Page:Letters of John Andrews.djvu/73

 LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS. G7

of things looking very dark lately, are in pursuit of houses in the country, in order to remove with their families. A great many are already gone, and others arc removing daily — which 1 think a mad scheme altogether, and am determin'd for my own part, not to think of any thing of the kind, hut to stay here as long as 1 can gel pro- visions to eat, and can go and come where I please. Breck is de r- niin'd among the rest to leave town. Have made use of every argument I was capable of, for a fortnight past, to diswade him from it, but can't prevail, as he views matters in such a dismal Light, as that he is obstinately benl upon going.

October 26th. We have had so remarkable a tine season that many hushes that had lost their leaves, are rebudded again — and in some Gardens in town they have trees that are in blossom ; this, and several preceeding days, have been as warm as in June.

October 29th. Last evening one of the transport ships arriv'd from Quebeck with more troops. Was in hopes, as the season was so far advane'd, that they would have been oblidg'd to have taken up their residence for the winter there — but I find ev'ry thing tends to promote our having a blessed winter of it : that i.-, blessed with having twelve regiments, of Devils I was going to say, among's — blessed with having them dispos'd in almost every other house in town — bless'd with having their enrag'd tempers to deal with, caus'd by the ill- judefd policy of few among us.

Such has been the fate of thousands! but hard to tell It' tin- such ill-concerted plans, we fare so well.

Where wisdom rules, and reason hears the sway.

\ ml />,•//</, a/ conduct governs all they say,

Then mighty zeal, upheld by patriot rules,

Unaw'd by power, nor check'd by timid tools — Must — by reason's right, as well by nature's law.-. Overcome tie- tyrant, ami support the <'nn.«.

So much for Liberty strain, Bill — the poetical vein having just taken me; perhaps tomorrow (being a very fickle genius) I may breath different sentiments, 'as like causes don't always produce the same effects.

Our provincial congress have adjourn'd themselves for three weeks. Had much rather they were dissolv'd — as they arc principally com- pos'd of spirited, obstinate countrymen, who have very little patience to boast of. Am therefore much afraid they will adopt measures that may impede the adjustment of our differences — a> the more prudent among 'em bear but a small proportion. They have follow'd the

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