Affections she has always bore you, and hopes for your excuse in droping a Corespondence with you1 which her very ill state of Health has prevented her many years from continuing with her nearest Fri[e]nds.

2

My Brother Chas. Pelham I had the pleasure of seeing this Morn'g. He and my other Fr[i]end[s] with him are well, except my sister Pelham, who has not yet entirely recovered from the violent Disorder with which she was some time ago attack'd but which I hope time will Eradicate. Requesting your Blessing and asking the favour of a line from you which be assured will much add to My Happyness, I conclude with wishing you health and every felicity. I am with regard Your very Dutifull Nephew and Humble Servt.

DEAR SIR,

Captain John Small to Copley

H. P.

Your father in Law Mr. Clarke told me you are at the Eve of Departure for England; and that Letters of Introduction would be agreable to you. I have therefore troubled you with the inclosed to a Gentleman whom without Partiality I can venture to say you'll find a most worthy Benevolent sensible Judicious regarder of Men of Merit.

I have only time to wish you a good passage and to assure [you] I am, Dr. Sir, Yours very Sincerly,

DANVERS near SALEM, June 9th, 1774.

JOHN SMALL.

1 Erased: "owing to trouble and Illness occasioned by the death of the dearest and most affectionate friend."

2 Erased: "renders very difficult and painfull to her."

Captain John Small to Alexander Small

DEAR BROTHER,

I left New York so suddenly I had no time to apprise you by the last Mail (I mean that of June) of my departure for this Country. I have at present every reason to suppose that my coming here will be of some Service to myself and of no loss to the Publick Service; my extensive acquaintance with the People of New England enables me to be so far of use, as to distinguish those who are well dispos'd, from those that are otherwise (and of course Enemies to their Country;) and I doubt not from the general appearance of Tranquility at present, that the Province from having been consider'd one of the Least; will soon appear one of the most Loyal, (and of course one of the most happy and flourishing) in America. I hope I shall soon be able to confirm this assertion and shall be truly happy if it can be in any shape in my poor power to contribute thereto.

I herewith beg leave to introduce and recommend to you a most ingenious and deserving native of this province, Mr. Copely the Gentleman I have frequently mention'd to you of so high merit and distinguish'd a Character as a portrait Painter. He is in my oppinion one of the first Geniouses of the Age; and as such I'm very sure you'll take great pleasure in protecting recommending and introducing him to People of Taste of knowledge and of Judgement of which your extensive and Valuable accquaintance and Friends chiefly consist.

Mr. Copely drew a portrait in Crayons, about six years ago; which you are now possess'd of. He has hardly us'd his Pencil where the Performance has not been universally admired; so that his own works will speak far more in his favour than any thing [that] can be said by, Dear Sir, Your most dutifull and affectionate Brother,

SALEM the residence of Genl. Gage, June 9th, 1774.

JOHN SMALL.

[Addressed:] To Alexander Small, Esquire, in Villars [Villiers]

Street York Buildings, in the Strand, London.

Through the Divine goodness I am now in safe at this place and shall take my departure for London where I hope to be to morrow, it being but one Days ride from this, it is not possable to have a better passage than I have had, the weither during the whole time being very moderate and winds fair except about six hours calm. Capt. Robson has been his whole life passing the seas and never knew any thing like it. however after 29 Days at Sea the land is a most greatfull sight. I was two Days very sea-sick, ever since which I have my health very well and I trust in the Mercys of God that it will be continued to me to yourself those dear little Babes (and our other friends) and that we shall long enjoy a happy union when this blank in life for I can call it no other is passed. in the mean time remember you cannot shew your love to me in a stronger manner than by takeing the utmost care of your own health. I am very ancious to hear from you how you all are, and what state the Town is in, and how Brother Harry has proced'd in my affairs. I hope my 1 Chamberlain Collection, F. 4.10, in the Boston Public Library.

Hon'd Mother did not take it hard: that I did not see her, or Brother or Sister Bromfield before I left em. I hope you have taken care to let them know how it happened that I did not. do let me know if my Dear Betsey missed me much. be very perticular when you write at all times. give her and the other dear babes a tender kiss for me and as soon as I can I shall send some pretty things to gratify them. give my Duty to my Dear Mother, love to Brother Harry, and love to Brother and Sister Bromfield, Couzin Nabby, Sally, Betsey, etc., and best respects comp'ts. Love etc. to all my friends as you shall judge fit and proper, To your Hon'd Pappa my Duty, love to Sister Lucy, Brother Isaac, when you shall have an oppertunity. if Brother and sister Startin are yet with you remember me to them in the Most Effectionate manner. My best Wishes ever accompany you, my Dearest life, and my prayers for your happiness health and safety shall at all times be offer[ed] up to the throne of Divine mercy for you and our Dear little ones, and trusting in Gods goodness that we shall not long be seperated I conclud with assureing you I will make the time as short as it is possable, and am My Dearest love forever most Effecly your tender and Loving Husband,

JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY.

I forgot to tell brother Harry when Mr. Startin came to town to see Mr. (I forget his name, he to whom the bill on Mr. Startin was sold to) and see if the overpluss money can be recoverd. he must well remember he took the Bill in Ster'g, purely as he said that I might not suffer by the Difference of Exchange, Guineas being at twenty one shillings. this he did to oblige me. the Bill Drawn on Mr. Mifflin was for fifty two pounds ten shillings sterling, and that shurely aught to admit of my Drawing for the same without loss.

DEAR BROTHER,

Copley to Henry Pelham 1

LONDON, July 11th, 1774.

I am now begining that corraspondance from which you will no doubt receive much pleasure, and altho you will not find much to entertain you in this first Letter, yet that defect will be amply supplyed by its giveing you certain intelligance of my safe arrival in this City after a most easy and safe passage, and that I am in perfect health. through the Divine goodness I have been so ever since I left Boston except two Days of sea sickness. I landed at Deal, not at Dover, as I informed Sukey in my first Letter, that Letter being wrote on board and left with the Capt. to send if he should find any Vessell in the River as he went up. at that time I was in expection of a boat from the shore, of which I was disappointed, and so saild in the ship to Deal where I landed and took a post Chaise and came to London through a most enchanting Country, of which no part of North America that I have seen can give you the least Idea of. my Post Chaise and Horses were as genteel as any Chariot that roals through your Streets, with a Postillon well Dress'd as any you have seen in the service of the first gentlemen of fortune with you. My living on the Road of the best kind, Double refined Shugar, best hison Tea, and all things in proportion. no gentleman with us has things better or more Genteelly served than is in all the Houses where I stoped to be met with, and this Journey of 72 Miles cost me but three Guineas, when with us the Carriage would have cost more money. Sunday Even'g I arrived at the New England Coffee House, and soon

1 An extract from a letter of the same date to Mrs. Copley is given in Amory, John Singleton Copley, 27.