Your very affectionate Father,

1 Later the wife of Thomas Wells.

TO JOHN BRADFORD.

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

Philade Sept 8th 1778

MY DEAR SIR

I have lately had the pleasure of receiving two Letters from you, one by Capt Manly and the other by yesterdays Post.  The latter makes mention of some Notice you had receivd “from a warm Friend to you & me” that “Cap Mc Niel was making Misrepresentations at Philade to your Disadvantage.”  I have a particular Reason for my Curiosity in wishing to know who this Friend is.  If I had that Knowledge I might perhaps see Grounds of Suspicion that the Design was far different from that of giving you a friendly Hint.  I assure you I have heard Nothing here to your Disadvantage.  If Capt McNiel is the Person I am to understand to be your Enemy, I will tell you that he has called on me not more than twice or thrice, since he arrivd here, and that he has not mentiond your Name to me nor any thing relating to your Department, nor indeed any thing that would tend to bring you to my Thoughts.  I know not in what Part of the City he lives.  I suppose he is preparing to meet the Marine Committee to whom his Petition is referrd.  When it may be proper for me to give my Opinion, I intend to do it, with Freedom & Impartiality, not feeling my self interrested in the Party Disputes which I perceive there are in Boston between two Men, neither of whom in my opinion has derivd much Honor from the Decisions of the Courts Martial respecting them.  If I shall hear any thing said to your Prejudice here you may depend on my letting you know it; being determind if possible to prevent your suffering an Injury which one of your Friends at least thinks he has in being stabbd in the dark.  I intend to write you more fully of these Matters at another Time.  At present I can only add a Request that you wd be so kind as to deliver the inclosd Letter to my Daughter and forward the other which is from my Servant to his Friends in Milton.  My dear Mrs A, I am informd is very unwell.

I am with the most friendly Regard to your Family,

very affectionately,

Yours,

To James Warren.

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

PHILAD Sept 12 1778

MY DEAR SIR

Your obliging Letter of the 25 of Augt by the Post came duly to my hand.  As you again mention Cap Manly, I will speak of him to you with Candor.  I never saw him but once, viz last Spring in Boston, till he came to this City.  I had preconceivd an opinion of his Bravery, in speaking of which you tell me “no Caution ought to be used,” though I have never yet been pointed to a single Instance of it.  I confess his Appearance in Boston did