I hope you wUl have it in one year; and then,
I doubt not, you will find yourself more able to combat the unavoid
able evils of this state militant, and be less in a hurry to set out for
that unknown country, which must be your next stage.
The situation of American loyalists, I confess, is enough to have
provoked Job's wife, if not Job himself; but still we raust be men,
phUosophers, and Christians ; and bearing up with patience, resig
nation and fortitude, against unavoidable sufferings, is our duty in
each of these characters.
There, sir, is a Roland for your Oliver, in the serious way.
My friends and faraily here are all well, and wish your health and
happiness. If you see my good friend the doctor before he receives a
letter from me, present him ray best respects. Adieu, J, Sewall,
TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, COWBRIDGE, WALES.
Exeter, Dec. 26, 1778,
Dear Sir :
I have often in fancy, whilst reading a letter from a friend,
transported rayself into his presence, and considered myself as at
tending to his personal conversation, thereby increasing ray own
enjoyraent. This curious effect raay perhaps be pecuhar to me ;
however, I am pleasing myself that my friend Col. Browne,
although not apt to be carried into the regions of fancy, may on
occasion be capable of an innocent delusion of this kind.
Without further preface, my chief intention in this scrawl Is to
amuse this dark gloomy season with the recital of a few circum
stances relative to our own country that were told me by Capt.
Hendley, who was taken into Boston by an American privateer,
and passed six weeks there and at Cape Ann, The inhabitants,
he said, seemed discontented, and would gladly exchange their un
happy condition for peace and a connection with their old friends,
could a constitutional line be drawn, and America be thereby freed
frora the future attacks of administration. That they are dissatis
fied with their new allies, against whora there are great heart
burnings ; that all commerce is in the hands of the French, and

1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 209
commodities held at an unreasonable height ; not a store belonging
to the inhabitants contains any European goods, all being in the
hands of the French, for which they wUl receive nothing but
money, taking in return no supplies from the Anglo-Americans,
nor employing a laborer ; in short, that the French are not of the
least advantage to them in any respect ; that privateering, the only
resource of the merchants, is almost annihilated by the great shock
the adventurers that way have received ; — that the European arti
cles of import are extremely wanted, and at an enormous price ;
that the French are hated, and in turn they despise and oppress the
inhabitants, between whom and themselves there are frequent quar
rels ; and one that lately made a noise in our papers here, which
happened at Boston a few months since, was occasioned solely by
the opposition of the natives to the French, no English soldier or
sailor being then in town; that those who now rule the roast there
are like a certain class of men mentioned in Scripture, taken from
the lowest of the people, and too tenacious of their ill-acquired
power and honors to part with them, or to suffer the least intima
tion of reconcilement with Great Britain : honors did I say 1 — for a
moment I forgot Addison's incontrovertible adage,
" When vice prevails,
The post of honor is a private station."
I fear the measure of these raen's folly is not yet quite full, but
I am egregiously mistaken if they are not making hasty strides to
their utter undoing. On advice of an order of the Congress for a
valuation of estates, real and personal, through their extended do
mains, the Massachusetts Bay assembly incontestably, unanimously
and promptly refused compliance, and despatched Mr. Hancock to
Philadelphia with their determination and remonstrance. Their bUls
of credit, which at first emission passed at the rate of four and six
pence the dollar, had sunk to one and threepence, and passed
current only by permission at one and sixpence. The houses in
Boston and all along the coast are stripped of every article of fur
niture and valuable effects, save what is absolutely necessary for
constant use, the inhabitants being in continued dread of a descent
on the coast, which, indeed, they have but too probable grounds to
apprehend, A passenger, lately fled from America on the score of
sufferings there, declares the late menace in the commissioners"
27

210 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1778,
proclamation wUl assuredly effect what neither persuasions nor
threats have yet had force enough to bring about, a solid and
firm union of all ranks and classes, for want of which alone in the
middle colonies, he says, the British array has not, long since, been
driven into the sea. The raanifesto, which I presurae you have
seen, issued by the Congress in consequence of that proclamation,
renders it more than probable that should the dreadful expedient
threatened take place, history will hardly furnish a parallel to the
cruelty and carnage of the following carapaign, which God in his
infinite mercy prevent, I presume, before receipt of this, you will
have seen the account of Lords Cornwallis and Carlisle's return to
Great Britain, and the shattered condition of Byron's fleet, on which
was placed such confidence and dependence, having sustained a
loss, it is to be feared, of several capital ships. The almost unin
terrupted series of untoward events and curious accidents which
have befallen this people since the comraencement of these mutual
confusions and strifes, has not seldom reminded me of a passage in
the song of Deborah and Barak ; I wish for form's sake I could
recollect our New England version ; " They fought from heaven,
the stars in their courses fought against Slsera." This text is not
quoted by way of comparison ; I would not have you suppose that
I mean to compare the hosts of Slsera to the British army, for in
truth I do not think the Americans to be the chosen people of God,
or their armies the armies of the living God, though they have
only and simply Deo auspice for their motto on their bills and
standards, I should have finished the above by adding somewhat
of a more cheerful strain, but having finished my sheet must con
clude with affectionate regards to Mrs. Browne, your son and self,
S. Curwen.
Dec. 25, There have been twenty-eight king's ships, priva
teers and letters of marque carried into Brest, from 20th ult, to
10th inst, ; a very respectable number, truly, considering the Eng
lish are lords of the ocean ! Of the twenty-eight bishops only four
voted to adopt the new mode of carrying on the war by spreadiuf
carnage and desolation through Araerica, as decreed in the com
missioners' proclamation. Whatever excuses or reasons politicians
may assign for extending or securing temporal dominion by such

JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 211
cut-throat raeasures, these four servants of the meek and lowly
Jesus have exhibited a spirit that should through the duration of
time render them infamous, and their naraes and memory proverbi
ally detestable. In the papers received to-day appears a mani
festo of Congress in answer to the commissioners' proclamation,
announcing a retaliation of like measures,
Dec. 28. This day I am arrived at ray grand cliraacteric, hav
ing just corapleted ray sixty-third year : with more propriety than
old Jacob may I say, "few and evil have been the days of the years
of my life." For what I am reserved, is known to God only ; many
have been my deliverances, many the deaths I have been rescued
from. May my remaining days be employed to more valuable pur
poses, and to my own real honor and advantage, temporal and
eternal. Visited by Mr. George Eveleigh, with whora and faraily
I have an agreeable acquaintance. He was one of the first couple
my old friend Mr. McGilchrist married in South Carolina, the cere
mony performed at Wands in Christ Church parish. He was ed
ucated at Harvard College, and boarded ¦with President Wads-
worth ; at first sight of me at Bristol two years ago, he recognized
my name and person; having been at school in Cambridge whUe
I was a student in college.

212 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1779,

CHAPTER XI,
Exeter, Jan. 1, 1779, A delightful day ; visited Mr, Eveleigh,
and by invitation passed the afternoon and evening there. Why
should presents be made upon the first day of January more than
at any other time 1 The original of this custom is attributed to
the reign of Romulus, and Tatius king ofthe Sabine.s, who gov
erned jointly in Rome in the seventh year of the city. It is said
that Tatius, having been presented on the first of January with
some boughs out of the forest of the goddess Strenia in token of
good luck, began this custom, and called the present strena. The
Romans raade this a holiday, and consecrated it to the honor of
Janus, offering sacrifices to him ; and the people went in throngs
to Mount Tarpeia, where Janus had an altar clothed anew, and
chose to begin their respective employments on this day. They
wished one another good luck, and were very careful not to speak
any thing ill-natured or quarrelsome. The common presents among
the meaner sort were dates, figs and honey, which were usually
covered with leaf gold : and those who were under the protection
of great men used to add a piece of money. In the reign of Au
gustus, the populace, gentry and senators used to send hira new-
year's gifts, and if he was not in town, they carried them to the
capitol. From the Romans this custom went to the Greeks, and
frora the heathens to the Christians, who early carae into the prac
tice of raaking presents to the magistrates. Some of the fathers
write strenuously against this practice on account of the immorali
ties committed under the cover of protection : — but since the gov
ernments of the several nations of Europe have become Christian
ized, the custom is still retained as a token of friendship, love and
respect. TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON.
Exeter, Jan. 17, 1779,
Dear Sir :
Inability to provide for one's own support is a mortifying con-
4sideralion that embitters almost every circumstance of life. Once

1779,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 213
I thought health with virtue and a competency a happy condition ;
now I think otherwise ; experience has taught me that raore is ne
cessary to human happiness. Without something in pursuit, rightly
or wrongly estimated worthy, life is insipid ; — a connection with
my fellow raen, constant employment, and a much less sura would
render me more pleased with the world and myself, than the sup
plies I receive whilst I dream the blank of life along, unknowing
and unknown. Did I know how to emancipate myself from this
tediously uniform state of little raore than mere animal life, not an
hour should pass before I would fly to any quarter of the habitable
earth to accomplish it. My past inactive state often reminds rae of
a Latin adage, "fruges consumere notus" a reproach I can but ill
brook. Man by the kind intention of his Creator was formed for
useful action ; selfish ease, indulgence and repose injures both body
and mind ; the former without exercise cannot maintain its health
and strength, nor will the latter, if unemployed on laudable, wor
thy objects, refuse to stoop to base ones, or destroy its vigor for
want of exertion, or by sensual indulgence.
Your mention of the proscription act in your letter I fancy I
did not understand, never having seen any names inserted in any
act ; if you mean that lately in our newspapers wherein the refu
gees are forbidden under penalty of transportation to return, and
threatened with death in case of a second entrance within the Uni
ted States, that I have seen, but none other of the kind.
Yours,
S, Curwen.
Jan. 23, The last " Reraerabrancer" contains a list of refugees
banished by act of the Massachusetts governraent, specifying only
four out of the thirteen from Salera, viz., William Browne, Benja
min Pickman, John Prince, and John Sargent, The omission of
my name affords no comfort, fearing it raay operate dlsadvantage-
ously here, being dependent on the bounty of the court.
Jan. 30, This day is, in Church of England language,
" Charles's martyrdom." Attended service ; Archdeacon Hull of
Barnstaple, preached a furious, high-tory address to a thin audi
ence.

214 journal and letters. [1779.
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH.
Exeter, Feb. 1, 1779.
Dear Sir :
I hope your New England toryism wUl not end in English ja
cobinism, as your letter seems to indicate. Curiosity led me last
night to the cathedral, where, if you are a real believer that those
sufferings of the pretended martyr were undeserved, your ears
would have been charmed with Archdeacon Hull's encomium on
him, and your liberal breast fired with indignant rage at his cruel
persecutors. But really, when I see the solemn mockery of a pul
pit clothed in black, the staves of the city officers covered with the
same grim color, no music in the service of the day, which gener
ally constitutes so essential a part of Christian worship ; God most
earnestly entreated not to lay this miscalled murder to the charge
of the nation, or to require his blood at their hands, who, to com
pass his own tyrannous purposes, would have involved (and really
did as far as in hira lay) this island and Ireland in confusion, car
nage and desolation ; and further that nothing less than the blood
ofthe Son of God can expiate this (in the Church language) inhu
man and execrable (but I durst affirm justly deserved) murder, I
cannot fall to wish government would lay aside a service which
insults common sense, is a mere religious grimace, and which all
liberal ralnds justly despise. Were you to have seen the pitiful and
thin company, you would have wagered odds that they were har
dened wretches, and went merely to save appearances.
I thank you for the mention of my name to your father, which,
if I judge from former experience, wUI be productive of no very
comforiable effects to me ; ray friends having, I fear, adhered to the
notion that my departure was an intentional and full adieu. The
omission of my name in the banishment act I fear will prove Inju
rious to me here. That your father makes no raention of govern
ment or the temper ofthe people, I presurae arises from his prudence
and the survelUance of the rulers there, which is, I fancy, strict
enough. Very affectionately, S. Curwen,
Feb. 15. Evening walked with Mr. Eveleigh's family through

1779,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 215
Fore-street to see illumination on occasion of Admiral Keppel's
acquittal by court martial on a charge of Sir Hugh Palllser ; the
result is the highest approbation of his conduct. London has
voted thanks for his bravery and the freedom of the city, and all
large cities and towns are following the exaraple.
Feb. 20. Jaraes Russell on his way to Dartmouth, came here
to inform rae that: it was debated in Massachusetts Assembly whe
ther my name should be inserted in the exclusion bill, and carried
by a sraall raajority in my favor after a warm debate.
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Exeter, Feb. 19, 1779.
Dear Sir :
I presume I am to expect all that is worth hearing from Judge
Sewall's letter to you. All well in Salem the last of December, so
Mr. Russell Informs me. Two or three persons, I am told, who
had not money enough for shoes for their feet, are now riding in
coaches of their own in Boston. Solomon says, " I have seen ser
vants on horseback and princes walking on foot;" I really think
the royal preacher was a prophet, and pointed at the events of our
day ; at least the present state of English America verifies the
remark. Though the general election be not for these two years, a can
vass for votes has begun already. RoUe against Baring and Chol
wich, who have combined with the church and chambers. I have
seen one Instance and heard of another of such gross condescen
sion, that it has given me a thorough dislike, to parliamentary can
vassing, and manifests the pitiful notions of a nation's honor, virtue
and regard to public interest, which no man of common sense and
real integrity, and not poisoned by corrupt principles and practices
of the tiraes, can stoop to, and which nothing but sinister, selfish
views can digest and submit to. Men of recluse lives only, such as
monks and speculative system raakers, vent their spleen on the raan-
ners, custoras, principles and practices of their day, and call their
times the dregs and refuse. I will therefore suppose it always
was, and ever will be the case, with ambitious men, to use the
same low arts and base flattering compliances to gain their selfish
ends; be it so, it is stlU unworthy conduct. God forbid that

216 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1779,
wealth, power and influence achieved by such means as reason
condemns and honor despises, shall ever be in my possession. The
nearer I approach the verge of life, the juster I fancy my notions
are, and if indeed they shall prove so, I hope to be finally rid of all
essential errors before I put off this mortal coU and become an as
sociate of pure, refined, unembodied intelligences. Yours, etc,
S. Curwen.
TO JONATHAN SEWALL, ESQ., BRISTOL.
Exeter, March 6, 1779.
Dear Sir :
I delayed answering your last favor, in hopes to transmit you
sorae little intelligence about our own country by means of a Salem
captain, who was taken on his passage to Cadiz, and carried into
Bristol, from whence he set off for London, and after a short abode
passed over to France, His sudden flight from this land of toryism
and tyranny has deprived me of wished and expected information
respecting my family and friends, but instead of granting my re
quest signified in a letter I wrote, he did not think it consistent
with the purity of his principles to correspond with a refugee, as
he told Mr. Timmins.
The banishment act, which party resentment dictated, will, like
all overstrained penal measures, be its own destroyer, and the mali
cious designs of its promoters be frustrated by the very means em
ployed to manifest their venom and spite against the friends of law
ful government and the constitutional rights of their country ; nay,
it was soon clamored against, and a noted brother counsellor of
your honor's, whom you well know, of the doubtful or rather
double gender, has publicly declared it to be a mad act, to which
one may add, as ever disgraced tyranny itself. How unlike is the
conduct of our countrymen, who, whilst contending or pretending
to contend for civil liberty, are contriving and exciting, with the
most rigorous severity, plans of oppression against many of their in
nocent feUow subjects, feeble and unarmed, merely for speculative
opinions, to the disgrace of their pretensions — I say how unlike is
this conduct to those generous Athenians who undertook the expul
sion of the thirty tyrants that had usurped the government of that

1779,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 217
city : themselves reinstated in the rank of citizens, their desires
were gratified ; they did not persecute with everlasting hatred their
enemies, but, determined not to yield to that slavery to which
those had basely submitted, they invited them to share the freedom
which themselves had so gloriously acquired. The above quota
tion, my worthy friend wiU candidly suppose is only apphed by
way of illustration, not comparison, which, however, does not
run on all fours, as the saying is, I was going to set down a few
remarks on the present state of the nation as it appears to my view ;
for the good of the nation, you know, in which each individual's
happiness is involved, is of too much importance to be neglected
by any who wish well to their country ; but having made so many
false judgments, and remembering the substance in a former favor,
my courage fails, and I think it raore prudent to keep my ideas in
my own breast. There have been circulating, araong some, curious
and amusing enough inconsistencies relating to General Campbell
in Georgia, from whose successful invasion multitudes augur the
quick reduction of America, and have taken anticipatory possession
of the reraains of D'Estaing's fleet that the flaraes and sea have not
devoured, with Martinique and Guadaloupe. Unluckily the truth
of one report dispels, in the ralnds of judicious people, the
succeeding one, consigning it to forgetfulness, which I presurae
is pretty much the case with you, unless the privateering business
engrosses the attention of your Bristol traders, which is not the case
with us ; hut little concern that way and a declining trade leave
our commercial gentry time enough on their hands, now employed
in the laudable purpose of talking and disputing for the honor of
Keppel and the good of the nation. These political dabblers, to
gether with clergy and attornies, rendezvous at Mills' coffee
house, the mart of politics and scandal, and, I assure you, figure
away as notably as Fielding's coffee-house politicians, and are not
altogether unequal to them.
Having taken some pains, I hope you will be able to read the
foregoing, notwithstanding the abbreviations, which, for despatch,
I have used, I am your affectionate friend,
S, Curwen-

28

218 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1779,
Exeter, March 17, Attended a trial at Common Pleas in the
castle. Judges Hotham and Perryn ; evening, returning home met
a large crowd hallooing, having blue cockades in their hats, with
an old man at their head, and streamers flying at the end of long
sticks ; it proved a triumph for victory gained over the parish
priest in a tithe case :— I am told it is a customary practice,
April 2. Good Friday, Canon Moore preached at cathedral
an excellent sermon, as his always are ; he is caUed Bishop Kep
pel's sermon-writer, as the latter is not considered a good writer.
AprU 12. Went to deliver a letter to Mr, and Mrs, Erving,
for Judge SewaU at Bristol, they being about to depart,
TO DR. CHARLES RUSSELL, ANTIGUA.
Exeter, April 2, 1779
Dear Sir :
You are now very near the intended seat of war ; may your lit
tle island be protected from the ravages of the enemy. As the
events of war are doubtful, I promise myself no certain advantages
frora the junction of Adrairals Byron and Barrington ; — shall think
it no unfavorable carapaign if we can retain our present posses
sions, expecting no conquests besides St, Lucia, the surrender of
which, in sight of a superior French army and navy to British
troops, does immortal honor to the victors' bravery and skill. The
newspapers that are the mints of falsehood, are daily deceiving us
with relations of great distress in the French islands, great dissatis
faction and heart-burnings between DavUle, the governor of Mar
tinico, and D'Estaing ; that the latter has, with a disabled fleet and
a scanty stock of provisions, been blocked up in Port Royal har
bor, Martinico ; but our newspaper fabricators tiave so many pur
poses to serve quite distinct from truth and the good of society, that
I rarely put into my list of facts what for amusement only I read
there. Five or six thousand new levies are designed for America; our
privateers have been successful against the East and West Indian
French fleets, and the French have nearly balanced accounts by
taking and destroying near twenty of our frigates, besides prizes,
of which Lloyd's list presents us weekly with no contemptible
numbers.

1779,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 219
The king's troops are in possession of Georgia, from which
some augur the reduction of all America, but from what reason I
cannot perceive ; one, two, or three colonies are but part of the
confederacy, and there must be some capital defeat, I presume, to
cool the ardor of minds so united as the Araericans are at present,
I remain your friend, etc, S, Curwen,
(The above inclosed to William Cabot, London, to be deliv
ered into Samuel Quincy's hands, who is soon going off to Antigua
as comptroller at Parkenbay,)
May 10, Walked to Poltiraore, the seat of the late Sir Rich
ard Bampfield, five miles out : — this miser for his penuriousness
was called Tenpenny Dick, endeavoring to reduce ^laborers' day
wages to that sum. It is an irregular old edifice, and its office,
deserted by its owner, foreshows approaching ruin. The heir,
whose narae is Sir Charles Warwick Barapfield, is of so different
a huraor frora the late miser, that, in the space of eighteen months
he has puffed off sixty thousand pounds in cash, and an income from
lands of eight thousand a year, so far as to require many years'
mortgages, which the estate is now under, with an allowance of
three hundred a year only. It is said his expenses during his par
oxysms of folly was thirty pounds an hour ; a sad instance of folly,
thoughtlessness, extravagance, and compliance with the luxuri
ous taste and dissipation of the present age.
May 13, Ascension Day. The limits of each parish surveyed
by committees, a great nuraber of boys attendant, carrying long
slender white rods in their hands ; at certain intervals stopping and
making loud huzzas.
A British fleet of nearly five hundred sail remains wind-bound
in Torbay under Admiral Arbuthnot, commanding over forty men-
of-war. May 18, Byron's fleet, left in the West Indies, worsted by
D'Estaing, By Lord Gower's (president of the council) own ac
knowledgment in the House of Lords, the nation is in a woful
plight, and justly alarmed lest Spain should take part against us,
as Count Alraadava, their ambassador, intimated when he should
leave : — in which case it is my belief we have every thing to fear.

220 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1779,
the combined fleets greatly exceeding ours. Ireland discontented
and seemingly ready to join an invader ; Scotland uneasy ; muti
nies and discontent in the fleet,— distraction, etc, in councils.
May 19, Col. Erving and family removing to Exraouth, by
which I have lost one source of rauch enjoyraent ;— repeatedly
pressed to reside in summer with them, which I have hitherto with
stood from a dislike to watering places. A fleet of sixteen ships
of the line and ninety transports, it is reported, were seen steering
towards Ireland ; should they land a general defection is to be feared,
June 5. This day informed by Lord Clifford's priest, that I
may have admittance to see his curiously wrought bed, presented
by the old Duchess of Norfolk, said to be the richest in Europe, for
which the queen has offered ten thousand pounds, and been refused.
It is said there are four thousand Roraish priests and fifteen hun
dred dissenting ralnisters of all persuasions in England and Wales,
The former succeed in making converts,
June 20. Yesterday Lord North announced in the House of
Commons that the .Spanish minister had left,
June 23, It is said favorable news has arrived to govern
ment ; — what a pity that views and passions of mankind were not
coincident with their real interest, enjoyment and felicity ; but,
alas ! they are at odds too frequently, — in the future world all
wrongs will be rectified,
June 28, Mr, John Sargent, my townsman, brought a letter
from Col, Browne, at Cowbridge ; he proposes to abide with me
five or six days.
July 8. At Lympston, ordination of Mr. Jarvis's brother ; met
my friends Mr, Sraith and John Sargent from Sidmouth, The actors
were Sir H. Trelawney, Dr. Kippis, of London, and Dr. Priestley,
who preached, and exhibited a picture of his own principles, deny
ing in express terras need of particular aids in all cases since
Christ's appearance, being only necessary for the establishment of
a religion ; — declaring man to be in a similar state respecting
moral means as earth is in regard to seed put into it ; if it had
been in a previous state of fitness for bringing forth, its product
would be in proportion ; if otherwise, small or none at all,
July 14, Spectators on cliffs amazed with the sight of the
grand fleet sailing out of Torbay,

1779,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 221
Exmouth, July 18, Attended worship at Lady Glenorchy's
chapel ; principles inculcated not unlike those at Lady Hunting
ton's chapel. The preacher a Scotchman, (with a master of arts
gown,) a missionary of Lady G,, who, with Mr, Holmes of Exeter,
fitted this chapel for the propagation of Scotch orthodoxy. After
noon, at Withycomb-Raleigh parish, lying at the mouth of the
river Exe ; the houses are chiefly low, with mud walls and thatched
roofs ; though there are a considerable number of brick, covered
with slate, reputable and handsome, owned chiefly by Exeter
people, who come down in shoals on Saturday afternoons for the
purpose of pastime and festivity among themselves on Sundays ; —
this being alraost the only resort on that day, when the town is full
of them, not, as I am told, to the emolument or wish of the inhabi
tants, July 22, Received a letter from Mr, Bretland, Exeter, inclosing
a card left for me by Governor Hutchinson on his way to London
from the west, whither he had been with C. Russell.
Aug. 17, Visited by Mr, Sraith and Samuel Sewall from Sid
mouth ; reported that the combined fleet of France and Spain are off
Plymouth; people along the coast and through the country alarmed,
Aug. 23, A levelling spirit has unhappily taken place among
the lower classes ; menacing expressions ; they more than whisper
their wishes that the French may land, adding they had as lief have
a Louis as a George to reign over them.
Exeter, Sept. 6, Ara informed that I am suspected to be an
American spy, disaffected to governraent ; this was reported by
one Calhier, a violent hater of the inhabitants of the American
continent and of all its friends and well-wishers : his malice I
despise, and his power to injure me with government I defy.
Exeter has become the seat of scandal, pride, inhospitallty, foppery ;
an awkward imitation of London manners, to their folly, prevails,
Sept. 23, Left in the coach for Bristol, passing through Wel
lington, Taunton, Bridgewater, and Cross, and arrived at White
Hart inn, Bristol, where lodged,
Sept. 24, Took lodgings at Mrs, Froade's, York-street, Bruns
wick-square.

222 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1779,
TO MR. GEORGE RUSSELL, BIRMINGHAM.
Bristol, Sept. 28, 1779,
Dear Sir :
The alarming condition of pubhc affairs of late has, I presume,
engaged your attention, and that of every thoughtful man ; what
remains for Great Britain to hope, I know not ; the causes of fear
are too many and too obvious to escape the observation of the most
thoughtless and inconsiderate. It is to be wished she may save at
least a part of her foreign dominions ; which, if not secured by
treaty before the following campaign, wiU, I fear, fall a sacrifice
to the ambition of France and Spain, and the resentment of
America ; notwithstanding the late successes of Sir George Collier,
who has wounded the latter in the naval way, though not I beheve
essentially. To counterweigh this, I fear Sir Jaraes Wright, the
late governor, despatched from hence to reassume the governraent
of Georgia, whose sudden departure frora thence to New-York,
and General Provost's abandoning his troops at Beaufort, prove
beyond a doubt the pitiful condition they were in, and the great
probability of their falling a prey to Hopkins' squadron by sea,
and the provincial arras by land. What a wretched conclusion of
so hopeful a beginning, as it seeras the royal array had at least in
expectation when they first set forward in their expedition against
Charleston ; which seems as if destined by Providence to bring
disgrace on the British arms.
I have just returned to this place with Colonel Erving's family,
to whora I ara indebted for most of my happiness for more than a
year at Sidmouth, Exeter, and last at Exmouth. The latter dis
agreeable by too great a mixture of Exeter folks, " who view with
eye malign and looks askance," as Milton describes Satan to have
done ; all strangers seeming to them as intruders on their property,
as they consider Exmouth, and appropriated only to their pleasure :
thither many families resort on Sundays, their day of festivity and
amusement. Yours truly, S, Curwen,
TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES.
Bristol, Sept. 28, 1779,
Deak Sm :
I presume you cannot in your distant retreat form an idea of

1779,] journal and letters, 223
the great distress the southern coast of this island was in during
the continuance of the combined fleets in our channel, especially
on the lower coasts of Devon and Cornwall, The flight of the
inhabitants from Plymouth to Exeter and inland parts during the
panic there, spread terror and disraay wherever they came ; ex
cept to a few, who wished Sir Charles Hardy would, with his
thirty-seven ships and fourteen frigates, meet the Hectors of France
and Spain, having sixty-seven ships and fifty frigates ; and give
them, as they phrased it, a sound drubbing : for they were sure of
victory in case of an engagement. But thanks to the favorable stars
of Great Britam, at that moment in the ascendant, wiser heads
governed public councils ; he slipped by them and got safely up
to Spithead, This day we have heard that Paul Jones, in the French king's
service, has taken a forty-four gun frigate, and entered the harbor
of Hull, and destroyed sixteen ships.
What think you of Sir George Collier's Penobscot expedition ?
The loss of so many ships must be insupportably heavy on our pro
vince, and perhaps irreparable ; however, it is a great relief to the
English trade, they being all large ships of war, and our sailors
expert and adroit in privateering business.
Very truly yours, S. Curwen,
Sept. 28, Visited Colonel Erving and family ; afterwards
dined and took tea with my worthy friend, Judge Sewall; his
corapany, Mr. and Mrs. Faneuil. From thence I went to see Mrs,
Gardiner, her husband the doctor, and their daughter. Love Eppes,
Meeting Colonel Oliver, late lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts,
he informed me of his residence.
Sept. 29. Invited personally by Colonel Oliver to a family
dinner, meeting only his daughters and his brother-in-law, John
Vassal, Sept. 30, By the Ladies' Magazine for August, I perceive that
the Massachusett's Bay government limits the return ofthe refugees,
or even absentees, to July, 1780,
Oct. 9, Took tea at Mr, Erving's ; his daughter handed me
an ancient manuscript copy of Goldsmith's Hermit, and Mr. Rus
sell's hnes on his wife, both excellent.

224 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1779,
Oct. 15, Dined with Mr, Vassal in Queen's-square, in company
with Dr, Gardiner and Robert Hallowell, the elder of the Simp
sons, Mr. Vassal's lady, and Miss Davis. At dinner, informed by
Dr, Gardiner, of many circumstances relating to my countrymen's
behavior during the siege of Boston, with which I was not before
acquainted ; and which, if true, proves that that people, hke all
mankind, when civil commotions take place, are maddened into
party rage, I dare say, nothing peculiarly bad, cruel, wrong, or
unjust, characterizes that people at this unhappy period,
Oct. 17. Papers filled with unauthenticated reports of France
having swept the coast of Africa, and taken all our forts,
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Bristol, Oct. 28, 1779,
Dear Sir:
I should not have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your
last favor until this day, had I not undertaken by my friend Eve
leigh's request to furnish your reverence with an authentic and
minute detail of the progress of the British army to Charleston,
their retreat, and late (for it seeras to be shrewdly suspected here,
that at present they are in the hands and keeping of the French
and Congress,) dangerous and suffering condition at Beaufort, I
am afraid there are too strong reasons for apprehending that event,
it being rumored here, and generally beheved, that administration
has received undoubted intelligence of D'Estaing's destination to
Georgia and the southern coast, with six thousand troops, and a
much larger naval armament than Great Britain has in those seas
to oppose thera, with any probabUity of success, under Arbuthnot,
Should General Clinton, as the papers have lately intimated,
drain New York of five or six thousand troops, and proceed to
Georgia, and with a slender convoy (comparatively I mean) meet
D'Estaing, it is not difficult to foreteU the fate of the American
war ; but this is raere suppo,sition and chance, you wUl say ; the
former may arrive on the coast time enough to land himself and
troops, and send off his transports. It wiU be well for England if
he should, for the fate of their claims and pretensions on that con
tinent depends on that single circumstance ; should the two fleets
meet in open sea, the odds wUl be so unfavorable on our side, as

1779,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 225
to approach the worst consequences. The Penobscot affair does
Sir George Collier's conduct and bravery great credit, leaves an
indelible stain on our countrymen and our province, at present in
a defenceless condition ; to balance this account the British cause
has suffered a disgrace and loss of equal magnitude at Stony Point,
Perhaps you have not heard, that but for a misunderstanding be
tween the American generals, Verplanck's Point on the opposite
shore had suffered the same fate, Mr. ***** read me a letter
from Mr. * * * * *j of Falmouth, [now Portland, Maine,] wherein
he describes the sufferings of people late in comfortable circum
stances, and many in a condition truly pitiable. It raised a sym
pathy in my breast ; I could not restrain the tear of pity, the only
part of humanity in my power ; • nor was I a little hurt by the
manner in which it was told ; political zeal, like religious, can steel
the heart against the feelings of nature. The succedaueum or sub
stitute for bread, of which some have not tasted for months, was
dried plaice, powdered. Zeal, for aught I know, is sharpened
rather than blunted by sufferings, though that and some other
letters suggest that the people are almost worried out by the hard
ships and evils of war ; raany no doubt are those, I presume, who
gain nothing by it ; of which there are but few except the perse
cuted. I pray God shorten the tirae of their tribulation ; may all
soon experience the blessings of peace, and unite in thanksgiving
with one heart and one mouth. Very truly your friend, S, Curwen,
JVov. 3, Dined with Messrs. Simpson and Waldo, in company
with Peter Frye, Benjamin Pickman and Richard Routh,
JVov. 16. Visited Mr, Lechmere; drank tea with Judge
Sewall, JVov. 26, Visited Mr. Barnes and Col, Oliver with Peter Frye ;
dined with them and Benjarain Pickman at Mr. Lechmere's ; con
versing on American politics and Salem affairs,
JVov. 28, Dined with Col. Oliver in company with Peter Frye
and Benjamin Pickraan.
Dec. 14, Dined at Judge Sewall's, and played quadrille with
Mrs. FaneuU, Mrs. Sewall and Mr. Francis Waldo.
29

226 journal AND letters. [1779.
Dec. 21, Visited Col. Erving ; drank tea by Mrs. SewaU's in
vitation, and passed the evening in company with Mr. J, Vassal
and lady, and niece Davis, and Mr. R. Hallowell and lady,
Dec. 23, Received two letters frora Richard Ward and wife,
(my niece,) the first since my absence ; and one from William
Pynchon, TO DR. CHARLES RUSSELL, ANTIGUA.
Bristol, Dec. 23, 1779,
Dear Charles :
The numerous papers that will go with the fleet, renders it
needless for me to send such intelligence as I can at best but im
perfectly furnish you with. There is little, however, of newspaper
news, besides what is contained in the Gazette, (which does not
always give in full, but perhaps as much information as is prudent,)
little, I mean, of what relates to the public. The old proverb justly
says, truth lies in a well, and difficult it is to draw it up, I believe
that of fifty reports five only wUl be founded in fact. It is the dis-
temperature of the tiraes, not peculiar to this period, however, (as
the jaundiced eye gives its hue to every object,) to present only the
party complexion ofthe relator; for all the world here is divided
into Araerican and anti-American, ministerial and anti-ministerial.
One fact I will venture to relate, to which I was an eye and ear
witness : residing at Exraouth while the combined fleets of France
and Spain rode masters of the English channel, in sight for many
days together [of Plymouth, it Is hardly credible how the brave,
magnanimous hearts of the English forsook them ; a panic seized
the country. The town of Plymouth was, as quick as thought,
drained of its inhabitants and property, and all the neighborhood ;
the people flying spread terror as they fled ; even the plague, or an
earthquake, could hardly have produced more terrific apprehen
sions. Strange and unaccountable organization and state of the
human raind and body, that sudden fear should produce effects raore
distressing than a deliberate, sensible view of danger ! It is equally
unaccountable that the enemy did not land ; for had they atCawsand
bay, then without any defence or works to annoy, and a safe shore,
with three or four thousand men, (unprovided as we then were with
munitions of war,) Plymouth, with the docks, works, and shipping.

1779.] journal and letters. 227
would have fallen a prey to the invaders. There was not wadding
enough for one round in the garrison. That the enemy did not
land and attack Sir Charles Hardy, then lying off Scilly Islands
with a very inferior fleet, viz., thirty-seven of the line and twelve
frigates, with his sixty-seven capital ships and thrice that nuraber
of frigates, is to be accounted for only on the same principle that
Ahitophel's wise counsel was rejected ; for nothing could save our
fleet from defeat, and the kingdom frora ravage and desolation in
consequence ; but by an overruling power, whose wisdom appoints
and limits empires and their duration, this kingdom is preserved ;
the wisdom of the wise we see sometimes turned to foolishness, and
weakness made to triumph over strength and courage.
Since those alarms of two months back, another has succeeded
of perhaps equal raagnitude: Ireland, availing herself of the dis
tresses of her imperious, domineering sister kingdom, has raised forty
thousand men with arms in their hands, independent of government,
and a majority of 143 to 42 in their House of Commons; and loudly
and peremptorily demands a free trade, which this country has.,
however bitter the dose, with seeming complacency and readiness,
granted. It is said the Irish are satisfied, and have besides offered
to raise twenty thousand men ; but where men think themselves
abridged of their natural rights, and have, or think they have power
to recover them, it will be lucky for Old England if the Irish do
not proceed to require other concessions. The forraer is not in a
condition to reject her demands, or to force her obedience, I will
not say Ireland can maintain her independence, but there are powers
willing and ready to support her resistance, and England cannot go
to war with all Europe. In truth, she receives ungrateful returns
for her generosity, unequalled by any state^since government ob
tained amongst mankind — but enough of this,
I have received a second letter from my friend, Willlara Pyn
chon, Esq., and his relation in answer to my complaint of my ban
ishment is truly pitiable ; what he says will serve instead of a
hundred instances to exhibit to your view a picture ofthe distress
ful situation of some of our friends, viz. : " If you knew half the
inconveniences your continuance here would have occasioned, it
•would surely lessen your discontent ; had you lost your business,
all your debts, the fruits of many years' labor ; been driven to sell

228 journal and letters. [1779.
your house and lands for payment of your debts and expenses ; and
thus reduced, you still would not freely nor safely walk the streets,
by reason of party rage and malevolence and the uncontroUed ran
cor of sorae raen."
This comforts me, and ought to console you and every other
sufferer, I reraain, dear Charles,
Your affectionate friend,
S, Curwen.
Dec. 26, Capt, Carpenter called in my absence ; he is master
of the cartel ship from Boston, lately arrived ; friends well at Salem
a month ago, when he left. Went to dock and saw Capt, Car
penter, who handed rae letters from Mr, Nathan Goodale, contain
ing gentle hints relating to surprising revolutions in property,
which in such times of civil coraraotions ever take place,
Dec. 29, Capt. Carpenter dined with rae, and passed the even
ing ; he gave rae a more circumstantial relation of Salem, its inha
bitants, and concerns, its present coraraercial and civil state, than
I had received from any one before, though I fancy it is somewhat
too highly colored.
Dec. 30, Visited Mrs. Erving and presented her a Massa
chusetts Bay apple, which she said she should taste with a high
relish, adding, " to that country I feel as great partiality and love
as to my native land."
Dec. 31. My young townsman, William Cabot, came down
from London to visit me, by invitation, in order to confer with
Capt. Carpenter, Evening at Judge Sewall's, in company with
Mr, and Mrs, Hartford, Thus ends another revolution of the sun.

1780.] journal and letters, 229

CHAPTER XII.
Jan. 1, 1780, Went with WiUiam Cabot through Clifton and
Hot WeUs ; turned Into merchants' dock to view the large ManiUa
ship unloading; her length 172 feet, a prize, estimated variously
frora £50,000 to ^£300,000. Took tea at Mr. Wraxall's, passed an
agreeable hour, conversation turning on history, fulfilment of pro
phecy, and convenience oi ladies' pattens. Mrs. Wraxall has been
represented as a stiff rehgionist ; the contrary this evening has af
forded a proof of: perhaps devotion and a converslble huraor
have alternately the ascendant ; at best we are but a very changing,
uncertain, unsteady compound.
Jan. 5, Left for Bath at ten, and arrived there in less than three
hours ; patrolled the streets, viewing the Crescent, Queens-square
and Parade, Paragon-row, Pump-room ; saw there a numerous
company, walking, standing ; playing whist the only fashionable
game. This city in gratitude to Beau Nash, master of ceremonies,
had his picture taken at full length, and put up in the purap-roora ;
and unluckily between small busts of the great Newton and Mr.
Pope, which Lord Chesterfield seeing, uttered these stanzas, viz.J:
" Immortal Newton never spoke
More truth than here you'll find ;
Nor Pope himself e'er penned a joke
Severer on mankind :
The picture placed the busts between.
Adds to the satire's strength ;
Wisdom and wit are little seen,
But folly at full length."
TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ., SALEM, N. E.
Bristol, Jan. 10, 1780,
Dear Sir:
I am obliged for the information contained in your letter brought
me by Capt, Carpenter, relative to my friends and acquaintances.

230 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
I am glad to hear that the members of the Monday night club are
permitted to assemble without interruption, I wish the continuance
of it, and an increase to each raember of every valuable enjoyment,
and thank them for their kind remembrance of me.
You may, if you please, acquaint Mrs. Sargent, with ray com
pliments, that being about to write Col, Browne, I shall inform him
of what you mention concerning her. You write me that as I am
a friend to America, I shall always find friends there ; that I ac
knowledge is a most desirable circumstance, but there are other
considerations necessary to make any spot on earth an object wor
thy of any one's wish to reside in. My compliments to Mrs.
Goodale and Miss Higginson, and your next neighbors, Mr. and
Mrs. Cabot, Yours, etc.,
S, Curwen,

TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ , SALEM, N. E.
Bristol, Jan. 10, 1780,
Dear Sir:
I commence writlng,my worthy friend, without knowing on what
subject or subjects, as there is scarce any that party prejudice may
not wrongly interpret and draw unfavorable inferences from ; besides
the governing powers In times of war, tumult and confusion assume
a liberty to dispense with the settled regulations of the state in
peaceable times, and among other precautions open letters from
foreign parts. I fear you are in the same predicament ; perhaps it
may be right, but it is a sad and mortifying restraint on distant
friends, and prevents that agreeable intercourse, which supports
friendship and adds to the enjoyraents of life.
With regard to my peculiar situation, connection and senti
ments, I must be reserved ; in general my condition is comfortable,
although in England it requires as many hundreds as I can reahze
scores of pounds. Some people who came from your side of the
Atlantic affect to prefer this country to their own, whether it be
from affectation or a real preference, I pretend not to determine ;
pour md, I wish for nothing more than peace and to return thither ;
no approaches to the former I can as yet perceive.

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 231
A few weeks since we heard of John Adams and Francis
Dana's arrival at Paris from the Congress : little good fruit, how
ever, is to be expected unless one or other of the parties are dis
posed to recede from their pretensions, which Great Britain seeras
not at all inclined to at present. For my native country I feel a
filial fondness ; her follies I lament, her misfortunes I pity ; her
good I ardently wish, and fo be restored to her embraces is the
war.Tiest of my desires. This country is, or might be, a paradise
of delights to those who enjoy a full purse, and are by education
and habit formed to relish its delights, amusements and pursuits ;
but for rae America is good enough.
I was going on, having forgot to fell you that this is designed
to acknowledge receipt of your two last agreeable favors, for which
I acknowledge myself indebted to you in no less a sum than ten thou
sand thanks ; great as this sum is, I am rich in them, sincere ones
too ; but I am not likely to lessen ray capital from the demands of my
Araerican friends, you being one of the very few, to whom in the
epistolary way I owe any debts. Ten letters from Salem are all I
can boast in the course of almost five years, when scarce a coun
tryman of ours but can count as many yearly. My complaints on
this head have proved fruitless and vain, and have raore than half
deterrained me to suffer myself to be forgotten abroad, with a very
few exceptions; and render measure for measure, and repay
silence by contempt. But the tender feelings of the heart are not
to be wholly overcome ; what was anger and resentment, is by
age, the endurance of evils ; and, perhaps, a better way of thlnk-
ino-, changed into grief: can you then wonder, situated as I am, at
my anxiety and distress 1 I do assure you the silence and neglect
on the part of my friends and acquaintances, has, more than banish
ment, oppressed my mind ; the latter is not a light burden, and
when added to the former, exceeds my religion and philosophy to
support. The heart of old age, if not rendered callous by vicious
indulgences, is tender as in infancy ; but, to quit the plaintive strain, .
— You tell me I forget de Repub., &c. : I confess 1 am like poor
Faithful in Pilgrim's Progress, ever almost In the slough of despair;
would it were In your power to dart a ray of hope into my gloomy
mind. I thank my countrymen for the less unfavorable opinion
conceived of me than some others. For my part, I would cheer-

232 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780-
fuUy proraote to the extent of my power the good of individuals,
and that of the public ; but with regard to the latter, I cannot give
my approbation to their whole system of politics. The present
circumstances of affairs do not allow rae to indulge one wish to
return, till they are a little better settled ; and can easily imagine
the evils you suggest, which, at my time of life, would quickly
overwhelm ray poor crazy bark ; hardly able to keep above water
even where the waves are not rough. Please remember my kind
est regards to all my acquaintance ; particularly the members of
the Monday night club, which I learn still subsists ; I wish its
continuance and increase of worthy raerabers, I fear my worthy
old friend, Mr, McGilchrist, has forgotten me ; apropos, it has been
my good fortune for a course of three winters passed in Exeter, to
find a worthy and intimate friend, who, in his moral, rehgious, and
philosophical character, bears the nearest resemblance to my said
Salera friend. To hira I am indebted for much useful information
and entertainment ; for his and the sake of a very few, I left that
quarter with reluctance. It has been frequently in my thoughts
to make a collection of the best pieces that the press affords, for the
benefit of my friends and myself; but that depends on contingencies.
The execution of that, and some other designs I have had in my
mind and view, must be deferred, I fear, to a distant day.
Our friends are scattered all over the face of the land, and if
soon to be summoned to appear before the last tribunal, they might
truly be said to be brought from the east, west, north, and south.
Present my kindest regards to Mrs, Pynchon and all your family.
Sincerely wishing you a healthy body, quiet mind, and a fuU purse,
which I think coraprehends all earthly blessings,
I ara, with perfect esteem, your friend,
S, Curwen,
Jan. 13. Capf. Carpenter, young Jonathan Gardner, both of
Salem, and a Mr, Leavitt, having arrived in a cartel ship from
Boston, dined with me, and passed the afternoon and evening.
Jan. 20, Took tea with Mrs, Gardner, in corapany with Mr.
Randolph, brother of the Congress raember, though of contrary
political principles.
Jan, 30, Charles's martyrdom ; attended service in cathedral ;

1780.] journal and letters. 233
young Camplin preached a serious discourse from " Blessed are
the dead that die in the Lord." He modestly and laudably avoided
any reference to the day. I could not faU to notice the difference
between this mock solemnity here and at Exeter : — here, no mayor
nor corporation attended in a procession of city officers, with their
staves covered with black, nor was the pulpit in the same grim
color. The service was read, with singing, as on other church
holidays ; assembly of an indifferent appearance, far from numer
ous, TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES.
Bristol, Feb. 10, 1780,
Dear Sir:
Perhaps it may amuse you to be made acquainted with a few
particulars relating to our own country and town, that may not
have come to your knowledge. About six weeks ago a prize ship
from Boston arrived here with thirty-six passengers, who were
suffered to depart, under verbal promise to return back again to
captivity if this government should not acknowledge the ship to be
a cartel, and send back an equal nuraber of Araericans to Boston
or to France. In the event, no notice is taken of them, as might
be expected ; the ship is claimed, and as yet subjudice, though it is
thought it will be determined in favor of the clairaants. The
American owner is a Mr, Mitchell, Irish by birth, American in
principle and alliance, being married to a daughter of George
Bethune, The master, a Mr, Carpenter, who you know married
the youngest of the Gerrishes, and tried to be a loyalist (applying,
unsuccessfully, however, for a pension) about two years since,
whilst he resided with his wife at Brompton-row ; on his rejection
he took wit in his anger and returned to Salem, From him and
young Gardner, only son of Jonathan Gardner, Jr., I have obtained
the annexed list of prices, which, instead of a score of arguments,
may prove the low condition of Congressional credit, and show the
exorbitant rate of the useful articles of life, and perhaps their
scarcity. It is a melancholy truth, that whilst sorae are wallowing
in undeserved wealth that plunder and rapine have thrown into
their hands, the wisest, most peaceable, and most deserving, such
as you and I know, are now suffering want, accompanied by many
30

234 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
indignities that a licentious, lawless people can pour forth upon
them. Those who five years ago were the " meaner people," are now,
by a sfrange revolution, become almost the only men of power,
riches and influence ; those who, on the contrary, were leaders and
in the highest line of life, are glad at this time to be unknown and
unnoticed to escape insult and plunder, the wretched condition of
all who are not violent, and adopters of republican principles. The
Cabots of Beverly, who, you know, had but five years ago a very
moderate share of property, are now said to be by far the most
wealthy in New England ; Hasket Derby claims the second place
in the list, and ***** * puts in for a place amongst
the first three ; Mr, Goodale, by agency concerns in privateers and
buying shares, counts almost as raany pounds as raost of his neigh
bors. The following are persons of the raost eminence for business
in Salem, as far as my memory serves, viz. : Hasket Derby, WU
liam Pickman, George Crowninshield, William Vans, Capt. Harra-
den, a brave and notable privateer captain, Joseph Henfield, Capt,
Silsbee, Samuel Gardner, Joseph and Joshua Grafton's sons, Fran
cis Clarke, Capt, George Dodge's youngest sons, Jos, Orne. E. H,
Derby's province tax is j6 11,000, and his neighbors complain he is
not half taxed. The immensely large nominal suras which some
are said to be worth, shrink into diminutive bulk when measured
by the European standard of gold and silver. In New England a
dollar bill is worth only 2 f of an English halfpenny. Pins at Is.
a piece, needles at 2s,, beef 2s, 6d., veal 2s,, mutton and lamb
Is. 6d., butter 6s. per lb., rum eight dollars per gallon, molasses
two dollars, brown sugar 10s. per lb., loaf sugar 15s., Bohea tea
seven dollars per lb., coffee five dollars, Irish pork sixty dollars per
barrel, lemons 3s. apiece, wood twenty dollars a cord, ordinary
French cloth twenty-two dollars a yard, hose nine doUars a pair,
A suit of clothes which cost five guineas here, would cost five
hundred dollars in Boston. Yours &c,
S. Curwen,
Feb. 13. To the Moravian chapel ; Mr, Washington, the set
tled minister, preached from, " And being fashioned as aman," etc..
The great point insisted on, as usual, was, that the supreme Deity,

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 235
the God and Father of all, or to use their own language, " the eter
nal Jehovah, suffered death actually, truly and properly, in the per
son of Christ, or was the real suffering, dying being, who expired on
the cross." In the course of these extemporaneous or memoriter
effusions, such terms and expressions were used that made my blood
more than once almost forsake its channels ; in truth, I was as
tonished and hurt to an extreme degree, and it has caused me to
resolve on forsaking this and all assemblies of like over-zealous
orthodox tenets,
Feb. 16, To the " Wells" over St, Vincent's-through Clifton,
by Sir William Draper's ; from thence across Brandon hill to Judge
Sewall's, where drank tea in company with Mr, and Mrs. Barnes,
Miss Arbuthnot, their niece, and Miss Russell,
Feb. 29, Took a walk and went on 'change with Mr. Erving;
then a passage in the Bath coach at four o'clock, and at half past
six alighted at the " Three Tuns inn ;" frora thence on foot to the
coffee-house in Orange-grove, where I remained for two hours
reading papers, drinking coffee, etc., and received information from
John Boylston, my countryman, that my friend Isaac Smith, for
whose sake I took this ramble, was to leave at nine to-morrow for
Bristol ; so I bespoke a seat in the same stage. Passed two hours
in the streets and Abbey-square araong the crowd — ears entertained
by musketry discharged from the abbey leads and ringing of bells,
to celebrate Sir G. Rodney's victory over Don Langara ; — retired
to the inn, supped and lodged. Gov. Hutchinson's son William
died on the 20th instant,
Bath, March 1. After breakfast I entered the carriage and de
parted with my friend Smith, and at twelve o'clock alighted at the
White Hart, Bristol, Mr. Smith dined with me ; he having engaged
himself to Mr, Wright and lady, who were this afternoon to pay
a visit at Mr, Erving's, ray friend and I joined corapany to tea ; at
eight o'clock with the faraily took a turn in Queen's-square, to
view the illuminations, which were brilliant, in honor of Sir G,
Rodney's victory of 16th January,
March 4. By invitation dined at Judge Sewall's with Mr.
Smith, R. and N. Lechmere, Col, Oliver, Mr. Simpson, Mr, Fran
cis Waldo and Mr. Vassal,
March 5. Engaged at tea to partake of Mrs. Bearpacker's

236 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
" mothering cake." It is a custom here on mid-lent Sunday for a
cake to be brought to mothers, in conformity to which custom sorae
females make a large one and present it to their acquaintance.
This custom continues in Gloucestershire, and is said to be derived
from Joseph's making himself known to his brethren.
March 6. Dined at Mr. F, Waldo's with Mr, Simpson, his
nephew, and young Borland,
TO MR. LAKIN, BIRMINGHAM. Bristol, March 6, 1780,
Dear Sir :
You are pleased to compliraent rae on my knowledge of the
state of affairs in Araerica, but really, should I attempt a narrative of
its present political and coraraercial condition, I fear it would be too
imperfect to afford you much useful information. So great a rev
olution in both respects has taken place since my departure, so dif
ferent is the channel of business, so little the concerns that I have
amongst the coraraercial people here, and so slender my advices
about them, being chiefly newspaper intelligence, which you know
is not always the word of Apollo, that it would be rashness to com
mit to paper my undigested thoughts on those subjects, I strongly
suspect the independency of America, or a system of political and
civil government, wUl sooner or later be established there, to the
utter overthrow of the navigation act of Charles II,, and the com
merce of Great Britain with the American colonies and her other
foreign dominions, if she wUl be powerful enough to retain any,
which I fear ; in this case it may be easily discerned that by open
ing new channels, trade will assume a new face, and be conducted
by very different people, and on quite different principles.
You propose undertaking a journey here, and I assure you of a
cordial welcome to my lodgings, to pass your time while here ; and
as conversation adraits of less restraint than writing, I shall with
the greatest cheerfulness communicate as much as lies within the
compass of my knowledge relating to the subject of your inquiry,
I wish the benefit you might derive from my information would
bear any proportion to the pleasure I shall receive in communi
cating ; for you can scarce be more obliging than to afford me an
occasion of paying in person my respects to him for whose former

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 237
civUities I am indebted more than is in my power at present to dis
charge. To your kind inquiry I am happy to answer, ray friends,
far reraoved frora the seat of war, escape descents on their coasts
and inroads on their frontiers, which their brethren in the southern
colonies unhappUy do not, A more particular relation I must de
fer to a personal interview. Yours truly, S, Curwen.
March 11. Dined at Mr. Erving's with two daughters of a
Mr. Ewen, who had been residents on Rhode Island, but driven off
by civil storm ; and being told that Capt. and Mrs, Fenton with
myself, intended to dine with them at Brislington, expressed their
pleasure to see us next Monday,
March 14. Took tea at Judge Sewall's ; company Mr. Simp
son, Mr, F, Waldo, Mr, Faneuil and lady, and Miss Russell,
AprU 14. Visited by Nathaniel Coffin and R, Hallowell ;
meeting widow Borland's eldest son John, recognized each other,
made mutual compliraents and invitations.
TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM, N. E.
Bristol, April 19, 1780,
Dear Sir :
The bearer, being acquainted with the state of our political af
fairs, will coraraunicate more than would be prudent for me to
commit to paper, should I be disposed to dabble in that dangerous
business, politics, A tedious, uniforraly insipid inactivity soon ren
ders every place displeasing ; but my removal from hence depends
on contingencies not to be foreseen. If I leave, I shall engage in
a week's ramble, and like the father of the faithful, go, not know
ing whither ; the world is all before rae where to choose my place
of rest, hitherto unfound, and with no land of promise before me.
*******
Perhaps it may be amusing to you to be informed of the num
ber of Americans in Bristol, who are comprised in the following
list :—
Col. Oliver and six daughters ; Mr. R, Lechmere, his brother
Nicholas, wife and two daughters; Mr. John Vassal, wife and

238 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
niece. Miss Davis ; Mr, Barnes, wife and niece ; Miss Arbuthnot ;
Mr, Nathaniel Coffin, wife and famUy ; Mr, Robert HaUoweU, wife
and children ; Judge Sewall, wife, sister, and two sons ; Samuel
SewaU with his kinsman, Mr. FaneuU, and wife ; Mr, Francis
Waldo and Mr, Simpson, together with Mrs, Boriand, a son
and three daughters, I send this by young Gardner, who with
Mr, Leavitt and Capt, Carpenter leaves us to-morrow, and will
shift for their passage to America as they can. Very truly,
S, Curwen,
TO MR. RICHARD WARD, SALEM, N. E.
Bristol, April 19, 1780,
Dear Sir :
Your two favors of the 5th and 12th of November are at hand.
You say, that " to the many we have written you, we have re
ceived no answer ;" it is not a little unaccountable, that of many
not one should have arrived to me before these two ; for that in
truth is the case. That neither you nor my nfece should in the
course of five years take the least notice of her only uncle, was in
my judgment a singular instance of forgetfulness ; that you was a
partisan I well knew, though not in the rankest degree I hope ;
and it is natural that she should be biassed to the side you took,
and I thus accounted for the dead silence through the long interval
between my departure and the receipt of yours ; but your declara
tion has explained the difficulty, and I find, greatly to my satisfac
tion, that other causes than those I suggested to myself have
prevented my receiving those instances of notice and regard which
your relation to me demanded. That I find no acknowledgment
in yours of the receipt of even one of the many sent to my niece
and you, is to be accounted for in the same way.
The Irish, availing themselves of the embarrassment of Great
Britain, have got an enlargement of privileges, and talk of making
further demands. That the war is at a distance from your own
doors, the melancholy reports frora the southward afford you the
strongest reasons for daily thanks ; may it not be your misfortune
in the Massachusetts Bay to experience the sufferings, ravages,
carnage and devastation of her sister southern colonies.

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 239
Absence from all I hold dear on earth is an evil, and the pecu
liar condition I am in, increases its severity ; but I endeavor to
muster my whole stock of religion and philosophy, and with the
united aid of both, and a few amusements, life is tolerable. I
cannot prevail with myself to quit a peaceful region, and attempt
a passage across the Atlantic during this state of turmoU ; should I
choose a place to reside in on the western side ofthe globe, Halifax
would not be the spot ; nothing but the prospect of great gains,
which reconciles all climates and people, would make that place
in any degree tolerable ; besides, the expense of living is as extra
vagant as in England, without any of its advantages to counter
balance their many inconveniences and evils. I thank you for the
expressions of kindness and good- will from you both respecting my
peace of mind. Tell your son, ray namesake, I shall answer his
letter soon. With unfeigned regard, your uncle,
S. Curwen.
April 24. This day, five years are complete since I abandoned
my house, estate, effects and friends. God only knows whether I
shall ever be restored to them, or they to me. Party rage, like
jealousy and superstition, is cruel as the grave ; — that moderation
is a crime in times of civil confusions, many good, virtuous and
peaceable persons, now suffering banishment from America, are
the wretched proofs and instances. — May it please God to inspire
with wisdom and true policy the principal conductors in this truly
lamentable war on both sides the Atlantic, and give peace in our
time. Did I know how to emancipate myself frora this constrained,
useless, uniform blank of hfe, and enter on an active course, I
would joyfully seize the occasion.
Evening at theatre to see " Belle's Stratagem ;" entertainment
" Waterman." I would not indulge a cynical, surly disposition,
but cannot help acknowledging that I find great disappointment
at the theatrical performances. Actors fall below my idea of just
imitation; to my seeming they overact, underact, or contradict
nature ; — a hero is a bully, a gentleman is a coxcomb, a coxcomb
a fool, a lady affected, pert or insipid ; but gamesters, charaber-
maids, footmen, indeed, the whole series of under-characters, not
illy played.

240 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
April 28, A lethargy respecting the pubhc interest has seized
the people of this country ; which the selfish principles, supremely
governing, or rather tyrannizing over all ranks and orders, ages,
sexes and conditions, has brought on them ; they are devoted vic
tims, and so I leave them to their impendmg fate. I really think
that neither administration nor opposition is composed of uncomraon
characters ; for if other men in each hne were to succeed these that
now figure on the political stage, the same, or nearly the sarae
parts would be played ; for in the corrupt state of this people,
ministerial conduct, such as it is, is necessary ; I do not say expe
dient, for the wheels of governraent cannot move an inch without
money to grease them. Did the circumstances of things admit, I
verUy believe my favorite Lord North, who I take to be one of the
best characters in the whole British empire, would shine one of
the brightest luminaries that ever enlightened the political hemi
sphere. Walked abroad, and met one of my countrymen ; who informed
me that, by a packet twenty-five days from New-York, advices
had been received that General Clinton, after two months from
thence, had arrived at Georgia ; and had proceeded to within a
mile and a half of Charleston, S, C, before which he was to have
opened his batteries of forty cannon on the 11th of March ; that
the town had frora four to six thousand troops within, and a great
plenty of military and other stores ; that it was divided into four
parts by deep trenches or canals filled with water, intersecting
each other at right angles ; that the Americans were resolved to
dispute the ground inch by inch; but party representation adds,
however, that they had no great relish for a patriotic death.
Afternoon and evening at Judge Sewall's ; — company, Mrs.
Long of Ireland, Mr, and Mrs, Faneuil, Mr, Oxnard, with young
Inman and his wife, a son of Ralph's, in the military line, and Miss
Inman, May 14. Evening at Lady Huntingdon's chapel ; Mr. Wills
preached ; who took an affectionate leave, being about to depart on
a converting progress through South Wales. He warmly con
tended against the damnable doctrine of Arlanism ; the professors
of which, at one blow, he condemned to eternal perdition. Pity it
is that orthodoxy, meaning thereby not right, just thinking, but the

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 241
belief of established notions, under the sanction of clvU authority,
should always, in all cases, and at all tiraes, be accompanied with
uncharitableness ; the understood characteristic of the false church.
May 17, Public expectations are at the highest pitch re
specting the success of General Clinton, and the great advantages
government will derive from it ; if it shall be the occasion, sup
posing he shall become possessed of Charleston, of producing a
reconciliation on generous and safe terms, my joy will accompany
the general acclamation.
May 19. Nathaniel Coffin is going to Bath for his health.
Meeting R, Hallowell in the street, he read some paragraphs in a
letter from his father Gardiner at Poole, Informing of the distresses
of our country, discontent of people at the continuance of the
troubles, and intimating wishes to return to forraer connections
with this country, wherein I cordially join ; — would that that happy
event might soon take place, with honor and safety to all parties I
May 29. This being Restoration-day, some houses are distin
guished by oak branches in front, which is a mark of attachment
to monarchy ; and by many of regard to the excluded family, at
least in sorae places, as Manchester, Exeter, &c,
June 5, This being the appointed day for setting out on a
tour of pleasure to the north by Judge Sewall, Samuel Sewall and
myself, I was early notified by a thundering at the door ; being
awake, I soon descended, and found my friend's eldest son with a
message, desiring my immediate presence at breakfast before de
parture. Complying with the sumraons, on going over, I found
the family up, and all things in readiness, but the owner of the
carriage delayed us for an hour ; at length it arrived, and taking
leave of our friends, we set forward in an unpromising air ;
the morning being cloudy, with the appearance of rain, which
through the day came down in the form of a drizzle. At nine, we
alighted at the Bell inn, Newport, distant eighteen miles ; hence
to Gloucester ; roads for the greater part dirty and bad ; grounds
fertile; farm-houses, barns, and avenues slovenly; fences in ill
repair and low. At twelve alighted at King's Head inn, at the last
mentioned place ; here took a collation ; taking a relay, departed
for Newton, Here it came into ray head to inquire of our host,
who seemed to be lazy man, whether his was the house referred to
31

242 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780.
in Tom Jones, where Sophia Western's muff was picked up by her
paramour ; to which he replied in the affirmative, and offered to
show the bed where it lay ; had his invitation been to see the
charming young lady herself, I doubt whether my answer would
have been what I gave hira. Here we stopped no longer than to
have fresh horses put to. Hence to Worcester is twelve mUes,
and over excellent roads; pleasant hedges and well cultivated
lands in view.
Worcester, June 6. Strolled for two hours, viewing the cathe
dral and new bridge, which latter is now finishing, and a beautiful
structure. The new street leading to the centre of the city on one
end, and to the bridge on the other, wiU, when completed, be a fine
avenue, and araong its greatest ornaments. At ten departed hence
to Horbrook, eleven miles ; here took a new relay, and choosing the
road through Kidderminster, alighted at Bridgenorth, distance from
forraer stage sixteen railes. This town lies in Salop, and for situa
tion is most singular, part being on a lofty plain, faced with a rock
in some spots nearly perpendicular, the ascent to which is by slopes
and steps in a kind of serpentine hne ; on the front is a terrace,
affording a view of the lower town. The town is situated on both
sides of the river Severn, comraunicating by a bridge ; a well
cultivated country is in prospect from the upper part, bounded by
hills in a circular line, rising gradually one beyond another ; the
lands interspersed with rows, clumps and forests of trees, and scat
tered habitations of farm houses and gentlemen's seats. In the up
per town are the remains of an ancient castle, destroyed when
Cromwell took the town, that before was in fhe king's interest ;
one side or line of the wall to the height of forty feet projects fif
teen or eighteen feet, occasioned either by the settling ofthe ground,
or by force of many cannon balls striking on it at once. The ef
fects on the front yet appear in the very many excavations in the
stone of the size of eighteen and twenty-four pound balls ; it is
separated by a chasm or breach of twelve to fifteen feet wide, and
as many long from the standing part ; thickness six feet. Cement,
not of hard consistency, has retained its present state much beyond
the memory of man. Be it as it may, the inhabitants are well sat
isfied it wUl continue tUl a great convulsion of nature shall overturn
the great fabric of the globe itself. The town on the hiU has two

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 243
churches exempt from the bishop, and called "peculiars," under
jurisdiction of the Whitraores, who have right of visitation ; also
right of advowson, and can exercise all right of ecclesiastical juris
diction except sacerdotal.
After an en passant survey, we took fresh horses and convey
ance, and set off for Brosely, distant from hence eight miles ; to
this place arrived in an hour, took a look at the iron bridge. Next
stage Much-Wenlock, distance hence twelve miles ; a pitiful inn
and town, where we lodged ; Shrewsbury, our last stage, lying at
twelve miles distance. Here we visited the residence of Samuel
Porter, late of my native place, Salem ; but the prima facie view
of my townsman's lodgings convinced us that it was not a fit place
for us to remain at. After hearty congratulations, bid him adieu
for the present, and returned back to the Talbot inn, leaving our
other companions, Samuel Sewall and Sarauel Porter, to raeasure
the distance through the fields on foot, where they soon arrived af
ter us. Here we proposed to fix our tent for two or three days ;
having bespoke dinner, we had a social tete-a-tete, and after a
hearty raeal, and a few glasses of port, took myself off to find out
ray other townsman, Capt. Poynton, who was also become a resi
dent here, and whom I found at a namesake's, living on Pride hill,
so called, within the town. After tea I took him to our companions,
and all joining issued forth to see the town and ascertain the ex
pense of living, which we found higher than at Bristol, Shrews
bury is populous, having several churches ; there is a most agree
able walk of a circular form on the banks of the Severn,
half a mile in extent, and surrounded by lofty trees. There are
still ruins of an old castle, now become private property and the
seat of the owner, standing on a lofty eminence and comraanding
the town. There is also a large building intended for a foundling
hospital, but not succeeding, is now fitted up for Spanish prisoners,
when they catch them.
Shrewsbury, June 9, We reassumed our post-chaise seats
and departed from " proud Salop," as it is called, for having refused
the offer of the crown to make it a city, saying " it is better to be a
large town than a small city" — leaving our two townsmen to their
respective enjoyments. However, before leaving this place, I must
observe, Mr. Samuel Sewall and myself, with Capt. Poynton, dined

244 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
at Samuel Porter's lodgings, which we found well provided; and
the next night, being the night preceding the one to our departure,
passed at the " GuUet" inn, the resort of all better sort to hear and
tell news. During my stay within, I heard read several letters
from lords, sirs, etc., from London, with relations of the mob that
was raging there. From hence to EUesmere, sixteen miles, weran
in two and a half hours, being accommodated with fresh horses ;
thence to Wrexham, eleven miles ; respectable in buUdings, some
fine streets, a market and well built church, erected about the time
of the reformation ; its tower superbly decorated in Gothic style.
Next stage was Chester, at eleven mUes distance ; stopped at the
Golden Talbot in Eastgate-street, house of best repute, large, with
a handsome coffee-room, ball and drawing rooms, it being the as
sembly house. This small city is singularly circurastanced, having
a delightful terrace walk on top of walls encorapassing it round, in
length near two miles, defended with a breastwork or parapet
about three feet high ; has no guns nor embrasures, nor platforms
for unevenness of surface within the walls and adjoining grass ; the
walk in some places is but a few feet above the level within, and
others as high as tops of chiraneys. On the quarter bounded by
the river Dee it is sixty or eighty feet above the surface ofthe water ;
on one or two streets is a covered way or walk raised one story
above the street called the rows ; the ascent is by many flights of
steps frora the streets, rendering it very convenient to foot passen
gers, especially in foul weather ; these are filled with shops and
stores above and below ; the passage ways are paved with flags,
the breadth twelve to fifteen feet. This city has the appearance
of antiquity, though there are many very genteel, tasty, and noble
houses ; I should judge the number between two and three thou
sand, inhabitants about seventeen thousand. Just within the walls
is a most beautiful race-ground. I forgot to mention the cathedral,
of no great extent and rather indifferent appearance ; it was how
ever in decent repair, but contained nothing remarkable.
Having taken a view ofthe whole place, we took leave of Ches
ter, designing for Manchester by way of Duke of Bridgewater's
canal from Warrington ; on that route our first stage was Fords-
ham, an indifferent sraall vUlage, distance ten miles. The keeper
of the inn an Irishman, not wanting in the characteristic mark of

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 245
that country, a bold unblushing face ; after a plausible commenda
tion of his carriages and horses, he gave us a sorry post-chaise and
a pair of miserable cattle ; he yet had the impudence to apply to
us to procure the land frora Warrington to this paltry vUlage to be
made a turnpike, saying it would be pounds in his pocket, which
I really doubt. He mistook us for parliament-men. From hence
to Warrington ten miles; the inn, the "Red Lion," tolerable.
Streets narrow, dirty, and ill paved ; like many other towns, with
a gutter running through the middle, rendering it inconvenient
passing streets. This town abounds in dissenters, and has an aca
demy for young preachers of that persuasion. Governor Hutchin
son was to have been buried at Brompton yesterday.
Warrington, June 11. Set off on foot for London bridge, so
called from its lying in the great London road across the canal, at
two miles' distance herefrom. This spot is a common rendezvous
whither flock all passengers whom curiosity prompts, or business
urges, to sail up to Manchester, at twenty miles' distance ; or down to
the locks at Runcorn, on the other hand, ten miles distant ; or across
the Mersey to Liverpool, this being the common route. Two boats
dally carry passengers up and down. Diverted from our intended
route, Manchester, we turned our course to a contrary direction, sail
ing down to Runcorn to view the celebrated locks ; passed in our
passage under sixteen bridges laid across the canal, consisting of
one brick arch of eighteen to twenty-two feet span, and twelve
feet high. Of these we were told there are sixty-four ; probable
enough, including the branches and marine cut, for Judge Oliver
counted on the grand canal forty-eight. The boats for passengers
are fifty feet long and fifteen wide, and will hold a hundred per
sons. Arrived at Runcorn in two hours, and supped at " White
Hart" inn, Sarauel Sewall and myself having amused ourselves
for two hours in seeing a barge enter from the river Mersey
into the first lock and through to the canal, we returned back
and met our corapanion the judge, whose curiosity did not stim
ulate him to stay so long in the cold as ours did ; and found the
inn crowded with great numbers of jolly lads and lasses, met
to congratulate our landlady's daughter, lately married and just
returned home, after a week's absence. The concluding scene of
Sunday, being considered in England as a relief from labor, is

246 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
generally spent in ale-houses by the middling and lower sorts, in
merry-making. Runcorn, June 12. Walked abroad, shaping my course to
church-yard, where I saw the curate and his clerk ; narae of former
was Sewell. I returned by the way I went, acquainting my com
panions, who had arrived before me, of the adventures. They
regretted my neglect in making no inquiry, nor informing the
curate of their name ; but I was loth to incur the imputation of
impertinence which he justly might have raade, in instituting inqui
ries about such raatters as people of this country are shy about
communicating to strangers. At eleven o'clock reshipped our
selves on board same barge, and returned back to whence we came,
where, finding a chaise ready for Liverpool, we again diverged
frora our right-line course, Manchester, and struck off for that
town, twenty mUes distant ; returning back to Warrington, pro
ceeded to Prescott, at ten miles' distance, where took a relay.
This town is noted for coal-pits and watch movements ; from the
forraer Liverpool is principally supplied by wagons.
Entered the city of Liverpool, so celebrated for its commercial
character ; houses by a great majority in middling and lower
style, few rising above that mark ; streets long, narrow, crooked,
and dirty in an eminent degree. During our short abode here, we
scarcely saw a well-dressed person, nor half a dozen gentlemen's
carriages ; few of the shops appear so well as in other great towns;
dress and looks more like the inhabitants of Wapplng, Shadwell,
and Rotherhithe, than in the neighborhood of the Exchange, or
any part of London above the Tower. The whole complexion
nautical, and so infinitely below all our expectations, that nought
but the thoughts of the few hours we had to pass here rendered it
tolerable. The docks however are stupendously grand ; the inner
one, called Town Dock, lying in the centre of it, and filled with
vessels exhibiting a forest of masts ; besides this, are three very
large ones lying in front of the city, communicating with each
other by flood-gates, intermixed with dry ones for repairing. The
lower or new one has a fine wide quay on its outer side, an agreea
ble walk being lined with trees on either hand ; below this, on the
river, is now buUding, nearly finished, a circular battery with
embrasures for thirty cannon. Parade and barracks are in hand.

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 247
and when completed will afford a charming walk and prospect if
allowed to the inhabitants,
Liverpool, June 12, Taking a circuitous ramble through this,
to us, disgustful place, returned to inn, paid our bUl^ and entered
the carriage we carae in, which the driver and owner would fain,
but for Judge and Sarauel Sewall's resolution, have jockeyed us
out of, designing craftily to shift us off to the common stage ; hut
his plan being disappointed, we were replaced in our own carriage,
with no company but ourselves. Bidding adieu to Liverpool, we
set forward to Prescott, where we took a relay and proceeded to
Warrington; here we were detained two hours, waiting the arrival
of boats. At two o'clock we re-entered our apartment, filled with
fresh passengers, among them Mrs. Dawson, wife of the governor
of the Isle of Man, returning from an excursion ; she was a native
of Nova Scotia, and daughter of a Colonel Hamilton, and had
resided in Boston. Mr, Corbet, an attorney of Brosely, also added
no inconsiderable pleasure by his social turn whUe sailing on an
unruflled surface through a finely iraproved country, over hills and
dales, rivers and bridges ; in five hours we arrived safely at Man
chester, Examined the ingenious machinery and operations of
calico-printing. Took carriage for Castleton at the peak of Derby,
passing through Stockport and Disley, The country, as we ap
proached the peak, hilly. By persuasion the judge reluctantly
walked out to the cave at Castleton, being desirous to defer it till
following morning, accompanied by Samuel Sewall. After break
fast, taking leave of the vale, we ascended the hill overlooking the
town; the road extends to the further end in a circular line,
affording a pleasing view of the lofty surrounding hills and a charm
ing vale beneath, diversified with trees, live hedges, scattered farm
houses, villages, and towers ; the descent on the side of the vale is
quick, and in case of accident hazardous. In ascending Mr, Sewall
and myself chose the safest and most expeditious way on foot, not
indeed the most comfortable, being surrounded by a gang of children
who constantly accompany carriages, that necessarily move at a
slow pace, soliciting charity with piteous looks and accents, which
from earliest childhood they have been taught to frame. At length
we arrived at Bakewell, fourteen miles, and whilst changing horses
I visited the church-yard on an eminence, whence is a pleasing

248 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
view of the vale, rendered more so by its contrast with the naked,
barren hills wherewith it is encompassed on all sides. This plain,
with scarce a rising to intercept the sight for mUes, abounds in
pastures, grass and corn lands inclosed by live hedges, and trees in
rows and clumps ; of the latter there are many inclosures of con
siderable extent, and of great height and bulk. Most of the best
improvements are on the Duke of Rutland's estate, who has a large
and noble old mansion-house, caUed Haddon HaU, within sight of
the traveller.
The road to Matlock is an excellent turnpike, through this de
lightful vale, distance twelve miles ; the eye is refreshed a good part
of the way with a sight of the river Dee, a gentle stream which
continued to and beyond the last mentioned place, where we arrived
at twelve o'clock. Dismissing the coach, we took up our abode in
this indescribably pleasing, romantic spot for a few hours — sadly
regretting after leaving it that we had not dedicated longer time to
it. This cluster of half a dozen houses, including tradesmen's and
the large inn for servants and short visitants, as our company, are
filled with apartments for the reception and accommodation of those
who resort hither for sake of bathing, to which it is confined. Its
remote situation, (its nearest neighbor on one hand Bakewell at
ten miles, and on the other Derby at sixteen,) separates it, in a
manner, frora all society. It Is situated on the banks of the Dee,
which by the approach of the craggy hills contract to little more
than the bed of the river, which flows even to the foot of them.
This spot lies under a circular range of hills conforming to the
course of the river ; the side of this range is in spots clothed with
bushes, shrubs, and trees of various dimensions, interspersed with
bare spots and shelving rocks, overhanging and threatening instant
fall. In some the ascent is quick, in other parts easy, and in the
midst of this unpromising barren wild are levels that nature or in
dustry have made, now improved as habitations for the poor but
perhaps contented few, whose lot has cast thera into this dreary
spot ; each hut being accoramodated with a small plat for garden
and yard. To the spectator on the other side, a view of these
singularly situated habitations is picturesque and pleasing. Just
below the houses for company's residence, on a plain lying but
little above the level of the river, are covered baths, supplied by

1780.] jotjrnaL and letters, 249
streams frorh hillsj issuing under the foundation of houses, but they
have ho distinguishing character.
Crossing the ferry, of a hundred feet; we found a serpentine
walk, cut and levelled for a quartef of a tnUe, then hraited by a
lead inlne, now working. This walk is a delicious retreat in a
saltry day, the trees on either hand forming aii embowering shade ;
it is accommodated with field seats, frotn wheflce are vistas, two
terminating in natural cascades, rendered, however, more perfect
by art. Returning back from hence to end of walk, we began our
ascent over slopes and steps to the summit of this very craggy hill,
\^fhich is extremely tedious, and puts the lungs as vvell as muscles to
no small exercise. About three fourths the way up stands an alcOVe
tb rest the weary traveller, where we were glad to aVail ourselves
of a seat for awhile. Having at length gained the summit, we
thought ourselves fully repaid for fatigue by the charrhing prospect,
bdth in respect to its extensivehess and variety. Though we were
so exalted, the Fox, as it is called; being the extreme ehd of the
range of mountains on Other side, almost insulated, lifted its aspiring
head nearly as much above us as we were above the surface of the
river that we beheld flowing just urider our feet. The manner in
¦which visitors live together is social and harmonibiis; the meals
taketi in a comraon iboth, none having a precedence ; their raixture
promiscuous ; attendance at a certain hour notified by a bell. Hither
al^o they repair to form parties, as chance Or indination points,
sorae to cross the 'Water tO serpentine ^Valk, to clinib tte craggy
cliff; Others to ride on horseback, or in carriages; others again foir
cards.-' — Generally after Supper cards of dancing fill wp the space to
time of repose. Their loheljr situation contributes iiOt a little to
inspire all with a desire to promote ihUtual efljoyinent, which is
supposed to be met With here ill this retifed s6litary retreat in a
more extensive degree than in any other place of public resort
through England, Here are tnanufactured neatly polished pieces,
in the fancy wayV Of Derby^ife spar, stone, etc Judge Sewall
ahd myself bought eatiha sUgar-basin and cream-bucket, edged \vith
gilt pinchbeck, and ladleS with nietal haridles of thfe same, having
bought an egg-cup and pair of Salts before at tlie Peak,
After dinfaer, departed over a fitie turnpike, reaching to the
town of Derby, distant sixteen miles, which we measured in two
32

250 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
hours, and alighted at the " King's Head" inn. Here we met a
singular phenomenon in the person of John Tompson, a waiter at
this inn for forty-three years; the fifteen years immediately pre
ceding the present service porter to Sir Robert Sutton, and the
eleven years before that to the Eari of Ferrars, He is now eighty-
seven, and although somewhat decrepit and stooping, carries no
mark of age in his face, that stiU retains a rubicund complexion
without a single wrinkle. His memory, and indeed all his facul
ties appear in full vigor. The Ferrars family show a respect for
their former servant by sending a carriage for hira now and then,
especially at Christraas and hohday times, when he is made wel
come ; and " so late as last Christmas," said he, " I danced from
eleven to four o'clock there, and good music inspires me with vigor
to acquit myself to the satisfaction of my partners, and makes me,
for the while, return fo youth,"
Derby, June 16. After breakfast we all repaired with a con
ductor to the silk mUls, for which this town is faraed, these being
the originals of this kind of raanufactures in England, having heen
introduced frora Italy in a surreptitious manner by Sir Thomas
Lambe. At twelve we departed for Burton on Trent, thence to
" George" inn, Lichfield, and from thence to Birminghara, where
stopped at the " Hen and Chickens," High-street, Soon after our
arrival, S, Sewall and rayself saUied forth, leaving the judge, reluc
tant to exercise, to entertain hiraself. It seems that sitting by the
window, he espied a countryra an of ours, resident here, passing by;
on opening the casement, the other seeing him, came over and re
mained with him tUl our return. He called again, accompanied
by Mr, Elisha Hutchinson, son of our late governor, who together
passed an hour and then departed ; the former inviting us to dine
next day, promising to accorapany us to the manufactories,
June 17, Soon after breakfast, Judge Oliver, being the
other countryman before mentioned, agreeably to last evening's
promise, came and in a post-chaise accompanied us to Bolton and
FothergiU's manufactory, called Soho, about two mUes out of
town, for gun-barrel boring by a fire engine. From thence to a
ramble modo pedestn, and afterwards to Judge Oliver's to dinner,
and at tea Mr. Hutchinson joined us ; in the evening went over to
Mr. Lakin's,

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 251
June 18, Soon after breakfast. Judge Sewall's impatience to
be gone hurried us into a post-chaise, taking the road to Wolver
hampton, distant from hence fourteen miles, passing through Wed-
nesbury, where' the coal-pits are that supply Birmingham with
coals ; we arrived at Wolverhampton in three hours. The town
contains one church, the parish is fifteen miles in length, reaching
near Lichfield, It is a deanery, and has a vicar or curate, salary
from only ^£20 to ^50, notwithstanding the pomposity of the
churches ; — this is annexed to Windsor, From hence to Shiffnal,
our next stage, is twelve miles ; thence to Bronckton, a village,
three miles from last inn, and to Brosely three miles, where we
supped and lodged.
Jun£ 19, Mr, Corbit, surgeon, coming to our inn in order to
fulfil a promise of last night, accompanied us in a post-chaise, pro
cured and ready against his arrival ; entering the vehicle, our first
visit was to the porcelain manufactory, noted for its fine Nankin
blue color, no other colors attempted here ; — lately was sent off,
as we were told by one of the burners, a complete set or table ser
vice for the royal table, a sample whereof we saw ; from hence
directed our course to the iron bridge. For a more perfect view
of this curious and singular piece of pontal architecture, we returned
back as many mUes as the day's journey consisted of; and the
world affords not its like : a bridge perfect in all its parts, com
posed entirely of cast iron. It is laid over the Severn, from a town
in Shropshire, called Brosely, to Colebrook-dale side, and adjoining
a truly romantic spot noted for coal mines and iron stone, where
with it abounds. Dined at the inn, corapany same as last evening ;
afterwards we all together walked to Surgeon Corbit's, our guide
and attendant; S, Sewall and myself drank coffee with his spouse.
Leaving this house. Judge Sewall and myself returned to the inn,
where I passed a heavy, sleepy evening ; S. Sewall was engaged
in loyally celebrating General Chnton's success at Charleston, by
discharging a two-pounder half loaded several times in a private
garden ! The town of Brosely, where we now are, is long and
straggling ; the houses seem to owe their present situation to mere
chance ; in general it has a dark, sooty, dirty look, few only of the
houses in decent style.
June 20, Having accomplished the object of our return, and

252 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
being accommodated with a post-chaise, tooli our departure, and in
an hour were set down at Bridgenorth, having determined to take
passage on the Severn to Worcester at thirty miles from this; this
variety in mode of traveUing an agreeable one, especially as the
fare i^ but one shiUing and sixpence, which consideration has
weight with those whose bank begins to ebb fast, havipg already
H^easured, of turnpike chiefly, almost five hundred mUes. Adjusted
all with the xa^stei for passage next day, the interval between the
present hour and time of rest was chequered by eating, drinking,
walking, and playing at backgammon.
June 21, Entered our copveyance, which we found common
and for comraodities instead of a passage boat ; fiUed with wqp] and
bulky articles some feet above the gunwale, leaving us and one
fellow passenger but scanty room in stern sheets. Fust delay
was at Brindley ; here we refreshed with a collation; next at
Stourport at junction of the great Staffordshire canal with Severn ;
at six o'clock landed at Worcester, just below old bridge, Jumped
on shore, leaving companions and baggage, who, before they left
the banks of the river, engaged to-morrow's pasisage to Gloucester,
nearly Sc^rae distance. From boat adjourned to the " Hop-pole"
inn ; goon after Mr. J, Vassal entered} we being seen by his ser
vant ; he is on his return from Birmingham, having been, there on
a reconnolterlng plan, and speaks of it with the greatest dislike as
a dirty, ill-built hole. So different are men's tastes that my com
panions make it daily a subject of their praises. For my own part
I think it deserves neither extravagant praises, much less execra
tions. It is of an amazing extent, all its new streets spacious and
straight, and not ill-buUt ; here are many excellent buUdijDgs, and
London itself does not exhibit a more spacious and weU-built one
than Newhall-atreet, though its paving is not pf best quality. Be
spoke beds and supper, and left the inn for a ramble ; directed
course to new bridge and then to Castle Mount, seeming a work of
art, of a regular form, agreeable walk to the top or flat about
eighteen feet oyer, having evergreens around its border. Hence
returned back to inn. We partook of a splendid supper, which,
Tffith other acts of a different complexion from the late adopted
plan of economy, shows that inconsistency is a common fault, among
fraU men.

1780.] JOUilNAL AND LETTERS. 253
June 22, At twelve departed, our boat more lumbered and
dirty than before, and passengers of stUl raeaner sort; and it
having taken three hours to arrive at a landing within three mUes
of Upton, to which we walked by land, distance passed by water
being just seven mUes from Gloucester, Under such ill-omened
circumstances were discouraged from proceeding further by water,
and therefore on arrival of boat, ordering out our baggage, and
taking, as the sailors phrase it, London tack on board, proceeded
to next stage of fifteen miles, called Newport, where changed
horses. Our home is distant from this place eighteen miles ; at
three or four hundred yards without turnpike-gate at the head of
Stokes, we crossed a short thick foot-pad, who, running out from
under hedges, seized the reins of our horses, threatening instant
death to the driver if he did not stop ; whereupon he stopped, and
giving up the reins, ran to chaise door and was going to demand
our money, when S. Sewall supposing him only a rude fellow,
raising himself forward, made a push at him with his cane ; at
which the pad retreated back a few paces, discharging his pistol at
same instant, and ran off, presuming he had executed his threat,
wtich was, " damn you, I'll do for you." Judge Sewall thought
he perceived the wind of the bullet as it passed ; be that as it may,
it was found next morning. It grazed the moulding, which di
verted it from a course that otherwise must have entered S, Sewall's
body, but how his head escaped is inconceivable; it pierced
through the lining and lodged between it and leather top, proving
a slug near three quarters of an inch long, and was picked up next
morning. Thursday evening, June 22, concluded a journey of five
hundred miles in eighteen days.
TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, I.ONDON.
Bristol, June 24, 1780,
Dear Sir :
I take the earhest opportunity after my excursion of eighteen
days to acknowledge the receipt of yours. I hope the execrable
mob in London is thoroughly queUed, and the promoters of it in
safe custody, ready for the execution of deserved justice ; I wish
government may arrive at the bottom of this infernal plot, for that
there was one, no man in his senses can doubt. Through the great

254 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
extent of country we passed during its rage, there appeared an
universal detestation against them ; though should the flame catch
at some populous places, there are viUains enough to be found
ready to join in plunder, rapine, murder and burning.
Very truly yours,
S, Curwen,
June 30. Walked to the quay to find a vessel bound to White
haven, intending, if practicable, a water conveyance to Workington,
in Cumberland, July 6. Foot-pad taken jn Bath-road ; Judge SewaU seeing
him thinks he is the one that attacked us,
July 8, Met Mr, R, HaUoweU, who informed me of his going
to London. Received a letter from J, R., inclosing one from
R. Ward, Salem, by Isa, White, via Amsterdam,
TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES.
Bristol, July 13, 1780,
Dear Sir :
By two letters from Salem, one from our friend WUham
Pynchon, of May 3, via Amsterdam, I am informed of the death of
Mr. McGilchrist on the 20th of the former month ; a man of un-
disserabled virtue and singular integrity, and the most friendly
heart ; to whose memory I cannot fail to pay the tribute of a tear.
Besides whom, the late ranting patriot J, W, is also gone to the
former generations. As for the rest, all our friends are well and
longing, but as almost without hope, for the good old times, as is
the common saying now, except among those, as he expresses it,
whose enormous heaps have made them easy and insolent, and to
wish for a continuance of those confusions by which they grow
rich. Our friend wishes to hear from you and other of our towns
men and friends here. If you are disposed to oblige in this way,
a letter inclosed to my care, left at the New England Coffee-
House, London, soon to be my residence, shall be forwarded. I
am far from being sanguine of essential good effects from Clinton's
success. Truly yours,
S. Curwen,

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 255
TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ.
Bristol, July 15, 1780.
Dear Sir :
This may serve to inform you of the receipt of your favor of
May 3, and to convey my acknowledgments therefor ; nor do I
know any favors more deserving of thanks than letters from distant
friends and acquaintance ; in truth, I think, Solomon never uttered
more truth, or discovered more knowledge of mankind, than in the
following proverb : " Good news from a far country is as cold wa
ter to a thirsty soul," To be raade acquainted with the welfare of
my friends is among the first and warmest wishes of my heart, nor
doth it feel more pleasurable sensations than are derived from that
source. Since my last, the political state of affairs seems in many peo
ple's opinion to have taken a more favorable turn for this country, but
good and ill often succeed each other in the whirl of human affairs
in quick succession ; for amidst a deal of good news daily pouring
in from abroad, a most tremendous cloud suddenly and unlocked for
arose and covered our horizon, threateninginstant destruction even to
the very being of government itself. For some days it was feared
the city of London would be laid in ashes, during which the most
abandoned and profligate miscreants that were ever nourished by,
or have proved the curse of society, were to have availed them
selves of the conflagration and terror occasioned thereby, and plun
dered what the less cruel felons might have spared, perhaps mur
dering those against whom their spite might have been levelled. On
the day that the petition of the Protestant associators,as they denomi
nated themselves, was to be presented to the house, the subscribers
were by an advertisement of Lord George Gordon, their president,
desired to meet in St, George's Fields ; the reason alleged was,
that no building in London was large enough to hold the expected
numbers, and from thence fo accompany him with the petition to
the house — meaning by so numerous an appearance to give weight
to it, or enforce it more effectually. The rabble, many of whom
were signers, likely enough for the most villainous purposes, for
with such the more mischief the better sport, joined, making no
less a number, it is credibly said, than forty thousand ; a number
of such characters, and under such circumstances, truly alarming ;

256 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
from hence they paraded through the borough of Southwark and
along London streets, at first it is said orderly, but no sooner had
they reached palace yard than they filled that and all the avenues
leading to the house. Throwing off the mask, they bawled aloud
for liberty and the Protestant religion ; and now their insolence
began, for many members of both houses undistinguishingly re
ceived marks of their indignant rage j some were stopped and
threatened, otherwise abused and assaulted, pulled out of their car
riages, and glad to get off without hats, wigs, with lacerated gar
ments and flesh-wounds ; whUst many were happy to retreat unhurt
and absent themselves from the house for that day at least. The
distinguishing badge they wore was a blue cockade, which the
president, Lord George, had the boldness to wear in his hat to the
house, but being espied, he was desired, nay, even menaced, and
with reluctance suffered it to be taken out. The most sober, and
many such, doubtless, there were among them, retired peaceably
and in good order ; but the rabble, by far the greater number^
having raised theraselves into a frenzy, for fire you know is kindled
by coUision, adjourned^ resolving to plunder and destroy the houses
of those who from liberal principles had promoted a relaxation of
the supposed too great rigor of the act of William and Mary against
papists, that had been for many months the occasion of a paper
war on the subject, and excited a real or pretended terror in the
minds of many who were, or affected tobe, afraid ofthe increase and
prevalence of popery. The houses of these and some unoffending
Roman Catholics fell a sacrifice the first day to their rapine and
malice ; what became not plunder, was destroyed, or devoted to
the flames. In the nuraber were Sir George Saville's, a most wor
thy character, a steady whig, and an anti-ministerialist, but being
a friend to taxation, and a man of property, was a suitable subject,
and worthy of these sons of liberty and supporters of the Protestant
cause to exercise their patriotism upon.
The second day, Lord Mansfield's'house employed their patriotic
labor ; his valuable library, pictures, and household goods, to the
amount of near thirty thousand pounds, were plundered, brokeflj
destroyed and devoted to the flaraes ; — among other things^ was a
large collection of manuscripts on various subjects, of immense loss
to the world, it is said. In shorty as Lord Loughborough, late Mr,

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 257
Wedderburne, says, seventy-two houses and four prisons are now
lying in ruins; ofthe latter, fhe fine new buUding of Newgate-
street prison. King's Bench, Clerkenwell, and Surry Bridewell ;
from whence were let loose all the debtors and felons who assisted
in promoting those atrocious crimes, for which they were soon to
have suffered the justice of the laws. Had they directed their aim
at the Bank the first or second day of their rage, it is to be feared
they might have annihilated the books, papers, and records : — a
blow that might have shaken governraent to its centre, and in
volved the nation in evUs too horrid to mention. The third day it
was attacked ; providentially, the fate of a score or two, and a
strong party of dragoons and light-horse surrounding the palla
dium, saved it frora the raerciless claws of these ravening wolves.
For three or four days, ten to fifteen houses were seen at one time
in the centre of the metropolis lighted up by design ; and to com
plete this most abhorred plan of destruction, a design was formed
to cut off the new river pipes, but, in the moment of execution, it
was most happily prevented.
Thus this great city and the government are still preserved,
monuments of divine forbearance : — it hath pleased Him who saith
to the boisterous waves of the sea, " hitherto shalt thou come, and
no further," to put a stop to the rage and raadness of the people,
and for the present to control the malicious designs of our inveterate
enemies ; for, that the ravages of the late banditti took their rise
from abroad, has a face of probabUity, Though I cannot take upon
me to warrant the following or any paragraph in the newspapers
to be the word of Apollo, it is yet confidently asserted ya them,
that " a gentleman lately arrived from Holland has affirjiied that
he heard the French ambassador there declare openly, that London
would be laid in ashes within a month." So deep was the plan,
and so seriously in earnest to ensure complete destruction, that
such situations and kinds of business were pitched upon, as afforded
the most combustible materials for supplying a fierce flame, as
oil-dealers, dlstiUers, warehouses, &c, ; but a kind interposing Pro
vidence stopped the devouring fire, and all is now once again
settled, quiet, and, it is to be hoped, safe. To secure which, and
overawe the profligate and daring, enough of whom all great cities
abound in, a large encampment is still continued in Hyde Park of
33

258 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
light-horse, dragoons and foot, and are to be kept up during the
summer; besides a party (notwithstanding the city mayor and
patriotic gentry's remonstrance about city rights,) patrolling and
keeping guard in London, to the great annoyance and terror ofthe
turbulent and dangerous,
Bath and Bristol were intended to have been theatres whereon
to have exhibited the future acts of the same tragedy. At the
former, the Roraan Catholic chapel and the priest's house were
purged of all their efiects that fell within the claws of these de
structive harpies, and the corabustibles they committed to the unre
lenting flaraes : but a party of the Hereford militia, and a troop of
dragoons, being at callable distance, seasonably arrived to prevent
further mischief. The latter city, by a vigorous internal poEce
taking early precautions, dispersed a threatening storm ; three or
four hundred banditti, collected in St, James's parish in this city
for the patriotic purpose of rapine and burning, were, by a well
timed early association, scattered and driven back to their dens ;
all the well disposed arming and patrolling through the streets for
several nights. During this mlscreantic insurrection, Judge SewaU,
Samuel Sewall, and myself, were on an excursion in the country,
wherein we dropped on the abode of our townsfolks, Samuel Por
ter and Captain Poynton ; the former carrying indelible marks of
personal identity, the latter of an amazingly increased bulk and
gouty habit ; their present abode is Shrewsbury, I rather envy
than lament our worthy friend, Mr, McGUchrist, who is now ih a
more peaceable nieighborhood, I dare say, than that he has quitted,
and I fahcy without regret ; would that you and 1 were with him,
resting, perhaps, in undisturbed quiet tUl the last grand tribunal
scene shall open, and restore the sleeping dust to life and activity ;
or, perhaps, roving in the unbounded fields of immensity, exploring
and admiring the astonishing operations of omnipotence.
Know you that the two great objects of American odium are
now no more : — Governor Bernard died some time since, and
lately Governor Hutchinson ; suddenly, as he was stepping into
his carriage, Mr, Timmins has recovered from a very severe fit of sickness,
and has taken up his residence with his family at Chelsea, for the
benefit of the air. My future abode will be at London, or its

17S0.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 259
neighborhood, Ifetters will reach me there addressed to be left at
the New England .Coffee-House, Threadneedle-street.
With gi^e?t esteem, your assured friend, S. Curwen,
Jyly 16. Attended worslup at College; Mr, Porvis, one of
the prebends, preacbed a very ingenious discourse ; afterwards I
was told it was not of his own composing ; as it is not an unusual
custom among the Episcopal , clergy to read others' performances
in the pulpit. Afternoon saw Mr, Coates, who repeated his son's
invitation to tea, and on returning home, finding no one waiting
for me there, directed.my footsteps to Bank-terrace^ meeting a mul
titude, as is ever the custom on pleasant Sundays,
July 18, From this day we have an addition to our family of
my countryman Nicholas Lechmere ; supped with him and a friend
of his named Maddocks.
July 19- .lust finished a long letter to my friend Mr. Pynchon,
inclosing Lord Loughborough's speech to grand jury on St, Mar
garet's hill at the trial of some of fhe London rioters.
July 23- Afternoon walked with N, Lechmere over Durdham
Down to Ostrick ; crossed oyer to Cooke's Folly, a tower on the
banks of the Avon,
J^ly 30, Drank tea at Mr, R. Lechmere's and after a social
tete-a-tete walked with him, and lady and daughter and brother to
College Green, where joined four Americans. Wrote to advise my
friend Timmins of my intention to bid adieu to Bristol, and make
London my residence till I shall be no more, for I despair of ever
leaving this island.
August 2. By invitation dined at Mr, R, Lechmere's with
Admiral Graves' lady, etc,
Augic^t 3. Mr, '^. Lechmere accompanied me to the stage fpr
Bath, where took leave. Found a, female of fourteen only passen
ger. At Temple-gate were joined by the well known Mr, Heathjn,
late of Honiton in Devonshire, with his maiden sister •; the former
very loquacious, who without partiality seems a compound of strong
sense, knowledge, vivacity and vanity, ****** My attention
wa^ drawn to hi^ l^eading ^he quack 4octorfs speech to the gaping
mob, his attendants, in Launcelot Greaves, written by the_late Dr,

260 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
SmoUet ; he solicited ray interest with Mr. Nathaniel WTiite, whose
preaching I had attended, and proposed stUl to attend at old Jewry,
in order to procure for him the use of his meeting-house on Sunday
evenings for lecture. At six o'clock ahghted at Castle inn. Market-
street, Bath. After tea, taking a ramble met my said loquacious
feUow-traveller; joining me, proceeded to a long walk in a lonely
road, of which he seemed glad to avail hiraself to recount his own
adventures. Bath, August 4. Arose at seven o'clock, and joined by a Mr,
Graves, a young clergyman of Suffolk, whose obliging, social be
havior rendered him an agreeable companion. On the road, about
half way to our first stage, a parson naraed Goddard overtaking us,
alighted from his own horse, delivered it to a servant, and entered
our carriage, adding a third to our corapany. For the first half
hour, our two Oxonians kept to themselves the whole conversation,
wherein were disclosed many clerical and academic tales, stories,
and anecdotes ; among others I recollect the following : — Dr.
Barton, dean of Bristol and rector of St. Andrews, Holborn, who
was, according to British raode of expression, dark, raeaning stone-
blind, being of a huraorous disposition and great self-command,
having a mind to entertain hiraself, invited four eminent persons in
the same desolate condition as he was, to a dinner, none other being
present but the servants. These were Sir John Fielding, of as
eminent a character in the juridical line as perhaps any man in
the civilized world ; Mr, Stanley, the well known musician, and
others whose names I forget. After partaking of a joyous feast,
they took a huraorous leave and departed. At eleven o'clock we
alighted at the Black Lion in Devizes, where, after taking refresh-
raent, I walked forth to rarable, and espied a sign, for quaintness of
its device here noted. On the sign were painted five men, well
known by the name of the "five alls ;" the first in order, accord
ing to present raode of arrangement of church before king, stands
the parson in his sacerdotalibus ; he prays for all : second, the
lawyer, in his gown, band, and tie-wig ; he pleads for all : third,
the soldier in uniform, with a fierce countenance ; he fights for all :
fourth is a physician, with great wig and solemn phiz, and boluses
and julips in his hand ; he kills or cures all : the fifth and last is the
farmer, with his settled, thoughtful countenance ; he pays for all.

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 261
Leaving this place, with fresh horses, arrived at " Great Castle"
inn, Marlborough, at two o'clock ; distant thirty-two miles from
Bath, This inn is famous through England for grandeur of struc
ture, it having been a nobleman's mansion-house ; the excellence
and expensiveness of its accommodations, provisions, etc., are of
the highest style. Passed grounds wherein is a mount made by
art, the ascent to the suramit in a spiral line of so gentle a rising as
to be imperceptible, in length half a raile, though encorapassing it
but four tiraes. The mount does not exceed a hundred feet diame
ter, nor raore in height ; the top is a plain, planted with trees, from
which is to be seen a distant view of the town, consisting of one
long street and a few short ones at right angles.
Newbury, our next stage, is a long town, consisting of buildings
in middle and lower style, decent and in good repair ; has one
Episcopal church and four dissenting meeting-houses. Its inhabit
ants are avowed friends of Araerican liberty, and dlsavowers of the
war. Departed hence at seven o'clock, slept at the " George
inn," Reading, a large, handsorae, well-built town, principal of
this fine county (Berkshire) ; from hence to Colebrook, where I
stayed again and dined; then travelled my last stage, London, be
ing set down at the Swan inn, Holborn bridge, at the end of Fleet-
market, at six o'clock. After a short rest, daylight still remaining,
as it did some hours after, I walked forth to view the ruins of Mr,
Langdale's house, etc., alraost adjoining the inn ; proceeding forward
to Newgate, but little distance, which was lying in a deplorable
state of ruin, destroyed by the mob. I returned back to my inn,
filled with honest but fervid indignation, which ought to warm the
breast of every peaceable well wisher to order, laws, safety, and the
rights of individuals : sleep put an end to my mortifying reflections.

262 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,

CHAPTER XIII,
London, Aug. 8. Engaged lodgings at Mrs, Councel's, No, 22
Castle-street, Falcon -square,
TO HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, BRISTOL.
London, Aug. 1-4, 1780.
Dear Sir :
I have been told by Mr. Jos, Green and his wife, and with such
an air of serious earnestness as to lead me almost into a behef of it,
that advice had last Saturday been brought to town by a vessel
said to have arrived from Araerica, that on the 19th of May, th?.
moon being just then beyond the full, f^e sky clear and unclouded
at sunrise, and to all appearance promising a fine bright day, con
tinuing sorae time in this state, when all at once a sudden darkness
overspread the face of the heavens, and so palpably thick ly.as it,
that candles were lighted in the houses during its continuance till
three o'clock in the afternoon, to conduct the common concerns
and intercourse of life, A short interval of light or twilight ensued,
but was succeeded by a tenfold darker night than was ever known.
Perhaps I am misinformed ; if you have not heard of this extra
ordinary and uncommon phenomenon, suspend your belief tUl bet
ter or no information follows, or in the former case a fuller and
raore particular relation shall be raade. Time, the great revealer
of secret things, will soon convince you of its truth or falsehood, I
am not myself deterrained in my opinion ; the belief of uncommon
events requires strong evidence ; should tips be true, you have
astrologers, soothsayers, magicians, and wise men enough among
you to explain its meaning. Very truly, your friend,
S, Curwen,

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 263
TO COL. WILLIAM BROWNE, COWBRIDGE.
London, August 16, 1780.
Dear Sir :
The contents of my last were chiefly to acquaint you ofthe re
ceipt of a letter from our common friend, Mr, Pynchon, dated
Salem, May 3, I shall now give you a part in his own words :
" I am pleased at having so safe a conveyance, but should be more
so could I write with freedom; as I cannot, you wUl make allow
ances for my scrawl, I may, however, acquaint you that your
family and friends are in heailth, and bear with cheerfulness and
fortitude the rubs, jostlings and vexations of turbulent tiraes ; they
are wishing to see you, to tell you a hundred things which might
make you laugh, admire, and sometimes stare. During the winter
we have been blocked up with snow ; the oldest inhabitant re
members not such quantities of it on the earth at any one time.
But we are now thawed out, and begin to rejoice that the price of
wood is fallen from $4,50 to |3,00 a cord. Had other necessa
ries been proportlonably dear, some of us might well wish for a
return bf the good old times^ as they are now called ; and those
whose enormous heaps have made them easy and insolent, might
iVish for a continuance of the confusions by which they grew in
the Frenchman's style, " horriblement riches." Our worthy friend
Mr, M'Gilchrist foretold that he should not live to see an end of it,
and feared that few of his old friends would ; he has gone into the
vale, a true prophet — he left us on the 20th April. His patience
and fortitude continued to the last ; his sickness and death were of
a piece with his life, and that you know was a lesson of virtue.
He delayed making his will a little too long ; some of his preju
dices and resentments appeared on that occasion. He gave to
" the Society for propagation of the gospel in foreign parts" all
arrears coming to him, being three years' salary, and his part of
the donation made for missionaries who had suffered in these times.
I often wish to hear of Col. Browne and others of our town -
men and friends there,"
In answer to a letter of mine some time ago, mentioning the
evils of exUe at my tirae of life, he says, " What would your feel
ings have been, my good friend, if while here you had lost your
business, all your debts, the fruits of many years' labor ; had been

264 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780.
driven to sell your house and land for the payment of debts and ex
penses, and the remainder had sunk in your hands fifty per cent ; and
that though thus reduced, you could not freely nor safely walk the
streets by reason of party rage and malevolence, and the uncon
trolled rancor of some men." A wretched and truly pitiable
condUion this ! a just picture, I fear, of American popular liberty.
Dr, Charles Russell died at Antigua last June, and his brother
James, who by lucky captures by a letter of marque has realized
fifteen thousand pounds sterling, is soon to be settled a Bristol
merchant, and bound in the matrimonial chain to Mr, R, Lech
mere's second daughter, Mary, whom I think a fine, well accom
plished lady. Mr, Jo, Green and wife told me the story of a dark
day having occurred in New England, on the 19th of May, such as
was never before known ; — in order to maintain the coraraon in
tercourse of life, candles were lighted and kept burning. For my
own part, though I am no believer in omens, I cannot but take this to
be a most extraordinary and terrifying event. Darkness, in the onei-
rocritic art, denotes distress, anguish, trouble, loss, sickness, death,
and the whole train of evils, physical and moral. Perhaps the
fearful among our country folks may find in theraselves a disposi
tion to be reconciled to the thoughts of a reconnection with this
country, which seems more likely to force terms on them than
since this foolish, needless, baneful quarrel commenced.
Here, or in this neighborhood, I propose to continue till I shall
take my flight to the upper regions, or descend to the shades below ;
for I am quite unsettled in my own mind whether a state of activity
or insensibUity shall fill up the interval between death and the fu
ture state of endless existence.
My respectful compliments wait on Mrs, Browne and son ; and
ardently wishing you and them the highest felicity, I remain,
With great esteera.
Your faithful friend, S, Curwen,
P. S, Mr, Francis Waldo, who will soon be with you, wiU
inform you of the troop of New Englanders resident in Bristol.
August 18. Took a long, solitary ramble through Charter
house-square, thence through Gray's-Inn-lane to Clerkenwell-green,

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 265
wherein is a buUding not before seen or heard about, called New
Hicks Hall, or Middlesex Sessions House, a large and handsome
structure; thence through Smithfield and Long-lane, a narrow, dis
mal, dirty street, to Aldersgate-street,
August 19, Called at Francis Waldo's lodgings in Pall Mall,
and at Arthur Savage's in Brompton-row, and left a card for the
absentees ; not a little jaded by the circum ambulation.
August 20. At Westminster Abbey ; the vergers not thinking
proper to offer me a seat, I left the choir, and, like the multitude,
pcissed the hour of devotion in gazing at the monuments and read
ing inscriptions. From thence passing through cloisters, pro
ceeded to Dean's court, inclosed in part by Westminster school
buUdings ; returning back, stayed in choir during part of prayer
and sermon, and passed half an hour in poet's corner. Thence to
St, Margaret's church, the preacher having just then ascended the
pulpit ; I was minded to stay, but these church-servants neglecting
to open a pew door for rae, I soon departed homewards,
August 23. To artillery-ground to view manoeuvres of the
mUitary association, who performed manual exercises, firings, and
evolutions commendably. My curiosity, though still active, is soon
satisfied ; nor do I find a more convincing proof of its increasing
irabecility, if the expression be not improper, than in this par
ticular,
FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL.
Bristol, August 22, 1780.
Dear Sir :
By a letter from Mr. Waldo to Mr. Simpson, the account of
the miraculous darkness at Boston had reached Bristol before I was
favored with yours. The story I firmly believe to be true, but like
many Jewish stories in the Old Testament, I take it not in a literal,
but in a metaphorical or allegorical sense. Take it as an allegory,
and it is easily to be credited ; but as this kind of writing is now
become rather obsolete, it is necessary to premise, that under the
present tyranny in America, no man there dares write upon politi
cal subjects in plain English ; if he writes at all, it must be in
dark enigmas, and in this scriptural style I presume the letter from
34

266 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
which jCou derive your intelligence is written. Interpret it thus
The writer wished to let his friend here know what effect the news
of the reduction of Charleston had upon the minds of the Boston
rebels, (or saints, if you like that word better,) but he dared not
communicate his intelligence in a language intelligible to all, and
therefore chose to give it in an allegory, trusting to the sagacity of
his friend, who, being a New England saint, as I presume, he
doubted not was weU enough versed in Old Testament allegories,
to translate it Into hteral Enghsh, and thus it is :— On the 19th of
May, by a private hand, the news arrived of the surrender of
Charieston, and though at sunrise the sky was clear, and promised
a fine day, i. e., they were tiU that morning assured Clinton would
be defeated, yet this fatal news at once darkened their bright pros
pect and induced a gloomy horror, so that candles were hghted in
their houses, — i. e., Adams, Hancock, Dr. Cooper, and other rebel
leaders went frora house to house to assure the people the news
could not be true. This was the short interval of light, or twihght,
that ensued ; but soon after, on the same day, or perhaps the next,
(for allegories, you know, do not and need not go on all fours,)
an express arrived with an official account confirming the dark
tale, and then the twUlght was succeeded by a tenfold darkness —
a dark horror and blackness of despair fell on all. This is my in
terpretation. Si quid novisti rectius istis, candidus imperii ; si non,
his utere mecum.* It is consoling, pro tempore, at least. In my
sense of the story, you are not hummed nor misinformed, but you
only, like many other commentators, misinterpret,
I cannot devise the raeaning of your quaint device at thedevizes,
unless the five alls intend five shoemakers, but this seeras too
far-fetched to deserve even the epithet of " quaint ;" perhaps were
I to see the figures in their characteristic attitudes, I might make a
better guess ; but with my present data, I give it up, and wish you
would explain it, or if you choose to try ray genius at expounding
enigmatical paintings, which, I assure you, is but a sorry one, give
me the characteristic attitudes ; paint it to me as it is, and I'll try
again. I am mightily pleased with the news of the day : La Nymphe
* " Pray adopt it ; unless you can suggest a better one."

1780,] JOURNAL ANU LETTKRS. 267
taken by the Flora, which must be true, and the French seventy-
four gun ship by the Bienfalsant, which, as I always hope the best,
I hope is true ; besides a frigate taken and carried into Halifax,
which I likewise hope is true. I rejoice also that Admiral Geary
is arrived in the Channel. I hope the eighteen Russian men-of-
war wUl be taken into safe custody, and held tUl we are sure they
can do no raischief. Were I his Majesty's premier, I would not
for a moment trust a b  of a queen, who could murder her hus
band and mount his throne — there's no trusting such a jade ; if she
means fair, her ships are safe in our hands ; if, on the other hand,
as is most probable, she means. In conjunction with France and
Spain, to play the devil, obda principiis ought to be our motto.
Nip her in the bud, secure these eighteen ships, and her marine
power is annihilated — and considering the brimstone, besides mur
dering her husband which I would never forgive, has been the in-
stigatrix of the northern association, why the deuce should we
stand upon ceremony with her 1 Why should England regard the
laws of nations, while every power in Europe Is setting thera at
defiance 1 No, no. Providence, or their evU genius, has put
thera into our hands, and all nature wUl ridicule us If we let thera
escape. I hope his Majesty, God bless him. Lord North, Lord
Sandwich, and all the lords ofthe councU, God bless thera all, see the
thing in the light I do ; if they do, I ara sure the Czarina's eighteen
ships will soon be manned by British seamen, and added to the
British fleet. Her consummate impudence in sending her fleet into
our harbors, after the infamous step she has taken, and our own
security, the first of all laws, will amply justify us. Tell Lord North
what I say when you see him next.
I should not have troubled you with ray scolding at the Empress
of Russia, (against whom I have no personal enmity, except a lit
tle for the murder of her husband, which I think concerns all hus
bands,) had I not learned when I got half down the other side,
that Danforth goes for London on Thursday, by whom I can send
this, so that a cover wUl cost you nothing.
With very little malice against the Czarina, and none against
any other of God's creation, I am your sincere friend and humble
servant, J. Sewall,
Mr. Curwen.

268 journal and letters, [1780.
FROM HON. WILLIAM BROWNE.
Cowbridge, Wales, August 22, 1780,
Dear Sir :
I give you many thanks for your kind favor just received, and
gladly avaU myself of your kindness to forward the inclosed, as ad
dressed, I have also to acknowledge the receipt of two former
"letters, which have long lain before me, waiting for spirits to sup
port the ennui of writing a single hne. In short, to tell you a
truth, our prospects with regard to America were tUl lately so un
promising, my finances were so smaU, my family and expenses so
increased, that, added to the common catalogue of vexations which
attach themselves to us all, raore or less, every exertion becarae a
burden, and I had nothing to do to be easy but to do nothing and
care for nobody. Better expectations have produced better spirits,
and brought with thera better dispositions. It Is with pleasure then
that I wish to revive a correspondence with an old and much
esteemed friend. It has puzzled all the wise men of Cowbridge to
divine frora what part of London you have dated your letter ; va
rious are the conjectures, sorae humorous and some plausible, but
none satisfactory ; so we have agreed to suspend our speculations
until we could consult the inhabitant of this unknown region,
I thank you for the extract from Mr, Pynchon's letter, A de
tail of their sufferings would give us pain if they were all strangers;
how much more then when we have so many friends among thera 1
It brings, however, this pleasing reflection, that we made a wise
choice in leaving them. When you have collected an authentic
and satisfactory account of the phenomenon you mention to have
happened at Boston,* I wish you would communicate it, with its
circumstances, consequences, and impressions, unless it should first
appear in some public print,
I think you do perfectly right to make choice of London for
your residence the coming winter. It is the only place in which
a single man can spend the gloomy months with any satisfaction.
I wonder as much that more of our countrymen do not resort there
at that season, as that so many of them continue there when they
* Dark day.

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 269
ought to be sporting in green fields and by the side of purling
streams, Sed trahit sua quemque voluptas.*
I lately received a line from Mr, Porter, describing, in the most
gaudy colors imaginable, the happiness to which his situation has
introduced him, encoiyaging all the world to come to Shrewsbury,
and promising every felicity that the golden age could ever boast
of. What strange mortals we are ! Some men are always happy
where they are, some where they have been, and some where they
shall be ; and yet we are none of us satisfied with either past, pre
sent, or to come. I wish I could remove your doubts about the in
terval you raention, for then I could also administer some satisfac
tion to myself. At present I have only that of subscribing myself,
dear sir, Your affectionate friend,
Wm, Browne,
Mr, CtTRWEN.
August 25. Visited the ruins of King's Bench prison and Sur
rey bridewell, sad proofs of popular folly and violence ; the former
repairing. TO THOMAS RUSSELL, ESQ., BOSTON.
London, August 25, 1780,
Dear Sir :
I am ignorant in what light my silence to you may appear ;
indeed, I am not satisfied ofthe propriety of it myself; however, I
doubt not your candor, when I declare upon honor, that want of
real esteem and regard was not in the remotest view a cause.
Your obliging favor demanded an answer and thanks ; do not say
it is too late now, for I now offer them with equal warmth and sin
cerity. I presume Lane and Eraser have long since informed you
that I availed myself of your friendly offer, that did rae an essential
service ; but having determined not to mention any circumstances
relative to business in letters, for very obvious reasons, to which I
have steadily adhered, you will therefore please to excuse any
thing further on this head. Would that the safety of intercourse
between the two countries by letter was greater, but God only
" " Every one foUows the bent of his own inclinations.''

270 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
knows when a period wUl be put to this execrably baneful war.
I fear it is hardly arrived to half its length, unless this country
gives up the chase, for the obstinacy ofthe Americans supphes the
want of resources. Yesterday news arrived of the most melancholy
complexion. Our western-bound fleet, the convoy and one ship
only excepted, fell into the hands of the French and Spaniards,
consisting of forty-nine merchant ships, transports and victuallers,
including five outward-bound East Indiamen. This is the most
capital blow England ever felt by an enemy at sea ; particulars in
papers that accompany this.
Of the penchant of noble and wealthy ladies to vie with their
partners of the other sex in the laudable pursuit of garaing, etc.,
take the following instance: At the tirae of my first arrival in
London, a house opposite Governor Hutchinson's, in St. James'-
street, was then finishing, called " Sgavoir vivre," being a gaming
house ofthe highest modern taste, perhaps much more raagnificent
in architecture and furniture than English ^America can boast, and
designed for gentlemen exclusively. The ladies' pride being piqued,
they bought up that which the governor lived in, and the two on
either side of it, and though in excellent repair, demolished them,
erecting in their room one in the same taste as its opposite neigh
bor ; and to this day these two temples are devoted to the worship
of the blind deity. Fortune, on whose altars are nightly sacrificed
thousands, besides the peace and support of many of her foolish
and equally bhnd devotees. These, among a multitude of other
instances, are proofs and raeraorials of the expensive taste and di
versions of this age and country,
Messrs. Byles and Brattle having been refused a residence in
their own country, renders ray return (who I presurae stand not so
fair as either of them) more doubtful, or rather more impracticable ;
and though it has ever been the first and the last wish of my heart
to return, and you know that very well, I presume you think a per
mission not obtainable, having received no encouragement on that
head. Most ardently and sincerely wishing you every blessing, I am,
with love to Mrs. R. and little family.
Your obliged friend, S. Curwen,

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 271
FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL.
Bristol, Aug. 24, 1780.
Dear Sir:
Since I wrote you by Mr. Danforth, Mr. R, Temple and family
have arrived here in thirty-two days from Boston, frora whom
I learn that the story of the dark day is literally true; but, as they
relate it, the phenomenon was truly wonderful, far beyond my
comprehension. They say the morning was not as you state, fine
and clear, but rather lowering and drizzly, though far from dark ;
that at nine o'clock an uncommon darkness came on, without any
appearance of a thick cloud, Mr. Temple said it seemed as if a
veU was drawn over thera, which he seeraed to look through, and
see the heaven beyond it. The darkness increased till they were
obliged to light candles, and this continued till three o'clock, when
it lightened up a little ; but before sunset the darkness returned,
and the night resembled the darkness of Egypt, which might be
felt. It was so intense that many, persons in Boston and the coun
try were bewildered in going from house to house where they
were intimately acquainted. They say that during the darkness in
the day, the green grass appeared of a dark blue color ; and on the
next morning, both the water and land were covered with a dark
greasy or oily substance ; that the darkness extended northward,
as far as Hudson river; and westward, as far as they had heard
from — I say as far as Lake Champlain ; and that it was the devil
spreading his wings over the northern rebellious colonies, and if
they do not repent, the next time he will certainly fly off with them
all, I give you this account to atone for my infidelity in my last,
and with all the allowance I can make for the subtle workings of
the imagination, I confess, I am puzzled to account for the ap
pearance ; the young ladies, the Misses Temple, who were in
Boston, say candles were lighted all the day in the shops and
houses ; but in the evening, they were at a wedding-ball with a
brUliant company ; which, if they don't exaggerate, would put me
in mind of the inhabitants of the old world, who were eating and
drinking, feasting and frolicking, till the flood came, &c. &c.
They add another circumstance which increaseth the wonder;
namely, that during the darkness there was not the least appear-

272 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
ance of fog, smoke or haziness, I wish you would consult that
learned body, the Royal Society, upon this lusus natura, and let
me know the result ; for I do not believe all the wise men of
Boston will be able to explain it,
I have seen Boston papers to the 17th of July ; but they con
tain nothing new, except the arrival of the Chevalier de Ternay
at Rhode Island, with seven ships of the line and troops ; upon
this occasion, all their pens are at work to rekindle the dying
patriotic fire. Washington, it seeras, in expectation of de Ternay'S
arrival, had made a requisition upon all the states, of men, horses,
provisions, &c. ; but, by the complaints in the papers, the levies
went on heavily. The plan seeras to be to muster their utmost force,
and in conjunction with the French, to attack New-York, and
drive the British forces from the continent. I wish they may have
courage to attempt it. General Kniphausen has burnt the little
vUlage of Springfield in the Jerseys, A paper of July 6th, says,
General Clinton was returned to New-York ; but that ofthe 17 th
leaves hira up North river, near^ forming a junction with General
Kniphausen, The ladles of Philadelphia have opened a subscription
for supplying the army with comforts and conveniences ; they have
appointed a treasuress to receive, and a coraraittee to distribute the
donations ; and all the ladles upon the continent are earnestly and
pathetically exhorted to follow this laudable and patriotic example.
If the zeal and spirit of the peasants can again be raised, I think
this will prove a decisive campaign. Admirals Graves and Ar
buthnot, it is said, are at New-York ; so that if the Chevalier De
Ternay did not get away with ships very soon, they probably, ere
this, are added to the British navy ; which would console for the
loss of the East and West Indiamen.
I raust mention an advertisement I read in one of the papers,
which shows the value of the paper money there : — " Forty dollars
is offered a pound for horsehair, or three shillings in hard money."
Or which is better, " the advertiser will work it up at the halves !"
Yours very truly, Jonathan Sewall.
August 26. Visited Mr, Jo. Scott :— dined at Mrs. Hay's,
with Jaraes Harwood and S, Conant, (two young Americans,

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 273
Strangers to me,) and was after joined by Mr. Thomas Danforth,
the first tirae of seeing him since my return, he having been absent
on a three months' excursion to the westward ; he brought me a
humorous letter from Judge Sewall,
August 27, Met S, Walsh and Peter Johonnot,
TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, COWBRIDGE, WALES.
London, August 29, 1780.
Dear Sir : '
Mr, Francis Waldo's intended journey to Cowbridge on a visit
to his sister, Mrs. Flucker, affords me opportunity of acknowledging
receipt of your favor of the 27th inst. Yours endorsed to Mrs,
Sargent will go off to-morrow for HoUand under cover of mine ;
having ordered the bearer in case of capture, (though ray letters
contain neither treason, love, nor politics,) to throw them into the
sea ; yours will follow their fate. My present residence is not that
of the gay and fashionable, and therefore unknown, suiting rae in
this state of degradation not a whit the less on that score. The
different views and appearances that are daily arising in and about
London, are as great and almost as frequent as the different phases
of the raoon in one of its revolutions, and render raany .spots and
places a mere terra incognUa, that to those who have been absent
a few years were well known. For having about ten days since
wandered to the further end of Mary le Bone, being designed to a
distant quarter, on finding myself there, I inquired for the gardens
which you remember to have been resorted to by company, and
¦where fireworks were exhibited ; to my surprise the whole ground
is laid out in streets and covered wih grand and elegant houses,
and even beyond it. In this ramble accident revealed a secret that
has puzzled you and the wise'raen of Cowbridge, that probably I
should otherwise never have possessed. Some months since a
letter was addressed to me by James Russell, dated Manchester-
square — the location of which was beyond the reach of my know
ledge or any of those I had consulted, having never before heard
of it; chance, however, in this ramble directing my steps among
rows of new buildings, and directing also my eye to a corner house
in an unfinished square of noble structures, inscribed Manchester-
square, this uniraportant secSret was thereby revealed.
35,

274 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780-
I am afraid your sunshine of happiness is a little overclouded
by the mortifying advices in respect of our eastern and western
fleets ; the raost capital blow England ever received by an enemy
at sea since King WUham's reign, fourscore years ago, when
nearly four hundred saU were lost at one tirae. The loss Is esti
mated at a mlUion, I hope it wUl not be more. To this another
stroke has succeeded in the capture of twelve Quebec ships, sup
posed next in value to the East-Indiaraen outward, I observe that
Sarauel Porter, our townsman, has presented to your view a picture
in gaudy colors, as you expressed it, of the felicity of his situation ;
that he is pleased and contented, none has a right to doubt, for he
affirms it, and he is a very honest fellow and knows his own feel
ings ; but our tastes, however, are various as our faces, and he
doubtless has not made an improper choice for hiraself, though I
dare say Judge and Samuel Sewall could tell you it would not be
a proper one for you or themselves ; and were either to paint it, not
in high, but modest colors, you would find a difficulty in restrain
ing the exercise of the risible muscles. Diogenes was dehghted
to take his abode in a tub, and although one may disapprove his
taste, who has a right to condemn his choice 1
Pardon the dress of this letter ; for ever since my arrival in
town I find myself incapable of application ; the present hurry and
confusion, to which I have for several years been unused, dissipates
and overwhelms the small share of spirits left me, and which old
age is daily lessening. I am often reminded of " Taunton, dear
Ned," as the song has it :
" My head is astunned with the naise and the cries
Of their cruds and their creams, and their whot puden pies ;
And they keep zitch a naise all over the town,
Ich think that the world wor a turn'd up-zide-down."
With the kindest love and regards to Mrs- Browne and family,
I remain your affectionate friend, S. Curwen,
August 31. To Mr. Francis Waldo's, at " Gentlemen's Hotel,"
Pall Mall ; met Mr. Jo. Greene on Holborn Hill, and walked to
Brompton to caU on Mr, and Mrs, Arthur Savage; both absent.

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 275
At a bookseller's in St. Paul's Church-yard, met my Scotch towns
man Andrew Dalglish, from Glasgow, and he wishes me to recom
mend him private lodgings. In the Strand met Mr. Frs. Waldo,
and accompanied him to Canon coffee-house. Spring Gardens, and
took tea, where were joined by Jo. Scott, and remained till
eleven o'clock in talking politics. In fhe " Courant" of this day,
find a summary of form of government to be established in Massa
chusetts Bay, to commence next October. It will be well if it be
productive of as much security as the old. There are not wanting
those, I fancy, many on both sides the great water, who do with
me fear the dire consequences of an estrangement from govern
mental power and protection, and a pernicious alliance with a
faithless people ; many there are as well affected to the real
interest of that country as the most ardent republicans. If French
troops in the English colonies in North America be not pregnant
with direful evils, and destructive of American Independence, my
foreboding fears are Imaginary -may they prove so. I wish, how
ever, the hot-brained politicians there may in tirae foresee the
baneful consequences early enough to prevent them, — if not, wo
betide the inhabitants ! I heartily wish they never may experience
the cruelty and oppression that befell Flanders during the Duke of
Alva's sanguinary tyranny, and may its oppressions be of less dura
tion, should they ever experience them from their present allies.
The politics of the court of VersaUles are not in their nature formed
to promote the liberty of English subjects; nothing but party rage
intercepts between the mental eye and a truth visible as the sun at
meridian in a cloudless day.
Sept. 2. Circuited to Smithfield, in order to see the ceremony
of opening Bartholomew Fair by the Lord Mayor — just finished.
The whole is a mere rabble rout, rellshable only by " mene peu-
ple; " conducted by men, women, and children, in painted masks
and merry-andrew tawdry dresses. The amusements consist in
jumping, dancing, riding on roundabout horses with legs, speech-
making, etc., performed on scaffolds; together with sleight-of-hand
tricks, in front rooms hired for that purpose ; the ascent whereto
is by a kind of rough ladder-stairs, actors and performers inviting
in by a thousand antic postures and gestures. Passages round lined

276 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
with booths and tents, crammed with gingerbread, pastry, and all
kinds and varieties of baubles.
Sept. 3, To Richmond Gardens ; they fall short of my expec
tations— a dead level, laid out in long, straight gravel walks, not in
the best order— lined with trees and stumps, great numbers, we
were told, cut down to serve the king's kitchen for fuel, A little
beyond is a fine lawn, interspersed with trees, and accommodated
with field seats, commanding a delightful view of the river Thames,
here a smooth gentle stream, gliding along the side of a delightful
raised terrace, eight feet high, between gardens or lawns, for a mile
and a half, reaching to Kew house — for the pompous appellation
of palace it merits not. This walk reminds me of Sir John Dun
ham's beautiful couplet :
" Though de?p yet clear, though gentle yet not dull ;
Strcng without rage, without o'erflowing full."
From this only pleasing spot departed, taking a final leave of
these (I know not why) celebrated gardens, and directed our steps
to the Queen's Terrace, so called, on Richmond Hill, commanding,
though not a very extensive, yet a distinct and pleasing prospect,
having many fine objects in command ofthe eye besides fhe river,
which is alraost undei foot. Ascending to the top, passed the well
known inn of Star and Garter, remarkable for its elegant accom
modations, and consequent high charges, and entered park, cele
brated for its natural beauties,
Sept. 9. Met Mr, J. Waldo, of Bristol, and a Capt. Fletcher,
both violent Americans in principle ; the latter commander of a
letter of truce, (falsely so caUed,) who brought over Mr, R, Tem
ple and family,
Sept. 12. At Guildhall, to see the polling for city members
for new parliament; conducted with regularity, the avenues crowded
with distributers of party papers, bawling aloud for their employ
ers' favorites, friends ofthe respective candidates bringing on voters,
single and in shoals.
Sept 15, Charies J. Fox shot ahead of Lord Lincoln greatly
yesterday (candidates for Westminster) ; the latter, it is said, pro
poses to keep the election going on tUl after some borough elec-

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 277
tions are over, in order to have a numerous host of friends, but he
must rally great numbers.
Sept. 16, To Mr. Timralns's, and after an hour's abode, walk
ed together ; encountered Van Coulster ; his shabby dress gave me
uneasiness. Indicating want; he seemed in good spirits, however,
and inquired ray lodgings — gave him a card.
Sept. 17. Attended worship at Lincoln's Inn chapel. Samuel
Peters preached — he Is an indifferent speaker and composer — how
he got there is as hard to conceive as straws in amber. After, at
Essex chapel, Mr. Lindsay preached to a very respectable looking
assembly ; church Is not crowded at this season — a most excellent
discourse, delivered with suitable gravity, and, I am disposed to
believe, sincerity.
Sept. 19. Market crowded with mob huzzaing for Fox.
Sept. 2 1. Election for sheriffs ; all biit livery excluded from
the hall on election of city officers.
Sept. 23. Walking through Old Bailey, and seeing a great
crowd, learnt that two pickpockets were to be whipped. Jack
Ketch, a short sturdy raan, soon appeared with the culprits, one
after the other ; the first seemed like an old offender, and was mod
erately lashed ; the mob said he had bought off the minister of
justice ; he writhed but little. The other was young, distress
painted strongly on his countenance ; he cried loudly ; his back
seemed unused to stripes ; from this tirae it will carry the marks
of legal vengeance, and proofs of his folly and wickedness. Going
forward, passed through the Strand ; and returned by way of
Covent Garden to see election, which had been ended and poll
closed for two hours ; and the elected members, returning from the
procession, were just entering Jaraes'-street, mounted on two arm
chairs, placed on a board that was carried on eight men's shoul
ders, accompanied by thousands with tokens of victory : red and
blue ribbons in their hats.
Sept. 25. At Covent Garden theatre; perforraance. Beggar's
Opera ; parts well played, but great impropriety, not to say inde
cency, in Mrs. Kennedy's personating McHeath, Bravery, gal
lantry, and a fearle.ss disregard of death, the characteristics of that
notorious highwayman ; which female softness awkwardly Imitates,
Following entertainment, falsely so called ; execrably foolish and

278 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
chUdlsh, I am sorry to arraign even the shUllng gaUery for want ,
of judgment, in suffering such unmeaning stuff to pass for a farce,
TO WILLIAM CABOT, ESQ., NO. 7, LAMBETH-TERRACE.
Jfo. 22, Castle-street, Falcon-square, Sept. 28, 1780,
Dear Sir :
Recollecting a request you made of me some months since by
letter, I now acquaint you that by reason of absence of mind at
that tirae. It was not in my memory that Mr. Lindsay, the minister
of the Unitarian society meeting at Essex House in the Strand,
had published a liturgy reformed agreeably to Dr. Samuel Clarke's
plan, free from the errors and peculiarities of any and every par
ticular sect araong Christians; making the supreme God and Father
of all, in contradistinction to every other being, the sole object of
religious worship ; but in the name and as the disciples of Jesus
Christ, whose Lord, head and master, all true Christians acknow
ledge him to be. If you have not bought one, they are to be had
of Mr, Johnson, bookseller, 72 St. Paul's Church-yard, His raode
of worship, I profess to think agreeable to the genuine spirit of the
gospel, and myself to be one of his worshipping congregation.
His plan, in ray view, is scriptural ; his worship plain, simple, un
mixed with superstitious, unmeaning ceremonies, as all establish
ments are more or less burdened with. His preaching is instructive;
his delivery serious, pathetic, and intelligible ; his language ener
getic and clear ; the assembly, the most respectable for its numbers
I ever saw. Yours truly, S. CiTRWEN,
Sept. 29, As I was walking in Holborn, observed a throng of
ordinary people crowding round a chaise filled with young children
of about seven years of age ; inquiring the reason, was informed
they were young sinners who were accustomed to go about in the
evening, purloining whatever they could lay their hands on, and
were going to be consigned into the hands of justice. Great pity
that so many children, capable of being trained to useful eraploy-
ments and become blessings to society, should be thus early
initiated, by the wicked unthinking parents of the lower classes in
this huge overgrown metropolis, in those pernicious practices of

1780.] .roURNAL AND LETTERS,

279

every species of vice the human heart can be tainted with, which
renders them comraon pests, and most comraonly brings them to
the halter,Oct. 6. At Treasury, Mr. Rowe out of town ; no orders tUl the
20th — the delay a hardship ; every expedient is used that craft can
devise and power execute to squeeze dependents. — Evening at
Saddler's Wells ; a variety of exhibitions, tumbling In great variety ;
araong others was the following : a lad about six years old, stand
ing on a man's hands, with arms outstretched, in an erect posture,
turned his body backwards so as to bring his face in a line with
his legs, and between them. After continuing in this seemingly
strained condition for a half minute, he gradually returned back to
his natural shape, keeping his poise without any aid. In rope-
dancing were the two following instances : a young person, habit
ed and in appearance a feraale to the waist, and like a boy down
wards, on the curtain being drawn up, was first seen lying on her
back, and swinging to and fro three feet above the floor of the
stage ; rising without any assistance, she walked backwards and
forwards on it ; whilst In motion, a whalebone hoop of greater
diameter than her height was placed on the wire, into which she
stepped and walked backwards and forwards as before, and whilst
in it received in her hand a smaller hoop, whereon were placed two
tumblers, about two thirds full of red liquor, and whilst she was
swinging whirled the smaller hoop round raany times without
spilling a drop. The same afterwards mounted a tight-rope, hav
ing baskets of the size of a half bushel fastened to her feet ; with
these she walked backwards and forwards, displaying various mo
tions. After divesting herself of these Incumbrances, she first
walked as before backwards and forwards, leaping, vaulting, and
throwing herself down. Her performances on the tight-rope were
accorapanied by a balance-pole in her hand, and by two men who
slightly touched the pole when it descended below the horizontal
lines. Whilst on the slack-rope, she went through the whole ex
ercise of flourishing colors, consisting of a grea^variety of motions
—holding a standard in each hand.

280 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
TO ARTHUR SAVAGE, ESQ., NO. 7, BROMPTON-ROW.
JVo. 22, Castle-street, Falcon-square, Oct. 14, 1780,
Dear Sir :
Your agreeable and obliging favor ofthe 11th instant came to
hand the day after its date, but a severe cold, yet confining me,
prevented the attention your politeness demanded.
I thank you for the kind information it contained respecting the
Roman denarii and English coins ; a few of which, if not above
the reach of my purse, I would gladly procure.
If ray indispoisitlon goes off and the weather permits, I will wait
on you next Monday afternoon, W'ith compliraents to Mrs. and
Miss Savage, I reraain, etc., etc.
S. Curwen.
Oct. 15. Sunday afternoon, at the Teraple. Stood for a time
to take another stare at old Plowden's funeral monument; the
figure in a decumbent posture, near the altar — a most expressive
face ; he died in 1585. This church is a noble old large structure,
containing many funeral monuraents and inscriptions. Just without
the church, and under arches, lie in a decumbent posture ten Tem
plars, in their military garb and appurtenances, contained within
two separate Inclosures. From church retreated with the company
into the gardens, always open on Sundays between and after
services. Oct. 16, Visited Mr. A, Savage, and abode there till late in
the evening. Oct. 17, To Oxford-street, to examine some silver Roman
denarii and Greek and English coins — for which they require far
more than I think them worth — a Cromwell half-crown at thirty-
six shillings ! But I am not raedal mad.
Oct. 18. Received an order from the treasury for my quarterly
allowance. Bought ten silver Roraan denarii. Mr. Sarauel Hirst
Sparhawk and Andrew Dalglish drank tea with me.
Oct. 19. Went with Mr. Sparhawk to Disputing Club, at King's
Arras, Cornhill— Question : " Is it for the advantage of mankind,
that at the institution of governraent, rewards should have been given
to virtue, as well as punishments inflicted for vice V The proposer

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 281
varied the question, or rather dispute, by repeatedly declaring the
impossibility of establishing it, from the unsuccessful attempts of
ancient nations, as Egyptians, Chinese, forraer and modern. This
point was however contested, as in the instance of the Romans, who
made sorae faint atterapts in corona civica and muralis — allowing
valor to be a virtue, and by exempting from taxes the father of four
children, placing the increase in society in that predicament ; and
in modern times the French, in bestowing the order of St. Louis,
and even the English in some instances, particularly the order of
the Bath — the late honor and pension to Capt. Farmer's eldest son
and widow ; all of which had and have a tendency to raise an emu
lation in the breasts of gentleraen in that line. The whole of which
and raany other fine things on this side the question, were smartly
and pointedly ridiculed by a Dr. Dodd, whose brilliancy of expres
sion, liveliness of wit, and keenness of satire, kept the assembly in
alraost one continued roar of laughter and applause. Some of the
speakers acquitted themselves to very general approbation, and
none failed to receive marks of applause. However low public
virtue and public spirit is thought to be, and unfortunately really
is, I could not but remark, with great satisfaction and delight of
soul, the loud and very general shouts of applause to every lively,
just sentiment and expression in favor or in support of the virtues,
public spirit, regard to the constitution, and the rights of mankind.
The room was large and handsomely furnished with glass
chandeliers ; and the entertainment so highly pleasing, amusing,.
and instructive, that I am deterrained to attend hereafter every
Thursday evening, when circurastances shall permit. The presi
dent enters at eight o'clock, and continues till ten. When the
question has been debated, and no one, after a sUence of two
minutes, offers to rise, he puts the question, or rather reads it very
deliberately ; the vote is then taken and declared ; in the present
question, in the negative.
Oct. 25, It being Accession-day, park guns fired — saw a great
collection of people,
Oct. 26, Walked with Mr. Dalglish to Hempsted, passing
Caen Wood, Lord Mansfield's seat ; from thence to Highgate ; at
Gate-house we dined — from thence to Bagnlgge-wells to tea —
passing home, we abode there two hours, and departed to King's-
36

282 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
Arras, Cornhill Disputing Club ;— question proposed was, " Would
it be proper at this crisis, considering our successes in South Caro
lina, to offer the Americans independence ?" After much warmth
of expression on both sides, though without scurrUity or abuse, the
question was put ; though the first tirae declared by the president
uncertain on which side the raajority lay, to rae it appeared in the
affirraative; none denied the president's declaration. The second
tirae it was plainly in the negative.
Oct. 28, Had an agreeable tete-a-tete with Mr. T. Danforth,
on his Holland tour. Dined at Mr. Sparhawk's ; company J, Scott,
B. Cutler, and a young Mr. Perkins, late from New- York. Heard
many novel stories about America and the Americans.
TO REV. JOSEPH BRETLAND, EXETER.
London, Oct. 31, 1780,
Dear Sir :
I should not have failed to have answered your obliging favor
of the 30th ult. before this time, but the dally expectation of giv
ing a satisfactory reply to your inquiry, (concerning the state of
the air previous to the darkness on which your conjecture was
founded,) has been the only cause of this delay. The young per
son who brought the relation first to London from Boston, being
gone to Holland, has not yet returned ; nor has it been in my
power to obtain sight of any one from that country since ; despair
ing of it for some length of time, I cannot prevail on myself to de
lay any longer.
Your Ingenious accounting for the appearances during and after
the darkness is natural, pleasing and intelligible. The trouble you
have taken to comralt your thoughts on the subject to writing, de-
raands my thanks. The late performance of Dr. Priestley, which you
wished rae to read, I have bought and read with great delight; for
when the very existence of the Deity, as weU as his raoral govern
ment, is denied and raade the scorn and subject of light mirth
among the young, thoughtless and profligate, in conversation as
weU as in the writings of philosophers and pretenders to cool, dis
passionate, unprejudiced reasoning, I am pleased to find one of Dr.
Priestley's known abUities stand up in support of this most impor
tant of all the articles of belief. Two or three difficulties having

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS.

283

¦occurred to rae in reading, (which was done in a kind of currente
pede,) I shall give It a second or third examination, and hope by
the friendly aid of my worthy friend, to arrive at a more compre
hensive knowledge of the subject. I am glad Mr. H.'s arrogance
and malevolence, if you will allow the expression, against moral
obligation. Is corrected by so masterly a hand ; but could wish the
doctor had not rated his philosophical abilities so low; for should
his defenders find the least mistake, misrepresentation or misquota
tion, his warmth will be construed to have proceeded fr6m envy
and a bitterness of spirit against an author of established fame; nor
will the friends to that side of the question fall to magnify it and
trumpet it forth to the doctor's disadvantage.
I ara sorry I cannot give an answer of a contrary kind to my
friend's wish, so flattering to ray pride, of my return to Exeter ; but
the increasing infirraities of old age, the advanced season of the
year, and, above all, the approaching period to the American dis
pute, forbid my leaving the city. I fancy you will wonder at the
last reason assigned, but in truth that event, it is my real opinion,
is rauch nearer than Is generally expected. I acknowledge I am
not acquainted with one courtier or court lounger, nor informed of
the deliberations or opinions prevailing In the cabinet. It is frora
the appearances of affairs only I form my judgraent. In a
chequered state of things, as is the case in common wars, the sen
tiraents, opinions and judgraents of all raen vary with the vlclssi-
tudinary, changing state of events ; but In this baneful, woful
quarrel, such a continued, unbroken series of disappointments, dis
asters and mortifying events have taken place, that it seems to me
to be morally Impossible but the eyes of all thoughtful, prudent,
knowing men must open and discern the impolicy and Irapractica-
bility of accomplishing the great end for which this war was un
dertaken — the reduction of the colonies to the obedience of the
British parliament. It may be objected that our prospects are
brightened, and we are in a course of conquering ;-;-that I deny,
for one swallow makes no suramer. We have beaten the rebel
army, and expelled that army out of Carolina with half their num
bers; have rlvetted the inhabitants to our interests ; they are be
come loyalists and have sworn allegiance, and that they will always

284 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
do whUst you can comraand their estates and persons. This re
minds me of the hnes in Hudibras :
" 'Tis he that breaks an oath who makes it ;
Not he who for convenience takes it."
That the Americans practise this rule is true, but how far they
believe it to be just, I won't say. For proof I refer you to Rhode
Island, PhUadelphia, and those parts of Long Island and the Jer
seys, relinquished ; there are besides many other instances ; whUe un
der British power they are loyal, that power removed, they as nat-
uraUy return to their former condition as any elastic body returns
to its natural forra when the force is removed. That the reduction
of South Carolina with the defeat of Gates will draw North Caro
lina and Virginia, I no more believe, than that Rodney will over
power either of the fleets of the combined powers, and of course
take possession of some of their islands in the West Indies, which
nobody dreams of.
The situation of this country respecting neutral powers, is
alarming ; should Portugal declare against us, we shall not have a
port on the sea coast of this terrestrial globe to carry our prisoners
into out of our own dominions, whUst all the nations far and near
shelter and protect our enemies ; and that she is on the point of
forsaking our alliance is but too probable. If Great Britain shall
retain her rank among the great nations of Europe, and a respect
able part of her foreign possessions, the miracle of her salvation
will be as great and auspicious as the deliverance of the children
of Israel from the oppressive power of Pharaoh and his hosts when
they stood trembling on the hanks of the Red Sea, just before it
opened by divine comraand to let thera pass through, and thereby
escape his power. Could my prayers and tears prevail, a plenty
should not be wanting to save our country from utter ruin, to which
I fear this once happy, favored isle is hastening by large strides.
Please make ray corapUments to such acquaintances as you
know I did and ought to esteem, and believe me very truly.
Your friend,
S, Curwen.

1780.] JOURNAL ANU LETTERS. 285

CHAPTER XIV.
London, JVov. 1, 1780. Went to Parliament House, through
'Court of Requests to lobby of House of Coraraons ; thence to pas
sage to the House of Lords ; the crowd in both great. I could gain
no admittance. I saw Lorcf George Germaine for the first time ; a
large, stout, raw-boned man. Met Mr. R. Temple and family in
the passage to the lords, waiting to see Mr. Querrae of the black
rod ; questioned hira about the state of the air in New England
previous to the mid-day darkness in May last year ; he remembered
but little about that event, or declined to say rauch about it, In
clearing the house to go to the lords to attend the king's accept
ance of their speaker, and hear his speech frora the throne, I was
drawn away, when otherwise I might have seen Lord North, that
for the space of five years, my residence in England, I have not
hitherto been favored with.
JVov. 4. Accompanied Mr. Dalglish to La Belle Assembl6e,
or Ladies' Disputing Society. The question proposed was : " Would
it not be prudent and proper, considering the great demand for
public supphes, and the difficulty of raising thera, to lay a tax on
old bachelors 1" The lady who first spoke, raoved to alter the
question and include old raaids, which was objected to by a fine
young lady, who answered in a lively, pleasing raanner ; her objec
tion was, however, overruled by a vote put by the president. Ques
tion then stood as including old raaids. Twelve female speakers
stood forth in succession, and the question was carried In the affir
mative. There were many excellent thoughts expressed and sorae
witty ones; sorae acquitted themselves to the approbation of the
company, A few, through diffidence or forgetfulness, stopped short
in mid-race, and sat down, unable to proceed ; these met with po
lite and kind indulgence, and wereclapped by way of encourage
ment, JVov. 8. Towards GuUdhaU meeting ; great crowds to view
the preparations for to-morrow, when the mayor is to be sworn in

286 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
and invested with the regalia of the chief magistracy. The floor
of the hall is raised, half of the lower part partitioned off and in
closed for the entertainment of the lord raayor, aldermen, and cora
mon councU, with their guests. In the central line, through the
whole length, are hung three noble chandeliers, and round the
walls, in festoons, are placed small laraps of different colors. The
lady raayoress' drawing room is also adorned in the same raanner,
and a rauslc gallery built up for the present occasion,
JVov. 9. Lord Mayor's day. My lord goes attended in a porapous
procession from GuUdhall toQueenhitht stairs, and thence in the city
barge, gaudily decorated, by water to Whitehall stairs, from whence
he rides in a coach to Westminster Hall, to be sworn into his new
office by one of the barons of the exchequer. He returns by water
to Blackfriars Bridge stairs, where he lands and goes in city stage
coach to Guildhall, to partake of the banquet there provided, and
pass the remainder of the day in festivity, accompanied by city
councils, sheriffs, and other officers. Streets lined with crowds,
besides company stands or tents erected In Cheapside, on both sides
as far as King-street, leading to GuUdhall. A man in complete
armor attends the armorer's company on horseback, with such a
weight of iron as renders his duty a heavy and fatiguing one.
Called on by Sarauel Sparhawk, to accompany rae to a friend's
house on Ludgate hill, for an advantageous sight of the procession,
but being too early, continued our walk to the park, ¦where we met
Mr. Clark (father-in-law of Mr. Copley) for fhe first time since my
return to London ; he kindly welcomed me back, and invited me
to renew my visits at his house,
TO HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, BRISTOL.
London, JVov. 19, 1780.
Dear Sir :
The delay to answer your favor of August 24, arose solely from
successive diappoinfraents in ray endeavors to obtain a true and in
telligible relation of the state of the air imraedlately preceding the
darkness that covered the face of the heavens on the 19th of last
May ; the knowledge of this circumstance seems necessary in order
to assign a strictly philosophical reason for it. As the fact at pre
sent stands, all reasoning about it depends on the truth of hy-

1780.] JOURNAL ANDLETTERS, 287
potheses ; my philosophical friend, Mr. Bretland, of Exeter, has
sent the following conjectural account of its cause, which I shall
transcribe for your amusement, and doubt not you will think it both
ingenious and probable.
" The uncommon phenomenon of which you have favored me
with an account, is deserving the attention of philosophers : the
previous circumstances of the atraosphere where it happened, seem
necessary to enable me to give a satisfactory explication of its
causes. If I may be allowed to conjecture, I suppose that before
it came on, there had been much dry and warm weather, and an
extensive stagnation in the air. If these were the previous circum
stances, it raay, I think, be accounted for by supposing that the
air having been very much dried, and the putrefaction of lakes and
vegetable substances having become very great and extensive,
there was a copious ascent of vapors, which are well known to
have frequently a blue or purple tinge, and at the same time not
to form theraselves into clouds sufficiently dense to obstruct the pas
sage of the rays of light, or wholly interrupt the view of objects
between which and the observer's eye they raay chance to be situ
ated, though dense enough to reflect a very large proportion of the
rays of light frora the upper surface, and sufficiently colored to
tinore the rays that pass through thera, and so communicate their
own color to the objects on which these rays fell. Perhaps you
may more clearly apprehend ray meaning by an example. Take
a spectacle-glass, of deep purple color, and look through it at an ob
ject, and you wUl find that you can see the object distinctly ; and
let the hght shine through it upon an object, and you wUl observe
the object but faintly illuminated, and to receive in some degree the
color of the glass. Now the greasy substance that fell in the night,
seems to have forraed during part of the day a vast spectacle-glass,
as I may call it, through which the heavens were visible, and from
the rays passing through which, the glass received a blue or pur
ple tinge. The light that came through that immensely large glass
was so little that a great darkness was occasioned by the want of
those inconceivably more nuraerous rays that were reflected by the
upper surface of the great spectacle-glass, and had no object inter
posed, would have fallen as usual on the earth's surface. If the
boundaries of the vast spectacle-glass had been discoverable, the

288 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780.
people of Boston would have perceived that there was a vast cloud
hanging over them ; but as they looked through a medium, the
limits of which they could not perceive, they were not able to dis
cover any cloud, but as Mr. Temple justly remarked, the heavens
seeraed to be covered only with a large transparent veil,"
So far my friend, — I could wish it were possible to procure a just
account of this necessary circurastance in order to ascertain the true
cause of so singular a phenomenon, but this I fear is not obtainable.
How great was ray disappointment at meeting your informant a
few days since in the lobby of the House of Lords, where I had some
conversation with him on the subject, but to no purpose, he I fancy
not having examined it with a philosopher's attention, or even
puzzled his head to investigate natural causes.
Much greater effects might have been expected from the alraost
miraculous success of Lord Cornwallis, than we have now reason
to expect; but knowing my views of things are very different from
yours, I will not trouble you with ray foreboding fears, and shall
bid adieu to the subject, which I never consider without reluctance.
Yours, truly,
S, Curwen,
JVov. 11, Entered Chancery court, the chancellor sitting as he,
or the raaster of the rolls when he presides, always does, with hat
on, taking minutes of the case, as is customary in all the courts
for judges to do.
JVov. 12, Attended worship at Essex House chapel ; Mr.
Lindsay preached. In mid-service, a well dressed Scotch lady
entered the pew wherein a gentleman and myself were sitting.
After service, she inquired of me if the preacher did not deny the
divinity of Christ, or rather, she affirmed that he did ; adding, she
never heard it so plainly declared in public before ; to which I
assented, telling her this congregation was set up professedly on
Unitarian principles; disavowing all other objects of religious
worship and adoration, but the supreme, everlasting God, the
Father and Lord of the universe, the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ ; who, in the text, is declared to be the Son of the
everlasting God. The settled members hold themselves the disci
ples of Christ, and members of that body of which he is head. She

1780.] journal and letters, 289
further added, that Mr. L, was a Socinian ; which I neither was
disposed nor could I deny, referring her to himself for a justifica
tion of his principles, as far as he could make it satisfactory to her,
if her curiosity or wishes led her to make further inquiries ; giving
her a short relation of his conduct with respect to his forsaking the
Church of England, whereof he was a settled minister seven years
ago ; but his scruples in relation to the divinity of Christ had
forced him to relinquish a valuable living, and lucrative, honorable
prospects in that establishment, for an uncertain support among
those of his own raore liberal sentiraents ; and his integrity had
been rewarded here by this society. She seemed disposed to
lengthen our conversation, but having said all I had proposed to
impart at present, took a sudden leave.
After tea, called on Mr. Dalglish ; whom, with his friend, I
accompanied in a coach to " Carlisle House," at a Sunday evening
entertainment, called the promenade, instituted in lieu of public
amusement ; and to compensate for twelve tedious hours interval
laid under an interdict by the laws of the country, yet unrepealed
formally by the legislature, though effectually so in the houses of
the great and wealthy, from whence religion and charity are but
too generally banished. The employraent of the company is
simply walking through the rooms ; being allowed tea, coffee, cho
colate, lemonade, orgeat, negus, milk, &c. ; admission by ticket,
cost, three shiUings ; dress, decent, full not required ; some in
boots ; one carelessly in spurs happening to catch a lady's flounce,
he was obliged to apologize and take them off. The ladles were
rigged out in gaudy attire, attended by bucks, bloods, and macca-
ronies, though it is also resorted to by persons of irreproachable
character : araong the wheat wUl be tares. The arrangement of
the house is as follows : — From the vestibule where the tickets are
received, the entrance is through a short passage into the first room,
of a moderate size, covered with carpets, and furnished with wooden
chairs and seats in Chinese taste ; through this the company
passes to another of a larger size, furnished and accoramodated as
the former ; passing this, you enter the long-room, about eighty
feet by forty ; this is the largest, and lighted with glass chandeliers
and branches fixed to side walls, against which stand sofas covered
with silk, — floors carpeted. Hence tending to the left, you cross
37

290 journal and letters, [1780,
the hall, and enter the wUderness or grotto, having natural
evergreens planted round the walls ; the centre an oblong square,
about twenty-five feet long and fifteen broad, fenced with an open
raUing, a few shrubs interspersed, flowering moss and grass ; in
one ofthe angles is a natural well, with a living spring, which
the attendant told me was mineral. Fronting the entrance, in the
centre, at the further end is a cave cased with petrifactions, stones
artificially cut into resemblance of the former, and spars, with here
and there a dim larap so placed as to afford but an iraperfect sight
of surrounding objects. To the top of the arch leading to the cave,
is an ascent of two flights of steps on each hand, and over it a
room not unlike in form the cave below, painted in modern style
in oval compartments, containing hieroglyphics and ancient sto
ries ; on the sarae elevation is a narrow gallery, continued on
either side to about half the length of room, fronted near three feet
high with an open Chinese fence or railing : — this room is about
fifty feet deep by thirty wide, lighted as the others with variegated
lamps, but rather dim ; next enter into two tea rooms, each with
tables for forty sets or parties.
So far for my imperfect description of this house, wherein the
well known Mrs, Cornelly used to accommodate the nobility, etc,
with masquerades and coteries. Dress of the ladies differed widely ;
one part swept their track by long trails, the other by an enormous
size of hoops and petticoats. The company usually resorting there
about seven hundred, as the ticket receiver told me ; — this evening
the house was thronged with a good thousand. The rooms were
filled, so that we could scarce pass without jostling, interfering and
elbowing ; for my own part, being old, small and infirm, I received
more than a score of full butt rencounters with females; — whether
provision was not made for so large a company, or whatever the
cause raay be, it was full two hours before I could procure a dish
of tea, after fifteen vain attempts, nor was I singular ; and when
served, it was in a slovenly manner on a dirty tea-stand, I never
saw a place of public resort where the company was treated with
so little respect by servants ; even coraraon tea-houses, whose charac
ter is far hurabler, as " Bagnigge Wells," " White Conduit House,"
« Dog and Duck," etc., are in this respect preferable. It would
be treating " Ranelagh" with great indignity to bring it into com-

1780,] journal and letters, 291
parison with this which is designed to supply its place during the
long vacation of that fashionable resort ; nor are Vauxhall Gardens
less than a thousand times beyond this in every ehgible circum
stance, unless I saw it under peculiar disadvantages.
Met Peter Frye and young WUliam Eppes there ; also saw the
Duke of Queensbury, who I was told is a never failing attendant
on places of dissipation, which his seeming age should, one might
think, restrain hira frora such juvenile amusements ; but old habits
are strong, and too powerful to be resisted when long indulged.
Tired of this scene I took myself off at the early hour of twelve,
and bidding adieu to Carlisle House, after a few egaremens arrived
with no sraall content at ray own lodgings,
JVov. 14, While rambling, Montague House came in view ; it
occurred to me to take another view of the Museum ; I entered and
applied to Dr. Harper, the under-librarlan, who referred me to the
ticket porter for admission the following day at eleven o'clock.
Arriving at horae, Wm. Cabot drank tea with me ; S. Sparhawk
came in afterwards, and abode two hours ; from whom I heard the
first account of Arnold's intentional withdrawing himself and four
or five thousand troops under his command from congressional
service to the royal standard at New-York; the failure of this
scheme df treachery, and his lucky escape from his enemies' hands.
From hira also the relation of the seizure of Mr. Laurens' papers,
late president of the Congress, and now a state prisoner in the
tower ; giving an account of the desperate situation of their affairs,
with coraplaints of failure of their resources, and their inabUity to
support the war any longer without loans from Holland, France or
Spain. The above comes from Benjamin Thompson,* a native of
Massachusetts, (forraerly an apprentice to ray next door neighbor in
Salem, Mr. John Appleton, an importer of British goods,) now
under-secretary in the American department.
JVov. 15, Mr. Snelson calling at my lodgings by accident, I
told him of my intention of visiting the British Museum, and took
hira with rae. Dr, Gifford, the librarian, indulged rae with the ad
mittance of my companions without a ticket. The company nu
merous, of both sexes ; several inquisitive and chatty ladies not a
little heightening the entertainment. In the Harleiah collection
' Afterwards Count Rumford.

292 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
was an ancient manuscript, near twelve hundred years old, most
curiously Ulurainated ; a copy of Genesis in Greek capitals,
written by Origen's own hand in a quarto size, inclosed In a beau
tiful tin-gilt box resembling that fold, containing only its remains,
being unfortunately almost wholly destroyed in the Cotton library
conflagration raany years ago. On the same shelves were also
many others of distant antiquity in the same wretched plight with
this. Here also is the reraains of the original Magna Charta,
granted by King John at Runnymead, part of which is scorched
and illegible by the same catastrophe. An exact but not per
fectly fac simile copy stands by its parent's side, with the arms of
those noble barons who extorted it from that unworthy prince, em
blazoned and surrounding it. Also that most valuable manuscript,
the Alexandrian copy of the Bible, in Greek capitals, of fourteen
hundred years' duration.
Among the shell-fish kind is one of the smallest size, which
looks like the vertebrae of a small animal, for which an Italian
curioso paid three thousand sequins. Sir Hans Sloane at length
became possessed of it for thirty pounds sterling ! Among pearls
is one of the size of a pea, of a light purplish water, valued at five
hundred pounds. So liberal of money are men of curiosity, that
the last mentioned sum has been offered for it. The innumerable
curiosities in the natural as well as artificial way, coming fast upon
me, confounded my memory ; the latter destroying the traces of the
former by the quickness of their transition, Dr, Gifford's respect
ful and cheerful attention is very pleasing ; he is eighty-one years
old, lively and sprightly to an uncomraon degree. I observed
against the^wall of the Cotton library a bust of Pope Benedict XIV.,
caUed from the liberality of his sentiments " the Protestant pope."
In the room of antiquities received from Sir William Hamilton,
and brought from Italy, is a vase having an inscription of Etruscan
original, in the ancient raode of writing in Greece, soon after the
importation of the sixteen letters from Phenicia by Cadmus.
JVov. 16, State lottery being to be drawn, curiosity led me to
GuUdhaU, where a gallery for spectators is erected with seats, one
of which I obtained for sixpence. The first object that struck me
was a great nuraber of clerks writing dovm the nurabers of tickets
and quality as they were proclaimed. The wheels were placed

1780,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 293
on either hand upon a stage raised about six feet from the floor, at
the bottom of the hall under Beckford's statue; between were
seated the commissioners at a long table, and a boy at each wheel.
After delivering the ticket the boy raises his hand above his head
with fingers displayed open, and after two flourishes thrusts it into
the wheel, delivering the tickets severally to the man on either
side, who on cutting the tickets open, being tied and seal-'d, de
clares the number. To prevent future pranks frora boys employed
to draw out the numbers, a commissioner sits in a box directly
opposite each boy and near him ; who besides is obhged on taking
out each number to raise up his hand, holding the ticket between
his fore finger and thumb, delivering it to the man, who after
cutting it open announces its fate or fortune.
Walked to New England Coffee-house to inquire after new
lodgings ; from thence to the Disputing Club at King's Arms
Tavern, Cornhill ; the question to be spoken, for properly it was
not debated, was, " Can the doctrine of polygamy, endeavored to be
established by a well known divine in a late publication, be defended
on the principles of reason, religion, or sound policy ?" After many
humorous and some solid arguments against it, in defence however
of which no one stood up on Dr, Maddam the author's grounds,
it was voted in the negative, one hand only in affirmative, produ
cing a hiss or laugh of contempt and indignation. A gentleman
whom I took to be in the law line, stood up and modestly said the
argument had not had a fair discussion, as no one appeared but to
condemn and reprobate ; and after an apology, presumed to sup
pose it raight under certain regulations and restrictions by the
legislature, in certain supposable cases, be allowed, whereby sorae
evils, the too common attendants of matrimony, might be avoided
without incurring greater evils. This met with not the least coun
tenance, yet the speaker, who was a well behaved man of know
ledge and ability, was treated with respect. It was moved that the
company should publicly reprobate the doctrine, but prudential
considerations prevailed to negative the motion.
JVov. 21, Left cards and compliments at Mr, Clarke's for
hiraself and Mr. and Mrs. Copley, who are abroad.
JVov. 22. Mrs. Cowley, a celebrated playwright, dined with
us ; she is a small, sprightly body. Evening at a new play called
" Generous Impostor."

294 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780,
JVov. 23. Went to Crown Coffee-house to meet Mr. Arthur
Savage, disappointed; — proceeded to Westrainster Hall — courts
sitting. Saw Lord Loughborough for the first time since his title
and presidency of the coramon pleas; he was single on the bench,
being on trials after term. Saw Judge BuUer on king's bench ; he
appears shrewd, quick, ready, and promises for an active judge—
this being my first sight of him since his advancement,
JVov. 24, Taking out Mr, Dalglish, proceeded to Adelphi
Hotel to visit, en passant. Col. Peter Frye and his daughter, Mrs,
Oliver ;* after a short stay departed for Westminster Hall, the
doors of neither Lords nor Commons being open ; returning passed
through the Park, and met Samuel Sparhawk, who joined us to
Spring Garden Coffee-house,
JVov. 28, At Westminster Hall ; courts sitting, Mr, Justice
Skinner, lately advanced to chief baronship on exchequer bench.
Saw Mr. Justice Heath on comraon pleas bench, whom I knew and
frequently saw a sergeant at Exeter, his birth place,
JVov. 29. Six provinces out of seven of the Dutch union have
acceded to the armed neutrality of the north, to prevent British
search of neutral ships suspected of carrying naval and mUitary
stores to the enemy.
Sunday, December 3. Walked up the Strand, when to my
surprise I found myself all alone, not a person within sight, not a
coach to be seen or heard ; which, considering the hour, (five
P. M.) was singular. In this predicament I walked on a hundred
yards or more; arrived at Spring Garden Coffee-house, and over a
dish of tea read the Morning Post, containing letters of Generals
Washington, Chnton, Arnold, and Major Andre. The latter,
though pitied here, perhaps justly, is doubtless to be ranked in the
class of spies, and his punishment, however censured here, was in
my mind not undeservedly inflicted, and to be justified by the
universal practice of all nations, civilized and uncivilized, on per
sons of that character,
Dec. 4. At New England Coffee-house, where conversed for
the first time with William Jackson, from whom learnt particular
circumstances of harsh treatment he received from fierce partisans
in Boston, Newburyport, etc.
Dec. 5. Evening at Patagonian Theatre, Exeter 'Change ; a
* Afterwards the wife of Sir John Knight.

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 295
bauble of a thing. The show a burlesque farce, but I know not of
what ; performance in puppetry, speakers below the stage and in
visible ; machinery awkward, scenery pretty. Among the auditors
was Lord Molesworth,
Dec. 12. Samuel H. Sparhawk called ; accompanied him to
Ladies' Disputing Club, at King's Arms, Cornhill. A lady pre
sided and acquitted herself very commendably. Question : " Was
Adam or Eve most culpable in paradise ?" Mrs. President ad
dressed the assembly with great propriety, just accent and pleasing
voice; explaining the nature ofthe meeting ; justifying ladies ap
pearing to speak in a public promiscuous assembly. She was fre
quently applauded ; on ascending the chair, she turned round and
gracefully saluted the corapany, discovering perfect self-possession,
void of all erabarrassraent. The other speakers also acquitted
themselves laudably, and were frequently clapped. Some spoke, I
won't say argued, on one side, some on the other ; very little
serious argument, unless declamation, quotations from Hudibras, etc,
can be so denominated. The subject afforded raatter for rairth,but
the most serious speeches turned against the mother of us all.
The concluding speech was foreign to the question ; the subject
was the terra " congress." The speakers were lively, and their wit
and huraor produced shouts of laughter. The principal speaker in
troduced her speech by observing that the word being understood
here as Implying rebellion, she at first apprehended American
ladies were coming over in shoals to seduce the young gentlemen
from our island ladles ; but after considering the subject, and being
informed by a clergyraan, to whom she applied for its meaning, had
found that the word has a harmless signification, and had been used
on this side the water in treaties of peace, as the congress of am
bassadors of belligerent powers atNimeguen, Aix-la-Chapelle, etc.,
that it is derived from a Latin word signifying a meeting together
to compose or reunite discordant parties. She was pleased to hear
it was not likely to give disgust to our state physicians, who were
laudably employing their skill and labor in administering harsh
medicines to the disordered members of our consumptive empire.
After a series of lively observations, she closed by wishing success
to the institution, and that it may do honor to feraale eloquence.
Question being put, whether Adam was most in fault, vote by three

296 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780,
hands only, negatived by one. Thus Eve stands acquitted in this
female school of oratory of being the most guilty, though I fancy
the major part considered as females are not so clear in the affir
raative. Mrs. Hayley, the great frequenter of aU public city assemblies,
was there. A small interruption happened by a dirty boy's mixing
with the company ; the president declared her surprise at it. In
all large pubhc collections of people of mixed character, persons
of unruly disposition are to be found, who wUl indulge themselves
in undue freedoms, if U can be done with impunity.
Dec. 14. Col. BrOwne called on me twice to-day in my ab
sence. Dec. 15. Called on Col. Browne and also on Arthur Savage ;
both out, the latter gone to Bristol with WUliam Cabot. In ray
way, met Thomas Hutchinson, whom I had not seen for four years,
Dec. 17, Afternoon,accompaniedbyJohnParkhouse, I attended
the famous Herries' chapel of ease, St. John square ; he preached
in an animated style, with oratorical delivery, to an audience
crowded and respectable,
Dec. 19. Called on Mr. R, Clarke, in company with Col,
Browne ; we were invited to Mr, Copley's picture-room, wherein
were two exhibition pieces, viz., Brooke Watson's wonderful de
liverance from a great shark that had twice seized him, and had
bitten off one leg. The other piece, Copley's own family, compri
sing hiraself, wife, and three children, and his father-in-law, Mr,
Clark, Here is also a large piece representing the House of Lords,
when Lord Chatham, in the height of his patriotic zeal, was seized
with a fit which proved fatal ; the piece represents the moment
of his being raised from the floor on which he had fallen, and was
lying in the arms and lap of the Duke of Cumberland, his son-in-
law; number of lords sixty, in their dresses, attitudes, etc, either as
they then stood, or as the painter fancied they might, faces taken
from life as they successively sat for this purpose. It is to be en
graved for a print, deliverable next August twelvemonth, at three
guineas each. Mrs. Hay appeared in view so very like, that the
first glance announced for whom it was Intended. After amusing
ourselves for some tirae, took leave and separated at door. This
day removed my lodgings to No, 10 Furnival's Inn court. Appear

1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 297
ances are for enjoyment here ; experience manifold has taught me
not to rely on them, nor shall I draw up a verdict till supported by
issue at departure,
Dec. 20. William Jackson called, (he lodges at No. 5 this
court,) and passed the evening till tea.
Dec. 21, More snow has fallen than has been known to be on
ground at once, or in same space of tirae, for many years.
Dec. 23, Sarauel H. Sparhawk called to let rae know he had
received letters from New England so late as October 19, Mr.
Jos. Green died about three weeks ago,
Dec. 26, Called on Mr, Peters ; he was absent, being officially
engaged at church, this being St, Andrew's day.
Dec. 28, This is my birth-day, allowing for difference occasioned
by altering the style. This day I have completed a circle of sixty-four
years ; but to how little moral advantage, it humiliates me to think.
May the short remainder of ray probationary state be marked with
brighter lines, and the review of the interval, the present and last
hour of ray rational life, when that awful and important hour shall
arrive, yield me a comfort that the retrospect of the past cannot
afford. Being at Furnival's Inn Coffee-house, Mr, Peters and a Metho
dist parson entered, joining company and conversation for a short
tirae, Dec. 29. Paid my first mourning visit to Mr, Joseph Green's
widow ; she seems greatly oppressed with grief.
Dec. 31. Attended public worship at Essex-street chapel-

38

298 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781.

CHAPTER XV.
London, January 1, 1781. The first day of the new year;
may it please God to crown the endeavors of good men to bring
about that desirable event, peace and quietness among the con-
tendino- powers, before another annual revolution, to the honor and
safety of all concerned,
Jan. 2. Dined at Barley-mow, Salisbury court. Meeting
Harrison Gray, learnt the capture of the vessel in which S, Conant
sailed from Holland ; she was carried into Cork, By this means,
several letters I addressed to different friends are thrown into the
abyss. Jan. 3. I know not whether the mercantile portion of the na
tion consider aught but present objects — view of gain by priva
teering — always successful at commencement of war. Ships of
the enemy being generally unprepared for defence, fall an easy
prey ; they therefore seem pleased with the spirited declaration of
the sovereign, if it may be called, of war. Letters of marque and
reprisal offered. By Lloyd's books three hundred Dutch merchant
ships are taken and safely moored in our ports, and more than three
thousand sailors. But this additional weight, added to that of
France, Spain and America, already on our hands, the successful
issue of which we seem to have but too much cause to despair of,
calls for united bravery, intrepidity, and efforts that this nation has
in times of like iraminent danger exerted, and by divine favor, with
unexpected success. May we still experience the same kind and
favorable interposition, and make more grateful returns. Dined in
Salisbury court, Samuel Sparhawk drank tea with me, and told
me of my townsman Col, Browne's advancement to the gover
norship of Bermuda ; an unexpected elevation, and I doubt not
acceptable to himself, encumbered, as he is, with a wife and three
children. Jan. 6, Mr, Peters and Mr, Erving called; the latter's lodg
ings, Charlotte-street, Islington,

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 299
Jan. 9, Accompanied Mr, Dalglish to Covent Garden Theatre;
comedy, Busy-body, — entertainment, the tasty perforraance of
Freemason procession, — scenery porapous, forraer part to my taste
unpleasing — Harlequin in dumb show ; why he is said to be a
freemason, I cannot divine, unless investing him with a square,
one of their badges, suspended by a ribbon and hung round his
neck, so constitutes him. The skipping about of an antic dressed
out in a merry-andrew's coat, his face covered with black crape,
and a wooden sword by his side, put on for the purpose of show
ing how ready he is at drawing it forth to slap his brother antics
on face, shoulders, etc. ; displaying the wonders of his transforming
power in converting trunks, dogs, and chests, into watch-boxes,
arbors, chimney-pieces, etc. ; his principal aim being to make
grimaces and wry faces at his favorite Columbine, who, by the
way, is a fine-looking girl, and made to be deeply in love with a
fantastic ape, without one probable reason for it. These species of
pantomime seem at present greatly in vogue ; to arraign the taste
is perhaps conceited ; but this remark will never come to light, if
ever, till, I dare say, it will be as despised as it is now relished,
especially by the more enlightened class ; as to the lower, they
ever were and ever will be too gross for any entertainment above
the lowest humor, I am, I confess, so totally void of all rehsh for
such diversions, that I forbear condemning them, although I consider
them as a proof among many others of the depravity of the pre
sent day, I would fain call it vulgar, but too many box spectators
seem to enjoy it and join the galleries. I can't, however, but
believe that all sensible persons do disapprove of these shows as
unworthy, but dare not openly avow their opinion. The comedy
was excellent, and well performed ; and much exceeds in point of
wit, plot, etc., the, to me, flatfish sentimental compositions ofthe
present day, with a few exceptions. After the silly harlequin had
skipped behind scenes, a most grand procession began, preceded
by a standard of light red color, the ground of all the following
ones : the first contained a scroll whereon was painted in large
golden letters, ENOCH, the first grand-master ; his representative
following, accompanied by two attendants ; at a little interval ap
peared, NIMROD, second grand-master, with his representative
and four attendants ; next was brought the front of the temple of

300 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [178L
the Sun at Thebes; afterwards, the great pyramid of Egypt and the
sphynx ; then, front of the temple of Jerusalem, built by King
Solomon ; Pharaoh's two daughters next followed, attended by
their Egyptian and Jewish female and male servants, the high-
priest properly habited, holding a pot of incense in his hand,—
breast-plate, and other insignia on,— closing with a long streara of
attendants and servants in rear ; next, front of Pantheon at Rome,
the founder or repairer, for it is uncertain which, M. Agrippa's
name in a list under the capital ; then, temple of Jerusalem, buUt
by Herod, destroyed by Vespasian, represented as in flaraes ; next,
WUliam the Conqueror, and behind him was carried a prospective
view of the tower of London, as if built by him ; then, Edward
the Third, accorapanied by his son clad in black arraor, from thence
denominated the Black Prince, — giving liberty to, and taking the
chains off the legs of two captive kings, John of France, and
Jaraes II. of Scotland, at the instance of his son, followed by a train
of attendants ; the front of St. Peter's at Rome then succeeded,
Julius II. having in his hand a crosier, and on his head a triple
erown, — alluding to his regal authority : he was attended by a
train of ecclesiastic officers and servants, and had the keys hanging
to his girdle, as lord chamberlain of the state-rooms in the upper
regions, and jailer in the lower dungeons ; — and like Jack Ketch,
who sometimes has a practice of his own office tried on himself, it
will be a wonder if sorae of the pontifical jailers, when others suc
ceed, have not the keys of lower apartments turned upon them.
Next in order came Queen Elizabeth, dressed in royal robes,
and attended by her servants, both state and domestic ; then fol
lowed King James, surrounded by court sycophants ; front of
banqueting-house as it now stands, undefiled and undUapidated ;
next, Guy Fawkes, In dress of his day, holding a dark lantern, —
alluding to the gunpowder-plot, — he was forcibly seized and carried
off; next followed Inlgo Jones, the restorer of Greek and Roman
taste in architecture, preceded by an ensign, having his name in a
scroU, with the masonic letters D. G. W. ; then came Charies II. and
attendants, followed by the front of St. Paul's, the present noble
structure, founded in his reign ; at length appeared William and
Mary, the former holding a sheet of paper with this inscription.
Bill of Rights,— words that I wish could be indelibly impressed

1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 301
on the minds of kings, lords, commons, courtiers, and people of
this island ; for, on the practical remembrance of this short sen
tence, depends the security of this unparalleled constitution, which
I verily fear is near its dissolution. Then foUowed the grand
master, seated in a magnificent alcove ; then an arch, having an
inscription. Ancient Masonry ; then two pillars, on the top of each
a globe, — on one the celestial, the other a terrestrial, — and on a
list, by which they were kept steady, was inscribed Modern Ma
sonry. The last in the procession were Solomon and Pharaoh's
daughter, seated on a throne of state, and over it a rich canopy
raised by six steps ; on the bottom steps, on each side, stood two
lions guardant, between them two young Egyptian damsels, dressed
in white, — and on each side ofthe throne, all the principal per
sonages of the procession ranged, with standards displayed, made
a grand and glittering appearance. A fine chorus was sung, and
when ended, a universal shout of applause rang through the
house, and the curtain dropped.
Jan. 10. An extremely cold day, scarcely ever exceeded in
New England ; abode within all day, glad to have a shelter, which
many a poor wretch wants. I never felt stronger reasons for grati
tude ; may the sense of it ever reraain on my mind, for sure I ara
it is a most pleasing sensation or feeling.
Jan. 12. Mr. Timmins brought rae a packet frora Salera, by
way of St, Kitt's, containing a long letter frora Dr, Holyoke, and
one from Richard Ward,
Jan. 15, Colonel Erving apd Mr. Arthur Savage called,
Jan. 16. Visited Mr. Wiswall ; accorapanied Mr. Dalglish, at
his desire, to a visit at Samuel H. Sparhawk's, A second unsuc
cessful one to Mr. Hughes, who was keeping his birth-day at his
sister Hutchin's,
Jan. 17, Drank tea with Mr, Barnes, his lodgings, No, 5 our
court ; in conversation till eleven,
Jan. 19. Visited Treasurer Gray, — he absent ; his son John
at horae. S. H. Sparhawk and Mr, Barnes took tea with me, and
passed evening ; former says a Mrs, Thompson, arrived from New
England, informs that people in Massachusetts utter coraplaints
and discontents at Congress and the French without restraint ; —
when common sense resumes its reign, as it usually does, sooner

302 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781,
or later, the scales which party zeal had clapped over the eyes of
the deluded people will fall off, and they will discover the errors
their own madness and Ul-judged submission to leaders of selfish
wicked schemes have seduced them into. She adds, continental
dollar bills have, notwithstanding congressional authority, sunk
to sixteen for one since their emission, though sent abroad for the
express purpose of restoring their credit ; so ineffectual is human
power to create something out of nothing ; also reports, that taxes
are risen to such a height as to exceed the produce of the land.
Those who have left America since the rupture, have brought ac
counts so exaggerated that renders it prudent to receive thera with
caution, and not give too hasty credit. However, that the people
are oppressed with taxes, is notorious ; that they are in want of
money, of the common essential articles, is also well known ; and
personal safety is very precarious, etc. Nothing, I presurae, but
despair, under the power of an Araerican and French army, can
reduce this once happy people. May these destructive locusts soon
be expelled from the face of the country, and selfish purposes be
abandoned ; for the true interest of the English government con
sists in a friendly and indissoluble union of all its members,
Jan. 21, To No. 8 Haymarket, to see Lieut, William Browne,
(my friend Col. Browne's son,) of the 38th regiraent ; he had
departed for Portsmouth in order to take shipping for Gibraltar,
TO JONATHAN SEWALL, ESQ., BRISTOL.
London, Jan. 23, 1781,
Dear Sir :
A few days since, I received a long letter from our common
friend. Doctor Holyoke, who informs me that the winter of '79 —
80, exceeded any since 1740, It began before the raiddle of
Deceraber, and it should seera, lasted till June neariy ; no vegeta
tion taking place tiU the last week in May ; that the snow con
tinued to fall tiU the 11th of January, when it was between two and
three feet deep. Not a day in all January, nor till 10th of Feb
ruary, was it warmer at eight o'clock A. M, than twenty-eight
degrees of Farenheit's scale, — which I fancy pretty thoroughly
cooled them ; and, on the 29th of January, the mercury stood at
six degrees below zero within doors, and abroad sunk two degrees

1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 303
lower. Under all our distresses, we here enjoy, he says, one pros
pect promising public happiness in future : — four or five years
since, less than half a pint of Siberian wheat was sown among
them, producing so incredibly, that, in the northern counties of
New England especially, there is reason to believe the harvest
this year will yield seed enough for the whole state another year.
Notwithstanding the evil doings of our countrymen, are not
you pleased to think they are likely to become independent of the
southern colonies, and eat, like the inhabitants of the other im
proved countries on the face of the earth. Christian's food, and be
no longer confined to that which everywhere else is raised only for
the nourishment of horses and poultry 1 I am glad at heart, but fear
that even this blessing, like food taken into a disordered stomach
abounding in acrimonious juices, but the more increases its morbid
state — for this unexpected supply, and at this juncture, will afford
the crafty, political, and spiritual misguides among them but too
plausible an occasion to trumpet forth this seemingly seasonable
interposition of divine Providence in their favor, and confirm and
harden thera, amidst all their sufferings, in their infatuated destruc
tive resistance to a power as necessary in my mind to their safety
and honor as a parent to his chUdren in an infant state. Nor do I
fancy it would be a difficult matter for the aforementioned gentry
to persuade thera that Moses and Joshua's prophetical declarations
to the children of Israel, that they should possess a land flowing
with milk and honey, and be filled with the finest of the wheat —
the two former of which you know they had plenty enough before,
— did ultimately refer to themselves, was typical of them, and was
now accomplishing — so entirely do they seera to have surrendered
up their understandings to the insinuations and influence of their
guides. The last year's taxes in Massachusetts were more than
commensurate to the produce of their lands, under the best improve
ment ; if the force that keeps them under such deplorable circum
stances is not insurmountable, their political folly exceeds any re
corded in history. With perfect esteem, your friend,
S, Curwen.

304 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781,
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. London, Jan. 24, 1781,
Dear Sir:
Were I to write a theme, as you know was customary in the
last years at our schools, and should choose TuUy's celebrated line
for the subject, " cedant arma toga, concedat laurea linguce," our
Massachusetts might be quoted as an example. For amidst the
din and clash of arms, the hurry, tumult, and confusion of war, as
though they were enjoying the sweetest blessings of a well estab
lished, secure peace, the rulers of the present government there
have instituted and incorporated a society for promoting literature
and the hberal arts, etc., by the name of the " American Acade
my of Arts and Sciences ;" of which the following is a short rela
tion, received lately frora my friend Dr, Holyoke : " Our legisla
ture has lately incorporated sundry gentlemen in the several coun
ties, to the nuraber of sixty, enabling thera to hold real and personal
estate, and has granted them other ample powers and privileges, for
the purpose of proraoting those arts and sciences which may be
either useful or ornamental to society," To which he adds, "I
doubt not, you will wish the society raay flourish ; the cause of
science being the cause of huraanity," I do fervently wish its en
couragement and increase ; glad at heart that they have been dis
posed to promote any plan to soften that ferocity and hardness of
heart which war, rapine, and plunder have lately spread among
them, and which the wisest and most prudent among them have
viewed with horror,* I have never read this paragraph in my
friend's letter, but it reminded me of a line in Horace, unless I mis
take the author, Emollit mores nee sinit esseferos.* I was, for a
time, at a loss to account for their choice of this particular period
for such a purpose, considering the great and important business
upon their hands of forming a new state, etc, but am now fully
satisfied the foregoing hint was the true and pressing cause.
Dr. Langdon has quitted the chair of the presidency of Harvard
CoUege, but for what reason I am not acquainted.
The late emission of paper by Congress cannot find credit
enough to obtain a currency — the old bills are eighty for one.
I remain truly yours, S. Curwen.
? Letters soften and refine the character.

1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 305
TO ROWLAND SAVAGE, ESQ., HALIFAX.
London, Jan. 25, 1781.
Dear Sir:
By mere accident, going to the " Blue Post," alraost opposite
my lodgings, I saw Mrs. Savage, which gave me great pleasure ;
by her I was informed of your appointment at Halifax, being the
first intelligence concerning you since my ill-omened departure from
Araerica. Hope your post affords a genteel subsistence ; in these
times, no unfavorable circumstance to refugees, in which case I most
heartily congratulate you. Wishing you a supply and continuance
of all needful blessings, I am your friend,
S. Curwen,
Jan. 27, Mr, Barnes called on me to inquire about Colonel
Erving's lodgings, Islington,
Jan. 28. At St. Paul's — Dr. Whitfield preached ; company,
as usual, small but respectable. Passed an hour at Gray's Inn
Coffee-house; received a list of the seized and forfeited estates in
Massachusetts. Feb. 1, Dined at White Heart inn, Bishopgate-street, at Mr,
Dalglish's invitation, in company with Messrs. H. Hughes, Hutch
ins, John Inman, and Whitlock,
Feb. 5. At Westrainster Hall, being the important day of
Lord George Gordon's trial ; floor stowed as bale goods in a ship,
and as closely packed. Soon took rayself off, rather than hazard
death by suffocation: — the collection was miscellaneous. Trial
lasted till four o'clock next morning, when he was acquitted on
the score of insanity.
Feb. 6. Accompanied Mr. Arthur Savage to Clerkeilwell, by
his desire, to view an old secularized religious house, called Priory,
now belonging to the Duke of Portland, tenanted by a carpenter
and undertaker, who civilly accompanied us through ; there is now
nothing remaining of old buUdings but a small portion of cloisters,
at the end whereof is cut, " Jordan Bridget, Murrell Bridget,
founders, 1100." In a distant part are small remains of a wall,
supposed to be in a state of decay, and the two arches, a larger
and a smaller, the former ornamented, and both portions of a circle,
39

306 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [178L
which form prevailed before the introduction of the Gothic or Nor
man styles. Returning from thence, turned into a court of several
narrow alleys, filled with small huttish kind of houses, the habita
tions of filth and vice, named Blueberry Alley, notorious for its con
stant supply of Tyburn, Ten have been dragged out from thence
in one session, for thievery and other enormities, and graced the
halter. Met our late Mr, Fisher ; I turned in with him to Mr,
Hutchins' auction room, who was then employed in disposing of
natural and artificial curiosities, from the South Sea, just imported
in the "Resolution."
Feb. 7. Visited Col, Browne and lady ; meeting Mr, Dalglish,
took him with me, and after a short stay departed to Mr, Tim
ralns's ; thence to Mr, Arthur Savage's, Brompton-row,
Feb. 9, Mr, Dalghsh called for me to accompany hira to
Greenwich Hospital ; walking to Gracechurch-street, after half an
hour's delay, entered stage and soon arrived there, and thoroughly
examined it within and without. Dined in a detached room be
longing to a tavern in the town, built and projecting over the river
Tharaes, frora whence is a view of the Isle of Dogs, Blackwall and
Long Reach, Returned in stage ; in our passage was told the fol
lowing :— an inhabitant of this town walks every day and has done
so for sorae years back, frora seven to eight raUes, having measured
within the period, from whence the computation began to some
months since, forty-five thousand mUes. Evening at Crown Tavern
Lodge ; Quick, the celebrated comedian, was raised to masonry —
a humorous, funny companion, who I fancy intends to entertain the
public with the secrets of this society,
Feb. 10, Accompanied Mr, Barnes to St. Nicholas College
Abbey, Old Fish-street, Dr. Porteus, Bishop of Chester, preached
an excellent and elegant sermon, in style and composition, and
pleasingly delivered,
Feb. 13. Visited by Parson Peters, and Parson Clarke, late a
townsman ; •from a cold taken on board a prison ship in Boston
harbor, to which he was consigned by the patriots in punishment
of toryism, he has lost his voice, and is scarce able to articulate.
This, added to his deafness, renders him a lonely, pitiable object ;
he has received twenty pounds per annum from the society for pro
pagating the gospel— government dechning to give him a settled

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 307
stipend, though it has once and again presented him with a scanty
gratuity, Feb. 15, At Col, Browne's, Mrs, Browne informed me of
her treatment at Salem and Boston, after her husband's departure
to England, Feb. 16, At Bow church to hear an annual sermon to society
for propagating the gospel in partibus transmarinis ; Dr, Hurd,
bishop of Lichfield and Coventry preached ; present the lord may
or, two sheriffs, two archbishops, Butler of Oxford, Thomas of
Rochester, and Markham of York,
Feb. 19, Evening, at an address on heads, exhibited in trans
parency, as follows : Sterne, a pathetic apostrophe ; Capt, Cook,
the celebrated circuranavigator, an encoralum, etc. Breslau's sur
prising tricks on cards followed, interluded with music, and an
imitation of the thrush, blackbird, sky-lark, nightingale, wood-lark
and quail.
Feb. 24. To theatre to see Mrs. Cowley's new play ; unfor
tunately it was hissed off the stage just before the conclusion of the
last act ; being in its progress of acting alternately and frequently
hissed by its foes and cheered by its friends ; the latter proved the
minority, and therefore unsuccessful, as all in minorities are in
state and church, as well as theatres. Many came for the express
purpose of supporting or damning it ; her husband, a writer in one
of the daily papers, employs his pen in criticising works of all other
stage writers, and has by the severity of his remarks raised up a
host of determined foes, to crush whatever proceeds from his quar
ter ; though no foreign considerations were needed to banish this
piece from the stage, its own intrinsic unworthlness was more than
enough; being a low performance, and unworthy the pen of the
author of" Belle's Stratagem" and " Who's the Dupe." Knowing the
writer and her connections, I feel severely for them, especially, tqo,
as her brother is a fellow lodger, whose exquisite delicacy of feel
ing must be cruelly wounded on this occasion. The prologue and
epilogue were excellent, and did great credit to the performers, Mr.
Lewis and Miss Young, who were rewarded with universal ap
plause, Feb. 26. Drank tea at the widow Greene's in company with
two Misses Joye of Boston, by whom I was informed of the follow-

308 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [178L
ing : viz., a younger son of Francis Greene from Boston, who was
born deaf and dumb, who was under the tuition of a person in
Scotland, in the course of one year arrived to the power of forming
articulate sounds, and can now converse on any subject so intelli
gibly as to be understood without difficulty by those acquainted
with him ; music only excepted ; he writes letters with propriety
and even elegance. This person engages to instruct dumb pupils
in all languages, and has exaraples of his success to prove his art;
he has more than a hundred now under his manageraent. A pro
posal is about to be presented to the king by the Duke of Mon
tague for establishing acaderaies in several parts of England, to
instruct children of the poorer sort in this unhappy predicament, on
a public foundation; — may it succeed, and thereby be brought into
usefulness raany of promising parts. This plan is suggested by Dr,
Hunter, whose avocations render it impracticable to himself,
March 8. Met three of my countrymen at three different
times, Dr. Perkins, Mr. R. Clarke, and Mr. Elisha Hutchinson.
March 10. Col. now Governor Browne, called on me with
complaints of ray neglect, which sundry avocations caused,
March 11, At Charing Cross just as there was passing a most
pompous procession of funeral coaches, attended on each side by
numerous flambeaux-men holding in their hands lighted torches in
branches of four,
March 12. Passed eight hours at Col, Browne's in a friendly
tete-a-tete. March 22, To Westminster Hall, and passing through, came
to foot of steps leading to the lobby of the House of Commons,
where, seeing an officer standing unemployed, I inquired about the
disposition and arrangement of rooms belonging to, and under and
adjoining the pile called St. Stephen's Chapel, lords' house, star
chamber, painted and Jerusalera chamber ; and frora hira received
a more particular and satisfactory account than I had ever before
had. Proceeding thence to the lobby of the commons house, I
found it filled with gentry in livery ; just peeping in, I went di
rectly to the hatch leading to the antechamber of the gallery, which
the old enfeebled keeper opened to me. After the delay of a
quarter of an hour, I obtained entrance, and found many persons
there before me. The house was very full below ; among others

1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 309
Lord North, whom I discovered on the treasury bench by his blue
ribbon. The members sit with their hats on, but always uncover
when they rise to speak, and on departure salute the chair by a
bow. The speaker is always covered, and with the clerks habited
in black gowns; after some time he commanded to order, and
some members to their seats ; then directing his looks to a Mr,
Minchin with a motion of his head, the member arose, when a pro
found sUence ensued, and continued to be strictly observed through
the whole of the speech. He began by informing the house of a
motion he had to make and the subject of it, viz. : That a regular
and intelligible account should be rendered of the money granted
by parliament for the navy, for which inquiry and motion he as
signed three reasons ; one being the waste in expendkure. The
proof of this article arose from thirteen ships, of which he men
tioned one instance only as a specimen ; the others were in the
same predicament. The Narcissus, in 1772, was estimated at
j£3,000, to coraplete with guns and stores ; on estimate of 1778
she was put in at ^65,000 ; in 1779 ^65,500 ; and in 1780 at
^3,600 ; in the total ^617, 100, At the end of that period she lay
in dock untouched, without a farthing's worth of stores or one gun
on board, and in the same unfit, unrepaired condition as at first.
During the course of his speech he was now and then interrupted
by a murmur on the other side the house, which was at times suc
ceeded by " hear him, hear him," and very generally attended to.
Sir George Young followed, but was less minded. Sir Charles
Bunbury spoke next, who made a long and more formal oration on
same side, pretty well listened to, and frequently corapllraented
with " hear him, hear him ;" which expression was also used to two
men who followed, viz. Admiral Keppel, who spoke well, and
with some warmth, and Sir Hugh Palllser, who was called by
name by his party. He arose and began by justifying the admi
ralty, attributing the present state of the navy, though respectable,
to malignant influence of party, which has, he said, diffused itself
effectually into the king's dock-yards, teaching the inmates to form
associations, whereby wise raeasures of the admiralty had in sorae
degree been defeated. He having finished and set down, the house
resounded with "Burke, Burke ;" hereupon the Irish orator arose,
and in a loud and manly voice, with singular energy and compass

310 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781,
of expression, and a torrent of eloquence, reprobated Sir Hugh's
account, exposed the futUity of his arguraents, excited universal
attention, and frequently raised more than a smUe in the features
of his listening hearers, I should have mentioned Mr, Penton, one
ofthe navy board, who rose next to the motion maker, and justi
fied the accounts rendered, as a mode adopted and by experience
found the best for more than a century past ; to which the reply
was that he had mistaken the meaning of the objections in three
particulars, March 23. With Mr, Danforth fetched a long walk to
Session Green in Paddington Road.
TO DR. EDWARD A. HOLYOKE, SALEM.
London, March 23, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Meeting the bearer this afternoon, he informed me of his in
tended departure to-morrow for New-York, The shortness of the
warning puts it out of my power to be so particular in ray answer
to your agreeable favor as it was my determination to be. In my
next, if I can procure a conveyance not exposed to state inquisition,
I shall fulfil my first purpose, I am now to acknowledge the
pleasing and interesting relations yours conveyed, and am glad that
at any rate our native country is and has been free from those op
pressions, sufferings, and distressing evils that intestine coraraotions
and rage of civil war have subjected our unhappy fellow-subjects
in the southern colonies to. Whether you have had real enjoy
ments compared to its confessedly happy days within our remem
brance, I pretend not to affirm or deny ; the accounts from those
who have for these two or three years since escaped from thence
and took refuge here, are such as do not excite the most fervent
wishes in the breasts of our countrymen here, who enjoy peace and
the comforts of life, to return back again soon. One would think
from the establishment of an academy of arts and sciences at a time
when the country is oppressed by a destructive war, yet uncertain
of the event, that the rulers of your state labored under I'etourdie
des hommes du bois, or possessed the magnanimity of the old
Roman senators ; be that as it may, I wish its continuance and
success.

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 311
I am now going to relate a fact you would perhaps have
thought incredible ; the day on which I completed two hundred
and ninety-six weeks' residence on this island, favored me with a
sight I had never before had, of that extraordinary person, Lord
North ; though I confess curiosity had raore than a score of times
led me to the lobby of the commons house and the gallery, but
accident procured me what my wishes and endeavors had failed in
hitherto : — for carelessly strolling without design into Westminster
Hall, I obtained admission to the gallery, where I had an opportu
nity of seeing him with a full treasury bench and house. The
great Irish born orator, Mr, Burke, spoke, and his thundering
elocution fixed the attention of the house, and his wit and satire
diverted them, and produced peals of laughter. More it is needless
and would not be prudent to raention. There are sorae appear
ances that the Empress of Russia's mediation raay be attended
with salutary effects. May a stop be put to the further effusion of
English blood ; too rauch has been spilt already in this destructive
quarrel for independence. Very truly your friend, S, Curwen,
April 2. Went to Leicester-square to pay Mr. R. Clarke a
visit, but seeing a nobleman's carriage at the door, presumed he
was sitting to Mr. Copley, and that therefore my company may be
inconvenient, '
AprU 3. Abel WUlard and young Borland called to-day in
my absence, and left their address. Called on Mr. Dalglish, and
invited him to accorapany me to Woolwich ; he readily complying,
we walked to Charing Cross and took coach to Greenwich ; the
stage being gone from thence, we walked to Woolwich, about
three miles. Passing through the town, we went on towards artillery-
park, wherein is an immense quantity of brass and iron ordnance,
mortars and shot of all dimensions ; passing through we arrived at
the place where the convicts were employed in labor, each hav
ing a chain on both legs just long enough for hira to walk conve
niently, with a string tied thereto reaching to the waist to keep the
chain from falling down to the ankles, I am told there are about
five hundred employed, bringing dirt, sand and gravel frora barges

312 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781.
on small carts, some in wheeling barrows, others in various
ways as they are qualified. The effects of their labor is visible in
a sea wall of earth, six hundred yards long, and having a broad
convenient footpath on top ; they are now employed in making and
sodding a new artillery parade. 1 could not refrain from many
mortifying reflections on the sad necessity human governments are
under to treat with such severity so many of our fellow-creatures,
furnished with the noble powers of reason and understanding, and
capable of employing them to the most useful purposes. Dined at
Crown and Anchor, and returned by eight o'clock,
AprU 5. Mr, Arthur Savage and Mr, F. caUing, we went to
St, Lawrence Jewry, to hear a sermon to the governors of the Lon
don Hospital, from the excellent and worthy Bishop of Chester,
Dr, Porteus, He possesses a good enunciation and pleasant voice,
somewhat earnest, style elegant, periods happy and finely turned,
without any appearance of art or affectation. On the whole he is
a delightful speaker, never failing to instruct and charm a serious
and attentive hearer.
Received a letter from Rev. Thomas Barnard, inclosed in one
from Benjamin Pickraan at Warwick.
April 6. Drank tea at Mr. Copley's, with whora his father-in-
law, Mr, R, Clark, resides ; all the faraily present,
AprU 8. Accorapanied Col. Browne to hear the famed pulpit
orator, Mr. Duchee, late of PhUadelphia, at Tavistock chapel,
Bftjad-court, Longacre, who figures even in London, His per
forraance, In point of language and delivery, greatly pleased us.
Dined and passed the evening at Col. Browne's.
AprU 11, Mr. Sparhawk, Rev, Mr, Peters, and Rev. Mr.
Clark took tea with me.
April \i. Good-Friday, To Westrainster Abbey ; entering, I
found the choir shut ; no service, or over, but could not learn which ;
so totally ignorant or unconcerned are people here in general of
every thing not their imraediate business or pursuit. Returning, I
stepped in at WhitehaU chapel, the Dean of Rochester was preach
ing. Lord North and Judge Oliver attended at sarae place, though
I knew it not tUI inforraed by the latter, at whose house I drank
tea, ^d there met Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Hutchinson, Since my
last i-isit to Westminster Abbey, to my surprise I find a white mar-

1781.J JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 313
ble monument erected to the honor of Dr, Isaac Watts ; he is
represented as clad in a loose dress, sitting in a thoughtful posture,
his head covered with lank hairs resting on his left hand ; his right
leaning on a table, holding a pen, denoting his having just finished
a sentence ; his arm seized and grasped by a female figure, in loose
attire, which I suppose to represent one of the virtues.
April 14. Visited Mr. Maddocks the florist's garden at Cam-
berwell ; a fine show of auriculas and hyacinths.
April 17, Accompanied Thomas Goldthwait to Wiswall's
lodgings by his desire, he having called on me for that purpose,
in order to offer him the living at Dunmore in Essex, which the
rector gave Mr, Goldthwait leave to offer to any Araerican clergy
man out of employ. The terms offered were fifty pounds salary,
and considerable emoluraents ; for life, or as long as Mr, Wiswall
shall please ; tha neighborhood is represented as agreeable. Met
Samuel Porter and sundry others of my countrymen in the Park,
AprU 18. Evening at Covent Garden, to see " A new way
to pay old debts ;" entertainment, " Barnaby Brittle j" this part
by Quick, who also acted Justice Greedy. In the whole were
sorae humorous strokes, — many low ones, — all applauded,
April 19. Went to Mr. Benjamin Thompson's lodgings. Pall
MaU. April 21. Went to see a model of ancient Rome ; scale, one
inch to ninety feet, making a square of twelve feet : but the topo
graphical or ground scale does not hold with respect to height of
buildings, pillars, etc., appearing on a larger scale. Meeting Mr.
Timmins, received an invitation to dine ; and at two o'clock set
off for his house on foot ; in the meantime, Mr. Wiswall coming
to my door, instead of entering pursued his design of walking.
Directed our way through the fields to Islington Spa, Saddler's
Wells, Bagnigge Wells, places he had never before seen. Re
turned by the way of Hatton Garden or street ; at Mr, Timmins's
met Gilbert Harrison ; returned home modo pedestri.
April 26'. Rambled with Col. Browne round Mary-le-Bone ;
in the neighborhood of a spot, late gardens, I saw for first time
an old brick buUding called Queen Mary's country seat, in pretty
nearly the sarae condition she left it more than two centuries since;
being in a villa some miles from the city of London, in its then
40

314 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781,
circumscribed limits, three-fourths of the way to it now buUt being
then country. It is low studded and lofty roof, smaU windows,
many juttings and projections ; is now in private hands, the Duke
of Portland's, and is used as a boarding-school. The grounds re
main unaltered.
April 26, Mr, Goldthwait and Mr, Danforth dined with me ;
at five we departed by assignment to Mrs. Hay's ; Col, Browne
and lady were to have been of the party, which accident prevented.
We had Mr, and Mrs. Atkinson, late of Boston, and Mr, Greene,
who in dress equalled a nobleman of the highest rank and quality,
girded with a military side weapon,
April 27, Colonel Erving and Mr. Dalglish called ; the latter
for me to accompany him to tbe commons' house. The subject of
debate was the East India officers, — the motion by Lord North;
his opponents were Burke, Charles J. Fox, etc,
April 28, Visited my friend Governor Browne ; confined by
an ill turn which seized him violently. I called to acquaint Mrs,
Browne, that " Belle's Stratagem" was to be acted to-night,
having engaged to accompany her to see it.
April 29, Sunday. At Essex House chapel, Dr, Priestley
preached an excellent discourse; proving beyond contradiction
that religion and virtue are the only just sources of true delight and
joy, or as he modified the language, of settled, calm serenity of
mind. It was a discourse worthy a Christian divine, and happy
would those be on whose minds those blessed truths were im-
pre.ssed in indelible characters. Rev. Mr. Wiswall was by my in
vitation my fellow-worshipper at Essex House, Afternoon service,
Mr, Lindsay preached. My corapanion drank tea with me, ex
pressing in conversation his professional dislike of Mr. Lindsay's
attempt to reform the liturgy. Religious prejudice is the unhappy
leaven of a narrow education, and manifests a fettered mind, I
hope I have sufficient reasons to rejoice that mine is free from
those manacles. I plainly see it may be politically useful to state
managers and hlerarchists, whose views extend not beyond this
present mortal state ; but in no view is it to be supported on the
grounds of advancing the cause of truth and manly sentiment, and
genuine, unadulterated Christianity,
April 30, Entered Col. and Mrs. Browne's name with my

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 315
own for admission some days hence at British Museum ; list fiUed
for two or three days.
May 4. Dined at Col. Browne's, there heard of Mrs. Sar
gent's death. Evening waited on Mrs, Browne to Covent Garden
theatre, to see " The Duenna."
May 7. To Mr, Maddocks' at Walworth, with Mr. Dalglish, to
see his fine show of tulips, which unfavorable weather deforms
greatly, preventing the beautiful, pleasing display that might other
wise be expected.
May 8. Passed forenoon at the public exhibition of paintings,
sculpture, and drawings of the Royal Academy in Somerset House,
Strand, A great concourse of well dressed, genteel people, as
usual ; large exhibition room crowded, but my good fortune secured
an advantageous seat, almost central, which from arrangement and
construction of room and pictures, yielded a fuller view and happier
light ; I kept in close connection with a gentleman of taste and
judgment, disposed to communicate, and seeming happy to show
off and please ; by hira I was entertained and Instructed,
May 23. This day at eleven o'clock entered British Museum,
Dr, Wolde, the transcriber and publisher, complalsantly showed
me the Alexandrian manuscript ofthe New Testament, favored me
with many ingenious remarks, and read me several passages which
I confess I should without his assistance have found it difficult to
hobble through, from the peculiar manner of writing then used.
It is said to be older than the Arian controversy, and is without
the seventh verse of the fifth chapter 1st Epistle of St. John. It is
written in Greek capitals, without distinction of points or words,
letters following in equi-dlstant spaces. A fac simile copy Is now
preparing by my informant, who appears learned, and is very
obliging. After having gone through part of our course in the
rooms, my companions Col. and Mrs, Browne appeared and joined
us. We were attended by Dr, Solander ; some of our company
were persons of distinction. Lady Dowager W^ynne and her young
son the baronet, and several others whose names I have forgotten.
Among other curiosities were shown us King Edward Vlth's
journal, written with his own hand — volumes of royal letters, etc.
It seems all letters from the princes of Europe to one another are
preserved, and after death of writer sent back to their respective

316 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781,
courts ; they are of one size- seal never broken, a ribbon through
the wax is cut in order to open it. Dr, Solander showed us an
oyster-shell of a roundish form, about four inches over, which he
said was valued at a hundred guineas; another larger beside it, of
less briUlant water, of no more value than ten; they both had a
faint mother of pearl cast. On returning home found a letter from
Arthur Savage, informing me of Mr. Thompson's compliments and
wish to see me at eleven o'clock to-morrow, at his lodgings.
May 24. Went early in order to be at Mr. Benjamin Thomp
son's in time, and being a little before, heard he was not returned
home frora Lord George Germaine's, where he always breakfasts,
dines and sups, so great a favorite is he. To kill half an hour, I
loitered to the park through the palace, and on second return found
him at his lodgings ; he received me in a friendly manner, taking
me by the hand, talked with great freedom, and promised to re
member and serve me in the way I proposed to him. Promises are
easily made, and genteel delusive encouragement the staple arti
cle of trade belonging to the courtier's profession. I put no hopes
on the fair appearances of outward behavior, though it is uncandld
to suppose all mean to deceive. Some wish to do a service who
have it not in their power ; all wish to be thought of importance
and slgnlficancy, and this often leads to deceit. This young man,
when a shop lad to my next neighbor, ever appeared active, good-
natured and sensible; by a strange concurrence of events, he is
now under secretary to the American secretary of state. Lord George
Germaine, a secretary to Georgia, inspector of all the clothing sent
to America, and Lieut. Col. Commandant of horse dragoons at
New- York ; his Income arising from these sources is, I have been
told, near seven thousand a year — a sum infinitely beyond his raost
sanguine expectations. He is besides a member of the Royal So
ciety. It is said he is of an ingenious turn, an inventive imagina
tion, and by being on one cruise in channel service with Sir Charles
Hardy, has formed a more regular and better digested system for
signals than that heretofore used. He seems to be of a happy, even
temper in general deportment, and reported of an excellent heart ;
peculiarly respectful to Americans that fall in his way,*
* Afterwards the celebrated Count Rumford.

1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 317
Mem. A letter has been intercepted and published here,
thought by some to be a genuine production and unintentionaUy
fallen into British hands, signed Geo. Washington, showing his
opinion of Araerican inability to support this burdensome and ex
pensive war, unless France and other allies bestir themselves and
lend more essential aid than hirherto ; meeting Mr, Paxton and
Treasurer Gray, they both agreed in sentiment that it is a genuine
letter, and dictated by real judgment.
Drank tea at Mrs, Greene's by appointment ; met Mr, Wis
wall, who was just going to his cure in Oxford, At his request I
juraped into the carriage with him, and alighted at Crosskeys,
Gracechurch-street ; thence to Boar's Head, Eastcheap, and in the
identical spot where Nyni, Pistol, Bardolph, Hal, and Sir John
Falstaff were wont to assemble together to pass their jovial even
ings three hundred years since ; after a regale of punch to the
remerabrance of these jovial blades, we returned to Crosskeys.
June 5. Visited Governor Browne and Mrs. Browne, both un
well ; promised to dine with them the last of the week,
June 8. Mr. Erving called,
June 1 1. Visited Mrs. Greene and Abel Willard ; drank tea
with Mrs. Councel ; a Mr. Codner and Jones, both late frora Boston,
there ; no material inteUigence obtained from thera. They say
provisions are double in price to usual in former happy tiraes.
Never did an infatuated people wanton away their felicity more
foolishly. June 13. Dined and passed the evening at Col. Browne's,
June 19. Paid farewell compliments to Elisha Hutchinson,
going soon to his sumraer residence at Birmingham.
June 22. Through Moorfields came across a mountebank or
stage doctor, on an elevated scaffold, covered with a ragged blanket,
discoursing to the more dirty-faced ragged mob ; demonstrating to
their satisfactlon,'no doubt, the superior excellence of his nostrums to
those ofthe dispensary, and the more safe and secure state of patients
under his management than hospitals and coramon receptacles of
sick and wounded poor ; whose lives, health, and ease, he said truly,
were as dear to them as those of the best gentry or highest nobility
in the land ; and he further added, of as much use to the public,
which for aught I know is equally true.

318 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [178L
June 23, Went to Col, Browne's to take the last fareweU of
him and Mrs. Browne, about to depart to his government at Ber
muda ; never more expecting to see them again in this world,
June 25. Young Gould, a Bostonian, bound to New-York,
offered to take letters,
June 26. Capt. Coombs from New England via New-York,
whither he fled to escape persecution, as he said, (a Marblehead
refugee,) called and breakfasted with me ; strolled together to Ty
burn, and returned by the square lying north of the city. Carried
hira home to dinner, thence to Chelsea ; returning by Brompton,
met Treasurer Gray and Mr. Paxton ; the latter at first sight recol
lecting, accosted me, according to his usual custom, politely and
with great openness. The traces of his countenance have been
lost in my memory, and' I should have passed him.
June 28, At New England Coffee-house ; saw more Bos
tonians than for some years past,
June 29, Went to see the house in which the noted Jane
Shore died ; found that it was deraolished four years since, and a
new one erected on the spot, in three small tenements, which
stand in a lane directly facing Watergruel-row, so called. Was
informed that an underground communication had been discovered
between that house and Bishop Bonner's palace in that neighbor
hood. July 2. Wm. Cabot and Capt. Coombs drank tea with me.
July 4, Mr. A. Savage and Mr. T. Danforth called and took
coffee with me.
Jtdy 9. Meeting Mr. Deputy Ellis at a bookseller's in Corn
hill, who resolved my doubt about the meaning of the word molten,
as applied in Scripture to images or figures in brass on metal ; sig
nifying melted.
July 10. Left a note for Mr. A. Savage at Knightsbridge, to
acquaint him that Mr. Erving had been to appoint to-morrow to
call on him.
July 12. Visited Mrs. Hay ; there met two Wlnthrops, one
of whom, Thomas Lindall Winthrop,* had lately arrived from New
England in Captain Timothy Folger's ship.
* The late Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts ; the other was his brother
Benjamin Winthrop, now of this city, who then resided in London.

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 319
July 14, Accompanied Mr, and Mrs. Snelson to Windsor ;
passing by Hammersmith, stopped at Turnham-Green ; from hence
to Staines, where we dined. At seven o'clock arrived at " Castle
and Mermaid," Windsor. Evening, walked on terrace in the
castle ; a pleasing prospect, filled with promiscuous company,
Windsor, July 15, Sunday. At St. George's chapel, prayers
at eight ; present, the King, Queen, Princesses Elizabeth and
Sophia, — about a hundred hearers ; we joined the train to Queen's
house, or rather to the gates. The King was dressed in blue fly,
cuffs small, open, and turned up with red velvet, cape of same,
buttons white, breeches and waiscoat of white cotton, an ordinary
white wig with a tail ribbon, a round black chip hat, small, as
used in riding. He is tall, square over the shoulders, large ugly
mouth, talks a great deal, and shows his teeth too much ; his
countenance heavy and lifeless, with white eyebrows. Queen of
the middle size and bulk, height five feet and a-half, — though far
reraoved from beautiful, she has an open placid aspect, mouth
large, foot splay : — at prayers their voices often heard, and they
appeared devout. They take no state upon them, walk freely
about the town with only a lord in waiting. At seven, every
evening after tea, the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Princess-
royal, Princesses Sophia and Elizabeth, walk for an hour on ter
race half a mUe long, amidst two or three thousand people of all
ranks. The Prince of Wales appears a likely agreeable person,
far more graceful than his father, who is ungainly. The prince
affects much the " Jemmy " dress and air ; age will doubtless
soften down the juvenile taste and affectation. The Queen's dress,
a riding-habit, same color and facings as the King's — a small
bonnet with a blue feather. Conducted to picture gallery and
state-rooms ; in one stands the Queen's bed, of a cream-color,
worked in flowers with silk floss beautifully shaded, about seven
feet long and six wide ; posts fluted, and gilt tester, having in the
centre an oval compartment, thought to be the richest in England
except Lady Clifford's at Wybrook, which was wrought and pre
sented to her by the late Duchess of Norfolk, — twelve chairs and
a screen, wrought by her present Majesty's own diligent hand. In
the evening on the terrace, the King was in full dress, — blue uni
form, sword and cockade ; the Prince of Wales the same. The

320 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781,
Queen in a faint greenish sUk full dress, except her head, on which
she had a bonnet with a feather ofthe same color as her dress,
July 16. Crossed the river to Eton coUege or school, passing
through cloisters and quadrangles, I learnt from a lad that there
were three hundred and thirty pupUs belonging to the school ; the
higher class had on gowns and caps of university fashion. After
breakfast, at castle, to hear the roU-call of Lord Falconberg's regi
ment, now on duty, and hear the music ; two bands of which were
playing whUe the royal family were walking last evening. Took
our carriage and departed over Cranbrook bridge, and at two
o'clock arrived at the Eight, so called, being a little island of two
acres in the river Thames, opposite Kew, just above the bridge.
We came hither expecting to have a fine dinner, but the boat had
been robbed by some Londoners ; were disappointed. Arrived at
lodgings at seven o'clock,
July 17, Took Captain Coombs to dine with me at the
" Thirteen Cantons; " — called on A, Savage, Spoke to Mr, Rowe
of Treasury about Captain Coombs ; he encourages his application
to Lord North.
July 23. Met Mr. R. Clarke on horseback near Charing
Cross ; walked in Charter-House square and gardens ; am told
the number of men supported by the founder's munificence is four
score, besides forty boys.
July 25. Rode to Enfield to inquire respecting board ; result
unsatisfactory. I rarabled to the borders of the Chase, now laid
out in corn and grass, to the great advantage ofthe neighborhood.
In this town is a large, and for the age it was built in, a lofty
house of three floors, which had been the residence of Queen Eli
zabeth ; having on the walls within the court, the arras of England
quartered with the fleur-de-lis of France, and Q. E. inscribed over
in plaster of Paris, almost obhterated by tirae and weather. Re
turned horae on foot without much fatigue.
July 26. Called for an interview with Mr. Benjamin Thomp
son ; he and Lord George Germaine not returned from the
country. July 27. Called again on Mr. Thompson ; neither he nor
Lord George returned. Passed two hours in Mr. Waller's front
dining-room, to have a sight of the French spy, De la Motte, who

1781.J JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 321
was dragged on a hurdle to place of execution, Tyburn, to be
hanged ; tall and well grown, — dress black, flapped hat. ,
July 28, Went with Mr, Arthur Savage on a curiosity walk,
to gaze at Chlswick House and gardens ; by a card (without which
none are admitted) we found an entrance. It is a seat belonging
to the Duke of Devonshire, but forsaken by him. It was left him
by its former owner, the late Earl of Burlington, It is properly a
miniature building, and in a peciUlar taste ; not a room I think
twenty feet square, many smaller. The walls are covered with
pictures, some fine originals, principally copies ; grounds covered
with sphinxes and urns. Walks In Chinese taste, long, straight, and
gravelled ; cut hedges. From a terrace is a beautiful view over
a delightfully improved country, bounded by surrounding hills, in
terspersed with gentlemen's seats; farra houses, live hedges, corn
grounds, pastures with trees in rows, clumps and wildernesses. In
the grounds are a few temples and porticoes. Having satisfied
curiosity, as far as time would admit, we entered the road and be
gan our horaeward course, and arrived at three o'clock.
July 29. Dined at Capt. Hay's, by invitation card of yester
day, with Mr, Danforth, and also Mrs. Geyer, just arrived from
New-York, July 30. Went to Westminster Abbey to meet Mr. Savage
by agreement, to explain to him the meaning of mottoes under
arms of the knights of the bath in Henry Vllth's chapel. Saw, for
the first time. Lord Chatham's effigy in wax, having the wig, shoes,
robes, etc., he had on when he expired in the House of Lords ;
said to be very like him, but very unlike every cut of him that had
before corae to my view.
July 31. Dined with Mr. Simpson and Mr. Higginson, and
abode there till four o'clock ; returned, and Mr, Smithson drank
tea with me.
Aug. 1. Capt, Coombs breakfasted with me; accompanied
him to the Treasury, in order to put his petition, with Sir William
Pepperell's recommendation, into Mr. Rowe's hands ; who returned
it, advising to a further attestation of the alleged facts. Return
ing, we stepped into Lincoln's Inn Hall, where was sitting Lord
Chancellor Thurlow in a case of lunacy, from whence I departed
41

322 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [178L
alone and dined at home. Drank tea with Harrison Gray and wife
at Brompton, Aug. 3. CaUed at Mr, Thompson's lodgings, in PaU MaU
Court— disappointed— went to show Mr. Savage the grave of
Judge Chambers Russell, in BunhUl Fields burying ground ; which
at sixty pounds expense has but a common grave stone. Thence
to the poor reraains of a once royal palace, of which the outer gate
way (St. John's Gate) is now standing, and only that; the site is
now a cowyard and stable ; so where once royalty was lodged,
beasts inhabit,
Aug. 4. Again disappointed in not finding Mr. Thompson at
his house, nor at the Treasury,
Aug. 6. Took tea at Mr. Copley's, with Mr. R, Clarke and the
famUy, Aug. 8, In conversation with Mr. Peters, was informed that it
is and has been all along the determination of the cabinet to set up
the noblemen's claim against New England charters, annihUate aU
of them, and reduce the surviving inhabitants to a state of villen-
age, or expel them. He says he has sufficient authority to assert
this. Cruel, barbarous determination ! May heaven disappoint their
cursed device against innocence, justice, right, humanity, and every
laudable principle and virtue. May Araerica and ray countrymen,
more dear to me than ever, be made acquainted with this more than
brutual cruelty ; may disappointment be the issue of their attempts,
vexation and every evil the reward of such unexarapled, oppressive,
rapacious designs, for it is but yet in erabryo, never, I hope, to see
the light, I doubt not heaven has in store ample revenge for this
devoted country, whose rulers seem infatuated, and themselves on
the verge of ruin thereby,
Aug. 9. Mr. Jones, a Bostonian, drank tea with me.
Aug. 11, After one hour's waiting, adraitted to Mr, Thompson
in the plantation office ; he seemed inclined to shorten the inter
view, received me with a courtier's smile, rather uncommunicative
and dry. This reception has damped ray ill grounded hopes, de
rived from former seeming friendly intentions to promote my views;
this, my first, wiU be my last attempt to gain advantages from a
courtier, of which I never entertained favorable impressions.

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 323
Aug. 18, Took tea and passed the evening at Mr, and Mrs,
Hay's. Aug. 21, Dined at Capt, Hay's, with four gentlemen,
Aug. 24, To the Gresham lecture room to see Copley's picture
of Lord Chatham's death,
Sq)t. 4, Took tea with Dr, Jeffries, of Boston, a son of David
Jeffries,
TO MR. THOMAS WYER, NEW-YORK.
London, Sept. 12, 1781.
Dear Sir :
Having the other day met Mr, Berry, who informed me you
were settled in New-York with your wife, and that he would take
charge of a letter and deliver it into your hands, I am encouraged
to send this scrawl that serves to acknowledge the receipt of yours
of a distant date, and thank you for it. I hope your situation is
comfortable, though, at best, a man in the civil or commercial line
has many reasons of complaint in a garrison of disorderly, licentious
soldiers, I am glad to be inforraed that you are employed in busi
ness, and hope it will turn out to good account.
It has been my wish ever since I have been frora my own home,
that all who are in a state of exile, whether voluntary or not, ex
cept those immediately concerned in the revenue, who could not
have remained in America, had been prudent enough to have kept
their political opinions to themselves, especially after the frenzy
had worked itself up so high in the minds of our zealous patriot
neighbors, and remained at their own dwellings, and made the best
shifts they could in these troubles. They might, I really think, nave
found themselves, for the most part, in less disagreeable circum
stances than they now are ; at least I can truly say it respecting
my own particular case. But the bad consequences of past errors
are now only to be lessened by a prudent forbearance of harsh re
proachful language against the present rulers in the American
colonies that remain in subjection to Congress authority ; for what
ever you warm transatlantic loyalists may think, it is probable,
however the general war may terminate, there never will be estab
lished such a degree of British governmental authority in North
America as will cause much matter of triumph to American

324 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [178L
refugees. I wish America would dissolve the execrable French al
liance, that they have sufficient reasons already to detest, and which
will, if continued much longer, issue in greater ruin.
We are now hemmed in by the combined fleets of France and
Spain, to the number of forty-nine capital ships, and eleven frigates,
which have been cruising for some time in the chops ofthe English
Channel. Ours, under Admiral Derby, is at present in Torbay, A
large East and West India fleet is hourly expected under a slender
convoy ; but government has taken the precaution to send out
some fast sailing cutters to apprise them of the danger.
Wishing you success and safety,
I am your friend, S. Curwen.
Sept. 27. Accompanied Messrs. Savage and Toulmin to Drury
Lane, to see " School for Scandal," which was highly entertaining.
On the appearance of Mrs. CargiU, appointed to one ofthe parts,
a general hiss, followed by an unusual clap of approbation, for
some minutes kept on to discountenance the hiss, occasioned by her
whimsical caprices and rude disappointment of the public at Hay
market Theatre about two months since. She is a pleasing per
former and public favorite,
Oct. 2. Took tea and passed the evening at Mr. John Savage's
with Mr. A, Savage, except a walk to Chelsea Hospital,
Oct. 9. Papers say Adam Woolridge Is appointed American
secretary's deputy, in lieu of Mr. Fisher, who now holds the office.
Mr. A. Savage dined and passed the evening with me,
Oct. 15. Went over to Chelsea ; met Mr. Benjamin Hal
lowell there. Another countryman. Commodore Loring, discharged
from pension list by death, and another going same way ; Brigadier
Royall seized with small-pox, with hazardous symptoms. Capt.
Coombs dined with rae.
Oct. 18. Thirteen criminals executed at Tyburn — a melan
choly consideration that robberies have of late greatly increased,
as indeed has thieving of all kinds in the metropolis.
Oct. 20. Mr. Arthur Savage, and Miss S., and Mr, John Sav
age, lady and son, drank tea with rae. By the papers I find some
Salem privateers have faUen into the hands of the British.
Oct. 30, Dined with Mr. and Mrs, Hay,

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 325
TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESa, SIDMOUTH.
London, Oct. 30, 1781,
Dear Sir :
Inclosed is a bank post bill for £24: 6s. 8d., the balance of
your quarterly pension of ^£25 ; and while I reside in London wUl,
with great readiness, serve you or any acquaintance in this or any
way in my power.
You wish me to write you favorable news from America;
would to God such was to be found written in the book of fate.
Respecting the state of the war in that quarter : the French,
you know, are in possession of the Chesapeake, with a much supe
rior fleet to that of Great Britain ; for they reckon thirty-six capital
ships to our twenty-four, even after Digby's junction. General
Cornwallis's royal raaster is in the utmost distress for hira, whora all
the world here fears to hear wUl have been Burgoyned, and there
fore an end to this cursed, ill-omened quarrel, though not in a way
they wish ; for which the instigators and continuers deserve exe
cration. It Is, however, reported that twenty thousand raen are
to be shipped off to America in February, part of whom are the
five thousand before destined to the East Indies,
I am yours, S. Curwen,
JVov. 20, Letters from New-York Inform us that New London,
in Connecticut, is burnt, with all the shipping, by six hundred
American Assoclators, so called, leagued in a band of destruction
against their native country : together with the loss of lives and
properties of the inhabitants, the assailants left of their nuraber
two hundred dead on the spot ; their death the just punishment due
to such parricides.
By the king's speech I find he intends, if parliament will fur
nish men and money, to continue his efforts to reduce his rebellious
subjects in America to his royal will and pleasure, and his other
enemies to his own terras, if he can ; and no doubt they will con
tinue to furnish both as long as they last, and untU they shall fairly
and completely have dried up all the sources, which, perhaps, a few
more expensive, unsuccessful campaigns will effectually accomplish.
Would that this nation or its rulers were wise enough to sit down

.326 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [178L
by its present losses, and make the best of what remains. Com
merce and conquest are two things in nature very unlike, and re
quire very different geniuses in carrying on ; and which is most
congenial and natural to these islanders is obvious.
JVov. 22. The wind continues westerly, detaining Admiral
Rodney's fleet of eight ships of the line in Torbay, bound for the
West Indies, The court and aU apprehend some great blow there,
as they have reason frora the great superiority of the French fleet
gone from Charleston since Cornwallis's surrender on the 19th ult,,
of himself, officers, army, baggage, artillery, ammunition, degwerre
and de bouche, to the American General George Washington, of
whom sorae of the wise men of this country speak with undeserved
contempt. This being the second instance that has happened to the
best forces of this continent, and perhaps the first of the kind that
ever befell this haughty America-despising people. And the
flight of two English admirals, with a frequently declared superior
fleet, Graves and Digby, (under the auspicious eye of one of the
royal offspring. Prince WiUiam Henry, who is training up, and I
hope wUl prove an ornament and a useful naval commander,) to
New- York with Clinton and his garrison of cooped-up troops, who
for a few weeks having breathed free air, are now chiefly return
ing back to their winter amusements and useful employment of dan
cing, card-playing, acting farces on mock stages, and decorating
their pretty persons for the astonishment and delight of their female
admirers. Adieu to the character which once justly enough distinguished
the array and navy of this little empire !
JVov. 23. Overtaken in the Park by a former travelling com
panion, named Aspdin, of Philadelphia, on horseback ; he recog
nised me after an interval of four years.
TO MR. ANDREW DALGLISH, GLASGOW.
London, JVov. 25, 1781.
Dear Sir :
London, as you justly observe, to a pushing raan and of abUi
ties is the place to gain great advantages, if he knows the world
and how to avail himself of lucky incidents, and is attentive to
them; but to one of a contrary character it is far otherwise.

1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 327
Your request of my service need not be twice asked, if I know how
to perforra any thing essential for you, or any friend ; but being
placed by Providence out of the reach of rendering services, I am
endeavoring to reason myself into the belief that I stand in need of
none myself, though possessing very little more than the necessa
ries of life ; 'tis a hard task, though if attended with success, shall
not grudge my pains. Our townsman, Mr, Fisher, holds a quar
tered, precarious office, at I fancy less than half its real incorae,
in, under, and returnable to Mr, Thompson, when he shall come
back, which I doubt not will be in the spring or summer following.
Clerkships, as all offices under government, are at open mar
ket, and bought and sold as pubhc stocks, the premium four, five,
or six years' income. The Treasury Coffee-house, under the
arches, is the place where the sellers or brokers are to be seen at
business hours. If you have any connections that can recommend
you to men of influence, and can really engage their interest, (for
promises are the courtier's traffick, and mean nothing; people of
breeding are too polite to disoblige in any other way but by neg
lect,) you may succeed ; without, it will be vain to attempt. Merit
is disregarded, implying a demand. Here it is not asked what you
have done, but what you are capable of doing, is worth attending
to. In whatever line you direct your views, I sincerely wish suc
cess ; you might assuredly depend on ray aid if it could or can be
of any use to you. With real and hearty good wiU,
I am your friend, S. Curwen.
Jfov. 26. Going through the Park, I found great numbers
there waiting for the king's passing to the parliaraent house, being
first day of session, when it is opened by a speech frora the throne ;
the king in his robes, crown on his head, which, if capable of feel
ing, raust I think feel more distress than at any time since his brows
bore this emblem of royalty. The total overthrow in Lord Corn
wallis's defeat, of his long projected and self-promised subjugation
of North Araerica to an uncontrolled power, must have this effect.
Man's designs are often overruled by a more powerful authority.
Took tea at Mr, John 'Savage's, according to promise, with a room
,full of company.

328 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781.
JVw, 30, Took my watch to London to be reformed, it proving
a useless companion in its present state of false inteUigence; bor
rowed one in the interim.
Dec. 5, Mr, Thomas Hutchinson and Mr, A, Savage took tea
with me, TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH.
Brompton, Dec. 15, 1781,
Dear Sir :
I delayed answering your last favor till I could send a satisfac
tory one to your question about your friend,Thomas Barnard, Esq., of
Lincoln's Inn ; and now I have the pleasure to acquaint you that
he and I were this day as usual fellow-worshippers at Essex'House
chapel, which seeras to be his Sunday's resort, both for worship and
the communion, at which he attends with becoming devotion.
Our preacher to-day was Mr, Estin, of Lewinsmead, Bristol, for
Mr. Lindsay hiraself always perforras the liturgy service.
Since Lord Cornwallis's surrender, government, I am told, has
laid aside all other thoughts than to maintain, if practicable, Caro
lina, Nova Scotia, New-York city, Charleston, and Georgia ; per
haps since the majority for carrying on the war in America, when
the House of Commons consisted of more than four hundred, feU to
forty-one only ; a proof, notwithstanding the irresistible influence
of court, of the real sentiments of the landed interest. For the
aforesaid purpose imraense quantities of array and navy araraunitlons,
de guerre and de bouche, will be sent over, and primarily furnish
America, and ultimately, I fear, France, with the abUity to dis
possess Great Britain of every foot of ground on the continent of
North America ; and it will be well if not the islands too. But
whoever is master of the ocean will doubtless command these;
whether Great Britain is or is not at present, is a fact easily to be
judged of; whether she will be in time to corae, must be read in
a following page in the book of fate. 'Tis, I confess, foohsh to an
ticipate evUs ; a wise man said,
" If evils come not, then our fears are vain ¦
And if they do, fear but augments the pain.''
No mind is so fortified as not to feel concern for what may

1781,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 329
happen, especiaUy when smarting under the rod, nor insensible
when oppressed. Very truly yours,
S, Curwen,
Dec. 20. Went to London in order to pass a day at Capt.
Hay's ; he was departed to Portsmouth to meet his ship there,
Dec. 23, Sunday at Essex House chapel, Mr, Lindsay preached
an admirable dissuasive against placing terras of acceptance with
God on narrow party principles, as if he was engaged to support
Calvin, Arminius, or the Council of Nice, or any body of patriarchs,
archbishops or bishops whatever,
Dec. 31. Three days since was my birth-day, when I entered
my sixty-sixth year. What reason have I to lament the loss of
time and waste of powers that our indulgent Creator has bestowed
upon us for wise and useful purposes,
Henry Laurens, Esq,, late president of Congress, was admitted
to bail and discharged from the Tower,

42

330 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782.

CHAPTER XVI,
Brompton, London, January 1, 1782, Dined at Mr, John Sa
vage's, in the Grove,
Jan. 3, CaUed on Dr, Jeffries, a countryman of mine, at No.
28 South Moulton-street. In ray absence, Mr, Tunmins and James
Russell called, TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., TAUNTON.
London, Jan. 8, 1782,
Dear Sir :
Mr, Rowe names the 21st for delivering out his orders to the
bank for payment of our quarterly stipends, I shall be on the
watch, and avail myself of the earliest day for myself and you,
I presurae you have heard of the death of poor Abel WUlard,
your late friend, whose continuance on the London stage was of a
few days only after his return from Oxford, He is now gone
to that retreat from suffering, where the wicked cease from trou
bling, and the weary are at rest, I am told the surviving mate is
a mourner in earnest,
I wish you the compliments ofthe season, and am glad to hear
from you, that you are enjoying the pleasures of cheerful mirth and
conviviality ; may they continue up to your desires, which I pre
sume are ever confined within the bounds of temperance ; and
hope a full restoration of your health and spirits. Happy those
who can amuse or gladden their hearts with anticipation of future
good. The present prospect is too gloomy for my weak mind to
discover one gleam of hope. Your faithful friend,
S, Curwen.
Jan. 10. Received a letter to convey to the widow Poynton,
at Salem, from her late husband's kinsman of same name, in Orange-
court, Leicester-fields, with a complaisant invitation to dine witb
him next Sunday,

1782,] journal and letters, 331
TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., TAUNTON.
Yeoman's Row, Jan. 24, 1782,
Dear Sir:
I have the pleasure to inclose you a bank post-bill for .£24 6s. 8d.,
wishing it safe to your hands,
I am not happy enough to present you with any good news of
our own selves or our public concerns, unless you will say none is
such, at a tirae when bad only may reasonably be expected from
almost all quarters of the globe. And though I would not raise
imaginary ideal terrors in the breast of any of my acquaintance, I
cannot forbear to mention a piece of inteUigence received from an
acquaintance here, communicated to him by a lady, who, he says,
has intiraate cabinet-council connections. He says, she has in times
past raore than once or twice inforraed hira of secret deliberations
and resolves done and acted there, that at the tirae surprised him,
and were afterwards verified by the events. She told this in con
fidence, with great apparent concern of mind, etc., seeming firra in
belief, and fear of its being put into execution within a few months.
Hear then your doora : — it has been a subject of deliberation, and
is thought to be deterrained in the cabinet, to withdraw frora the
Araerican refugees in England all government support. So shame
less and unexampled an act of barbarity, you probably may think,
cannot be perpetrated in a civilized state ; perhaps not. Politics
and morals, however, are founded on very different grounds, and
conducted by principles of a quite contrary complexion frora each
other. What is heterodoxy, base and unjustifiable in the one sys
tem, may be in the other sound state orthodoxy, and free from
reproach ; viewed in the single light of supposed good of the state.
One cannot, therefore, tell what the administrators of public affairs
may think it politically prudent to do in the paroxysms of public
distress ; and their ways and means are unhappily in one at this
very time, I would fain disbelieve, but confess my fears step in
between apprehensions on one side, and doubt on the other, and
cast up the balance on the side of the latter. This day, I questioned
Mr, Rowe at the Treasury on the subject ; and he, with the apathy
of a stoic, and the composed countenance of a  , coldly
replied, he had not heard of it. No, answered I, and I trust you

332 journal and letters, [1782,
never wiU, The nonchalance of his behavior rather increased my
alarm than sUenced my doubts. If you think it worth whUe to
make inquiries about it, perhaps some friend who has connections
with the court may convince you of its truth or falsity,- or, per
haps, you wiU prefer to postpone a knowledge of evUs tUl they
arrive, thinking that sufficient unto the day is the evU thereof
Yours truly,
S. Curwen,
TO JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL.
JVo. 1, Yeoman's Row, Brompton, Feb. 4, 1782,
Dear Sir :
After so long a sUence, I fancy you wUl wonder at this time
to hear frora me, and I confess I should hardly have thought of
troubhng you, but for a selfish purpose, I am directed by a son
of Esculapius to heighten my diet by a moderate use of the most
nutritive food, best dry wines, and spirits diluted in water, etc., ex
cluding sweets, sours, and high seasonings, — in order to animate,
warm, and invigorate, as far as possible, an old, cold and enfeebled
body. Please inform rae the proportions of spirits, milk, etc., of
the mixture that was recomraended to you by a London physician
of note, to be taken by one in a decaying weak habit,
I durst not touch on the state of the nation, nor of our parti
cular concerns as refugees, both of which, I presume, you suspect
to be in a very unproraising condition,
I beheve you wUl wonder how I came to the place from whence
I date ; my situation is, luckUy, for the time I proposed to abide
here, happy, from a coincidence of circumstances which could not
be foreseen. Your friend, S, Curwen,
Feb. 7. At the queen's house with Mr. Hopkins to see the
plate, etc, ; the first object that struck me was three large maund
baskets covered of table plate, as dishes, tureens, butter and sauce
boats, all with covers, raised, erabossed and engraved. The king's
service was silver gilt; the prince's, silver. We also were con
ducted to the kitchen, where were eighteen male cooks busily
employed in their several various lines; the men in white jackets

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 333
and caps, and the women in white aprons and caps. By a late
royal order, no one is to appear in the kitchen with their natural
hair. When the king arrives from court at St. James's, (where
he attends five days in the week, Tuesdays and Saturdays being
the only ones he has in the week for his own private amusements,
concerns, etc.,) dinner is called, on which a bustle ensues ; the
assistants of the sUver scullery take such pieces as called for out of
baskets, place them on a warra stove, whence they are taken by
the cook and filled and taken to dining-room door, and delivered
to the person appointed to place them on the royal table. Com
mon dinner, five dishes of meat, four of garden stuffs, and one
remove daily, and no more. He is exceedingly temperate, drinks
generally water, and rarely partakes of more than one or two
dishes. His supper is water-gruel, taken in a vessel peculiarly appro
priated to his use, caUed the king's cup, and is of silver gilt, — shown
me by the yeoman. The king's corapany at table is the queen, prince
of Wales, (unless on his public dinner days,) the princess royal,
princesses Sophia and Elizabeth : the rest of the children at an
other table in another apartment. The prince's dinner served up
by his proper officers in the same manner as the king's. The
queen, unless indisposed, always attends court and levee days ; as
soon as it is over she returns ; immediately dinner is served up
without waiting for her husband ; a proof of good husbandshlp.
It is said every king has a service of new table plate, the old being
disposed of; the silver is kept in bags and put into presses, I took
leave, and by advice returned by Buckingham Gate, Pimlico,
Grosvenor-place, in preference to Constitution HUl, which some
times is hazardous, and at eight o'clock got safe home,
FROM CHIEF JUSTICE OLIVER.
Birmingham, Feb. 9, 1782,
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 4th inst, informs me of two canisters of snuff
which you have for me, I am much obliged to you for your care
and trouble for an irritating powder for an American refugee, and
doubt not that it will be of a more agreeable nature than the so
many irritables we have all turned up our noses at for five or six
years past. If you will be so kmd as to send it to the Birmingham

334 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782,
coach at the Green Man and Still, in Oxford-street, directed to me,
I shall be glad ; and if you will call upon Mr, Thos, Hutchinson,*
he will pay you for rae.
I ara sincerely glad of the safe arrival of our friend Governor
Browne ;f I wish him an easy cushion for his chair, but I fear a
barkino- crew of rebels wUI dlsrest hira. Your friend Mr. Lakin
inquires after you when I meet him.
Health and ease attend you ; so wish eth
Your humble servant, Peter Oliver.
Samuel Curwen, Esq.
Feb. 15, Mr. Thomas Hutchinson called and passed an hour
with rae.
Feb. 17, The secret service list for the year 1781 is positively
charged with the following sums : —
American departments exclusive of Refugees .£83,000 sterl'g.
Admiralty  46,000
War Office  10,500
Secretary of State  53,600
Treasury  72,000

£265,100
The request long urged by General Burgoyne, of havino- a
court martial appointed to decide upon his conduct in the affair of
Saratoga, has at last been complied with, and orders transmitted
frora the war-office to the coramander-ln-chief in Araerica for
sending over such officers as mentioned by the General as neces
sary for his defence, by the first conveyance, to attend the trial.
If no unexpected impediraent takes place, it will be held in the
spring. The adrainistration seeras loth to have an inquiry made ;
perhaps it wUl produce an exposure of orders, etc, judged not
prudent at present for the public eye,
Feb. 20. Bishop Lowth of London, and Bishop Newton of
Bristol, both died on the 14th inst,
Feb. 26. Walked to Chelsea with Mr, Dalglish, who returned
and dined with me. Miss Savage and father joined us at tea.
" Governor Hutchinson's son.
t William Browne, of Salem, afterwards governor of Bermudas.

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 335
March 1. The Welsh procession from St, Andrew's church,
Holborn, to the Crown and Anchor tavern in the Strand to dine ;
the members, and all of that nation adorned with leeks and orna
ments resembling thera, stuck on the button-band of their hats, as
is usual on this day, called in the Roman calendar St. David's
Day ; still continued in his honor, who is the titular saint of the
nation. This society is established for the support of the poor, for
which they have a fund, schools, etc.
March 2. Wrote several letters to be sent home by a Mr,
Sigourney, TO DR. E. A. HOLYOKE. London, March 2, 1782,
Dear Sir :
Since my tedious answer to your only favor, I have frequently
thought of a mistaken notion asserted therein, which I naturally
fell into for want of making proper inquiry and receiving inforrna-
tion, arising from the vulgar prevailing notion in the province of
Massachusetts Bay, that our soil was peculiarly unfavorable to the
raising of wheat, which made me look upon the success of the Si
berian as almost miraculous, A little while after I had sent off my
answer, I happened to fall into a conversation with a curious sen
sible gentleman, who frora repeated trials had proved the falsehood
of our vulgar notions, and had raised frequent large harvests of
excellent wheat from his own grounds, even from soils naturally
weak and indifferent. I am therefore convinced he justly derived
our people's pertinacious adherence to their own bad and wrong
tillage from a mere obstinate and lazy attachment to old customs,
handed down from father to son, and preferred in spite of yearly
disappointments from generation to generation.
Your real friend and well wisher, S. Curwen,
March 2. Lord George Germaine, who was adraitted into the
administration on the idea of subjugating N. America to the un
conditional authority of Parhament, having since Lord Cornwallis's
surrender of himself and the whole army to the victorious arms of

336 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782.
France and Congress, abdicated his post of secretary in the Ameri
can department, left the House of Commons, and gone up to the
House of Lords by a patent of nobility. General Carleton, who is
confessedly of superior ability in point of military knowledge and
execution, is now appointed general-in-chief in America, when all
manoeuvres in his line are intentionally given up, and no opportunity
is afforded for exertion, except in the way the former generals, his
predecessors, have figured in amassing personal wealth out of this
already cruelly oppressed people. Lord George Germaine's ad
mission to the upper house was accompanied by many severe re
flections and motions to address tbe king to prevent it ; many lords
thinking it disgraceful to suffer tamely one to be added to their
number who stood disgraced by the sentence of a court martial,
and was forbidden the society of any of the officers of the army.
The Marquis of Caermarthen raade the motion, and Lord Shelbume
warmly seconded it. Many speeches on the occasion. Last
Wednesday, General Conway concluded a long speech in the
Commons with the following motion, viz, : Resolved, " That it is
the opinion of this house, that a further continuance of an offensive
war in America for the purpose of subduing by force the revolted
colonies is totally impracticable, inasmuch as it weakens that force
which we ought to employ against our European enemies, and is
contrary to his majesty's declaration,, who, in his gracious speech
from the throne,'expresses a wish to restore peace and tranquUlity,"
This motion the ministerial party endeavored to dispose of by the
attorney general's motion for an adjournment, when at half past
one o'clock the house divided, and to the discomfiture of his
majesty's ministers they were in a minority by nineteen. General
Conway then moved that an address be presented to his majesty
on the above resolution. This was seconded by Lord Althorpe,
and carried without a division ; the minister not daring to risk a
second defeat. In consequence of this important decision, the nation
is at last within the prospect of enjoying the blessings of a peace
with America.
Lord Stormont wrote to the lord mayor and aldermen to pre
vent, if possible, Uluminations in the city; none were exhibited
but m the gallery on the top of the monument, which blazed with
more than sixscore lamps. As soon as the joyful tidings of the

1782,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 337
minister's defeat and the nation's deliverance was announced in the
lobby and avenues of the house to the numerous multitudes that
v?aited in anxiety and perturbation to know the fate of their
country, the most vehement and heartfelt shouts of acclamation
pierced the ear, if it did not reach the heart of the minister, now
tottering on the treasury bench. Those noble and distinguished
characters, who by their steady perseverance and zeal had over
come the ruinous system of ministers, were hailed by the grave
multitude as the saviours of their country. Expresses were des
patched by the ambassadors to their several courts, announcing
this important decision, which naturally changes the system by
which the peace of Europe is disturbed. The king's answer to
the address of the Coraraons in consequence of General Conway's
motion for putting an end to the present war with America, con
tained the following : " There are no objects more near to my
heart than the ease, happiness and welfare of my people ; and you
may be assured, that in pursuance of your advice, I shall take such
measures as shall appear to me most conducive to the restoration
of harmony between Great Britain and the revolted colonies, so
essential to the prosperity of both, and that my efforts shall be di
rected in the most effectual manner against our European enemies,
until such peace can be obtained as shall consist with the interest
and permanent welfare of ray klngdora."
March 4. Advice of the surrender of Minorca to the corabined
arraies of France and Spain, by Gen. Murray; of the capture of
St. Kitt's by the French, to which fate Nevis and Montserrat will
probably soon submit, Essequibo and Deraarara, taken by Rodney
and Vaughan, are retaken by, a French squadron, and it will be
great good fortune if one single West India island be left to this
wretched, devoted country.
March 7. The large banking house of Brown and Collinson,
Lorabard-street, was declared bankrupt to-day, and carries with it
a train of ruin. They were of the society of Quakers, and therefore
more unexpected, as people of that persuasion are generally pru
dent, and not engaged in expensive luxurious modes of life,
March 10. A gentleman lately frora Brest acquaints Lord
Sandwich that a piece of bad news had arrived there from the
West Indies, which renders somewhat probable the report of a
43

338 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782.
master just arrived, that St, Kitt's was retaken by Admiral Sir
Samuel Hood, who hearing of de Grasse's departure, immediately
sailed and obliged the French troops to the number of six thousand
to surrender. They had not forced the English lines at Brimstone
Hill, and were left exposed without a single ship to aid them, De
Grasse, thinking himself sure of the conquest, after safely landing
these, had left them to their chance, and went in quest of other ad
ventures ; probably to assist in retaking St. Lucia, May it prove
true, March 12. I find myself for some time laboring under distress
ing symptoras, which I have reason to believe my nature too feeble
to withstand, and which must soon give way to and yield in the
struggle. May I retire where undue passion, ungoverned appetite,
and selfish regards shall have no rule or sway, and all shall be
peace, harmony, mutual regards, and no intemperate gratifications,
March 18. This day advice is come from Ireland of the most
serious nature ; a large quantity of artillery is arrived there from
France, under the pretext of securing the island from foreign inva
sion ; but frora the known general prevailing wish araong the peo
ple, there is some reason to fear a general revolt frora this govern
ment, and an independency thereon. Should it take place, wo
betide this falling nation.
March 20. On the Earl of Surry's rising in the House of
Commons to make his motion about removing ministers. Lord North
arose, and after some altercation about the propriety of his standing
up at the sarae tirae with the member, on his explaining his motives
he was allowed to proceed, when he announced his (and the rest
of the king's servants') quitting the adrainistration, and moved for
an adjournment till next Monday, by which time the business now
in hand would be finished, and a new arrangement of ministers
setUed, not one of the old ones to remain in office, A o-reediness
to share in the public plunder is, I fear, the primum mobile, nor
shall we, it is greatly to be apprehended, gain rauch advantage hy
a new set, unless they shall totally change the systera, form alli
ances, (for not one at present have we,) if that shall be practicable,
put an end to the American dispute, and conciliate some of our
victorious foes.
On this occasion Lord Surrey happened to espy Arnold, the

1782,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 339
American seceding general, in the house, sent him a message to
depart, threatening, in case of refusal, to move for breaking up the
gallery; to which the general answered, that he was introduced
there by a member ; to which Lord Surrey replied, he might under
that condition stay, if he would promise never to enter it again, with
which General Arnold coraplied. This is the second instance of
puplic disrespect he has met with : the king having been forced to
engage his royal word not to employ or pension him ; a just reward
for treachery, which is ever odious,
March 26. The town full of talk about the new ralnistry ; I
doubt their success in settling with America : that poor continent
is too rauch in the power of France to effect a reconciliation on
any terms but such as the haughty court of VersaUles shall approve
of; and they, I dare say, will be huralliatlng enough to this in
fatuated country : which term, all the world will soon see, may
with equal propriety be applied to English America,
March 27. Dined at Mrs. Snelson's on Ludgate-hUl ; passed
an hour at the coffee-house before dinner, reading the newspapers
containing the following list ofthe expected new ministry, which
is a total change, there being, (as expressed,) " not a hoof left of
the old." Lord North and his compeers are obliged, from a minority
in some questions, and a slender decreasing majority In others, to
surrender their posts to the opposition; who come into play on
principles professedly opposite to the late schemes ofthe cabinet
respecting America, and the war consequent thereon : —
Marquis of Rockingham, First Lord of the Treasury.
Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor ofthe Exchequer,
Lord Camden, President of the Council,
Duke of Grafton, Lord Privy Seal.
Duke of Richmond, Master of Ordnance,
Secretary for Southern Department, Lord Shelbume,
Do, Northern do. Charles J, Fox,
Mr, Dunning, Attorney-General, with promise of being enno
bled, seals first vacancy.
Mr. Lee, Solicitor-General.
Admiral KeppeU, First Lord of the Admiralty.
General Conway, Commander in Chief of Forces,
Lord Howe, do. of Fleet,

340 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782,
Duke of Rutland, Master of the Horse,
Mr. Barre, or Mr. Thomas Townsend, Secretary at War.
Mr. Burke, Secretary to the First Lord of the Treasury, also
Receiver and Paymaster-General,
Remaining Lords of the Treasury, Lord John Cavendish, Lord
Althorp, John Spencer, James GreviUe, and Frederick Montague,
Esqrs, In order to keep in the present administration, the cabinet had
come to a full determination to propose a dissolution of Parliament
to the council ; which being proposed, was at length agreed to as
the only expedient to save their honor and support the present
measures ; the usual ministerial majority in the House of Commons
being every day visibly lessened. But the chancellor, Lord Thur
low, with a fortitude and magnanimity peculiar to himself, and
worthy of the highest praise, withdrew and refused to affix the
seals, whereby this junto scheme is totally overset ; nor dare the
king nor his ministers discover any resentment at their disappoint
ment. It is thought very serious consequences would have fol
lowed, and public royal disapprobation. Thank God that there
yet reraain any instances of virtue and regard to public safety
amidst our deplorable situation, mercenary views, incredible dissi
pation, (wherein all ranks are involved,) profligacy and effeminacy
of manners, and the open unrestrained practices of genteel vice
and disregard of religion,
March 28, Visited Mr. Timmins for two hours ; he returned
with rae. That the Prince of Wales is not content to take all upon
trust, the following story perhaps wUl illustrate : — Returning lately
frora an airing on horseback, attended by a companion and one
servant, on his arrival in St, James's Park, he alighted, and giving
his horse to the servant, proceeded on foot with his friend to the
gallery of the House of Commons, where he abode for sorae hours.
Whilst there, having entered with his hat on, he was ordered to
take it off, with which he coraplied, keeping his handkerchief up
to his face to prevent the discovery of his person. Having heard
many things before unknown to him, he departed, surprised and
informed. This excursion continued so long as to delay the royal
dinner for more than an hour, and occasioned an anxiety in his
royal parents' breasts ; his absence at meals being unusual. On

1782,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 341
his entering, being questioned, he frankly owned where he had
been, not a little to the disapprobation of his father ; who has since
complied with his request to allow him a suramer's progress through
the klngdora, which he has often sohcited, in case he would pro
mise to make no more such elopements. It is a maxim of state for
the present incumbent of the throne to keep the successor ignorant
as possible, and totally unconcerned and unused to court measures
and all public concerns, and this king seems inclined to put the
maxim in practice to its extent,
March 29. Good Friday ; attended worship at Whitehall
chapel, Lord North present. Being disappointed in Westminster
Abbey and St, Margaret's church, (at the former by the lowness
ofthe reader's voice, at the latter by the service not having begun,)
proceeding cityward, just as I carae to the gate leading from Par
liament-street to Scotland-yard, or Whitehall, who should cross
me but a large clumsy gentleraan with a blue ribbon across his
breast, who, on inquiry, I found was Lord North, Following him
into Whitehall chapel, I reraalned during the service. He is rather
above the comraon height, and bulk greatly exceeding ; large legs,
walks heavily, manner clurasy; very large featured, thick lips,
wide mouth, high forehead, large nose, eyes not lively ; head well
covered with hair, which he wears high before. The preacher
was Dr. Noel, dean of Salisbury, the only Episcopal preacher that
I ever saw or heard repeat the Lord's prayer by heart ; not one of
them daring to trust to their memory except this man. His manner
and delivery very agreeable, and his discourse excellent and useful.
Dined at Salisbury-court ; met Mr. Dalglish, who accompanied me
home to tea and passed evening.
March 30, Mr. Dalglish called, and we went together to the
Bishop of London's terrace- walk on the banks of the Thames at
Fulham, and returned by Little Chelsea,
March 3 1. Attended pubhc worship at St. Paul's ; Mr. Hys-
lop preached. Drank tea with Mr. Peters, He informed me
administration would not consent to the independence of America ;
the ministerial plan is to govern America by a lord-Ueutenant, and
create nobility ; and if she will not agree to Great Britain's pro
posal, to make a partition treaty of the colonies with France, to
whom the northern colonies and Canada would be ceded, the

342 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782.
southern colonies remaining to Great Britain,— a fine bargain,
truly, April 4. Mr, Dalglish called at ten o'clock, and we departed
on foot to Hampton Court, passing through Chelsea, part of Ham
mersmith to Fulham, crossed the river just above Putney bridge,
passed through that town, and to Bornes Mortlake to back of Kew;
from thence to Richmond, crossing the river at the bridge, pro
ceeded through Twickenham to Hampton, passing Bushy Park, a
tedious level of raore than amUe in length, arrived at King's Arms
inn at two o'clock, where we dined. At four o'clock proceeded
to the palace; entered with a large corapany of females, who
arrived there at the same time with us, joining a raaster with a
nuraber of young persons, his pupils, and a governess with a score
of young raisses, rendering our company through the royal apart
ments very numerous. The rooms alraost all hung in rich tapestry
of Brussels raanufacture, wrought in gold and sUver, which, being
put up in King WUIiara's reign, time has somewhat tarnished.
Pity that the roora built for the reception of the Cartoons, and
which they long adorned, is now by this king's whlra robbed qf
them to cover the staircase walls of Buckingham House. Return
ing we arrived at " King's Arms" inn, on the borders of Kew
Green, and at the foot of the bridge leading to Brentford at eight
o'clock, where we supped and lodged,
April 5, We walked on Bankside terrace as far as Sion House,
meaning opposite thereto. Returning we passed the building, and
taking the foot-path by the river, kept it through Chlswick and
Hararaersmith as far as it was continued, affording raost agreeable
views ; then turning, crossed the country to Fulham and by little
Chelsea, arriving at Don Saltero's cafe on the bank of the river,
where we dined, and at four o'clock departed, arriving at ray lodg
ings at five o'clock, having in two days walked thirty-two miles,
(yesterday twenty-one, and eleven to-day,) and ara at this present
writing no raore fatigued nor less able to take another walk to
morrow of the same length.
AprU 6. Capt. Coombs and Mr, Dalglish drank tea with me,
AprU 7, Sunday. Attended worship and communion at Es-^
sex House chapel ; Mr, Lindsay read the service and officiated at
the communion, Dr, Priestley preached an excellent discourse.

1782,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 343
TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., SIDMOUTH.
Brompton, April 8, 1782,
Dear Sir :
I fancy you need not give yourself any concern about future
supplies, which my last letter intimated. Government, it is proba
ble, will not be guUty of such injustice as to wUhhold what the
public faith has engaged. Some Ul-founded grants wUl be stopped,
and here the reform in this will end. Truly your friend, S, Curwen,
April 8, Removed my lodgings from Yeoraan's Row to Mrs.
Smithson's, near the chapel, Brompton.
April 15, News from East Indies that our Admiral Hughes
had taken three places from the Dutch on the coast of Malabar.
Further accounts of the designed reform by new administration in
national expenditures and abolition of all needless sinecure estab
lishments — wish it may prove true and of lasting advantage,
AprU 18. The delegates of the associated counties held their
first meeting in the new common council chamber at Guildhall,
During the late administration they were refused it with sorae
marks of contemptuous disapprobation. New men and new raeas
ures have effected a wonderful change in the coramon council of
London. April 19, This day seven years the fatal fight at Lexington,
Mass., happened; productive of such baneful consequences to
Great Britain and Araerica ; what will be its issue, is knoM'n only
to Him who overrules the folly and wickedness of man, to serve his
own wise purposes ; may all of them who are so deeply interested
therein be prepared for it,
April 20, It is affirmed that the cabinet, which consists of ten
members, have been thrice equally divided; the lord president in
that case makes report to the king, and he agrees with one opin
ion, which is then entered in the council books, with this addition,
" by command of his majesty," The king refused to give his opin
ion, saving, " Let it be done as they determine among themselves."
" But, sire, they are divided." "So let it remain then!" — A strong

344 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782.
ground of suspicion that neither measures nor men are to his
liking, " The king in a pet, his affairs all deranged.
Has at last his unmerciful ministers changed ;
Brave news, quoth the Congress ; but better would be.
Had the king when he changed them omitted the C."
AprU 24:. Admiral Barrington has sent into Portsmouth four
French transports from Brest and a large ship armed enfivte, and
was left chasing four men-of-war near the harbor,
April 25. Adrairal Barrington arrived in harbor with ten
ships of the line and nine transports — French prizes, intended for
the East Indies, with another French ship of sixty-four guns armed
enfiute. May 2, To Westminster Hall ; sat an hour in chancery court,
heard lord chanceUor try three causes; method summary.
May 9. To Chelsea — took tea with Mrs, Tirarains — Robert
Hallowell first acquainted me with Clark Pickman's death,
TO RICHARD WARD, ESQ., SALEM.
London, May 11, 1782,
Dear Sir :
Should your great and good ally obtain the two only very pro
bable objects of her Araerican alliance, the irapoverishraent of
Great Britain and the consequent seizure of the late English colo
nies, which she seems at present in a fair way for, no man on this
side the Atlantic in his wits would, I think, whatever regard he
may feel for his native country, willingly forego a bare subsistence
here for French domination and wooden shoes there. I would
just suggest to you, should America in this hour refuse the offers
Great Britain may make of a separate peace ; or France refuse to
suffer her, (for we well know here the power she has acquired over
her,) and no partition treaty take place, (being in the present situ
ation the best to be expected,) depend upon it, you fathers of the
present age wUl have it in their power ere raany revolutions ofthe
sun, to tell their children the inestiraable civil, religious and pohti
cal privUeges you of this generation have wantoned away, and
with sad regret recount the happy condition of former days ; nor
will the comparison with those you wUl then mournfully experi-

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 345
ence between English protection and French oppression, fail to
enhance your misery. You will then find the little finger of French
power heavier than the loin of the English government, with all its
apprehended train of evUs, As a proof of my needless fears or
right judgment, convey my kind love to your wife and children.
Your friend,
S. Curwen.
TO HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, BRISTOL.
London, May 12, 1782.
Dear Sir :
Confined as I have been, for near two years, to a very narrow
circle without variety, like monotony in music, every thing about
me is become insipid. I am therefore going into a scene of new
objects, and hey for Flanders for a month. Naturalists say change
of air, even frora bad to worse, is good for the health of the body ;
that of the Netherlands must, I think, be certainly salubrious and
nutritive. How happy should I be to have so agreeable a com
panion as Judge Sewall. Who knows what effect a month's resi
dence may produce 1 For my part I fancy my thin lathy body in
that air, and by the use of rich generous Burgundy, etc., procurable
there at a cheap rate, may increase to a manly bulk. My heart
would dilate with pride and pleasure to receive a note of compli
ance with my request — nor should I be displeased if your kinsman
Samuel Sewall should join and make a trio. Please remember me
to your faraUy and those of our countryraen with you with whom
I am acquainted. Very truly yours, S. Curwen.
May 12, It is suggested that the new administration mean to
increase the power of the crown by their projected new militia.
As they have, or one of them at least, deceived the people by fre
quently declaring he had a peace in his pocket, when the event
showed the falsehood of those declarations; should their other pre
tensions prove as futUe and groundless, they will deserve the exe
cration of this and future generations, and will, I hope, raeet a
deserved fate. At best, however, I expect not much good, and
44

346 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782.
think ours an ill-compacted junto of very short duration : their
principles are not uniform nor concurrent.
May 17, At New England Coffee-house heard the glorious
news of Admiral Rodney's defeat and capture of the French Ad
miral de Grasse, with five capital ships, and one sunk. With Mr.
Dalglish to Chelsea CoUege Gardens — thence to Mr, Timmins's to
tea. May 18, Trinquemale, the strongest garrison belonging to
the Dutch, and called the Gibraltar of the East Indies, being the
principal fortress on the island of Ceylon, has been captured by
Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, who was going against another fort,
which he hoped to reduce.
May 23, Dined at New England Coffee-house with New
England company.
May 24, With Mr. Dalglish went to Maddocks the florist's
exhibition of tulips ; he pointed out the bell king and beU queen
stocks, a beautiful and singular plant, which he is unable to in
crease, having derived but one offset in twenty-two years; had
been offered twenty-two guineas for it ; the tints are exquisitely fine.
This day arrived further advice of Sir Samuel Hood's capture
of two more French men-of-war, viz., L'Esprit of eighty guns,
and Philo of seventy-four, and two frigates, the Amiable, thirty-
two apd Ceres eighteen, in the West Indies,
May 25. Loitering through St. James's Park, and seeing
many people collected around the rails of Buckingham House,
stopped to see the Prince of Wales, who soon appeared in a phae
ton with Col. Tarleton, who, I was told, is frequently to be seen
•with him.
June 3, Crossed Westminster bridge to visit Mrs, Hay and
Mr, Dalglish.
June 9. It is reported that the Russian ambassador announced
that the czarina has declared, in case the Dutch refuse the offer
Great Britain has made, which she pronounces liberal, that she
wUl assist the English with her fleet— eighteen for channel service
and twenty against the Dutch.
June 25, To Queen dock, Wapping, to see Capt, Coombs on
board a ship he is appointed to keep guard in; stepped in at long
room, custom-house.

1782,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 347
June 28, To Mark-lane corn market, to inquire for Indian
corn, and was told there had been none for two years. Afterwards
met Mr. Flucker in the Park,' and conversed with him half an hour.
Met T. Goldthwait, and rode with him to Charing Cross ; invited
me to dine at his house, Walthamstow,
June 29, Took a long walk with Mr, Hutchinson. Met a
man with a mug in his hand, which he said was once the famous
Shakspeare's, and that he inherited it frora his wife's father, who was
heir to all Shakspeare's effects, being a descendant from him in the
female line; and that Garrick had offered ten guineas for it
when he celebrated the jubilee at Stratford upon Avon. The Pub
lic Advertiser' to-day says, " Administration have very laudably de
termined on withdrawing their pensions frora the American refu
gees ; so that next year," says the writer, " we raay hope for
some more haymakers than we are able to get for the present har
vest." An ill-natured and I hope untrue declaration.
July 1. Visited Parson Peters ; raeeting there Parson Wiswall,
accompanied him to Battersea bridge, having stepped into Don
Saltero's cafe, Chelsea, and drank tea,
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH.
JVear Brompton Chapel, July 2, 1782,
Dear Sir :
You desire me to be communicative about myself — a poor sub
ject, truly, to write about, I am, however, to thank you for your soli
citude, and at present, as you see by the date, am very near the
house of God, but never enter therein, keeping steady to our con
venticle in Essex-street, Strand, which is my regular and constant
Sunday's resort ; retaining stUl my old New England prejudice of
observing the fourth comraandment. My health is better than
usual, having escaped the epidemic hitherto.
Three days since I received a letter from T. B., wherein he
acquaints me that our friends are well. I presume you have heard
of the death of Judge Lynde and Clark Pickman.
Your townsman Allen is dead, leaving Sir William Pepperell
and George Erving his executors, directing that his remains shall
be removed after the troubles to the vault under King's Chapel,
Boston,

348 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782,
We have an American Thursday dinner club at the New Eng
land Coffee-house, Very truly your friend, S, Curwen,
July 3, Meeting Parson WiswaU, on whose recommendation
I went to Battersea to engage lodgings for a fortnight ; from thence
to his church and attended prayers, where were present nine in the
house exclusive of nine parish boys. From thence we set off by
agreement on a walk to Kingston on the Thames, nine mUes, arri
ving at the " Sun," where took a cold repast, a pottle of straw
berries ; arrived at lodgings before nine o'clock. New arrange-
raent of ministry; Lord Shelbume first commissioner of the
treasury, Earl Temple secretary in lieu of Chs. Jas. Fox, and Mr,
Pitt, a favorite patriotic speaker, in lieu of Lord Shelbume ; Burke
out, and Barre also, with a pension of £3,200 per annum ; Duke
of Manchester lord chamberlain,
July 4. Went to London to the Thursday dinner at New
England Coffee-house.
July 5. Went to Westminster, and in the lobby of the House
of Coraraons heard that Charles J. Fox, Lord John Cavendish,
Edmund Burke, and General Conway, have been dismissed from
the king's service ; the former on account of his speech last
Monday, declaring the independency of America to be agreed on,
which Lord Shelburne denied, having steadily refused his consent
thereto. Lord Rockingham's death, which happened last Monday,
has very probably hastened the present event. Returned as far as
Mr. Elisha Hutchinson's, Brompton, and drank tea with the
family. Jidy 11. Dined as usual at New England fish-club dinner.
The king prorogued Parliament, and made a speech from the
throne in his robes and crown,
July 16. At Parson Peters's met young Parson Clarke, and
observing him speak articulately, and with sorae degree of clear
ness, expressed my surprise ; and inquiring the cause, he told me
his speech came to him on a sudden, and on the very day seven
years that he was first seized with the incapability of uttering
sounds.

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 349
July 21, To Kensington Gardens ; there met Thomas Danforth
and Samuel Porter ; the latter related an account of his voyage to
Oporto. July 22. Went to Claphara Common to dine with Mr. GUbert
Harrison ; Mr. Toulmin and his lady's mother there. Returned
through the fields ; the hedges perfumed by sweet smelling blossoms.
July 25. Had a view of the Duke of Cumberland's sailing
match on the river, from Mr. Hay's summer-house on the bank.
River covered with barges and boats, oars, scullers and sails ; the
duke in his own barge, ensign red, having an anchor and a length
of cable in gold-leaf depicted thereon. A great concourse attended ;
he was in going saluted by a discharge of small cannon ; the
boats departed frora Blackfriars bridge, length of course to Putney
bridge;' premium a silver cup of £50 value.
July 27, Dined at New England Coffee-house on fish in com
pany with Mr, Flucker, Francis Waldo, Mr, Hutchinson, Thomas
Goldthwait, etc,
July 29, Through Hackney to Walthamstow, where dined
with Mr. Goldthwait,
August 3, In passing Bird-cage Walk had a slight glimpse
of Count de Grasse at Sir Peter Parker's window ; he is a stout,
very tall raan.
August 4. At Battersea church ; the vicar, Parson Gardner,
preached. August 21. Wrote Mr. Elisha Hutchinson at Birrainghara,
Afterwards went to Capt. Coombs' at a Mr. Birch's, beyond Folly
Bridge, Dockhead ; on the door of a meeting-house I passed ob
served the following words written in chalk, " We have erred and
strayed." Unless the supporters of the doctrine of necessity, or
even expediency, of a universal conformity to a state estabhshment
of the form of religious worship, can lay its foundation in reason or
a command in holy writ, I defy the ablest disputant to prove rae
or any dissenter in England or elsewhere guilty of a fault in ad
hering to a different mode of external worship, or schism in a bad
sense. On the contrary, all political establishments being tinctured
with the reigning principles of the times when they were founded,
and men's notions and opinions changing with fashions, usages,
customs and language, a continued sameness is utterly impossible ;

350 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782,
the endeavor therefore to corapel raen is offering a violence to the
understanding, and denotes the character called in Scripture the
man of sin, wherever found.
August 28, Over Westrainster Bridge to Mrs, Chapraan's,
Kensington, to visit Mrs. Hay, Mr, Danforth caUed, Drank tea
at Parson Peters's,
August 31, This day the papers announce Prince WUHam
Henry's* death, at New-York, being the second breach in the
royal faraily. Prince Alfred, the youngest, having died last week.
There reraain a dozen, a heavy burden yet on the national finances.
Called on Mr. Danforth, and there met Mr, Brewer, late governor
of Bermuda ; Mr. Danforth is assisting him in preparing his papers
in answer to sixteen allegations or acts of complaint lodged in the
king's council against him.
Sept. 1. Attended worship at St. Martin's; Mr. Harrison
preached to a full assembly. After describing Christian poverty of
spirit, and assigning some reasons why Christ began his first public
discourse by recommending this virtue, he mentioned two sorts of
men who were wholly destitute of it, viz., those Calvinlstlc profes
sors who pretended to a certainty of their salvation, and those who
claimed it as a merit due to their good works ; both of whom he
pronounced deficient in the distinguishing characteristic of Christ's
religion, Sept. 3. Capts. Peters and Walker called and took tea with
me ; the forraer a brother of Parson Sarauel Peters, the latter from
Worcester. Sept. 5. In walking through Parliament-street and seeing
crowds running through Scotland-yard, joined them, and on in
quiry found they were accompanying Parson Lloyd, a clergyman,
returned frora Bow-street Justices' examination to Westminster
Bridewell, from whence he was taken this morning on a complaint
of highway robbery ; and it is said he is Identified. He seemed
hardened, and of a rough, bold cast, and begged with a careless
boldness money of every well dressed person that passed as he was
being conducted to prison in Irons; his right hand being also
chained to an officer's, or one of the justice's raen.
Sept. 6, Called at Mr, Wiswall's to accompany him to Holy-
• Premature— he became king at the decease of his brother George IV.

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 351
well-lane, as far as the gateway of King John's palace, which he
never had seen before,
Sept. 7. Over Westminster Bridge to turnpike head of Kent-
street, designing to go to Edmund's great gardens at Deptford ;
but the tirae being far spent, and they a mUe and a half distant,
I proceeded no further ; and turning my steps homeward, passed
through Kent-street, a long narrow one, of low ordinary houses,
and inhabitants corresponding ; scarcely one reputable person ap
pearing in view.
Sept. 9. To Mr, Edmund's house, the great Deptford gardener,
to see his asparagus lot of forty acres,
Sept. 11, Went with Mr, Peters to Mr. Hunter's seat at Hamp
stead, west end — arrived at one o'clock; kindly welcomed, dined,
drank tea, and departed at six o'clock. Passing through the fields,
arrived at the Edgeware road, where one of the queen's coaches
returning to town received us in.
Sept. 13, Called on Parson Peters, from whom learned more
of the convulsed state of Massachusetts and Connecticut than I had
heard before. The people there are more impatient than elsewhere
under public expenses, and retain raore ofthe old republican leaven ;
but I know not whether they have not more political discernment
and attend more closely to the steps of their rulers ; and in truth
the Bible, the law-book, and the gun, are more used there than in
any part of the English dominions ; therefore more than anywhere
else on the face of the globe — no other country having had so
great a share of political and civil liberty. By the packet from
New-York, Sir William Pepperell here has received a letter from
the Rev, William Walter there, inforraing him that the counties of
Worcester and Hampshire, in the Massachusetts Bay, have declined
sending members to the provincial assembly, and also the payment
of the tax of eight shillings on each head through the United
States, laid by Congress, amounting to four millions of hard dol
lars, and that it had only raised twenty thousand. That the said
counties had sent to know of Sir Guy Carleton on what terms Great
Britain would receive them. Also that courts of justice and all
law proceedings were stopped in Berkshire as well as in Worcester
and Hampshire, a general uneasiness having taken place by the
Congress's requisition to pay the tax in hard money.

352 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782,
It is also reported that Dr. Saunders had received private letters,
acquainting hira that four of the colonies had protested against con
tinuing any longer their French alliance.
Sept. 14. Walked' to Smithfield bars ; saw for the first time
since its demolition old Hlcks's Hall, a few reraains and rubbish
only, leaving road to St. John's-street very coramodious and wide.
Lord Howe sailed with thirty-four ships to the relief of Gibral
tar, Sept. 26. It is announced that a coramission was last Tuesday
perfected under the great seal, empowering General Sir Guy
Carleton and Admiral Digby at New- York to acknowledge
American independence ; and to treat with Congress, or either of
the thirteen states, or any body of raen, A fine bargain, truly, has
this once powerful wealthy state offered to their lately despised
colonies. But human pohcy sometimes overshoots its mark;
huraan wisdom is narrow, and human designs are controlled hy a
wiser director than govern court-cabinet councils, and who acts on
broader plans.
Sept. 30. Went to the city to deliver a letter for conveyance
to Rev, Mr, Peters; from Blackfriars Bridge had a sight of city
barges with flags displayed, rowing down stream ; having the
sheriffs, lord raayor and alderraen returning from Westminster Hall,
the former being this day sworn into office by one of the barons of
the exchequer,
Oct. 4, Advices received at Lord Shelburne's that the siege
of Gibraltar is raised,
Oct. 7. It is reported to-day, that the Spanish floating gun-
batteries had been defeated before Gibraltar ; eleven burnt, sunk,
and destroyed, having one hundred and ninety-three brass cannon
of twenty-four pound shot, besides one hundred and fifty iron, same
calibre ; between fifteen hundred and two thousand men ; it hav
ing been a general assault, begun on St. Louis's day, September
9th, and corapleted 13th ;— three hundred poor souls General Elliot
picked up in the water after the batteries were sunk, and sent them
in the sarae day to their friends and country : this by a letter from
the Hague.

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 353
TO MR. ANDREW DALGLISH, GLASGOW.
London, Oct. 7, 1782.
Dear Sir : ^
In Hampshire government the opposition has been so general
and violent as to require a body of French soldiers to be sent
against them, who, on attempting to reduce the insurgents, were
attacked, and some lives on both sides lost, without accomplishing
the purpose of their errand.* Yet for all this there is not the least
disposition in general, as a state, to accept of the terras Great
Britain has offered without the concurrence of their great and good
ally. On General Carleton's proclamation, the Congress and con
tinental governments declared it insidious, and despised the offer of
independence, which they contemptuously said did not depend on
the consent of Great Britain,
The letter you inquire about was written by Parson Walter,
whom you know very well, and is of the same complexion with all
advices received from that quarter, which, ever since the com
mencement of this quarrel, have been amusing the public with as
surances of a speedy reduction of the rebellion, as they term it ;
florid descriptions of the desperate situation of the rebel army ; the
sufferings of the country, a growing dishke of Congressional
authority, mutual heart-burnings and quarrels amongst its members,
and an increasing affection towards the mother country ; all which
from the first I disbelieved, and it now proves in event, after a
course of six years' delusion, tohave been the phantoms of a heated
party imagination.
I have seen at large a relation of the distresses and inabihty of
the New- York government under the repubhcan rulers, in a repre
sentation made by the House of Assembly to their governraent ; the
picture perhaps may serve for the rest of the colonies. It is the
opinion of some refugees that New-York is by this time evacuated,
and if one may judge from analogy, I think it is not improbable ;
for there never was a time when government had so fair a prospect
of overturning that mighty colossus of independency as now : —
their distresses never greater, their resources exhausted, loans not
to be obtained, French troops few in number, and their own army
* Wholly incorrect.
45

354 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782.
dwindled to a pitiful size ; but the die is cast, and as the same Ul
star which has had the ascendant ever since this baneful quarrel
comraenced stUl continues to shed its malignant influence, govern
ment l^as formaUy offered America unconditional independency
under the royal sign manual. Gen, Carieton writes that the colo
nies are so determined against all governmental connections with
Great Britain, that if they cannot maintain their independency, they
wUl declare theraselves colonies of France, and if they must he
slaves they will take a new yoke, however galling, rather than put
on the old one ; this, by the way, is carrying political resentment
to the highest pitch of folly and frenzy. Very truly your friend,
S, Curwen,
Oct. 9. This day, for sundry reasons, ought to be inserted in
the very short list of dies albi, (white days,) which I note, that on
inspection I may refresh ray memory with a pleasing recoUection
amidst the gloom, that from a constrained absence from my native
country but too generally overspreads ray grief-laden raind,
Oct. 11, Attended Mayne the banker's sale of goods, and also
Beranger's, late gentleraan of the horse to his raajesty ; bought
nothing ; things well sold. Mr, William Clarke drank tea with me.
Oct. 15, I am told by Mr. Rose no orders are to be delivered
till the comraissloners, consisting of two members of parliament,
Mr, Coke and Mr. Wilraot, have examined the refugee clalmers
and their claims ; that it may require more than a month's time.
Proceeded to Oxford-street to pay Mr, Danforth a visit ; whUst
there Mr. Hale entered. Met in streets many returning from an
execution of ten felons at Tyburn.
Oct. 16, In conversation with a gentleman at an ordinary, I
observed in him the prevailing characteristic infirmity of this
nation, rendering them both envied and hated by Europe, viz., an
overweening conceit of English bravery, accompanied with a con
tempt for other nations ; which in this day of their distress they
now feel the sad effects of, in the cool indifference the other states
view her embarrassments, though without producing a reformation
as far as I can perceive. It Is generally believed the French and
Spaniards will retire from before Gibraltar on the approach of the

1782,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 355
fleet under Lord Howe ; in case of reverse, I know not what rage,
disappointraent, and despair might be the natural effects ; the
political evils are too obvious not to be seen and dreaded,
Oct. 17, It is reported the Bavarian resident minister has
received the following important advices, viz., that Lord Howe has
had an engagement with the combined fleets ; taken twelve and de
stroyed seven, with the loss of four or five of his own ships ; all
taken are Spanish, not a French one araong them ; they retreated
into Cadiz harbor, and he pursued his course to Gibraltar, which
is thereby relieved, being the great object of his voyage,
A few hours after, the above was followed by another, viz., —
that Lord Howe in defence of Gibraltar had surrendered to the
successful arras of the combined fleet.
By Captain Affllck from New-York, is arrived a confirmation
of the loss of the French seventy-four, the Magnifique, with the
Triuraphante of eighty guns frora the West Indies under Vaudreuil,
bound to Boston ; the one foundered, the other ran ashore at Point
Alderton ; also the loss of the British ship Lion of sixty-four guns
on her passage to New- York, 'Tis said also transports are gone
from New-York to take off the troops, etc., from Charleston, and
that they are also abandoning New-York ; governraent being in
that case determined to take away every difficulty respecting Ame
rican independence, to bring on a treaty for a general peace,
Oct. 18. Passing through Tooley-street in the Borough, ob
served the name of Southernwood on a door ; having knowledge of
one of that narae in ray first voyage to London in 1738, I am
determined to call and make inquiry about the famUy of Cottenbilt,
with whom I then lived,
Oct. 19. Went on a visit to Mr. Danforth ; acquainted him
with Mr. and Mrs. Hay's corapliraents and Invitation to dinner to
morrow with me at their house No. 4 Golden-square ; staid tUl
eight, Oct. 23, To Treasury ; gave a card with my name and ad
dress to a Mr. Allen, clerk to Mr, Townshend, one ofthe secretaries
of state, agreeably to an order, to be questioned as to my claims as
a refugee for support ; the value of my estate and effects left
behind, losses sustained, etc. etc,
Oct. 25. Went at eleven o'clock, in comphance with a sum-

356 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782.
mons from Messrs. WUmot and Cooke, (raerabers of Parhament,
chosen by the lords of the treasury to examine the claims of the
American sufferers, state their claims and produce vouchers,) to
attend them at the American secretary's office. Treasury-house,
Whitehall. Was examined and dismissed, after being directed to
bring a certificate of my being a person of property, and of steady
uniform attachment to principles of loyalty, which I propose to
bring from the late provincial secretary, Mr, Flucker.
Oct. 26. Drank tea at Sarauel H, Sparhawk's, Bedford-court,
Red-Lion square, and remained tUl nine o'clock,
Oct. 28. Passed afternoon and evening at Mr. Danforth's,
who assisted me in drawing up my certificate to present to the
commissioners. In the evening Dr, Jeffries, a brother exile, called
in and announced the arrival of an express with advice that Lord
Howe is relieving Gibraltar; the French and Spanish looking
on him from Algeziras bay without even attempting to loose ground
and meet him ; an apparent proof that with fifty-one capital ships
they thought themselves unequal to his fleet of thirty-four. It is
likewise added, that the Spaniards by the late high wind have lost
three ships.
Oct. 29. Went to Mr. Flucker's with the following certificate
for his signature, viz. : — " General Gage and Governor Oliver
being absent frora London, we, the subscribers, do certify that
Samuel Curwen, Esq., late of Salera, in the province of Massa
chusetts Bay, is descended from an ancient and respectable family
in said province. That he has been a deputy Judge of Admiralty
and Provincial Impost Officer, and for near thirty years in the com
mission of the peace for the county of Essex ; had always mam-
tained a most respectable character, and was early distinguished
for his attachment to the established constitution of the province,
and its dependence on and subordination to the authority of the
king of Great Britain, and was esteemed a gentleman of consider
able property and fortune."
Called in the afternoon and received my certificate, signed,
« Thomas Flucker, secretary of the province of Massachusetts Bay."
While there, joined by Col, Morrow, just arrived from Cowbridge,
in Wales, on a like errand.
Oct. 31, Called at Mr, Timmins's; .he was engaged in pack-

1782,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 357
ing up his goods in order to remove to Wolverhampton, where he
is about commencing business.
Jfm. 1. To Pimlico, where took tea with Parson Peters,
JVov. 2. Reported that Lord Howe has had an engagement
with the combined fleet, and has defeated and dispersed it.
JVov. 8, Saw in ray landlord's parlor the poorest nobleraan I
believe in the three kingdoras, a Lord Kirkcudbright, brought up a
glover, and who for years worked at this trade in Glasgow ; he is
now a captain in the king's guards. Passing a coach, I observed
its number 1000, the highest number licensed,
JVov. 11. Received my order for quarter's pension of £25 ;
the first given to any refugee on the new establishment of no de
duction to the officer of commissions.
JVov. 25, Cold air ; St, James's canal frozen hard enough to
bear skating on.
JVov. 26. The meeting of Parliament summoned for to-day is
postponed to Thursday 5th proximo, in expectation that the com
missioners at Paris may by that time come to their ultimate deter
mination about peace or war ; or on the preliminaries whereon a
peace is to be founded, France and Holland fancy they see too
well the probable consequences of prolonging the war, to accept the
terms proposed ; presuming in the issue Great Britain must accede
to what they shall demand, and who does not 1 None, I dare say,
but those who will not, and only such are blind.
JVov. 27. Newspapers filled with contradictory reports about
peace ; all dread a continuance of this nefarious, ill-omened, ill-
judged, distracted quarrel,
JVov. 30, Dined and passed the day at Capt. Hay's. Mrs. Chap
man, with whom these my friends board at Kensington Common,
near Vauxhall Gardens, says that the famous Sterne, author of
" Tristram Shandy," " Sentimental Journey," etc., was totally void
of the fine feehngs of humanity, which he so beautifully paints, and
are characteristics of his writings, which in respect thereto show him
to be an original genius ; and but ill discharged the various relative
duties of life ; one instance only excepted, which was an immoderate
fondness of an only daughter. As a proof among others, he suffered
an aged mother, which but for the proof of it is hardly to be credited,
to die in a jail for want of money to discharge a debt of twenty

358 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782.
pounds. The public ought to know the character of a writer who
so Ul in practice exemplified what his pen so justly and beautifully
describes. This was told her by a very intimate acquaintance of
Sterne, who was personally informed of his whole history,
Dec. 3. Yesterday Vergennes' secretary brought notice that
the commissioners appointed by Great Britain and the thirteen
United States, had signed a provisional treaty, whereupon stocks
rose five per cent. The foUowing letter was published :
Whitehall, Dec. 3, 1782,
The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor :
In consequence of my letter to your lordship of the 22d ult, I
take the earhest opportunity of acquainting you that a messenger
is this moment arrived from Paris with an account of provisional
articles having been signed on the 30th ult., by his majesty's com
missioners and the commissioners of the United States of America,
to be inserted in and constitute a treaty of peace, which is to be
concluded when terms of a peace shall be agreed upon between
Great Britain and France, I am, etc,
I, Townshend,
Dec. 4. Called on Mr. Heard at Herald's office; there learned,
in a conversation with a Mr, Webb, of seeraing great political
knowledge, that at the tirae the House of Commons left the late
administration in a minority, or in other words, refused to support
Lord North's measures, the king took it to heart, and resented it so
far as to declare he would leave them (as he expressed it) to them
selves, and go over to Hanover, from whence his faraUy came, and
proceeded so far as to order the adrainistration to provide two yachts
to transport himself there ; whereupon the queen interfered, and
remonstrated against such a desperate measure, so fatal to her and
his family, as well as his own personal interest. Others, too, repre
sented the distressful condition to which the nation would be re
duced by the absence and want of royal authority, though it
seemed to little effect, so sadly chagrined and provoked was he.
Lord Rockingham also joined the remonstrants, and showed
the necessity of a change of men and measures, with no better

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 359
success ; — so naturally obstinate and pertinaciously bent was he on
his favorite plan of subjugating his (here called) rebellious subjects
in Araerica, and bringing them to his feet, till he was told that as
sure as he set his foot out of the kingdom, the parhament would
declare the crown abdicated and the throne vacant, nor would he
ever be permitted to re-enter the kingdom again, — which argu
ment, it seems, brought hira to a more cool and juster sight of the
folly of such a step, and the absolute necessity of stooping to a
compliance with the requisitions of the public, I do not pretend
to indicate the measures of opposition, but a more unsuccessful ad
ministration, from whatever cause it proceeded, which time will
satisfactorily perhaps explain, was never before engaged to promote
royal designs. What may be the condition of Great Britain and
America at the period of the present distressful war, God knows ;
for my own part, I tremble at the event, as desirable as it may be,
for I can view neither country without the most fearful apprehen
sions of dreadful distresses ; whoever began and voluntarUy con
tinued this unreasonable, pernicious dispute, does and will deserve
the execration of this and future ages, and in the language of
****," The child wUl rue, that is yet unborn, the fatal mea
sures of Lord North's administration,"
Dec. 5. The king delivered his speech from the throne, I
went to see him robe and sit on the throne at the House of Lords ;
he was clothed in green laced with gold when he came, and when
he went, in red laced ; it being the custom to change his garments.
The tail of his wig was in a broad, flowing, loose manner ; called
the coronation tail. His abode in the lords' chamber scarce ex
ceeded half an hour, in which he read his speech of eleven pages.
As one proof among many that might be given of the restraint
and disguise of real sentiments on the part of courtiers, from the
highest character in the presence chamber to the lowest lounger
and attendant at ministerial levees, take the following : — When the
king found himself obliged to take new ministers, and give up Lord
North and his associates, it is notorious that it was abhorrent to the
royal mind, and being naturally of a pertinacious, obstinate temper,
was with the utmost difficulty brought to yield a reluctant consent.
On the first court day after the appointment, when he was in a
manner forced out of his closet into the room of audience, he re-

360 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782.
ceived his new servants with a smUe, and transacted business with
them afterwards with as much seeming cordiality and openness, as
if they had been in his favor, and in his most intiraate conceits; so
seeraingly satisfied and so serene was the royal countenance, that
aU the newspapers sounded forth the gracious monarch's obhglng,
condescending goodness to the public wishes, though nothing was
farther frora his heart, had not the necessity of his affairs impeUed
him thereto. At the same time coming up to Mr, WUkes, he said
he was glad of the opportunity to thank him for his very proper
and laudable behavior in the late riot; took notice of his looks,
which indicated a want of health, advised him to a country air and
exercise, which, said his majesty, I find by experience an excellent
expedient to procure and preserve health ; all this with the same
apparent sincerity, as if they had been in a continued course of
paying and receiving compliraents, congratulations, and acknow
ledgments for mutual kindnesses and good offices, though all the
world knows there was not a man in the three kingdoms more
thoroughly hated, nor whom he had taken a more foolish and un
necessary pains to ruin. The above-mentioned interview being
told of in company, Mr, Wilkes took occasion to remark in the
following words : — " To have heard the king, one would have
thought I was consulting a quack on the score of my health,"
Dec. 6, Read the king's speech, declaring his offer of inde
pendency to America, and his hopes soon of a general peace,
Dec. 16, Received from a Cumberlander a note informing me
of Miss Curwen, an heiress of said county, having married with a
Mr, Christian, possessing a small estate adjoining her large one.
Dec. 17. Dined at Capt. Hay's, with Mr. Danforth and a Mr.
Burges, a warm opposer of Araerican independence, who asserted
that a great raajority of his countrymen (English) abhor the idea,
(which Mr. Danforth silently controverts,) declaring they will for
cibly oppose the plan ; thinks the minister who attempts it deserves
the gallows, and wUl join in bringing him to it ; with this reserve
only, should Lord North and a great majority of the parliament co
incide, then it would be proper for the nation to acquiesce; he
also declared his abhorrence of the successors of Lord North and
his associates, Dec. 20. Went to general court martial at the Horse Guards,

1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 361
on General Murray, and abode in the crowd two hours, till adjourn
ment at three o'clock ; in the course of the trial, a witness in favor
of the impeached had been several times called for on account of
some privateers he was accused of being concerned in, particularly
the Hannah, afterwards bought for government service. Sir Wil
liam Draper proposed that the witness should be asked whether
Gen, Murray had received any profits on the sale of prize goods ;
the demand threw Gen. Murray into an apparent embarrassment,
and cast a concern on his face, to rae very plainly to be seen ; but
his witness, Neal, with an unblushing, unembarrassed, brazen
countenance, relieved his friend by giving a direct negative. Sir
William, expressing great astonishment, turning to him asked,
" Do you, upon your oath, say that you do not know that General
Murray had any profits arising from the sale of prize goods ?"
The witness repeatedly said he did not know he had, which seeraed
to put Sir William into an agitation. This thorough-paced witness
appeared determined not to do his work by halves. I know not
what effect a true answer to the question would have had, but it
seeras it might have led to an inquiry which the general would,
perhaps, be glad to prevent,
Dec. 21, At court-martial, and in the course of this day's evi
dence, it appears that Sir Wm. Draper catches hold of every cir
cumstance that can possibly admit ofthe least complaints ; and what
man's conduct, who is possessed of discretionary powers, does not ;
at least, it appears General Murray has not acted a base, rapacious
part, nor tyrannical ; at least, not seemingly beyond the limits of
his written commissions as governor and vice-admiral of the island
and its dependencies— prudently saving appearances. In the issue,
by the complexion of facts at this stage, not to anticipate, I fancy
he may acquit himself, if not with great honor, at least without
blame : nor perhaps may Sir William incur the disgraceful blame
of Admiral Keppel's accuser. Sir Hugh PaUiser. Though the
prosecution of both really proceeded from the same cause, a real
dislike ; the accusers of each, in other respects, stand under very
different predicaments.
Dec. 23. Two hours at the Horse Guards at General Murray's
trial; letters between the parties were read that manifested suffi
ciently mutual heart-burnings and antipathies.
46

362 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1782,
Dec. 28, The papers announce the refugees forsaken or neg
lected by Lord Shelburne and his compeers ; the gratitude of courts
ought to be reckoned araong the nonentities of Lord Rochester's
list For my own part, I ara too far down the hill of life to be
much distressed at the events of a peace with America on any terms,
or continued war — let the younger look to it This day completes
my sixty-seventh year ; with more propriety than Jacob, I may
truly say, " Few and evU have been the days of the years of my
life." God best knows when a period will be put to them ; its
suddenness I deprecate not — may I not be unprepared for the event
Dec. 31, Walked in the Park with Robert Lechmere, Capt
Coombs took tea with me, and Mr, Wiswall called.

1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 363

CHAPTER XVII,
London, Jan. 6, 1783. Walked for two hours in the Park ;
saw Lord Shelburne for the first tirae to my knowledge. He is cf
a middling size and well set ; walks strong and springy ; his dress
a brown frock and boots, with a whip In his hand.
Jan. 7. On an inquiry concerning Mr. Cottenbilt, I find he
died about six years since, and his wife about twenty : two daugh
ters, six and seven years old when I lodged with them in Whale
bone-court, in 1738, are now living and widows, one at Enfield,
and the other in Holland.
Jan. 9, Walked to Brompton ; visited Mr. Hutchinson ; drank
tea and passed the evening with Mr, Danforth in phUosophical
conversation, Jan. 17, Met my former townsman and neighbor, George
Deblois, in Cheapside, whom I have not seen for more than seven
years ; gave him my address,
Jan. 21, In passing along Parliament-street, saw a long fu
neral procession, say fifty carriages ; on inquiry, found it was an
officer named Townshend, who had served in America,
Jan. 23. Advices have arrived that the British troops have left
Charleston and arrived at New- York ; and yesterday the Coraraons
completely liberated Ireland from its oppressive thraldom, to which
it has been subject to the king and his ministers for many years.
Jan. 24, This day strong reports that preliminaries of peace
are signed. It is said great sacrifices are to be made by the
British in the east ; if that be all, it wUl be weU, Lord Grant
ham, one ofthe secretaries of state, acquainted the lord mayor that
the preliminaries were signed ; this is a matter of joy to all well
disposed to the true interest of their country. It is said to be a much
more favorable peace than, all things considered, could be expected,
Jan. 25. George Deblois and Capt Coombs took tea with me
and passed the evening.
Jan. 28, Mr. Danforth told me of a meeting of Massachusetts

364 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1783,
refugees at Sir WiUiam Pepperell's, to deliberate on what may be
proper to be done respecting an application. Meeting adjourned
till Saturday next at same place,
Jan. 29. At king's bench, Westminster Hall ; heard a judg
ment on a point of law respecting the license of a dissenting
meeting-house, given against the justices, who endeavored to avaU
themselves of a subterfuge to avoid granting it ; wherein Lord
Mansfield spoke sharply to the counsel for the justices. Afternoon
at New England Coffee-house, reading the preliminaries of peace,
which I confess astonish me : — a tract equal to half of Europe is
surrendered. Jan, 30. King Charles's Day. Attended service at Westmin
ster Abbey ; a considerable throng of fellow-worshippers in the
great aisle of the choir ; my station or seat was in the prebend's
stall. Dr, Bagot, the lately elected bishop of Bristol, of a most
diminutive size, preached a loyal court sermon, giving the Church
of England's styled loyal martyr a most exalted character ; which
if just, that unhappy prince has been sadly misrepresented. He
did not, however, descend to scurriUlties or abuse ; thorough-paced
in hierarchical principles, but not intolerant,
Feb. 1. Attended a meeting of refugees at Sir WiUiam Pep
perell's house, Wimpole-street, to consider of somewhat to be done
respecting an application to Parliament, if agreeable to administra
tion. Chose Sir WUliam Pepperell agent to inquire of Mr.
Secretary Townshend and Lord Shelburne, first lord of the treasury,
if this course is acceptable to them.
Lord North approves of it, and advises all the colonies to unite
together. Broke up at three o'clock ; number present thirty-three
— being all or nearly all in town that had received treasury aUow-
ances. Feb. 3, Met my countryman Mr, John PoweU, from Ludlow ;
also met Mr. De Berdt, whom I had not seen for seven years ; he
having resided in the country since his marriage, six years ago.
Agreed to dine with him to-morrow. My townsman, Samuel
Porter, also came to see me ; neither tirae, cliraate, change of place
or circumstances wiU ever alter this man's character ; I never knew
one whose characteristic qualities are so deeply impressed as his,
Feb. 5, Attended the adjournment of the Massachusetts refu-

1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 365
gees at' Turk's Head, Gerard-street, Soho ; when Sir William
Pepperell reported that Lord Shelbume, by Mr, Secretary Towns
hend, thought the present an improper time to present a petition to
Parliament We enlarged his powers, etc, and after much con
versation on sundry particulars adjourned to next Saturday week
at same place. Thirty present,
Feb. 7. By the papers of this day it appears that the ratifica
tion of the preliminaries was signed by the French king on the
3d instant, and are arrived here as soon as corapleted. The part
of France received by Mr, Fitzherbert and forwarded. The Dutch
have not yet acceded. An arraistice or cessation of hostility by sea
agreed on between us.
Feb. 11. Informed that Sir William Pepperell has sumraoned
a part of the Massachusetts refugees to meet at " Turk's-Head" for
a special occasion : — called at the Treasury, was inforraed that a
board would be held this week, and the commissioners' report
acted on, and orders respecting the Americans given out,
Feb. 13. N6tified to attend a meeting of refugees — voted to
empower Sir Wm. Pepperell to join in a petition to Parliaraent
malgre d^ ministre d'etat, (in spite ofthe minister of state.)
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. London, Feb. 11, 1783,
Dear Sir :
Perhaps it may not be unpleasing to you to be made acquainted
that the refugees from the province of Massachusetts Bay, under
the denomination of loyalists, to the number of thirty- three, met at
Sir William Pepperell's to consult about the choice of an agent to
confer with the agents of the other provinces, in order to form a
plan for addressing, remonstrating, or petitioning Parhament ; but
whether of the three I am ignorant, though present at the choice,
which by an unanimous vote fell on Sir William ; — and also <to re
ceive a report from him of Mr, Secretary Townshend's answer
respecting Lord Shelburne's approbation or disapprobation, without
the former it being judged improper to proceed, Mr. Townshend
excused himself to Sir WiUiam for not having applied to Lord
Shelburne, by pleading business, but promised to call on him the
next day, etc, if practicable, and thus the affair stood tiU the 5th

366 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [178-3,
inst, to which time the raeeting was adjourned, when Sir WUliam
reported that Lord Shelburne thought the present an improper time
to present a petition to Pariiament Since the meeting I find there
are those averse to all measures at present, and amongst others [
confess myself a dissentient for the following reason : the king
having taken the refugees under his care by recommending their
case to the consideration of Parliaraent
Expectation is on tiptoe respecting the result of the commis
sioners, Wilmot and Coke, chosen by the lords of the treasury to
examine, settle, adjust and proportion the claims and allowances of
the refugees, who have been and are on the list of grantees —
before whom we in that class have been. Some are apprehensive
of a retrenchment ; some have too much reason to fear a total ex
cision ; very few, indeed, have hopes of an addition. It is reported
and expected that the petitioners who hitherto have had no allow
ances, will be soon called before them to show the grounds of their
pretences to governmental charity, when probably some pittance
wUl be granted. The salaries of all the officers Ainder the crown
in the thirteen United States have been for sorae tirae past struck
off; and part to some will be given under the same denomination
with us, who have held none before. Judge Auchmuty of Boston
has for these several months been annihUated, and reduced to the
condition of a humble petitioner for a hundred pounds.
Sir William finding his powers too limited, they were enlarged,
and he is now empowered to consult and act in all cases in con
junction with the agents from the other provinces, giving his
private word not to lake any important step without consulting his
constituents ; which precaution was universally thought necessary,
as Joseph Galloway is suspected of sinister designs.
It is said that they are making great retrenchments in offices
and officers' salaries and fees. Think you while this spirit lasts, we
useless, burdensome aliens shall escape untouched ? that we dogs
shall be longer suffered to take the bread out of theii own chil
dren's mouths 1 I trow not.
I fancy you wonder at the terms granted America, as all the
world does ; but perhaps it may abate when you shall be told the
agent Mr, Oswald is eighty-two years old, has been a correspond
ent of Congress, and is a very particular friend of Mr, Laurens,

1783,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 367
As Americans wiU have a right by treaty to navigate the lakes
to and frora the ocean, and alraost the whole of the country where
furs are taken lies within the territories, it will be well if Great
Britain gets any supply of that coraraodlty but from the high
mightinesses of America, Whether our rulers had any, and what
concealed purpose in this American treaty, I have not penetration
enough to discover ; that it proceeded from ignorance is hardly
supposable, if from inattention, unpardonable ; and I confess the
last most likely ; for had the wish of administration been ever so
violent to comproraise at all events raatters with America, it is not
supposable she would ultimately have insisted on such immeasura
ble tracts, which far exceed all Europe in extent. But it is now
irrecoverable ; the die is cast — the ratification completed here and
sent to France, and on the 3d was ratified there and exchanged.
That a peace was necessary, all moderate men allow, and most,
that in all other respects saving America it is as favorable as could
have been expected ; in my mind better, I think our enemies
have shown laudable moderation. With great regard,
S, Curwen,
TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH,
London, Feb. 14, 1783,
Dear Sir :
In a letter I received yesterday from my friend William Pyn
chon, Esq. of Salem, is the following : — " Capt. John Derby will
most willingly accommodate any of his countrymen who may wish
to return with him," Capt Derby, in a large ship of his brother's,
is now at Nantz, to return in a month ; which is encouraging to
all not under the ban of the states, and I am told their prejudices
are surprisingly abated, and there seeras a disposition to forget past
animosities and kindly receive all the fugitives.
*******
This day I went to the Treasury to inquire about my allowance,
and to my comfort found it stood as at first, A few are raised,
sorae struck off, more lessened. Of those that have corae to my
knowledge. Gov, Oliver's is lessened £100, out of £300 ; Mr,
WUliams, who has married a fortune here, is struck off; Harrison

368 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. ' [1783.
Gray, with a wife and two chUdren, struck off; his brother Lewis
lessened to £50 ; D, IngersoU reduced from £200 to £100; Sam
uel H, Sparhawk from £150 to £80; Benjamin Gridley from
£150 to £100; Thomas Danforth's, Samuel SewaU's, Samuel
Porter's, Peter Johonnot's, G. Brinley's, Edward Oxnard's and
mine, continue as at first ; Chandler's raised £50 ; Samuel Fitch's
£20 ; Col, Morrow's £50 ; one whose name I forget is siink from
£100 to £30 ; and many naraes and sums totally forgotten. On
the whole, it is said the sum paid last year to refugees, amounting
to near £80,000, is now shrunk by the late reform to £38,000 ;
and if the commissioners act on the same frugal plan respecting the
petitioners whose cases will probably soon be considered, I very
much doubt whether the sum of last year's expenditure under this
head, including all their additional allowances, will not exceed
this year's.
This is the great, the important day on which the prelimina
ries are to undergo a most critical and severe discussion, and wUl
determine the fate of Lord Shelburne's administration ; news un
luckily for it has arrived, that the government of Virgmia has
declared they will pay no regard to any remonstrance, or request,
or requisition respecting refugees, which manifests the fatality of
the preliminary article recommending the same.
Your faithful friend, S, Curwen,
Feb. 17, Mr, Flucker died suddenly in his bed yesterday morn
ing, and is the forty-fifth of the refugees from Massachusetts within
my knowledge, that have died in England, He was secretary of
state for Massachusetts,
Feb. 18, Mr. Deblois told me that Virginia had expressly de
clared they would not regard any remonstrance, requisition, or
request of Congress respecting the loyalists of their province, as the
fifth preliminary article between Great Britain and America stipu
lates : the fatality of which was visible enough before this proof.
It is likely the rest ofthe states wiU copy so laudable an example,
and exhibit thereby to the worid a specimen of their power, want
of virtue, moderation, and disregard to the principles of humanity.
Shame to Great Britain that these unhappy persons stand in need
of a recomraendation promising such smaU efficacy— a striking les-

1783,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 369
son to future generations never to support the reins of government
against the determined resolution of a very nuraerous people. The
House of Commons did not rise till seven o'clock this morning ;
being engaged in debate on preliminary articles of peace, and pro
visional articles between Great Britain and America. The magni
tude and importance of the subject deeply employs the attention
not only of the managers, but the public universally^ who are all
ears for the result. Lord Shelburne and administration are left in a
minority by sixteen in the Commons, In the House of Lords strong
opposition to the terms of peace, English pride cannot brook to
receive the dictates of a conqueror,
Feb. 19, Evening at Dr. Graham's lecture on health, in his
" Temple of Health," in Pall Mall, near St, James's, The first room
entered was properly a vestibule, from whence through folding
doors one passes into the apartment holding the electric bed, about
seven feet square, raised three feet from the floor ; over the frame
at the head are fixed two balls gUded of four inches diameter and
one inch apart, to receive the electric spark from the machine
above, continued down in a glass tube through the floor. Passing
this, you enter the room of Apollo, through a narrow entry, having
on each hand two or three niches containing statues gUded, about
half the natural size. The first object that meets the eye is the
temple of Apollo, being a round cupola five feet in diameter,
supported by six fluted pillars of the Corinthian order and eight
feet high, in imitation of scagliola ; in the centre stands a tri-
podal frame with concave sides, on which rests in each angle a
lion couchant, supporting a long frame for the branch of six or
eight lamps, adorned (or rather overcharged) with crystals, whose
tremulous motion by the company's walking adds great brilliancy
to the appearance, the walls all around having many branches
with three candles each, besides two more large central branches,
suspended by gilt chains from the ceUing, The decorations in the
frippery kind are in great profusion in this as well as in the other
room, consisting of glass in various forms and sizes, inlaid and
hanging — many gilt statues of ApoUo, Venus, Hercules, Escula
pius, etc, besides a few pictures. The master discovered a ready
elocution, great medical knowledge, and appeared well qualified to
support the character he assumes. 47

370 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1783.
March 4, CaUed at G, Deblois's lodgings, and found that he
saUed for Halifax on the 1st, Met Capt, Coombs, who informed
me that Mr, Rowe at Treasury was drawing our pensions ; hast
ened and received ray order,
March 7. Governraent unsettled. Old adrainistration out, no
successors agreed on. Lord Gower has been solicited by the king ,
to accept the premiership, or to be first lord of the treasury— the
lord chancellor and Charles Jenkinson are of the interior cabinet
It is said the king has scarce eaten these two days, and is violently
reluctant to take Charles J. Fox into his counsels ; and the party
wherein he is engaged is by far the most powerful, to which Lord
North has lately aUied himself; to separate which hasbeen the
king's endeavor, but it seems without success. It is generaUy
thought the king must at length yield. He wUl have to adopt the
whole Rockingham party, or suffer the wheels of government to
stop tUl Parliament remonstrate, which it soon must if the arrange
ment is not immediately made, all national business being at a
stand, March 15. Administration not fully settled ; the king claim
ing the right of filling up vacancies in the cabinet in case of death
or removal, and the new administration demanding to have none
added but by their consent, that there may be no jarring among
themselves ; and they will not act till this be settled.
Mar^h 17, Visited Mr. Richard Clarke — thence to the Treas
ury to inquire when the commissioners were to meet again, and
meeting Mr. AUeyn, a clerk, was informed about Mrs. Gen. Wins-
low's* allowance; finding a mistake had been made by Mr. Rowe
to her prejudice, I proceeded to inform her brother Clark of it, and
from thence to her own lodgings ; she being absent I returned, and
stopping at her sister Deblois's, found her there, and rejoiced her
heart by acquainting her that her allowance stood as at first grant
ed, and received her thanks.
March 19. Walked to Park, Meeting Mr. Thomas Hutchin
son, joined and accompanied hira to Hyde Park corner ; he ac-
cuainted me that Col. Phips, who is just arrived, relates that,
during his captivity at Boston he was civilly treated by aU ranks,
• Lady of Gen. John Winslow of Marshfield, a refugee.

1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 871
and although obliged to reside at Cambridge, the state forbidding
strangers a residence at Boston, he could easily obtain leave to visit
there in the daytime.
TO ANDREW DALGLISH, ESQ., GLASGOW.
London, March 17, 1783.
Dear Sir :
My design herein is to give you my crude, and ask in return
your better digested thoughts, on the present critical situation of
Great Britain and the States of North America, However exult
ing they may feel in this first hour of their deliverance from British
governmental authority, they have in my poor opinion an immeas
urable distance of road to travel over, intercepted with bogs, preci
pices, cloud-topped, scraggy mountains and deep valleys, before
they will be able to arrive at an improvable champaign country,
where ease, plenty and content are to be found : — in other words,
that country abounds in lawless, ungovernable subjects, disposed,
however, to imitate the vices, follies and luxurious fashions of
wealthy states, with comparatively little running cash, imraense
debts, no funds established, and perraanent and powerful creditors
to account with, I was yesterday told by Mr, R. Clarke that
Massachusetts was answerable for a yearly interest of twenty thou
sand sterling due for a loan. We are at this period in this country
in a kind of anarchy ; no settled administration, the most import
ant national concerns neglected or delayed.
The Rocklnghara party is, evidently, the most numerous, and
therefore raost powerful, and since the coalition between the man
of prerogative and the raan ofthe people, the latter, very justly so
styled, can carry all before him. The great obstacle, however, to
a full establishment of the cabinet is, it seems, whether the present
lord chancellor and Lord Stormont shall be of it ; which the king
insists upon, designing them, if he can prevaU to bring thera in, as
checks on the rest, these two being professed abhorrers of the pres
ent designs of the embryo administration. The other point is the
king's right to fill up vacancies that may happen by death or
removal, which is refused him, saying they will have none but
those in whom they can confide. If the king gains his point, af
fairs will go on in the old channel, and there wUl be no reform ; if

372 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783.
he yields, he wiU scarcely be more than a doge of Venice, and the
cabinet wiU rule and possess the whole power of the state.
Respecting the pubhc, it seems to be of no importance who is in
or who Is out ; aU are in pursuit of one plan invariably to the neglect
of the general welfare, or more properly at the expense of it. In
this inter-reign Lord Shelburne sits and acts in the treasury, and Mr. ,
Pitt as chancellor of the exchequer : — as to the character of the for
mer, though I profess no veneration for him, yet, as an active minister
at the head of affairs, whether the public could, in this crisis, have
been better served, is a doubt in my mind, notwithstanding the
clamor raised by the newspaper writers. I fancy if you wUl read
his speech of the 14th. February, and that published in the Ad
vertiser of this day, you will see more reasons for the minister's
justification than disappointed pride, private interest, personal dis
like and party rage wUl allow ; but when one reflects on the al
most universal cry of the nation for peace ; the act of the legislature
last session, wherein the independence, the only bone of contention,
was as good as given up, and the king almost commanded to put
an end to the war in America ; the insupportable load of the na
tional debt, and without some capital reform, which in a time of
war is utterly impracticable, will in the event prove so; the ruin
ous prospects from a decided superiority in the East and West
Indies, which would have enabled our proud, revengeful enemies
to require much more humiliating demands than the present terms ;
one would think the nation should rather rejoice to have escaped
so dreadful a catastrophe as a continuance most probably might
have brought on, and be thankful our enemies were inspired with
such a moderate spirit. It is not to be conceived that proud, stub-
born,successfuleneraies,just on the eve of obtaining the long wished
object of their ambition, would be persuaded to relinquish aU the
advantages gained in war without any compensation. The great
moderation of the French court under such advantao-eous circum-
stances as they now confessedly are, was shown before parties ap
peared so prominent ; but Britons, unused to receive the law, cannot
without hard struggles submit — time and cool reflection will clearly
manifest the wisdom of the act of last session, and if that be ac
knowledged, the conduct of the late administration, meaning Lord
Shelburne and his associates, must of consequence be approved.

1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 373
Before the preliminaries are ratified or hostUities ceased in the '
channel, an Araerican ship laden with oU, with her thirteen stripes
flying, carae into the river from Nantucket by way of Ostend, and
our London traders were but little less in a hurry ; for within a few
days after the prehminaries were published, ten or twelve vessels
were posted up in the coffee-houses, advertising for freights to
New- York and Boston, Nor, indeed, does government seem rauch
less precipitate, for a commercial treaty act is now under consider
ation of a committee of the whole house, and will probably in a
few days be ready for the royal signature. The loyalists have been
for these two months very deeply engaged in forming plans to
counterbalance the dreadful evils consequent on ministerial neglect
in the late treaty. I can foresee no good to arise frora their indus
try; on the contrary, apprehend mischief, and therefore decline
attending. What think you of returning to your late abode, Salem 1
Should it be my lot, I shall wish for a few old acquaintances,
without which the great revolutions in public and private, will, I
apprehend, render ray return not desirable. Please favor me with
your undisguised sentiments freely on the foregoing, and whatever
intelligence you may think proper. Very truly your friend, S, Curwen,
March 20, Attended the Royal Society's weekly meeting at
Somerset House ; going into the antechamber common to the An
tiquarian Society and Royal Society, one waits untU an acquaint
ance or friend appears to procure your name to be set down in the
list, which is read aloud by an attendant at the president's order ;
when the society, who are already met, are about to begin, each per
son regularly enters and takes his seat, (long slips being placed on
either side a middle aisle.) At the head of the room sits the pres
ident, now Sir Joseph Banks, with his hat on his head, aU others
uncovered ; he in a chair of state elevated three or four steps ; just
below it and on the same level with the floor is a half round ma
hogany table, having only two assessors, viz., the two secretaries,
Dr, Matty, a person of profound knowledge and learning, but of a

374 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1783.
most diminutive, unpromising person, and a Mr. Grey, who read
the communications to the society respecting experiments and any
acquisitions of knowledge in astronomy, etc. Among others on
this occasion was read a fetter from the famous Herschel, lately in
vited from Bath to Windsor by the king, and for his use the round
tower there is assigned : by his discoveries in astronomy it seems
our solar system is travelling through the immensity of space m a
progressive motion, which he deduces from an apparent change of
relative situation of some fixed stars most visible or of largest di
ameter, and therefore nearest to us. The election of members is
by ballot, each member putting in his vote into the box, presented
to each separately, which being delivered into the president's
hands, he empties out on the desk before him, and after counting,
declares the candidate elected (or otherwise) a fellow of this soci
ety ; an instance I saw this night, and it is not a common sight
A candidate stands four months after proposed before balloted for.
Dr. Cope, Bishop of Clonfert, being this night proposed, the presi
dent out of regard to his dignity as a peer of Ireland, dispensed
with the usual forms and proceeded to a ballot, which was not ob
jected to. The assembly was in number to appearance scarce
short of two hundred — the room a noble one, eighty feet by
thirty, and twenty high ; the walls covered on all sides with half
length and quarter portraits, arranged one above the other — Sir
Isaac Newton's being at the head of the roora in the centre of the
middle space, and opposite the door, A person of raodest assu
rance may push hiraself in amongst the corapany, few ofthe visit
ors being known, and no inquiry made on whose account one
appears there, A friend engaged Dr. FotherglU to insert my name,
which he entered by speaking to Dr, Matty, without entering his
name. Every one who appears is presumed to have some relish
for and acquaintance with some one or more of the branches of
literature, etc., for that reason the society is not strict in examining
their pretences to attend. The meeting begins at eight, and com
monly ends at ten— none spoke but the president, nor read but the
secretaries, March 21, Met the king in a sedan chair, accompanied by ten
©r twelve yeomen and footmen, going to St, James's, New min-

1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 375
istry is said to have been settled ; Lord North, 'tis said, to return
to public life as a secretary of state. If so, probably at the king's
earnest entreaty, otherwise it is hard to account for,
March 24, To the reproach of the king and the nation, gov
ernment is without a ministry, notwithstanding the daily reports of
an arrangement ; selfishness, venality, rapacity and dissipation are
the characteristics of this age and nation ; to which must be added,
in order to finish the picture, a total disregard of the idea of public
welfare, which all men speculatively consider as a necessary, but as
a crazy phantom, and therefore practically neglected,
March 28, At the lobby of the House of Commons, which
soon after meeting adjourned to Monday, Favored for the first
tirae with a sight of young Pitt, that forward political plant ; may
he imitate his father as well in integrity and amor patria, as in
oratorical ability and natural powers. Some think appearances
promise a more abundant harvest ; should he continue in the
national councils the public will be highly favored of heaven.
March 29, At Treasury, inforraed by Mr. Rowe that Lord
Shelburne had surrendered his seat as first lord. No ministry set
tled, nor to appearance is like to be soon ; the king unyielding,
and the candidates as stiff and uncomplying. The old story of
Lord Bute's pernicious influence prevails again ; there is sorae ad
vice unseen that supports the king's obstinacy, for I know not what
else to call his non-compliance.
March 30. At St. James's, in the gallery ; the king and queen
passed through frora the chapel to the green-room ; on leaving the
antechamber I luckily, being smaU, crowded myself under the elbow
of a good-natured yeoman, and in the front rank had a full view of
the king, queen, prince of Wales, and the court train. On the
other side of the yeoman stood a boy, who on the king's approach,
bending one knee, presented a petition ; the king took it without
any further notice, and after walking a few steps, put it into the
hand of the lord in waiting. Soon after I departed, leaving the
gallery filling, and the passage under the piazzas in the court
middle lined double on both sides, to have a sight of the company
going up,
March 31, Samuel Porter, Peter Frye and myself, visited Mk.
Hughes at dinner and tea.

376 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1783.
AprU 2. Read a Boston newspaper, where I saw poor Coombs'
estate in Marblehead advertised for sale, I really pity ray poor
fellow refugee, and think hira cruelly treated by his savage towns
men. This day's paper announces administration settled :— .
Duke of Portland, First Lord of the Treasury,
Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord North and Charles J. Fox, Secretaries of State.
Lord Stormont, President of the CouncU.
Earl of Carlisle, Lord Privy Seal.
Lord Keppel, first Lord of the Admiralty.
Mr. Burke, Paymaster of the Forces,
Colonel North, Treasurer of the Navy,
April 5. Called at Mr, Tassey's to have a sight of the curious
cabinet of satin wood, inlaid and decorated with many devices,
figurative, etc, on front and sides : its contents, rows of drawers
containing impressions of intaglios, cameos, seals, etc, to the num
ber of more than six thousand, duplicated, to be sent to the Empress
of Russia by her express order, — value, several thousands ; she is
a great encourager of ingenious artists, particularly English ones,
April 7. Passed a crowd attending procession in Parliament-
street, going to take the Westminster candidate, Charles J, Fox,
from his lodgings to the hustings under St. Paul's, Covent Garden
portico. First marched musicians two and two, then four men sup
porting two red painted poles having on top the cap of liberty of
a dark blue color; to each was fastened a light blue silk standard
about nine feet long and five wide, having inscribed thereon in
golden letters these words, " The Man of the People ;" foUowed
by the butchers with marrow-bones and cleavers ; then the com-
mittee two and two, holding in their hands white wands ; in the
rear the carriages. They stopped at his house in St, James's-
street, where taking him up, he accompanied them in Mr. Byng's
carriage through Pall Mall and the Strand to the hustmgs, when
the election proceeded ; made without opposition, no competitor
appearing against him.
AprU 13. Called on Mr, Jonathan Williams and Captain
Johnson, and conducted them to Essex House chapel ; Mr, Lindsay
preached; — subject, the address ofthe gospel to the poorer and
middling ranks, which shows both the vyisdom and goodness of God,

1783,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 377
AprU 19, Met two numerous companies of sailors parading
through the streets with an ancient; told they were going' to
demand of the king their wages, having been discharged without
payment ; but in returning through the Park could get no intelli
gence of their having made any demand at the Palace or Adralralty,
and conclude they had been persuaded to separate on a promise of
speedy payment ; a number yesterday having obtained the king's
promise that the sailors should be relieved by the first instalment
of the present loan to be made in a few days.
May 13, Captain Coombs called early by agreement with me,
and then departed to take coach for Kew Bridge at nine o'clock ;
arrived at eleven ; from thence on foot through Kew and the ter
race to Richmond, and through Twickenham to Hampton Court ;
.dined at King's Arras ; proceeded through the gardens to the
palace, and passing through observed the paintings in better order
than before ; was informed they were lately cleaned by the king's
order, and some new ones brought from the queen's house and
Kensington ; returned back through Bushy Park by a returned
chaise. Was told that Kensington Palace may be seen as well as
the others ; and also, that Hyde Park came to the crown by the
Duchess of York, Lord Clarendon's daughter, the mother of queens
Mary and Anne, and would in eight years revert back, unless the
the king should obtain a new lease thereof.
May 14, Went to Shoreditch work-house to see a Mr, Best, /
who is remarkable as a raost perfect textuarlan, and without ¦
looking in the Bible refers to particular texts, repeating the very
words and all of them, to the number of many verses, often some
times apposite to the circumstances of the applier ; — seems not at
a loss for any word or order in the text, and repeats slowly. He first
looks into the right hand, pretending to a great knowledge of pair
mistry ; among other parts, he apphed the 3d, 4th, and 5th verses
of 30th Deuteronoray to me, being then a refugee from America
in London, His language is only in Scripture phrases; his room,
large in extent, is filled almost with work of his own, in straw, of
Scripture stories — as the creation, flood, passage of the Israelites
¦over the Red Sea, etc. ; — New Testament — the nativity, baptism
in Jordan, miracle of loaves and fishes, broad and narrow way^
crucifixion, lying in the tomb, rising from the dead-^called ascen-
48

378 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783,
sion— day of judgment, last trumpet sounding, etc. These are
separate compartments made of straw, with divisions in the same
style and materials ; he is continually, when not interrrupted by com
pany, at work in making small works of flowers, rings in imitation
of large seal rings, one of which be put on my finger. By his
ready apphcation and repeating the very words of Scripture^ and
the places where they are to be found, he seems to have got the
wbole Bible by heart ; after looking into my hand, he referred me
to sundry texts, some of which I confess struck me with astonish
ment and confusion. Though not more than fifty-five years of age,
he is so totally void of care respecting himself, that he must be put
to bed and taken out, fed with meat and drink like an infant ; he
will not bear to be called Mr, nor thanked for his presents, — loves
fruit, and will accept of it, but not money. The posture he receives
his visitors in is sitting within his little straw cell ; looks on one
only when he takes a hand to exaraine, and if he hkes his visitor,
on his departure seizes the hand in both his and kisses it warmly,
bidding God speed in Scripture phrase.
May 19, Went out accorapanied by Mr. Pickman to Drury Lane
play-house to see Mrs. Siddons, the favorite tragic actress ofthe
public, in the character of Jane Shore, which she well supported.
May 22. Informed that the refugees', or as they affect to deno
minate themselves, loyalists', petition to Parliament is presented,
and supported by Lord North and all in administration, that all
who have pensions may receive them by their agents, go where
they wUl, even if they shall return to either of the United States.
June 15, Joseph Hooper called and drank tea ; gave him a
certificate as he desired, though I fancy it will be of no effect,
respecting his property, business, and manner of living ; of which,
as I know, I can say but little,
June 19. Walked to White Conduit House, to see a great
cricket match played ; Lords Winchelsea, Easton, and Strathaven,
and Sir Peter BurriU, etc. ; a very severe headache drove me off
the field,
June 30, Visited the artificial flower-garden at Spring Gar
dens ; a beautiful imitation, laid out in walks, containing in its
borders a great variety of the most curious flowers and many spe
cies of waU fruit, with bnds of the season and climate placed in

178-3,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 379
natural attitudes on the boughs in good preservation ; having also
a small piece of water, with a jet d'eau in the centre, and a swan
floating on its surface, besides a stream of water falling down a
rugged precipice into a basin : the upper part of the sides covered
with perspective views, which enliven the room, being of faint
green ground, and eighty feet by fifty and twenty-five high, the top
almost an entire skyhght,
July 9, At the gallery of the House of Lords ; Mr, Cooper, a
counsellor at law, pleading at the bar in a case wherein the distillers
were concerned ; on the third reading of bUI, Lord Effingham
rose and objected to various clauses, all of which were overruled,
and the bill passed, A message from the Commons was received
and read. In the former case. Lord Effingham called the first lord
of the treasury, the Duke of Portland, who rose, and to my seem
ing acquitted himself very indifferently ; in his person he is un
pleasing in figure and countenance. Lord Effingham had the ap
pearance both in person and dress of a common country farmer ; a
green frock coat, with brass buttons, his hair short, straight, and to
appearance uncombed ; his face rough, vulgar and brown, as also
his hand ; in short he had the look of a laboring farmer or grazier-
There were three bishops and twenty-three lay lords present : re
mained there two hours,
July 11, At the bottom of Buckingham-street, on the bank of
the river, is a very convenient stone alcove, where 1 met a foreigner,
who proving coraraunlcatively inclined, I attended for near an hour
to his relations ; the subject being the small degree of liberty this
country enjoys compared with the states of Germany, particularly
the king of Prussia's dominions, which he endeavored to exemplify
from that monarch's readily redressing all acts of injustice from his
courts, or from the oppressions of one subject to another. Another
proof was the burdensome taxes of this country, to which the Ger
man states are not liable ; the demesnes of the princes, and other
sources, furnishing them with an income independent of taxes, A
third was the exorbitant fees and delays of justice in our courtsj
which are just causes enough for complaint, crying aloud for re
dress ; which, alas! there is but little reason to hope for.
July 12. By appointment, dined at Mr, De Berdt's, a brother
of the late Mrs. Joseph Reed of Philadelphia ; about six o'clock,

380 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783»
departed with Mrs, De Berdt in her chaise for their country house,
in Worraly parish, on Sir Abrahara Hurae's land and manor, Herts ;
passing through Shoreditch parish, Kingsland, Stoke Newington,
Tottenham, High Cross, Edmonton, Pender's End, Enfield, Wal
tham Cross, Theobalds, and Cheshunt, Mr, De Berdt arrived soon
after on horseback,
July 13, Sunday. Attended worship at a meeting-house in
Turnford in the morning ; in the afternoon at the parish church,
standing on Sir Abraham's ground, who is the presentee thereof;
a miserable, dark, old, forsaken temple, seemingly in a state of dere
liction, though its revenues are far from contemptible, amounling to
£200 and more ; its present incumbent is a D, D, Accompanied
my friends to the christening of a daughter and churching of the
mother ; after service partook of tea and christening cake,
July 14. Set off through Lord Monson's grounds for Mr.
Hughes' at Hoddesdon ; arrived In an hour, and passed another hour
with him ; then returned and rode with Mr, and Mrs, De Berdt
over the Lea and New rivers into Essex, along the meadows;
leaving there, we entered a rough, lonesome road that continued
to the top of a very long hill of quick ascent. On the summit
stands Roydon, frora whence forward both lands and road had a
very different appearance ; passed Stansteadbury church, standing
on the edge of the eralnence, and half a mile distant from the town
or any house, except one gentleman's seat in its neighborhood,
overlooking the extensive field called the Ryehouse field, perhaps
from the grain of that kind for which it is noted, - Descending into
the plain, stretching for a mile or two on either hand, we passed
the house well known in the history of Charles IL, for the real or
imaginary plot against government laid there ; and also the two
rivers. New and Lea, running scarce more than ten rods asunder,
through the whole length of the plain, and parallel to each other ;
at ten o'clock arrived home,
July 21. Wrote to Thomas RusseU, Esq,, Boston, and intro
duced Mr, Coap.

1783.J JOURNAL AND LETTERS; 381
TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM, N. E.
London, July 26, 1783.
Dear Sir :
The raging fever of the times will doubtless abate, for no vio
lent fermentations are lasting, but not perhaps tUl the purposes of
raising it are answered. The political frenzy of your country, and
the peculiarly critical situation of Araerican refugees here, put it
out of my power to be decided respecting my future destination.
However, as I wrote Mr, Ward, age and infirmities have made
such inroads on me, as render of little importance the public deci
sions here or there. I ardently wish and pray for the welfare of
both countries ; but fo whisper a truth in your ear, I should not
entertain a single thought of crossing the Atlantic at my advanced
time of life, even under the pleasing prospect of a friendly and
kind reception, was it not for the short enjoyment of my friends
and acquaintance ; much less is the thought pleasing with such"
prospects as must present themselves to those misguided, unfortunate
persons, who retired from Araerica to Europe and elsewhere'in the
beginning and during the late troubles, I strongly suspect Araerica
wUI not find such a cordial and unrestricted liberty from the Euro
pean powers respecting commerce and the creation of a powerful
navy, as she fondly and delusively iraaglned. Now the hurry of
war Is over, men's minds are more at leisure to view the iraportance
of keeping within proper bounds the new rising states, of such
vast extent of sea coast, such variety of soUs, such capability of im
proving its native materials, and which, if suffered, tviU grow to a
dangerous height.
Please present my kind respects to friends and acquaintance,
and believe rae Your friend, S, Curwen,
Jidy 27, To the Tower, and encompassing it once round on
the ramparts, left it, and passing over Little Tower-hill, joined a
company attending a field speaker ; one in the outer .ring proved
boisterous and severe, but the preacher was too much engaged to
attend to the noise that disturbed most in that quarter.

382 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1783,
July 29, Called on Mr, and Mrs. Mather ; afterwards WiUiam
Vans called; I took a stroU with him and tea at Bagnigge Wells;
thence horae by way of Peerless-pool and Moorfields.
TO GEORGE RUSSELL, ESQ., BIRMINGHAM.
London, July 20, 1783,
Dear Sir :
Your kind wishes I read with heartfelt satisfaction, for I meet
with very few who profess the slightest regard ; on this subject I
could enlarge, but my feehngs would urge to a style prudence for
bids me to use. You express yourself as one not callous to impres
sions of humanity, as interest and passion render too many ; " that
when the horrors of war cease, there should end all animosities,"
I wished and hoped it too, but with what success the world too
evidently sees ; not a single expectation of mine through the pro
gress of this baneful war but has ended in disappointment. To
keep myself from all future mortifications, I ara deterrained to take
no further part or concern in public measures, than what arises
from unavoidable constraint by personal interest ; and considering
the sour aspect of American politics respecting absentees, I cannot
but think my plan an obvious dictate of wisdom. Local attach
ment having lost its force in me, and so averse as I am to a tedious
voyage, that could I persuade a few friends that it was not for want
of a due regard, I know not whether, at this advanced time of life,
I should not retire to some quiet village, and there pass in undis
turbed ease, unknowing and unknown, the short portion of my
remaining days. Perhaps, at your time of life it is hard to conceive
the propriety of the foregoing intiraation ; but you will remember
old age blunts the passions as well as the reason, and renders rigid
and stiff the finer fibres of the brain, those vehicles of animal spirit,
by means of which impressions of all kinds are less frequent and
strong. You very justly observe, that the true state of the case is not
always to be known from newspaper representation, and I can add,
scarce ever even when public instruments are pretendedly copied.
However, in the present case, I fancy you raay, without injury
to truth, believe the resolves from the town of Worcester to be
genuine ; nor less those very curiousoones from the New Jerseys, in

1783,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 383
the Morning Chronicle of the 26th inst, (if I have not mistaken a
day or two,) wherein you wUl see the predicament of us poor re
fugees in the opinion of our late fellow-subjects ; but party zeal is
blindness as well as madness. Both the foregoing as well as others
of like import, I have seen in my own town newspaper, called the
Salem Gazette, nor does it want confirmation from verbal testimony,
and a multitude of letters frora friends and foes corroborate the same.
Your wish and expectation that the present delirium, as I call it, will
not be lasting, is comraon ; it is in all men's mouths ; its con
tinuance wUl, I dare say, be of fatal length to me, as well as in its
operation. To show on what footing I stood before the news of peace had
intoxicated them, take the following extracts. In one letter, dated
2d January last, from a worthy friend and correspondent, he says :
— " It is the general desire that you be urged to return, with assur
ances that you wUl be joyfully and respectfully received, and raay
reside here in peace and safety," Another writes : — " Your friends
and acquaintance ardently wish for your return, and continuance
araong us in peace and security all your days."
The ship Captain, (Holton Johnson of Lynn,) with whora I
carae from Araerica, was, by a revolution coramon at such periods,
translated into a legislator in our Massachusetts Assembly ; being
about two months since in London, told me that had not his interest
and efforts prevaUed, my name would have been inserted in the
banishment hst, and my estate confiscated. The reality of this fact
depends on the relator's veracity ; the reasons, if any, must be
private pique and mahce ; no public crime was ever aUeged, but
merely leaving the country in her distress. If success is justification,
I confess guUt,
A subsequent letter of 12th May, says : — " It seems clear to
your best friends that your caution was not groundless," In one
of June 5th : — " Since plundering and privateering have declined
the reverend Dr, Whitaker exerts himself on the wharves as well
as in the desk against the return of Americans ; let your patience
and fortitude continue a month or two longer, and I believe that
you may safely leave faction and party rage to spend their utmost
spite without harm," In one of 14th June, frora the sarae : —
" Mrs. P. hath been at Providence, etc., and finds that Rhode

384 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783.
Island and Connecticut are surprised at the conduct of Massa
chusetts, as to the return of absentees who have not been inimical
to America, That Mr, Sparhawk and others, who went thither
frora New-York and other places, were treated with great huraanity
and respect ; that they encourage the return of Araericans, These
and other occurrences considered, I doubt not of seeing an alter
ation of measures before the end of the present session of the
Assembly ; I trust we shaU not long continue to drive our own
people into other states."
The Dr. Whitaker before mentioned, of Salem, is a notorious
character in Araerica, and not unknown here, whose eraployment
sorae years ago was that of an itinerant preacher, leading about a
tawny native of Araerica for people to look at, and hear his preach
ment ; he was also at the same time engaged in the more profitable
pursuit of soliciting charity for the establishment of an Indian col
lege in the frontier wilderness of my country. He is usually called
Dr. Meroz in America, frora his constantly applying the 23d verse
of the 5th chapter of Judges to the poor refugees.
I ara far from wishing ill to the cause of liberty, much less to that
of my native country, to which on the contrary, as a citizen of the
world and a friend to the Inalienable rights of mankind, I wish eveiy
kind of good, but am equally far from thinking America has gained
its delusively fancied prize by independence. By some congress
ional manoeuvres of late, a train I fear is laid for the establishment
of a power much raore fatal to liberty than Great Britain durst have
aimed at, whilst she could have retained any governmental autho
rity there. Their liberation is a doubtful proof of the divine ap
probation of their cause. Many there thirsted after it, and so did
the Israelites for a king, which God at length gave them, in his
anger : and he has, I fear, given them their heart's desire by way of
punishment for wantoning away those singularly great advantages
of a civil, religious and political nature, with which he had favored
them above all people upon the face of the whole earth. They
often were used to compare themselves to God's highly favored peo
ple, and I truly think their case is not unlike ; mercies and preserva
tions as numerous, nor does their folly and ingratitude fall to finish
the comparison. If any expressions here are not altogether of the
complexion of your own notions, I know your candor wiU make

1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 385
allowances for the difference of our situation, though I am not aware
of an unfriendly bias in my raind. Your faithful friend, S. Curwen,
August 6. At New England Coffee-house to read the papers,
filled with relations of the rising spirit of Americans against the
refugees, in their towns and assemblies. Intoxicated by success,
under no fear of punishment, they give an unrestrained loose to
their angry, malevolent passions, attribute to the worst of causes
the opposition to their licentious, mobbish violation of all laws, hu
man and divine ; and even some of the best of the republican party
seera to think, at least their practice squints that way, that the sup
posed goodness of their cause will justify murder, rapine, and the
worst of crimes. But cool irapartial posterity will pass a better
judgment, and account for the violences ofthe tiraes from party rage,
which knows no bounds,
TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, WOLVERHAMPTON. London, August 9, 1783.
Dear Sir :
By the newspapers from America, particularly our quarter, I
find there remain but slender grounds of hope for success in at
tempting the recovery of debts or estates ; a general shipwreck is
seemingly intended of all absentees' property — the towns in their in- \
structions to the representatives making it a point to prevent the
return of thera, and consequent confiscation of all their property,
notwithstanding the provision in the fifth preliminary article. These
lawless people regard not any obstacle when the gratification of their
angry passions or the object of gain is in view ; — some of their re
solves perbaps you may have seen. I yesterday read in a Boston
Gazette, published (in June) by Edes, the well known sedition-
trumpeter, the following copied out for your view frora the resolves
of the town of Lexington, of the sarae coraplexlon with the rest of
their town raeeting raeasures: "Coramon sense and the laws of nature
and nations concur to pronounce them one and all aliens from the
commonwealth. As to the idea of admitting sorae and rejecting oth
ers, it is easy to see that the wisdom of angels would be puzzled to
49

386 journal and letters. [1783,
draw a line — to determine when or where to stop. Upon the whole
we cannot but think it indispensably necessary for the peace and
welfare of this state, and the freedom and happiness of the United
States, that a decided part be taken to prevent the return and the
recovery of their estates, and property that was formerly theirs," —
Thouo-b in this you see the temper is unfriendly and adverse, the
lane-uage is decent. From a paragraph of to-day's paper is the fol
lowing : " Letters by an American vessel yesterday from Boston
brought certain information of a very unfavorable nature to the
loyalists, whose situation is extremely precarious, and no step is
likely to be taken for their relief." The same letters add, that
" several parts of the country are in a state of convulsion, in a strug
gle to get repossessed of estates seized by individuals during the
troubles." Sitting by Frederick Geyer in the N. E. Coffee-house, he
said that John Amory had written him that he was made to hope by
his friends for a readmission into Boston, having already been per
mitted to have a sight of his children, &c. He had received letters
by Callahan frora Boston, by whom thirteen passengers have just
arrived ; among them are Leonard Jarvis, Samuel Eliot, and a Mr,
Seaver, I suppose you have heard of Capt, Smith's treatment at Phila
delphia, Such, however, is the course of human affairs, and it may
be, for aught I know of, consummate wisdom and a just retribution
of rewards and punishments ; for I am far from thinking there is
such a very great disproportion of happiness here below among
individuals, as is the coramon opinion, or that external circurastan
ces are of any weight in the question of the quantity of human
happiness of each one individual compared to another. In a little
space of time I shall be dead to a sense of all these puzzling
events ; it may be, shall see the reasonableness and equity of the
providential government in a clear and satisfactory light.
Heartily wishing you health, success, competency and content
ment, I am, with cordial esteera. Your friend, S, Curwen,
Aug. 12, P. S. — The London Evening Chronicle of this day
contains a sensible and excellent circular letter from General
Washington to the several state governors ; the forementioned di-

1783.] journal and letters, 387
rected to Governor Greene, of Rhode Island, If you have not seen
it, the liberality of that government absolves this from all imputa
tions on the score of tolerating the Roman Catholics in Canada —
they having far outgone these by admitting persons of all faiths as
well as none to a full participation, not only of the liberty of living
and exercising their religion among them, but to all the immunities,
rights, privileges, emoluraents, and honors of the state. This is, I
confess, carrying toleration to the very largest extent, S, C,
TO RICHARD WARD, ESQ., SALEM.
London, August 11, 1783,
Dear Sir :
I refer you to ray letter by Mr, Conant for an explicit answer
to your question, " Do you propose to spend the remainder of your
days abroad 1" though I do not think my expression, " The wished
for period of my return is not arrived," carried any doubts of what
were my intentions. With regard to that event, you best can tell
whether I or any exile from Araerica, whatever our wishes may
be, shall ever be suffered to make an atterapt ; a subject I consider
with sorae indifference, age and infirmities having made such in
roads on my constitution as leave me but little to hope or fear from
the result of public councils or the imprudence of private conduct.
So far, however, am I from indifference to the real welfare of
Araerica, that I ardently wish moderate counsels may prevaU, for it
is the universal opinion that her credit and interest will be essen
tially hurt, should an iUiberal, impolitic exclusion of all absentees
take place. I am free to declare my apprehension that the lower,
illiterate classes, narrow-minded and illiberal all over the world,
have too much influence, and that political and civil events bear
some proportion to the wisdom of public councils ; not always, as
instances of a contrary kind may be adduced through a succession
of many ages in the history of mankind.
Please to acquaint the " Social labrary" company, whatever
occasions they may have for a supply from hence, they shall be
freely welcome to my services. With best love to my niece and
your chUdren, I am your friend,
S, Curwen.

388 journal and letters, [1783,
Axig. 17. Attended public worship at St. GUes's, Cripplegate,
The nuraber of youthful voices accompanying the organ rendered
that part of the service pleasing and devout. After service
walked to the altar to see the funeral monuraent of a woman
risincr out of a coffin ; the inscription too high for me to read, but
said to perpetuate the extraordinary event of a woman of this
parish being brought to life after interment, by the sexton's de
scending into the vault to cut off frora her fingers sorae rings,
which by sweUing could not otherwise be recovered. Report adds,
that raising herself in the coffin, she quitted it and followed the
sexton out of the church, and proceeded horaewards, and arriving
there at midnight and knocking hard at the doer, awakened the
maid, who went trembling to her master, saying she was sure the
knock was that of her mistress ; on going down and opening the
door, to their astonishment found it to be her mistress indeed.
Report further adds, that this same woman lived to have seven or
eight children. On asking the feraale pew-opener, she rephed :
" That is the report, but having been but a late parishioner, she
could not say, but sorae thought it raeant to denote the resurrection
of the body." Below is the bust of the famous martyrologlst
" Johannes Foxus," put up by his son Samuel about 1590.
Aug. 31. Attended worship at the church of St. Austin and
St. Faith the Virgin, united parishes close under St. Paul's, and
the latter so called as I was inforraed on inquiry at St. Paul's of
the verger ; he further said that it was in the gift of the dean and
chapter. A Mr. Ryder, author of a history of England, preached
an ingenious and entertaining discourse. Afternoon at the Magda
len, where heard an excellent, pathetic, and finely adapted address
to the tenants by Mr, Sellon, minister of ClerkenweU, one of the
justly celebrated preachers of the day,
Sept. 3. Mr. Foster, the late appointed clerk to commissioners
for examining loyalists, advertises to-day for them to bring in an
estimate of their estates, effects, losses, etc., to him at his chambers.
Middle Temple, before the 29th inst,
Sept. 19. Yesterday evening received a note from Mr. De Berdt,
inviting rae to accompany Mrs, D. to his country house at Brox
burn Herts to pass a few days during his absence in WUtshire,
where, after three hours, we arrived in Mrs, D,'s chaise before tea.

1783.] journal and letters, 389
Sept. 23. At twelve o'clock set off with Mrs. D. for Ware,
through Hoddesdon, Ryefields, Stansfield, Mardock MiU, the late
residence of Mr. De Berdt
Sept. 25. To Hoddesdon; meeting Mr. James Inraan and
another gentleman, accompanied the forraer horae.
Sept. 26. Proceeded with Mrs. De Berdt Londonwards, raeeting
and overtaking multitudes in carriages and on foot bound to the
Walthara Abbey-statute for servants — a day established by act of
Parliament, following the last day of Fairs, for hiring servants.
The males appear with the tools or insignia of their respective em
ployments; the females of the domestic kind are distinguished by
their aprons, viz., cooks in colored, nursery-maids in white linen,
and the chamber and walting-raalds in lawn or cambric. Here
resort all who want to go into, or are out of service, as well as
those famihes who stand in need of servants. After a few delays
and the interval of three hours, arrived in London, passing through
Clapton and Hackney, deviating from the usual road for variety
sake. Sept. 29. Visited Mrs. Hay ; first tirae since her return from
Scotland. At New England Coffee-house, saw a number of young
Massachusetts raen bound horae in Callahan, gone down the river.
In Oxford-street, called at Mr. Danforth's and S, Porter's; both
absent, Oct. 4, At ten o'clock, set off with Mr. D. in a post-chaise for
Lord Tylney's seat, Epping Forest ; conducted through the rooras
and from them to the grotto, which, in my opinion, is the most
pleasing and elegant I ever saw ; though Goldney's at Clevedon
is by some esteemed before this ; and which, perhaps, in the rich
ness of some of its spars may exceed,
Oct. 6. This day was proclaimed peace with France, Spain,
and Holland, with the usual formahties, at Palace, Charing
Cross, Cheapside Conduit, and the Royal Exchange ; had a sight
of the procession in Pall Mall, but the crowds disappointed me
from hearing the proclamation, or seeing the ceremony of adrais-
sion through Temple-bar into the city.
Oct. 8, At New England Coffee-house in company with Mr,
Nathaniel Gorham, lately arrived from Boston, whom I had well
known. He is a native of Charlestown, late a member of Congress,

390 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783,
and of the Massachusetts Assembly, and who is now here on the
score of obtaining a benevolence for the sufferers at the destruction
of that town, June 17, 1775, by the king's troops; which, all things
considered, carries with it such a face of effrontery as is not to he
matched. Invited him to tea ; received a letter from my wife's
brother, James Russell,
TO HON. JAMES RUSSELL, LINCOLN, MASS.
London, Oct. 8, 1783,
My Dear Sir :
I thank you for your favor ofthe 21st August, the first from
you since my unhappy abandoning my former horae in AprU, '75,
You write, " I give you joy on the return of peace ;" as far as it
shall be productive of real good to the parties concerned, it has my
approbation; respecting myself it is an event of the smallest
moment, were the appearances in your quarter ever so bright and
pleasing ; how much less when the thirteen late peaceable happy
colonies are reduced to the licentious and gloomy condition wherein
they now are, if general report may be depended on. In truth,
were your sister* no more, there would need no act of Massachusetts
or any other assembly, or senate, to prohibit my return. So far as
to America and myself ; now to another point, that of interest.
After I had written to your son Thomas of Boston on the subject,
I had heard of the sale of your late son Charles's estate at Lincoln
to your son Chambers ; I will presume you did not forget my
demand of £300 sterling, and somewhat more for his bond to me,
though your silence respecting it has since raised my apprehension,
Mr. Thomas Russell will address you on this subject, and I trust
sufficient will be received to remunerate him for monies obtained
on his credit by me for my support soon after my arrival here.
Wishing you and your famUy every good,
I remain, my dear sir.
Your affectionate brother, S, Curwen,
Oct. 9, Received a note from Mr. De Berdt, inviting me to
dinner on Friday with Mr. Gorham and Mr, Barrett of Boston,
* Mrs. Curwen.

1783,] JOURNAL and LETTERS. 391
Oct. 25, Accompanied Mr, Gorham to House of Commons
and Westminster Abbey,
Oct. 28, Saw Captain Nathaniel West and Captain Smith for
the first tirae ; received information from the former that his brother
Eben was living, (whom I feared was dead,) and about to return
to Salem, Oct. 29, Mr, J, Fletcher drank tea with me, and related in
detail his misfortunes, present condition and views,
TO MRS. ABIGAIL CURWEN, SALEM.
London, Oct. 30, 1783,
My Dear Wife :
The peace, or rather acknowledged dismemberraent of the late
English colonies from their mother country, has, it seems, been so
far from affording a prospect to such of the American absentees
who raight be willing to return back, that, on the contrary, from
what appears, the present governing party are determined to pass
bUls of final exclusion of all such as left their country after the
troubles comraenced. If their government is in the hands of what
their great and good allies call the " mesne peuple," which two
short words you have Anglo-Gallic friends enough among you to
translate, no liberal public measures are to be expected. If it was
not for your sake, or that you would follow my fortune or accom
pany my fate, I should not hesitate for a moment taking up my
future abode, which cannot possibly be but of short continuance,
somewhere out of the limits of the repubhcan government, " The
world," as Adam said on his expulsion frora paradise, " is all
before me, where to choose my place of rest, and Providence my
guide," By this you see, I have not fixed my views ; nor can I,
prudently, till your government shall have come to a final deter
mination respecting your runaways, or, as they affect to call them
selves by the porapous character of loyalists j which, however, does
them no more credit here than with you. Wishes for the welfare
of my friends stUl warm my heart ; as to the rest, I read with cold
indifference the insurrections in Pennsylvania, and the carryings-on
in the late English colonies, having lost local attachment.
If your fortitude has increased in the proportion that your
health and spirits have improved, perhaps you will not find it an

392 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783.
insurmountable difficulty to resolve on a land tour to Canada, or a
voyage to some other English settlement. Whatever shall be the
result of your thoughts, let me be made acquainted therewith as
soon as convenient Should a final expulsion be concluded on,
you will no longer hesitate,
Mr. Jay and John Adams are here, and if administration was
kindly affected towards American sufferers, perhaps sorae good
might arise ; though for ray own particular case, I have no favor
able opinion of the gratitude, or even justice, of kings or courts ;
nor of the friendly regards of the two forementioned Americans
towards us in the unhappy predicament of petitioners for the bounty,
not to say justice, of the court ; from the latter, [Adams,] it is cur
rently said and believed, harsh declarations have fallen here as well
as in Holland and France respecting us, nor has he probably
changed his mind. The ancients say, "Qui trans mare currunt,
ccelum non animum mutant."*
Of a different complexion and temper is Mr. Nathaniel Gorham,
with whom I have had several interviews ; he is moderate, reason
able, and conciliatory ; would that his views prevailed among his
countrymen. He has just inforraed me that on the 4th proximo,
agreeably to Charles J. Fox's appointment, he was going to wait
upon Lord Keppel ; if a member of the Araerican Continental
Congress can lower himself to use the derogatory term of waiting
on the first lord of the English admiralty. Yours, in all affection, S. Curwen.
JVcm. 5. Last night a very destructive fire consumed many
houses, upwards of forty, between Aldersgate, Bartholomew Close,
and Cloth Fair, supposed the most extensive in London for many
years ; the fire yet unextinguished ; no account yet given of the
damage, loss, etc,
JVov. 24. At the American commissioner's office, late Duke
of Newcastle's house, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, for directions respecting
a memorial. JVov. 25. Attended among the rest of expectants to have a
* Those who cross the seas, change their abode but not their minds.''

1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 393
sight of the air-balloon discharged frora the Artillery-ground, at one
o'clock ; it rose moderately, and in a southerly direction ; was in
sight ten or twelve ralnutes ; its appearance to ray eye, after it
diralnished to four or five inches in diaraeter, was like three round
balls in contact, in shape of a triangular body with obtuse angles,
I should think the numbers in Moorfields exceeded fourscore thou
sand. The sight was amusing ; perhaps posterity raay iraprove on
this newly investigated subject, and raake what is now only a
pleasing show, a coramodious, perhaps pernicious, aerial convey
ance, JVov. 28, Capt. Carpenter, of Salem, called ; he is just from
Lisbon, TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ.
London, JVov. 28, 1783,
Dear Sir :
However unfavorable to my wishes the result of the Araerican
Assemblies may be, I shall be gratified by receiving the earliest
advices. Capt. Nathaniel West brings me a message from the
principal raerchants and citizens of Salera, proposing and encour
aging ray return; which instance of raoderation I view as an honor
to the town and respectful to rayself, and I wish to return my
thanks through you. It affords me pleasure, and I would cheer
fully accept the offer ; but should the popular dislike rise against
me, especially if co-operating with governmental resolves, to what
a plight should I be reduced, being at present (but for how long
is a painful uncertainly) on the British governraent list for £100
a year, (a corapetency for a single person exercising strict economy,)
to surrender this precarious allowance without public assurances
of personal security.
It would be little short of madness, should the popular rage com
bine with the public decisions to prevent our future residence ; de
prived of all assistance, and even the last refuge of the wretched,
hope here, expelled there. Imagine to yourself the distress of an
old man, without health, under such adverse circumstances, and
you will advise rae to wait with resignation till the several Assem
blies shall have taken decisive raeasures on congressional recom
mendation, agreeably to the provisional treaty, if that body shall
50

394 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1783,
deem it prudent to conform to what their commissioners have agreed
to. But enough of this. One of your Massachusetts public min
isters, Mr. John Adams, is here in all the pride of Araerican inde
pendence; by Mr. Gorham I am told he uttered to him the follow
ing speech, that " together with the war he had buried all animosity
against the absentees." Though he is of a rigid temper, and a
thorough-paced republican, candor obliges me to give him credit
for the huraanity of the sentiraent, being spoken in private, and to
one of his own party, and probably without an intention to be pub
lished abroad. In a conversation with my informant, he further
replied, that he chose to consider himself as a plain American
republican ; his garb plain, without a sword, which is carrying his
transatlantic ideas, I fear, a little too far. Should he have the cu
riosity, or his public character render it expedient, to attend at a
royal levee, or at a drawing-room at St. James's on a court day, I
hope he wUl not deserve and meet with as mortifying a repulse as
our late chancellor. Lord Thurlow, at the court of Versailles ; whose
surly pertinacity in wearing a bob-wig occasioned his being re
fused admittance into the king's presence. However frivolous a
part of dress soever a sword may appear to one of Mr. Adams's
scholar-like turn, he is by this time, I fancy, too well acquainted
with the etiquette of courts to neglect so necessary an appendage,
without which no one can find adraittance out of the clerical hne.
I have nothing further to add but my ardent wishes for an in
crease of the health and happiness of yourself and family ; for I
am very truly, Your friend, S. Curwen.
JVov. 30. Attended worship at the chapel in Margaret-street,
Cavendish-square, where Mr. Ford, frora Liverpool, officiated, using
the liturgy appointed for the dissenters on the plan of preconceived
forras in that place ; it being the first use of it in London.
Dec. 2. Mr. Gorhara passed three hours with me.
Dec. 5. Evening at Covent Garden Theatre, to see old Mack
lin in the characters of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice, and in
Sir Archy McSarcasm in Marriage a la Mode, a farce of his own
writing ; in both he excels, and although more than fourscore years

1783,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 395
of age manifests an exertion that would credit even youth. The
house crowded ; the character of Portia, in the forraer, performed
by a Miss Roscoe, her first appearance,
Dec. 18, Yesterday Charles J. Fox's famous East India bill was
on a second reading thrown out of the House of Lords, by a ma
jority of nineteen, the vote being seventy-eight in favor, and ninety-
seven against it. The Prince of Wales in the minority, being his
first vote as one of that house,
Dec. 20, House of Coraraons in an uproar, occasioned by a
supposed design to dissolve them and form a new arrangement of
adrainistration ; the members of which, one of the papers has, as
usual in extraordinary cases, presented the public with,
Dec. 28, Attended pubhc worship at Essex House chapel,
Mr. Lindsay preached from — " For we know that if the earthly
house of this our tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of
God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ; for in
this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house
which is in heaven. If so be that being clothed, we shall not be
found naked," A text and discourse not unsuited to ray particular
situation, this day corapleting my sixty-eighth year, and in a dis
consolate condition, laboring under bodily infirraities, dreadful un
certainties respecting ray teraporal supplies, and but too conscious
of many more imperfections and follies, moral and natural ; how
ever doubtful what may be the consequence of a separation of soul
and body, I most ardently long for a deliverance frora personal
evUs, and a retreat to that state of quietude where the weary are at
rest Dec. 31, Visited Mr. De Berdt by invitation ; from thence to*
Capt. Hay's, and engaged to dine there next Friday,
This concludes a most unpleasing, unprofitable year, meaning
in such a sense as dignifies the rational nature of mortal men.
May the following year be productive of better moral effects than
the last.

396 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1784,

CHAPTER XVIII.
London, Jan. 17, 1784, At New England Coffee-house, recog
nised by Col, Tonge, whom at first sight I knew not, tUl he made
himself known,
Jan. 24, Last night Mr. Pitt's East India biU lost by a ma
jority of eight; probably a dissolution of Parliament wUl follow.
A wretched plight is this distracted nation in, from an obstinate,
despoticaUy inclined king, and a set of profligate, unprincipled men
of influence and politicians. I fear there is not sense enough left
of the importance of public interest and liberty among the people,
to oppose the pernicious designs and measures of court and Parlia
ment, and that the people, from whose efforts alone good may he
expected, however unaided by nobles or gentry, will soon, oppressed
and overloaded by taxes, submit to any measures their haughty im
perious masters shall impose. Thus the government, once the
boast of Great Britain and the envy of the world, will soon find
itself on a level with the most contemptible of those nations on
whom it justly looked with pity, and imprudently with contempt.
I think its ruin near enough for my old age to h^ve the cruel mor
tification of seeing, brought about by the most impohtic and foolish
of all atterapts, the late American war ; and in the short space
of nine years fallen, when at the highest pinnacle of power, glory,
and wealth it had ever attained, to its present state of despair.
Feb. 2. Disturbed by disagreeable dreams from whatever
cause, which, however, I pretend not satisfactorily to account for
to myself; I find my imagination much more busily employed now
than in ray youth,
Feb. 3, Joseph Hooper called on rae to accompany him to the
American Commissioner's office InLincoln's-Inn-Fields, which Idid,
and gave a relation on oath, which proved my unacquaintedness
with his affairs of no advantage to his cause, ' Afterwards at New
England Coffee-house, reading the papers, filled with melancholy
accounts of the party squabbles in the House of Com.raons between
Foxites and Pittites, the former of whom have got a majority to

1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 397
address the king to turn out the latter and his associates, which has
produced such a chagrin in the king's mind, it is said, as has deter
mined him to retire to Hanover, and leave this distracted country
under the government of guardians of the realm, of which his son,
the Prince of Wales will be first in the commission.
Feb. 9. The extreme severity of the weather seems to ill-in
fluence the tempers of the state managers, whose pertinacious
obstinacy forebodes, by their struggles in the House of Commons and
their opposition in the House of Lords, to bring on a state convul
sion. Should healing measures not soon be adopted, and the meet
ing bill run out, the army will of course be left without restraint,
and the dogs of war be let loose ; the consequence all have rea
son to dread, none fuUy foresee.
Feb. 13. The two political game-cocks, Pitt and Fox, are at
length to compromise, and the public business, for a while at least,
be suffered to go on, which during the contests between the House
of Commons on the one side, and the king supported by the House
of Lords on the other, has stagnated, to the great reproach of the
contenders, and injury of the public interest, which, however, in
this period of venality and selfishness, seems to be a consideration
ofthe smaUest importance, if any at all.
Feb. 17. Received several letters frora Salera, encouraging me
to hope I may be permitted to return to my native country.
FROM WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ.
Salem, Jan. 2, 1784.
Dear Sir:
I have made inquiry amongst your friends, and all agree that
although there seems to be no prospect of a repeal of the laws
against absentees, yet the inhabitants of this town, the committees,
and all orders, seem very desirous of your returning in the spring.
As Mr. Cabot, by whom I shall send this, is urgent for it, and can
inform you of the present temper and disposition of the people
towards you, it will be needless for me to give you particulars.
Assurances frora hence as to security, etc., while the laws remain
unrepealed, we cannot give you, other than private opinion only.
Mr. Cabot wlU acquaint you, and, by what Mr. Vans says, you will
have it in letters from several, that there is little or no danger of

398 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1784,
any prosecutions on the laws but frora the respective towns, com
mittees, etc., where the absentee belonged ; and all seem to agree
there can be, from present appearances, no danger from any of this
town, Mr, Cabot will acquaint you as to the successes of aU who
have returned hither, and as to such as have returned to other
states. At Providence, and in some parts of Connecticut, those who
returned have been more cordially received and treated, and we
hope a hke temper will take place in Massachusetts in the spring
and summer. Alcock evasit et abdicavit with bag and baggage,
and Whitaker seems to be hastening after hira. These two poUti-
cians seem to have been the authors and promoters of more mis
chief than it is possible that any two who are left behind them
either should or would effect, or even attempt. They resembled
Swift's committee of ways and means for continuing the war and
promoting malevolence and contention as long as possible ; but at
length they becarae contemned and deserted by all, and I cannot
recollect any better proof or assurance you can have than the fate
of these two persons as to the temper of the people of this town,
and as to their disposition for peace and benevolence. However,
you will doubtless attend to what you see in the public prints, as
the resolves of assemblies in this and the other states, and judge for
yourself. Mr. Dana has returned from Russia, and if you return
here, during his continuance araong us, it may prove a fortunate
circumstance to you, as I have heard him repeatedly say much in
favor of your attachments, connections, etc,
I remain, dear sir, most respectfully, your friend,
William Pynchon.
Feb. 28, Mr, Pitt by invitation in the city, at Grocer's HaU,
Cheapside ; great throngs attended ; he was drawn in his carriage
by men. Returning late in the night, he was assaulted, and his
and other carriages broken to pieces by men armed with bludgeons ;
supposed, not without reason, by Fox's party, and his party's en
couragement — a peevish, Ul-judged resentment.
March 7, Met Mr, WUliam Walter, late from Nova Scotia,
who at first sight recollected me and spoke ; my eye and memory
weakened by age, and his features somewhat hardened, I could not
suddenly recognize him.

1784,] journal and letters, 399
March 16, Met my friend and countryman Mr, Isaac Smith,
on the eve of his departure for Boston ; took him horae to tea, but
could not persuade him to pass the evening, being before engaged
with the " Dr. Franklin Club" at London Tavern.
March 20, Mr. Pitt, the great popular minister, because
Charles J. Fox's antagonist, who is become the man of the people,
(as Fox and his supporters arrogantly assumed to be, now the popu
lar odium, on account of his East India bill,) dined this day at the
London Tavern, being the third public dinner of late in the city ;
and who in his turn will probably, before the expiration of many
months, be as much condemned and hissed as he is now caressed and
applauded — popular breath rarely if ever long keeps one direction.
March 26, Proclamation issued for dissolving Parliament, this
being the third session, the House of Commons proving refractory
and unyielding to the king's measures and servants, young Pitt,
Thurlow, Gower, etc. The great seal was stolen last night from
Lord Thurlow's, Great Ormond-street, with two swords and thirty
guineas, AprU 3. Accompanied my friend Mr, Isaac Smith and his
brother in a post-chaise to Gravesend, the former being bound to
Boston in the ship United States, Lodged at the Falcon inn,
April 4. Took a long stroll to Milton Abbey ; saw the small
remains of its ruins.
April 6, The poll finished at Guildhall, the four former city
members rechosen, A Mr. Cooper, owner of a wine vault, stated
at my lodgings that contested elections generally consumed six
thousand hogsheads of port wine extra, and that twenty-four thou
sand was the average yearly consumption of Great Britain and Ire
land, April 8. Mr. AUeyn, at Treasury, stated that no payment
would be made these two months at soonest, for the public embar
rassments will greatly delay our quarterly payments.
April 10. Drank tea at Mr. De Berdt's, where met General
Reed, late from PhUadelphia,
AprU 14, Visited Col. WiUard at No. 81 Chariotte-street, Port
land-place, to inquire about government's offer to convey refugees
inclined to reside in Nova Scotia, with allowance to be continued
as if in England.

400 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784.
April 30. Walked to Llmehouse church ; returned by Stepney
church-yard, and saw therein a tomb inclosed within iron rails, in
form of a coffin, said to contain the remains of a wife buried above
ground in comphance with the will of a testator, who gave the
husband an estate on that condition : he is depicted on a glass win
dow fronting the burial-ground as looking out at her tomb. After
wards, at New England Coffee-house, met Mr. Cox, who asked me
to tea with young Smith ; which I accepted, meeting there his
father-in-law and Mr. Jackson of Newburyport,
May 2. Attended service at Llmehouse church ; Dr. Watson,
bishop of Llandaff, preached a raost excellent charity sermon to a
crowded asserably. Bidding prayer was long, catholic, and charm
ingly delivered ; concluding sentence was, " JVow to the King eter
nal" etc., instead of the usual one, " JVow to God the Father, God
the Son," etc. His enunciation is loud, sonorous and manly, his
person robust and tall.
May 3. Attended the scrutiny in aldermen's room, GuUd
haU, between Sawbridge and Atkinson, a case decided in favor
of an act of Parliament against city right of aldermen's consent to
the removal of a livery man from one corapany to another, with
out which it was asserted he was dlsquahfied to vote for a member
of Parliament, although of the livery and free.
May 4. Mr, Danforth met me, and together we visited Mrs,
Hay and staid till eight o'clock.

FROM WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ.
Salem, March 2, 1784,
Dear Sir :
As Messrs. Sparhawk, Bartlett and others are going in the
PUgrim, it will be needless to atterapt giving you a particular ac
count of occurrences here. You will doubtless hear from them of
the alteration in the temper of the people towards absentees, par
ticularly of our town, Alcock's going off, (or absconding,) with
Dr. Whitaker's sinking in the esteera of the people, even at the
fish-market and brandy-shops, has produced a good effect ; many
show their disapprobation, and sorae their utter detestation of
certain intolerant dispositions and persecuting measures.

1784.] journal and letters. 401
I said nothing about our Social Library, because of the present
state of our finances and the want of regular meetinos of the
society. Mr, E. Hasket Derby has lately iraported a considerable
library of modem books, which proved to be very dear, as many
think, and might have been purchased rauch cheaper by you ;
therefore the proprietors wish to avail themselves of your advice
and assistance, whether you shall continue in England or return
hither, I find Mr. D. Oliver, third son of your good friend Andrew
Oliver, Esq., goes also in the Pilgrim. All who can cross the
Atlantic seem determined to go and procure their goods from Eng
land ; not one discovers a disposition to receive them from France,
notwithstanding their generosity towards us. Going to England
is now as' formerly called going home.
Many of our politicians seem desirous of seeing an English
ambassador in America to balance the increasing interest and
influence of France, whose intrigues perplex and alarm us. You
doubtless have heard of Mr. Dana's return from the court of
Russia without concluding a coraraercial treaty there : he is now
chosen a member of Congress, and Is soon to set out, warmly en
gaged in opposition to French politics.
I have advised Mr. Oliver to seek you out and inform you about
us all, who wish and expect your return in the summer ; as he is
young, and a stranger, I doubt not you will notice him and render
him all the kind offices which you may observe him to need. I
have desired Mr. Bartlet to advise with you as to some of the
latest and best plays, farces, etc., which we wish rauch to see.
March 4. The PUgrim not sailing this morning, I find time to
recollect an omission I raade last night. Some Americans have
lately returned via Philadelphia to Boston, among thera William
McNeal, who went off with the troops from thence, and E. Wil
liams, who was an officer in the British service at New-York, and
now receives half pay. McNeal, by means of the Committee of
Safety, was taken up and used roughly on account of his conduct,
as it is said, during the blockade at Boston ; but Williams met
with no insult or obstruction there or at Salem, but is gone into the
country to settle his affairs and then return to Nova Scotia. It is
true he did not choose needlessly to go to the parade, or insurance
offices, etc, but went about Salem visiting his particular friends,
51

402 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784.
and met with no indecency in the streets or elsewhere. Many
have urged me heretofore to write, that you might return and
reside here without the least danger or insult ; but whUe such as
Alcock and Whitaker had the lead, I could not think nor say so.
Now I raay safely tell you what I have heard heretofore in the
market-place, from some that are most desirous now for your
return : — " Oh, let them return, by all means ; but they raust re
member, that they are to down on their knees to the General
Court in the first place, to the coraraittee in the next, and to their
townsmen too, and ask pardon, and then we may even let them
stay araong us, piovided they behave as they ought; even your
Col. Browne hiraself must submit to this."
Your own and your friends' feelings require no observation on
such insolence. This cannot now tend in the least to discourage
your return ; lest it should heretofore, I thought best not to mention
it FareweU. Yours truly,
William Pynchon.
TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM.
London, May 9, 1784.
My Dear Sir :
Your favor ofthe 2d and 4th March was delivered into my hands
by Mr. Bartlet, the sight of whom was as unexpected as agreeable.
He acquaints me with an event foretold to the late Mr. Barnard and
myself at Hartford, some thirteen years ago, by a clergyraan of that
town, concerning the ralschlevous incendiary (Dr. Whitaker) lately
dlsraissed from the remnant of God's heritage over which he had for
too long a time lorded, viz., that his proud, restless, turbulent spirit
would not suffer him to continue long without attempting to disturb
the peace of all within reach of his pernicious influence, and must force
the neighborhood sooner or later to banish him. I confess, though
at this great distance of time and place, I cannot resist the most
pleasurable sensations on hearing this event. Whatever is the cause
of an alteration in the people's notions, the effects probably wiU
prove advantageous to their characters and interest.
My design being to continue in England till autumn, if the pro
prietors of the Social Library shall think me likely to serye their inter-

1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 403
est in the purchase of books, no exertions shall be wanting in my
power to do thera justice. There Is one circurastance relating to
books with which you may be unacquainted : the first edition of a
book of character and quick sale bears a high price till the run has
abated ; besides, the modish outside dress, emblematic of the taste of
the age, enhances the price not a little. Second hand books, and
those out of the tonlsh line, raay generaUy be bought reasonably ;
books of amusement and the beauties of modem writers are in cora
mon estimation, and sell dear.
Respecting Mr. Hasket Derby's library, if it was sent through a
merchant, probably an addition was put to the bookseller's price of
at least 25 per cent, not an uncommon practice here.
Your mention of young Mr. Daniel Oliver is sufficient to
recommend him to my respect and notice, if he shall see fit to
desire it ; without which it is not likely I may see hira, being
rarely in the way of Americans, having forsaken the New England
Coffee-house, grown old, the transatlantics young and unknown to
me, and their manners and language unpleasing.
The easy credit obtained here is astonishing, and characterizes
truly this nation, who are credulous, generous, unsuspecting, and
wealthy beyond belief; if great mutual complaints and sufferings
do not follow the imraense indiscriminate exports to Araerica, I
shall be much out of ray reckoning.
It will not be surprising to me if French politics will be as
much execrated among you as they were admired and praised
during the w^ar ; it is morally impossible, that despotic as the court
of Versailles is, she can relish the republican principles and maxims
of the United States longer than she can raake thera subservient to
her own ambitious purposes. All the world knows the ruin of
Great Britain was the only object of her assisting America to throw
off her dependence, and the folly of her statesmen has aided the
views of that intriguing power. Never had this country a fairer
opportunity of disappointing the pernicious views of her rival
neighbors than the present, were there a public spirit in this in
fatuated nation ; but, alas ! a regard to the public welfare is no
more to be found among its rulers. However indignantly I behold
the conduct of her neighbors, I confess France should be consid
ered only as a rival power, striving to give the law to a state that

404

JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784,

has for more than a century made it a professed principle to thwart
all her political views. I hope your people wiU have more
wisdora than to permit an aristocratic spirit to take place among
you ; for of all civU oppressions that is most intolerable.
I sincerely thank you for aU your favors, particularly the last ;
the contents of your letters might have been published at the
market-cross without injury to your character in the height of the
war, unless with such persons as Alcock and Whitaker, whose
mad party zeal construed into guilt every innocent word and act
of those they were disposed to slander and vUify,
I am, with great truth.
Your faithful and grateful friend, S. Curwen.
May 9, After service proceeded to Mr, Danforth's lodgings
to take him by agreement to Kensington Gardens, where after a
few turns adjourned to " Adam and Eve" ordinary, Mr, Samuel
Porter and young Farnham afterwards joined us in the gardens,
which we found excessively crowded ; among others the Duke of
Chartres, brother of the French king, and two other French noble
men. May 11, Saw John Sparhawk from (near) Portsmouth for the
first time.
May 13. Saw Captain IngersoU from Salem.
May 15. With Mr. Bartlet purchased plays for Mr. Pynchon,
and law-books for Mr, Ward. Mr, Bartlet presented me with a
medal struck in Philadelphia ; — in a round compartment stands,
« U. S  5 . . . . 1783 ;"— round, " Liberias et Justitia ;" on the
other side, in the centre, an eye surrounded by a glory ; the whole
encompassed by thirteen stars, — with the legend, " JVova Constel-
latio." May 17. To Covent Garden ; abode an hour amidst very
numerous throngs, this being the last day of polling, and Fox to be
chaired, it is feared ; great riots and destruction will be the conse
quence. The foot-guards and a squadron of horse are ordered
to hold themselves in readiness, and approach within a callable
distance. In the afternoon went to Covent Garden, now emptied ;
the company gone to attend Mr. Fox's procession, — the hustings

1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 405
removed, and all the stands taken down. Proceeded thence to
Charing Cross, which, to my surprise, I found crowded ; the pro
cession then just beginning to march by frora Westminster Hall,
in the following order : — the officers of each parish distinct, with
their peculiar standards, attending two and two, with wands in their
hands ; bands of rausic ; next gentlemen on horseback ; then others
on foot ; In the rear was Mr. Byng, whose appearance was an
nounced by " Byng and Fox for ever .'" Then followed a few
horsemen ; then Mr. Fox, mounted oh a lofty chair, on and around
interwoven with a laurel bower almost encompassing hira ; soon
after appeared a lofty white silk banner, with this inscription, —
" Sacred to female patriotism j" and was iramediately followed
by the Duchesses of Portland and Devonshire in their coaches,
around which were laurel festoons, each drawn by six horses ; the
whole concluded with about thirty private carriages. An innume
rable crowd attended, and with vociferous acclamations, but no
riot nor mobbing; government having wisely provided the horse
and foot-guards, which probably discouraged the ill-disposed.
May 20. Parson Walter and Mr. Danforth visited me and
took tea.
May 21. Visited by Captain IngersoU from Salera, from whom I
have heard more particulars relative to the present state of the town
and its inhabitants than for several years.
TO WILLIAM VANS, ESa., SALEM.
London, May 21, 1784.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of 2d January, was, I acknowledge, unexpected ;
but did not surprise me, though at this late day. The difference of
your sentiments from mine and those of my mistaken friends,
needed not to have caused the destruction of your former letter ;
for how wide soever our political notiohs have been, or perhaps
now are, that letter, I dare say, conceived in purity of intention,
and brought forth in decency of expression, could not have faUed
to prove informative and arausing ; and on that score a welcorae
present. Besides, I sit in judgraent on no man ; wishing for candor
towards myself, I think it my duty to practise it in my turn to all ;
referring it to God alone to approve or condemn, who alone has

406 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1784,
the right ; and to knaves and fools who have none, to usurp that
right. The doubts that have hitherto discouraged my attempting to
trust the faithless waves again, are derived from more than one
source. However wanting in respect the appeUation, I had
rather be accounted a timid friend, a light you say I am
viewed in, than an enemy ; a reproach I am not conscious to
have deserved.
Your report of the returned penitents to their forraer habitations,
strengthens my belief of lenity towards myself, should I ever be in
a condition to stand in need of such lenity. However, if I rightly
understand the meaning of your caution to address to the care of a
friend, you yourself, sanguine and positive as you are ofthe safety
of my person and property, think it a proper precaution to slip
behind the curtain for a while after entering on the territories of the
United States ; a part, Mr. Vans, I shall on no account stoop to
act, dissimulation being no part of my character, and I am too late
in life to assume new habits.
I am well pleased to hear of the singular moderation of the
town of Salem ; if other towns have been violent in words only,
as your letter intimates, their character is greatly injured and the
public abused.
Having answered your letter, I now take leave, after subscribing
myself with due regards, Your friend, S, Curwen.
June 8. WiUiam Browne, lately arrived from Gibraltar, where
he served as an officer during the siege, son of Colonel Browne,
now governor of Bermudas, called on me after an interval of
six years; he appears intelligent, and his manners much refined.
June 11, To my townsman, S. Porter's lodgings, Kensington,
through the gardens. There seems no inclination in hira or any
refugees to return back; fed, I presume, with delusive hopes of a
compensation, or rather deluding theraselves with ungrounded ex
pectations founded only in their vain wishes and desires of court
compassion, which may be justly added to Lord Rochester's list of
ideal nothings,
June 19, At one o'clock the funeral procession of Sir Barnard

1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 407
Turner, sheriff, passed through Bishopgate-street araidst great
crowds, though much lessened by the delay which the populace
mistook for its being laid aside ; the body had been arrested after
it was put into the hearse, in the street, for a considerable debt,
which was afterwards compromised, on whose or what account is
variously stated. The hearse was preceded by two hnes of the
artillery association, headed by an officer and five privates abreast,
their firelocks reversed, marching in slow pace, muffled drums
beating, trumpets sounding, and other instruraents playing the
104th psalm tune ; the hearse was adorned with large flowing
plumes of ostrich feathers, just before which was led the horse of
the deceased, dressed in black ; on the saddle were laid the hat,
sword, and boots crossed. A small detachment of the artillery
company followed the carriage of the deceased and those of his
brother sheriffs ; after which the whole closed by fourteen car
riages, each drawn by two pair of horses ; the whole was to
proceed nine miles, to Tottenham ; solemn and pompous in the
extreme. June 22. At New England Coffee-house read Mr. Pitt's speech
and motion to stop the smuggling of tea, by a repeal of the heavy
duty on that article, and substituting a lighter one ; and to prevent
any injury to the revenue, by laying an additional house and
window tax, whereby the poor and middling classes will be eased;
and the burden, as it ought, will lay on the wealthy. Polling in
the Borough for the election of a member in the room of the late
Sir Barnard Turner ; candidates, Sir Richard Hotham, and Mr.
Paul Mesurier. FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL.
Bristol, June 28, 1784,
Dear Sir:
Accept my thanks for your kind communication of your inten
tions to revisit America, and for your obliging offer of accepting
any services I may wish to trouble you with, I am clear in my
judgment that you are perfectly right in your present determination ;
you have taken no active part, — your faraUy has reraalned unmo
lested, and Mr. F, Cabot assures me, that whenever you choose to
return you will be received with the warmest cordiality by all your

408 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1784.
old friends, and will receive no insult from any ; in short, that you
may go as safely as he can. This was his closing expression.
You have not told rae when you intend to erabark ; if you think
proper to give rae seasonable notice of the time, perhaps I may
trouble you with the care of one or two letters, provided you dare
be the bearer of them from an alien — traitor by law, vide Act of
1779. If you have any qualms, as I don't know but you may,
upon good grounds, give me but a hint of your fears or wishes,
and I shall conform to either, as my letters will be of no importance
to myself or my correspondents — no treason, no politics, I assure
you. If you go, as I with twenty-eight others still remain exiles,
it is not probable we shall ever see each other again, in this world-
God only knows what kind of one the next will be, whether more
or less dirty— be it what it may, if we meet I shall most joyfully
take you by the hand. Indeed I don't absolutely despair of seeing
you again in this strange world, for upon my soul, though I was
born and bred yet I ara a stranger in it ; but my design is to go
out to N. Scotia this autumn or early in the spring — there, if you
wish, you may see me, but while the unjust, illiberal, lying act of
1779 reraains unrepealed, never will I set foot on the territories of
the thirteen United Independent States. I feel no resentment
against them. I wish them more happiness in their unnatural in
dependence than my judgraent allows me to hope for them — but I
have been mistaken throughout the whole voyage; yet, however
I may have been out in my former opinions, I wish ray judgment
may stUl be erroneous — I wish, most sincerely, my native country
may meet all the happiness she has sought, per fas et nefas — she
thinks she has obtained it— I wish she may not be mistaken ; but I
have my doubts.
Mrs. Sewall accepts with thanks your compliments, and returns
them mOjSt cordially ; my sister, whom you kindly remember, died,
poor girl, on the 17th of May last, after a paralytic stroke about
three months before ; I think I may say, she has gone with as few
faults on her head as any of us can expect to go with. I raiss her
greatly, — but why should we complain 1
I am your humble servant and sincere friend,
Jona. Sewall.

1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 409
TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL.
London, June 29, 1784.
Dear Sir:
On some accounts I shall return to America with reluctance,
having many doubts on my mind of meeting such a reception as
will encourage my continued abode in that land of purity, sanctity
and liberty. I feel too independent a spirit within to apprehend or
regard any danger from republican licentiousness, which ever has
been my contempt and abhorrence.
The following inter nos. The success of my application to the
comraissloners, now sitting in the Treasury, I am as yet ignorant of;
my memorial or petition was this day delivered in, and is to be con
sidered to-morrow. Whatever shall be the event I shall endeavor
to support the same spirit, though a success equal to my supposed
just expectations would serve as pillars or buttresses in an old tot
tering edifice, to add strength and support thereto.
Please make my compliments to your family, and to Mr. Sam
uel Sewall if in your neighborhood.
Dear sir, your affectionate friend, etc.,
S. Curwen.
June 29. After composing the following petition, I proceeded
with it to the Treasury — dubious of its fate or fortune.
" To the Commissioners appointed by act of Parliament to con
sider the sufferings and service ofthe American loyalists:
" The petition of Samuel Curwen humbly showeth : That your
petitioner was forced to abandon his home and dwelling by the
repeated menaces of the people within a few days after the unhap
py rencounter at Lexington, who reproached all persons with the
invidious appellation o( tories, as they chose to call such as^did not
openly accuse the king's troops as aggressors, were for supporting
law and order, and for forbearing future violences ; araong which
number your petitioner was one. Taking refuge aboard a vessel
bound to Philadephia, he arrived there, hoping to find an asylum
from outrage and indignity ; but in this he was mistaken, for
though that city had during all former wars shown a manifest dis
like to military levies and arrangements, and when in the late dis-
52

410 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1784,
pute, a singular moderation ; at this period the political frenzy
had risen to an equal height as in New England, and your petition
er was soon informed that that city could prove no refuge to him,
even by those friends under whose protection he sought for safety ;
the only conilition of his continuing there was a public renunciation
of his principles, acknowledging his errors, and promising future
obedience to the new assumed powers. Loth to be held up to the
public in so disgraceful and mortifying a view, and to confess a
falsehood, he took the only alternative in his power. All communi
cation with the northward by sea being forbidden by the city
committee of safety and inspection, lest General Gage's troops at
Boston should be supplied with flour, etc, and by land no letters
could be sent but under the inspection of the state inquisitors — the
regular post-office established by act of Parliaraent being shut up,
and travelling by land dangerous to any but those called sons of
liberty — he therefore took shipping again, and after a series of
dangers in a very tedious passage, arrived in London, where and
in the country, he has resided to the present time, subsisting whilst
his own stock lasted on that, and since on the public bounty.
Having received some overtures since the peace took place from
sorae of his townsmen of Salem, which, together with the sad de
rangement of his affairs there, makes hira wish to revisit his native
country of New England, but the advices from bis friends rendering
it still doubtful whether he can with safety and comfort pass the
remainder of his days there — being near the verge of threescore
years and ten — he proposes therefore to retreat to Nova Scotia
or one of the royal colonies, in case he cannot obtain a resettlement
on the forementioned conditions, and therefore humbly requests
liberty to appoint an agent here to receive the usual allowance
hitherto indulged hira, and for so long a time as may be judged
proper to continue it.
And your petitioner as in duty bound, etc.,
Samuel Curwen,"
July 2. Went to Treasury ; returned re inf eda, not a little
deranged but not much disappointed ; my expectations from court
not being high, I can suffer but rarely any inconvenience, taking
care not to put myself in the way of frequent mortification. The

1784,] journal and letters, 411
present application is of a kind I should have thought not liable to
a repulse, many such favors having been already granted, if the re
quest deserves not rather the appellation of a just demand.
July 5. Went to the Treasury, and there received the agreea
ble information that the commissioners had granted my petition to
appoint an agent to receive my quarterly allowance after my de
parture from England, on making satisfactory proof of ray being
alive at the successive periods of payraent. From this I date an
end to my doubts respecting my embarkation ; its issue time must
reveal. July 7. Made an early visit to Mr, Gorham, to talk on the
subject of our passage with Capt, IngersoU,
July 8, On 'change met Capt, Folger and John Spar
hawk, both of whom I wish to embark with Mr, Gorham and my
self with Capt, IngersoU, Mr. Jonathan Jackson called on me for
a letter of introduction to Mr. George Russell of Birmingham,
which I cheerfully gave, acquainting Mr, Russell that he possessed
an unblemished reputation and extensive property, in case he may
form any commercial arrangement there,
TO REV. JOSEPH BRETLAND, EXETER.
London, July 9, 1784.
Dear Sir :
I could not, with my strong sense of obligation to Mr. Bretland
for the many instances of respectful attention received from him
during my residence in the west, leave England without acknow
ledging them. My departure from London will be within a fort
night — a voyage at this late hour of my life is an undertaking,
even were the prospects bright, I would gladly dispense with ; but
duty and interest call too loudly to be resisted. I presume your
acquaintance on the western continent lies in a very narrow com
pass ; however, if it shall be in ray power to serve or amuse you
in respect to the concerns in that distant quarter, I shall feel my
self obliged by gratifying your wish.
I know not in what employment I am to pass the small rem
nant of my days, should Providence permit ray safe return home ;
but I shall not think part of it Ul-bestowed in directing and assist
ing the studies and pursuits of my niece's children, who are just of

412 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784,
an age to receive useful ideas— with regard to the English, Latin
and Greek tongues, I shall esteera it a peculiar favor if you wiU
be pleased to forward me a hst of books and the order in which
they should be used. Very truly your friend, S, Curwen.
July 10. To the Treasury ; found the American door besieged
by a score of raendicants like myself, waiting their turns — though
I thought my early attendance would have entitled me to No, 1, 1
was glad to stand No, 21 ; so great was the crowd that I was
more than once about to depart and leave them,
July 11. With Capt. Coombs took an airing to the tower,
having encompassed it on the ramparts, and taken a view of the
American thirteen stripes flying on eight vessels lying in one tier ;
the first view I ever distinctly had of their independent naval glory.
Arranged about going with Capt. IngersoU.
July 16. Gave a power of attorney to George Bainbridge of
Bread-street, to receive my pension quarterly,
July 18, Mr. Cassini, the French mathematician, having
presented through his ambassador in London a memorial, praying
that some person would undertake to carry triangles from Green
wich to Dover to meet the French at Calais, in order to determine
the exact distance between the observatories of Paris and Green
wich ; his majesty, who is ever ready to patronize useful schemes,-
immediately granted one thousand pounds for the carrying it on,
and General Roy was, by his own consent, fixed upon for the un
dertaking, TO REV. JOSEPH BRETLAND, EXETER, DEVON.
London, July 19, 1784,
Dear Sir :
Your obhging favor of the 17th is just received. For a long
time I was flattered with the expectation that my philosophical ac
quaintance would comply with his promise to answer your favor,
tUl I had in truth forgotten I had not written you, and my delay
arose from his, which at last ended in a refusal. He seems to value

1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 413
himself on a freedom from the shackles of fear, and thinks that
an advantage which no believer in the existence of a Deity can
boast of, and to that principle refers all those labored treatises to
prove one ; and though fully convinced of the truth of his system,
is satisfied a universal belief of thera in the present state of things
would not be productive of beneficial effects in society, which to
me is instead of a thousand arguments to manifest their falsity.
I would with unfeigned pleasure travel further than the distance
between us to meet my worthy friend, but unless the weather pre
vent, or some unforeseen accident intervene, to which human af
fairs are liable, I shall take shipping within four days. It repents
me rauch that I had not availed myself of leisure to have visited
you ; but past neglects may be, like this, lamented, not repaired.
Your kind information in respect to method of teaching, I thank
you for ; your friendly caution I take in good part, and shall not
fall to attend to it; and your request, you may depend on my
compliance with.
Be pleased to make my respectful compliments to all friends.
I remain, with real regard. Yours, S. Curwen.
July 20. Went to Mr. Copley's, George-street, Hanover-
square, to take ray leave of hira, and pay my last compliments to
his father-in-law, Mr. R. Clarke, and the family, Mr. Copley ab
sent at Tunbridge.
July 22. Accompanied by Mr. Nathaniel Gorham, breakfasted
on board ship Union, Capt. Jonathan IngersoU, wherein I have en
gaged my passage to Boston ; met Benjamin Pickraan the elder
and younger. Dined at Mr. De Berdt's, in corapany with General
Joseph Reed of Philadelphia, and Mr. Gorham ; also drank tea
and passed the evening there,
July 25, Sunday. Attended worship at Mr, Lindsay's chapel,
Essex-street, Strand ; took my final leave of Mr, Lindsay and Dr.
Disney at the chapel door,
July 28, Took leave at lodgings 107 Bishopgate-street with
in, and proceeded to the ship Union, lying at Irongate, where I
purpose to abide tiU my arrival at Gravesend, Paid twenty guineas

414 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784.
in part for my passage money. From henceforth I bid an ever
lasting farewell to London, At ten o'clock the Tower guns, to the
number of eighty, were discharged ; this being the day appointed
by royal proclamation to be observed as a thanksgiving for the
general peace. Despatched a boat to bring Capt, Coombs from
his brig Minerva ; Capt, Patterson and Cleves also drank tea with us,
Aug. 1. Proceeded down the river with a fair wind,
Aug. 2, Anchored off Deal,
Aug. 3, Capt IngersoU with two passengers arrived on board;
imraedlately after the ship broke ground, and in an hour entered
the Channer; and now hey for the ocean,
Aug. 4. This morning all our passengers breakfasted together
for the first time ; their names, Nathaniel Gorham, William Smith,
Lewis and Francis Deblois, of Boston, a Mr, Isle, and myself.
Aug. 6, Stood in for St. Helen's road ; thence proceeded to
Cowes harbor. Isle of Wight, where we anchored ; went ashore,
took tea and supped at the Vine inn,
Aug. 7. With four fellow-passengers took coach for Newport,
the only borough town on the island, consisting of four hundred
houses ; it lies at the head of water beyond Cowes five miles ; re
markable for no manufactures or productions, natural or artificial :
thence trudged it on foot to Carisbrook Castle, on an eminence a
mile or more distant, now in ruins, and inhabited by a famUy named
Poney, consisting of two or three maidens and their servants. The
church is a living of £120 per annum. After dinner we all set off
for our ship,
Aug. 8. Got under weigh, and at six o'clock are now in the
bay, steering for Lyraington road, where we arrived at nine o'clock
and anchored, waiting for the ebb to carry us through the Needles
at a league's distance. These rpcks lie on the island side of the en
trance, and on the opposite shore of the main land of England, On
a point, of a mUe or so in length, stands Hurst Castle, remarkable
in history for being the prison of King Charles, not long before his
execution, Aug. 10, Supposed off Berryhead, at five leagues distant
Afternoon changed our course and entered Dartmouth harbor.
Aug. 11, At six o'clock A, M. in the offing, Start bearing N,
by E,, four leagues distant; dead calm ; ten vessels in sight

1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 415
Aug. 13, Spoke brig Paragon, twenty-eight days out from
Alexandria, with Mr. and Mrs. Hughes on board.
Sept. 25, Arrived at Boston, and at half past three o'clock
landed at the end of ' Long-wharf, after an absence of nine years
and five months, occasioned by a lamented civil war, excited by
ambitious, selfish men here and in England, to the disgrace, dis
honor, distress, and disparagement of these extensive territories.
By plunder and rapine some few have accumulated wealth, but
many raore are greatly injured in their circurastances ; sorae have
to lament over the wreck of their departed wealth and estates, of
which pitiable number I ara ; my affairs having sunk into irre
trievable ruin, TO CAPT. MICHAEL COOMBS, LONDON.
Salem, Mass., Oct. 9, 1784.
Dear Sir :
This day fortnight, at half past three P. M., I landed on the
head of the Long-wharf, in Boston, being the first American ground
I had touched since May 12, 1775, when I departed from PhUa
delphia. It is no less strange than unaccountable, how low, mean
and dirainutive every thing on shore appeared to rae. On Sunday,
being the day following, I left for this place, where I alighted at
the house of my former residence, and not a raan, woman, or child,
but expressed a satisfaction at seeing me, and welcomed me back.
Thus much for myself.
The few things for your widow I have delivered into her hands,
and I find her a woman of uncommon vigor and equanimity, nor
do I think one to be met with who has better acquitted herself in
the late trying times. By her resolution she has preserved the
household furniture from confiscation and waste, and your account-
books from inspection, though menaced and flattered by the state
agents. The melancholy derangement of my own affairs has so
entirelyunsettled me, that I can scarce attend to any thing, I
think it very unlikely my house can be saved.* It shall be among
my first engagements to attend to your affairs.
With real regard, your friend,
S. Curwen.
" It was saved from confisoalion.

416 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1784,
TO JONATHAN SMITH, ESQ., PHILADELPHIA Sdem, Oct. 9, 1784,
Dear Sir :-
A few days since I returned to the place of my nativity, after
an absence of more than nine years, in which interval I find great
revolutions to have taken place, not only with regard to the civil
and political state of America in general, but also with respect to
the property of individuals. Whilst some from the narrowest and
baset condition have arisen to high honors and great wealth, others
from comfortable, reputable, and even respectable and affluent,
have fallen into indigent and distressed circumstances; and al
though the latter is not exactly my case, I confess myself verging
to that point; my affairs are sadly deranged, but I hope time and
application will cure the disorder. For that purpose, I beg you
will forward to me a box containing my account-books left in your
father's hands for security during my absence.
Your most obedient servant,
S. Curwen,
TO CAPT. MICHAEL COOMBS, LONDON.
Salem, JVov. 15, 1784,
Dear Sir :
I have waited on Mr. SewaU,* a lawyer of your town ; from him
I learn he has undertaken to procure the necessary papers, and
will, at my pressing instance, set about it immediately ; my argu
ment being constantly, delay is almost as fatal to my friend as total
neglect. I am now to congratulate you on the salvation of your wharf
and warehouse from the viUainous hands of the rapacious harpies,,
the comraissloners ; that part of your real estate, by great luck was
neglected in the libel by which your other was seized and confis
cated, and therefore it still reraains your property. What debts
are clairaed and proved, must, by the law that confiscates, be levied
on and taken out of the estate sold, the remainder escheats to the
* Mr. Samuel Sewall, of Marblehead, afterwards chief justice of Mas
sachusetts.

1784,] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 417
public treasury. But so infamously knavish has been the conduct
of the comraissloners, that though frequent atterapts have been
made to bring them to justice, and respond for the produce of the
funds resting in their hands, so numerous are the defaulters in that
august body, the General Court, that all efforts have hitherto proved
vain. Not twopence in the pound have arrived to the public trea
sury of all the confiscations !
Mr, Sewall says, were you disposed, he would advise you not
to come here, until the act respecting refugees or absentees be
passed, which will be, it is thought, this session.
The triumphant here look down with contempt on the van
quished ; their little ralnds are not equal to the astonishing success
of their feeble arms. God bless the worthy and blast the villainous
of every party,* Very truly yours,
S, Curwen,

TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL, ENGLAND.
Salem, JVov. 22, 1784,
Dear Sir:
I find myself completely ruined, I confess I cannot bear to
stay and perish under the ruins of ray late ample property, and
shall, therefore, as soon as I can recover my account-books, left in
Philadelphia on my departure from America, and settle my deranged
affairs, retreat to Nova Scotia, unless ray allowance shall be taken
from me, I am ignorant whether it raay be prudent to raake appli
cation to the comraissloners on American refugees' affairs ; but being
here by their indulgence, I wish my allowance raay continue. And
if in this representation you can afford me any assistance by your
self, or in concert with Mr. Danforth, to whom I have also written,
I shall thankfully acknowledge your counsel and aid, as a kind en
deavor to rescue from want your old and faithful friend,
S. Curwen.
* Capt. Coombs, to whom the foregoing letter was addressed, and who is
often mentioned in Judge Curwen's Journal, was a respectable merchant of
Marblehead, Mass., to which place he returned some years after the peace,
and died there at an advanced age. 53

418 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1795,
1795. [The following letters were written ten years after
Judge Curwen's return, when in his eightieth year. He survived
several years longer, having died at Salera April, 1802.]
TO SAMUEL CURWEN, ESa.
Dorchester, Feb. 6, 1795.
Dear Sir :
Many years are elapsed since I saw you. Hearing lately that
you were returned to Salera, I have taken this opportunity to write
to you. In the year 1741 1 was taken ill, and continued poorly
several years, but as Providence ordered it, got better and have kept
school here fourteen years ; I was treasurer for the town thirty-seven
years, and one of the selectmen and assessors thereof forty years.
Although the most of our class that are dead seemed more likely
to live long than I, yet to a wonder I am spared. It pleased God
in his holy providence a few years since to deprive me of my habi
tation by fire ; by the help of friends I have got up a house, and
have so far finished it that I and my family live in it
Be pleased to let me hear from you, if you can send a letter to
Mr, HopestiU Capens, a kinsman of mine living in Boston, near
the market ; I hope I shall receive it If you come to Boston, be
pleased to come over and see me ; I live within four miles of the
State-house. From your classmate, Noah Clap,
TO NOAH CLAP.
Salem, February 18, 1795,
My Friend Clap :
Your unexpected but agreeable letter of the 6th inst, was re
ceived about a week since, wherein you say you are among the
very few of our fellow-students and classmates that are stUl in the
land of the living. This has been a subject of my frequent thoughts
and inquiry ; the result follows : WiUis, Clap, Cook, Curwen, Parsons,
Smith, Pierce, SneU ; Hovey uncertain,* You observe, " although
* Judge Curwen was of the class (thirty-eight in number) graduated at
Harvard Crflege in 1735 ; of whom it seems eight, and perhaps nine, were
living in 1795.

1795.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 419
most of our classmates that are dead and gone seemed more likely fo
live than I," etc, ; on which I remark, it is a subject of constant obser
vation among persons of thought and reflection, to which by expe
rience I subscribe, that most of those whose health-promising coun
tenances, lively spirits, and great bodily strength promise long
life, are most commonly cut off in the midst of life, while the more
feeble, complaining, and those frequently confined by illness, are
continued to a comparatively long life, and rendered capable of
more enjoyment than in the days of youth and middle age, of which
nuraber I profess myself to be one. Thanks to the gracious Being
who has, in mercy I hope, lengthened my life to one of the longest
periods in these days, being entered, more than two months, in my
eightieth year ; which I presume is your length of years.
Agreeably to your invitation, I shall, when the roads and wea
ther prove favorable for travelling, continue ray next journey as
far as your dweUing, and in the raean time I remain, with due
regards. Your friend and well wisher,
S. Cukwen.

SUPPLEMENT;

CONTAINING
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS,
AND
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF INDIVIDUALS
MENTIONED IN THE FOREGOING WORK.

SUPPLEMENT.

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS.

ADDRESS OF THE MERCHANTS AND OTHERS OF BOSTON,
TO GOV. HUTCHINSON.
Boston, May 30, 1774,
We, merchants and traders ofthe town of Boston, and others,
do now wait on you, in the most respectful manner, before your
departure for England, to testify, for ourselves, the entire satisfac
tion we feel at your wise, zealous, and faithful adrainistration, dur
ing the few years that you have presided at the head of this province.
Had your success been equal to your endeavors, and to the warraest
wishes of your heart, we cannot doubt that many of the evils under
which we now suffer, would have been averted,'and that tranquillity
would have been restored to this long divided province ; but we
assure ourselves that the want of success in those endeavors will
not abate your good wishes when reraoved frora us, or your ear
nest exertions still on every occasion to serve the true interest of
this your native country.
While we lament the loss of so good a governor, we are greatly
relieved that his Majesty, in his gracious favor, hath appointed as
your successor a gentlem&n who, having distinguished himself in
the long command he hath held in another department, gives us
the most favorable prepossessions of his future administration.
We greatly deplore the calamities that are impending and will
soon fall on this metropolis, by the operation of a late act of Par
liament for shutting up the port on the first of next month. You

424 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS.
cannot but be sensible, sir, of the numberless evils that wUl ensue
to the province in general, and the miseries and distresses into
which it will particularly involve this town, in the course of a few
months. Without meaning to arraign the justice of the British
Parliament, we could humbly wish that this act had been couched
with less rigor, and that the execution of it had been delayed to a
more distant time, that the people might have had the alternative
either to have complied with the conditions therein set forth, or to
have submitted to the consequent evils on refusal ; but as it now
stands, all choice is precluded, and however disposed to corapliance
or concession the people raay be, they must unavoidably suffer
very great calamities before they can receive relief. Making res
titution for damage done to the property ofthe East India Company,
or to the property of any individual, by the outrage of the people,
we acknowledge to be just ; and though we have ever disavowed,
and do now solemnly bear our testimony against such lawless pro
ceedings, yet, considering ourselves as members ofthe same commu
nity, we are fully disposed to bear our proportions of those damages,
whenever the sum and the manner of laying it can be ascertained.
We earnestly request that you, sir, who know our condition, and
have at all times displayed the raost benevolent disposition towards
us, will, on your arrival in England, interest yourself in our behalf,
and make such favorable representations of our case, as that we
may hope to obtain speedy and effectual relief.
May you enjoy a pleasant passage to England ; and under all
the mortifications you have patiently endured, may you possess the
inward and consolatory testiraonies of having discharged your trust
with fidelity and honor, and receive those distinguishing marks of
his Majesty's royal approbation and favor, as may enable you to
pass fhe remainder of your life in quietness and ease, and preserve
your name with honor to posterity,
WiUiam Blair, John Greenlaw,
James Selkrig, benjamin Clark,
Archibald WUson, WiUiam McAlpine,
Jeremiah Green, Jonathan Snelling,
Samuel H, Sparhawk, James Hall,
Joseph Turill, William Dickson.
Roberts & Co., John Winslow, jr.,

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS.

425

Theophilus LilUe,
MUes Whitworth,
James McEwen,
WiUiam Codner,
James Perkins,
John White,
Robert Jarvis,
William Perry,
James & Patrick McMasters,
William Coffin,
Simeon Stoddard, jr,
John Powell,
Henry Laughton,
Eliphalet Pond,
M. B. Goldthwait,
Peter Hughes,
Samuel Hughes,
John Semple,
HopestiU Capen,
Edward King-,
Byiield Lynde,
George Lynde,
A, F. Phipps,
Rufus Green,
David Phips,
Richard Smith,
George Spooner,
Daniel Silsby,
William Cazneau,
James Forrest,
Edward Cox,
John Berry,
Richard Hirons,
Ziphion Thayer,
John Joy,
Joseph Goldthwait,
Samuel Prince,
Jonathan Simpson,
Jaraes Boutineau,
Nathaniel Hatch, 54

Martin Gay,
Joseph Scott,
Samuel Minot,
Benjamin M, Holmes,
Archibald McNiel,
George Leonard,
John Borland,
Joshua Loring, jr.,
William Jackson,
James Anderson,
David Mitchelson,
Abraham Savage,
Jaraes Asby,
John Inman,
John Coffin,
Thomas Knight,
Benjamin Green, jr,
David Green,
Benjamin Green,
Henry H. Williams,
James Warden,
Nathaniel Coffin, jr.,
Silvester Gardiner,
John S. Copley,
Edward Foster,
Colbourn Burrell,
Nathaniel Greenwood,
William Burton,
John Winslow,
Isaac Winslow, jr.,
Thomas Oliver,
Henry Bloye,
Benjamin Davis,
Isaac Winslow,
Lewis Deblois,
Thomas Aylwin,
William Bowes,
Gregory Townsend,
Francis Green,
Philip Dumaresq,

426 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS.
Harrison Gray, Henry Lyddell,
Peter Johonnot, Nathaniel Cary,
George Erving, George Brinley,
Joseph Green, Richard Lechmere,
John Vassall, John Erving, jr.,
Nathaniel Coffin, Thomas Gray,
John Timmins, George Bethune,
WiUiam TaUor, Thomas Apthorp,
Thomas Brinley, Ezekial Goldthwaite,
Harrison Gray, jr., Benjamin Gridley,
John Taylor, John Atkinson,
Gilbert Deblois, Ebenezer Bridgham,
Joshua Winslow, John Gore,
Daniel Hubbard, Adino Paddock.
Hugh Turbett,
ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF MARBLEHEAD TO GOV.
HUTCHINSON. Marblehead, May 25, 1774,
His Majesty having been pleased to appoint his Excellency the
Hon, Thomas Gage, Esq,, to be governor and commander-in-chief
over this province, and you, (as we are informed,) being speedily
to embark for Great Britain: We, the subscribers, merchants,
traders, and others, inhabitants of Marblehead, beg leave to present
you our valedictory address on this occasion ; and as this is the
only way we now have of expressing to you our entire approbation
of your public conduct during the time you have presided in this
province, and of making you a return of our most sincere and
hearty thanks for the ready assistance which you have at all times
afforded us, when applied to in matters which affected our naviga
tion and commerce, we are induced from former experience of
your goodness, to believe that you will freely indulge us in the
pleasure of giving you this testimony of our sincere esteem and
gratitude. In your public administration, we are fully convinced that the
general good was the mark which you have ever aimed at, and we
can, sir, with pleasure assure you, that it is likewise the opinion of
all dispassionate thinking men within the circle of our observation,
notwithstanding many publications would have taught the world to

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 427
think the contrary ; and we beg leave to entreat you, that when
you arrive at the court of Great Britain, you would there embrace
every opportunity of moderating the resentment of the government
against us, and use your best endeavors to have the unhappy dis
pute between Great Britain and this country brought to a just and
equitable determination.
We cannot omit the opportunity of returning you in a particular
manner our most sincere thanks for your patronizing our cause in
the matter of entering and clearing the fishing vessels at the
custom-house, and making the fishermen pay hospital money ; we
believe it is owing to your representation of the matter, that we
are hitherto free from that burden.
We heartUy wish you, sir, a safe and prosperous passage to
Great Britain, and when you arrive there may you find such a re
ception as shall fully compensate for all the insults and indignities
which have been offered you,
Henry Saunders, Nathan Bowen,
Richard Hinkly, Thomas Robie,
Samuel Reed, John Stimson,
John Lee, John Webb,
Robert Ambrose, Joseph Lee,
Jonathan Glover, Thomas Lewis,
Richard PhiUips, Sweet Hooper,
Isaac Mansfield, Robert Hooper,
Joseph Bubler, Jacob Fowle,
Richard Stacy, John Pedrick,
Thomas Procter, Richard Reed,
John Fowle, Benjamin Marston,
Robert Hooper, 3d, Samuel White,
John Gallison, Joseph Hooper,
John Prince, John Prentice,
George McCall, Robert Hooper, jr.
Joseph Swasey,
ADDRESS OP THE BARRISTERS AND ATTORNEYS OF MAS
SACHUSETTS TO GOV. HUTCHINSON, MAY 30, 1774.
A firm persuasion of your inviolable attachment to the real
interests of this your native country, and of your constant readiness,
by every service in your power, to promote its true welfare and

428 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS.
prosperity, will, we flatter ourselves, render it not improper in us,
barristers and attorneys at law in the province of Massachusetts
Bay, to address your Excellency upon your removal from us, with
this testimonial of our sincere respect and esteem.
The various important characters of Legislator, Judge and first
Magistrate over this province, in which, by the suffrages of your
fellow-subjects, and by the royal favor of the best of kings, your
great abilities, adorned with a uniform purity of principle, and in
tegrity of conduct, have been eminently distinguished, raust excite
the esteem and demand the grateful acknowledgments of every
true lover of his country, and friend to virtue.
The present perplexed state of our public affairs, we are sensi
ble, must render your departure far less disagreeable to you than it
is to us,— we assure you, sir, we feel the loss ; but when, in the
amiable character of your successor, we view a fresh instance of
the paternal goodness of our most gracious sovereign ; when we
reflect on the probability that your presence at the court of Great
Britain, will afford you an opportunity of employing your interests
more successfully for the relief of this province, and particularly of
the town of Boston, under their present distresses, we find a conso
lation which no other human source could afford. Permit us, sir,
most earnestly to solicit the exertion of all your distinguished
abilities in favor of your native town and country, upon this truly
unhappy and distressing occasion.
We sincerely wish you a prosperous voyage, a long continua
tion of health and felicity, and the highest rewards of the good
and faithful.
We are, sir, with the most cordial affection, esteem and
respect. Your Excellency's most obedient and very humble servants,
Robert Achmuty, Andrew Cazneau,
Jonathan Sewall, Daniel Leonard,
Samuel Fitch, John Lowell,
Samuel Quincy, Daniel Oliver,
WiUiam Pynchon, Sampson S. Blowers,
James Putnam, Shearjashub Brown,
Benjamin Gridley, Daniel BUss,
Abel WiUard, Samuel Porter,

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 429
David IngersoU, John Sprague,
Jeremiah D. Rogers, Rufus Chandler,
David Gorham, Thomas Danforth,
Samuel SewaU, Ebenezer Bradish.
From the Essex Gazette of June 14, 1774.
Messrs. Hall :
As it is generally known that an Address from the Merchants,
Traders and others, in the town of Salera, to the late Governor
Hutchinson, was signed by nurabers of gentleraen belonging to the
town ; and it being as well known that his Excellency gave his
answer to the sarae, it reraains now a raatter of great speculation,
especially amongst those of the town of Boston who were foremost
in promoting a plan so apparently beneficial in the present exigency
of affairs in this province, what sufficient reason can be assigned
by the subscribers, (contrary to the very design of such an address,)
for then not making it public. Many conjectures might be admitted
upon this matter, not to the honor of the concerned, which we
shall omit for the present. Yours,
Z. Y.
From the Essex Gazette of June 1, 1775.
Salem, May 30, 1775.
Whereas we the subscribers did some time since sign an address
to Governor Hutchinson, which, though prompted to by the best
intentions, has, nevertheless, given great offence to our country :
We do now declare, that we were so far from designing by that
action, to show our acquiescence in those acts of Parliament so
universally and justly odious to all America, that on the contrary,
we hoped we might in that way contribute to their repeal ; though
now to our sorrow we find ourselves mistaken. And we do now
further declare, that we never intended the offence which this ad
dress has occasioned ; that if we had foreseen such an event we
should never have signed it ; as it always has been and now is our
wish to live in harmony with our neighbors, and our serious de
termination is to promote to the utmost of our power the hberty,
the welfare, and happiness of our country, which is inseparably
connected with our own.

430 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS,
John Nutting, E. A. Holyoke,
N, Goodale, WiUiam Pynchon,
Ebenezer Putnam, Thomas Barnard,
Francis Cabot, Nathaniel Dabney,
N. Sparhawk, WUliam Pickman,
Andrew Dalglish, C, Gayton Pickman,
In Committee of Safety, Salem, May 30, 1775.— The declar
ation, of which the above is a copy, being presented and read, it
was voted unanimously that the sarae was satisfactory ; and that
the said gentleraen ought to be received and treated as real friends
to this country. By order of the Coraraittee,
Richard Derby, Jr., Chairman,
In the sarae paper of June 1, 1775, immediately following the
above, is a communication to the Committee of Safety, from the
late Rev, Thomas Barnard, dated May 25, 1775 : —
Gentlemen :
A suspicion of being inimical to those with whom we are con
nected in society, and whom we esteem and love, cannot but give
severe pain to a generous mind. Unhappily, I have been viewed
by my countrymen in a light so disagreeable. The address which
I signed to Governor Hutchinson upon his leaving this province, I
signed with no party views, with no design whatever of injuring
that country with the prosperity of which my dearest huraan in
terests are closely connected, but with strong hopes of proraoting
the lasting peace and welfare of ray native land. But I own, my
fond expectations arising therefrom have been disappointed. The
cause of America I look upon capable of full defence by the voice
of justice and the British constitution; and shall be ever ready to
support it in that way which the united wisdom of the continent
shall dictate.
Such are ray sentiraents, and upon the strength of them I would
request of my countrymen to throw the veil of charity and forgive
ness over any incautious action of mine, which may have led them
to think unfavorably of me, and to grant me a place in their
esteem, which I shall ever think myself happy in deserving.
Thomas Barnard, Jr.

illustrative DOCUMENTS, 431
In CommUtee of Safety, Salem, May 25, 1775.— The declara
tion, of which the above is a copy, being presented and read, it was
voted unanimously that the same was satisfactory ; and that the
said gentleman ought to be received and treated as a real friend to
his country. By order of the Committee,
Richard Derby, Jr., Chairman.
From the Essex Gazette, June 14, 1774.
Last Saturday, (June 11th, 1774,) the following address was
presented to his Excellency the Governor : —
To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., Captain-General, Governor
and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Massachusetts
Bay in New England, and Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's
Forces.
May it please your Excellency :
We, merchants and others, inhabitants of the ancient town of
Salem, beg leave to approach your Excellency with our most
respectful congratulations on your arrival in this place.
We are deeply sensible of his Majesty's paternal care and
affection to this province, in the appointment of a person of your
Excellency's experience, wisdom and raoderation, in these trouble-
sorae and difficult times.
We rejoice that this town is graciously distinguished for that
spirit, loyalty, and reverence for the laws, which is equally our glory
and happiness.
From that public spirit and warm zeal to promote the general
happiness of raen, which mark the great and good, we are led to
hope under your Excellency's administration for every thing that
may promote the peace, prosperity, and real welfare of this pro
vince. We beg leave to commend to your Excellency's patronage the
trade and commerce of this place, which, from a full protection of
the liberties, persons and properties of individuals, cannot but
flourish. And we assure your Excellency we wUl make it our constant
endeavors by peace, good order, and a regard for the laws, as far
as in us lies, to render your station and residence easy and happy.

432

illustrative documents.

John Sargent,
Jacob Ashton,
William Wetmore,
James Grant,
Henry Higginson,
David Britten,
P. G, Kast,
Weld Gardner,
Nathaniel Daubney,
Richard NichoUs,
WUliam Cabot,
Cabot Gerrish,
WiUiam Gerrish,
Rowland Savage,
William Lilly,
Jonathan Goodhue,
Nathan Goodale,
WiUiam Pickman,
C. Gayton Pickman,
Nathaniel Sparhawk,
WiUiam Vans,
Timothy Orne,
Richard Routh,
Stephen Higginson,

John Prince,
George Deblois,
Andrew Dalglish,
Joseph Blaney,
Archelaus Putnam,
Samuel Porter,
Thomas Poynton,
Samuel Flagg,
Benjamin Lynde,
William Browne,
John Turner,
P. Frye,
Francis Cabot,
William Pynchon,
John Fisher,
John Mascarene,
E. A. Holyoke,
Jos. Bowditch,
Ebenezer Putnam,
S, Curwen,
John Nutting,
Jos, Dowse,
Benjamin Pickman,
Henry Gardner,

Tht " Loyal Address from the Gentlemen and Principal Inhab
itants OF Boston to Governor Gage on his departure for
England, October 6, 1775," was signed as follows :

John Erving,
Thomas Hutchinson, jr,,
Silvester Gardiner,
Wm. Bowes,
John Timmins,
Nathaniel Coffin,
John Winslow, jr.,
Alexander Bymer,
Robert Hallowell,
Robert Jarvis,
David Phips,

John Tayler,
Archibald McNeal,
Francis Green,
Benjamin Davis,
John Sampson,
WiUiam Tayler,
John Inman,
Wm. Perry,
John Gore,
Isaac Winslow, jr.,
Thomas Courtney,

illustrative documents.

433

John Love,
Hugh Tarbett,
Nathaniel Perkins,
John Powell,
James Selkrig,
Archibald Cunningham,
William Cazneau,
David Barton,
John Semple,
Henry Lawton,
William Brattle,
John Troutbeck,
Stephen Greenleaf,
WiUiam Walter,
James Perkins,
Phillip Duraaresque,
Joshua Loring, jr.,
Henry Lloyd,
William Lee Perkins,
George Leonard,
Thomas Brinley,
Daniel Hubbard,
Samuel Fitch,
John Atkinson,
Joseph Turin,
Sarauel Hirst Sparhawk,
Ebenezer Brigham,
William Codner,
Jonathan Snelling,
Benjamin Gridley,
Gilbert Deblois,
Edward Hutchinson,
MUes Whitworth,
Daniel McMasters,
John Hunt, 3d,
James Lloyd,
William McAlpine,
John Greecart,

William Dickerson,
WiUiam Hunter,
Robert Semple,
John Joy,
Gregory Townsend,
Isaac Winslow,
Byfield Lyde,
Richard Clarke,
Benjamin Fanieul, jr.,
Thomas Amory,
George Brindley,
Ralph Inman,
Edward Winslow,
Benjamin M. Holmes,
William Jackson,
Richard Green,
James Murray,
Joseph Scott,
Peter Johonnot,
Nathaniel Cary,
Martin Gay,
Samuel Hughes,
WiUiam Coffin, jr.,
Adino Paddock,
Andrew Cazneau,
Henry Lindall,
Theophilus Lillie,
Henry Barnes,
M. B. Goldthwait,
Lewis Gray,
Nathaniel Brinley,
John Jeffries, jr.,
Archibald Bowman,
Jonathan Simpson,
Nathaniel Tayler,
Jaraes Anderson,
Lewis Deblois.

55

434 illustrative documents.
The Loyal Address to Governor Gage on his departute, October
14, 1775, of those Gentlemen who were driven from their
Habitations in the Country to the Town of Boston, was
signed by the following persons :
John Chandler, Jonathan Stearns,
James Putnam, Ward Chipman,
Peter Oliver, sen., WiUiam Chandler,
Seth WUliams, jr., Thomas Foster,
Charies Curtis, Pelham Winslow,
Samuel Pine, Daniel Oliver,
David Phips, Edward Winslow, jr.,
Richard SaltonstaU, Nathaniel Chandler,
Peter Oliver, jr., James Putnam, jr,
conspiracy act.
An Act to confiscate the estates of certain notorious conspirators
against the government and liberties ofthe inhabitants of the late
province, now state, of Massachusetts Bay.
Whereas the several persons hereinafter mentioned, have wick
edly conspired to overthrow and destroy the constitution and ^gov
ernraent of the late province of Massachusetts Bay, as established
by the charter agreed upon by and between their late majesties
WiUiara and Mary, late King and Queen of England, etc., and the
inhabitants of said province, now state, of Massachusetts Bay ; and
also to reduce the said inhabitants under the absolute power and
doralnation of the present king, and of the parliaraent of Great
Britain, and, as far as in them lay, have aided and assisted the
same king and parliament in their endeavors to establish a despotic
government over the said inhabitants :
Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Repre
sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the
sarae, that Francis Bernard, baronet, Thomas Hutchinson, Esq.,
late governor of the late province, now state, of Massachusetts
Bay, Thomas Oliver, Esq., late lieutenant governor, Harrison
Grey, Esq., late treasurer, Thomas Flucker, Esq., late secretary,
Peter Oliver, Esq., late chief justice, Foster Hutchinson, John Er-
"^'ingj y-> George Erving, WiUiam Pepperell, baronet, James

illustrative documents, 435
Boutineau, Joshua Loring, Nathaniel Hatch, Willlara Browne,
Richard Lechraere, Josiah Edson, Nathaniel Rea Thoraas, Timo
thy Ruggles, John Murray, Abijah WUlard, and Daniel Leonard,
Esqs., late mandamus counsellors of said late province, William
Burch, Henry Hulton, Charles Paxon, and Benjarain HaUoweU,
Esqs., late comraissloners of the custoras, Robert Auchmuty, Esq.,
late judge ofthe vlce-adrairalty court, Jonathan Sewall, Esq., late
attorney general, Sarauel Quincy, Esq., late solicitor general,
Samuel Fitch, Esq., solicitor or counsellor at law to the board of
commissioners, have justly incurred the forfeiture of all their prop
erty, rights and liberties, holden under and derived from the govern
ment and laws of this state ; and that each and every of the persons
aforenamed and described, shall be held, taken, deemed and ad
judged to have renounced and lost all civil and political relation
to this and the other United States of Araerica, and be considered
as aliens. Sect. 2, Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all the
goods and chattels, rights and credits, lands, teneraents, and hered-
itaraents of every kind, of which any of the persons herein before
named and described, were seized or possessed, or were entitled to
possess, hold, enjoy, or demand, in their own right, or which any
other person stood or doth stand seized or possessed of, or are or
were entitled to have or demand to and for their use, benefit and
behoof, shall escheat, enure and accrue to the sole use and benefit
of the governraent and people of this state, and are accordingly
hereby declared so to escheat, enure and accrue, and the said gov
ernment and people shall be taken, deemed and adjudged, and are
accordingly hereby declared to be in the real and actual possession
of all such goods, chattels, rights and credits, lands, tenements and
hereditaments, without further inquiry, adjudication or determina
tion hereafter to be had ; any thing in the act, entitled, " An act
for confiscating the effects of certain persons commonly called ab
sentees," or any other law, usage, or custom to the contrary not
withstanding ; provided always, that the escheat shaU not be
construed to extend to or operate upon, any goods, chattels, rights,
credits, lands, tenements or hereditaments, of which the persons
afore naraed and described, or sorae other, in their right and to
their use, have not been seized or possessed, or entitled to be seized

436 illustrative documents,
or possessed, or to have or demand as aforesaid, since the nineteenth
day of AprU, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and seventy-five.— [Pawed AprU 30, 1779. Jfot revised.']

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
An Act for confiscating the estates of certain persons commonly
called absentees.
Whereas every governraent hath a right to command the per
sonal services of all its raerabers, whenever the exigencies of the
state shall require it, especially in times of an impending or actual
invasion, no member thereof can then withdraw himself from the
jurisdiction of the government, and thereby deprive it of the bene
fit of his personal services, without justly incurring the forfeiture
of all his property, rights and liberties, holden under and derived
from that constitution of government, to the support of which he hath
refused to afford his aid and assistance : and whereas the king of
Great Britain did cause the parliament thereof to pass divers acts
in direct violation of the fundamental rights of the people of this
and of the other United States of America ; particularly one cer
tain act to vacate and annul the charter of this government', the
great compact made and agreed upon between his royal predeces
sors and our ancestors ; and one other act, declaring the people of
said states to be out of his protection ; and did also levy war
against them, for the purpose of erecting and establishing an arbi
trary and despotic governraent over thera ; whereupon it became
the indispensable duty of all the people of said states forthwith to
unite in defence of their common freedom, and by arras to oppose
the fleets and arraies of the said king ; yet nevertheless, divers of
the members of this and of the other United States of America,
evUly disposed, or regardless of their duty towards their country,
did withdraw themselves from this, and other of the said United
States, into parts and places under the acknowledged authority and
dominion of the said king of Great Britain, or into parts and places
within the limits of the said states, but in the actual possession and
under the power of the fleets or armies of the said king ; thereby
abandoning the liberties of their country, seeking the protection of
the said king, and of his fleets or armies, and aiding or giving en-

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 437
couragement and countenance to their operations against the Uni
ted States aforesaid :
Sect, 1, Be it enacted by the Council and House of Repre
sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of
the same, that every inhabitant and member of the late province,
now state, of Massachusetts Bay, or of any other of the late prov
inces or colonies, now United States of America, who, since the
nineteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hun
dred and seventy-five, hath levied war or conspired to levy war
against the governraent and people of any of the said provinces or
colonies, or United States ; or who hath adhered to the said king
of Great Britain, his fleets or armies, enemies of the said provinces
or colonies or United States, or hath given to them aid or comfort ;
or who, since the said nineteenth day of April, Anno Domini one
thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, hath withdrawn, without
the permission of^ the legislative or executive authority of this or
some other of the said United States, from any of the said prov
inces or colonies, or United States, into parts and places under the
acknowledged authority and dorainion of the said king of Great
Britain, or into any parts or places within the limits of any of the
said provinces, colonies, or United States, being in the actual pos
session and under the power of the fleets or arraies of the said
king ; or who, before the said nineteenth day of April, Anno Domini
one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and after the arrival
of Thomas Gage, Esq., (late commander-in-chief of all his Britan
nic Majesty's forces in North America,) at Boston, the metropolis of
this state, did withdraw from their usual places of habitation within
this state, into the said town of Boston, with an intention to seek
and obtain the protection of the said Thomas Gage and of the said
forces, then and there being under his comraand ; and who hath
died in any of the said parts or places, or hath not returned into
sorae one of the said United States, and been received as a subject
thereof, and (if required) taken an oath of aUegiance to such
states, shall be held, taken, deeraed and adjudged to have freely
renounced all civil and political relation to each and every of the
said United States, and be considered as an alien.
Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that all the goods and chattels, rights and credits, lands, tenements,

438 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS,
hereditaments of every kind, of which any of the persons herein
before described were seized or possessed, or were entitled to pos
sess, hold, enjoy or demand, in their own right, or which any other
person stood or doth stand seized or possessed of, or are or were
entitled to have or demand to and for their use, benefit and be
hoof, shall escheat, enure and accrue to the sole use and benefit of
the governraent and people of this state, and are accordingly here
by declared so to escheat, enure and accrue, — [^Passed AprU 30,
1779. JVot revised.] MANDAMUS COUNSELLORS.
Salem, Aug. 9, 1774. The following were appointed hy his
majesty, counsellors of this province by writ of mandamus,* viz : —
Col. Thomas Oliver, Lieut. Governor, President ; Peter Oliver,
Thomas Flucker, Foster Hutchinson, Thomas Hutchinson, Jr.
Harrison Gray, Judge Samuel Danforth, Col. John Erving, Jr.
Jaraes RusseU, Timothy Ruggles, Joseph Lee, Isaac Winslow, Israel
WUliams, Col. George Watson, Nathaniel Ray Thoraas, Timothy
Woodbridge, Willlara Vassall, WUliam Browne, Joseph Greene,
James Boutineau, Andrew Oliver, Col. Josiah Edson, Richard
Lechmere, Commodore Joshua Loring, John Worthington, Timo
thy Paine, William Pepperell, Jeremiah Powell, Jonathan Simp
son, Col. John Murray, Daniel Leonard, Thomas Palmer, Col.
Isaac Royall, Robert Hooper, Abijah Willard, Capt. John Er
ving, jr. STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS,
An Act to prevent the return to this state of certain persons
therein naraed, and others who have left this state or either of
the United States, and joined the enemies thereof.
Whereas Thoraas Hutchinson, Esq., late governor of this state,
Francis Bernard, Esq., forraerly governor of this state, Thomas
Oliver, Esq., late lieutenant governor of this state, Timothy Rug
gles, Esq., of Hardwlck, in the county of Worcester, William Ap
thorp, merchant, Gibbs Atkins, cabinet maker, John Atkinson, John
Amory, James Anderson, Thoraas Apthorp, David Black, WUliam
Burton, WUliara Bowes, George Brindley, Robert Blair, Thomas
Brindley, James Barrick, merchant, Thoraas Brattle, Esq., Samp-
* Those whose names are in italics alone took the oath of office.

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 439
son Salter Blowers, Esq., James Bruce, Ebenezer Bridgham, Alex
ander Brymer, Edward Berry, merchants, WiUiara Burch, Esq.,
late coraralssioner of the customs, Mather Byles, Jan., clerk, Wil
llara Codner, book-keeper, Edward Cox, merchant, Andrew
Cazneau, Esq., barrister at law, Henry Canner, clerk, Thomas
Courtney, tailor, Richard, Clark, Esq., Isaac Clark, physician,
Benjamin Church, physician, John Coffin, distiller, John Clark,
physician, William Coflan, Esq., Nathaniel Coffin, Esq., Jonathan
Clark, merchant, Archibald Cunningham, shop-keeper, Gilbert
Deblois, merchant, Lewis Deblois, merchant, Philip Duraaresque,
merchant, Benjamin Davis, merchant, John Erving, Jun., Esq.,
George Erving, Esq., Edward Foster and Edward Foster, Jun.,
blacksmiths, Benjamin Faneuil, Jun., merchant, Thomas Flucker,
Esq., late secretary for Massachusetts Bay, Samuel Fitch, Esq.,
Wilfret Fisher, carter, James Forrest, merchant, Lewis Gray, mer
chant, Francis Green, merchant, Joseph Green, Esq., Sylvester
Gardiner, Esq., Harrison Gray, Esq., late treasurer of Massachu
setts Bay, Harrison Gray, Jun., clerk to the treasurer, Joseph
Goldthwait, Esq., Martin Gay, founder, John Gore, Esq., Benjarain
HaUoweU, Esq., Robert Hallowell, Esq., Thomas Hutchinson, Jun.,
Esq., Benjamin Gridley, Esq., Frederick William Geyer, merchant,
John Greenlaw, shop-keeper, David Green, merchant, Elisha
Hutchinson, Esq., Jaraes Hall, mariner, Foster Hutchinson, Esq.,
Benjamin Mulbury Holmes, distUler, Samuel Hodges, book-keeper,
Henry Halson, Esq., Hawes Hatch, wharfinger, John Joy, house
wright, Peter Johonnot, distiller, WiUiara Jackson, merchant, John
Jeffries, physician, Henry Laughton, merchant, James Henderson,
trader, John Hinston, yeoman, Christopher Hatch, mariner, Robert
Jarvis, mariner, Richard Lechmere, Esq., Edward Lyde, merchant,
Henry Lloyd, Esq., George Leonard, miller, Henry Leddle, book
keeper, Archibald McNeU, baker, Christopher Minot, tide-waiter,
James Murray, Esq., William McAlpine, bookbinder, Thomas
Mitchell, mariner, WUham Martin, Esq., John Knutton, tallow-
chandler, Thomas Knight, shop-keeper, Samuel Prince, merchant,
Adino Paddock, Esq., Charies Paxon, Esq., Sir WUliam Pepperell,
baronet, John PoweU, Esq., William Lee Perkins, physician, Na
thaniel Perkins, Esq., Samuel Quincy, Esq., Owen Richards, tide-
waiter, Samuel Rogers, merchant, Jonathan Simpson, Esq., George

440 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS,
Spooner, merchant, Edward Stowe, mariner, Richard Smith, mer-
chant, Jonathan Snelling, Esq., David Silsby, trader, Samuel Sew
all, Esq., Abraham Savage, tax-gatherer, Joseph Scott, Esq.,
Francis Skinner, clerk to the late councU, William Simpson, mer
chant, Richard Sherwin, saddler, Henry Smith, merchant, John
Semple, merchant, Robert Semple, merchant, Thomas Selkrig,
merchant, Jaraes Selkrig, merchant, Robert Service, trader, Simon
Tufts, trader, Arodi Thayer, late marshal to the admiralty court,
Nathaniel Taylor, deputy naval ofiicer, John Troutbeck, clerk,
Gregory Townsend, Esq., William Taylor, merchant, William
Vassal, Esq., Joseph Taylor, merchant, Joshua Upham, Esq.,
WiUiam Walter, clerk, Samuel Waterhouse, merchant, Isaac
Winslow, merchant, John Winslow, jr., merchant, David Willis,
mariner, Obadiah Whiston, blacksmith, Archibald WUson, trader,
John White, mariner, William Warden, peruke-maker, Nathaniel
Mills, John Hicks, John Howe, and John Fleming, printers, aU of
Boston, in the county of Suffolk, Robert Auchmuty, Esq., Joshua
Loring, Esq., both of Roxbury, in the sarae county, Sarauel Golds-
bury, yeoman, of WVentham, in the county of Suffolk, Joshua
Loring, jr., merchant, Nathaniel Hatch, Esq,, both of Dorchester,
in the same county, William Brown, Esq,, Benjamin Pickman,
Esq., Samuel Porter, Esq., John Sargeant, trader, all of Salem, in
the county of Essex, Richard SaltonstaU, Esq., of HaverhUl, in the
same county, Thoraas Robie, trader, Benjarain Marston, merchant,
both of Marblehead, in said county of Essex, Moses Badger, clerk,
of Haverhill, aforesaid, Jonathan Sewall, Esq., John Vassal, Esq.,
David Phipps, Esq., John Nutting, carpenter, all of Cambridge, in
the county of Middlesex, Isaac Royall, Esq., of Medford, in the
sarae county, Henry Barnes, of Marlborough, in said county of
Middlesex, merchant, Jeremiah Dummer Rogers, of Littleton in the
same county, Esq., Daniel Bliss, of Concord, in the said county of
Middlesex, Esq., Charles RusseU, of Lincoln, in the same county,
physician, Joseph Adams, of Townsend, in said county of Middle
sex, Thomas Danforth, of Charlestown, in said county, Esq., Joshua
Smith, trader, of Townsend, in said county, Joseph Ashley, jr.,
gentleman, of Sunderland, Nathaniel Dickenson, gentleman, of
Deerfield, Sarauel Bliss, shopkeeper, of Greenfield, Roger Dicken
son, yeoman, Joshah Pomroy, physician, and Thomas Cutler,

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 441
gentleman, of Hatfield, Jonathan Bliss, Esq., of Springfield, WU
liara Galway, yeoman, of Conway, Elijah Williams, attorney at
law, of Deerfield, Jaraes Ohver, gentleman, of Conway, all in the
county of Hampshire, Pelhara Winslow, Esq., Cornelius White,
mariner, Edward Winslow, jr., Esq., all of Plymouth, in the county
of Plyraouth, Peter Oliver, Esq., Peter Oliver, jr., physician, both
of Middleborough, in the sarae county, Josiah Edson, Esq., of
Bridgewater, in the said county of Plyraouth, Lieutenant Daniel
Dunbar, of Halifax, in the sarae county, Charles Curtis, of Scitu-
ate, in the said county of Plyraouth, gentleraan, Nathaniel Ray
Thomas, Esq., Israel Tilden, Caleb Carver, Seth Bryant, Benjamin
Walker, Gideon Walker, Zera Walker, Adam Hall, tertlus, Isaac
Joice, Joseph PhUlips, Daniel White, jr., Cornelius W^hlte, tertius,
Melzar Carver, Luke Hall, Thomas Decrow, John Baker, jr., all
of Marshfield, in the said county of Plymouth, Gideon White, jr.,
Daniel Leonard, Esq., Seth Williaras, jr., gentleraan, Solomon
Smith, boatman, all of Taunton, in the county of Bristol, Thomas
Gilbert, Esq., Perez Gilbert, Ebenezer Hathaway, jr., Lot Strange,
the third, Zebedee Terree, Bradford Gilbert, all of Freetown, in
the same county, Joshua Broomer, Shadrach Hathaway, Calvin
Hathaway, Luther Hathaway, Henry Tisdel, William Burden,
Levi Chace, Shadrach Chase, Richard Holland, Ebenezer PhiUips,
Samuel Gilbert, gentleman, Thomas Gilbert, jr., yeoman, both of
Berkley, in the said county of Bristol, Ammi Chace, Caleb Whea
ton, Joshua Wilbore, Lemuel Bourn, gentleman, Thomas Perry,
yeoman, David Atkins, laborer, Samuel Perry, mariner, Stephen
Perry, laborer, John BlackweU, jr., laborer, Francis Finney, la
borer, and Nehemiah Webb, mariner, all of Sandwich, in the
county of Barnstable, Eldad Tupper, of Dartraouth, in the county
of Bristol, laborer, Silas Perry, laborer, Seth Perry, raariner, Eli
sha Boum, gentleman, Thomas Burapus, yeoman, Ephraim EUis,
jr., yeoman, Edward Bourn, gentleman, Nicholas Cobb, laborer,
William Bourn, cordwainer, all of Sandwich, in the county of
Barnstable, and Seth Bangs, of Harwich, in the county of Barn
stable, mariner, John Chandler, Esq., James Putnam, Esq., Rufus
Chandler, gentleman, William Paine, physician, Adam Walker,
blacksmith, William Chandler, gentleraan, all of Worcester, in the
county of Worcester, John Walker, gentleman, David Bush, yeo-
.. 56

442 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS,
man, both of Shrewsbury, in the sarae county, Abijah WUlard,
Esq., Abel WiUard, Esq., Joseph House, yeoraan, all of Lancaster,
in the said county of Worcester, Ebenezer Cutler, trader, Jaraes
Edgar, yeoraan, both ofNorthbury, in the same county, Daniel Ol
iver, Esq., Richard Ruggles, yeoraan, Gardner Chandler, trader,
Joseph Ruggles, gentleman, Nathaniel Ruggles, yeoraan, all of
Hardwick, in the said county of Worcester, John Ruggles, yeo
man, of said Hardwick, John Eager, yeoman, Ebenezer Whipple,
Israel Conkay, John Murray, Esq., of Rutland, in said county of
Worcester, Daniel Murray, gentleman, Samuel Murray, gentle
man, Michael Martin, trader, of Brookfield, in the said county of
Worcester, Thomas Beaman, gentleman, of Petersham, in the same
county, Nathaniel Chandler, gentleraan, John Bowen, gentleraan,
of Princeton, in the said county of Worcester, Jaraes Crage, gen
tleman, of Oakham, in the same county, Thomas Mullins, black
smith, of Leominster, in the said county of Worcester, Francis
Waldo, Esq., Arthur Savage, Esq., Jereraiah Pote, raariner, Thom
as Ross, mariner, Jaraes Wildrldge, mariner, George Lyde, cus
tom house officer, Robert Pagan, raerchant, Thoraas Wyer, mari
ner, Thomas Coulson, merchant, John Wiswall, clerk, Joshua
Eldridge, raariner, Thomas Oxnard, merchant, Edward Oxnard,
merchant, William Tyng, Esq., John Wright, merchant, Samuel
Longfellow, mariner, all of Falmouth, in the county of Cumber
land, Charles Callahan, of Pownalborougb, in the county of Lin
coln, mariner, Jonas Jones of East Hoosuck, in the county of
Berkshire, David IngersoU, of Great Barrington, Esq., in the same
county, Jonathan Prindall, Benjamin Noble, Francis Noble, Elisha
Jones, of Pittsfield, in the said county of Berkshire, John Graves,
yeoraan, Daniel Brewer, yeoraan, both of Pittsfield, aforesaid,
Richard Square, of Lanesborough, in the said county of Berkshire,
Ephraira Jones, of East Hoosuck, in the same county, Lewis Hub-
bel, and many other persons have left this state, or some other of
the United States of America, and joined the enemies thereof and
of the United States of Araerica, thereby not only depriving these
states of their personal services at a time when they ought to have
afforded their utmost aid in defending the said states, against the
invasions of a cruel enemy, but manifesting an inimical disposition
to the said states, and a design to aid and abet the enemies thereof

ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 443
in their wicked purposes, and whereas many dangers may accrue
to this state and the United States, if such persons should be again
admitted to reside in this state :
Sect. 1. Be it therefore enacted by the Council and House of
Representatives, in general court assembled, and by the authority
of the sarae, that if either of the said persons, or any other person,
though not specially naraed in this act, who have left this state, or
either of said states, and joined the enemies thereof as aforesaid,
shall, after the passing this act, voluntarily return to this state, it
shall be the duty of the sheriff of the county, and of the selectraen,
committees of correspondence, safety, and Inspection, grand jurors,
constables, and tythlngmen, and other inhabitants of the town
wherein such person or persons may presurae to come, and they
are hereby respectively empowered and directed forthwith to appre
hend and carry such person or persons before some justice of the
peace within the county, who is hereby required to commit hira or
them to the coramon gaol within the county, there in close custody
to remain until he shall be sent out of tbe state, as is hereinafter
directed ; and such justice is hereby directed to give imraediate In-
forraation thereof to the board of war of this state : and the said
board of war are hereby erapowered and directed to cause such
person or persons so committed, to be transported to some part or
place within the dorainions, or in the possession of the forces of the
king of Great Britain, as soon as raay be after receiving such in-
forraation ; those who are able, at their own expense, and others
at the expense of this state, and for this purpose to hire a vessel
or vessels, if need be.
Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that if any person or persons, who shall be transported as aforesaid,
shall voluntarily return into this state, without liberty first had and
obtained from the general court, he shall, on conviction thereof
before the superior court of judicature, court of assize and general
gaol delivery, suffer the pains of death without benefit of clergy, —
[^Passed, September, 1778.]
WORCESTER RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO THE ABSENTEES
AND REFUGEES.
The following votes were passed by the citizens of Worcester,

444 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS,
May 19, 1783, and contain the substance of their doings relative
to the refugees :
Voted, — That in the opinion of this town, it would be ex
tremely dangerous to the peace, happiness, liberty and safety of
these states, to suffer those, who, the raoraent the bloody banners
were displayed, abandoned their native land, turned parricides, and
conspired to involve their country in tumult, ruin and blood, to
become the subjects of and reside in this governraent ; that it
would be not only dangerous, but inconsistent with justice, policy,
our past laws, the public faith, and the principles of a free and
independent state, to adrait them ourselves, or have them forced
upon us without our consent.
Voted, — That in the opinion of this town, this commonwealth
ought, with the utmost caution, to naturalize or in any other way
adrait as subjects a common enemy, a set of people who have been
by the united voice of the continent, declared outlaws, exiles,
aliens and enemies, dangerous to its political being and happiness.
Voted, — That while there are thousands of the innocent, peace
able and defenceless inhabitants of these states, whose property
has been destroyed and taken frora thera in the course of the war,
for whom no provision is made, to whom there is no restoration of
estates, no compensation for losses ; that it would be unreasonable,
cruel and unjust, to suffer those who were the wicked occasion of
those losses, to obtain a restitution of the estates they refused to
protect, and which they have abandoned and forfeited to their
country. Voted, — That it is the expectation of this town, and the
earnest request of their committees of correspondence, inspection
and safety, that they, with care and dUlgence, will observe the
movements of our only remaining eneraies ; that until the further
order of government, they will, with decision, spirit and firmness,
endeavor to enforce and carry into execution the several laws of
this comraonwealth, respecting these enemies to our rights, and the
rights of mankind ; give information should they know of any
obtruding themselves into any part of this state, suffer none to
reraain in this town, but cause to be confined immediately, for
the purpose of transportation according to law, any that may
presume to enter it.

NOTICES OF THE CURWENS.

GEORoi" Curwin, the first of the name in New England, came,
as stated in the introduction, from Workington, Cumberland, Eng
land, where he was born Deceraber 10, 1610, and where, says
Camden, " is the stately, castle-like seat of this ancient, knightly
family." He settled at Salem, and in company with the celebrated
Hugh Peters laid the foundation of the mercantUe enterprise of
Salem, and first commenced buUdlng vessels in that port ; he was
afterwards extensively engaged in comraerce during the whole of
his long life. His books of account, and his raercantile correspond
ence with Sir WiUiara Peake, (lord raayor of London in 1666,)
show that he had erabarked in the London trade previous to the
year 1658, The late Rev. Dr, Bentley thus notices him in his Sketch
of Salem, published in the Collections of the Massachusetts His
torical Society, in 1800 : — " This year ( 1685) Salem lost another
eminent man, Capt. George Curwin, who came here in 1638 with
his family, and was rich. He was often engaged in town affairs,
and coraraanded a troop of horse. He was also a representative
in the general court. There is a three-quarter portrait of him in
the hands of Sarauel Curwen, Esq.,* son of the Rev. George Cur
win, and his great-grandson. He had a fine round forehead, large
nostrils, high cheek bones, and gray eyes. His dress a wrought-
flowing neckcloth, a sash covered with lace, a coat with short
cuffs and reaching half way between the wrist and elbow, the
shirt in plaits below ; an octagon ring and cane, which stUl
reraain," He died on the 3d of January, 1685, leaving no debts, and one
of the largest estates that had been administered upon In the colony,
which was inventoried at only ^£5,964 19s. 7d., but comprised be
sides the homestead, four dwelling-houses, four warehouses, and
two wharves in Salem ; three farms in the vicinity, containing fif
teen hundred acres; a warehouse and wharf in Boston ; the ketches
» Author of the foregoing journal, — Ed.

446

NOTICES OF THE CURWENS.

George, Swallow, John, and WUliam, valued at jei050; in mer
chandise .£2,232 ; in gold and silver coin £93 75. Od., in English
and New England money, and 621 ounces of plate. Among the
wearing apparel inventoried, are a silver-laced cloth coat, a velvet
ditto, a satin waistcoat, embroidered with gold, a troping scarf and
hat band, golden topped and embroidered gloves, and a silver-
headed cane, which stUl remains.
In the settlement of the estate, Capt. Curwln's widow Eliza
beth, who was a daughter of Hon. Herbert Pelham, one of the
council of assistants, and also sister-in-law of Governor Josiah
Winslow, of Plymouth colony, claimed some plate given her by
the lord mayor, by her father, and by the governor ; together with
eight pounds in gold which her husband had received from Mr. Pope,
being the "produce" of an Indian boy sent her by the governor and
council from Plymouth.
His five daughters raarried Hon. James Russell and Edward
Lynde, Esq., of Boston, WiUiam Browne, jr., Esq., and Josiah
Wolcott, Esq., of Salem, and President Wadsworth of Harvard
College. Annexed is a view of the house erected by Capt. Curwin, in
1642, still standing at the corner of Essex and North streets. It
was altered by the late Richard Ward, Esq., about seventy years
ago, and his daughter (the present occupant, to whom it has
descended) is the last survivor of the fifth generation from the ori
ginal owner ; her granddaughter, who resides with her, is of the
seventh generation of the family born in it. The unfortunate per
sons arrested during the witchcraft delusion were exarained in this
house by Justices Corwin and Hathome, before being committed,
Capt, John Corwin, the eldest son, was born in Salem, July 28,
1638, He became a merchant, and was elected deputy to the
general court, from Salem, where he resided. He raarried Mar
garet, third daughter of John Winthrop, jr., governor of Connecti
cut, in May, 1665 ; her mother was the only chUd of the famous
Hugh Peters, who suffered with the regicides at the restoration of
the monarchy, in London, in 1660, Capt, Corwin died in 1683,
leaving an only son, George, born February, 1666, The latter, who
married Susannah, and afterwards Lydia, daughters of the Hon,
Bartholomew Gedney, of the provincial council, is the Captain

NOTICES OF THE CURWENS, 447
Corwin mentioned in Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, in the
expedition against Canada, under Sir Willlara Phips, in 1690, He
was unfortunately sheriff of the county of Essex in 1692, and for
officiating during the witchcraft delusion, was severely persecuted
by the friends of the sufferers, till his death, which took place in
1696. Bartholomew Corwin, the only son of fhe last mentioned
George, reraoved to Arawell, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and
married Esther Burt ; he had four sons, viz., George, John, Joseph,
and Sarauel, and died May 9, 1747. Sarauel Corwin, of Arawell,
a grandson of Bartholoraew, informed the editor in 1822, that the
books and papers left by his grandfather were destroyed, with other
movables, during the revolutionary war, when his uncle Joseph
reraoved to Canada, and the family of his uncle George, who died
in 1780, removed to Kentucky. Probably Governor Corwin of
Ohio is a descendant of this branch. He also informed the editor
that John Corwin, a great grandson of Bartholomew, was living at
Baltimore, Hon, Jonathan Corwin, second son of the first mentioned
George, was born at Salem, Nov, 14, 1640, He commenced his
pubhc career as a deputy to the general court, and the following
extract from the records of Salem, shows much confidence in him;
and at the same time the action of that town towards re-establish
ing a government under the venerable Bradstreet, in opposition to
the tyranny of Sir Edmund Andros : — " May 7, 1689, Captain
John Prince and Mr, Jonathan Corwin were chosen to assist in the
council at Boston, to be held on the 9th inst. ; and we desire that
the honorable the governor, the magistrates, and deputies chosen
in the year 1686, would (having always due respect to our de
pendence on the crown of England, and the obligation we are
under by the late declaration before the surrender of the last
government) reassume our charter government, by taking their
places and forming a general court as soon as possible ; unto which,
we shall readily and cheerfully subject ourselves, and be always
assisting to the utmost of our power with our lives and estates as
formerly," Mr, Corwin was named a provincial counsellor in the charter
of 1691, and served until he was appointed a judge of the supreme

448 NOTICES OF the CURWENS,
court In 1702 ; the latter office he resigned in consequence of iU
health, in 1715. He died in July, 1718, leaving a widow; the
daughter of Sir Henry Gibbs of Dorsetshire, whose estate was
sequestrated in 1648, during the revolution. Of their children,
Anne died in youth ; Elizabeth raarried James Lindall, Esq., of
Salem ; and George, born in 1682, who was graduated at Harvard
coUege in 1701, He prepared hiraself for the church, and was
ordained and settled in that of his ancestors in Salera ; the first
founded in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, He is thus noticed
in the historical collections of Massachusetts, as copied from the
records of the church : —
" Died, at Salem, Nov. 23, 1717, the Rev. George Curwin, in
the thirty-fifth year of his age, and the fourth of his ordained
ministry. He was highly esteemed in his hfe, and very deservedly
lamented at his death ; having been very eminent for his early im
proveraent in learning and piety, his singular abilities and great
labors, his remarkable zeal and faithfulness. He was a great bene
factor to our poor."
There is a good half-length portrait of him in the gallery of
the Essex Historical Society. He married Mehitable Parkman ;
and their sons were Sarauel, author of the foregoing Journal, born
in 1715 ; and George, born in 1717. The latter graduated at
Harvard college in 1735, and engaged in coraraercial pursuits with
success, until Interrupted by hostilities with France ; which induced
him to join in the expedition against Louisburg. His commission
as commissary, bears the signature of Governor Shirley, and is
dated February 1, 1745, He married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin
Pickman, Esq., of Salem ; and died in the prosecution of a mer
cantile enterprise at St. Eustatia, in 1746. His chUdren were,
George, born in 1739, who early embarked in commerce, and was
drowned while on a voyage to the West Indies in 1761 ; Sarah,
who died unmarried; and Mehitable, who married the late Richard
Ward, Esq., of Salem, and died in 1813, at the age of seventy-
two. The late Samuel Curwen Ward, Jr., a grandson of the last
mentioned, at the request of Judge Curwen, took his name, by an
act of the legislature of Massachusetts ; and the three sons of the
former are all that now bear that name in New England,

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

GEN, PEPPERELL,
General Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, was born at
Kittery Point, Maine, in 1696. His father. Col, WiUiara Pep
perell, a native of Cornwall, England, settled in 1676 at the
Isles of Shoals, where he was for many years extensively en
gaged in the fishing business. After acquiring considerable prop
erty, he removed to Kittery Point, and erected there a large man
sion house, now standing, where he died on the 15th February,
1734, opulent and well esteemed. One of his daughters married
the Hon. John Newraarch ; the othei- died in 1766, having suc
cessively married Hon. John Frost, Rev. Dr. Colman, and Rev.
Benjarain Prescott, all of whom she survived. Sir William was
his only son, and about the year 1727 was chosen a raember of his
majesty's council for the province of Massachusetts, to which he
was annually re-elected until his death, a period of thirty-two
years. With a vigorous frame, firm mind, and great coolness when
in danger, he was well fitted for his residence in a country exposed
to a ferocious enemy, and soon attained the rank of colonel.
When the expedition against Louisburg was contemplated,
all eyes were turned to him, then president of the council, and he
was commissioned by the governors of New England to that all-
important command, on the 31st January, 1745. He furnished
this motto for the flag, which gave the enterprise the air of a cru
sade : " JVil desperandum Christo duce." He invested the city in
the beginning of May, and articles of capitulation were signed in
July, After this important and briUiant achievement, by coramand
of his raajesty he repaired to England and received a colonelcy in
the array, from which he was raised to be a raajor-general in 1755,
and a lieutenant-general in 1759, Besides the dignity of a baronet,
which was conferred upon hira, he obtained the thanks of the min
istry, and peculiar tokens of respect frora several of the royal
faraily. His affability gained hira friends araong all classes, and
his raannsrs were r.ot affected by his exaltation. The welfare of
his country alone could have taken him from his domestic enjoy-
57

450 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
ments and the head of the provincial councU, to the fatigues of the
camp and to doubtful victory. He married Mary, daughter of
Grove Hirst, a granddaughter of Chief Justice Sewall. Their only
son Andrew, graduated at Harvard College in 1743, and died
March 1, 1751, aged twenty-five ; and their only daughter Ehza
beth raarried Col. Nathaniel Sparhawk, raember of the council of
Massachusetts. Sir William's dress was in the expensive style of
his day, scarlet cloth trim'raed with gold lace ; portraits of hira and
Lady Mary are preserved at Portsmouth, N. H., and there is a full
length of bim in the gallery of the Essex Historical Society, at
Salem, Mass. Sir WiUiara died at his seat in Kittery, (near Ports
mouth,) June 6, 1759, aged sixty-three ; and Lady Mary on the 25th
November, 1789. Her natural and acquired powers were highly re
spectable, and she was adrnired for her wit and suavity of manner.
Sir WiUiam was succeeded by his grandson, WiUiam P. Spar
hawk, who assumed his name, and was created a baronet ; he was
a loyalist in the revolution, and died in London, December, 17,
1816, when the title became extinct.
GOV. SHIRLEY.
William Shirley, governor of Massachusetts, was a native of
England, and was bred to the law. After his arrival at Boston,
about the year 1733, he practised In his profession, till he received
his coramission as governor, in 1741, in the place of Mr. Belcher,
He planned the successful expedition against Cape Breton, in 1745 ;
but, while his enterprising spirit deserves comraendation, some of
his schemes did not indicate much skill in the arts of navigation
and war. He went to England in 1745, leaving Spencer Phips,
the lieutenant-governor, commander-in-chief, but returned in
1753. In 1754, he held a treaty with the eastern Indians, and
explored the Kennebec, erecting two or three forts. In 1755, be
ing commander-in-chief of the British forces in Araerica, he planned
an expedition against Niagara, and proceeded himself as far as
Oswego. In June, 1756, he was superseded in the command of
the army by Abercrombie. He embarked for England in Septem
ber, and was succeeded by Mr. Pownall. After having been for a
number of years governor of one of the Bahama islands, he returned
to Massachusetts, and died at his seat in Roxbury, March 24, 1771,
Though he held several of the most lucrative offices within the

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 451
gift of the crown in Araerica, yet he left no property to his chil
dren. The abolition of the paper currency was owing in a great
degree to his firmness and perseverance. His penetration and un
remitting industry gained him a high reputation. But it was
thought that, as a military officer, he was not sufficiently active in
seizing the moment for success. During his adrainistration, Eng
land became acquainted with the importance of this country, and
the colonists learned to fight. Governor Shiriey published Electra,
a tragedy, and Birth of Hercules, a mask, 1765.
COL, MOULTON.
Colonel Jeremiah Moulton was born in York, Maine, in 1688,
and was taken prisoner by the Indians, January 22, 1692, old style,
when York was destroyed by the Indians. He was released, with
other children, in gratitude for the humanity of Colonel Church,
who in one of his expeditions had released several Indian prisoners,
old women and children. The savages were not ungrateful for
acts of kindness. In August, 1724, he and Captain Harraon with
two hundred and eight men, and three Mohawk Indians, marched
against the Indian settlement at Norridgewock, in consequence of
attacks upon the frontiers. There being four companies, the other
coraraanders were Captain Bourne and Lieut, Bean. They left
Richraond fort August 8, old style, or August 19 ; the next day
arrived at Taconlc Falls on the Kennebec, where they left their
boats and a guard of forty raen. August 21, they raarched by
land, and in the evening fired upon two Indians, who proved to be
the daughter and wife of Bomaseen ; the forraer was killed, the
latter taken prisoner. August 23, they approached the viUage;
Harmon with eighty men marching circultously by the fields, and
Moulton with eighty raen directly upon Norridgewock, which he
surprised. The Indians, consisting of about sixty warriors, were
defeated, and the chapel and vUlage destroyed. Father Raile was
kiUed in a wigwara, and twenty-six Indians, araong whom were
Bomaseen, and his son-in-law Mog, also Job, Canabesett, and
Wissememet, all noted warriors. One of the Mohawks was kUIed,
but none of the whites, Harraon carried the scalps to Boston, and
having been chief in coraraand, was made a lieutenant-colonel for
the exploit of Moulton, who obtained no reward. At the reduction
of Louisburg in 1745, he commanded a regiment, and was after-

452 biographical notices,
wards sheriff of the county, councUlor, and judge of the comraon
pleas and of probate. He died at York, July 20, 1765, aged 77,
His son and grandson were sheriffs of York county,
COL, VAUGHAN,
Lieut, Col, William Vaughan served under General PeppereU,
in the expedition against Louisburg, in 1745 ; although he refused
any regular command, he made hiraself highly useful during the
whole siege Jay his advice in councils, vigilance in reconnolterlng the
eneray, and promptitude while in coramand of perilous enterpiises.
He died in London, Deceraber, 1746, in the prirae of life,
where he went to press his claira for the above service. The irame-
dlate paternal ancestor of Col, Vaughan, was Major WUliam
Vaughan, who carae from England about the middle of the seven
teenth century, and settled at Portsmouth, where he becarae a
wealthy raerchant. He died in 1720, His son George was lieutenant-
governor of New Hampshire ; born in 1668, graduated at Harvard
College in 1696, Afterwards agent for the province, and on the
accession of George I, was appointed lieutenant-governor in 1715 ;
he died December, 1725, His son William, the subject of the
above, was born at Portsmouth, Sept, 12, 1703, He had settled
at Daraariscotta, thirteen miles below fort Pemaquld, and his raen
were eraployed in fishing. Here he conceived the idea of the cap
ture of Louisburg, repaired to Boston, and conferred with Governor
Shirley upon the subject ; proposing that it should be taken bv
surprise by going over the walls in winter upon drifts of snow.
COL. GRIDLEY.
Col. Richard Gridley was born in Boston, 1711, After serv
ing as an engineer at the reduction of Louisburg, in 1745, he en
tered the army as colonel of infantry and chief-engineer, in 1755,
Under Winslow he was concerned in the expedition to Crown
Point, 1756, and constructed the fortifications on Lake George,
He served under Amherst in 1758, and was with Wolfe on the
plains of Abraham, the following year. At the comraencement of
the revolution, he was appointed chief-engineer, and skUfuUy laid
out the works in fortification of Breed's HUl, the day before the
battle of June 17, 1775, in which he was wounded. He died at
Stoughton, June 20, 1796,

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 453
GOV. BERNARD.
Sir Francis Bernard, Bart., governor of Massachusetts, arrived
in the province from New Jersey, as successor to Governor Pownall,
August 2, 1760, and continued at the head of the government
nine years. His adrainistration was during one ofthe most inter
esting periods in American history. He had governed New Jersey
two years, in a manner very acceptable to that province ; and the
first part of bis administration in Massachusetts was very agreeable
to the general court. Soon after his arrival, Canada was surren
dered to Amherst. Much harmony prevailed for two or three
years, but this prosperous and happy comraencement did not con
tinue; there had long been two parties in the province, — the
advocates for the crown, and the defenders of the rights of the
people. Governor Bernard was soon classed with those who were
desirious of strengthening the royal authority in Araerica; the
sons of liberty, therefore, stood forth uniformly in opposition to
him. His indiscretion in appointing Mr. Hutchinson chief-justice,
instead of giving that office to Colonel Otis of Barnstable, to whom
it had been promised by Shirley, proved very injurious to his cause.
In consequence of this appointment he lost the influence of Colonel
Otis ; and by yielding himself to Mr. Hutchinson, he drew upon
him the hostility of Jaraes Otis, the son, a man of great talents ;
who soon became the leader on the popular side. The laws for
the regulation of trade, and the exactions of the oflJcers of custoras,
were the first things which greatly agitated the pubhc mind ; and
afterwards the stamp act increased the energy of resistance to the
schemes of tyranny. Governor Bemard possessed no talent for
concUiating ; he was for accomplishing ministerial purposes by
force ; and the spirit of freedom gathered strength from the open
manner in which he attempted to crush it. His speech to the
general court after the repeal of the stamp act, was by no means
calculated to assuage the angry passions that had lately been ex
cited. He was the principal means of bringing the troops to
Boston, that he might overawe the people ; and it was owing to
him that they were continued in the town. This measure had
been proposed by him and Mr, Hutchinson, long before it was
executed. While he professed himself a friend to the province,
he was endeavoring to undermine its constitution, and to obtain an

454 biographical notices.'
essential alteration in the charter, by transferring from the general
court to the crown the right of electing the council. His conduct,
though it drew upon hira the indignation of the province, was so
pleasing to the ministry, that he was created a baronet, March 20,
1769, Sir Francis had too little command of his temper; he
could not conceal his resentments, nor could he restrain his
censures. One of his last public measures was to prorogue the
general court in July, in consequence of their refusing to make
provision for the support of the troops. The general court, how
ever, before they were prorogued, embraced the opportunity of
drawing up a petition to his raajesty for the removal of the
governor. It was found necessary to recall him ; and he embarked,
August 1, 1769, leaving Mr. Hutchinson, the lieutenant-governor,
commander-in-chief. There were few who lamented his departure;
he died in England, June, 1779.
If a man of greater address and wisdom had occupied the place
of Sir Francis, it is very probable our revolution would not have
taken place so soon. But his arbitrary principles, and his zeal for
the authority of the crown, enkindled the spirit of the people ;
while his representations to the ministry excited them to those
measures, which hastened the separation of the colonies from the
mother country. Frora the letters of Governor Bernard, which
were obtained and transraltted to this country by sorae secret friend.
It appears he had very little regard to the interests of liberty. His
select letters on the trade and governraent of Araerica, written in
Boston, frora 1763 to 1768, were published in London in 1774 ;
his other letters, written home in confidence, were published in
1768 and 1769.* GOV. HUTCHINSON.
Thomas, (son of Colonel Thoraas Hutchinson, an eminent mer
chant and member of the council, who seized the faraous pirate,
Kidd, when he resisted the officers sent to arrest hira,) was gra
duated at Harvard CoUege, in 1727, He at first embarked in
commercial pursuits, but did not succeed. He then studied the
comraon law of England, and the principles of her constitution.
He was elected for ten consecutive years to the assembly, and for
• See Allen's Biography,

BIOGRAPHrCAL NOTICES, 455
three years was speaker. He succeeded his uncle, Edward Hutch
inson, as judge of probate, in 1752, He was a raeraber of the
council frora 1749 to 1766 ; lleut, governor frora 1758 to 1771.
On the death of Judge Sewall, in 1760, he was appointed chief-
justice ; all which he filled with distinguished ability, " His
oratory charmed beyond that of any man ; there was equal fluency
and pathos in his manner; he could be.arguraentative and sraooth;
he was active, diligent and plausible ; and, upon all occasions
seemed to be influenced by public spirit more than selfish consider
ations. His respect to religious institutions, his sympathy with the
distressed, his affability, integrity, industry and talents, procured
in a very high degree the public confidence," In 1767, he was
appointed one of the commissioners for settling the boundary
with New-York; and, amidst all the vituperations against hira,
Massachusetts has cause to remember with gratitude that his ad
vice only prevented the other commissioners, Hancock, Hanly and
Brattle, frora abandoning the claira to the western territory of
New-York, which was retained and sold for a large sura.
On the departure of Governor Bernard in 1769, the adrain
istration devolved on Lieut. Governor Hutchinson ; and in March,
1771, he received his coramission as governor just as he had con
cluded to advise the government that it would be desirable for him
to remain chief-justice, and pass his days in peace. Unhappily for
himself he accepted the appointment, and frora this tirae till his
departure in 1774, he was constantly in dispute M'ith the council
and asserably. Araong the subjects of controversy, was the pro
vision raade for his support by the crown. By his speech of Jan,
6, 1773, asserting the supreme authority of parliament, he pro
voked a discussion by the council and house which had better
never been uttered ; and the minister recomraended hira not to
renew the discussion. His views he at all tiraes candidly and
manfully explained to the legislature ; in many speeches and mes
sages which display his learning, temper and abilities.
The confidential letters written by him, and others to Mr.
Whately, a former raeraber of parliaraent, in opposition to the
ministry, which caused so rauch excitement in 1772, were procured
by Dr. Franklin through Mr. Temple, (afterwards consul general
to United States,) from Mr. Whately's executor, and caused a duel

456 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
between the two latter. Dr, Franklin sent them to Mr, Cooper,
with an injunction that they should not be copied or pubhshed ;
of which restriction the Doctor remarked, that " as distant objects
seen only through a mist appear larger, the same may happen
from the mystery in this case." In this state they remained six or
eight months, and finally were communicated to the legislature
in secret session. In the letters was no sentiment the governor
had not avowed in his public addresses. All that was objected to,
and for which the council reproached him, was the following : — " I
never think of the measures necessary for the peace and good
order of the colonies without pain ; there raust be an abridgment
of what are called English liberties, I doubt whether it is possible
to project a system of government, in which a colony three thou
sand miles distant shall enjoy all the liberty of the parent state,"
For this, the council and assembly voted an address for his removal;
and at a hearing before the privy council of his friends, Mr. Mau
duit and Mr, Wedderburne, on his behalf, the decision was in
favor of " the honor, integrity, and conduct ofthe governor,"
In an unpublished letter of John Adams to Colonel Joseph
Ward, dated Quincy, Oct, 24, 1809, he says :—" If I was the
witch of Endor, I would wake the ghost of Hutchinson, and give
him absolute power over the currency of the United States and
every part of it ; provided always, that he should meddle with
nothing but currency. As little as I revere his memory, I will
acknowledge that he understood the subject of coin and commerce
better than any man I ever knew in this country. He was a mer
chant, and there can be no scientific merchant without a perfect
knowledge of the theory of a medium of trade. It will be in vain
to talk of public credit, until we return to a pure, unmixed circu
lation of standard gold and silver. There can never be a govern
ment of laws in money raatters, without a fixed philosophical and
raatheraatical standard. Contracts can never be inviolable with
out a stable standard,"
Governor Hutchinson deserves great honor for his labors in
regard to the History of Massachusetts, which he published from
its first settlement to the year 1760, In so high estimation was
it held, that at the expiration of more than half a century after its
pubhcation, successful efforts were made by the most influential

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 457
persons there to obtain the unpublished part of this history, which
they pronounced, " a work of inestimable value, resting on the solid
basis ofutilUy and truth j the accuracy and fidelity of which was
universally felt and acknowledged." These efforts of the govern
ment of Harvard College, the Historical Society, of Judge Davis,
Governor Gore, Dr. Kirkland, Dr. Lowell, and Jaraes Savage, Esq.,
who secured the private circulation of five hundred copies before
publication, and whose sentiments on the leading subject are at
variance with those of its author ; are proud testimonials of the
character of Governor Hutchinson in the field of his labors and
sacrifices, and amidst the descendants of his persecutors.
Governor Hutchinson died at Brompton, near London, June 3,
1780, aged sixty-nine, and was buried at Croydon.
JOHN HANCOCK,
In the posthumous volume of Governor Hutchinson's History of
Massachusetts,* he says: — " Mr, Hancock's name has been sounded
through the world as a principal actor in this tragedy. He was a
young man, whose father and grandfather were ministers in country
parishes, of irreproachable characters, but, tike country ministers
in New England in general, of sraall estates. His father's brother,
frora a bookseller becarae one of the raost opulent merchants in
the province ; he had raised a great estate with such rapidity, that
it was comraonly believed araong the vulgar, that he had pur
chased a valuable diaraond for a small sum and sold it at its full
price. But the secret lay in his importing from St. Eustatia great
quantities of tea in molasses hogsheads, which sold at a very great
advance; and by importing, at the same time, a few chests frora
England, he freed the rest from suspicion, and always had the
reputation of a fair trader. He was also concerned in supplying
the officers of the army, ordnance and navy, and made easy and
advantageous remittances ; when he died, he left to his nephew
more than fifty thousand pounds steriing, besides the reversion after
the death of his widow, of twenty thousand more. The uncle was
always on the side of governraent ; the nephew's ruling passion
was a fondness for popular applause. He changed the course of
his uncle's business, and buiU and employed in trade, a great
* Published in 1828,
58

458

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

number of ships ; and in this way, and by building at the same
time several houses, he found work for a great nuraber of trades
men ; made himself popular — was chosen selectman — represent
ative — moderator of town raeetings, etc. He associated with those
who were called friends of liberty. His natural powers were
moderate, and had been very little improved by study, or appli
cation to any kind of science. His ruling passion kept him from
ever losing sight of its object, but he was fickle and inconstant in
the means of pursuing it ; and though, for the most part, he was
closely attached to Mr. Samuel Adams, he has repeatedly broken
off from all connection with him for several months together.
Partly by inattention to his private affairs, and partly from want of
judgment, he became greatly involved and distressed ; and the estate
was lost with rauch greater rapidity than it had been acquired,"
President Quincy, in his invaluable History of Harvard Univer
sity, has devoted a chapter to the wrongs which that institution
suffered at the hands of Mr. Hancock as its treasurer ; and closes
the detail as follows : — " Frora respect to the high rank which
John Hancock attained among the patriots of the American Revo
lution, it would have been grateful to have passed over in silence
his long denial of the rights of the college, and withholding its
property, had truth and fidelity of history permitted. But justice
to a public institution which he essentially embarrassed during a
period of nearly twenty years, and also to the memory of those
whom he made to feel and to suffer, requires tbat these records of
unquestionable facts, which at the time when they occurred
were the cause of calurany and censure to honorable raen, actuated
in their raeasures solely by a sense of official fidelity, should not
be oraitted. In republics, popularity is the form of power most
apt to corrupt its possessor, and to tempt hira, for party ends or
personal interest, to traraple on right or set principle at defiance.
History has no higher or raore iraperative duty to perform, than
by an unyielding fidelity to impress this class of men with the
apprehension that, although through fear or favor they may escape
the animadversions of contemporaries, there awaits them in her
impartial record the retribution of truth,"
President Quincy also says of him : — " His raanners were full
of suavity and attraction ; his love of place and popularity intense.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 459
He early joined the patriotic party, whose leaders perceived the
advantage of placing him at their head ; and giving him every
distinction they could coraraand. By the continued influence of
these possessions, manners and circurastances, he acquired a popular
power, which in this country has scarcely been exceeded."
" The style of living he adopted, and the openness of his hand
to every object coinciding with his views or his interests, kept his
ample resources in a perpetual state of exhaustion. It suited both
his interest and policy to postpone debts, and gratify friends."
SAMUEL ADAMS,
Of this distinguished patriot of the Revolution, Gov, Hutchin
son, in -the posthumous volume already quoted, says : " Mr. Samuel
Adams's father had been one of the directors of the Land Bank in
1741, which was dissolved by act of parliaraent. After his de
cease his estate was put up for sale by public auction under author
ity of an act of the general asserably. The son first made himself
conspicuous on this occasion. He attended the sale, threatened the
sheriff to bring an action against hira and all who should atterapt
to enter upon the estate under pretence of a purchase ; and by in
timidating both the sheriff and those who intended to purchase, he
prevented the sale, kept the estate in his possession, and the debt
to the land corapany remains unsatisfied. He was afterwards col
lector of taxes for the town of Boston, and made a defalcation,
which caused an additional tax upon the inhabitants. These things
were unfavorable to his character, but the determined spirit he
showed in the cause of liberty would have covered a multitude of
such faults. He was for near twenty years a writer against gov
ernment in the public newspapers ; at first but an indifferent one ;
long practice caused him to arrive at great perfection, and to ac
quire a talent of artfully and fallaciously insinuating into the minds
of his readers a prejudice against the characters of all whora he
attacked, beyond any other man I ever knew. This talent he era-
ployed in the messages, remonstrances, and resolves of the House
of Representatives, most of which were of his composition, and he
made more converts to his cause by calumniating governors and
other servants of the crown, than by strength of reasoning. The
benefit to the town from his defence of their hberties, he supposed

460 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
an equivalent to his arrears as their collector ; and the prevaihng
principle of his party, that the end justified the means, probably
quieted the remorse he must have felt from robbing men of their
characters, and injuring them raore than if he had robbed thera of
their estates."
JOHN ADAMS.
The sarae writer has the following notice of another eminent
leader of the revolution : " Mr. John Adams was a distant relation
and intiraate acquaintance of Mr. Samuel Adams, After his edu
cation at the college he applied to the study of the law, a short
time before the troubles began. He is said to have been at a loss
which side to take,' Mr. Sewall, who was with the governraent,
would have persuaded him to be on the same side, and proraised
hira to desire Governor Bernard to make him a justice of the peace.
The governor took tirae to consider of it, and having, as Mr. Adams
conceived, not taken proper notice of hira, or given him offence on
some former occasion, he no longer deliberated, and ever after
joined in opposition. As the troubles increased he increased in
knowledge, and made a figure, not only in his own profession, but
as a pafriot, and was generally esteemed as a person endowed
with more knowledge than his kinsman, and equaUy zealous in the
cause of liberty ; but neither his business nor his health would ad
mit of that constant application to it which distinguished the other
from all the rest of the province. In general he may be said to be
of stronger resentment upon any real 6r supposed personal neglect
or injury than the other, but in their resentment against such as
opposed them in the cause in which they were engaged, it is diffi
cult to say which exceeded. His ambition was without bounds,
and he has acknowledged to his acquaintance that he could not
look with complacency upon any raan who was in possession of
more wealth, raore honors, or raore knowledge than himself,"
LIEUT. GOV. CUSHING.
Thomas Cushing, LL. D. was the son of a very popular speaker
of the Assembly of Massachusetts ; graduated at Harvard CoUege
in 1744 ; was fond of public life, and paid too little attention to
pecuniary considerations ; was many years a representative, and in

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES- 461
1763, when Governor Bernard negatived Mr. Otis as speaker, he
was elected m his place, and continued in that office till chosen a
member of the first Congress, to meet in Philadelphia in 1774. He
was elected lleut, governor in 1779, which office he held till his
death in 1788. His narae as speaker having been signed to all
the public papers, made it known abroad, where he was considered
the leader of the whigs. Dr. Johnson, in his pamphlet called
" Taxation no Tyranny," says, " one object of the Araericans is io
adorn the brows of Mr. Cushing with a dladera." And he was at
other times the object ofthe sarcasm of ministerial writers. He was
a member of the corporation of Harvard College, and attentive to
its affairs, from which he received a diploma of doctor of laws.
JUDGE PAINE.
Robert Treat Paine, L.L. D., one of the signers of the decla
ration of independence, was bom in Boston, 1731; graduated at
Harvard College in 1749 ; studied law ; and conducted the pros
ecution on the part of the crown with great reputation, in the
absence of the attorney general, in the trial of Capt. Preston and
his men of "Boston massacre" memory in 1770, In 1773 he was
elected a member of the General Assembly, and afterwards was
chosen a member of the continental Congress, which met at Phil
adelphia in 1774. The following four years he was re-elected and
rendered important services in introducing the manufacture of salt
petre, then imperfectly iraderstood, whUe the colonies were suffer
ing for the want of gunpowder. He was also of the coraraittee for
the encouragement of the manufacture of cannon, and other imple
ments of war. In a letter to the Hon, Joseph Palmer, as president
of the Massachusetts provincial Congress at Watertown, he com
plains of an intrigue to supplant him in the good opinion of his
constituents, and says he " has just discovered a malicious and,
slanderous correspondence between John Adams and Thomas Cush
ing." On the organization of the Supreme Court in Massachusetts
in 1776, he was naraed for one of the judges, which he declined at
first, as John Adams, many years his junior, had obtained the -ap
pointment of chief justice; but upon the resignation of the latter,
Mr. Paine took his seat on that bench. His son, who afterwards
bore his name, was a distinguished writer of national and patriotic
poetry.

462

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,

GOV, HARRISON,
CoL, Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the declaration
of independence, was a native of Virginia, and graduated at the
college of WiUiam and Mary, He comraenced his political career
as early as 1764, in the legislature of his native colony. The royal
government offered him a seat at the council board, a tempting bait
for young ambition, which he had the resolution to refuse, as the
measures of the ministry were already unfriendly to the liberty of
the provinces ; and when the time came for active resistance to
arbitrary power, he was ready for service. He was in the first
general Congress of 1774, and the three succeeding ones, and was
particularly useful as chairman of the board of war. After his
resignation in 1777, he was elected speaker of the House of Bur
gesses of Virginia, and filled the chair till 1782, when he was
elected governor, to which office he was twice re-elected. He
retired in 1785 to private life, but in 1788 became a member of
the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States,
He died in 1791, Gov, Harrison was father of General WUliam
H. Harrison, late President of the United States.
LIEUT. GOV. A. OLIVER.
Of Lieut. Governor Andrew Oliver, Gov. Hutchinson says,
" A very small portion of mankind have so well deserved to be
characterized, " Integer vUce seclerisque purus." Scarce any man
ever had a more scrupulous and sacred regard to truth, and yet, to
such a degree did the malignant spirit of party prevail as to
cause a writer* in the public papers in England to bring against
hira a charge of perjury. The CouncU of Massachusetts Bay, from
whose votes and resolves this writer attempted to support the
charge, by a vote which they caused to be printed, repaired the in
jury as well as they could ; but a consciousness of his innocency
and integrity was his best support. This abuse, however, together
with the reproaches most injuriously cast upon hira by the resolves
of the council and house, in which he was treated as the deter
mined eneray to the liberties of his country, the interest whereof,
* Arthur Lee, under the signature of Junius Americanus.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 463
according to the best of his judgment, (which was much superior
to that of his most virulent persecutors,) he always had at heart,
affected his spirits and evidently accelerated his death."
Lieut, Gov, Oliver was a son of Hon. Daniel Oliver, of Bos
ton, and graduated at Harvard College in 1724. He was a repre
sentative from Boston, meraber of the councU, and secretary of the
province, before his last troublesorae dignity as heut, governor,
which oflSce he filled from 1770 to 1774 ; until death closed his
career on the 3d March in that year. His removal had been
clamorously called for by the people through the provincial as
sembly, Lieut. Gov, Oliver was a liberal benefactor to his alma
mater in books, ancient manuscripts and anatomical preparations,
HON. S. QUINCY.
Samoel Quincy, brother of Josiah and Edmund, of Boston,
graduated at Harvard College in 1754, was a poet and an elegant
prose writer. As solicitor for the crown, he was engaged with
Robert Treat Paine in the meraorable trial of Capt, Preston and
the British soldiers in 1770 ; his brother was opposed to him on
that occasion, and both reversed their party sympathies in their
professional position. He was an addresser of Gov, Hutchinson,
and went to England early in 1775, He was included in the ban
ishment act of September, 1778, In April, 1779, he was appointed
comptroller at Parkin Bay, Antigua, and died on his passage from
Tortola to England for his health, August 9, 1789, aged 55, Mr,
Quincy raarried a sister of the late Henry HUl, Esq,, of Boston,
His son, of the sarae name, who graduated at Harvard College in
1782, was an attorney at law in Lenox, Massachusetts, where he
died, Jan, 1816, leaving a son Samuel, now an alderman of Bos
ton. His other son, Josiah, is an eminent counsellor at law of
Romney, New Hampshire, and president of the senate of that
state.
HON, JON. SEWALL.
Jonathan Sewall, LL. D., was born at Boston, August, 1728. His
father, Jonathan SewaU, merchant, was a nephew of Chief Justice
Stephen SewaU, and grandson of Major Stephen Sewall, of Salem.
He graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1748, and was a teacher at

464 biographical notices.
Salem tUl 1756. He raarried Esther, daughter of Edmund Quincy,
Esq., of Braintree, afterwards of Boston, and sister of Dorothy
Quincy, wife of Governor Hancock, and of Ehzabeth Quincy,
wife of Samuel Sewall, Esq., of Boston, the father of the late Hon.
Samuel SewaU, chief justice of Massachusetts. Mr. Sewall stu
died law with Judge Chambers Russell, of Lincoln; comraenced
practice in his profession at Charlestown, and at the death of
Jeremy Gridley, Esq., he was appointed attorney-general of Mas
sachusetts, September, 1767. He was an able and successful law
yer. The elder President Adams was his intiraate friend, though
opposite in politics, and has done justice to his raemory. He was
solicitor-general before he succeeeded Gridley in the office of attor
ney-general. His eloquence is represented as having been soft,
smooth, and insinuating, which gave hira as much power over a
jury as a lawyer ought ever to possess. It is proper here to take
notice of one fact relative to Sewall, He comraenced the suit in
May, 1769, in favor of a negro against his master for his freedom,
viz., James vs. Richard Lechmere, of Cambridge. The late Chief
Justice Dana was counsel for the defendant. The suit terminated
the following year in favor ofthe negro; and I beheve it was the
first case where the grand question was settled abolishing slavery
in that state. The case of the negro Soraerset, which Blackstone
coraraends so highly, and which has been a raatter of self-gratu-
lation in England, was not settied till 1772 ; two years after the
decision in favor of Jaraes, In 1768, he was appointed judge of
adralralty for Nova Scotia, and although he went there once or
twice in that capacity, he remained but a short period. At the
commencement of the revolution, he was residing at Cambridge, in
the Vassall house, afterwards Washington's head quarters, and
since occupied by Andrew Cragie. He left this country for Eng
land early in 1775, He had before ably vindicated the characters
of Governors Bernard, Hutchinson, and Oliver, and was esteemed
an able writer. He was proscribed in the Conspirator's Act of
April 30, 1779, He resided chiefly in Bristol tUl 1788, (for the
education of his children,) when he removed to St, John's, New
Brunswick, having been appointed judge of the vice-admiralty
court there, where he resided till his death, which occurred Septem
ber 26, 1796, at the age of sixty-eight. His widow survived him.

biographical notices. 465
and removed to Montreal, where she died at an advanced a<^e.
His son Jonathan, was at school at Hackney in 1777, and after
wards resided at Quebec, where he sustained the offices of solicitor
and attorney-general, and judge of the vice-admiralty court, until
1808, when he was appointed chief justice of the province, which
he resigned in 1838, and died November 12, 1839, aged seventy-
four. In 1832, he received the degree of doctor of laws, frora
Harvard College. His son Stephen was appointed solicitor-gene
ral in 1810, and resided in Montreal, but lost that office in 1814,
in consequence of political differences with the governor ; he died
there of Asiatic cholera in the summer of 1832.
ISAAC SMITH.
Rev. Isaac Smith graduated at Harvard College in 1767, where
he was a tutor 1774^5, when he left for England, having a brother
settled there. He was a loyalist, and a dissenting ralnister, much
esteemed for the catholic tenor of his discourses. He was ordained
Jime 24, 1778, over a society of dissenters at Sidmouth, Devon
shire, but returned to New England after the peace, and became
librarian in Harvard CoUege, from 1789 to 1791, and subsequently
preceptor of Dummer academy, at Byfield, near Newburyport,
Massachusetts, He was a brother of William Smith, Esq, of Boston.
JOSEPH GREEN,
Joseph Green, Esq., a wit and poet, born at Boston, 1706, received
the rudiments of learning at the South Grammar School from Mr.
WUliams, and graduated at Harvard College, 1726. He was the
author of many fugitive pieces, chiefly satirical, against the gover
nor or assembly, as chance might direct. He was a fine classical
scholar. He turned his attention to commerce, of which he obtained
a comprehensive knowledge, and acquued a handsome property.
To integrity and generosity were added in him politeness and ele
gance. His humor, learning and taste might have connected him
with the influential, and procured for bim almost any distinction ;
but he would never accept pubhc office. He signed an address to
Governor Hutchinson on his leaving the government. In 1774,
when an act passed Parliament depriving Massachusetts of her
charter, a number of counsellors were appointed by mandamus ;
59

466 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,
among them was Mr, Green, who declined the honor as soon as
summoned, giving in his resignation to Governor Gage, Of his
poetical pieces, " the Elegy on Mr. Old Tenor," and the satire on
the processions of Free-masons, have passed through many editions.
During the Whitfieldian controversy, there was a club of sentimen
talists who wrote what they pleased, and, as the pamphlets were
emitted frora the press, it was easy to conjecture the parts he wrote,
especially if a line of poetry was introduced. They also took a
part in politics, and began by attacking the administration of
Governor Belcher, putting his speeches into rhyme. In the con
troversy with Great Britain, previous to the Revolution, most of
these gentlemen joined the party of loyalists. Mr. Green was in
cluded in the act of banishment of 1778, and having left Boston
early in 1775, passed the remainder of his days in England, where
he died at London, December 11, 1780, aged seventy-four,
JASPER MAUDUIT.
Jasper Mauduit, Esq., of London, the friend of Governor Hutch
inson and Lieutenant Governor Ohver, successfully vindicated
their characters respecting their letters to the privy council, as
sisted by Mr. Wedderburne. He was for a long time treasurer of
the Society for propagating the Gospel araong the Indians of New
England, and agent for the Assembly of Massachusetts Bay in
London. His zeal was greater for the conversion of Indians, than
for the important concerns of the province.
ISRAEL MAUDUIT.
Israel Mauduit, Esq., secretary of Lord George Germaine, Veas
distinguished as the writer of several pamphlets, in which the char
acter of General Howe was severely attacked.
WARD NICHOLAS BOYLSTON.
Ward NicSolas Boylston, Esq., the son of Benjamin and Mary
Hallo\vell, (his mother being the sister of Nicholas Boylston,) was
born at Bostbn in 1749 ; by the desire of his maternal uncle, his
iiame was changed in 1770. In 1773, he embarked for Newfound
land ; from thence he sailed to Italy ; traveUed through Turkey,
Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, and along the Barbary coast ; and

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 467
returned through France and Flanders to England, in 1775, He
entered into business as a merchant, and reraalned in London till
1800, when he returned to Boston, and continued to reside in
Massachusetts tUl his death, which occurred in January, 1828,
at the age of seventy-eight.
He possessed a mind emulative of the spirit of his maternal
ancestry, which he acknowledged in a letter dated May 20, 1800,
when he founded at Cambridge the " Boylston Medical Library."
In this he expressed the pride he felt in being nearly allied to his
maternal great-uncle. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, " who first introduced
the inoculation for the small-pox into Araerica, frora whence it
was carried to England, and has ever since been extending its
beneficial influence through the world ;" and also to his uncle,
Nicholas Boylston, " whose raeraory is known and honored for
bis hberal donations to Harvard University." In 1840, Mr. Boyl
ston's fund for a coUege and anatomical museum amounted to
nine thousand dollars ; which was in addition to the medical
library of eleven hundred volumes, and the fund for prize disserta
tions, established by him in 1800.
JOHN PRINCE.
Dr. John Prince, of Salera, Mass., a refugee, who reraoved to
Halifax, in 1775. He married a daughter of Hon. Richard Derby,
of Salem, and was proscribed in the banishment act of Massachu
setts, Sept, 1778. John Prince, Esq., of Boston, who married a
daughter of E, H, Derby, Esq., is a son.
JOSEPH HOOPER.
Joseph Hooper, Esq., of Marblehead, was a graduate of Harvard
CoUege in 1763, and a refugee in 1775, He was a son of Peter
Hooper, Esq,, a "mandamus" counsellor, who rose from abject
poverty to apparently inexhaustible wealth ; engrossing for years
a large part of the foreign fishing business at Marblehead, which
was very extensive about the year 1760, For a while he pur
chased all the fish brought into that quarter, sent it to BUboa
and other ports in Spain, and received gold and silver in return,
with which he purchased goods in England, etc. He built splendid
houses in town and country, rode in a chariot like a prince, and

468

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,

was ever after known as " King Hooper," For years he knew not
the state of his affairs, and died insolvent in 1790. At his elegant
house in Danvers, (since Collins's,) he entertained Governor Gage
for some time in 1774. The mansion late Chief Justice Sewall's,
in Marblehead, was built by his son Joseph Hooper. He became
a paper manufacturer at Bungay, Suffolk, England ; where he
died in August, 1812, Although his name does not appear in the
proscribing act, a rope walk of his and some lots of land were
sold by the coraralssloners, with other confiscated property, in 1781.
GENERAL CARLETON.
Sir Guy Carleton, (afterwards Lord Dorchester,) a distin
guished British officer in America ; was appointed a brigadier-
general in this country in 1766 ; he was made major-general in
1772. At the close of the year 1774, a commission passed the
seals, constituting him captain-general and governor of Quebec,
When Canada was invaded by Montgomery in 1775, Carleton was
in the most imrainent danger of being taken prisoner upon the St,
Lawrence after the capture of Montreal ; but he escaped in a boat
with muffled paddles, and arrived safely at Quebec, which he found
threatened by an unexpected eneray. Arnold, though he had been
repulsed by Colonel McLean, was yet in the neighborhood of
the city, waiting for the arrival of Montgoraery, previously to
another attack. General Carleton, with the skill of an experienced
officer, took the necessary measures for the security of the city ;
his first act was to oblige all to leave Quebec who would not take
up arras in its defence. When Montgomery approached, his sum
mons was treated with contempt by the governor, whose intrepidity
¦was not to be shaken ; by his industry and bravery, Carleton saved
the city. After the unsuccessful assault of the last of December, in
which Montgomery was killed, he had nothing more immediately to
apprehend. In May, 1776, he obliged the Americans to raise the
siege ; and it was not long before he compelled them to withdraw
entirely from Canada. In October, he recaptured Crown Point; but
as the winter was advancing, he did not atterapt the reduction of
Ticonderoga, but returned to St, John's, In the beginning of the
next year he was superseded in his coraraand by Burgoyne, who
was intrusted with the northern British army, Carleton's expe-

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 469
rience, abilities, and services were such as rendered him worthy
of the coraraand, which was given to another. Though he imme
diately asked leave to resign his governraent, he yet contributed
all in his power to secure the success of the campaign. In the
year 1782, he was appointed, as successor of Sir Henry Clinton,
commander-in-chief of all his majesty's forces in Araerica ; he
arrived at New-York with his commission in the beginning of May,
After the treaty was signed, he delayed for sorae tirae the evacu
ation of the city, frora regard to the safety of the loyalists ; but
Noveraber 25, 1783, he erabarked, and withdrew the British ships
from the shores of America, He died In England at the close of
the year 1808, aged eighty-three ; he was a brave and an able
officer, and he rendered important services to his country. Though
he was not conciliating in his raanners, and possessed the severity
of a soldier, yet his huraanity to the American prisoners, whom
he took in Canada, has been much praised. In excuse for the
little attention which he paid to the honorable burial of Mont
gomery, it can only be said that he regarded him as a rebel,*
GENERAL BURGOYNE,
It is curious that a man of such celebrity as a writer, a
senator, and an officer, as the late Lieutenant General John
Burgoyne, should be found among the nuraber of those of whose
youthful days no memorial has been preserved. Neither the
tirae, place, nor circumstances of his birth are known. Even
his parentage is doubtful. He is said, but upon what authority it
does not appear, to have been a natural son of that Lord Bingley
who died at an advanced age, in 1774. That he had the advan-
I tage of a liberal education and early intercourse with polished
society, is sufficiently evident from his writings ; and It Is probable
that he was early devoted to the profession of arms, for on the
10th of May, 1759, he was raised to the rank of Lieut. Colonel,
and in the August of the ensuing year, he was appointed Lieut.
Col. Commandant of the 16th Light Dragoons. His after services
at different periods, in Spain, Portugal and America, are all well
known, especially the unfortunate termination of his military career
at Saratoga, which, though it tarnished not his honor, cast a shade
* See Allen's Biography.

470 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
over his brow, ever afterwards conspicuous to the physiogno
mical eye. He arrived in England on parole in May, 1778, and
published a letter to his constituents, throwing the blame of the
failure of the expedition on Lord SackvUle, (George Germaine,)
the secretary of the American department; and a reply to it,
doubtless written by Lord SackvUle, exhibits some of the peculiari
ties of the style of Junius. He made on certain occasions no ordi
nary figure in parliament, and towards the close ofthe year 1781,
when a majority of parliament seemed resolved to persist in the
war, he joined the opposition, and advocated a motion for the dis
continuance of the fruitless contest. He knew that it was impos
sible to conquer Araerica. " Passion, prejudice and interest," said
he, " may operate suddenly and partially ; but when we see one
principle pervading the whole continent, the Americans resolutely
encountering difficulty and death for a course of years, it must be
a strong vanity and presumption in our own minds, which can only
lead us to imagine that they are not in the right," He moved in the
first circles, and married Lady Charlotte Stanley, a daughter of the
Earl of Derby ; and yet we know not who and what originally he
was. He was the author of four successful dramas : The Maid of
the Oaks, the Lord of the Manor, Richard Coeur de Lion, and the
Comedy of the Heiress ; and yet the curiosity of his biographer,
even in this anecdote-dealing and meraoir-sifting age, cannot trace
his origin, or the scenes of his education. The fable of the Lord of
the Manor seeras, in sorae degree, to have been suggested (though
sufficiently disguised in the modification of character and circum
stances) by the incident of his own matrimonial connection ; for
his was a clandestine and unauthorized marriage, at a tirae when
he held only a subaltern's comraission in the army, and is said to
have excited at first the resentment of the lady's father to such a
degree, that he declared his resolution never to admit the offenders
into his presence, though in process of time the anger of the earl
subsided, a reconciliation was effected, and was succeeded by a
warm and lasting attachment. It is probable, also, that the mem
ory of his lady, who died in the year 1776, at Kensington Palace,
during his absence in America, is embalmed by the affectionate
regrets of the General in that beautiful air in the first act of that
opera :

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 471
'' Encompassed in an angel's frame,
An angel's virtues lay ;
Too soon did heaven assert the claim,
And call its own away.
My Anna's worth, my Anna's charms,
Must never more return !
What now shall fill these widow'd arms ?
Ah, me ! my Anna's urn !"
It is some confirraation of this conjecture, that General Bur
goyne contracted no second marriage. Taste and sentiment, rather
than vigor and originality, and farailiarity with local raanners and
the superficies of character, rather than the coraprehensive views of
the sources of human action and penetration into the deepest re
cesses of the human heart, characterize the genius of this writer ;
and his satire, though well pointed, will accordingly lose its inter
est when the memory of the fleeting follies and temporary politics
at which it is levelled shall have died away. Of his dramatic
works, incoraparably the most valuable is the coraedy of " The
Heiress," which may, indeed, be called the last comedy produced on
the English stage,
Frora the peace till his death, which took place in August,
1792, he lived as a private gentleman, devoted to pleasure and the
muses. The following letter, addressed by hira to Garrick, is cha
racteristic : TO DAVID GAI^RICK, ESQ.
Wednesday, JVov. 9, 1774.
My dear Sir:
Your obhging and most friendly letter was delivered to me
yesterday, at the moment I was sitting down to dinner with com
pany, or I should have endeavored on the moment to return my
acknowledgments, with a warmth of expression due to that with
which you have honored me. In regard to the very signal dis
tinction you propose to me of the freedom of the house, and the
manner of presenting it, I hope you wUl permit me to decUne the
parade, and at the same tirae beheve rae truly sensible of the honor
of it, I should feel myself as proud to be seated in Drury Lane
by your deliberate judgment of my talents, as ever an old Roman

472 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,
did in acquiring the freedom of his theatre by pubhc services ; but
you are at present too partial towards me ; and, till I appear in
my own eyes more worthy, I raust request you to bound your kind
intentions to an order for adraittance occasionally to your green
room, where I proraise neither to criticise your men Ul-naturedly,
nor lead astray yourself. The having contributed the songs and
music, and other reasons alleged for my introduction to your re
hearsals, will, I conclude, equally pass with the company for this
additional favor, without the necessity of any farther discovery.
But as you kindly insist upon ray directions, I desire it to be done
by a siraple order to Johnson, and no gold box, nor sUver box —
not even a raulberry one : you must give me a reception Hamlet
like — I will have no appurtenances of welcome. I think I may,
without vanity, congratulate you upon the piece having laid hold
of the audience last night, A general relish was very discernible,
I could not help agreeing with a critic who sat near me, and who
expressed himself dehghted with the genteel scenes, that the intro
duction of the lamplighters was too coarse to assort with the rest.
Suppose three or four of your girls were introduced in the act of
weaving cords of flowers, such as the dancers use in the second
act. They might fix one end of the cord to the scene, and keep
slipping back as they weave the flowers, in the manner the rope-
makers do, which would be picturesque. In that case, O'Daub's
part might begin with his conversation with the architect ; and he
might present hiraself to the girls in some nonsense like the follow
ing : " O'Daub. — If these pretty maids would pay me with a kiss
a-piece, 'faith, I'd paint them all round for nothing at aU, Surely
they look as bright as a May morning already, and a touch of my
brush will make them remembered by those who never saw 'em."
If after this the two additional verses of the song were added, the
words would apply, and' Moody's action might have effect. Should
you approve this idea, or any one like it, the alteration is so short
it might be studied and acted in half an hour ; but I submit it to
you on the sudden, like many crudities with which I have troubled
you. Lord Stanley is come to town, and very earnest to see " The
Maid of the Oaks." I send to Johnson's for a box for Lady Betty
to-morrow, that she may do him the honors, and I hope I shall
succeed. If you could send me the copy this afternoon, I would

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 473
return it in time for you to put it into the printer's hands to-mor
row afternoon, Beheve me, with the truest sense of the value of
your friendship, dear sir, your faithful and obedient, etc., etc,
J, Burgoyne.
GENERAL CLINTON.
Sir Henry Clinton, an English general, son of the colonial
Governor Clinton, was the grandson of the Earl of Lincoln, After
distinguishing himself in the battle of Bunker HIU in 1775, he, was
sent unsuccessfully against New-York and Charleston, He after
wards, in September, 1776, occupied the city of New-York,
October 6, 1777, he assaulted and took forts Clinton and Mont
gomery, In 1778, he succeeded Howe in the comraand at PhUa
delphia, whence Washington corapelled him to retire. In May,
1780, he took Charleston, It was he who negotiated with Arnold
in his treason. He returned to England in 1782, and died Dec.
22, 1795 ; a few months before, he had been appointed governor
of Gibraltar. He published a narrative of his conduct in America,
1782 ; Observations on Cornwallis's Answer, 1783 ; Observations
on Stedman, 1784. LORD CORNWALLIS.
Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, commander of the British array
in Araerica, surrendered at Yorktown, October 19, 1781 ; an event
which brought the war to a close. In 1790, he was governor-
general of India, and by his victories in the Avar with Tippoo Saib
acquired high reputation. Again was he appointed, in 1805,
governor of India ; where he died, at Ghazepore, October 5. He
married in 1768, Miss Jones, a lady of large fortune ; who is said to
have died of a broken heart, in consequence of his engaging in the
American war. He published an answer to the Narrative of Sir
Henry Clinton, 1783.
LORD HOWE.
Admiral Earl Howe was born in 1725, and on the death of his
brother the general, succeeded to his title and estate. He com
manded the British fleet which arrived afStaten Island July 12,
1776 ; and was named in the commission to offer proposals of
60

474 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,
peace. In July, 1777, he convoyed the two hundred and seventy
transports in which the army sailed from New- York to the Chesa
peake, He repaired to Newport in the winter as a safe harbor ;
which place he relieved on the 30th Aug., 1778, when threatened
by the Americans and French, by arriving from New-York with a
hundred sail of ships. In September, he resigned the command to
Admiral Gambier, On the 1st of June, 1794, he obtained a vic
tory over the French, and died August 5, 1799, Lord Howe was
the brother and successor in his title of the General Lord Howe
who fell in the attack on Ticonderoga in 1758,' in whom, said
Mante, " the soul ofthe army seemed to expire ;" and to commem
orate whom the province of Massachusetts Bay caused a monu
ment to be erected in Westminster Abbey,
GENERAL HOWE,
General Sir William Howe, brother of Richard, Earl Howe,
was the successor of General Gage in command of the British
forces in Araerica, He first arrived at Boston in May, 1775, with
General Burgoyne, and commanded in the battle of Bunker Hill ;
he took possession of New-York in September, 1776 ; and was one
of-the comraissloners to offer terms of peace. In July, 1777, Sir
Willlara sailed for the Chesapeake, and entered PhUadelphia, Sept,
27 ; he defeated the Americans on the 4th of October, sarae year,
at Gerraantown. In May, 1778, he was succeeded by General
Clinton. In the House of Coraraons, in December same year,
when assigning his reasons for quitting his command in America,
he particularly blamed Lord SackvUle, (formerly Lord George
Germaine,) the minister, for not sending reinforcements, nor co
operating in his plans ; and in the January following. Lord Sack
vUle, if he was the author of the letter to Admiral Howe,
returned the invective. He published a second edition of his
narrative relative to his coraraand in 1780 ; he died in 1814.
General Charles Lee said, " Howe was the most indolent of mor
tals, and never took pains to examine the merits or demerits of the
cause in which he was engaged. That the king and parliament
formed the supreme power ; that supreme power is absolute and
uncontrollable ; and consequently all resistance rebellion ; that he
was a soldier and bound to obey in all cases whatever : these were

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 475
his notions, and this his logic. He was naturally good-natured,
and as an executive soldier all fire and activity ; brave as Caesar,
His understanding good, but confounded by the iramensity of the
task imposed upon him," GENERAL GATES,
Horatio Gates, a major-general in the army of the United
States, was a native of England ; is said to have been a natural
son of Horace Walpole, Lord. Orford. In early life he entered the
British army, and laid the foundation of his future military fame ;
he was aid to General Monckton at the capture of Martinico ; and
after the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, he was among the first troops
which landed at Halifax under General Cornwallis. He was with
Braddock at the tirae of his defeat in 1755, and was shot through
the body. When peace was concluded, he purchased an estate in
Virginia, where he resided until the coraraenceraent of the Arae
rican war in 1775 ; when he was appointed by Congress adjutant-
general, with the rank of brigadier-general, and accorapanied
Washington to Carabridge. In August, 1777, he took comraand
of the northern departraent, and succeeded in capturing Bur
goyne in October. Congress passed a vote of thanks, and ordered
a raedal of gold to be presented to him by the president. His
conduct towards his conquered eneray was marked by a delicacy,
which does him the highest honor ; he did not perrait his own
troops to witness the raortification of the British in depositing their
arms. After Gen. Lincoln was taken prisoner, he was appointed,
June 13, 1780, to the command of the southern department;
August 16, he was defeated by Cornwallis at Camden, After the
peace he retired to his farm in Berkley county, Virginia, where
he remained until the year 1790, when he came to reside in New-
York ; having first emancipated his slaves, and made a pecuniary
provision for such as were not able to provide for themselves.
Some of them would not leave him, but continued in his family.
On his arrival at New- York,, the freedom ofthe city was presented
to him. In 1800, he accepted a seat in the legislature ; his poli
tical opinions did not separate him from many respectable citizens,
whose views differed widely from his own ; he died April 10, 1806,
aged 77. A few weeks before his death, he wrote to his friend Dr.

476

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,

Mitchell, then at Washington, on some business, and closed his letter,
dated Feb. 27, 1806, with the following words :— «I am very weak,
and have evident signs of an approaching dissolution. But I have
lived long enough, since I have lived to see a mighty people ani
mated with a spirit to be free, and governed by transcendant
abilities and honor." He retained his faculties to the last; he
directed that his body should be privately buried, which was ac
cordingly done. General Gates was a whig in England, and a
republican in America ; he was a scholar, well versed in history
and the Latin classics. While he was just, hospitable and gene
rous, his manners and deportment yet indicated his military cha
racter, JUDGE DANA,
Francis Dana, LL.D., chief justice of Massachusetts, was a
descendant of Richard Dana, who died at Cambridge about 1695.
His father was Richard Dana, an eminent magistrate ; he was
bom at Charlestown in August, 1742, and after graduating at
Harvard College in 1762, studied law with Judge Trowbridge ; he
passed the year 1775 in England, where he had a brother, Edmund,
a minister at Worcester, who died in 1823. In 1776, he was ap
pointed a delegate to Congress, and taking his seat in November,
1777, continued in that body until in November, 1779, he accom
panied Mr, Adams to Paris, as a secretary of legation. He was
elected Deceraber, 19, 1780, as ralnister to Russia ; where he
remained, though not publicly received, from August, 1781, till the
close of the war, returning in December, 1783. He was chosen a
delegate to Congress in 1784 ; and a meraber of the Massachusetts
Convention, where he advocated the constitution. The office of
envoy extraordinary to France in 1799, he declined; and Mr,
Gerry was deputed in his stead, with Messrs. Marshall and Pinck-
ney. Appointed chief justice of Massachusetts in 1792, he dis
charged very impartially and ably the duties of that office until
his resignation in 1806 ; he died at his seat in Cambridge, April
25, 1811, aged sixty-eight. Judge Dana was a learned lawyer,
and presided in court with great dignity ; his opinions on the bench
were remarkable for their clearness and perspicuity. In his politics
during the days of violent excitements, he was strongly attached

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 477
to the federahsts. His correspondence while in Europe, is con-
tamed in Sparks's Diplomatic Correspondence, vol, Sth,
COLONEL PICKERING.
Hon. Timothy Pickering, LL. D., the son of a prominent citi
zen of Salem of the sarae narae, was born there on the 17th July,
1746, and graduated at Harvard College in 1763, The meraorable
distinction of conducting the first resistance in arras to the power of
the raother country fell to his lot, at his native place, on Sunday the
26th of February, 1775, when the raarch of Col, Leslie's regiraent
of royal troops was resolutely intercepted, and his further progress
arrested by hira at the head of the militia, at the bridge over the
North River, The draw of the bridge was hoisted, and Col. Pick
ering presented hiraself on the opposite side. He inforraed Col,
Leslie that the railitary stores he carae to seize were the property
of the people, and that they would not be surrendered without a
struggle. Col. Leslie ordered his men into a large gondola at the
wharf, to secure a passage over the river. In a moment Major
Sprague, the owner of the gondola, sprang on board and beat a
hole through the bottom, by which it was sunk. While effecting
this he was wounded by the soldiers with their bayonets, and thus
was here shed the first blood of the Revolution. The Rev. Mr,
Barnard now interposed, and by judicious persuasions prevented
the impending catastrophe ; and Leslie, pledging his honor, that if
Col, Pickering would let him pass the bridge, so that it might ap
pear a voluntary act on his part, he would abandon the attempt to
seize the stores ; and this being acceded to on the part of Col. Pick
ering, the former returned imraedlately to his transports at Marble
head, and re-embarked his regiment from the harbor that night.
Col. Pickering marched at the head of the Essex regiraent as
soon as he heard of the Lexington affair, on the 19th of April of
the sarae year, to Medford, in order to intercept tbe eneray, but was
not in season. He also took up the line of raarch with his regi
ment for the heights of Charlestown on the 17th June, but arrived
too late to participate in the affair of Bunker Hill. Col. Pickering
compiled a raanual for the drill and exercise of the troops, which
was in general use until the Baron Steuben pubhshed his raore ex
tensive work. He was appointed the same year a judge of the com-

478 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,
mon pleas, and succeeded Mr, Curwen as admiralty judge for the
district including Boston and Salem, In the autumn of 1776, he
commanded the Essex regiment under General Washington in
New Jersey,
The following is an extract of a letter from General Washing
ton to Congress, dated at Morristown, May 24, 1777 :
" I beg leave to inform Congress, that, immediately after the
receipt of their resolve of the 26th of March, recomraending the
office of adjutant general to be filled by a person of ability and
unsuspected attachment to our cause, I wrote to Colonel Timothy
Pickering, of Salem, offering him the post, in the first instance, and
transmitting at the same time a letter to Colonel William R. Lee,
whora Congress had been pleased to mention, to be delivered to
him in case my offer could not be accepted. This conduct in pre
ference of Col. Pickering, I was induced to adopt from the high
character I had of him, both as a great mUitary genius, cultivated
by an industrious attention to the study of war, and as a gentleman
of liberal education, distinguished zeal, and great method and ac
tivity in business. This character of him I had from gentlemen of
distinction and merit, and on whose judgraent I could rely.
" When my letter reached Col. Pickering, at first view, he
thought his situation in respect to public affairs would not permit
him to accept the post. That for Col. Lee he sent iramediately to
him, who, in consequence, repaired to head quarters. By Col,
Lee I received a letter from Col. Pickering, stating more particu
larly the causes which prevented him accepting the office when it
was offered, assuring me that he would, in a little time, accommo
date his affairs in such a manner as to come into any military post
in which he might be serviceable and thought equal to.
" Here I am to mark with peculiar satisfaction, in justice to
Col. Lee, who has deservedly acquired the reputation of a good
officer, that he has expressed a distrust of his abUitles to fill the ap
pointment intended for him ; and hearing that Col. Pickering would
accept it, he not only offered, but wished to relinquish his claim to
it in favor of him, whom he declared he considered, from a very in
timate and friendly acquaintance, as a first-rate railitary character;
and that he knew no gentleman better or so well qualified for the
post among us. Matters being thus circumstanced, and Colonel Lee

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 479
pleased with the command he was in, I wrote to Col. Pickering on
his return, who accepted the office, and is daily expected."
He immediately marched with the army to Pennsylvania, and
was by the side of Washington at the hattie of Brandywine, on
the 14th September ; he was also present at that of Gerraantown,
October 4. He was soon after elected by Congress a member of
the Board of War, with Generals Gates and Mifflin. The arrange
ment of the staff department was also intrusted to him and General
Mifflin. In August, 1780, he succeeded Gen. Greene as quarter
master-general, and discharged the arduous and complicated duties
of that department with promptness and fidelity.
Col. Pickering was employed in various negotiations with the
Indian tribes, and in 1791 was appointed postmaster-general, which
office he heldtUl 1794, when he succeeded Gen. Knox as secretary
of war. In August, 1795, he temporarily had charge ofthe state de
partment, and upon the resignation of Mr. Edmund Randolph, in
Deceraber, received the appointraent of secretary of state. This
was the last office he held under Washington ; from which he was
removed by President Adams, in May, 1800. It was this circura
stance to which the eloquent and eccentric John Randolph alludes
when Col. Pickering's political course was attacked in the House
of Representatives some years after ; on that occasion Randolph
declared that he would gladly surrender all his own riches and
honors to be able to say, what that patriot (Pickering) could say,
viz., " that he ever enjoyed the unbounded confidence of Washing
ton whUe living — and the enraity of his successor."
On Col. Pickering's removal from office, he comraenced the
settiement of new lands in the back woods of Pennsylvania ; but
soon after disposing of them, he returned to Massachusetts, and at
Wenhara, near his native town, he, like Clncinnatus, cultivated
with his own hands a farm which he purchased. He could not
long be spared from public life, and from 1803 to 1811 he was a
senator of the United States, and frora 1814 to 1817 he represented
his district in Congress, to the delight and satisfaction of his con
stituents. He died at Salem on the 29th June, 1829, aged 84.
His active life afforded but llttie leisure for literary pursuits, yet
his writings were vigorous and elegant. From early life he was a
professor of Christianity, In the service of his country he was

480 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
faithful, disinterested, and energetic. His feelings were strong,
and in bis political controversies he was ardent and sometimes ve-
heraent ; but his exemplary morals, strict integrity, and pure prin
ciples satisfied all of his sincerity. Col. Pickering has left a num
ber of descendants ; the most distinguished is the great philologist,
the Hon. John Pickering, LL. D., his eldest son, now president of
the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
, JUDGE BLOWERS.
Hon. Sampson Salter Blowers, a native of Boston, and grand
son of the Rev. Thoraas B. Blowers, second minister of Beverly,
Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College 1763, of which in
stitution he is now senior alumnus, or the oldest living graduate.
He was born in March, 1742, and is consequently one hundred
years of age. He studied law with Governor Hutchinson, and
married the daughter of Benjarain Kent, a lawyer celebrated for
his eccentricity and wit. Mr. Blowers was, with John Adaras and
Josiah Quincy, jr., engaged to defend Capt. Preston and theBritiish
soldiers, on their trial at Boston, November, 1770, for what was
termed " the Boston massacre." On the eve of the Revolution, in
1774, he sailed for England, and returned in the autumn of 1778,
just in time to find his name in the proscribing act of the Massa
chusetts Provincial Assembly. He was forthwith imprisoned, but
soon liberated and sent in a cartel to Halifax. From this time he
pursued his profession there ; was raised to the supreme bench in
1795 ; became the chief justice in 1801, and resigned all his honors
in 1803. Judge Blowers has never revisited his native place. His
sister died at Boston in March, 1842, at the age of ninety-eight ;
she was the widow of an officer of marines, who fell on board fhe
Alliance frigate, in an action with two British sloops of war. May,
1781. The following notice of Judge Blowers appeared in the Boston
Dally Advertiser, in March last : —
" The old man of whom ye spake ; is he yet alive ?"
The Hon. Sampson Salter Blowers, of Halifax, [Harvard Uni
versity, 1763,] this day completes his century of years ; the elder
patriarch of Harvard's living alumni. He was a native of Boston,
his father living (as we sorae time ago learned from an authority

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 481
near in blood) at the time in Quaker-lane, now Congress-street : a
nephew of Pyam B., merchant, [H, U, 1721,j and grandson of Rev,
Thomas B., second minister of Beverly, [H, U, 1695.] Young
Blowers entered upon the study of law with Hutchinson, then simply
judge of probate and lieutenant-governor ; and married the daughter
of Benj. Kent, Esq.,* [H. U. 1727,] an attorney at law in Boston,
" celebrated for his eccentricity and wit," who, like hiraself, be
carae a refugee, and died in Halifax, at an advanced age, in 1788,
In Noveraber, 1770, then in his noviciate at the bar, he was em
ployed as junior counsel to Messrs, Adaras and Quincy (the latter
his classmate) in behalf of the eight British soldiers of the 29th
regiraent on their trial for what was long and raost absurdly called
" the Boston massacre," The victims of that night (March 5th,
1770) though magnified by the effervescence of the time into mar
tyrs of liberty, did but poor credit indeed to the name, and as to
most of them, abundantly provoked the death they found, Gordon,
with strange looseness for one who was writing in the midst of the
scene, says, (Vol, I. 194,) " The soldiers had the same counsel as
their commander," But Robert Auchmuty, who according to Eliot
made, in defence of Capt, Preston, a plea so memorable and per
suasive, as " almost to bear down the tide of prejudice against him,
though it never swelled to a higher flood," had no concern in the
succeeding trial ; while the subject of this notice was certainly not
retained in the earlier one. On the eve of the Revolution ( 1774)
S. S, B., for some reason or object sailed for England, and returned
in the fall of 1778, just in time to find his name in the proscribing
act of the provincial assembly of Massachusetts, (October,) which
* Kent was a minister of Marlborough, a very brief period [1733-'35] ;
though so unclerical was his deportment, and his humor, that we might rather
have wondered had his stay been longer. He removed to Boston ; and so late
as 1769, his name is found, in somewhat odd association, with those of the
most prominent and strenuous Whigs of the place, as a committee of safety
in a communication to Dr. Franklin. To hira it is, we suppose, that the doe-
tor, in a letter written from Philadelphia, within the last year and a half of
his own life refers : — " You tell me our poor friend Ben Kent is gone ; I hope
to the regions of the blessed : or at least to some place where souls are pre
pared for those regions. I found my hope on this, that though not so orthodox
as you and I, he was an honest man and had his virtues. If he had any hy
pocrisy, it was of that inverted kind, with which a man is not so bad as he
seems to be." (See Sparks's Franklin, VII. 36,6, X. 460.)
61

482 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,
could not then have been passed many weeks. He was imprisoned
forthwith ; but within the next fortnight was despatched in a cartel
to Halifax, From this time, as we are told, he steadfastly pursued
his profession there ; being raised to the supreme bench in 1795,
becoming its presiding head in 1801, and resigning all his honors in
1833, Though his lot was cast with the obnoxious side. Judge B.
stood by no means alone among his companions. The class of
1763 was fruitful in loyalists, generally also refugees : — Bliss of
Springfield, and Upham of Brookfield, (the last, father of the pre
sent minister of Salem,) were constituted a few years after judges
ofthe highest court of New Brunswick;* Dr. John Jeffries oi Bos
ton, (after signalizing himself in a then novel sphere,) returned a
few years in the rear of the peace, to resume practice in his native
town ; Hooper of Marblehead, second son of " old King Robert,"
and Porter, for a time an eminent attorney in Salem, both died in
England. Judge B. has left behind him in the race the longest-lived of
his classmates by more than ten years. Col. Pickering, of Salem,
one of the three latest survivors, died Jan, 29, 1829, The last of
the trio, Samuel Perley, settled successively at three several places
in New Hampshire, and finally in Gray, Maine, finished his course
at the latter, November 28, 1831. Of the thirty-six hundred de
parted sons of Harvard, our living Methuselah (with the exception
of the venerated Dr, Holyoke) has alone fairly rounded his century ;
Mr, Porter, of Ashfield, on Connecticut river [H. U, 1745] who
died February, 1820, having faUed only one month of that honor
able mark,t
* No other class perhaps can show so many instances of the highest
judicial elevation. Three refugee judges ofthe supreme court ! to which must
be added the Hon. Nathan Cushing, of Scituate — a zealous Whig — who deeply
ingratiated himself with the popular party by the spirit of his decisions, as
first judge of admiralty in 1776, against captured British vessels ; and who at
a later period [1789-1801] was one of the highest bench of Massachusetts.
There is yet one other distinction to which the class of 1763 appropriates.
The first English Oration, ever heard upon the Commencement boards was
pronounced by Jed. Huntington of Norwich, Conn., (afterwards well known
as a general officer in our revolutionary contest, and father of the late Rev.
Josh. Huntington, ofthe Old South Church.)
t In such a connection as this, and for the sake of the narrow circle who

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 483
That the usual concomitants of such longevity should be here
also found in its train, few will probably be surprised to read. It
has been well known for four or five years past that decay had
been coming over the mind of this centennial patriarch ; and on
the recent progress (autumn of 1840) of the Hon. J. Q, Adaras
through the provinces of Nova Scotia, by whom Judge B, also was
visited, this fact was anew confirmed.
This notice must not be closed without adding, what all readers
(it need hardly be qualified) wUl be surprised to be told : — There
yet lives in this city, long sequestered from the world, a sister of the
distinguished graduate, before us, a widow of more than sixty years'
date, "whose days have almost even run with his," (ninety-eight,)
a coincidence alike extraordinary and interesting. The husband
are curious in such matters, it may not be amiss to specify the twelve alumni
who have reached the highest point of longevity. Those unasterized, it will
be observed, we presume not to number their days, but give their age at the
moment we are writing,
* 1746. Dr. E. A. Holyoke, of Salem, died March 31, 1829, 100 years 7
months. 17.63. Hoi;i. S. S. Blowers, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 100 years.
* 1745. Kev. N. Porter, minister of Chebacco parish (Ipswich) and of Ash
field, died February 29, 1820, 99 years 11 months.
* 1759. Hon. Paine Wingate, minister a few years at Hampton Falls,
N. H., and afterwards in high civil trusts, died at Stratham, N. H., March 7,
1838, 98 years and 10 months.
* 1744. Col. Peter Frye, formerly of Salem, and in various public trusts,
died (as a refugee) at Camberwell, Surrey, near London, February 1, 1820,
(his birthday,) 97 years.
* 1712. Mr. John Nutting, Salem, successively grammar schoolmaster,
register of deeds, and collector of the port, at difierent times, died May 20,
1790, 96 years 4 months.
* 1753. Rev. Peter Thacher Smith, minister of Windham, Me. [1762-90]
a. as P. T. S. "Esq.," October, 1826, 95 years 3 months.
1765. Dr. Ezra Green, surgeon in the continental navy, under John Paul
Jones, and since physician in Dover, N. H., 95 years ten months.
» 1728. Thaddeus Mason, Esq., register of deeds for Middlesex, died at
Cambridge, May 1, 1802, 95 years 4 months.
1767. Hon. Timothy Farrar, New Ipswich, N. H., formerly a judge of
the S. J. C. of N. H., 94 years 8 months.
* 1741. Mr. Joseph Waldo, merchant in Boston, died (as a refugee)
in Bristol, England, April, 1816, 94 years.
* 1710. Rev. Joseph Adams, minister of Newington, N. H., 37i years,
died May 26, 1783, 94 years.
April 2, 1842.

484 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
of the latter, a lieutenant of marines in the celebrated and ever-
fortunate Alliance frigate, fell in an engagement of that ship on
her passage from France, with two sloops of war. May, 1781,
Though not wanting in inducements to the contrary therefore, it is
wort|hy of record that Judge B. has never, as we are told, revisited
his native place, since he went forth from it an exUe with the fla
ming sword behind him, interdicting his return,
T. BRINLEY,
Thomas Brinley, a merchant of Boston, graduated at Harvard
College, 1744. He was an " addresser" of Gov, Gage and Gov,
Hutchinson. A refugee in England in 1775. Proscribed in the
act of banishment of the assembly of Massachusetts, Sept., 1788,
Probably died abroad, N, COFFIN,
Nathaniel Coffin, Esq., of Boston, the father of Sir Isaac Coffin,
Bart., who was his fourth and youngest son, Mr, Coffin graduated
at Harvard College in 1744 ; was cashier of the customs at Boston ;
an " addresser" of Gov, Gage ; a refugee in 1775 ; was proscribed
in the banishment act of 1778, and died in England before Novem
ber, 1783,
GOV, CASWELL,
Hon, Richard Caswell, of North Carohna, at the head of a
regiment Feb, 1776 ; he defeated General McDonald with a party
of fifteen hundred Scottish emigrants and ignorant and disorderly
frontier inhabitants, styhng themselves " loyalist regulators," at
Morris Creek bridge, about sixteen railes from WUmington, with
the loss of seventy killed and wounded, and fifteen hundred excel
lent rifles. His force was but one thousand sfrong, and the victory
of essential service to the American cause.
Besides being a meraber of the first congress, he was president
of the convention which formed the constitution of North Carolina,
under which he was governor frora 1777 to 1780, and from 1785
to 1787, He died at FayetteviUe, Nov, 20, 1789, His equanimity
of temper endeared him to his friends and commanded the respect
of his opponents ; for his constant watchfulness of the weUare of
the people and his private virtues prevented his having enemies.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 485
JOSEPH HEWES.
Hon. Joseph Hewes, of North Carolina, as a member of con
gress early patronized the celebrated John Paul Jones, and was
ever his confidential correspondent. It is to Mr. Hewes's discrimi
nating judgment of character, in no small degree, that we owe the
train of unsurpassed naval victories achieved by that hero; for
there was great opposition to his preferment on the score of
foreign birth and want of influential connections, which latter con
sideration had great weight at that period, Jones relied inplicitly
on Mr, Hewes, and in a letter says, " I will cheerfully abide by
whatever you think right," and to him he referred the Hon, Robert
Morris, respecting his claim for rank, who ever after was his friend,
DR, SHIPPEN.
William Shippen, M. D, of PhUadelphia, graduated. at Nassau
Hall, New Jersey, in 1754, and completed a medical education at
Edinburgh, He delivered in 1764, at Philadelphia, the first course
of anatomical lectures ever pronounced in America, He was the
founder of the medical school, which finally rivalled that of Edin
burgh, He was early opposed to " the supremacy of parliament
over the colonies in all cases whatsoever," and, in 1777, was ap
pointed director general of the medical department in the army
ofthe United States, Dr, Shippen died at Gerraantown, July 11,
1808, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.
GOV. MIFFLIN.
Thos. Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, was actively engaged in oppo
sition to the measures of the British parliament. He was a member
of the first congress in 1774, and was among the first commissioned
at the organization of the continental army, having been appointed
quarter-master-general. In October, 1788, he succeeded Dr,
Franklin as president of the supreme executive councU. In Sep
tember, 1790, the constitution for Pennsylvania was formed by a
convention, over which he was chosen the first governor. He pos
sessed extraordinary powers of elocution, which he exercised with
success during the insurrection in Pennsylvania in 1794. He
retired from the gubernatorial chair at the close of the year 1799,

486 biographical notices,
and on the 20th Jan, 1800, died at Lancaster in the fifty-seventh
year of his age, JUDGE ALLEN,
William Allen, chief justice of Pennsylvania, was the son of
WUliam Allen, an eminent merchant of PhUadelphia, who died in
1725, On the approach of the Revolution he retired to England,
where he died, September, 1780, His wife was a daughter of
Andrew Hamilton, whom he succeeded as recorder of Philadelphia
in 1741, He was much distinguished as a friend to literature.
He patronized Benjamin West, the historical painter. By his
counsels and exertions Dr, Franklin was much assisted in estab
lishing the college in PhUadelphia, He pubhshed " the American
Crisis," London, 1774, in which he suggests a plan " for restoring
the dependence of America to a state of perfection," His princi
ples seem to have been not a little arbitrary. On his resignation
of the office of chief justice, to which he had been appointed in
1750, he was succeeded till the Revolution by Mr, Chew, attorney-
general, and Mr. Chew by his son Andrew Allen. This son died
in London, March 7, 1825, aged eighty-five. At the close of 1776
he put hiraself under the protection of Gen, Howe, at Trenton,
with his brothers John and William. He had been a member of
congress and of the committee of safety ; and William a lieutenant-
colonel in the continental service,
GEN. REED.
Joseph Reed graduated at Nassau HaU, New Jersey, in 1757.
He engaged with zeal in opposition to parliament, was of the com
mittee of correspondence, and afterwards president of the conven
tion of New Jersey. On the organization of the army, he became
first aid to ^General Washington ; the next year adjutant-general,
WhUe he was a meraber of congress, in 1778, the coramissioners
from England arrived, and one of thera. Gov, Johnstone, addressed
private letters to him, Francis Dana, and Robert Morris, to secure
their influence towards the restoration of harmony, with intimations
of honors and emoluments, Mr, Reed's former despondence being
known, a lady, supposed to be the wife of Dr, Adam Ferguson, (the

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 487
secretary of the comraissloners,) assured him as from Gov. John
stone, that ten thousand pounds sterling and the best office in
America should be at his disposal, if he would effect a reunion.
He rephed that " he was not worth purchasing, but such as he
was, the king of Great Britain was not rich enough to do it."
In October, 1778, he was chosen president of Pennsylvania,
which office he held till the autumn of 1781. He died March 5,
1785, aged forty-three, having visited England for his health the
year before without good effect.
Mr, Reed published remarks on Gov. Johnstone's speech in
parliament, with authentic papers relative to his propositions in
1779, and an address to the people of Pennsylvania in 1783,
WILLIAM PYNCHON,
William Pynchon, Esq., an eminent counsellor at law, of Salem,
Massachusetts, was a loyalist, but did not leave the country. The
windows of his house in Suraraer-street were broken by the mob
on demanding his recantation as a Hutchinsonian addresser, pre
vious to the Revolution; and he left thera long in ruins, except that
they were boarded up, in testiraony of the licentiousness and law
lessness of the tiraes, Mr, Pynchon was a native of Springfield,
and graduated at Harvard College in 1743 ; he died, March 14,
1789, aged sixty-eight. JOSEPH LEE,
Hon, Joseph Lee, of Carabridge, Mass., was the son of a Salem
merchant. Having remained in Boston during the siege, he sub
jected himself to unpopularity with the patriots, although his luke-
warmness in the loyalist principles prevented his becoming an
object of pubUc notice. He was judge of the common pleas for
Middlesex ; and died at his seat in Cambridge, Deceraber, 1802,
at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His brother, Thoraas
Lee, Esq,, a raerchant of Salera, graduated at Harvard College in
1722 ; and during the revolutionary war resided at Newark, New
Jersey, He had been appointed mandamus counsellor, but was
compelled by the people to resign. Sept, 2, 1775,
JUDGE OLIVER.
Hon, Andrew Oliver, of Salem, son of Lieut, Gov, Andrew

488 biographical notices.
Oliver, and nephew of Chief Justice Peter Oliver, graduated at
Harvard College in 1749 ; studied law ; was often a representative
to the assembly, and a judge of the coraraon pleas for Essex
previous to the Revolution, He was one of the founders of the
American Acaderay of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the
American Philosophical Society at PhUadelphia ; he was reckoned
among the best scholars of his day, and possessed fine talents.
Judge Oliver was never fond of public life, but ardently attached
to his books and his friends. Besides an Essay on Comets, which
was published in 1772, several valuable communications of his
are contained in the first volume of the Transactions of the American
Academy. He was honored with a comraission of mandamus coun
sellor, which he declined; he married Mary, daughter of Chief
Justice Lynde, and several descendants remain of the second and
third generations ; he died in December, 1799, aged sixty-eight.
Judge Oliver was a loyalist, and the only member of his family
who did not renounce his country in consequence of the Revolution,
BENJAMIN GOODHUE.
Hon. Benjamin Goodhue, was born at Salem, Massachusetts,
October 1, 1748, apd graduated at Harvard College in 1766, He
early embarked in commerce, with credit and success ; he was a
whig of the Revolution ; represented the county of Essex in the
senate of his native state, from 1784 to 1789, when he was elected
a representative to the first United States Congress under the new
constitution ; and with Mr, Fitzsimmons of Philadelphia, formed
our code of revenue laws, a majority of which have remained in
force to this day. In 1796, Mr, Goodhue was elected a senator in
congress for Massachusetts, where he was distinguished as chair
man of the committee of commerce, but resigned and retired from
pubhc life in 1800 ; his colleague in the senate was Caleb
Strong, for many successive years the popular governor of Massa
chusetts, Mr, Goodhue's politics were ofthe Washington school;
and that party is now generally admitted to have been the purest
ever known in our country. He died July 28, 1814, leaving an
irreproachable narae to his only surviving son, Jonathan Goodhue,
Esq,, of New- York ; a merchant, who in character and credit has
stood second to none in this commercial emporium, during a resi
dence of thirty-six years.

biographical notices, 489
DR, HOLYOKE.
Edward Augustus Holyoke, M.D., L.L.D., son of President
Holyoke of Harvard College, was born August 13, 1728, and
graduated in 1746, In 1755, he married Judith, daughter of Col.
Benjamin Pickraan of Salem ; and after her death, which occurred
within the year, Mary, daughter of Nathaniel ViaU, Esq., of Boston,
" The period of the Revolution was a trying one to him, and he
never loved to dwell upon the recoUection of it ; his feehngs in
the spring and summer of 1775 were Intensely painful. In referring
to that period, he said he thought he should have died with the
sense of weight and oppression at his heart ; he had sent his faraily
to Nantucket, and the loneliness of his horae increased the feeling
of desolation. Most of his intiraate friends and near connections
favored the royal cause ; and his own education had attached him
to the established order of things, while his peaceful temper shrunk
from the turmoil of a revolution. Although most distinguished men
who had adopted the royal cause, found it expedient to leave the
country, it does not appear that he was ever impeded in the prose
cution of his professional business or studies for a single day. Once
only he committed hiraself, by signing a corapllmentary address
to Governor Hutchinson, in coraraon with a number of the most
distinguished citizens of the town of Salem, when the governor
was about leaving the country. He afterwards felt hiraself obliged,
as well as a number of his associates, to publish a sort of apology
for this act ; which " recantation," as it was called, contained
nothing that was servile or disgraceful. He died March 31, 1829,
at the great age of one hundred years.
" In deeds of piety and benevolence he was ever active, and
his gifts were bestowed with the most scrupulous secrecy ; and
from his intimacy in the families of all classes, seldom misapplied."
He had been a practising physician in Salera for seventy-nine
years. On sorae days he raade a hundred visits; and at one
period, there was not a dweUlng-house in Salem which he had
not visited professionally. About fifty medical gentlemen of Boston
and Salem gave him a public dinner on his centennial anniversary.
JUDGE LYNDE.
Hon. Benjamin Lynde, of Salem, chief justice of the supreme
62

490 biographical notices.
court, (as was his father ofthe sarae name,) was born at Salera,
and graduated in 1718, at Harvard College, He was judge of
probate frora 1745 to 1771 ; he presided in November, 1770, at
the trial of Captain Preston and his soldiers, for the part they took
in what was called " the Boston massacre," He resigned his seat
on the bench ofthe supreme court in 1771, and died October 3,
1781, aged eighty-one. It was a reraarkable coincidence, that
father and son should have been chief justices of the supreme
court, and occupied a seat on that bench between thera for nearly
sixty years. Judge Lynde's daughter, Mary, was the wife ofthe
Hon. Andrew Oliver of Salera, author of the Essay on Comets.
JUDGE ROPES.
Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, of Salem, born in 1727, was graduated
at Harvard College in 1745, and applied himself to the study of
the law. The violent raeasures in opposition to governraent were
obnoxious to him ; and when he found he could no longer be use
ful there, he retired frora the council in 1769, and frora the bench
of the superior court just before his death, in the spring of 1774; he
was firm in loyalist principles.
After ineffectual negotiations with Gov. Hutchinson, the in
flexible assertor of royal prerogative, at the termination ofthe first
session of 1773, it was resolved, " that any of the judges who while
they hold their offices during pleasure shall accept support from the
crown, independent of the grants of the general court, will discover
that he is an enemy to the constitution, and has it in his heart to
promote the establishment of arbitrary government." In February,
1774, four of the judges, Trowbridge, Hutchinson, Ropes and
Cushing, on the appeal being raade by the assembly, replied that
they had received no part of the allowance frora the king ; which
was deeraed satisfactory. Judge Ropes' house was assailed, not
withstanding, by a mob, and the furniture and windows throughout
broken the night before his death, (by small-pox,) which event it
doubtless accelerated.
With the exception of the reports of his decisions in the su-
prerae court, the foUowing obituary notice from his political oppo
nents is all that is on record respecting him :
From the Essex Gazette, March 22, 1774.
" Died, on the 18th inst., in the forty-eighth year of his age, the

biographical notices, 491
Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, some years since representative of this town
m the general assembly, afterwards a member of the councU,
chief justice of the comraon pleas, and judge of probate of wUls'
for the county of Essex, and also a justice ofthe superior court for
this province."
Judge Ropes married a daughter of the Rev, John Sparhawk
of Salem, and their deceased sons were merchants of that place,
Nathaniel married a daughter of Dr. Putnara, and John a daugh
ter of Jonathan Haraden, Esq., a distinguished naval coraraander
in the Revolution against Great Britain. Their daughters raarried
WUliam Orne, Jonathan Hodges, and Samuel Curwen Ward, also
merchants of Salem, aU deceased ; of their descendants raany are
now living.
THOMAS ROBIE.
Thomas Robie, Esq., of Marblehead, a son of Dr. Thomas Ro
bie, who was graduated at Harvard CoUege, in 1708, and after
being a resident fellow or tutor there, established himself in the
practice of physic at Salera, and raarried a daughter of Major Ste
phen Sewall. The subject of this notice became a merchant, and
married a daughter of the Rev. Simon Bradstreet, who was the
great-grandson of Gov. Bradstreet, called the " Nestor of New
England." Mr, Robie being strongly on the side of the royal
governraent, was an addresser of Gov. Hutchinson, and quitted the
country about the comraencement of the war ; he first went to
Halifax, but afterwards to London, February 5, 1776, He passed
his time of exUe mostly in Halifax, where one of his daughters
married Jonathan Stearns, Esq., another refugee, who graduated
at Harvard College in 1770, becarae attorney-general of Nova
Scotia, and died 1798 ; another was raarried to Joseph Sewall,
Esq., late treasurer of Massachusetts, His son, Simon Bradstreet
Robie, Esq., of Halifax, solicitor of the province of Nova Scotia, is
a gentleman of great wealth and respectabUlty. Mr. Thomas Robie
returned after the peace, and re-embarked in commercial pursuits
in Salem, to a limited extent. He was amiable, intelhgent and
exemplary, and died at Salem about thirty years since, well es
teemed.

492 biographical notices,
JOHN SARGENT,
John Sargent, Esq,, a merchant of Salem, who became a refu
gee and was banished by the act of 1778.
JUDGE CHIPMAN.
Hon. Ward Chipman graduated at Harvard College, 1770,
grandson of Rev. Jbhn Chipman of Beverly, and son of John C,
Esq., of Marblehead. Mr. Chipman studied law in company with
Jonathan Sewall and Thomas Aston Coffin, (a cousin of Sir Isaac
Coffin,) afterward secretary of Sir Guy Carleton, and in 1784
comraissary-general at Quebec. Mr. Chipman becarae judge of
the suprerae judicial court of New Brunswick, and died at Freder-
icton, February 9, 1824. He was brother-in-law of the late Hon.
William Gray, and retained an affection for New England, though
an exile. His son, of the same name, and successor to his station
and honors, was the most conspicuous member of the class which
graduated at Harvard College, in 1805,
COL. MURRAY.
CoL. John Murray was a representative of influence in the assem
bly of Massachusetts for many years from Rutiand. Daniel Bliss,
Esq. married one of his daughters, the other the Hon. Joshua Up
ham, aid to Sir Guy Carleton, afterward judge of supreme court,
Brunswick. His son Daniel graduated at Harvard CoUege 1771 ;
a mandamus counsellor, was a major of dragoons, proscribed in
1778 ; lived on half-pay 1830, His son Samuel graduated at
Harvard College 1772, acccompanled the Biitish troops to Lexing
ton in 1775, and died before 1785; he was proscribed in 1778.
BENJAMIN FANEUIL.
Benjamin Faneuil, Esq., a merchant of Boston, and with Joshua
Winslow, consignee of one-third of the East India Company's tea
destroyed in 1773 ; was a refugee lo Halifax, afterwards in Eng
land. JAMES BOUTINEAU.
James Boutineau, Esq., attorney of Boston, father-in-law of John
Robinson, commissioner of customs, who made the personal attack

biographical notices. 493
on James Otis, Esq., which produced so great a derangement of mind
in the latter, as to lead to his withdrawal from the public service.
CAPT. FENTON,
Capt, John Fenton, expelled, being a loyalist, frora the assem
bly of New Hampshire, July, 1775, on which -account he expressed
himself freely as to public raeasures. This enraged the populace,
and he fled to the governor for protection ; they placed a mounted
field-piece before the door, threatening to discharge it, when he
was delivered up and sent to Exeter for trial. Gov, Wentworth
upon this took refuge in the fort.
Capt, Fenton had been a captain in the navy, but sold out his
commission ; he was permitted to retreat to England,
JOHN ERVING, JUN.
Col, John Erving, son of Hon. John E., of Boston, graduated
at Harvard College, 1747, was colonel of the Boston regiraent of
militia, a warden of Trinity church, a mandamus counsellor in
1774, a refugee, proscribed In 1778, died at Bath, England, June
17, 1816, aged eighty -nine. He married a daughter of Gov,
Shirley ; his son. Dr. Shirley Erving, entered Harvard College in
1773, but bis education was cut short by the Revolution ; he be
carae a respectable physician at Portland, Me., and died at Boston,
July 7, 1813, aged fifty.five. The widow of Dr. Erving is stUl
hving at Boston, aged eighty-two. She has two sons and one
daughter ; the latter the wife of Rev. B, C, C. Parker, of the Epis
copal church, JONATHAN SIMPSON,
Jonathan Simpson graduated at Harvard College, 1772, son-in-
law to John Borland, Carabridge ; was a refugee, proscribed in
1778 ; was a commissary of provisions in the British army, at
Charleston, S, C, ; closed his days at Boston, December 7, 1804,
aged eighty-two, RICHARD ROUTH.
Hon. Richard Routh was collector of the customs at Salera ;
married Abigail, a daughter of Wra. Eppes, Esq., Virginia, (a

494

biographical notices.

granddaughter of Col, Benjamin Pickman, of Salem,) At the
death of Mr, Eppes, which soon after occurred, his widow married
Dr, Sylvester Gardner of Boston. Mr, Routh became a refugee,
and was collector of the custoras for the island of Newfoundland,
and subsequentiy its chief justice ; he died in 1801, His son. Sir
Randolph Isham Routh, is comraissary-general to the British array
in Canada ; another son, H, L. Routh, Esq,, is a merchant of high
character in New-York ; others are engaged in commerce in dif
ferent parts of Europe, DR. BYLES.
Rev. Mather Byles, son of the Rev. Mather Byles, D. D.,
graduated at Harvard CoUege, 1751, was minister at New London,
Conn., the desk of which was closed to him in 1768 ; he was then
an Episcopal ralnister of Boston till the Revolution, when he was a
refugee, and proscribed in the act of 1788. He died a rector at St,
John's, New Brunswick, in March, 1814,
The father of the Rev. Dr, Byles was a distinguished minister
and loyalist of Boston ; and for his political principles was, during
the violent times of 1777, separated from his people, to whom he
was never afterwards united. In 1776, he was denounced in town
meeting as inimical to his country, and obliged to enter into bonds
for his appearance at a public trial before a special court, at which
he M'as pronounced guilty, and sentenced to confinement on board
a guard ship, and in forty days to be sent to England with his
faraily. When brought before the board of war, by whom he was
treated respectfully, his sentence seems to have been altered, and it
was directed that he should be confined to his own house, and there
guarded. After a few weeks the guard was removed ; a short
time after, a guard was again placed over him, and again dismissed.
Upon this occasion he observed, in his own raanner, that " he was
guarded, reguarded, and disregarded." The substance of the
charges against him was, that he continued in Boston with his
family during the siege ; that he prayed for the king, and tjie
safety of the town. He died July 5, 1788, aged eighty-two. Dr.
Byles's first wife was a niece of Gov. Belcher, and his second, the
daughter of Lieutenant Governor Taller. His literary merit intro
duced him to the acquaintance of many men of genius in England ;

biographical notices. 495
the names of Pope, Lansdown, and Watts are found among his
correspondents. Pope sent him a copy of his Odyssey in quarto,
and from Dr, Watts he received copies of his works as he published
thera. Mr, Mather Brown, afterwards artist to the king, a grandson
of Dr, Byles, erabarked for Europe in 1780, with a letter of intro
duction frora his grandfather to Harrison Gray, Esq., London, a
firm friend of the family.
Mr, Copley had likewise Ipeen intiraate with Dr. Byles before
he left Boston. An amusing little circumstance took place the
morning after the birth of Mather Brown. Mr. Copley entered the
house full of gaiety and animation, and after congratulating the
faraily, requested to see the infant. The nurse brought it ; he
caught it frora her arras and ran down stairs with it ; the nurse,
not understanding the matter, followed him In great consternation,
entreating for the chUd, When he reached the street door he laid
it carefully on the mat, and left the house. It is to this circum
stance that the following letter of introduction alludes,
" A certain ancient gentleman in New England dictates the
following words : " Boston, December 5, 1780,
" My Dear Copley : ¦
" Do you forget your old connections 1 I ara always rejoicing
to hear of your reputation and felicities, on your side of the water.
You will, I ara very certain, be pleased to see the gray-eyed little
boy (as you always called him, though his eyes were very black)
that you left upon the entry-floor, at New Boston. See how tiraes
have turned thera ! I raay not write, and need not say more to
one [on whose friendship I have so firm a reliance." Here the
old patriarch leaves off,
" To Mr, Copley, in the solar system."
His intention was first to go to France ; and Dr. Byles desired him
immediately to call on Dr. Franklin, with whom he was well ac
quainted. In a letter, dated Paris, 23, 1781, he writes :
" Dr. Franklin has given rae a pass, and recoraraendatory let
ters to the famous Mr, West. He treats me with the utmost po
liteness ; has given me an invitation to his house, and shown me
many new electrical machines and experiments ; one of which.

496

biographical notices.

contrived for perpetual motion, greatly pleased me. I delivered
him my grandfather's message ; he expressed himself with the
greatest esteera and affection for hira, and has since introduced rae
at Versailles, as being grandson to one of his most particular friends
in America." In his first letter from London, 1781, he writes :
" In consequence of the recommendation of Dr. Franklin, at
Paris, who gave me letters to his fellow-townsman, the famous Mr,
West, of PhUadelphia, I practise gratis with this gentleman, who
affords me every encouragement, as well as Mr. Copley, who is
particularly kind to me, welcomed me to his house and lent me his
pictures, etc. At my arrival, Mr. Treasurer Gray carried me and
introduced me to Lord George Germaine, who promised me his
protection during ray stay."
In a letter, 1783, he thus wrote : " I have exhibited four pic
tures in the exhibition ; the king and queen were yesterday there,"
In 1784 : " I have painted several Araericans, Yesterday I had
two pictures shown to his royal highness the Prince of Wales ;
they were carried to his palace by his page. He criticised them,
and thought them strong likenesses. I believe I never told you
that the king knew a picture of mine, in the last exhibition, ofthe
keeper of Windsor Castle, and took particular notice of Mr. Gray's
picture; asked who it was, and who did it, and what book he had
in his hand. Mr. West told him it was the treasurer of Boston
painted by his pupU, a young man, Mr. Brown of America. The
king asked what part. He told him Massachusetts,"
In 17S5, he writes : " Among other great people, I have painted
Sir WUliara Pepperell and family, and the Hon. John Adams,'
ambassador to his Britannic Majesty, On the 20th of June, I had
the honor to be introduced to the Duke of Northuraberland at
his palace ; his grace received rae with the utmost politeness."
In a letter, 1786, he writes : " I have near a hundred pictures
of my countryraen in my rooras, which are universally known ;
Messrs. Adaras and Jefferson on one side of the roora, and on the
other, Treasurer Gray and Sir William Pepperell,"
It may well be supposed that this intelligence rejoiced the
hearts of his relatives in Boston. Dr, Byles added a postscript to
one of his daughter Catharine's letters, in these words : " You will

biographical notices, 497
be glad to see your grandfather's hand— my God, bless the lad!—
There you see his heart."
ROBERT TEMPLE,
Robert Temple, Esq., of TenhUls, near Boston, was an elder
brother of Sir John Teraple, baronet, the first consul general frora
England to the United States. Mr, Robert Temple's eldest daugh
ter married the Hon, Hans Blackwood, afterwards Lord Duflfrin;
the second Temple Emmet, Esq,, and youngest died single. Mr.
Temple died in England before 1783, and his death is noticed in the
" list of exUes who died during the Revolution," published in the
American Quarterly Review, 1841.
SAMUEL H. SPARHAWK.
Samuel HmsT Sparhawk, graduated at Harvard CoUege 1771,
an addresser of Gov. Gage, and a refugee to England with his
brothers Nathaniel and William, was the third son of Col, Nathan
iel Sparhawk of Kittery, who married the only child of Sir Wil
liam Pepperell, baronet, the hero of Louisburg in 1745, Mr,
Sparhawk's brother William became heir to the estate and honors
of his grandfather, having been created a baronet in 1774, The
former died in Kittery, August 29, 1789, aged 38.
STEPHEN GREENLEAF.
Stephen Greenleaf, of Boston, an addresser of Gov, Hutchin
son, May, 1774, and of Gov. Gage, in October, 1775, Was sheriff
of Sufl!blk county. He died Jan, 26, 1795.
COUNT RUMFORD,
Sir Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford) was born- in Woburn,
Massachusetts, in 1752, and while a clerk in the employment of
Mr, John Appleton, merchant of Salera, first displayed his fondness
for experimental philosophy, (when accidentally his face was
somewhat marked by a pyrotechnlcal explosion,) in which he was
afterwards a proficient under the professor of natural philosophy at
Carabridge, and becarae a teacher. He made an advantageous
marriage, and became a major of militia; was instrumental in
preserving the library and philosophical apparatus when the col
leges were converted into barracks ; as a loyalist he rendered im-
63

498 BIOORAFHICAI. NOTIOGS.
portant services to tlie British generals, and was received by Lord
George Germaine as under secretary in the office for colonial af
fairs. Towards the close of the war he was sent to New- York,
and raised a regiment of dragoons, of which he was the colonel.
He commanded at Huntington, Long Island, in 178S-3, where he
caused a fort to be erected in the church-yard, contrary to the wishes
ofthe inhabitants. He returned to England in 1784, and received
the honors of knighthood and becarae under-secretary of state.
Subsequently, recommended by the prince of Deux Ponts (afterwards
king oif Bavaria), he entered the service ofthe reigning elector pala
tine and duke of Bavaria, where he effected many useful reforms,
civil and mUitary ; among them a scheme for the suppression of
mendicity, which he carried into execution at Munich and other
places, providing labor for able-bodied paupers, and exciting a
spirit of industry among tho poorer classes of people, for which he
was rewarded by the sovereign of Bavaria with the commission of
a lieut. general, several orders of knighthood, and created Count
Rumford. He returned to England in 1799, and employed him
self in making experiments on tho nature and application of heat
and other subjects of economical and philosophical research. Ho
suggested the plan and assisted in the foundation of the Royal In
stitution. In 1802 he removed to Paris, and his wife being dead,
he married the widow of the celebrated Lavoisier. He purchased
a country house at Auteuil, about four mUes from Paris, and era-
beUlshed the grounds. He died there in August, 1814, leaving
only a daughter, the ofTspring of his first marriage in the United
States. Besides a great number of communications in scientific
journals, ho published four volumes of essays, political, eco
nomical, experimental, and philosophical. In 1796 ho remitted
five thousand dollars in three per cent, stocks, to the American
Academy of Arte and Sciences j the income to be appropriated as a
premium to the author of the most important discovery on light
and heat. By his last will he laid the foundation of that professor
ship to Harvard University, which has rendered his name justly
esteemed with its friends. His useful and eventful life has been the
subject of faithful history. He bequeathed an annuity of one thou
sand dollars, and the reversion of another of four hundred dollars,
also the reversion of his whole estate, which amounted to upwards

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 499
of twen^'Six thousand dollars, "for the purpose of founding
a new institvition and professorship, in order to teach hy regular
courses of acadeuitical and public lectures, accompanied with
proper experiments, the utiUty of the physical and mathematical
sdences for the impix>vement of the ustdTal arts, and for the ex
tension of the industry, prosperity, happiness and weU-hong of

THOMAS HUTCHINSON, JUN.
Thomas HirrcHiNSos), Esq., eldest son of Got. Hutchinson, a
merchant of Boston, and, vritii his brother Elisha, a consignee of a
third of the East India Company's tea which was destroyed. He
i^as a i«fugee, and proscribed in the act of 177S. He had been
denounced in 1769, as a foreign importer, contrary to the agree
ment of the Boston merchants. He had been a judge of the com
mon pleas for Sufiblk, from 177^ to the commencement of the
Rtn^olution, He died at Heavitree, near Exeter, England, in
1811, aged 81. WILLLVM CL.VEK.
Rkv. "WitUAM CiARK, son of Rev. Peter Clark, of Salem Til
lage (Danversj) graduated at Harvard College 1759 j -was the
i^scopal minister of Quincy, from 1768 to 1777, -when, in conse-
qu^kce of aidSng two dfetrtssed lo>-alists to an asylum, he was
prosecuted as unpatriaUc. B«ng forcibly taken before tiiie revolu
tionary tribitnal at Boston, and refosiug to swear all^iance to the
> fgommonwealth, he was condemned to be trajosported to for^i
pMte, and was immediately confined to a prison ship in the harbor.
By the eIRwts of Dr. Ames, a xealous wh%, in his behalf, he was
Hberated, aft» l^njj his health and speech. He went to Eng
land, obtained a penaon. and «fted Nov. 4, 1S15.
FRANCIS GREENE.
Frajccis GkrcvTJ, Rq. of Boston, a merchant | graduated at
Rnraid College 1760 ; a refi^ presaihed in tiie a<A of 17T7 j
manied a wkk>w lady, by which he became ^^fother to two
deaf anil dumb cMdren, and his interest in thon made him an au-
thwj («]^ay on impardi^%>f«k to ttie Deaf and Dumb,'* Lon
don, 17S3.) Some changes in the funcb reduced Kspitqpaty, and

500 biographical notices.
in his last days he was dependent on his half pay as a British officer,
having been at the capture of Havana in 1762. He died at his
residence, Medford, AprU 21, 1809, aged 67,
For the share he had in the farewell address to Gov, Hutchin
son, he was beset when travelling in July, 1774, through Norwich
and Windham, Connecticut,
COL, BOELAND,
John Lindall Borland, eldest son of John Borland, of Cam
bridge, took to the profession of arms, after having graduated at
Harvard College, 1772; and at his death in England, Nov. 16,
1825, he is styled a heut, colonel of his majesty's forces, Dr,
Francis Borland, second son of J, Borland, Esq., of Cambridge,
graduated at Harvard College, 1774, was a physician in Portsmouth,
N. H., a few years ; died at Somerset, Bristol Co., Mass., 1826.
COL. BROWNE.
Hon. William Browne, governor of Bermuda, son of Samud
Browne, Esq., of Salera, and a grandson of Gov. Burnet, graduated
at Harvard College in 1755, He was colonel of the Essex regi
ment, and succeeded Judge Ropes on the bench of the supreme
court in 1774, for a short time. The provincial assembly urging
their title to nominate to judicial and civil trusts, he was requested
to resign that office, held under the royal seal, as also the honor of
mandamus counsellor, to which he had been called by a county
committee, which he contrived to evade. He was one of the sev
enteen " rescinders" in 1768. In the several capacities of represent
ative, colonel, counsellor and judge, he rendered himself obnoxious
by adhering to governraent ; which was thus incidentally noticed
in a newspaper, when he found it expedient to take refiige in Bos
ton in the auturan of 1774 :
" Agreeable to the advice of the respectable provincial con
gress, the training band company of Lynn, being part of the first
regiment in the county of Essex, formerly commanded by William
Browne, Esq., {politically deceased of a pestilent and mortal disor
der, and now buried in the ignominious ruins of Boston,) met on
Monday, the 15th inst., for the purpose of choosing, etc, etc"
Col. Browne was esteemed among the most opulent and benevo-

biographical notices, 501
lent individuals of that province prior to the Revolution ; and so
great was his popularity, that the gubernatorial chair was ofi"ered
him by the " Committee of Safety" as an inducement for him to
reraain and join the " sons of liberty." But he felt it a duty to ad
here to government, even at the expense of his great landed
estate, both in Massachusetts and Connecticut, the latter compri
sing fourteen valuable farms, all which were afterwards confiscated.
He went to England vi& Halifax, in April, 1776, and was gov
ernor of Bermuda from 1781 to 1790, when he returned to Eng
land, where he died in Percy-street, Westminster, Feb, 13, 1802,
aged 65, Col, Browne married his cousin, a daughter of Gov,
Wanton, of Rhode Island, and was doubly connected with the
Winthrop famUy ; the wives of the elder Browne and Gov, Wanton
being daughters of John Winthrop, F, R, S, great-grandson of the
first governor of Massachusetts, who graduated at Harvard College
in 1700, Col, Browne's son William was an officer in the British
service at the siege of Gibraltar in 1784,
JUDGE SMITH,
Hon. William Smith, chief justice of the province of New-
York, (his father of the same name, was an eminent lawyer and
judge of New-York supreme court, died 22d Nov, 1769, aged 73,)
was graduated at Yale College, 1745 ; was a loyalist in the Rev
olution, and subsequently became chief justice of Canada, In
1757, he published a history of the province of New-York to 1732,
to which the New-York Historical Society published a posthumous
continuation to 1762, Govemeur Morris studied law with hira, as
did also many other distinguished men.
GOV, WENTWORTH,
Sm John Wentworth, Baronet, governor of New Hampshne,
was born in 1736 ; graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1755 ; was a
son of Mark Hunking Wentworth, and nephew of Benning Went
worth who was his imraediate predecessor in the gubernatorial
chau. He was appointed to that office in 1767, and filled it to
the satisfaction of all parties, tiU the coraraenceraent ofthe Revolu
tion in 1775, when, being a loyalist, he took refuge on board a
man-of-war in July, for Nova Scotia, and was appointed heut.

502' biographical notices,
governor in 1792, Soon after he went to England and was cre
ated a baronet, and was succeeded by Prevost of New Brunswick
in 1808, He possessed a sound judgraent, liberal views, and a
highly cultivated taste. He was the friend of learning and learned
men. Dartraouth College was established during his administra
tion, and flourished under his patronage. He ajways endeavored
to promote the interest of the province, and through his influence
its settleraents rapidly increased. He exerted hiraself to preserve
the union between this country and Great Britain, but was obliged
to yield to the spirit of the tiraes, and submit to a separation. He
greatly promoted agricultural improvements. He erected a splen
did mansion on his farm at Wolfsborough, on the border of Lake
Winniplseogee. He died at Halifax, April 8, 1820, aged 83. He
married the widow of Theodore Atkinson, jr., whose maiden narae
was Frances Deering, in 1769. Portraits of Sir John and Lady
Frances are preserved at Portsmouth, New Harapshire.
JUDGE INGERSOLL.
Hon. Jared Ingersoll, a judge of adralralty, was born in MU
ford, Connecticut, in 1722, and graduated at Yale CoUege in 1742 ;
settled as a lawyer in New Haven, and in 1757 was agent for the
colony in England. He was appointed a distributor of stamps for
Connecticut under the faraous stamp act, and thereby lost his pop--
ularity; the people corapelled hira to resign, August 24, 1765,
which was soon after his return from England, but not deeming his
resignation sufficiently explicit, a large number from the eastern
part of Connecticut set off for New Haven, and meeting Mr. Inger
sol at Weathersfield, compelled him to renounce the office and cry
out "Liberty and property." The next day five hundred men
escorted hira to Hartford.
On being appointed adralralty judge for the middle district,
about the year 1770, he removed to Philadelphia. In consequence
of the Revolution he returned to New Haven, and died in August,
1781, in his 60th year, ELISHA HUTCHINSON,
Elisha Hutchinson, Esq., second son of Gov, Hutchinson,
graduated at Harvard College 1762. He was in company with

biographical notices. 503
his eldest brother Thomas consignee of one third of the East India
Company's tea, destroyed at Boston in 1773, He went to Eng
land a refugee, in 1775; was proscribed in the banishment act of
1778, and resided in England tUl his death, which took place at
the house of his son, Rev, John Hutchinson, Blurton parsonage,
Trenthara, Suffolk, in 1824, at the age of 8 1,
His brother WUliara Sanford Hutchinson, died of consumption
in England, Feb. 20, 1780, aged 28.
WILLIAM HUTCHINSON.
William Hutchinson, Esq., nephew of Gov. Hutchinson, grad
uated at Harvard College in 1762 ; was a refugee in 1775 ; and
died Feb. 6, 1791, in Europe, aged 57, He was a king's counsel
lor at the Bahamas, JOHN S, COPLEY,
John Singleton Copley, Esq,, a distinguished historical painter,
was born at Boston. His mother was a daughter of Gen. Wins
low, and his sister the wife of Col, Henry Bromfield, who resided
in London, 1775, He raarried a daughter of Richard Clarke, Esq.,
one of the consignees of the East India Corapany's tea ; and being
an addresser of Gov, Hutchinson, was early a refugee loyalist.
Mr, Copley visited Italy in 1774, and joined his wife and children
in England in 1776, He resuraed his profession in the metropolis
with unsurpassed success. His " Death of Chatham," " Defence
of Gibraltar," and " Charles I, in the House of Coraraons," placed
him among the first artists of the age. He died in the full exercise
of his talent, suddenly, in 1815, Many of his superb portraits
adorn the mansions and galleries of Massachusetts. His only sur
viving son, Lord Lyndhurst, as distinguished in the legal profession
as his father was as an artist, was born in Boston in 1772, and
graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he distinguished
himself, winning many prizes. In 1816 he was elected to parha
ment. In 1819 became solicitor-general; in 1826, on the death
of Lord Gifford, master of the rolls, and in 1827 lord high chan
cellor of England, which honorable post he at present holds for
the third time ; all of which offices he has fiUed with distinguished

504 biographical notices.
abUity. He was raised to the peerage in 1827, and his armorial
motto, " ultra pergere," may weU apply to his former career. A
sister of Lord Lyndhurst married Gardner Greene, Esq. of Bos
ton.
REV. S, A, PETERS,
Samuel A. Peters, D. D., an Episcopal clergyman, of Hebron,
Connecticut, where he was born, December 12, 1735. He gradu
ated at Yale College 1757. In consequence of loyal principles he
was dismissed in 1774 firom his charge of the churches at Hebron
and Hartford, and went a refugee to England. He remained abroad
until 1805, when he retumed to New-York. In 1817 and 1818,
he made a joumey to the west as far as the falls of St Anthony,
claiming a laige territory under an Indian grant to Capt Jonathan
Carver. He is the reputed author of a History of Connecticut, pub
lished at London, in 1781. It is of a simUar starap with Knicker
bocker's History of New-York, and does but httle credit to ifs
author. Dr. Peters would never acknowledge the paternity of this
work, but the fact is now weU established. He died at New- York,
April 19, 1826, aged ninety. His reraains were entombed at He
bron. Dr. Peters was chosen bishop of Vermont, whUe in Eng
land, but did not accept the charge.
He left one daughter, who accorapanied him in exUe, and mar
ried Mr, Jarvis, afterwards secretary of the province of Upper
Canada ; she is now living at Queenstown, Dr, Peters also left a
son, who died of yeUow fever at New Orleans, where the eldest
son of the latter now resides. TIMOTHY ORNE,
Timothy Orne, Esq,, of Salem, graduated at Harvard College
in 1768 ; became a merchant, and married a daughter of WUliam
Pynchon, Esq. He died before 1791,
MAJOR HAWLEY,
Joseph Hawley, of Northampton, Massachusetts, was bom in
1724, was graduated at Yale CoUege, and possessed strong natural
powers, improved by the study and practice of the law. He early

biographical notices. 505
embarked in political life, and retired frora the assembly in 1776,
with an influence seldora equalled, obtained not less by his great
talents than his unsullied and unimpeachable integrity. His opin
ions were followed almost implicitly, and the leaders in the assem
bly despaired of carrying any raeasure to which he was opposed.
At a time when the distresses ofthe war had produced disaffection,
and a faction was organized in the western part of Massachusetts,
in almost open resistance to the constituted authorities, he in
duced nearly all to sign a humble petition to governraent, praying
for an act of indemnity for the past, and promising future obe
dience. Major Hawley declined all honors and employment when his
popularity was at the highest, and thus formed an exaraple of those
public spirited, generous citizens, (ready to share the perU and de
cline the reward,) who illustrate the idea of a commonwealth, and
who, through the obstruction of human passions and infirraities,
being of rare occurrence, will always be the raost admired and no
ble ornaraents of a free government.
He was certainly a great man, and a thoroughly upright one;
a disinterested patriot whose feehngs and convictions were in be
half of freedom. He closed his earthly career at Northarapton,
In 1788, at the age of sixty-four.

R. CLARK.
Richard Clark, Esq., of Boston, graduated at Harvard College
In 1729, became an eminent merchant, and, with his sons, was con
signee of a third of the East India Company's tea destroyed in
Boston in 1773, on which account his house in School-street was
assaulted. Went to London, where he arrived Deceraber 24, 1775.
Was proscribed in the banishraent act of the assembly of Massa
chusetts, October, 1778. He was one of the addressers of Gov.
Gage on his departure from Massachusetts. He resided in London
tlU his death, at the house of his son-in-law, John Singleton Copley,
February 27, 1795, Mr, Clark was a pall-bearer at Gov. Hutch
inson's funeral in 1780. Jonathan, his son and partner, who
accompanied his father, returned to America after the peace, and
resided in Canada. 64

506

biographical notices.

T, FLUCKER,

Thomas Flucker, Esq., secretary of Massachusetts 1771, on
the promotion of Mr. Oliver to be lieutenant governor; was a
refugee, and passed his remaining days in London, where he died,
February 16, 1783. His son Thomas graduated at Harvard Col
lie, 1773, was a lieutenant in the 60th British regiment. His
daughter was the wife of Maj. Gen. Henry Knox, of the revolu
tionary army, and afterwEurds secretary at war.
S. SEWALL.
Samuel Sewall, Esq., the friend of Attorney General Jonathan
Sewall, in exUe, was a great-grandson of Ch. Justice Samuel SewaU,
and grandson of Samuel Sewall, Esq., of Brookline, who married
Rebecca Dudley, a daughter of the governor. His father was
Henry Sewall, Esq., of Brookline; a gentleman much respected, who
died there in 177 1, aged fifty-two years. This son Samuel, born
December 31, 1745, graduated at Harvard CoUege 1761, lived
unmarried a counsellor at law in Boston ; was an " addresser" of
Gov, Hutchinson and Gov. Gage ; left for England in 1775, was
proscribed in the banishment act of September, 1778 ; passed the re
mainder of his life in England, and died at Bristol, May 6, 1811,
aged sixty-six years. His large estate in Brookline, inherited in
right of his mother, was forfeited,
HARRISON GRAY.
Harbison Gray, Esq,, receiver-general of Massachusetts, was
born at Boston, and bred a merchant His patrimonial inher
itance, aided by industry, enabled him to acquire a handsome for
tune. In June, 1753, he was chosen treasurer of the province by
the general court, and continued in that office tiU October, 1774.
He adhered to government from the beginning of the controversy,
but the moderation of his conduct, his superior fitness for the office,
and the confidence in his integrity, secured him public favor through
the stormy period which commenced soon after his first election,
and continued until his appointment to and acceptance of the office
of mandamus counsellor in 1774. But this was an unpardonable
offisnce in the eyes of the sons of liberty. It was, however, unsoli-

biographical notices, 507
cited, unexpected, and accepted with great reluctance, being stren
uously pressed upon him by the leaders of the loyalist party ; and
as most of those who had been appointed his colleagues, living in
the country, were compelled by popular excitement to dechne the
office, he was led to believe that residing In Boston, then garrisoned
by an army, he had no such apology for shrinking from the service,
aad accordingly sacrificed Inclination to a conscientious sense of
duty. In October, 1774, the royal government being ended in fact,
the provincial congress resolved, " that no more taxes be paid to
him," and soon after raade choice of Henry Gardner for his suc
cessor. This authority he could not be expected to recognise ; he
therefore retained the books and files at his office, till the evacuation
by the British troops, and then left them in exeraplary order ; they
are still in the public archives of Massachusetts, and show the mo
del of a faithful state treasurer. He might perhaps have been jus
tified in retaining a lien upon these as a security against loss and
damage to a very valuable real and personal estate which he left,
and which was soon after confiscated ; but his high sense of official
duty forbade his recourse to any such precaution, and he withdrew
frora a country which he loved not less than did those who stayed
at home, taking nothing which belonged to the public ; but being
himself a creditor to many of the principal persons araong the sons
of liberty, at the head of whora was John Hancock, who owed him
a large-sum for borrowed money, no part of which would he pay
in his llfetirae, and of which a sraall part only was received frora
his executors. When the British fleet retired frora Boston, Mr.
Gray, urged by a sense of duty, with the raale members of his
family tore himself away from his adored and only daughter, Mrs.
S. A. Otis, and went to England, where he hved to a great age
upon a small pension from the British government.
Perhaps no man among the many excellent persons who went
into exile at that time, was more beloved and regretted by his po
litical enemies ; for a more genuine model of nature's nobleman
never lived. J. FISHER.
John Fisheu, Esq,, collector of Salem in 1768, a brother-in-law
of Gov. Wentworth, of New Hampshire ; a refugee, he was employed

508 biographical notices.
as secretary to Lord George Germaine, the American secretary, on
the departure of Mr. Thompson (Count Rumford) to America, in
which office he was succeeded by Mr, Adam Woolridge in 1781.
E, OXNARD,
Edward Oxnard, Esq,, graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1767 ;
afterwards a merchant at Falmouth, (Portland,) Maine, and a tem
porary reader at the Episcopal church at that place, from the de
parture of Mr. Wiswall in Alay, 1775, to theburnmg of the town.
He was a refugee during the contest ; was proscribed in the ban
ishment act in 1778, and retumed at the close of the Revolution,
and again embarked in commercial pursuits. He died July 2, 1803.
JUDGE BLISS.
Hon, Jonathan Bliss was born at Springfield, which he repre
sented in the assembly of Massachusetts. He graduated at Harvard
CoUege in 1763, and attended Lord Percy to Concord on the 19th
April, 1775 ; was a proscribed refiigee by the banishment act of
1778 ; he had been one of the " rescinders" in Grov. Bernard's ad
ministration. He married a daughter of Col, John Worthington,
of Springfield, a loyalist; another daughter married the Hon.
Fisher Ames. He became chief justice of New Brunswick, Ins as
sociates, being Ward Chipman, and Edward Winslow, refugees,
and sons of Harvard, He died at Fredericton, N. B., 1822, aged
eighty years.
GENERAL RUGGLES.
Timothy Ruggles, born in Rochester, Massachusetts, Oct 1711,
eldest son of Rev. Timothy Ruggles, of that place, graduated at
Harvard College, 1732, and soon after comraenced the study of the
law. He represented his native town in the provincial assembly
at the age of twenty-five, and procured the passage of an act stUl
in force, prohibitung sheriffs from filling writs. He practised some
years in Rochester, when he removed to Sandwich, His reputation
was so great that he was early and frequently employed in the ad
joining counties of Barnstable and Bristol, and was the principal
antagonist of Col. Otis in causes of importance. He occasionally
attended the courts in Worcester early in his professional career.
He removed to Hardwick as early as 1763. In 1757 he was ap-

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 509
pointed judge, and in 1762 chief justice of the common pleas, which
he held till the Revolution. He was also surveyor-general of the
king's forests, an office of profit, attended with but little labor.
Besides professional employraent, he was engaged in military and
political occupations. In 1756, he was a colonel in the army un
der Sir William Johnson, in the expedition against Crown Point.
In September of the same year, he was next in comraand to John
son at the battle of Lake Geerge, where the French array, under
Baron Dieskau, met a signal defeat. He was actively engaged in
the campaigns of 1756-'57, and in the following year, with the
comraission of brigadier-general, was under Lord Amherst, and
served with him in his expedition against Canada In 1759-'60.
Gen. Ruggles was speaker of the provincial assembly in
1762-'63. In consequence of the grievous exaction of the British
government, delegates were chosen by the legislature to meet the
delegates from the other colonies at New-York, to seek out some
public relief from imraediate and threatened evils, by a representa
tion of their sufferings to the king and parliaraent. Gen. Ruggles
was chosen as one of the delegates on the part of Massachusetts,
and was president of that celebrated congress of distinguished raen
from nine of the colonies. At this meeting, October 19, 1765, an
address to the king was voted, and certain resolves framed, setting
forth the rights of the colonies, and clairaing an entire exemption
from all taxes, excepting those imposed by the local assemblies.
Gen. Ruggles refused his concurrence in the proceedings, for which
he was censured by the house of representatives, and was repri
manded by the speaker in his place. Hutchinson says, when he
consented to be a delegate, he expected nothing more would be
required of him than was expressed in the vote of the asserably,
and left the house in order to prepare for his journey ; that after
wards, on learning that the house had voted to instruct the dele
gates to insist upon the exclusive right of the colonies to tax
themselves, he determined not to serve, but was finaUy prevailed
with by his friends. In 1774, he was made mandamus counsellor,
accepted and was qualified. Continuing firm in his adherence to
the loyalist party, with whom were all his predilections, he was
compeUed to leave the country, and all his large estates were con
fiscated. He remained in Boston during the siege; afterwards

510 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
spent a few months on Long Island, and then went to Nova Scotia,
where he died in 1798, aged 87. Few in the province were more
distinguished, and few more severely dealt with in the bitter con
troversies preceding the Revolution ; as a military officer he was
distinguished for cool bravery and excellent judgment and science
in the art of war, and no provincial officer was held in higher
esteera for those qualities. His appearance was comraanding and
dignified, being much above the comraon size ; his wit ready and
brilliant ; his raind clear, coraprehensive and penetrating ; his
judgraent was profound, and his knowledge extensive. His abUi
ties as a public speaker placed hira araong the first of his day ; and
had he been so fortunate as to erabrace the popular sentiraents of
the tiraes, there is no doubt he would have been ranked among
the leading characters of the Revolution.
D. OLIVER.
Daniel Oliver, Esq., son of Chief Justice Peter Oliver, a
learned and accomplished lawyer of Worcester county, graduated
at Harvard College in 1762. A refugee loyalist ofthe Revolution,
he died at Ashted, Warwickshire, May 6, 1826, aged 82. His
father was an antiquarian, and copied with his own hand Hub
bard's raanuscript History of New England, which the son refused
the loan of to the Massachusetts Historical Society for publication
in their Collections. MAJOR BRATTLE.
Thomas Brattle, graduated at Harvard College in 1760 ; an
absentee, proscribed in the act of 1778 ; long after his return from
England, he remained at Newport, R. I., his fate being in suspense.
He finally recovered his confiscated house and grounds at Cam
bridge ; he died Feb, 7, 1801, aged 59.
SAMUEL PORTER.
Samuel Porter, Esq., an eminent attorney at law, of Salem,
Massachusetts; graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1763; an ad
dresser of Gov. Hutchinson in 1774, and a refugee to England ; was
proscribed in the banishment act of 1778, and died in London,
June, 1798.

biographical notices, 511
DR. AUCHMUTY.
Rev! Samuel Auchmuty, D. D., brother of Robert Auchrauty,
Esq., of Boston, graduated at Harvard College in 1742 ; was
rector of Trinity church, New-York. The degree of D. D. was con
ferred on hira by Oxford University ; he died March 3, 1777. His
son, Sir Samuel Auchrauty, G, C, B., a lleut. general in the British
army, died in 1822.
JUDGE AUCHMUTY.
Hon. Robert Auchmuty, of Boston, judge of the admiralty court
in 1768 ; was a brother of the Rev, Dr, Samuel Auchrauty, rector of
Trinity church, New- York, who died in 1777. Their father was also
a judge of the adralralty court. The son appeared once after his
appointraent, says Eliot, in defence of Captain Preston and his
soldiers, and his argument was described as so memorable and per
suasive, " as almost to bear down the tide of prejudice against him,
though it never swelled to a higher flood." He was a zealous
loyalist, and died in England ; he wrote some of the obnoxious
letters to Mr. Whately, surreptitiously obtained with those of the
governor and others.
REV. J. TROUTBECK.
John Troutbeck was assistant minister at King's chapel, Bos
ton ; a refugee, he died in exile some time before Noveraber, 1783.
DR. OLIVER.
Peter Oliver, of Salem, third son of Lieut. Governor Andrew
Oliver, a refugee, was driven into Boston in 1775 ; signed the ad
dress to Gov, Gage ; died in London, AprU 4, 1795 ; surgeon in
the British army. His widow, (daughter of Col. Peter Frye), M-as
afterwards married to Admiral Sir John Knight, and died at her
seat at CamberweU near London.
REV. J. WISWALL.
John Wiswall, son ofthe graramar school master of Boston
ofthe same narae, graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1749, and was
the first minister of the first Episcopal church at Portiand, Maine,
in 1764. When Capt. Mowatt's little squadron lay in the harbor,
April, 1775, to which the town (then caUed Falmouth) shortly

512

biographical notices.

after owed its destruction, Mr. WiswaU's intiraacy as well as that
of sorae other citizens with its officers, procured his arrest and close
exaraination by the coraraittee of safety. In May he left his people
and the place, and never returned. He was proscribed in the
banishraent act of 1778. Mr. WiswaU was a curate at Oxford,
in 1781. After the peace he came to Nova Scotia, and was in
duced at their urgent request to take charge of a portion of his
former flock, with other emigrants from the United States gathered
at Cornwallis in that province.
COLONEL PICKMAN.
Benjamin Pickman, Esq, was born at Salem m 1740; graduated
at Harvard College in 1759, He was a merchant in early life, a
representative of the provincial assembly, and commandant of the
first regiment of Essex county. He did not take a popular view of
the subject of revolution, but left the country at the commencement
of it, and consequently was proscribed, and his estate included in
the confiscation act ; but after his return from England a portion
of it was recovered, not however without much difficulty. Col.
Pickman married a daughter of Dr, Toppan of Boston, and died at
his native place in April, 1819, aged 79. He was a son of the
Col. Pickman who died at Salem, in 1773, aged 66 ; a member of
the provincial council and judge of the comraon pleas, whose
sisters married Curwen, Ward, and Ropes, the father of Judge
Ropes, and whose brother Samuel was governor of Tortola.
The first mentioned Col. Pickman left a number of children. The
late Dr, Thomas Pickman, who graduated at Harvard College in
1791, was one, whose first wife was a daughter of Jonathan
Haraden, Esq,, a distinguished naval commander during the Revo
lution, on the side of America ; and after her death. Miss
Palmer, granddaughter of Hon, Joseph Palmer, president of the
Massachusetts provincial congress of 1776. WUliam Pickman,
Esq., another son, resides in Salem ; and Col, Benjamin Pickman,
who graduated at Harvard College in 1784, and immediately com
menced his travels by the way of England, He married a
daughter of Ehas Hasket Derby, Esq, ; was extensively and suc
cessfully engaged in comraerce ; represented Essex south district
in congress ; and for several years the county, in the senate of the
state. His phUanthropy was unbounded, and Salem has sustained

biographical notices, 513
a great loss by his removal to Boston, to reside with the widow
of his son Col, Benjamin T, Pickman, late president ofthe senate of
Massachusetts ;— she is a niece of the Rev, Isaac Sraith, so often
referred to in the body of this work.
It is a remarkable coincidence, that of four successive genera
tions, the eldest sons bearing the sarae name have been colonels,
and three of them in command of the same regiraent. The last
mentioned was for several years at Exeter academy, and com
pleted a coraraercial education in the counting-house of Messrs, P.
and H, Le Mesurier and Co., of London, preparatory to establish
ing himself in mercantUe business at Boston. He was an aid-de
camp of Gov. Brooks ; and like all his above-mentioned ancestors,
possessed a great share of public spirit, and a dignity and elegance
of manner rarely attained ; his many virtues array themselves be
fore the writer on every recollection of the friend of his youth.
COL. FRYE.
Peter Frye, Esq., of Salem, was born in Andover, and gradu
ated at Harvard College in 1744. He was a judge of the coraraou
pleas and register of probate for Essex county, and colonel of
the first regiment He was for several successive years a repre
sentative in the provincial assembly, and was one of the seventeen
noted " rescinders' in February, 1768 ; a term of reproach applied
to the minority, whose votes sustained Gov. Bernard in his demand
that an obnoxious vote be rescinded, at the Earl of HUlsborough's
request. In the event of refusal he was durected to dissolve the
assembly. The vote repelling the demand was 92 to 17, Col,
Frye adhered to government, and was a refugee in 1775. He
married a daughter of Col, Pickman, of Salem, His daughter
Love married Dr, Peter Oliver, and afterwards Admiral Sir John
Knight, K, C, B,, and died at her seat at CamberweU, near Lon
don in 1839, Col, Frye died also at the residence of his daugh
ter, on the 1st of February, 1820, aged 97. He was included
among the banished by law in September, 1778.
SAMUEL WATERHOUSE.
«
Samuel Waterhouse, Esq,, was appointed coUector of the cus
toms for Boston, in 1772 ; a loyalist in 1775 j he retreated to PhUa-
65

514 biographical notices.
delphia soon after the battle of Lexington ; was an absentee, and
included in the proscription act of September, 1778.
JUDGE PUTNAM.
Hon. James Putnam, born in 1725, in the part of Salem now
caUed Danvers, was a relative of the distinguished patriot General
Israel Putnam ; he graduated at Harvard College in 1746 ; studied
law with Judge Trowbridge, who was ever his friend and associ
ate. He comraenced practice at Worcester, where his office was
soon thronged with clients, whose confidence he ever retained.
He becarae eminent as a well-read lawyer, skilful in pleading and
safe in counsel. He was appointed attorney-general of the prov
ince when Jonathan Sewall was raised to the bench of the court
of admiralty, and was the last under the provincial government,
Putnara was a firm and zealous loyalist, and took refuge in Bos
ton, accompanied the British army to New-York, thence to Halifax,
where he embarked for England in 1776,
On the organization of the governraent of the province of New
Brunswick in 1783, he was appointed a raember of his majesty's
counsel, and a judge of the superior court. He resided in the city of
St. John's, and continued in office till his death, which occurred 23d
Oct, 1789.
He was stern as a judge, but patient and inflexibly just. Re
served in private life, his wit and humor were irresistible. It was said
(to Charles S, Putnam, Esq., of Fredericton, a descendant) by a suc
cessor on the bench, that he was " an unerring lawyer, never astray,
and I am inclined to think, the best lawyer in JVorth America."
DR. RUSSELL.
Dr, Charles Russell, son of Hon. James Russell, of Charles
town, succeeded to his uncle Judge Chambers Russell's estate at
Lincoln ; graduated at Harvard College, 1757 ; married Elizabeth,
only child of Col. Henry Vassall, of Cambridge ; sailed for Mar
tinique in April, 1775 ; was proscribed in the Massachusetts ban
ishment act of 1778 ; was a physician at Antigua, where he died
in 1780.

biographical notices, 515
JOHN VASSALL,
John Vassall, Esq., Cambridge, graduated at Harvard College
1757 [son of Col, John VassaU, who graduated in 1732] ; the noble
mansion he buUt became Washington's head-quarters in 1775-6,
He lived in princely style there, but, having taken a very active part
to uphold the royal cause in vain, he resigned all to the ravagers ;
and large estates being still left to him in Jamaica, went with his
family to England, His loyalty went so far that he would not use
on his arms the family motto, " sape pro rege, semper pro repub-
lica." Of his four sons, Spencer, the eldest, rose to be a lieut
colonel in his majesty's service, and his gallantry at the assault on
Monte Video, where he fell, Feb., 1807, won for him abundant praise.
He was proscribed by the Massachusetts assembly in the ban
ishraent act, Sept., 1778 ; and died at Clifton, England, October 2d,
1797, aged 60, imraedlately after rising from a hearty dinner. His
widow died there, March 31, 1807,
LIEUT. GOV. T. OLIVER.
Hon. Thomas Oliver, the last colonial lieut. governor of Mas
sachusetts, a native of Dorchester, graduated at Harvard CoUege
1753. In 1774 he was made lieut. governor, as well as manda
mus counseUor, but his life had been previously so retired, and his
habits and tastes so much in unison, as to give some color to the
rumor of the day, that Thomas had been mistaken for Peter (the
chief justice) in making out the comraission. He is spoken of by
the few who reraeraber hira, as a raodel of affability and courtesy.
He married a daughter of Col, John Vassall ; built and occupied
the elegant mansion in Cambridge, long the residence since of Gov,
Gerry, Col, Oliver was a refugee, and included in the proscription
act of September, 1778, He died at Bristol, England, Nov, 29,
1815 aged 82, He was a man of letters, and lived in the shades
of retirement whUe he was in Europe,
CAPT, POYNTON.
Thomas Poynton, of Salem, Massachusetts. His windows were
broken by the mob, because he refused to recant for addressing
Gov, Hutchinson ; retreated to England in 1775, where he died,
T. DANFORTH.
Thomas Danforth, Esq., son of Judge Danforth, of Cambridge,

516 biographical notices.
where he graduated in 1762 ; pursued the profession of the law at
Charlestown till the Revolution, when he became a refugee. He
ended his course in London, April,. 1820, where he practised many
years in his profession. He was proscribed in the act of Massachu
setts, Sept., 1778. CHIEF JUSTICE OLIVER.
Hon. Peter Oliver, LL. D., chief justice of Massachusetts, and
brother of Lieut. Governor Andrew Oliver. Their father was the
Hon. Daniel Oliver, of Boston, a meraber of the council, distin
guished alike for his piety, public spirit and phUanthropy. Judge
Oliver was born in 1713, and graduated at Harvard CoUege in
1730. He was appointed to the supreme bench of the province
September 15, 1756. His residence was at Middleborough. On
the appeal made to the judges by the general assembly in Febru
ary, 1774, whether they had received any part of their allowance
from the king, he alone of all the judges dared to brave popular
sentiment, and answered that he " had accepted the king's bounty,
and could not refuse it in future without royal permission." This
caused the concentrated weight of indignation to fall upon him.
The assembly voted that he had rendered himself obnoxious to the
people as an enemy, and immediately presented a petition for his
removal. Articles of impeachment for high crimes and misde
meanors were exhibited, which Gov. Hutchinson refused to coun
tenance. The grand jury at Worcester, on the 19th of April fol
lowing, presented to the court a written refusal to serve under the
chief justice, considering it Ulegal for him to preside until brought
to answer to the above-mentioned charges. He became a refugee
in 1775, and died at Birmingham, England, in October, 1791, aged
79, His son Peter died at Shrewsbury, England, in 1822, aged 81,
JUDGE RUSSELL.
Hon. Chambers Russell, son of Hon. Daniel RusseU, of Charles
town, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College in 1731,
Was a representative from Lincoln in the legislature ; afterwards
a judge of the supreme court of Massachusetts, from 1752 to 1761 ;
also a judge of admiralty. He died Nov. 24, 1767, aged 54, in
London, whither he went in pursuit of health.

biographical notices, 517
DR. LLOYD.
James Lloyd, M. D., was born at Lloyd's Neck, Long Island,
(New-York,) in 1728 ; a son of Henry and grandson of Jaraes
Lloyd of Boston, who died there in 1693. At the age of seventeen
he removed to Boston, where his two elder brothers were settied;
one of them was agent of purchases for the British government,
and held the office at the coraraenceraent of the Revolution. Here
he coramenced the study of medicine under Dr. Clarke, and after
completing his studies in Paris, he commenced practice in 1752.
He was soon after surgeon of the garrison in Castie WiUiam
in Boston harbor, and was in extensive practice in the town and
vicinity, before the arrival of the troops in 1775, under comraand
of Sir WUham Howe, who sought out and renewed his acquaint
ance with Dr. Lloyd, his forraer physician. Sir WiUiam and Earl
Percy became his tenants, having rented an adjoining estate (late
Gardner Green, Esq.'s) then under his care, belonging to his
relative Mr. Vassall.
Iraraersed in the labors of his profession, and interfering no fur
ther in politics than an expression of his sentiments ; not theorizing
as to the future, and seeing the country at large generally happy
and increasing, it is not surprising that with raany other patriotic
men, Dr. Lloyd should have thought that the time for final separa
tion from the mother country had not arrived, and that a course
less decisive might have procured a redress of grievances without
passing through the hazards of a revolution. Events may have
proved the errors of these opinions, but as the results of an honest
independence of judgment, they were never disguised by Dr. Lloyd.
He was an addresser of Gov. Gage in 1775, and consequently a
loyalist, though never molested. In 1785 he protested against the
alteration of the liturgy at King's Chapel, Boston. He died at
Boston in March, 1810, " full of years and full of honors ; an orna
ment to his profession, an example to his survivors, with the esteem
of all who knew hira, and the blessing of those ready to perish."
He left a daughter, Mrs. Sarah Borland, relict of Leonard Vassall
Boriand, and a son worthy of such a father, the late Hon. James
Lloyd, LL. D., who for many years represented Massachusetts in
the senate of the United States.

518 biographical notices,
F, WALDO,
Francis Waldo, second son of General Waldo of Portland,
Maine ; he was a representative of Falmouth, now Portland, in
1761-2, and the first collector of that port. He graduated at Har
vard College in 1747 ; was a refugee in 1775, and died in Kent,
England, May 9, 1784. B. HALLOWELL,
Benjamin Hallowell, Esq., a comptroller of the customs, Bos
ton, but resided at Medford; went to England a refugee ; at the
peace returned to America and resided in Canada, where his
daughter married Chief Justice Elrasly, and now resides at Toronto,
a widow, with her son and daughter,D. BLISS.
Daniel Bliss, Esq., eldest son of Rev. Samuel Bliss, of Con
cord, born in 1740 ; graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1760 ; stud
ied law with Abel WUlard, Esq., and was admitted to the bar
May, 1765, He married a daughter of Col, John Murray, of Rut
land. He had a high standing at the bar, being well versed in his
profession, and enjoying a good reputation as a general scholar,
and as a man of high moral and religious principle. He was early
imbued with principles favorable to the prerogative; but was never
a bitter, nor even a warm partisan. He was urged to join the
popular party, but his oath of aUegiance awakened scruples of con
science, and his family ties, friendship, and society, gave force to
his objections. He repaired to Boston with his family a few days
before the comraencement of hostilities, and thence with the British
troops to Quebec. He was appointed commissary ofthe army, and
for not making use of the facilities and opportunities which the
office afforded for speculation, all he got for his honesty was, as he
told a friend, to be laughed at by the British officers.
At the close of the war, he settled at Fredericton, New
Brunswick, where he .sustained the office of chief justice of the
inferior court, and resided tUl the time of his death in 1806, He
revisited his native state, and would gladly have spent his days
there in the midst of his early associations, but the decree of gov
ernment was an effectual barrier to it.

biographical notices. 519
He possessed an active and sprightly raind, with great fluency
and fascination in conversation. Of his sons, the elder, in the
British army, resides in Ireland; the younger, John Murray Bliss,
is a distinguished judge in New Brunswick.
COL. UPHAM.
Joshua Upham, Esq., the son of Dr. Upham, of Brookfield, was
born in that town in 1741. He was graduated at Harvard Univer
sity in 1763,* in a class with several who afterwards acted impor
tant parts on the general stage. One of the first woollen factories
ever attempted in this country he established in 1768, at Brookfield.
On finishing his professional studies, he was adraitted to the bar
in Worcester, August, 1765. He comraenced practice in his
native town, and pursued his business with successful assiduity in
the courts, till 1776, or the following year. He removed from
Brookfield to Boston, where he resided till 1778, and thence to
New-York, where he continued during the remainder of the war,
WhUe in New- York he was aid-de-camp to Sir Guy Carleton, and
before he left the British army, became a colonel of dragoons.
On the organization of the government of the province of New
Brunswick, in 1784, Upham, who had been one of the first settlers
, there, returned to his favorite science, the law. He was appointed
judge of the highest court in the province, and sustained the impor
tant and responsible duties of his office with industry and ability.
In 1807, he was selected by his brethren on the bench to visit
England, for the purpose of obtaining from the government a more
perfect organization and arrangement of the judiciary in the British
American provinces. He fully succeeded in the object of his ap
pointment, but did not live to return to his country. He died in
London in the year ISOS.f While in London, he enjoyed the
» The late Timothy Pickering was his class-mate and room-mate. Their
early friendship survived the bitter and hostile spirit that grew up inter partes
iu the revolutionary war. On the return of peace, they renewed their cor
respondence, which is said to have been of an affectionate and delightful
character. t He was buried in the church of Mary-le-bone. Judge Upham was twice
married. His first wife was a daughter of Col. Murray of Rutland ; and the
second a daughter of Hon. Joshua Chandler, of New- Haven.

520 biographical notices.
friendship of Mr. Palmer, who afterwards bequeathed his valuable
library to our university, of Sir John Wentworth, Sir William
Pepperell, Lord Dorchester, and Mr. Percival.*
Judge Upham held a high rank as counsellor and advocate ;
he had a great comraand of language ; not a raere flow of words,
but the music and harmony of arrangement and style ; the well of
English undefiled, and adorned with classical elegance. He pos
sessed, in a remarkable degree, that rare talent, fine powers of
conversation, of which Lord Bacon laid down the true rule, and
indulged occasionally in a happy vein of satire. With brUliancy
and witjf he united many virtues, and a sound judgment " The
prevaUing excellence of his character," to use the words of one
who fondly cherishes his memory, " was a benignity of spirit,
which seemed to affect the exercises of his intellect, as well as of
his affections."Judge Upham w^s pleasing in his person and address, while he
was imbued with all that grace which comes before education,
and which education can hardly bestow. Like Bliss, he was of
that peculiar class of the old school of manners, of which, pro
bably, even the youngest araong us have seen some surviving
specimens. COL. WILLARD.
Abijah Willard, of that part of Lancaster now called Har
vard, Worcester county, Massachusetts, where he was born in
1722 ; was appointed one of the mandamus counsellors, took re
fuge at Brooklyn, Long Island, and at the close of the war settled
at Lancaster in New Brunswick, where he died, in May, 1789,
aged 67. His family returned to Lancaster, Massachusetts, after
* Mr. Percival, then prime minister, a fewdays before he was assassinated,
sent to the son of Judge Upham £100 sterling to assist him in his education.
This son is the Rev. Charles W. Upham, now of Salem, Massachusetts, well
known by his historical writings.
t Major Garden, in his interesting volume of anecdotes ofthe war in the
southern department, relates an anecdote of Upham that may well be intro
duced here. The British troops, it will be recollected, were in red, and the
American in blue uniforms, " About the period of the final departure of the
British from New- York, an excellent repartee made by Major Upham, aid-
de-camp to Sir Guy Carleton, to Miss Susan Livingston, has been much cele-

biographical notices. 521
his death. A son and daughter are now living at the homestead ;
the daughter was the second wife, and is now the widow of the
Hon. Benjarain Goodhue, late senator in Congress frora Massachu
setts. Mr. Willard was in the array in different grades, frora the
taking of Louisburg to the peace of 1763. He was at the taking
of Quebec, where he coraraanded a regiraent, and what is sorae-
what reraarkable, he raised his regiraent in thirty., days, and was
ready to raarch for the reduction of Canada under Loid Amherst.
There were few in his station that did raore for his country than
he, in civil or military capacity, until 1775, when the troubles with
the mother country comraenced. He was the first person perse
cuted for his loyalty in America, which induced him to reside
under the British government the remainder of his life. He never
bore arms against America ; though offered a colonel's comraission
by Gen. Howe, he refused, saying, " he would never fight against
his country." He was coraraissary to the British troops at New-
York, and rauch ridiculed by the officers for accounting to the
governraent for various iteras that loose commissaries had habitu
ally appropriated to their own use as perquisites,
ABEL WILLARD,
Abel Willard, Esq., the earliest lawyer In the north part of
Worcester county, was the son of Col. Sarauel Willard, of Lancas
ter, who for some years was one ofthe judges of the court of common
pleas. The son was born at Lancaster, Jan. 12, 1732, graduated
at Harvard University in 1752, and studied law in Boston, with
Benjamin Pratt, the distinguished scholar and jurist, well known
at that period. He was adraitted to the bar in Worcester, Novem
ber term, 1755 ; he at once went into extensive business in his
native town, and devoted his tirae and opportunities to the profes
sion till the period of the Revolution. His talents were quite
respectable ; he was regarded as a sound jurist, and much rehance
brated. 'In mercy, major,' said Miss Livingston, " use your influence with
the commander-in-chief to accelerate the evacuation of the city ; for, among
your incarcerated belles, your meschianza princesses, the scarlet feter must
continue to rage till your departure.' ' I should studiously second your
wishes,' replied the major, ' were I not apprehensive that, freed from the
prevailing malady, a worse would follow, and that they would be immediately
tormented with the blue devils.' " 66

522 biographical notices.
was placed upon his opinion. No one was ever a greater bene
factor in the neighborhood in which he lived ; instead of fomenting
quarrels, and lending himself to the complaint of every one who
might come to him with a list of grievances, he did all in his power
to check the angry passions of clients, and promote peace. He
would. frequently accompany a client to the party complained of,
and succeed in reconciling their differences. Indeed, so far did he
overcome the prejudices of the many, then entertained against the
profession, that he was eraphatically terraed the honest lawyer.
Willard possessed that true modesty that ever marks the ingenuous
mind ; and, although of a cast of character approaching somewhat
to timidity, he was full of moral courage, of stern integrity, and
unyielding purity of principle. In his person he was tall and of
good figure. In his disposition he was mUd and concihating, and
his good qualities were marked in his benignant expression.
In September, 1770, he formed a partnership in his profession
with the late Judge Sprague, of Lancaster, which is believed to
have been the earliest connection of the kind in the county of
Worcester, He might have remained in that town in peace and
respect, and indeed with high personal consideration, during the
invading bitterness and the easily adopted suspicions and preju
dices of our revolutionary struggle ; but, alarmed at the approach
ing tempest, and with many others believing that it would
overwhelm every thing in its course, he resorted to Boston during
the impending danger, when the character of the contest became
at once fixed, and it was impossible again to pass the dividing line.
He left the country during the war, and died in England, Nov,
1781, His widow* survived him, and died in Boston but a few
years since. Col, Abijah Willard, before noticed, was his bro
ther, RUFUS CHANDLER.
RtJFus Chandler, Esq., the son of Col. John Chandler, was
born at Worcester, May 18, 1747, He was fitted for coUege by
the Rev, Mr, Harrington, of Lancaster, and graduated at the uni-
* A daughter ofthe late Rev, Daniel Rogers of Littleton ; another daughter
was the wife of Samuel Parkman, Esq., of Boston, and Rev. Jonathan New.
hall of Stow. — Address of J, Willard at Worcester, 1829.

biographical notices, 523
versify in Cambridge in 1766 ; he comraenced the study of the
law with James Putnara, and was admitted to the bar Nov. term,
1768, From that time till the closing of the courts in 1774, he
continued In the profession at Worcester. Like most of the influ
ential family of his name, who had had extensive and almost
unbounded sway in that county ab primo origine, he adhered to the
royal party, and left the country during the war. He ever after
wards resided in London as a private gentleraan, till his death,
October 11th, 1823 ; he was proscribed by the act of 1778, He
was not distinguished for eloquence, nor for great intellectual
power, but he held a respectable rank in his profession, and gained
much praise in the practical parts of his business ; and for his neat
ness, accuracy, and punctuality as an office lawyer. His fidelity
to his clients insured him their esteera, and a very considerable
araount of business. Through life he observed the strictest rules
of econoray, the rather from a regard for such as had a right to
his aid, than from any love of money for its own sake. In his per
sonal habits he was remarkably precise ; he was the nice raan ;
he possessed great moral worth and purity, and a conciliating dis
position.*
COMMODORE LORING.
Joshua Loring, of Dorchester, Mass,, was one of the five com
missioners of the revenue, and proscribed in the act of 1778 ; his
son Benjamin, who graduated at Harvard College in 1772, was an
absentee, but not proscribed ; his eldest son, Joshua Loring, jr., was
an addresser of Gov, Gage, and proscribed in 1778, — Commo
dore Loring died an exUe, in 1781,
ISAAC ROYALL.
Hon, Isaac Royall, of Medford, was remarked by everyone for
his timidity ; he halted between two opinions respecting the Revo
lution, until the cannonading at Lexington drove him to Newbury
port, where he embarked for Europe, He was a proscribed refugee,
and his estate, since that of Jacob Tldd, Esq,, was confiscated. He
died of sraaU pox in England, Oct. 1781. His bounty laid the first
professorship of law at Cambridge, and a legacy of plate to the first
* See Mr. Willard's Worcester Address.

524 biographical notices.
church at Medford shows that his regard for his country was not
weakened by distance, nor seared by proscription. He bequeath
ed more than two thousand acres of land In Granby and Royalton,
in Worcester county, for the establishraent of the aforesaid profes
sorship. He was for twenty-two years a member of the councU.
His virtues and popularity at first saved his estate, as his name was
not included with those of his sons-in-law. Sir WiUiam Pepperell
and George Erving, in the " conspirators' act," — but on the repre
sentation ofthe selectmen of Medford, "that he went voluntarUy to
our enemies" his property was forfeited and taken under the con
fiscation act. He raade bequests to Medford and Worcester, and
legacies to the clergymen. While a member of the house of repre
sentatives, he presented the chandelier which adorns its hall.
SIR T. BERNARD.
Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart., D. C, L., third son of Sir Francis,
governor of Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College 1767 ;
entered early at Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the bar in 1780 ;
made treasurer of the Foundling .Hospital 1795, The death of his
brother (Sir John) in the West Indies, 1809, devolved a baronetcy
upon him. Oxford created hira soon after a doctor of the civil
law. He was the active and liberal patron of various charities,
and author of divers sraall tracts, the best known of which " The
Comforts of Old Age," saw a fifth edition (12mo) in 1820, Sir
Thomas died at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, July 1st, 1818. —
His sister, Mrs, King, was authoress of a volume entitled " Scripture
Characters of Females."
GEORGE ERVING,
George Erving, Esq,, merchant of Boston, was a refugee includ
ed in the conspirators' act; married previously a daughter of Isaac
Royall, Esq,, of Medford, He died in London, January 16th, 1806,
aged 70,
LORD G, GERMAINE,
Lord George Germaine, afterwards Lord SackvUle, was tried
by court martial on account of his conduct at the battle'of Minden in
1759, and disgraced. To him has been attributed the authorship of

biographical notices, 525
Junius's Letters ; but it is hardly possible that an officer who had
been publicly pointed at and forraaUy convicted by a court raartial
as a coward, would pen the foUowing remark of Junius respecting
himself: " His character is known and respected in Ireland as much
as it is here ; and I know he loves to be stationed in the rear as well
as myself." He was secretary of state for the American department during
the war of the Revolution, and it is generally|admitted that his ad
ministration was bad.
In a letter to LordiHowe, on his naval conduct, attributed to Lord
SackvUle, he says, " Had your lordship and your brother saved the
northern array, which you had abundant power to do, the rebellion,
then in its infant state, raust have been suppressed ; the war with
France and Spain had not happened ; and what is yet of more mo
ment to the peace and safety of the empire, that faction, which is
daUy distracting the councils of state and wrenching asunder the
union of power which is necessary to its safety, would now hide its
monstrous head in the dark cells of its own folly and treason,"
Gen, Howe had friends in parliament, and Lord George Ger
maine's orders and instructions were the subject of their philippics ;
and they were powerful enough to make that minister retire.
SIR W. DRAPER,
Sir William Draper rendered himself famous by his correspon
dence with " Junius," in vindication of the character of the Marquis
of Granby as commander-in-chief ; for although as a writer he was
second only to Junius, he was foiled by hira, and withdrew from the
contest extremely mortified. He soon after left England, arrived
at Charleston, S, C, in January, 1769, and travelled towards the
north as far as New-York, receiving every attention on his way.
At New-York he married M.\ss'De'Lzncey,*"alady of great connec
tions there and agreeable endowments," says the London Magazine
for 1766, She died in 1778, In 1778 he was appointed Governor
of Minorca, He built at Clifton near Bristol a monument of taste,
and called it " Manilla House ;" and he also erected in College
* Daughter of James De Lancey, chief justice and Heut. governor of New
York, who died in 1760.

526 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,
Green, Bristol, a mausoleum over the reraains of his parents, whom
he delighted to honor,
SIR WM. PEPPERELL.
Sir William Pepperell, Bart, son of Col. Nathaniel Sparhawk,
of Kittery, and grandson of Sir Willlara Pepperell, Baronet, the hero
of Louisburg, whose only daughter was raother of the subject of
this notice. He graduated at Harvard College in 1766, and was
for many years a member of the council of Massachusetts. After
the decease of his grandfather, (who adopted him on the death of
his pnly son Andrew,) he was created successor to his title in Oc
tober, 1774. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. Isaac Royall,
of Medford. He was a refugee, and proscribed in the act of 1778,
He died in Dorset-street, Portraan-square, Dec. 2, 1816, aged 70,
having previously lostlady Pepperell and his only son William, His
daughters were raarried as follows : — Elizabeth to the Rev, Henry
Hutton, A. M., of London ; Mary to Sir William Congreve, and
Harriet to Sir Charles Thomas Palmer, Bart — ^Lady Palmer and
Lady Congreve were living in 1832,
On the 16th Nov, 1774, in a county congress, held at Wells,
York county,|Malne, he was denounced as follows in the fourth
resolution passed that day :
" Resolved — Whereas the late Sir Wm. Pepperell, honored and
respected in Great Britain and America for his eralnent services,
did honestly acquire a large and extensive real estate in this coun
ty, and gave the highest evidence not only of his being a sincere
friend to the rights of raan in general, but of having a paternal love
to this county in particular ; and whereas the said Sir William, by
his last will and testament made his grandson residuary legatee and
possessor of the greatest part of said estate, who hath, with purpose
to carry into force acts of the British parliament made with appa
rent design to enslave the free and loyal people of this continent,
accepted and now holds a seat in the pretended board of counsel
lors in this province, as well in direct repeal of the charter thereof
as against the soleran compact of kings and the inherent rights of
the people. It is therefore resolved, that he hath therefore forfeit
ed the confidence and friendship of all true friends of American
liberty, and, with other pretended counsellors now holding their

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 527
seats in like manner, ought to be detested by all good men : and it
is hereby recommended to the good people of this county, that as
soon as the present leases made to any of them by him are expired,
they iraraediately withdraw all connection, commerce and dealings
frora him — and that they take no further lease or csnveyance of his
farms and mills untU he shall resign his seat pretendedly occupied
by mundamus. And if any persons shall reraain or become his ten
ants after the expiration of their present leases, we recommend to
the good people of this county not only to withdraw all connec
tion and coraraercial intercourse with them, but to treat them in
the manner provided by the third resolve of this congress."
COL. DAVID PHIPS,
Col. David Phips, son of Lieutenant Governor Spencer Phips,
of Massachusetts, was graduated at Harvard College in 1741 ;
was colonel of the troop of guards in Boston, 1773 ; an addresser of
Gov, Hutchinson in 1774, and of Gage in '75 ; high shjerlff of Mid
dlesex county in 1775, Driven into Boston, he went to England,
which country he left in April, 1777, for America, with Admiral
Montague, and afterwards served under General Knyphausen, His
house at Carabridge, afterwards Wm. Winthrop's, was confiscated.
He died in England, July 7, 1811, aged eighty-seven, styled in
the Gentleman's Magazine " Capt, David Phips, R, N,"
His sisters married Andrew Bordman, Judge Joseph Lee, Col,
John Vassall, and Richard Lechmere, all magnates of Cambridge,
Several books of the British peerage represent the family of
the Marquis of Normanby (Lord Mulgrave) as descended from
Sir William Phips, governor of Massachusetts in 1691, This is
a manifest error; Sir William having no children adopted his
nephew Spencer Phips, (afterwards heut, governor of Massa
chusetts,) father of Col, Phips, the subject of this article. The
ancestor of Lord Mulgrave was Sir Constantine Phipps, an eminent
London lawyer in the reign of Queen Anne.
JOSEPH GALLOWAY.
Joseph Galloway, an eminent lawyer and speaker of the assera
bly of Pennsylvania ; a member of the first congress, 1774; changed
sides and joined the British in New-York in December, 1776 ;

528

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,

went to England, and with Gen, Robertson, in 1778, misrepresented
the state of the public mind and resources of the provinces. Col.
Trumbull, in a letter to Gov. Trumbull, dated Sept 12, 1780, says:
" Mr. John Temple (afterwards Sir John, consul-general) has been
indefatigable in his endeavors to defeat the misrepresentations of
Gen, Robertson and Mr. Galloway at the bar of the house of com
mons, and to convince this country of the impracticability of coer
cing America. His acquaintances among the friends of America
are the Dukes of Richmond and Rutland, Mr, D, Hartley, Dr,
Price, Mr, Burke, etc., who pay great attention to his information."
He died in England, 1803, aged seventy-three years, after publish
ing several works, Mr, Galloway appeared as an evidence against
Gen. Howe, in the house of commons, at the instance of Lord
George Germaine ; and Eliot says of GaUoway : " Nothing can
exceed the perfidy of that satellite of the minister of war, whose
own ignorance and gross absurdities were raore glaring than Gen.
Howe's." BENJAMIN GRIDLEY.
Benjamin Gridley, Esq., graduated at Harvard College, 1751,
and practised law at Boston. He was an addresser of Gov, Gage;
proscribed in the act of Sepferaber, 1778.
E. WILLIAMS.
Elijah Williams, Esq., attorney at law, of Deerfield, Massa
chusetts, graduated at Harvard College, 1764 ; became an officer
in the British array, soon after the affair at Lexington, in AprU,
1775 ; returned in the spring of 1784, and received half pay during
life. Died in 1793, aged forty-seven,
J, JACKSON,
Hon. Jonathan Jackson was treasurer of Harvard College from
1807 to 1810, when he died. He was much esteemed as a man
of talents, integrity, and of araiable and courteous manners.
ADMIRAL WINTHROP.
Robert Winthrop, vice-admiral in the British navy, was the
youngest son of John S. Winthrop, Esq., of New-London, Connec-

B-IOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 529
ficut, where he was bom, Sept 7, 1764. On his father's side, he
was a hneal descendant of the early governors of Massachusetts
and Connecticut, of the same narae ;* his raother was Elizabeth,
daughter of WiUiam Sherriffe, Esq., of London, whose first hus
band was Capt. John Hay, ofthe British array. After the death
of his father, young Winthrop, when fourteen years of age, left
New-London for New-York under a flag of truce, consigned to
the care of a maternal uncle attached to the British force stationed
bere, by whora a midshipman's warrant was obtained for hira in
the royal navy. Of his subsequent career the following notice,
taken frora an English publication,! furnishes an interesting though
concise account.
" May 10th, 1832, died at Dover, of paralysis, aged seventy,
Robert 'Winthrop, Esq., vice-admiral of the blue. Mr. Winthrop
was a midshipman on board the Formidable, bearing the flag of
Sir George B. Rodney, in the memorable battle of April 12, 1782.
He was a lieutenant in 1790, and at the conquest of Martinique, in
1794, he commanded a battalion of seamen, attached to Prince
Edward's brigade. In the spring of 1796, he commanded the
Alblcore sloop at the capture of St, Lucia ; and about the same
time, he captured near Barbadoes, I'Athenienne, French corvette,
of fourteen *guns. He was afterwards appointed to the Undaunted
frigate, and in that ship had the misfortune to be, wrecked, on the
Morant Keys, during a heavy gale of wind, August 27, 1796. His
post comraission bore date Dec. 16, following.
" Captain Winthrop's next appointment was to the Circe, of
twenty-eight guns, stationed in the North Sea ; and in June, 1798,
he served in the expedition sent against Ostend, Major General
Coote, who coraraanded the array employed on that occasion, has
recorded in his despatches, 'the indefatigable exertions and good
conduct' of Captain Winthrop, who superintended the landing of
the troops. In the summer of 1799, Capt. Winthrop was intrusted
* The line of descent was as follows :— 1. John Winthrop, first governor
of Massachusetts, died in 1649. 2. John Winthrop, jr. governor of Connecticut,
d 1676 3 Wait S. Winthrop, chief justice of the superior court of Mas
sachusetts, d. 1717. 4. John Winthrop, F.R.S., d. 1747. 5. John S. Win
throp, father ofthe admiral, d. 1776.
t Gentleman's Magazine. London, 1832.
67

530 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,
with the comraand of a small squadron, eraployed on the coast of
Holland, the boats of which, in the night of the 27th of June, very
gallantly cut out twelve sail of merchantmen from the Wadde,
without having a raan hurt, notwithstanding they were much
annoyed by the fire from the enemy's batteries and gun-boats. On
the 10th of July, the boats also cut out three more valuable vessels,
and burnt another laden with stores,
" In the following month the Circe assisted at the capture of the
Helder ; on which occasion all the Dutch ships lying in the Nieuwe
Diep, together with the naval magazine at the Nieuwe Werk, con
taining a large quantity of stores, were taken possession of by
Captain Winthrop, This event led to the surrender of the eneray's
fleet in the Texel, In October of the sarae year, Capt Winthrop's
boats, under his own immediate direction, carried off from'the port
of Delfzel a sloop of war and schooner ; the Lynx of twelve guns,
and the Perseus of eight guns,
" In the auturan of 1800, in the expedition agamst Ferrol,
Captain Winthrop coraraanded the Stag frigate, but which was
unfortunately stranded in Vigo bay, on the 6th of September, and
was obhged to be destroyed by fire, after the stores had been
removed, " On the renewal of war, after the peace of Amiens, Captain
Winthrop obtained the command of the Ardent, a sixty-four gun
.ship, stationed on the coast of Spain ; where he drove on shore
La Bayonnaise, French frigate, of thirty-two guns and two hundred
men, from the Havana bound to Ferrol, The crew, to prevent
her being taken possession of, set her on fire, by which she was
totally destroyed. The Ardent was subsequently employed off
Boulogne, under the orders of Lord Keith. From that ship he was
reraoved into the SyblUe frigate, about July, 1805, and on the 3d
of May, 1807, he captured I'Olseau, French letter-of-raarque. In
the ensuing summer, he was appointed to the command ofthe
Dover district of sea-fencibles. He attained the rank of rear-
admiral in 1809, and of vice-admiral in 1830,
" Admiral Winthrop married, December 23, 1804, Miss Far-
brace, of Dover, by whom he has left a family of two sons and
four unmarried daughters,"

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 531
THOMAS LINDALL WINTHROP.
Thomas L. Winthrop, LL. D., half-brother of the preceding, waS
bom at New-London, Conn., March 6, 1760. His mother was the
only daughter of Francis Borland, Esq., a merchant of Boston, and
granddaughter of Tiraothy LindaU, Esq., of Salem. Mr. Win
throp began his coUegiate course at Yale College, but finished it
at Harvard, where he graduated in 1780, Soon after taking his
bachelor's degree, he erabarked at Nantucket for Amsterdara, in a
merchant ship, which was captured on the passage and carried
into .an English port ; by perralssion of Admiral Duckworth,
however, he was allowed to visit London on his parole, and after
wards travelled in the interior of the country, and on the continent
At the close ofthe war, he returned to the United States with
Comraodore Truxton, and engaged in coraraercial pursuits at Bos
ton, where he continued to reside during the remainder of a long,
useful, and not unhonored life.
In 1786, Mr, Winthrop was married to Elizabeth, daughter of
Sir John Temple, and granddaughter of Governor Bowdoin, The
only son of the latter having no issue to perpetuate the family
name, Mr, Winthrop's second son, the late James Bowdoin, of
Boston, a gentleraan of great personal worth and literary distinc
tion, assuraed it by the desire of his uncle, taking with the name a
large estate,* Another son of Mr. Winthrop, Hon, Robert C.
Winthrop, has recently represented the city of Boston In congress,
with distinguished reputation.
In politics Mr, Winthrop belonged to the old republican party ;
he was several tiraes elected to the Massachusetts senate, and in 1826,
was chosen lieut. governor of the state, by the votes of both political
parties, which office he continued to fill by successive annual elec
tions, until his retirement in 1832, He was an active and hberal pa
tron of literary and benevolent institutions, over several of which he
presided during the latter part of his life. He was for a long period
an officer ofthe American Acaderay of Arts and Sciences. At the
time of his decease he was president ofthe American Antiquarian So
ciety, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the State Agricul-
* Mr Bowdoin contributed raany valuable papers to the Collections of
the Mass. Hist. Society, being deeply conversant with the early history of
New England.

532 biographical notices,
tural Society ; and the libraries of the two former institutions were
greatly indebted to his liberality for many iraportant additions to
their historical treasures. Governor Winthrop was also a raember
of various other learned and economical institutions both in this
country and Europe, with sorae of which he raaintained a constant
correspondence. Indeed, the greater part of his time for several
years before his death was devoted to these objects, and to the
promotion of the religious and benevolent enterprises of the day.
He died universally beloved for his raany virtues, and respected for
his public services, at his residence in Boston, on the 22d of Feb.,
1841, having nearly completed the eighty-first year of his age. '
Governor Winthrop was In his person tall and commanding,
and remarkable for the elegance and suavity of his manners ;
enjoying an ample fortune, he lived in a style of generous hospi
tality, and for many years was in the habit of receiving at his table
most strangers of consideration who visited fhe New England
metropolis. The members of the state legislature, and of the
nuraerous associations with which he was connected, have reason
to reraeraber the liberal character of his hospitable attentions; and
the latter lost in hira a raunificent patron and benefactor. In his
religious opinions he was firra, but catholic and tolerant; attached
to the coraraunion of the Episcopal church, he died as he had lived,
a humble and sincere Christian.
N. GORHAM,
Hon, Nathaniel Gorham, born at Charlestown, Mass,, 1738,
was often a meraber of the legislature, and in 1784 was elected to
congress, of which body he w-as afterwards president. He was
also a judge of the coramon pleas for several years, and assisted
in forming the constitution of the United States, as a meraber of
the convention. His early advantag.es were only those of a com
mon school, but possessing talents of a high order, he appeared to
advantage in company with literary men. He at one time engaged
in mercantile pursuits, but left them for public life. In debate he
had independence enough to dissent from measures he disapproved,
and therefore he did not escape the obloquy of the ignorant, who
confounded all moderate men with those who were unfriendly to
the cause of liberty. He died In 1796,

biographical notices, 533
DR. APTHORP,
Rev. East Apthorp, D, D., born in Boston, 1733, educated at
Cambridge, England ; took orders, retumed, and was setUed over
the church erected under his care at Carabridge, Massachusetts.
Here he published a pamphlet in defence of the conduct of the
" Society for Propagating the Gospel," which was attacked by
Dr. Mayhew, who was answered by Dr. Seeker, Archbishop of
Canterbury. This controversy rendered his situation irksorae, and
he left for England, It was thought by raany, that the establish
ment of the Episcopal church at Cambridge was for the purpose
of converting the students, who were generally dissenters, and
with ulterior views, which excited the raost acrimonious jealousy,
Dr, Apthorp was afterwards successively vicar of Croydon, and
rector of Bow church, London, which he exchanged for the pre
bendary of Finsbury ; he had many friends among the dignitaries
of the church, and was generally beloved and respected. He mar
ried a daughter of Foster Hutchinson, Esq., brother of Gov. Hutch
inson. His only son was a clergyraan. His daughters raarried Dr,
Cary and Dr, Butler, heads of colleges, and a son of Dr. Paley. —
His sisters were raarried to Dr. Thoraas Bulfinch, of Boston, and
¦Robert Bayard, Esq., of New -York. He published two voluraes of
Discourses on the Prophecies, delivered at the Warburton lecture,
Lincoln's Inn, and a volurae in answer to Gibbon, The last
twenty-six years of his life he passed at Carabridge, England, with
almost total loss of sight; he died AprU, 1816,
R. WARD,
Richard Ward, Esq., of Salera, son of Joshua Ward, one of
the justices for Essex county, first appointed on the establishment
of republican government in Massachusetts, was born in Salem,
April 5, 1741- He ardently espoused the popular cause with his
father, and opposed the arbitrary measures of parliaraent. He was
a member of the coraraittee of safety and protection during the
entire period ofthe Revolution, and under direction of Gen. Charies
Lee constructed at the neck the fort bearing his narae, for the
defence of the harbor and town of Salera. He accompanied Col.
Pickering with the regiment in which he was a subaltern officer as

534 biographical notices.
*
soon as the Lexington affair was known, to Medford, in order to
intercept the enemy, but they were not in season. They also took
up the line of raarch for the heights of Charlestown, on 17th June,
but arrived too late to participate in the affair of Bunker Hill,
His comraission, dated at Watertown, June 6, 1776, as " cap
tain of the third company of the first regiment of Essex county,
whereof Timothy Pickering, jr., is colonel," was granted " by the
major part of the council of the Massachusetts Bay, in JVew Eng
land," and by them signed during the interval between colonial
and republican government, on paper bearing the impress of the
crown and the sign raanual of the king, with the colonial seal ap
pended. The following are the signatures attached to it, and of
those who signed it, one was afterwards president of the continental
congress, and six were governors and lieutenant-governors of Mas
sachusetts : — viz., J. Bowdoin, J. Winthrop, Caleb Cushing, R.
Derby, Jr.,'T..Cushlng, B, Lincoln, S. Holten, Jabez Fisher, Moses
GUI, B. White, WUliam PhUlips, Benjarain Austin, John Whet-
comb, Henry Gardner, Daniel Davis, and D, Hopkins, Mr. Ward
had married the daughter of George Curwen, in 1762, and owing
to her feeble health, the cares of his nuraerous family devolved upon
him ; and its imperative claims, as well as that of their uncle's
faraily, (the author of the foregoing Journal), pressed so heavily
that he was obliged, after having served with his regiment com
manded by Col. Pickering in New-Jersey, under Washington, in
1777, to retire from the railitary service of his country. He was
for a long period at the head of the town government, and a
member ofthe state legislature, as well as an acting justice ofthe
quorum for Essex county raany years. He was frora the beginning
prominent in the ranks of the anti-federal or old republican party,
but never a heated partisan.
Mr. Ward possessed great firmness and equanimity of temper,
and his suavity of manners and obliging disposition endeared him
to all. He died in November, 1824, in the eighty-fourth year of
his age, and a widowed daughter only survives of his large family.
Children of his sons, George C, Samuel C, and Richard, are
living in different parts of the union.

biographical notices, 535
S, A, OTIS,
Hon, Samuel Allyne Otis, a brother of the Hon, Jaraes Otis
and General Joseph Otis, was born in 1741, and graduated at
Harvard College in 1759, He soon after becarae a raerchant of
Boston, In 1776 he was first elected a representative to the gen
eral court, and he was also a raember of the convention which
framed the constitution of Massachusetts, During the Revolution
he was a meraber of the board of war. In 1787, he was one of the
comraissloners to negotiate with the insurgents of " Shay's Re
bellion." He was elected a raeraber of congress in 1788, and after
the adoption of the new constitution was secretary to the senate of
the United States, which office he filled with scrupulous fidelity and
suavity of raanner, without being absent frora his post a single day
during a period of thirty years, and till his death, araidst the colli
sion of party strife, to the entire satisfaction of all. He died at
Washington, April 22, 1814, aged seventy -three. Mr. Otis was
first married to the only daughter of the Hon. Harrison Gray, re
ceiver-general of Massachusetts, and afterwards to the widow of
Edward Gray, Esq. His son, Samuel A. Otis, Esq., died at New
buryport the sarae year with his father. His other son is the Hon,
Harrison Gray Otis, of Boston, long the able and eloquent repre
sentative of Massachusetts in the national senate,
S. GARDINER,
Sylvester Gardiner, M, D,, was bom at Narragansett, Rhode
Island, in 1717 ; coraraenced the practice of raedicine in Boston,
by which, and the iraportation of drugs, he accuraulated great
wealth • he also inherited an extensive landed estate in Maine,
He married the widow of William Eppes, Esq., of Virginia, who
was a daughter of Col. Benjarain Pickman, of Salem, Massachu
setts, and died at Poole, England, leaving a son WUliam Eppes,
who married a Miss Randolph, of Bristol, England, and whose son
is an assistant commissary-general of the British array ; a daugh
ter. Love Eppes, who married Sir John Lester, of Poole, and Abi
gail Eppes, who married Richard Routh, Esq., also a loyalist
From his high standing and extensive acquaintance, Dr, Gar
diner selected his associates frora such as were congenial to his
taste and his house was the resort of the literary and scientific

536 biographical notices,
from both sides the Atlantic, Among his guests were Sir WiUiam
Pepperell, Gov. Hutchinson, Earl Percy, Adrairal Graves, Majors
Pitcairn and Small, and General Gage. The Revolution broke up
these associations, and after the siege of Boston he sought shelter
at Halifax, and afterwards in England, where he passed with
heavy heart ten years of exile. For being a refugee, his large
estate and stores of drugs were confiscated, but owing to some er
ror, his lands in Maine were recovered after his return, at the close
of the war. He closed his eventful life at Newport, Rhode Island,
August 8, 1786, in his 69th year. The following tribute is inscribed
on a monument erected to his memory at Gardiner, Maine :
Sacrum Memorice
SYLVESTRIS GARDINER,
Qui natus, baud obscuro genere, in insula Rhodi,
Studuit Parislis, et Bostonise diu medicinam feliciter
Exercuit. Postquara satis opum paravisset,
Navavit operam ad domandara ornandaraque
Hanc orientalem regionem, tunc incultara.
Hie sylvas late patentes evertit, molas omnigerias
jEdificavit, omnia rura perinultis tuguriis ornavit,
Templum Deo erexit,
Atque haec loca habitantibus pater-patrise dici
Profecto meruit,
Vir acerrimo ingenlo, medicus sciens,
Maritus fidells, plus in llberos,
In obeundis negotiis vigilans, sagax, indefessus.
Integer vitae, in sacris Uteris doctus,
ChrlstianEe fidel omnino addlctus,
Eccleslceque Angllcanee observantisslmus,
Mortuus est in insula Rhodi,
Anno Domini mdcclxxxvi, aetatis lxxix,'
Ut vlri de ecclesia deque Republic^, optime raeriti
Meraoriara comraendaret posteris, suaeque insuper
Erga avum venerandura pletatls raonuraentura extaret.
Honorarium hoc marraor erexit,
Nepos haeresque,
Robertus Hallowell Gardiner,

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 537
DR, JEFFRIES.
Dr, John Jeffries, of Boston, son of David Jeffries, Esq., bom
Feb. 5, 1744 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1763 ; studied in
London, and was honored with the degree of M. D. at Aberdeen in
1769. He was a physician in Boston till the Revolution ; after
wards surgeon of a ship in the British squadron in Boston harbor,
and attended the wounded at Bunker HUl; went to Hahfax in
1776 as surgeon-general, and to England in 1779, and had in both
places professional eraployment under the crown. He recoraraenced
his regular raedical life in London in 1780, and on the 7th Jan
uary, 1785, he acquired a sort of eclat by crossing the Enghsh
channel with Blanchard in a baUoon, when he landed in the forest
of Guines in France, which procured for hira the attention of the
most distinguished personages of the day, and an introduction to
all the learned and scientific societies of Paris. He returned to
Boston in 1789, to an extensive practice ; and delivered the first
public lecture on anatomy, a branch of his profession of which he
was very fond. After a successful practice of fifty-three years, he
died at Boston on the 16th of September, 1819, aged seventy-six
years.
C. PAXTON.
Charles Paxton, Esq., one of the comraissloners of the customs,
and the writer of one of the obnoxious letters to Mr. Whately,
took refuge in England during the war. He was a pall-bearer at
Gov. Hutchinson's funeral in 1780. Of his subsequent career we
have no information. LIEUT. GOV. COLDEN.
Cadwallader Colden was born at Dunse, Scotiand, 17th Feb.,
1688 ; he was educated at the University of Edinburgh, and devo
ted himself to raedicine and mathematics, in both of which he made
great proficiency.
He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1708, where he practised
physic for several years, and then returned to Great Britain, and
acquired reputation as a raedical writer. He carae a second tirae
to Araerica in 1716, and after passing two years in Pennsylvania,
he settled at New- York, and the next year was appointed the first
68

538 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
surveyor-general of the lands of the colony, and a master in chan-'
eery. In 1720 he was a king's counsellor under Gov. Burnet. He
had resided on a tract of land, for which he received a patent, near
Newburgh on the Hudson, then on the frontier, where he was ex
posed to attacks from the Indians. He was appointed lieut, gov
ernor of New-York in 1761, and occupied this station during the
remainder of his life, being repeatedly at the head of affairs by fhe
absence or death of several governors. While acting governor,
the stamps arrived and were placed under his care in Fort George.
The people assembled in great numbers, determined to destroy
them ; but although the fort was pronounced untenable by engi
neers, and the people threatened to kiU hira, he defended his trusty
and succeeded in securing it on board of a British raan-of-war.
He was burnt in effigy by the populace, who destroyed, his car
riage. After Gov, Tryon's return in 1775, he retired to his seat
at Flushing on Long Island, whare he died Sept, 28, 1776, in his
89th year,* Mr, Colden wrote, besides nuraerous raedical and bo
tanical essays, a valuable history of the Five Indian Nations, and
an essay on the " Principles of Action in Matter," to which is an
nexed a Treatise on Fluxions,
Araong his correspondents were Linnaeus, Gronovius, the Earl
of Macclesfield, Dr, Frankhn, and many other of the most scientific
men of his time, DR, COOPER.
Myles Cooper, D, D., president of King's, now Columbia Col
lege, New-York, was born in 1734, and educated at the university of
Oxford, where he graduated as master of arts in 1760, Arriving
in New-York, and recommended by the archbishop of Canterbury
as well qualified to assist in a college, he was received by Presi
dent Johnson in the most affectionate manner, and appointed pro
fessor of moral phUosophy. After the resignation of Dr. Johnson,
he was chosen to the presidency in February, 1763. Soon after,
Dr. Clossey, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he had
* The seat of Gov. Colden at Flushing was called Spring Hill ; it was
confiscated, and is now the property and residence of Hon. Benjamin W.
Strong. ,

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 539
also taken the degree of doctor of physic, was appointed professor
of natural philosophy.
A grararaar school was also established and connected with
the college, under the charge of Mr, Cushing, frora Boston. The
classes were now taught by Dr, Cooper, Dr, Clossey, and Mr,
Harper, with great advantage.
In 1775 Dr, Cooper was a stanch loyalist, and on being dis
covered as a public writer on the side of the crown, a large raob
assailed hira in the night at the college, with threats against him,
but Alexander Hamilton kept them at bay by his unsurpassed elo
quence, while Dr. Cooper escaped to a friend's in the upper part of
the city, frora whence he was put on board a vessel bound to Eng
land, This was in the raonth of May, 1775.
On the 10th ofthe sarae raonth, prior to his departure. Dr. Cooper
wrote to his friend and fellow-sufferer, Isaac Wilkins, Esq., who
had preceded him to London, as follows : " All things yet in statu
quo. On Sunday I went to Morrisania to visit Mrs. Wilkins ; she
was as well as could be reasonably expected, after parting with
you, and returned that evening to Castle Hill, where I hope she
will enjoy your return in safety. I had not tirae, you know, to
write by you, save to Mr, Blackburn and Mr, Vardill, but they wUl
sufficiently introduce you to all whora you would wish to see for
for the present. If I think of any thing I can do for you, I wUl
write by Mr, Cooke, for Bristol next week, and I will let no op
portunity escape that I hear of, without giving you a line, whilst I
continue in this country of confusion, which for the sake of the col
lege I am minded to do as long as I can with any degree of pru
dence. Should this congress be as hot as the last, we arc undone;
should cooler measures be adopted, we may yet be preserved ; for
Britain, though stout, is exorable,"
From Oxford, Feb, 4, 1777, where he had resided for three
months he thus writes to the same friend then at Long Island :
" Mr, Wetherhead wrote rae about Mr. Seabury's pay ; I have ap
plied to the bishop of London to interfere with the adralralty, and
hope all will be settied to his satisfaction. I wish rauch to hear
frora hira ; in the raean time, ray best respects to hira, Wetherhead,
Sarauel Bayard, etc. I wUl write to as raany as I can by this pack
et but likb an improvident man, I have deferred the business to the

540 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
last, and now am called upon by the provost to attend some affairs
of the college, which are agitating before the house of commons ;
so that it is out of my power to say whether or not I shall be able
to write another line. Dr, Clossey shall hear from me pres
ently." From Edinburgh, 26th Feb., 1779, he wrote to the same friend
at Long Island, as follows: "I received your obliging letter of 2d
October, in London ; I had not been there for a year before, and
was only there then for a feW days, having gone from this remote
region into the south to take possession of a very sraall living pre
sented me by the present chancellor, frora which business I returned
as quickly as possible to this city, which has been my residence for
fourteen months past, and where I am too agreeably situated to
think of moving unless for the better ; or unless I should be obliged
to reside on the little living aforesaid ; or unless, which would be
best of all, a happy termination of American disputes should enable
me to resume my old situation ; and till such an event takes place,
I do not expect to be completely satisfied.
" You gave me spirits by representing matters in your quarter in
a better light than I had viewed them. Indeed, Drs. Inglls and
Seabury had been uniform in their information, so much of it as
came to my knowledge, of the sarae purport ; but the corrobora
tive evidence even of a layman to two priests still had its effect. I
wish to heaven you may not be wrong in your opinions. My most
affectionate regards to Mr. Cutting, Mr. Colden, the Ludlows, Dr.
Ogden, etc., whom I suppose you frequently see."
To the same friend, care of Rev. Dr. Inglls at New-York, he
wrote from Edinburgh, May 30, 1783, as foUows : " 0, my dear
friend ! I shed tears raost copiously when I first opened your letter,
and upon the perusal of it now in order to answer it, I am more
affected than before. Heavens ! what confusion must you all be wit
nesses of in your unhappy situation. And yet I cannot help form
ing some hopes, that now the contest is ended the governing pow
ers wUl relax their severity, and endeavor to bring over to them
the minds of those whose persons and properties they have posses
sion of. I long for accounts from New-York that I can depend upon ;
fof I have not received a line from any of my correspondents there
since their independency ; a circumstance that must occasion such

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 541
changes in tbe Araerican systera as cannot be conceived, I trust, by
the wisest at this distance,
" 'Tis true I have taken a living ; it is in Berkshire, half-way
between London and Bath, and twenty-six miles from Oxford ; a
spot as delightful as can well be imagined, yet I don't know if ever
I shall go thither to reside, I am as pleasantly situated here as I
could wish to be."
He had been for some time one of the ministers of the Episco
pal chapel of Edinburgh, where he died May 1, 1785, at the age
of 51. Dr. Cooper possessed wit and humor to a great degree ; and
pleasing manners, united to agreeable conversational powers. Al
though he had long expected death, he died suddenly, soon after
writing the following epitaph of hiraself:
' ' Here lies a priest of English blood,
Who, living, liked whate'er was good ;
Good company, good wine, good name ;
Yet never hunted after fame.
But, as the first he still preferred,
So here he chose to be interred ;
And, unobserved, from crowds withdrew.
To rest among a chosen few ;
In humble hope that Sovereign Love
Will raise him to the blest above."
SIR F. BARING,
Sir Francis Baring, Bart., born AprU 18th, 1750, was a son of
John Baring, of Larkbeer, near Exeter, England, frora which city the
forraer was first elected to pariiament on the 9th Nov, 1776, an in
teresting account of which is contained in the third chapter of this
work. He early distinguished himself by his accurate knowledge and
dexterity in financial calculations at the eventful period in which
his public career coramenced, and the reputation thus early acquir
ed continued throughout his fife. He exhibited a just knowledge of
the interest of his country, and an anxiety to extend her commerce.
In negotiating the various loans required from time to time, his af
fluence and talents enabled him to assist the minister, and he final
ly became the leading meraber of the raonied interest ; and even
N the prosperity of England, at certain periods, may be said to have
revolved around him as its primum mobUe. He was designated by

542 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
Mr, Erskine as " the first merchant of the world," and his services
on all occasions of great national interest, particularly as a director
of the East India Corapany and as a member of parliaraent, were
too important to escape the notice of administration, and entitle
his memory to grateful recollection. The honor of baronetcy was
conferred upon him on 29th May, 1793,
Sir Francis possessed such influence in the cojhmercial- world,
that his death, which occurred on the 12th September, 1810, oc
casioned a sensible depression in the ffublic stocks. He married a
daughter of William Herring, Esq., a cousin and coheiress of Dr,
Herring, archbishop of Canterbury,
The sister of Sir Francis married the celebrated lawyer John
Dunning, afterwards Lord Ashburton, which title became extinct
at the decease of their only son.
Sir Thomas Baring, born in 1772, succeeded his father in the bar
onetcy. Another son, Alexander Baring, now Lord Ashburton, be
came the head ofthe great commercial house, and did not retire from
it until 1830, He was born in 1774, visited this continent in 1794,
and travelled through the greater portion of the then United States
on horseback, before 1797, He met the present king of France at
the Falls of Niagara when there was but one house in Buffalo, and
that a very indifferent one, Mr. Baring married a daughter of
the Hon. WiUiara Binghara, one of the raost opulent and public
spirited citizens of PhUadflphia, then a senator in congress from
Pennsylvania, The house of Baring, Brothers & Co, have with
scrupulous fidelity attended to the interests of the United States as
government agent for nearly half a century, which entitles every
member of it to our gratitude ; and we can never too highly appre
ciate the services and sacrifices of Lord Ashburton in his recent em
bassy, which has secured to Great Britain and the United States a
treaty satisfactory to all the right minded of both countries,
Mr, Baring, having served as a member ofthe house of commons
for many years, and held vrith hon(^r, for a short period, the chancel
lorship of the exchequer, was elevated to the peerage in 1835, a
proud testimonial of his distinguished abUities, and a just reward for
a hfe devoted to the honor and best interests of his country.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 543
B, MARSTON.
Benjamin Marston, Esq., son of Col, Benjamin Marston, of
Salem, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College in 1749. Be
came a merchant at Marblehead, and was a refugee, proscribed in
1778, He closed his career as a coraraissary in the service of the
African Company at Baalam's Isle, on the coast of Africa, in 1793,
E, WINSLOW, Jun.
Hon, Edward Winslow, jr,, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, was
graduated at Harvard College in 1765; he was compelled to take re
fuge in Boston in 1775, and became a colonel in the British service.
He was afterwards a counsellor and judge of the superior court
of New Brunswick, where he died, at Fredericton, in 1815, aged
70, He and his cousin, Pelhara Winslow, were araong the found
ers of the « Old Colony Club" in 1769, now the "Pilgriras' So
ciety,"
S, ROGERS,
Samuel Rogers, raerchant of Boston, who graduated at Har
vard College in 1765, was proscribed as an absentee,. Sept, 1778,
and returned to Boston, where he died June 1, 1804, aged 57,
S. WILLIAMS,
Seth Williams, Esq,, of Taunton, graduated at Harvard Col
lege in 1755 — pursued the study of the law, and was in practice
at the comraencement of the Revolution, He was a refugee, and
died in London previous to 1791,
COUNT DE GRASSE.
Francois JosfePH Paul, Count de Grasse TiUy, born in 1723,
made his first appearance in the war between England and France
as the ally of the North American colonies, in coramand of the
frigate Robuste, in the battie of Ouessant, July, 1778 ; the first se
rious act of hostility between the two powers, and the first step of
the Count de Grasse in defence of American hberty. Under Count
d'Estaing, in command of a squadron, he aided in takmg the island
of Grenada, in 1779, when the British fleet was saved from total

544 biographical notices,
defeat by a calm at the close of the action. After three years of
distinguished services he left Brest in 1781, in command of a fleet
of a hundred and fifty sail, (twenty of the line,) and in thirty-six
days fell in with Adrairal Hood, then blockading Martinique, whose
superiority of saUing alone enabled him to escape, with severe
damage to four of his ships.
After a short stay at Port Royal de la Martinique, he concerted
with the Marquis de BouiUe the attack of Tobago, the success
of which, and its rapidity of execution, are well known.
His distinguished talents and zeal in the cause of America
gained her entire confidence; and measures of co-operation were
concerted between Generals Washington and Rochambeau and the
French adrairal, which resulted in the defeat of Cornwallis at
Yorktown, and virtually closed the war between Great Britain and
America. Count de Grasse was solicited for protection against the
British fleet daUy expected upon the coast, for a reinforcement of
troops, for provisions " de guerre and de bouche," and for 1,200,000
francs for the more pressing necessities of the French troops. To
all of these demands he lent most zealous and efficient aid, and in
the short space of twelve days he collected all his disposable naval
force, (without endangering St. Domingo,) embarked three thousand
four hundred troops, and by his personal influence, and the actual
pledge of his estates in St Domingo and France, raised the funds
desired. The expedition (necessarily a secret one) arrived at the
capes of the Chesapeake on the 28th August, the same day that
Adrairal Hood appeared off New-York with fourteen vessels of the
Ime. He succeeded in landing the troops, and on the 5th Septem
ber was prepared and engaged the British fleet until nightfall,
when they separated. After four days' vain search for his oppo
nents, he returned to the capes in time to intercept two frigates,
the " Iris" and " Richmond," which were leaving the bay with des
patches they had been unable to deliver to Cornwallis, The allied
armies (inforraed of the approach of the French fleet, by the frig
ate " La Concorde," on 15th August) arrived at the mouth of the
Elk on 6th September, one hour only after the bearer of despatches
from Count de Grasse, Count Rochambeau spoke of this coinci
dence as most remarkable, that a combined expedition of land and
naval forces, the one from the north of America and the other fi:om

biographical notices, 545
the West Indies, should both arrive in the same bay only one hour
apart. On the 19th October, Lord Cornwallis capitulated to the
united forces of France and Araerica ; six thousand five hundred raen
were raade prisoners of war, one hundred and sixty cannon, twen
ty-two flags, and forty transports fell into the hands ofthe allies.
This expedition originated with Count de Grasse ; the plan was
matured by Washington, Rochambeau and himself in concert
To the activity of all the commanders is mainly due this tran
scendant success, as only eight days after the capitulation was
signed an increased British naval force arrived off the capes with
seven thousand troops on board ; enough, in all probabihty, to
have sustained the royal authority in the south.
Congress passed a resolution on the 28th October, to erect a mon
ument at Yorktown in coramemoratlon of this great event, and also
the following : " That the thanks of the United States, in Con
gress assembled, be presented to his excellency the Count de
Grasse, for the skUl and valor he has shown in attacking and beat
ing the British fleet, in Chesapeake Bay, and for the zeal and ar
dor by which he gave, by the naval force urtder his comraand, the
most effective and distinguished succor and protection to the allied
array in Virginia." Congress also presented him four pieces of
cannon, inscribed as follows : " Taken frora the English army, by
the corabined forces of France and America, at Yorktown, Virginia,
August 19, 1781. Presented to his Excellency Count de Grasse,
in testimony ofthe inestimable services rendered by him on that
day." The cannon remained at the chateau of Tilly, fourteen leagues
from Paris, until during the French Revolution the property and all
its dependencies were lost to the family.
On the 13th February, 1782, the island of St Christopher sur
rendered to Count de Grasse and the Marquis de BouUle.
In coramand of the united forces of France and Spain, in the
West Indies, the count sustained his high naval reputation, and de
fended himself successfully against the English fleet, untU the 12th
AprU, when (his vessels having been injured by contact with each
other, his own ship, the " VlUe de Paris," being run afoul of by the
" Zelee") he was attacked by eleven of the eneray. His sails torn
and ships ungovernable, his crews fasting and worn down with the
69

546 biographical notices.
exertions of the previous nights, and without chance of success,
he hauled down his flag, after combatting from eight A. M.
tUl six P. M, History offers no example of a longer or more spir
ited naval engagement, or a more obstinate resistance. It was
proved at a court of inquiry, that the most important manoeuvres, as
well as nine signals from the admiral, were neglected. Count de
Grasse (which is worthy of notice) never left the quarter-deck dur
ing the action, nor received a wound ; he had a hundred and twen
ty-one killed on board the VUle de Lyons, and a very large number
wounded. Carried a prisoner to England, the hero became negotiator, and
exerted himself with that governraent to incline it to peace. He
had the gratification of taking to France, in August following,
verbal propositions of peace to the French governraent, from Lord
Shelburne, first lord of the treasury, France insisted upon the ac
knowledgment of the independence of the United States as a con
dition of the treaty, and the preliminaries were signed at Paris on
the 30th November, 1782,
History shows that the United States are as much indebted to
the unceasing efforts of the Count de Grasse in her favor after his
return to Europe, as for his brilliant achievements in the Chesapeake
and West Indies, It may be said that his life was consecrated to
securing independence to the North Araerican colonies ; for its ac
complishment he employed all his valor, all his talents, all his zeal,
and finding his task corapleted, and object gained, he died on
the 14th January, 1788, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.
Count de Grasse left an only son, who served with honor in the
several grades of the French array, and was decorated by Count
Rocharabeau at St, Doralngo with the cross of St, Louis in behalf
of Louis XVI, At the massacre of Cape Francois, he saved him
self and faraily on board an American'vessel, which landed them in
coraplete destitution at Charleston, where, with other exiles, they
experienced the hospitality and syrapathy of the inhabitants.
Count de Grasse becarae a citizen of the United States, and subse
quently returned to the service of his country, his attachment to
which was manifested in the campaigns of Italy and Spain,
The French Revolution deprived hira of his estates, and he has
in vain awaited from government, to the age of seventy-eight, a

biographical notices, 547
recompense of his services. Should we do more than justice to
the raeraory of one of the bravest and most devoted defenders of
our liberties, in sharing with him the inheritance acquired by the
united valor of our fathers 1
The only surviving daughter of the first Count de Grasse, is the
widow of the late Francis Depau, Esq., of this city, one of our most
enterprising, opulent, and public spirited raerchants, to whom all
praise and credit is due for greatly extending our commerce with
France, by establishing the first line of packets between New-
York and Havre,
COL, EDSON,
Josiah Edson, Esq,, of Bridgewater, graduated at Harvard Col
lege in 1730, was a representative in the general asserably of
Massachusetts, frora that town. He was a refugee, and banished
by the act of September, 1778 ; he had been coraraissioned a raan-
damus counsellor in August, 1778, but declined serving ; he died
previous to 1782.
W, VASSALL,
William Vassall, Esq., of Boston, was appointed a counsellor
in 1774, by writ of raandamus, but did not serve ; he was a re
fugee, and banished by the act of September, 1778, He died in
Surrey, England, in 1800, aged eighty-five ; he graduated at Har
vard College in 1733, JUDGE HUTCHINSON,
Hon, Foster Hutchinson, a brother of Governor Hutchinson,
and one of the last judges In the supreme court of Massachusetts
under the charter, to which he was appointed in 177 L He gra
duated at Harvard CoUege in 1743 ; he accepted the appointment
of mandamus counsellor in 1774, and soon after was compeUed to
take refuge in Boston, and becarae an absentee. He was proscribed
in 1778 and charged by the act of 1779, as a conspirator against
the liberties of his country ; he died at Halifax, in May, 1799.
N. R, THOMAS,
Nathaniel Ray Thomas, Esq,, of Taunton, Bristol county.
Mass,, was graduated at Harvard College in 1751 ; appointed by

548 biographical notices,
writ of mandamus a counsellor in 1774, but declined serving. He
was proscribed in the act of 1778, and died in Nova Scotia, 1791,
PELHAM WINSLOW.
Pelham Winslow,. Esq., an attorney of Plymouth, Massachu
setts, was a son of General John Winslow, of Marshfield ; and
graduated at Harvard College in 1753. He was driven into Bos
ton, and was a major in the British service ; proscribed by the act
of 1778 ; and died at Flushing, Long Island, in 1783.
JUDGE LEONARD.
Hon. Daniel Leonard, of Norton, Massachusetts, graduated at
Harvard College in 1760 ; a member of assembly. He was a dis
tinguished political writer, and a member of the legal profession.
In 1774, he was the antagonist of John Adaras, in relation to " the
rights and prospects ofthe colonies," under the respective signa
tures of Novanglus and Massacbusettensis. He was a refugee in
1775, and was proscribed in 1778 ; he was afterwards chief justice
of Berrauda, and died in London, June 27, 1829, aged eighty-nine.
COL, SALTONSTALL.
Col. Richard Saltonstall, was the eldest son of Richard Salton
staU, of Haverhill, Mass., a judge of the superior court of that pro
vince. He was born, April 5, 1732, and graduated at Harvard
College with distinguished honor, in 1751. Colonel Saltonsall
entered into the railitary service of the province in the French war,
in 1756, and was at Fort Willlara Henry, Lake George, at the
tirae of the memorable capitulation and massacre, August 9, 1757.
When the Indians fell upon the unarmed prisoners, he escaped,
and arrived a few days afterwards at Fort Edward, on the Hudson,
nearly exhausted by hunger and fatigue. He coraraanded a regi
ment from 1760 to the close of the war. On his return to Haver
hiU, he was appointed sheriff of the county of Essex, which office
he held until he left the country.
When the difficulties between the colonies and the mother
country came on. Colonel Saltonstall was opposed to forcible
resistance ; he believed that it raust be ineffectual, and that the
colonies would fall before the power of Great Britain, He was

biographical notices. 549
greatly beloved and respected ; he often represented the town in
the general court. It was long before he lost his popularity, not
withstanding his opinions ; but in tbe autumn of 1774, a great
nuraber of persons collected before his house, arraed with clubs, etc.,
and with threats of violence, contrary to the advice of some friends
who were with him, and who had gone for the purpose of aiding
in his escape, he carae to the door and addressed the excited as
sembly with great calmness, firmness and dignity ; reminding thera
of his services for bis country, tbat he had exposed his life in its
defence, etc. Seldom has a speech been more effectual ; it quelled
the excited passions of the multitude, and they dispersed. He was
soon after corapelled to take refuge in Boston, and erabarked
for England, in 1775,
Col. Saltonstall refused to accept a commission in the British
army, saying, that if he could not conscientiously engage on the
side of his country, he would not take up arms against her. His
reputation as an officer was high, and it is supposed that he might
have had an iraportant coramand in the American army, if he had
embraced the popular cause.
Col, Saltonstall was proscribed by the law of 1778, and passed
the remainder of his days in England, In one of his letters, writien
soon after the peace, he expressed great affection for the delightful
place of his nativity ; but he added, — " I have no remorse of con
science for mv past conduct, I have had more satisfaction in a
private life here, than I should have had in being next in comraand
to General Washington, where I raust have acted in conforraity to
the dictates of others, regardless of my own feelings," Colonel
SaltonstaU resided on the beautiful family estate in Haverhill,
known as " the SaltonstaU place," where he lived in a style of
liberal hospitality, sustaining the character of a truly upright and
honorable man, and an accomplished gentieman ; he was never
married. He was kindly received by his remote family connections in
Eno'land ; and his filends erected a monuraent to his raeraory at
Kensington, with the following inscription :
« Near this place are interred the reraains of Richard Salton
stall, Esq., who died October 1, 1785, aged fifty-two. He was
an American loyalist, from HaverhUl in the Massachusetts; where

550 biographical notices,
he was descended from a first faraily, both for the principal share
it had in the early erecting, as well as in rank and authority in
governing that province. And wherein he himself sustained, with
unshaken loyalty and universal applause, various important trusts
and comraands under the crown, both civil and mihtary, from his
youth till its revolt ; and throughout life raaintained such an amia
ble private character, as engaged him the esteem and regard of
many friends,
" As a meraorlal of his raerits, this stone is erected,"
Col. Saltonstall was a descendant in the sixth generation from
Sir Richard SaltonstaU, one of the patentees of the colony of
Massachusetts Bay, and who arrived at Salem, in the Arabella,
(or Arbella,) June 12, 1630, with Governor Winthrop and their
associates, " bringing out the charter with thera," He was also
a patentee of Connecticut, and raay be considered as one of the
principal founders of both colonies, A raemoir of this family may
be found in the publications of the Mass, Historical Society,
Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, brother of Colonel Saltonstall, was a
decided whig of the Revolution. The Hon. Leverett Saltonstall,
of Salera, an able and eloquent representative, now in congress
from Massachusetts, is his son.
N. CHANDLER.
Nathaniel Chandler, son of Col. John Chandler of Worcester,
graduated at Harvard CoUege, in 1768, was a practising attorney
at Petershara, when the troubles comraenced, and was corapelled
on account of his principles to take refuge in Boston, He was
proscribed in 1778, Had for a while led a corps of volunteers in
the British service at New-York. He afterwards went to Eng
land, returned, and died at Worcester, 1801, aged fifty-one.
DR. B. S. OLIVER.
Brinley Sylvester Oliver, M. D., fourth son of Lieut Governor
Andrew Oliver, graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1774, studied
medicine and surgery, and was afterwards a surgeon in the British
Service,

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE?,, 551
DR, PAINE.
William Paine, M. D,, son of Timothy Paine, Esq,, of Wor
cester, Mass., graduated at Harvard College in 1768, He was
practising professionally at Worcester at the commencement of the
Revolution ; was a refugee, and proscribed in 1778, Became an
apothecary to the British forces in Rhode Island and New-York,
At the peace he settled at New Brunswick, and was a represent
ative for Charlotte county. He removed to Salera, Mass., where
he practised from 1787 to 1793, with success in his profession. The
death of his father caused hira to return to Worcester, where he
closed his checkered life, on the 18th April, 1833, at the age of
eighty-three,
WM, CHANDLER.
Wh.liam Chandler, Esq., youngest son of Col. John Chandler,
of Worcester, Mass,, was corapelled to take refuge in Boston, and
was proscribed in 1778, He returned after peace was restored,
and died in his native place, July, 1793, aged forty, Mr, Chandler
graduated at Harvard College, in 1772,
CHARLES CURTIS,
Charles Curtis, of Scituate, Mass,, graduated at Harvard Col
lege, 1765, Driven into Boston, he was proscribed in 1778, and
died in New-York, previous to 1832,
DR. P, OLIVER.
Peter Olfver, Jr,, second son of the chief justice of the sarae
name, both of Middleborough, Plymouth county, Mass. ; the forraer
graduated at Harvard College in 1761. He had practised in Scit
uate in early life ; was driven into Boston, and in consequence
became a refugee in England, where he died, at Shrewsbury, in
Sept, 1822, aged eighty-one,
REV. M, BADGER.
Rev, Moses Badger, of HaverhUl, graduated at Harvard Col
lege, 1761 ; was a refugee, proscribed by the act of Sept 1778. Af
ter the peace he returned, and was rector of King's Chapel, Provi
dence, Rhode Island, where he died. Sept, 19, 1792,

552

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,

J, D, ROGERS.
Jeremiah Dummer Rogers, Esq., an attorney at law of Little
ton, graduated at Harvard College, 1762. He was a refugee, pro
scribed in 1778, and died at Halifax, 1784.
T. A. COFFIN.
Thomas Aston Coffin, Esq., son of Willlara Coffin, of Boston,
and cousin of Sir Isaac Coffin, reraalned in Boston after the siege,
and was proscribed in 1778. He was private secretary to Gen.
Carleton, and in 1784 was appointed commissary-general to the
British troops at Quebec. He died in London, May 3d, 1810,
aged fifty-six. Mr. Coffin graduated at Harvard College in 1772,
REV. B, LOVELL.
Rev, Benjamin Lovell, youngest son of the grararaar school
master at Boston, was graduated at Harvard College in 1774. He
became a refugee, first to Halifax, where he married, and after
wards to England. Mr, Lovell took orders, and was settled at
Ashe, Surrey, where he died, March 14, 1828, aged seventy-three.
J. PUTNAM, Jr.
James Putnam, .Jr., Esq., son of Hon. James Putnam of Wor
cester, graduated at Harvard College in 1774 ; was a refugee in
1775 ; becarae barrack-master, and subsequently one of the house
hold of the late Duke of Kent ; of whose wUl he was executor.
He died in London, March, 1838,
GOV. FRANKLIN,
Hon, William Franklin, born in 1731, a natural son of the
celebrated Dr, Franklin, was the last of the royal governors of
New Jersey, and one of the raost conspicuous persons in opposition
to the principles of the Revolution. Although born upon the
Araerican soil, he was from feeling and principle a loyalist ; and
his firm adherence to government, under the raost adverse circum
stances, and with all the influence of his father's example to con
tend against, as well as his disapprobation of the course he took,
showed a self-sacrifice seldora equalled, and renders him well
worthy of notice, while his sufferings entitie him to our sympathy.

biographical notices, 553
Of his early history very llttie is known ; he was a captain in
the army during the French war, and served with credit at Ticon
deroga, He afterwards accompanied his father to England, where
he appears to have been received with distinction. He was
honored by the university of Cambridge with the degree of Master
of Arts, and we find him enjoying the intiraacy and confidence of
the Earl of Bute, on whose recoraraendation Lord Halifax appointed
him, in 1763, the governor of New-Jersey.
Governor Franklin seems to have studied the best interests of
his province, and for some time enjoyed considerable popularity,
but he did not possess the good fortune to retain it. In the first
dispute which occurred between him and the assembly, in relation
to the removal of a defaulting treasurer, he manifested a useless
obstinacy, in opposition to their wishes, which served to deprive
hira of their confidence, and to prevent any influence which he
might otherwise have exerted In opposition to the Revolution, He
also gave offence by showing, in all contests between the raother
country and her colonies, that he reraalned faithful to his principles ;
for he steadily advocated the clairas of governraent, and in answer
to the strong remonstrances of the assembly he invariably aimed
to show thera that their situation was rauch to be preferred to the
uncertain results of a revolution'. At length the current of opinion
became strong against hira, and he found that his exertions served
only to excite a more determined opposition. He labored assidu
ously to prevent the formation of an independent provincial govern
ment and the union of the colonies, and afforded encouragement
and protection to the most violent opponents ofthe Revolution,
But what gave the greatest offence was his proclamation caUing
together the royal asserably, in order to oppose their action to that
ofthe provincial congress. This raeasure alarmed the latter body,
and they at once resolved that his proclaraation ought not to be
obeyed, that he had acted in violation of their resolves, and had
proved'himself an enemy to the liberties of his country; that mea
sures should be taken to secure his person, and that all payments
of salary to him should cease. He was then arrested by order of
the convention, and on his refusal to sign a parole, detained in close
custody. In the mean time an application had been made to the
continental congress for advice as to the course to be pursued,
70

554 biographical notices-
suggestlng that it would be more safe to confine him in some other
state than New-Jersey ; and that body recommended that, after an
exaraination, he should be transferred to the custody of the gover
nor of Connecticut. He was accordingly brought before the con
vention for exaraination, but his firraness did not desert hira, and he
steadily refused to answer any questions, denying the authority of
that body, which he asserted had usurped the government. He
was then sent to Connecticut, and after a confinement at Middle-
town of nearly two years, was liberated in exchange for an Ameri
can general officer, when he retired to England, on a pension,
which was continued during life. He died on the 17th Noveraber,
1813, at the age of eighty-two.
Gov. Franklin, though wanting the genius of his father, was a
man of talents, firraness, and integrity. That his conduct was the
result of sincere convictions cannot be doubted. He had been
raised to his dignified station without any solicitation on his part,
or on the part of his father, and it is probable that a feeling of gra
titude raay have held him raore steadily in his course. It Is evident
that he sacrificed much In acting as he did, if it were only the
friendly intercourse with his parent, who had previously bestowed
upon him much of his confidence and affection. The letters be
tween them had been frequent, but when the course of the gover
nor became manifest, their intercourse entirely ceased. The last of
the doctor's letters was in January, 1774, and he had no further
communication with his son till after the peace, when the latter, in
1784, wrote to his father, proposing a reconcUiation. The doctor
remarks in his answer, that nothing had ever caused hira so much
pain as " to find himself deserted, in his old age, by his only son :"
he finds for him, however, an excuse in his situation, but remarks
that " there are natural duties which precede pohtical ones, and
cannot be extinguished by thera." The intercourse thus recom
menced continued, probably, till the death of the Ulustrious philoso
pher and statesman.
Gov. Frankhn was twice married, and left, at his death, one
son, William Temple Franklin, editor of the works of his grand
father, who died in Paris, May 25, 1823.
Gov. Franklin caused a monumental tablet to be placed in the
chancel of St. Paul's church. New- York, with the following inscrip
tion :

biographical notices. 555
" Beneath the altar of this church are deposited the remains of
Mrs. Elizabeth Frankhn, wife of his Excellency WUliam Franklin,
late governor, under his Britannic Majesty, of the province of New-
Jersey. Compelled to part frora the husband she loved, and at
length despairing of the soothing hope of his speedy return, she
sunk under accumulated distresses, and departed this life 28th July,
1778, in the forty-ninth year of her age.
Sincerity and senslbUlty,
Politeness and affability,
Godhness and charity,
were, with sense refined and person elegant, in her united.
From a grateful remembrance of her affectionate tenderness and
constant performance of all the duties of a good wife,
this monument is erected, in the year 1787,
by one who knows her worth,
and still laments her loss."
L WILKINS, D. D.
Isaac Wilkins, of Westchester, New-York, son of Martin
WUkins, Esq., who in infancy, at the decease of his father, an opu
lent planter, and an eminent man of the island of Jaraaica, was
brought to the province, and received the best education the coun
try afforded. The former married Isabella Morris, a sister of that
eloquent patriot and statesman, Gouverneur Morris.* Mr. Wilkins
first prepared himself for the church, but did not take orders. As a
member of the provincial assembly, he was subsequently distin
guished for loyalist principles, and his eloquence and integrity ac
quired for hira an influence rarely attained, andwhich for a consid
erable time prevented the prostration of the colonial government
The following extract from his speech on the resolutions for
adopting the measures recomraended by congress, shows the interest
he felt in the subject :
" We have before us the choice of peace or war, of happiness
or misery, of freedom or slavery ; and can we hesitate which to
choose ? By proceeding in a firm, but loyal and constitutional
' Another brother, Sir Staats L. Morris, K. C. B., who entered the British
army in early life, attained the rank of lieut. general, and married the duch.
ess of Gordon.

556 biographical notices.
manner, in tbe settlement of this unhappy difference with our
mother country, we cannot faU, I am convinced, of meeting with
success, of securing to ourselves a free constitution, and of a restor
ation to the favor and protection of the parent state, which, next to
the favor of heaven, will be our best and strongest safeguard and
security. This is the critical moment of our fate ; we have it now
in our power to do the most essential good or mischief to ourselves
and our posterity. If we neglect this opportunity of promoting
our comraon felicity, and of establishing our liberties on a firm and
lasting basis, we may perhaps never have another, and shall repent
of our fatal infatuation and folly when too late to retrieve the mis
take ; when the horrors of civil war shall be increased by the
curses of our wretched and deluded constituents, who, in the bitter
ness of their hearts, shall point us out as the authors of their ruin,
and when we shall be obhged to submit to the laws of conquest,
or the penalties of rebellion, I have shown that the rise of this
dispute with Great Britain has been an unreasonable jealousy on
our part, originating from an impolitic exertion of authority on
hers ; and that it is our interest, as well as duty, to cultivate the
closest union with her, I have shown that by a peaceful conduct
we may procure for ourselves, and perhaps for our sister colonies,
a more perfect system of government than that we have hitherto
enjoyed, which was indeed better calculated for our infant state
than for the present period of our maturity ; a period that requires,
however paradoxical it may seera, raore liberty and a stricter gov
ernment, I will only add, that if contrary to ray most ardent
wishes, contrary to the dignity of this house, to the dictates of hu
manity, and our duty to our constituents and country, you adopt the
measures of congress, and by that raeans involve our country in a
civil war, that raost dreadful of calamities, I declare my honest in
dignation against your course, and call heaven to witness I am
guiltless of the blood of ray fellow subjects that will be shed on the
occasion — I ara guUtiess of the ruin of ray country,"
About the 1st of May, 1775, Mr, Wilkins was corapelled to
abandon his faraily and country, and embarked for England,
after taking the following leave of his countrymen, which appeared
in Rivington's Gazette, of May 3, 1775 :

biographical notices, 557
"My Countrymen:
" Before I leave Araerica, the land I love, and in which is con
tained every thing that is valuable and dear to me, my wife, chU
dren, friends, and property, permit me to make a short and faithful
declaration, which I ara induced to do, neither through fear, nor a
consciousness of having acted wrong. An honest raan and a Chris
tian hath nothing to apprehend from this world, God is my judge
and witness, that all I have done, written, or said, in relation to the
present unnatural dispute between Great Britain and her colonies,
proceeded from the honest intention of serving my country. Her
welfare and prosperity were the objects towards which all my en
deavors have been directed. They stUl are the sacred objects which
I shall ever steadily and invariably keep in view, and when in
England, all the influence that so inconsiderable a man as I am can
have, shall be exerted in her behalf.
" It has been my constant maxim through life to do my duty
conscientiously, and to trust the issue of my actions to the Al
mighty. May He, in whose hands are all events, speedily restore
peace and liberty to my unhappy country ; may Great Britain and
America be soon united in the bands of everlasting amity, and
when united,~jnay they continue a free, virtuous, and happy nation,
to the end of time.
" I leave America and every endearing connection, because I
will not raise my hand in opposition to my sovereign, nor wUl I
draw my sword against my country ; when I can conscientiously
draw it in her favor, my life shall be cheerfully devoted to her
service. " Isaac Wilkins,"
Bishop Seabury wrote Mr, Wilkins on the 30th of May, 1775,
that Drs. Cooper and Chandler had saUed frora New-York the pre
vious week for England,
Mr, Samuel Bayard, jr,, wrote Mr, Wilkins in London, dated
New-York, 6th June, 1775, " that the few soldiers who were here
embarked on board the Asia yesterday ; their baggage was stopped
by some of our inhabitants, and one or two soldiers deserted. Stop
ping the baggage is said to have been contrary to the sentiments
of most people here. We are, however, very quiet. The military
made no resistance, as the officers were afraid of greater desertions

558 biographical notices.
if the soldiers reraained in the streets," On the 5th July he writes as
follows : " Wooster's carap I suppose you know is within two railes
of us — it is in a field adjoining the sand-hill, and on the left hand
side of the new road which runs through N, Bayard's land, so that
this road is on the east side, and the road over the sand-hUl on the
north side of the camp. The number is said to be fourteen hundred.
These are a part of the five thousand which the continental .con
gress have directed to be kept in this province. We have for ten
days past received contradictory accounts of an action between
Gen. Gage and the provincials, which happened on the 17th June,
No account frora Gen, Gage yet Surely, if those who now direct
affairs had a real love of the country at heart, they would use every
raeans to obtain their desires before they involved us in the horrors
of war. If influenced by laudable raotives, their measures appear
to be the effect of infatuation ; the uncertainty of what this raay
urge them to is such, that when I go to bed I know not whether I
may not be waked by the noise of cannon battering the town, as
there is the Asia of sixty guns lying just opposite ray bed."
On the 13th of July he further writes as follows : " Yesterday
sorae of our Connecticut troops seized the cutter of the Asia, with
eight or ten men, who carae on shore to bring a sick raan. They
hauled the boat into the street, (the raen belonging to her sitting
in, huzzaing and calling thera their horses ;) some time after they
put the boat in the water and set fire to her, I hear Gen. Wooster
has wrote a polite letter to Capt. Vandeput, assuring hira that this
outrage was without his knowledge, and contrary to his wishes. It
is said the boat will be paid for," August 2, he also writes thus :
" Although we are but looked upon as enemies to the liberty of
our country, yet I can answer for you, as I believe you can for me,
that we as sincerely wish her every blessing and the enjoyraent of
every liberty which the nature of civil government can admit, as
the loudest of those who at this time are in opposition to govern
ment ; and I ara convinced you will use all your influence and
abilities to promote the good of your country ; which I hope our
infatuated countrymen will one day be convinced of and acknow
ledge," Mr, WUkins returned to Long Island in 1776, then under con
trol of the British, where he remained until the close of the war.

biographical notices, 559
W^hile in England, Mr. Wilkins recomraended to Lord North
terms on which the breach could be healed, but they were not
heeded. On the 4th of Feb., 1777, from Oxford, Dr, Cooper, forra
erly president of King's College, New-York, wrote to Mr. WU
kins, at Long Island, as foUows: " I have heard of your sufferings
with rauch pain, though I own without surprise ; you may remem
ber I tried to dissuade you from going so soon on that very account.
But that * * * * * * should have been the very instrument of
this wickedness, is far more than I could have supposed, and I
heartily pray, (with a safe conscience, too,) that he may have an
ample and speedy reward. The same good wishes attend all the
laborers in the vineyard of Satan, wheresoever dispersed."
At the close of the war, Mr. Wilkins was, by the terms
of the banishraent act, corapelled to leave the republic, and
he repaired to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, where he reraained several
years, and subsequently removed to Lunenburgb, in the same pro
vince. He obtained leave to return to his native land previous to
1803, and having taken orders, was settled over the parish of
West Chester, where he continued highly esteemed for lofty prin
ciple, ever exhibited through a protracted and checkered life, which
closed soon after penning the following epitaph :
To the memory of
The Rev. ISAAC WILKINS, D. D.
who for 31 years was the
diligent and faithful minister of
this parish,
placed here, as he believed, by his Redeemer,
He reraained satisfied with the
pittance aUowed him, rejoicing that even in that
he was no burden to his
parishioners :
nor ever wished nor ever went forth
to seek a better hving,
Mr, Wilkins died 5th February, 1830, aged eighty-nine years.

560 biographical notices.

REV, IVORY HOVEY,*
Rev, Ivory Hovey was born at Topsfield, near Salem, Mass.,
on the 3d of July, 0, S, 1714, He graduated at Harvard CoUege
in 1735, in the class of Mr, Curvyen. He studied theology, and
was setUed at Matapolset, a parish of Rochester, Massachusetts, in
1740, He left that place in 1765, and was soon after resettled in
a parish of Plymouth, where he passed the reraainder of an unusu
ally long and useful life. He raarried in 1739, Olive, daughter of
Capt Sarauel Jordan, of Biddeford, Maine, who survived hira a
few months, Mr, Hovey was able to continue his ministerial la
bors tUl a few days before his death, which took place on the 4th
of November, 1803, in the ninetieth year of his age. It is reraarked
by Dr, Alden, (from whose Collection these particulars are obtained,)
that for some time before his decease, Mr, Hovey " was but the
third araong fhe living of his alraa mater," He probably outlived
all of his classmates, although he survived Mr, Curwen by
only eighteen months.
For sixty-five years before his death, says Alden, Mr. Hovey
kept a journal, in which those things designed for his own partic
ular use were penned in a short hand, as is said, of his own inven
tion. This journal, closely written, amounts to the astonishing
number of seven thousand octavo pages. The sarae author pub
lishes an excellent letter of great length, addressed by Mr. Hovey
to a young candidate for the ministry, written twelve days only
before his death,
* See above, page 418, where it is mentioned as uncertain whether this
classmate of Mr. Curwen was living in 1795. The present notice of Mr.
Hovey has been prepared since that part of the work was printed.

biographical notices. 561
SAMUEL QUINCY.
[The following additional particulars and documents relating
to this unfortunate gentleraan are derived from original papers,
of which copies have been made and forwarded to us since the
preceding notice of hira was in type. Aside from the fact that
they have been communicated by a lady, (Miss Eliza S, Quincy, jr,,
of Cambridge, Massachusetts,) these documents possess too deep
an interest to be withheld fi'om the public, although their publica
tion renders the article more voluminous than is strictly consistent
with the plan of this work,]
Mr, Quincy was born in that part of Braintree now Quincy,
Massachusetis, April 13, 1735, He was the second son of Josiah
Quincy, who at that time resided on the estate of his ancestor in
that town, and who afterwards reraoved to Boston, and becarae an
eminent merchant of that place. His mother's name was Hannah
Sturgls, daughter of John Sturgls, Esq. of Yarmouth, Massachusetts,
She died in Boston, August, 1755, aged 43, leaving three sons and
one daughter. She was an exceUent and religious woman, and had
received the best education the country at that time afforded. Her
chUdren honored her memory, and the eminence and usefulness of
their lives and characters bore testimony to the virtuous principles
she had early instilled.
Endowed with fine talents, Mr, Quincy became eminent in the
profession of the law, and succeeded Jonathan Sewall as solicitor-
general of Massachusetts. He was also distinguished for his know
ledge and attainraents in general literature, and as the author of
nuraerous fugitive essays in prose and verse, that appeared in the
journals of the day. He was the intiraate friend of raany of the
most distinguished men of that period, and an eariy correspond
ent of John Adams,
In early life he appears to have coincided in his political
course and opinions with his brothers. During the movements
preceding the Revolution, his name appears on the records of the
town of Boston, associated with that of Josiah Quincy, jr. From
the letter written by him to his brother, so ardent a patriot, on
receiving a copy of his " Observations on the Boston Port Bill,"
71

562 biographical notices,
it appears that their affection for each other remained unal
tered,* The feelings of his father and family, who were all devoted to
the cause of freedora and independence, were undoubtedly deeply
wounded by the course Samuel Quincy pursued, as a letter of Jils
sister, Mrs. Lincoln, evinces. But they always continued to take
an affectionate interest in his fate and fortunes ; and the want of
letters from his father and friends, to which he alludes in his
letters from London, undoubtedly arose from the difficulties of
transmitting letters to London at that troubled period. His father
was then advanced in life, and lived in retirement at Braintree on
his paternal estate.
The following impassioned letter was written to Mr. Quincy by
his sister, Mrs. Lincoln, when on the eve of his departure for Eng
land : TO SAMUEL QUINCY. Braintree, May 11, 1775,
My dear Brother :
I write this in hopes to put it into the letter my father has just
written. If it should reach you, it may serve to convince you that
I have not forgotten that you are my only brother. He raust judge
what I feel, when I tell him that I fear I shall never see him again.
Our two departed brothers died upon the seas. You perhaps
will say your body is sound ; it may be so, but the sick in mind
call for more than Esculapian aid.
If any thing could surprise me now, the hearing of your going
home would ; but of late every thing that is raarvellous and strange
is to be expected. I have not tirae to enlarge upon the compli
cated distresses of our country, of ¦families, or of individuals, but
shall briefly say that our connections have experienced such a se
ries of melancholy events as are not to be paralleled. We, my
brother, I hope, can sympathize in sorrowing for the loss of a bro
ther, whose character was, as far as any man's of his age ever was,
unimpeachable. In his labors for the salvation of his country, he was indefati-
* See Memoir of J. Quincy, jr., by his son President Quincy, p. 160.

biographical notices. 563
gable. His death, I hope, will prove a warning to others— ndt to
pursue too eageriy any point. Nature kept upon the stretch will
give way. He did not sufficiently consider the tenderness of his
frame, and it may truly be said he fell a martyr in the cause of
liberty. In the monody on our eldest brother I find the following lines ;
they may with equal propriety be applied to the younger :
" That heart which late, inflamed with patriot zeal.
Braved the bold insults of its country's foe.
No more its pious frenzy can reveal,
Nor e'er in Freedom's cause again shall glow."
Let it not be told in America, and let it not be published in
Great Britain, that a brother of such brothers fled from his coun
try — the wife of his youth — the children of his affection — and from
his aged sire, already bowed down with the loss of two sons, and'
by that of many more dear, though not so near connections, to se
cure himself frora the reproaches of his injured countrymen, and to
cover such a retreat, obliged to enlist as a sycophant under an ob
noxious Hutchinson, who is a tool under a cruel North, and by
thera to be veered about, and at last to be blown aside with a cool
" to-morrow, sir,"
"Refusal, canst thou wear a smoother form ?"
My blood chUls at the thought of the meanness of a seeker,
and flames with indignation at such treatment from those in power.
Arouse from your lethargy — let reason take the helm — disregard
aU greatness but greatness of soul ; — then the littie trappings that
royalty can confer will lose their lustre, that false lustre which I
fear inclines you to the prerogative side. Spare me, and do not
call what I have written irapertinent, but ascribe it to the anxiety
of a sister, really distressed for thee, I behold you leaving your
country " a land flowing with rallk and honey," and in which, as
yet, iniquity of all kinds is punished, and its religion as yet free
frora Idolatry, (how long it wUl continue so God only knows — we
have reason to fear a depredation on our religious system next,)
for a country where evU works are committed with impunity. Caui

564 biographical notices.
you expect there to walk uprightly 7 Can you take fire into your
bosom and not be burned ?
I take a long farewell, and wish you success in every laudable
undertaking. Your affectionate sister, H, Lincoln,
TO HENRY HILL, ESQ., CAMBRIDGE. Boston, May 13, 1775,
Dear Brother :
There never was a time when sincerity and affectionate unity
of heart could be more necessary than at present. But in the midst
of the confusions that darken our native land, we may still, by a
rectitude of conduct, entertain a rational hope that the Almighty
Governor of the universe will in his own time reraeraber mercy,
I am going, ray dear friend, to quit the habitation where I have
been so long encircled with the dearest connections.
I ara going to hazard the unstable eleraent, and for a while to
change the scene — whether it will be prosperous or adverse, is not
for rae to determine. I pray God to sustain my integrity, and pre
serve me frora temptation.
My political character with you may be suspicious ; but be as
sured, if I cannot serve my country, which I shall endeavor to the
utmost of ray power, I will never betray it.
The unhappy event which took place yesterday, was as unex
pected as it was distressful ; my concern for your safety, as well as
my anxiety for the agitation of my dear partner, wounded me to the
heart Oh, cruel separation, I had raany things to say ; I could
have talked with you for ever ; but the wUl bf Heaven forbade it
The kind care of my faraUy you have so generously offered,
penetrates me with the deepest gratitude. If it should not be in
my power to reward you, you will have that recompense greater
than I can give you, the approbation of your own heart Would
to God we may again enjoy that harmonious intercourse I have
been favored with since my union with your famUy, I will not
despair of this great blessing in sorae future and not very distant
period, * * God preserve you in health and every earthly enjoy
ment, until you again receive the salutation of '*
Your friend and brother, Samuel Quincy,

biographical notices. 565

EXTRACTS FROM MR. QUINCY'S LETTERS.
London, July 25, 1775.
* * I have now been here a month. I have not yet seen
Lord North or Lord Dartraouth, not because I could not, but be
cause I have not been sent for, and choose my own time if I do it at
all. I raention this to show you how raistaken you are when you
suppose I shall be strictly exarained. I have just returned from a
visit to one of the first law officers, by whora I was very politely
received. As to politics I say nothing ; suffice it that ray opinion
of men and things reraains the sarae, and is confirraed every hour.
* * We have just received the news of the battle of the 17th of
June, by the Cerberus ; but this is a subject on which I dare not
venture. Every thing is peace here ; I wish it raay soon return to
my dear, dear country, TO henry hill, esq,
London, August 18, 1775,
You conjure rae by the love of my country, to use my best
endeavors to bring about a reconcihation, suggesting that the
Americans are stiU as determined as ever to die free, rather than
live slaves ; I have no reason to doubt the zeal of my fellow-
countrymen in the cause of freedora, and their firmness in its de
fence and were it in ray power, ray faithful endeavors should not
be wanting (nay, I have a right to say they are not) to effect an
accoramodatlon. But, my good friend, I am unhappy to find that
the opinion I formed in America, and which in a great measure
governed my conduct, was but too justiy founded. Every propo
sal of those who are friendly to the colonies, to alter the raeasures
of governraent and redress the grievances of which they complain,
is spumed at, unless attended with previous concessions on their
part. This there is less reason every day to expect, and thus the
prospect of an accomraodation Is thrown at a distance ; nor is there
yet the least reason to suppose that a forraidable if any opposition
will be framed against administration in favor of America. The
people of this country are united in their attachment to the reigning

566 biographical notices,
prince and his family. The king's ralnisters are their own ; and
though a claraor against those who are in power, which is ever the
case in popular governments, in some measure divides the metrop
olis, the city politics never were on a lower ebb. Their petitions
and remonstrances are received with indignation, as they are con
ceived to originate from an anti-ministerial spirit, and not as the
offspring of true patriotism or friendship to America. The politi
cal subordination of the colonies is in this island a sacred tenet. It
is not, therefore, very surprising, that the late alarraing strides of
colony opposition have taught them to suspect a determination to
emancipate the continent frora every civil connection with this
country, and a dangerous design of independency, notwithstanding
the denial of it in words. Under this apprehension, the yeomen,
merchants, and manufacturers, in the inland parts of the country,
who were wont to be advocates for America, as far as I am able
to form a judgment both from information and observation, are be
ginning to murmur against them. Their coramon answer is.
Whilst you were reasonable in your demands and complained of
real burdens, we were willing to support you, but we cannot ven
ture to assist Araerican independence, lest we lay a foundation for
the destruction of both countries. Their produce and manufac
tures are in quick deraand, and likely to continue so, owing princi
pally fo the equipraent of the Spanish flota, and the late Russian
war. They are therefore at peace and contented, iraraersed in
wealth and coraraerce, and caring little what passes beyond them.
Some of the principal American raerchants here with whora I have
conversed, are projecting an association proralslng their aid to gov
ernment, and publicly to convince Araerica that they are not to
expect the assistance of the trade here in support of what they call
her extravagant clairas. We look, say they, upon your attempts
to distress us by stopping your commerce, as a mark of your want
of honesty, and your pretended flame for liberty as only a desire for
domination and empire. When the lord mayor carried up to St.
James's the late city remonstrance and petition for the removal of
the troops from Boston, his procession, with the usual parade, at
tended by the sheriffs, aldermen and comraon-council, excited little
attention, and was honored at the palace gate with but a dumb
peal even from the tattered rabble.

biographical notices, 567
The effect of the battle of Bunker Hill is a resolution to send
more ships and troops, every species of araraunltion and warlike
implements, and all kinds of supply for the support of Boston ;
many of them are already embarked. Admiral Shuldam supersedes
Adrairal Graves, and Sir Jeffery Araherst, it is said, has consented
to accept the coraraand, and General Gage wUl have leave to re
turn. What nuraber of troops will be sent I am not able to say, but
I understand much greater in the spring, if a negotiation does not
take place, I mention these things minutely, to show you of how
sraall importance are those flattering articles of intelligence which
sound well upon paper, and appear highly spirited and influential.
These are facts, not of conjecture only, but visible and operative.
Your reflection will perhaps be, we must then work out our own sal
vation by the strength of our own arm, trusting In the Lord, Really,
my friend, if the colonies, according to their late declaration, have
made a resistance by force their choice, the contest is in short re
duced to that narrow compass, I view the dangerous and doubtful
struggle with fear and trerabling ; I laraent it with the most cor
dial affection for my native country, and feel sensibly for my friends.
But I am aware it is my duty patiently to subrait the event as it
may be governed by the all-wise counsels of that Being ' who ruleth
in the heavens, and is the God of arraies, '
' TO MRS, QUINCY, London, Jan. 1, 1777.
¦* * The continuance of our unhappy separation has something
in it so unexpected, so unprecedented, so corapllcated with evU and
mlsforiune, it has become alraost too burdensorae for ray spirits, nor
have I words that can reach its description. There are passing be
fore me a thousand varying objects, sorae of tbem affording arause-
ment, and others admiration, I see many faces I have been used
to America seeras to be transplanted to London, St James's
Park wears an appearance not unlike the Exchange in Boston.
* * I long rauch to see my father. It is now raore than eighteen
months since I parted wUh him in a manner I regret. Neither of
vou say any thing of the faraily at Braintree. They ought not to
think me re<rardless of them though I am sUent; for, however

568 biographical notices,
lightly they may look upon me, I yet remember thera with pleas
ure, * * * Mr, David Greene is gone to Antigua, Mr, Ber-
gwin, of North Carolina, is now with me, * *
London, March 12, 1777,
You inquire whether I cannot bear contempt and reproach,
rather than remain any longer separated from my famUy 1 As I
always wished, and I think always endeavored, not to deserve the
one, so will I ever be careful to avoid the other. You urge as an
induceraent to my return, that my countryraen will not deprive me
of life, I have never once harbored such an idea. Sure I am I
have never merited frora thera such a punishment Difference of
opinion I have never known to be a capital offence, and were the
truth and raotives of ray conduct justly scrutinized, I am persuaded
they would not regard rae as an enemy plotting their ruin. That
I might yet be able to recover in sorae respects the esteera of my
friends, I will not doubt while I ara conscious of the purity of ray
intentions. When I deterrained on a voyage to England, I resolved
upon deliberation, and I still think, with judgment I did not, in
deed, expect so hurried a succession of events, though you raust
reraeraber, I long had them in contemplation. Had an accomrao
dation taken place, ray tour would have been greatly advantageous,
especially on the score of business ; what it will be now, tirae must
tell, I ara sorry you say nothing of ray father, or the faraily at
Braintree ; I have not received a line nor heard frora thera since I
left Araerica, * * God bless you all ; live happy, and think I am
as much so as my long absence from you will permit, March 20, 1777,
I am not surprised much that, to the loss of property, I have
already sustained, I ara to suffer further depredations, and that
those to whora I ara under contract should avail themselves of this
opportunity and endeavor to make what is left their own- All I
ask is that ray brother and ray other friends (if I have any) would
think of rae as they ought, and to be assured, that as far as they inter
pose their assistance to save me from suffering, they will not here
after find me deficient in return.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 569
October 15, 1777.
If things should not wear a more promising aspect at the open
ing of the next year, by aU means suraraon resolution to cross the
ccean. But if there is an appearance of accomraodating this truly
unnatural contest, it would be advisable for you to bear farther
promise ; as I mean to return to my native country whenever I
may be permitted, and there is a chance for ray procuring a live
lihood. But I do not say that I will not accept of an opening here,
if any one should offer that I may think eligible.
London, April 18, 1778.
The late unexpected change of the state of public affairs in
this kingdom has occasioned a variety of speculation among men
of moderate principles in both parties. While some construe the
concessions of parliament as the effect of fear and pusillaniraity,
others regard them as the offspring of huraanity, a desire to put an
end to war and the fruitless effusion of kindred blood. The pros
pect of a foreign rupture has doubtless its weight ; but a wish to
restore the confidence of America by generous overtures, and its
dependence by a mild adrainistration of government, I beheve is
really a principal foundation of the present terms. Would to God
they may be such as will meet the voice and wish of the colonies,
and the result be a reunion of two countries whose interests, in my
opinion, can never be divided, I have lived to see the beginning,
and thus far the progress of this cruel convulsion ; my prayer is
that I may live to see the end of it. It has produced effects won
derful and illustrious ; in some of which we may discern and ad
mire the great hand of Providence, in others the havoc of corrupt
passions and ambition. Devastation and death are inseparable
attendants in the train of war, I regret my once happy country
has, in so short a time, experienced so large a share of them. They
are events I have long ago trembled at as a picture of imagination
only ; my heart is, however, now disburdened in some degree by
a prospect that the wrath of man will no longer prevaU to the de
struction of life and property.
By the favor of Lord WiUoughby (of Parhara) with whora, by
the kindness of my friend Mr. Fraser, I have the honor of an inti
mate acquaintance, my curiosity has been several tiraes gratified
72

570 biographical notices,
by an access to the house of lords, during the most important in
quiries ; particularly about ten days since, when the great Lord
Chatham came down to the house tottering upon his feeble limbs,
to give his voice and advice on the present critical and dangerous
exigence of the state. The business of the day being introduced
by the Duke of Richraond, Lord Chatham rose, and in a faltering
tone of voice, manifestly enfeebled since I heard him before, began
his remarks by recurring to forraer periods of national alarm,
compared them to the evils now complained of, pointing out the
causes and their remedy, and then delivered his opinion on the two
great questions of a war with France, and the independence of
America, His speech was short to what I expected, and I believe
much shorter than he intended. The Duke of Richmond rose in
reply, and with some asperity objected to what had fallen from the
noble earl. Whether this or mere bodily weakness was the cause
I know not, but just as the duke had finished, his lordship suddenly
fainted. The house was iraraediately ordered to be cleared, and
the doors and windows set open ; but eager to see so celebrated a
senator, as I thought in his last raoraents, I ventured to press
in again, and saw him borne off on the shoulders of the Duke of
Cumberland and other noblemen of the first distinction, pale and
speechless, " Silent that tongue,
On which, enrapt, admiring senates hung."
It was a grand though an affecting sight ! Supposing him to
be near his exit, I almost wished to see him die within those walls,
where for so many years he has figured to his own honor and the
glory of his country, * * *
If there is an accommodation, I shall certainly turn my views
to some part of the continent, unless something very promising
should offer elsewhere. It would grieve me very much to think of
never again seeing my father ; God bless him, and raany other
worthy friends and relations in New England ; but a return to ray
native country I cannot be reconciled to until I ara convinced that
I am as well thought of as I know I deserve to be, I shall ever
rejoice in its prosperity, but am too proud to live despised where
I was once respected — an object of insult instead of the chUd of
favor, * *

biographical notices, 571
You suggest, that had I remained, I might stUl have been with
you in honor and employraent. It may be so, but when I left
America I had no expectation of being absent more than a few
months, little thinking operations of such magnitude would have
followed in so quick a succession ; I left it from principle, and with
a view of emolument. If I have been mistaken it is my misfortune,
not my fault. My first letters frora my friends congratulated me
on being out of the way ; and I was pleased to find ray under
taking met with their approbation as well as my own. The hearts
of men were not within my reach, nor the fortuitous event of things
within my control, " I am indeed a poor man ;" but even a poor
man has resources of comfort that cannot be torn from him, nor
are any so raiserable as to be always under the influence of inau
spicious stars, I will therefore still endeavor to bear my calamities
with firmness, and to feel for others,
* * Those who have befriended my family are entitled to my
warmest gratitude, and I hope you will never fail to express it for
me. Whether it ever wUl be in my power to recompense thera I
know not, but no endeavor of mine shall be wanting to effect it,
* * * I conjecture, though you do not mention frora what quar
ter, you have received unkindness. There are in this world raany
things we are obliged and enabled to encounter, which at a dis
tance appear insupportable. You must have experienced this as
well as I ; and it ought to teach us that best doctrine of philoso
phy and religion — resignation. Bear up, therefore, with fortitude,
and wait patiently in expectation of a calmer and brighter day,
London, May 31, 1778,
By the public prints we are made acquainted with an act of
the state of Massachusetts Bay, that precludes those among others
from returning, who left it since the 19th of April, 1775, and
" joined the enemy." You do not mention this act, nor have I any
information by which I am to construe what is raeant by "joining
the enemy." The love of one's country, and solicUude for its wel
fare, are natural and laudable affections ; to lose its good opinion
is at once unhappy, and attended with many ill consequences ; how
much more unfortunate to be for ever excluded from it without of
fence ! It is said also that there is a resolve of congress, " that no

572 biographical notices.
absentee shaU be permitted to take up his residence in any other
colony without having been first received and admitted as a citizen
of his own." This may have some effect on a movement I had in
contemplation of going southward, where I have a very advan
tageous offer of countenance and favor, London, March 15, 1779,
" You may remember in some of my former letters I hinted
my wish to establish a residence in some other part of the conti
nent, or in the West Indies, and particularly mentioned to you An
tigua — where ray kinsman Mr, Wendell, my friend Mr, David
Greene, Dr, Russell and his faraily, Mr, Lavicourt, Mr, Vassall,
and others of my acquaintance, will give the island less of the ap
pearance of a strange place. By the passing ofthe act of proscrip
tion the door was shut against me in my own country, where I
own it would have been my wish to have ended my days. This
confirraed ray resolution, I have since unreraittedly pursued
various objects, endeavoring to drive the nail that would go.
My first intention was that of transplanting rayself somewhere
to the southward. On this subject I thought long, and consulted
others, I considered climate, friends, business, prospects in every
view, and at last formed my opinion. The provinces in the south
part of America in point of health were not more favorable than
the islands — in point of friends they might be preferable, but with
respect to business or the means of acquiring it, uncertain ; public
comraotion yet continued, violent prejudices are not easily removed,
I had neither property nor natural connections in either of thera.
I could have no official influence to sustain rae. What kind of
governraent or laws would finally prevail it was difficult to' tell.
These and other reasons determined me against the attempt. But
to stay longer in England, absent from my friends and family, with
a bare subsistence, inactive, without prospects, and useless to my
self and the world, was death to me ! What was the alternative 1
As I saw no chance of procuring either appointment or eraploy
here, the old object of the West Indies recurred, where in my
younger days I wished to have remained ; and by the influence of
some particular gentlemen I have at last obtained the place of
" Comptroller of the Customs at the port of Parham in Antigua ;"

biographical notices, 573
for which island I mean to embark with the next convoy. My
view is to join the profits of business in the line of my profession
to the emoluments of office. This I flatter myself wiU afford me a
handsome maintenance, I grow old too fast to think of waiting
longer for the moving of the waters, and have therefore cast my
bread upon them, thus in hopes that at last, after many days, I may
find it
Transmit to my father every expression of duty and affection,
K he retains the sarae friendship and parental fondness for me I
have always experienced from him, he wiU patronize my children,
and in doing this he wUl do it unto me. It was my intention to
have written to hira, but the subjects on which I want to treat are
too personally interesting for the casualties of the present day.
He may rest assured it is my greatest unhappiness to be thus denied
the pleasing task of lightening his misfortunes and soothing the
evening of his days. Whatever may be the future events of his
life, I shall always retain for him the warmest filial respect, and if
it is my lot to survive hira, shall ever think it a pleasure as well as
my duty to promote to my utmost the welfare of his posterity. My
mother wUl also accept of my duty and good wishes ; the prosper
ity of the whole household hes near my heart, and they wUl do
me injustice if they think me otherwise than their affectionate
friend, * * *
Col, Scott yesterday received a letter frora his wife, by the
Marquis de la Fayette, by which I learn you were all weU the 4th
January last * *
With respect to my property in America, my wish and desire is,
if I have any control over it, that my friends there coUectively,
or some one singly under your direction, would take it mto their
hands, and consolidating the debts I owe into one sum, apply it to
their discharge, I can think of no better way than this. If
eventually I am deprived of it, I wiU endeavor to bear it vrith that
fortitude which becomes a Christian and phUosopher,
P. S, I could wish above aU things to preserve my law books.
TO HENRY HILL, ESQ, London, May 25, 1779.
« * * I have obtained an appointment at Parham, in Antigua,

574 biographical notices,
as comptroller of the customs, and am to embark soon for St, Kitts,
* * It is this day four years since I left Boston, and tho.ugh I
have been racked by ray own raisfortunes and ray feelings for the
distresses of my family and friends, I have still by a good Provi
dence been blessed with health and comforted by the kindness of
many friends. If I have not been in affluence, I have been above
want, and happy in the esteera of nurabers in this kingdom to whom
I was altogether a stranger, * * The education of my chUdren
is upperraost in ray heart. The giving ray son the benefit of classi
cal learning by a course of college studies, is a step I much approve.
The sequestration of my books is more mortifying to me than any
other stroke. If they are not yet out of your power save them for
me at all events,
TO THE REV, DR. WIGGLESWORTH, HOLLIS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY,
CAMBRIDGE. Antigua, June 28, 1782,
* * Nothing has laid so near my heart during my absence
and misfortunes as the advancement of the education of my chil
dren. The honor my son is about to receive at the approaching
solemnities I hope wUl be well earned, * * * It was always my
desire, and more than once have I intiraated to you my inclination,
to turn ray thoughts and influence towards the prosperity of the
college ; how that object has been defeated needs no explanation,
I was ever their well wisher — they would have found me their
benefactor. In a copy of a letter to a friend, apparently in the West Indies,
but whose name does not appear, Mr, Quincy thus expresses
himself : Antigua, Feb. 1, 1782,
You ask of me an account of ray coming to the West Indies,
the manner of my existence, and destination, &c. The story is
long, and would require many anecdotes to give the true history,
but you will excuse me if at present I say only, that in the year
1775, just after the battle of Lexington, I quitted America for Lon
don on motives of business, intending to return in a few months ;
but my absence was construed by our good patriots as the effect of

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 575
my political principles, and improved first to ray proscription, after
wards to the very flattering title of traitorous conspirator, and
the confiscation of ray estate, I reraained in England several
years, but, tired of waiting for the moving of the waters, and unwil
ling to waste the flower of my age in a state of indolence, neither
profitable to myself nor my family, I resolved to seek my fortune in
this part of the world, where I had been in my younger days, —
obtained a berth in the customs, which, together with the eraolu-
ments of my profession, afford me a corafortable subsistence, and
the prospect of soraething beyond. Your friend, &c,,
Samuel Quincy,
to henry hill, esq., eoston,
St. Christopher, July 26, 1783.
My dear Brother :
I ara sorry to find that the letters you wrote rae after the tidings
you received of my loss of your dear sister,* never reached me, as
by that means I was deprived of the consolations, which the syra
pathy of our friends affords in the hour of grief, * * For strange
as it may seera, however painful the idea that we are for ever
separated from our friends, there is something pleasing to me in
calUng to memory the conversations, the attitudes, which present
them in the strongest point of view, the occasions upon which, and
the places where they have most administered to our fehcity and
comfort. If this is not the case, how great a part of the smaU pit
tance of enjoyment aUotted to us in this life is broken off. How
many of our former friendships and sweetest intercourse would be
for ever obliterated, and dead to recollection ; our fund of gratifi
cation would be confined to the narrow limits of the objects imme
diately around us.
There is in some persons a strange kind of reluctance to
conversing about their dead friends; as if those passages in their
character which render their memory dear, could not be thought
upon without recalling the circurastances of their departure.
To die is the lot of humanity ; if the sentiments and conduct
of those who have been separated from us, are such as have
* The wife of Mr. Quincy, who died Nov. 1782.

576 biographical notices.
afforded us either amusement or instruction, and their exaraple wor
thy of iraitation, the more we meditate or confer upon their native
and ornamental graces, the more we pay thera honor ; the more
likely are we (at the same time that we receive a sensible grati
fication) to imbibe the amiable qualities in which they excelled,
and to adopt their virtues, * * * *
If the events of life were under our control, it is probable
we should endeavor to govern them to the purpose of our views.
In that case I should soon be in the society of my nearest friends ;
it would be immaterial to me in what part of the world, for I have
long since learned that happiness is not confined to any particular
spot : diffused equally through the imraense space of air and earth,
the aniraal part of creation, whether rational or brute, possess it in
every region; and most likely were we permitted to carve for
ourselves, our fortunes would be stUl more chequered than they
are. This reflection, at the same tirae it expands our idea of the
Deity, has a tendency to teach us acquiescence in the state to
which we are destined. Change seems to be as necessary to sus
tain the present link of being as air and food, for though the acci
dental ties of birth, kindred, and friendship, have a powerful
influence on our affections, if the latter is met with where least
expected, it has there its most peculiar energy, and the former
gradually lessen as the probabihty of restoring them is removed in
a greater or less degree,
TO SAMUEL QUINCy, JR,, CAMBRHtGE, June 10, 1785, ^
How anxious soever I may feel to see my friends and rela
tions once more, I cannot think of doing it at the expense of my
liberty ; nor will I ever visit that country where I first drew my
breath, but upon such terras as I have always lived in it ; and
such as I have still a right to claim from those who possess it, —
the character of a gentieman, * * * The proposal Judge Sumner
has hinted to me of keeping his old berth for you at Roxbury, is a
good one, at least better than Boston, Cultivate his good opinion,
and deserve his patronage ; he wUl bestow the latter for my sake,
I trust, as well as his personal esteera for you. It wiU also stand
you in stead at court, where I hope you wiU one day figure as a

biographical notices. 577
legislator as weU as an advocate. AU depends upon setting out
right You are at the edge of a precipice, or ought to consider
yourself so; frora whence, if you fall,'the " revocare gradum," is
a task indeed. Resolve, th?o, to think right, and act well ; keep
ing up to that resolution will procure you daily the atteetion of aU
ranks, and coramand for you their respect Keep alive the cause
of truth, of reason, of virtue, and of liberty, if I may be permitted
to use that name, who have by sorae injuriously been thought in a
conspiracy against it This is the path of duty, and wUl be the
source of blessing, July 24, 1789,
I ara exceedingly sorry to hear of the distracted political situa
tion of Massachusetts, * * * A constitution founded on mere
republican principles has always appeared to me a many-headed
monster, and, however applauded by a Franklin, a Price, and a
Priestley, that in the end it must become a suicide. Mankind do
not in experience appear formed for that finer .system, which, in
theory, by the nice adjustment of its parts promises permanency
and repose. The passions, prejudices, and Interests of sorae will
always be in opposition to others, especially if they are in place.
This, it may be said, is the case in all governments, but I think
less so in a monarchy than under a republican code. The people
at large feel an overbalance of power in their own favor ; they
will naturally endeavor to ease themselves of all expenses which
are not lucrative to them, and retrench the gains of others, whether
the reward of merit or genius, or the wages of a hirehng.
Tortola, June 1, 1789.
My dear Son :.
Your short letter of the 14th February gave me pleasure, as it
informed me of your health and that of your family, and other
friends in the neighborhood of Roxbury, * * *
It would be my wish to make you a visit once more in my life,
could it be ascertained I might walk free of insult, and unmolested
in person. Two things must concur to satisfy me of this, — the
repeal of tbe act passed 1779, against certain crown officers, as
traitors, conspirators, &c, ; and accomraodation with those who
73

578 biographical notices,
have against me pecuniary deraands. The first I have never yet
-learned to be repealed, either in whole or in part, and therefore I
consider it as a stumbhng-block at the threshold ; the second, no
steps I suppose have been taken to effect, although I think it
might be done by inquiry and proposition — with sorae by a total
release frora demand, and with others by a reasonable compromise.
If you ever wish your father to repose under your roof, you wUl
take some pains to examine the list, and make the trial. I shall
shortly, I hope, be in a situation to leave this country, if I choose
it ; but whether Europe, of the two objects I have in view, will
take the preference, may depend on the answer I may receive from
you, upon the hints I have now thrown out for your consideration
and fihal exertions. * * *
I have been, as I informed you in my last, a good deal indis
posed for some time past. I find myself, however, better on the
whole at present, though I feel the want of a bracing air. Adieu,
Your affectionate parent, Samuel Quincy,
Soon after the date of this last letter, Mr. Quincy embarked for
England, accorapanied by his wife,* The restoration of his health
was the object of .the voyage, but the effort was unsuccessful ; he
died at sea, within sight of the English coast. His remains were
carried to England, and Interred on Bristol hill. His widow imme
diately re-erabarked for the West Indies, but her voyage was
terapestuous. Grief for the loss of her husband, to whora she was
strongly attached, and suffering frora the storm her vessel encoun
tered, terminated her life on her homeward passage,
* Mr. Quincy was married to a second wife at Antigua.

LINES BY DR. COOPER, PRESIDENT OF KING'S, NOW
COLUMBIA, COLLEGE.
The following fines were written by Dr, Cooper, in England,
on the 10th of May, 1776, the anniversary of his departure from
New-York, As it is descriptive of his precipitate flight from the
college, to avoid the outrages of a mob, this effusion may be
regarded as a document of historical interest, aside from the
beauty of the poetry.

To thee, O God ! by whom I live.
The tribute of my soul I give.
On this revolving day :
To thee, O God! my voice I raise.
To thee address my grateful praise.
And swell the duteous lay.
Nor has this orb unceasing run
Its annual circle, round the sun.
Since when the heirs of strife,'
Led by the pale moon's midnight ray,
And bent on mischief, urged their way
To seize my guiltless hfe.
At ease my weary limbs were laid,
And slumbers sweet around me shed
The blessings of repose :
Unconscious of the dark design,
I knew no base intent was mine,
And therefore fear'd no foes.
When straight a heaven-directed youth,*
Whom oft my lessons led to truth,
And honor's sacred shrine.
Advancing quick, before the rest,
With tremblmg tongue my ear addrest.
Yet sure in voice divine :
"Awake! awake! the storm is nigh —
This instant rouse— this instant fly —
The next may be too late :
Pour hundred men, a hostile band.
Access importunate demand,
And shake the groaning gate.''
I wake— I fly — whilst loud and near
Dread execrations wound my ear,
And sore my soul dismay ;
One avenue alone remain'd,
A speedy passnge there I gain'd
And wing'd my rapid way.
That moment all the furious throng,
An entrance forcing, pour'd along,
And fill'd my peaceful cell ;t
Where harmless jest, and modest mirth.
And cheerful laughter oft had birth,
And joy was wont to dwell.
Not ev'n the Muses' hallow'd fane,
Their lawless fury can restrain.
Or check their headlong haste ;
They push iheni from their solemn seat,
Profane their long rever'd retreat.
And lay their Pindus waste.
¦ Mr. Nicholas Ogden.
t Mr. Siuyvesant's seat in the Bowery.

Nor yet content— but hoping still,
Their impious purpose to fulfil.
They force each yielding door ;
And whilst their curses load my head,
With piercing steel they probe the bed.
And thirst for human gore.
Meanwhile along the sounding shore.
Where Hudson's waves incessant roar,
I work my weary way;
And sldrt the windings of the tide,
My faithful pupil by my side.
Nor wish the approach of day.
At length ascending from the beach.
With hopes reviv'd by morn, I reach
The good Palemon'st cot ;
Where free from terror and affright,
I calmly wait the coming night,
My every fear forgot..
'Twas then I scal'd the vessel's § side.
Where all the amities abide
That mortal worth can boast ;
Whence, with a longing, lingering view,
I bid my much-lov'd York adieu,
And sought my native coast.
Now all compos'd, from danger far,
I hear no. more the din of war,
Nor shudder at alarms ;
But safely sink each nighi to rest,
No malice rankling through my breast.
In freedom's fostering arms.
Though stripp'd of most the world admires.
Yet torn by few untain'd desires,
''- I rest in calm content ;
And humbly hope a gracious Lord
Again those blessings will afford.
Which once his bounty lent.
Yet still for many a faithful friend,
Shall day by day my vows asnend
Thy dwelling, O my God !
Who steady still m virtue's cause.
Despising faction's mimic laws.
The paths of peace have trod.
Nor yet for friend alone— for all
Too prone to heed sedition's call,
Hear me, indulgent Heaven !
O ! may they cast their arms away,
To Thee, and George, submission pay.
Repent and he forgiven !
t King's, now Columbia College.
§ Kingfisher, sloop of war, hound to England'.

NEW-YORK CONFISCATION ACT,
An Act for the Forfeiture and Sale of the estates of Persons who have
adhered to the Enemies of this State, and for declaring the Sove
reignty of -the People of this Si;ate in respect to all property within
the same.— Passed, October 22, 1789.
Therefore be it enacted by the People ofthe State of New- York, etc.,
That John Murray,iEarl of Dunmore, formerly governor of the colony of
New- York, William Tryon, Esq., late governor of the said colony, John
Watts, Oliver De Lancey, Hugh Wallace, Henry White, John Harris
Cruger, William Axtell, and Roger Morris, Esq., late members of the
council ofthe said county ; George Duncan Ludlow and Thomas Jones,
late justices of the supreme court of the said colony ; John Tabor Kempe,
late attorney-general of the said colony ; William Bayard, Robert
Bayard, and James De Lancey, now or late of the city of New- York,
Esqs. ; David Matthews, late mayor of said city ; James Jaunoey, George
Folliot, Thomas White, William Mc Adam, Isaac Low, Miles Sherbrook,
Alexander Wallace, and John Wetherhead, now or late of the said city,
merchants; Charles Inglis, ofthe said city, olerk, and Margaret his wife ;
Sir John Johnson, late ofthe county of Tryon, knight and baronet; Guy
Johnson, Daniel Claus, and John Butler, now or late of the said county,
Esq. ; and John Joost Herkemer, now or late of the said county,
yeoman ; Frederick Philipse and James De Lancey, now or late of the
county of Westchester, Esqs. ; Frederick Philipse, (son of Frederick,)
now or late of the said county, gentleman; David Colden, Daniel Kis-
sam the elder, and Gabriel Ludlow, no w or late of Q,ueen's county, Esqs. ;
Philip Skeene, now or late ofthe county of Charlotte, Esq., and Andrew
P. Skeene, son of Philip Skeene, late of Charlotte county ; Benjamin
Seaman and Christopher Billop, now or late of the county of Richmond,
Esqs. ; Beverly • Robinson, Beverly Robinson the younger, and Mal-
com Morrison, now or late of the county of Dutchess, Esqs. ; John Kane,
now or late ofthe said county, gentleman ; Abraham C. Cuyler, now or
laie ofthe county of Albany, Esq. ; Robert Leake, Edward Jessup, and
Ebenezer Jessup, now or late of tl^ said county, gentlemen ; and Peter
Du Bois and Thomas H. Barolay,''now or late of the county of Ulster,
Esqs. ; Susannah Robinson, v?ife to the said Beverly Robinson, and
Mary Morris, wife to the said Roger Morris ; John R-apelje, of Kings
county, Esq. ; George Morrison, Richard Floyd, and Parker Wickhani,
of Suffolk county, Esqs. ; Henry Lloyd the elder, late of the state of
Massachusetts Bay, merchant ; and Sir Henry Clinton, knight, be and
each of them are hereby severally declared to be, ipso facto, convicted
and attainted of the offence aforesaid; and that all and singular the
estate, both real and personal, held or claimed by them the said persons
severally and respectively, whether in possession, reversion or remainder,
within this state, on the day ofthe passing of this act, shall be, and here
by is declared to be forfeited to, and vested in the People of this State.

ERBiTA,
Psge'I^for "Baraelif' read "Barrick."
325-r" "¦ -

325-lOth line from top, for " Barnard" read " Bemard."
365— 20th line from top, for " au" read " le."
i=I~2'J^,-'"*/'''"".''°"°"'' ^°^ " Peter Hooper," read " Robert Hooper.'^
561— 2d line from bottom, for " Ms" read " this."

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Gift of
Edith and Maude Wetmore
in memorY of their father
George Peabody Wetmore
B,A, 1867

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