Mercy Otis Warren: Selected Letters

30. To James Warren, [September] 15, [1776]

which follow are in the will of a higher power, where they are cheerfully left by your Affectionate mother M Warren mwp1 1. Note in Letterbook draft reads, “The learned and excellent Dr. Jo Winthrop.” This note and the paragraph to which it refers suggest another date for this letter, much earlier than 1776. In December 1773, Harvard president Samuel Locke suddenly resigned when he revealed he had fathered an illegitimate child. John Winthrop served as interim president until the appointment of Samuel Langdon in 1774. If that in fact is the event to which mow refers, then either this version of a 1776 letter has been augmented by paragraphs from other, earlier letters or the Letterbook date is inaccurate and should be December 1773 or January 1774. 30 to james warren [In early 1776, with the patriot headquarters at Watertown, Massachusetts, James Warren served as Paymaster General for the Continental Army. After the patriots put Boston under siege, the British departed in March. jw resigned the paymaster post in April, but in May was appointed as a major general of the Massachusetts Militia. With the British forces reassembling for an assault on New York, jw, still ill from a smallpox inoculation, faced the possibility of being ordered to command Massachusetts forces on a campaign to New York. He did not end up going to New York, but this letter and events around it reveal a pattern in the lives of the Warrens: Mercy’s fears for her husband’s safety and absence and James’s reluctance to hold offices or public positions when they did not suit him.] Sunday [September] 15 [1776] How earnestly did I Ever Intreat my Dear mr Warren not to accept of an Appointment which my Intruding[?] Head Intimates would Involve me in the Depths of Distress. With my Eyes now swimming in tears do I Recollect How many Honorable, how many profitable & how many useful to james warren, september 1776
77 Employments you have Refused & accepted of this one which when Ever it was Named was as a Dagger in my Bosom. But I will not Reproach you. You feel Enough. Enough for your self & Enough for me. For if you march to N york In your feeble state I do not imagine you can have much Expectation of Returning. You Can Never Endure a Winters Campaign. If the sword should spare, I must [??] with you & take my Lodgment in the Neighbourhood of the Camp. I hardly know what I write. Is it Fate? No. I must not call it by that Name. No, it is providence which has destined me this affliction too much for my fortitude[?] too much for my strength. Yet Heaven Can support under the keenest sorrows[?]. But I feel at present as if I should sink only under the Weight of my fears. Sunday Evening 10 clock. The above wrote in my first Agitation of Mind after Gill brought me the Report that you had thoughts of taking the Command of the troops Destined for N york. It was just before Dinner—I could not Eat, I could not go Even to the House of public Worship in the afternoon. I Retired to my Chamber & after a few tears & a Little Reflection I almost perswauded myself of the Improbability of your Leaving this province. Under all Circumstances your [??] & Capacity in the Legislative will do more service to your Country in that Department than your Military Abilities can. As in the Camp[?] did your Health permit I have no doubt of your being Distinguished in Either. I hope for a Letter tomorrow & thereby to know your Determination. I will Endeavour to Learn submission to the Designation of Heaven, but when Contrary to my Wishes oh! How involuntary the Resignation. I have been in fine spirits ever since my Return from Boston & had Resolved to be chearful in Compliance with your Requests in spite of a thousand [??] accidents to which we are Liable. But I fear there is an End to my Resolution. Monday Evening This Morning Received yours by mr Goodwin which has not only Relieved my mind but Given me pleasure. I am always Happy when the time draws Nigh for your Return to your very Affectionate Mercy Warren Coll Freeman[?]1 has Called on me for this so must not Detain Him. mwp2, rc 78
to james warren, september 1776 1. Colonel Nathaniel Freeman headed a Continental...