May 5th. 1755
I received yr. favr. & wth. pleasure I note the contents, & it is with much reluctance I now write you my farewell Letter for the present. But you may assure yrself that tho' my Honor & my Country calls me abroad to be engag'd in a Life of feirceness & Bloodshed, yet tis not all the cruelty of War shall ever make me Unmindfull of my worthy Freinds I leave behind me, not only those to wch. I am obligated by the laws of Nature, but also those more endearing ones that are rivetted in my heart by the Tyes of Choice & Affection. Give me leave, Madam, to place yr. self in the Front of the latter Sort, & to assure that the many agreable Qualifications I have always seen in you has Stamp't an Image in my Mind wch. I shall always think worth preserving, & if good Providence shall permit me to return once more to my Native Country I shall always think myself happy in yr. Company. I hope you'll not think these to be words of course, or the accustomed Compliments of a Military Officer. I boast a Sincerity & even an Honor that is not to be learned in the Army & as a pledge of my reall Regard I present you wth. a Lover's Jewell wch. when you behold you may Remember the Sincerity & regularity of the Affections of him that presents it & be assured that you have an Interest in the Regards & Esteem of &c.,
J.W.