Philadelphia, April 2d, 1776.

The evacuation of Boston by the king’s troops, and the repossession of it by the right owners, agitates my mind with a thousand queries and calculations. As yet we know so little of the state in which they have left the 186town in general, or the possessions of individuals in particular, that I do not consider myself as yet come to my feelings about the matter; amidst all the joys there must be many scenes of distressing wo. I have not the least reason to doubt the general court will direct many circumstances relating to this occurrence with wisdom and expedition; if, therefore, I mention some matters that occur to me, I trust you will attribute it rather to my desire to help in the common cause, than to an inclination to direct. Would it not be serviceable to appoint some honest, skilful persons, to take an account of all damage done to the houses, furniture, goods, merchandise, and property of every kind, and by whom done, as near as may be; this may be applied to two uses at least, first, to make a fair representation to the world of the injury done us; (what use this may be applied to we do not yet know;) and also sufferers may expect and receive, perhaps, some compensation, which, without such an early estimate, may be very unequally distributed.

I wish, also, that those persons who have tarried in town through the whole siege, who are most capable, might be called upon to draw up as correct a narrative of the whole proceedings of the enemy, and the distress of the inhabitants, and particularly the behaviour of the tories, collectively and individually, as may be. I should think it by no means advisable to destroy our lines as yet; if it be in the power of the exiled tories to cause the town to be again attacked they will effect it; I doubt not there will be great consultations to fortify the harbour against men-ofwar; if we have cannon enough it may be done. I wish much to know what is become of the cannon that belonged to the castle; I fear they are carried off or destroyed. Those cannon which they have spiked up may easily be bored out.

* * * * * *1

The scene of action is only changed; the efforts of the enemy will be more vigorous elsewhere. I mention this, because I can easily conceive, that people who have been long harassed are too apt to sink into ease when immediate danger seems to be withdrawn. Canada and New-York are now grand objects of attention, and very interesting to New-England.

Pray be kind enough to send me as particular an account of the state of affairs in Boston as you conveniently can; who of the tories are left behind; how they behave, and what they say for themselves? whether Master Lowel2 and other prisoners were carried off? whether they have taken away the bells? whether any quantity of merchandise is left? any 187sulphur or other matters that we want? any cash? are the records of the province, superior and inferior and probate courts, left? Have they carried off the lifeless carcase of the charter, as one of their own party that was slain, or have they left it putrefying to contaminate the air? These, and such other matters as you may think worthy of note, will be very agreeable to me, not merely as matters of curiosity, which in this case I think is very natural, but as facts which may be of service to know; the place they have gone to is a material fact.

Original not located; reprinted from the New-York Review and Atheneum Magazine, Apr. 1826, 2:400–402.

1.

Ellipsis in the printed transcript.

2.

James Lovell (1737–1814) graduated from Harvard in 1756 and taught in Boston schools until the outbreak of the Revolution. The British arrested him on June 27, 1775, because he had conveyed military intelligence to the American troops at Bunker Hill and took him to Halifax as a prisoner when Boston was evacuated by the troops on Mar. 17, 1776. They released him in a prisoner exchange for Philip Skene on Nov. 3, 1776. While returning home, Lovell was elected to the Continental Congress, which he joined on Feb. 4, 1777. He continued in Congress until 1782 when he returned to Boston, where he later served as naval officer for the port ( ANB ).

Philadelphia April 2d. 1776 My dear Sr.,

Ever since the receipt of your kind letter in Jany. I have been determined to write you in special refferrence to your scious paragraph on the dear Dulcinea, but innumerable intervening objects have suspended th execution of it till Time the destroyer of all earthly affairs has deprived me of my Subject. Alass the vestal Virgin is no more! The Nuptial Alter has received the Sacrifice & the being to whom it is offered I dare say, smells a sweet savour, the Keys are delivered up & the sweet Casket may not be opened but by him who possesses them. What you will do for a toast I dont know. I sincerely commisserate you. I believe it must be to her memory.

Salt petre, Sulphur, lead, cannon, musketts, like our dayly bread should never be out of our attention; the success in making Salt petre in Massachusetts & Connetticut is exceeding all expectation. We have likewise exceeding good amounts from Virginia. Other Colonies are also begginning. It is very clear, if we once induce farmers & private families to make 188it as they do in New England we shall have enough very soon to expend gun powder as freely as we please. I take the freedom to send you some newspapers which contain the successful Method of making it in New England. I doubt not you will distribute them with your authoritative injunctions to put it into immediate & vigourous excecution. Please to present my Compliments to Mr. Dewar1 & furnish him with I suppose a tea drawn from a mixture of Ashes & Stone Lime will answer the purpose mentioned in the discription. Some say that Lime water only will do, & some say that the stone lime may be put into the nitrous water & let settle. I mention these matters because I Suppose Lime stone is very plenty near Mr. Dewar’s & it may be easily tryed & in some places may be cheaper & more easily got than ashes.

We are like to suffer for want of Sulphur. If it lays in your way to have Brimstone Hill near Cherry Valley examined it might be serviceable.

I hope these will find you & your good family in health & happiness. Please to make my best Respects to them.

The evacuation of Boston will doubtless open a new scene, but where, as yet we don’t conjecture. Our business is to be armed at all points. No. Carolina has surprised us with their heroism.2 I believe every Colony will give a good account of their political Faith.

I hope in the revolution of human affairs we may at Sometime meet in peace & joy, but should so desired an event be denied me, when the trials of human affairs are ended, may we meet in the land of Heroes.

That felicity may Surround & never leave you is the wish of yr friend & hble. Servt.

R. T. Paine

RC (Philip Schuyler Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations).

1.

William Duer (1747–1799) went from his native England to serve in India as aide-de-camp to the governor general in 1765. Three years later he immigrated to America and settled at Fort Miller, N.Y. Duer was active in the revolutionary cause, served in the provincial congresses of 1776 and 1777, and in the Continental Congress in 1777 and 1778 ( ANB ).

2.

On Feb. 27 North Carolina troops won a victory over a loyalist force at Moore’s Creek Bridge (Boatner, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, 731–734).