Dr. Sr., Boston Sepr. 15th. 1776

Mr. Austin is kind eno’ to let me know that he is just going to set out for Philadelphia. I thought I would imbrace the opportunity to let you know that we & our Taunton friends are all well. Capt. Manley’s appeal from a Judgment of a maritime court to the Congress is the occasion of Mr. Austin’s Journey.1 Altho’ the capture of the Vessell with Stolen good belonging to several Merchants here is a lucky affair upon the whole, yet the trouble & expence attending the tryals at Portsmouth & Phila. will settle a great loss upon the owners of the goods even tho’ they should be restored to them. It was generous in them to offer Manly £1000 Sterling after they were cleared by the Jury. I cannot see upon what principle the Jury could have condemned them. They were not the property 289of the enemy, nor treasure trove, but stolen goods; & it is every mans duty to detect thieves.

Our coast is infested with several Frigates & Cutters who frequently take our vessells & retake our prizes. Is it impossible to equip our Ships of War lately built? If they are not soon at sea this town will be in a distressed condition. We shall not be supplyed with fuel for the approaching winter.

I durst not ask what the congress are about, whether any negotiations with foreign States have taken place? We are amused with a Story of a Conference to be had between a Comtte. of the congress, & lord How, but can’t learn the Subjects: we seem to be between hope and fear as to the consequence but put great confidence in the rectitude & wisdom of the Congress.

Sister Eunice is with us, & well. We lament it that your children could not be here to receive the small-pox but the prohibition so soon took place that we could not get Nabby & Polly to Town soon enough to be innoculated. My wife & I are just about settg. out on a Journey to make a short visit to our friends at Taunton & as we must take the cool of the morning this hot season I must for the present conclude & subscribe myself yr. friend & brother,

Jos. Greenleaf

RC ; addressed: “For The hono. Robert Treat Paine Esqr. Member of Congress In Philadelphia Favd. by Mr. Austin”; endorsed.

1.

See “Extract from the Minutes of the Continental Congress,” Sept. 30, 1776 (below).

Sr., Philada. Septr. 18th. 1776

By Capt. Joy I understand you have at last made some 12 pounders, but I fear they are heavier than they ought to be. Those made by Col. Bird weigh but 27 C. & Some under.

You have drawn on the Comittee for 1500£. It is not Sent because the matter is not understood. We can’t suppose you want such a sum to carry on the works, & you certainly don’t desire the Cannon should be paid for before they are delivered. The Sum you draw for is the value of the Guns you have made, & as the Contract was made with your Brother Col. 290Curtis Grubb (tho you may be equally interested with him) yet I should like to hear from him before so large a sum was paid, however I have Sent you by Capt. Daniel Joy one thousand Dollars. I mentioned to Congress your Inclination to have some of the Prisners from Lancaster to work for you but it was supposed that the Committee of Lancaster would object to it. I hope you will make all expedition in making the Cannon & getting them down for they are much wanted. The Cannon must be proved with two Shott or they will never be put on board the Ships. Yr.,

RTP

Dft. on sheet with RTP to Col. Curtis Grubb of Sept. 20; internal address: “To Mr. Peter Grubb Esqr. at Cornwal Furnace per Capt. Danl. Joy”; endorsed. RC not located, but it is printed in William Henry Egle, History of the County of Lebanon in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1883), 37.