In a Letter to Mr Appleton of the 17th, I desired him to inform you that I was well.  I thank God I continue so, tho I am very sollicitous to know how it fares with you and my dear Connections in Boston.  Our Friends at that Distance may be in their Graves before one may even hear of their previous Sickness.  You cannot wonder then that I am in Anxiety every Moment.  Upon this Consideration alone, the pub-lick Service so far from one’s Family, must be conceivd to be a Sacrifice of no small Value.  The Man who has devoted himself to the Service of God and his Country will chearfully make every Sacrifice.  I will not fail daily to commend you to the Care and Protection of Heaven, in Hopes of seeing you the next Spring.

By a Letter of good Authority from Hillsborough in North Carolina dated the 9th of Septr, we are informd that Col1 Marian of South Carolina who commanded a Body of Militia had surprisd a Party of the Enemy near Santee River escorting 150 Prisoners of the Maryland Division.  He took the Party & relievd the Prisoners, & was on the March to Cross Creek, where General Gates had sent Lt Col1 Ford with proper Officers to conduct them to Hillsbro’.  When they joyn, our loss in Continentals will be small in Comparison of what was expected.  Pray send the Inclosd to Captain James Shepherd.  Remember me to my Family & Friends.  Adieu my dear.

My worthy Friend Arthur Lee is not yet arrivd.

TO JAMES WARREN.

[Ms., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

Philada.  Octob [6] 1780

MY DEAR SIR

I have not yet acknowledgd your Favor of the 17th of Septr.

It is no Novelty to me to hear you expressing your well directed Zeal for the Safety & Welfare of our Country; and I cannot but applaud your Jealousy of Injury to the Publick from a Misapplication of the Resolutions of Congress respecting the Admission of British Effects.  A Resolution is now on the Table to guard it from the Dangers which you apprehend.

I have now before me your Letter of the 17th of Septr, & I am obligd to you for the favorable Allowance you make for my having omitted to write to you lately.  Without Partiality I may say, you have done me but Justice.  And yet I would have written a Letter by the last post, if I could have given you any tollerable Assurance respecting your Affair with Mr B. I will continue to press the Matter till it is finishd.

Why will you upbraid me, my Friend, with the Votes of “my beloved Town,” in favor of a Man, whom neither you nor I would set up for a Governor?  It is true, I love the People of Boston most fervently.  I have spent much of my Time in their Service, & have labord to promote their Reputation and true Interest.  I confess that I feel chagrind and am disappointed at the Preference they have given.  But is an honest