Salem. I have amused myself for some hours past with viewing 4 fine prints I bought yesterday at Vendue. 3 of them please me very much. they are the portraits of Lady Middleton, half length, after Sir P. Lely; the Dutches of Ancaster, whole length, after Hudson; and Lady Campbell, the duke of Argyle's Daughter, whole leng[th], after Ramsay. all three good impression[s] from McArdells plates.1 There is a Report in Town that the Rebels have mett with a consider'ble defeat at Quebeck, that their general Montgomery with 200 of his Men are killed, and that Coll. Arnold with 300 more are prisoners. This report seem[s] generally believ[e]d. We hope soon to hear of you[r] and Mr. Clarkes arrival in E. be kind eno to present My Mamas and my respectfull Compli[ments] to him. my kindest Love and good wi[s]hes attend you, my Sister, and the young family. I wish you to remember that in Boston you have a sincerely affectionate Brother, who thanks you for all your favours and is your very hum. Sert. Henry Pelham to [Henry Bromfield, Jr.] H. P. BOSTON, Feb. 4, [1776.] the2 design of this is to invite you to meet me at the lines on Tuesd[ay] the 20th. Some things of a domestick kind I wish a Conferenc[e] upon. The Friends[h]ip that Subsists between us I hope will be a stimulus in your part as it will be on mine to let nothing but unavoidable accidents disapo[i]nt the pleasure I anticipate. in this Interview. Should you be prevented on that day come the Tuesday Following: I wish you would come down with my Brother Pelham I have wrote to him desiring it, but 1 James MacArdell (1729?-1765). 2 Erased: "I have the generals leave to meet." for fear my Letter should not come to his hands I beg you to write him a line as soon as you receive this acqua[i]nting him with its contents, and my earnest desire to see him. Your Friends are all will. Give my kind Love to the Ladys and believe me to be with sincere affection my Dear Fr[i]end, your very hum sert. HENRY PELHAM. Henry Bromfield, Jr. to Henry Pelham MY DEAR FRIEND, Your Letter of 27th Decem'r I did not receive till my Return from Eastward abo't a Fortnight past: I believe I need not assure you it mett with a most cordial Reception. The Sensations it produced are not easy to be described; let your own Feelings declare them. It serv'd to recall to my Imagination the pleasing past; when surrounded by the sweet Circle of Peace, blest with the Smiles of Lenient Heaven, we enjoy'd the Social Converse of Relations, Connections and Friends, which temper'd the Business of the Day, and while it tended to our mutual Comfort and Pleasure, rendered even the Fatigues of it agreable. How happy then our Lot. None could be more so. But, Alas! How chang'd is the Scene. The Reflection on our past Happiness serves but to make the Sense of our present Deprivation the more painful. Hapless Boston I often see at a Distance, but am at a Loss to call a Neighbour and take a friendly Walk. How different was our Situation at our last Meeting from what we can each recollect, on that very Spot, where, engag'd in friendly Intercourse, our Feet have often Stray'd. Our Interview was very short, and from the Contents of your last Letter, which came to Hand since, I have Reason to think you did not communicate all you intended. I shall apply for Leave to accompany the next Flag, in Hopes of meeting my Father. Shall be happy to meet you again before you embark. The Motive you are pleas'd to ascribe to me is really flattering, which I will overlook, considering it was dictated by the Partiality of a Friend. Mr. Babcock's Acco't with the Order on him I left sometime ago with Mr. Webb of Wethersfield; whether he has recd the Money he has not yet acquainted me, but I expect to hear from him Soon. The Letter you mention as inclos'd I have not Seen. The Post Master assures me it is forwarded to New Haven. I have desir'd my Father to pay you £10.12.8 Lawf. My., being the Amo't of Sale of your Horse and Carriage. I wish it was more, but is the most I could obtain. Letters from my Uncle in London, as late as 2d Novr. mention Mrs. Copley being still with him; that her little Family had pass'd thro' the small pox; and they were all well. From his Saying nothing of Mr. Copley I conclude he was not arriv'd there. The Ladies are well and beg their Compliments. Please to make mine to such as enquire after me, and should I be disapointed of the Happiness of Seeing my Father, present my Duty to him and my Mother. O! How moving is it to be so near and yet debarr'd so great a Pleasure. Surely this Separation of Friends is to be deplor❜d as the greatest Misery of these most distressing Times. Favor them with as much of your Company as your Convenience will admit of: it was always priz'd, and I know will be particularly now. I trust a Separation of our Persons will never tend to lessen our mutual Regard, and assure you, that whatever my Situation be, I am most Sincerely and affectionately your's HENRY BROMFIELD, JUN. ANDOVER, Feby. 25th, 1776. DEAR SIR, Dr. Henry Caner1 to Copley [No date.] I am surprized that what Rubens says of Da Vinci's peice should incline you to think of that in my Possession as incompatible with his Description. I confess it has further confirm'd me in the opinion that it can be no other than the Production of that great Master. If it be allow'd that Rubens and Webb are describing the same Peice, I do not see how this Conclusion can be avoided, since Rubens's description is fairly reconcileable, and Webb's is undeniably particular. In the present Peice our Saviour is in the midst, as free and unencumber'd as the truth of the history will admit; His attitude is grave; his Arms quite free, one of them easily extended, the other hand lightly resting upon the Shoulder of the beloved Disciple. The Apostles have suitable places assigned them, and appear agitated agreeable to the Occasion. I fancy if you and I were to consult the Peice together once more with Rubens's and Webb's Description before us, we should not only concurr in Opinion, but pronounce in favour of this Peice as the Production of da Vinci. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant, FRIDAY IO O'Clock. H. CANER. 1 Dr. Caner was rector of King's Chapel, 1747-1776. Do all Prople to whom there presenting hall Come дале Know ye that I Itonry Potter meriting Know ainter have constituted and appor teef Honey Bromfield Esoft of Borton aforesa tive and lawful Maincy for to be in my any Morney me and Name and tomy and track demand sue for for recover and receive and on Receipts. thins of give discharges for all sums of Money Bobts Accounts Reckonings, Claims and demands of every nature and kind where of I or Action in the afforemen have cause tioned Province and suit in Law Equity for recovering there of to commenced and persure said Attorney, to ap point thorny, and Substitutes under time And I hereby coomant to Ratify and confirm whatever he my sand attorney shall do or Thave here unto came to be done in the Primises by Patie |