Page:Letters of John Andrews.djvu/105

 LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS. 00

little daughter) I thought I would not omit, but I find I have been so prolix, thai I believe you'll be tired before you'll half peruse it, musl requesl you'd not let any body see it. as 1 wrote it in the greatesl hurry, and with continual interruptions.*

��* The following is a copy of Mr. Barrell's reply to this letter of April 11th, 177G, from Mr. Andrews. By its date, we can form an estimate of the time then consumed in travel between Huston and Philadelphia: —

"Philadelphia, May the 1st, 1770.

"Dear Jack, — Congratulations, sincere congratulations, my dear Lad, on the happy change of your situation. After twelve months separation from one's dearest connections and friends, shut up in a besieged town, garrisoned by one's worst enemies, disappointed, mortified, and exasperated with their disgraceful situation, suffering in addition to the natural distresses of a besieged, numerous and streightened garrison, the insulting taunts and merciless cruelties of inraged Tyrants, to have a free commu- nication at once set open for the tender and indearing embraces of husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friends of every degree and denomina- tion, must present a scene that beggars all description. The lordly tyrants of yesterday, confiding in their strong holds, spreading destruction and plunder through a distressed, defenceless city, this day quitting their dependances in haste and confusion, carrying with them the distresses of a long and severe seage to the still greater distresses of a boisterous voyage, while our friends are mounting their deserted ramparts, and bringing with them joy and peace, refreshment and plenty — such a change merits the highest congratulations, and demands the warmest returns of gratitude to the alone Author of Bliss and Peace. The complaining parts of your letter by Mr. Hamet is set to rights by a letter from Sam. dated six days after. The greatest allowances are to be made for your circumstances, and I believe so situated I should have acted with less prudence than yon have done. Yet I think a more favorable cau^e might have been assigned why Ruthe was so long detained from you. 1 will not pretend to acquit or condemn Sam. in this matter, as I am ignorant of the cause, but this I must say, very weighty reasons alone can justifie it; as you are convinced of his innocence, you are satisfied with the reasons, and consequently every disagreeable reflection has vanished. May your pn happy union be no more interrupted, but your future days be crowned with such happy circumstances a- to remind you of your pa~t troubles but with pleasure. I am not much surprised at Wat's conduct. It seems passive obedience and non resistance are. incom- patible with honor, gratitude and justice. I applaud your conduct in sparing no cost to make yourself and dependants as comfortable as your situation could be made, and rejoice with you in the preservation of your health and spirits. Had your persuasions have been impressed on the minds of some others, it would have saved the just confusion that has overtaken many, and which I trust in God will be the fate of every enemie to his country. Colonel Mifiin being at New York, puts it out of my power to comply with your request respecting him at present. I am glad you were honored with the General's company, &ca. Major Palfrey, who is promoted to the ollice of Paymaster General, and left this town yesterday, has given me an account of that visit. I wish Ruthe could have been with you to do the honors of your table on the occasion. My love to Ruthe, with a suitable remembrance to all friends, concludes, my dear Jack, Your very affectionate friend and brother."

The following extract from a letter of Mr. Barrell's to Hayley and Hopkins, London (March 25th, 177:) I, may possess some interest, as showing the character of his literary taste in the list of books he orders them to send him: —

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