benefactions, they endure the most severe trials with a manly fortitude, which disappoints and perplexes our common enemies. While a great continent is thus anxious for them, and administering to their relief, they can smile with contempt at the feeble efforts of the British administration to force them to submit to tyranny, by depriving them of the usual means of subsistence. The people of this province behold with indignation a lawless army posted in their capital, with the professed design to over turn their free constitution. They restrain their just resentment, in hopes that the most happy effects will result from the united applications of the colonies for their relief.

May heaven grant that the counsels of our sovereign may be guided by wisdom, that the liberties of America may be established, and harmony be restored between the subjects in Britain and her colonies.

I am, Sir,

Your sincere friend,

And fellow countryman,

SAMUEL ADAMS.

P. S. The committee have a prospect of negociating this matter with a friend in Philadelphia. George Read, Esquire.

On the first of August, 1774, Mr. Read was elected by the general assembly of Delaware, together with Cæsar Rodney, and Thomas M'Kean, Esquires, to represent that state in the American congress, which met in the month of September, in Philadelphia. Mr. Read represented the state of Delaware in congress during the whole revolutionary war, excepting a short interval, when, by virtue of his office of vice president, he acted as her chief magistrate, in consequence of the capture of president M'Kinley immediately after the battle of Brandywine.

In the year 1775, the decisive appeal to arms was made. While Mr. Read, in conjunction with the sages of congress, was giving tone and direction to the ardour of our armies, two of his family were asserting the liberty of their country in the field;-colonel Read, who was lately gathered to his fathers in a venerable old age; and colonel, afterwards general, Thomson, who had married the sister of Mrs. Read. The following letter from general Thomson, who, at the head of the first rifle regiment raised in Pennsylvania, joined the American army besieging Boston, indicates the sprightly courage of the Irishman, while it exhibits, in pleasing characters, the naivete of the soldier:

Camp on Prospect Hill, Sept. 19th, 1775.

DEAR BROTHER,

I would have written to you before this time, but was prevented by being very much hurried when I first came here, and I knew you had accounts at large every day from people here, who had much more time to write.

I am fixed at present on the most beautiful spot of ground in the world, as I can see from the door of my tent, all our well regulated army, from Roxbury to Winter Hill, and at the same time look down on the enemies of our country, confined within the narrow bounds of Boston and Bunker Hill; and further you may depend they shall not pass, had they lord North and all the troops in the pay of Great Britain to assist them.

Our troops are well supplied, and in high spirits, and long much to come to action, but I am doubtful we shall have but little to do in the fighting way in this quarter, this campaign.

I am very happy in all my commanding officers. I always had a high esteem for the commander-inchief, and higher now than ever. I am every day more pleased with general Lee; our country owes much to him, and happy we are that a man of his great knowledge assists in the command of our army.

They have appointed me the second colonel in the continental army; and colonel Fry, who is the first, does the duty of brigadier-general, so that if my friends take care for me, I may soon be promoted in the continental or provincial congress. There are a great many colonels in the family;do make me a general.

All the news is cannonading and a few bombs:the most harmless sport in life:-indeed, I have seen more mischief done by throwing the same number of snow-balls; but, don't tell cousin Gurney so, for if you do he will bring over the poor devils he killed in Germany last war, to show that people have been put to death by cannons in other parts of the world, though the Americans are proof against them.

Let me hear from you: my best compliments wait on Mrs. Read, your dear little ones, and all friends, and believe me, dear George,

Your very affectionate brother,

WILLIAM THOMSON. (a)

The momentous subject of independence, which occupied the attention of congress early in 1776, did not prevent Mr. Read from taking an active part in the affairs of his state. Whenever it was (a) See note A.

practicable to leave with propriety his post in congress, he repaired to Delaware, not to enjoy in the bosom of his family the repose he so much needed, and a respite from his patriotic toils, but to employ his talents and his influence wherever they could prove most serviceable to the state. The American senator did not disdain the duties of a member of the committee of safety, and, in the year 1775, he shouldered his musket in the ranks of the militia, refusing the highest commission, which he was urged to accept.

In the month of May, 1776, Mr. Read was one among the multitude of his fellow-citizens who witnessed the attack made by the row-gallies upon the Roebuck and Liverpool frigates, off the mouth of Christiana creek: the following letter contains some particulars of that affair:

Wilmington, Friday, May 10th, 1776.

GENTLEMEN,

The enclosed letter came to hand this evening, by the person employed to take the two hundred pounds of lead to Lewistown, sent by brigadier M'Kinley, upon the requisition of colonel Moore, which you have seen.

The committee of safety have thought it highly necessary that you should be acquainted with the

VOL. IV.G