Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-06-12

letter was p0hteiy tn~arDe" 10 Us olA
gentleman Of Baltimore. and was found
among come old papers Of distinguished
lady Of Philadelphia, is 4 copy of a
letter from lady Of Philadelphia to q
British officer at Boston, written immedi.
ateIy after the battle OF Lexington, AID
previous to the Declaration Of lrdepeh-
ieoce-lt fully exhibits the feelings Of
those times. A iiner split never ahima-
ted the breasts Of the Roman Matrons,
than the following letter breathss:
Z CRichmoni Inquirer
SIR-we received letter from you
wherein you let Mr.. s. know that YOU
had written after the battle Of Le,irgtsn,
particularly to me-.knowing my martial
spirit-that I would delight to read the
exploits Of heroes, Surely, nv friend,
YOU must mean the New England heroes,
as they alone performed exploits worthy
he regulars, vastly superior
in numbers, were obliged to retreat with
a rapidi'y unequalIed, except BY the
French at the battle If Mindsn. Indeed
General Gage gives them their due praise
in his letter home where he says Lard
Percy was remarkable for his activity.
You will not, hope, take offence at any
expression that in the warmth Of my
heart should escape me, when s.s.re
yon that though We consider you as
public enemy, we regard you as privas
friend ; and while we datest the ause
you are fighting for, we wish well to y2lr
own personal interest and safety 1Gus
far by way Of apology. As to the mar
tal spirit gu suppose me to possess, you
are greatly mistaken, I trsmbe at the
thoughts Of war bst of all wars. a civil
one GU: all is at stake and We are
called upon by every tie hat is dear and
sacred to exert tie spirit that heaven has
given to US in this righteous struggle for
liberty.
will tell you what have done. Ny
only brother | have ent t. III" camp with
my ayers ard blessing l hope he will
not disgrace me am COT 6ient he will
behave with honor, and emulate the great
examples he has beIore him, AMI had
twenty soBs and brothers they should 20.
! have re.renched every supprfluous ex-
pense in my table and family; tea | have
not drank since last Chri.tm,s, ncr
bought new cap or gown since your de-
feat at Lexington, and what never did
before, have learnt t. knit and am now
making stockings OF American wool Ter
my servants, ami this way do ! throw in
IN, mite t. the public good. know this,
that as free can dir but once, but as a
slave l shall not be worthy Of life.
have the pleasure to assure you that these
are tie sentiments Of all my sister Anne
ricaus They have sacrificed both as
semblies, psfties Of pleasure, tea drink
lDg and firery to that great spirit OF pa
triotisnn, th.t actuates all ranks and de-
grees of people throughout this extensive
continent. IL these are the sentiments
IF females, what mus: glow in the breasts
IF our husbands, brothers and Sons
They are as with one heart determined
10 die or be free. 1t is not bubble in
politics, a science which few understand,
which we are contending for {: it is this
,lain truth. which the most ignorant pea
ant knows; and IS clear to the weakest
that no man has right to take
heir money without their consent. The
upposition is riaiculous and absurd, as
lone but highwAymen and robbes at
empt.-Can you, my friend, reconcile it
Nth your own good sense, that a body
4 men in Great Britain who have little
Intercourse with America, and Of course
NOW nothing Of US, nor are supposed to
ee or feel the misery they would infiics
Ipon US, shall Inv est themselves with q
'owsr to command our lives and proper.
les, at oil tunes and in all cases whatso-
veri You say you are no politician
} sir, it requires no machiavelean head
o develope this, and to discover this ty-
amy and oppression 1t is written with
sunbeam. Every one will see and
now il because it will make them feel,
nd we shall be unworthy Of the blessings
4 Heaven, it we ever submit to il.
All ranks VI men amongst US are in
ms Nothing is heard now in our
ireet, but the trumpet and dun and
he universal cry is Americans to
rms" All your friends are officers;
here are captain s. u. lieut.. B. and cap.
ain s. We have five regiments in the
;ity and county Of Philadelphia, COM
'letc in arms and uniform. and very ey-
,ert in their military MAJ euyrcs. We
rave companies Of light horse, light in.
antry, grenadiers, rifemen, and Indians,
'everal companies Of artillery. and 'ome
excellent brass cannon and field pieces:
Add to this, that every county in Penn
'ylvania and the Delaware can send two