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When you write again you will let me know if you have heard from Mr Temple. My regards to your amiable daughters any of whom I shall be glad to see at my house. I am unfeignedly your friend M Warren mwp1 1. Note in Letterbook draft reads, “Burnt by the British.” 2. James Bowdoin (1726–90), Massachusetts patriot, and his wife, Elizabeth Erving Bowdoin (1731–1809). Their daughter Elizabeth (1750–1809) had married John Temple (1732–98), later Sir John, who was Harriet Temple’s brother-in-law and a customs officer in Boston before the war. 22 to catharine sawbridge macaulay Plimouth N.E. August 24, 1775 At A time when all Europe is Interested in the Fate of America you will forgive me Dear Madam if I lay Asside the Ceremony usually observed where there is no Attachment that Arises either from Affection or Esteem, & again call of your Attention when I have Not been Assured of the Welcome Reception of my Last. In that I hinted that the sword was half Drawn from the scabbard. Soon after which this people were obliged to unsheath it to Repel the Violence offered to Individuals, & the Insolence of an Attempt to seize the private property of the subjects of the king of England, And thereby put it out of their power to Defend themselves against the corrupt Ministers of His Court. You have Doubtless Madam been Apprized of the Consequences of this Hostile Movement which compeled the Americans to fly to arms in Defence of all that is held dear & sacred among Mankind. And the public papers as well as private accounts have Witnessed to the Bravery of the peasants of Lexington & the spirit of Freedom Breath’d from the Inhabitants of the surrounding Villages. You have been told of the Distresses of the people of Boston, And the shamful violation of faith which will leave a stain on the Memory of A certain general officer so long as the obligations of Honour & Truth are held sacred among Men.1 He often sporting with the Miseries of the Wretched suffering till Famine & pestilence began to 58  to catharine macaulay, august 1775 Rage in the city, permited the Most of them to Depart leaving their Effects behind & to quit their Elegant & convenient Habitations in the Capital & fly Naked into the Hospitable arms of their Brethren in the Country. And the Conflagration of Charlstown will undoubtedly Reach Each British Ear before this comes to your Hand. Such instances of Wanton Barbarity have been seldom practiced even among the Most Rude & uncivilized Nations. The ties of Gratitude which were Broken through by the kings troops in this Base translation greatly Enhances their guilt. It was the inhabitants of that town who prompted by Humanity generously opened their doors to the routed Corps on the Nineteenth of April, & poured Balm into the Wounds of the Exhausted & dying soldiers after their precipitant Retreat. Had they observed a Different Conduct on that Memorable day, Had they Assisted in cuting off Ld. Percy’s retreat, it Might not have been in the power of General Gage to have Wraped that town in Flames & Driven out the Miserable Inhabitants the prey of poverty & Despair.2 But a particular Detail of the sufferings of the Massachusets you will have from other Hands. I shall therfore only give a short Account of the present situation of American affairs. In the environs of Boston We have a well Appointed Brave & High spirited Continental Army consisting of about twenty two thousand Men, commanded by the Accomplished George Washington Esq A Gentleman of one of the first Fortunes in America. A man whose Military Abilities & public & private Virtues place Him in the first class of the Good & Brave & one really of so High a stamp as to do Honour to Human Nature. This army is to be occasionally Recruited & to be supported & paid at the expense of the United Colonies of America. And were Britain powerful & Infatuated Enough to find out a power sufficiant to cut of[f] to a Man this little resolute army, less than the compass of a week would Exhibit in the Feild Thrice their Numbers Ready to Avenge the stroke & to call down the justice of Heaven on the Destroyers of the peace, Liberty & Happiness of Mankind. In compliance with the Recommendation of the Continental Congress, the Massachusets have at last Reassumed the powers of government. The provincial Congress sent out A writ for calling a House of Representatives & Agreable to the Charter of Wm & Mary they proceeded...

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