Scence I have been in England I have been in Mr. Bromfields Family, where I have Meet with the greatest frindship, and should have been very happy, was it not for my great uneasyness for my absent Friends. as to England you must not expect from me any accou[nt] of it at present, for my thoughts are so intent uppon America that at times I can scarcely realize my Self to be out of it. I have not had the least inclination to Vissit any of the publick places of Entertainment. you will think me much wanting in taste, but I expect a double pleasure in seeing what may fall to my lot, when Mr. Copley returns. Mr. and Mrs. West's Servilitys called me to return a Visit to them. I was much entertained with his works, which are very great and must have cost him much Study and labor. I shall omit giveing you any particuler account, as I hope before long you will have an oppertunity of Viewing them your Self. the Americans Muster very thick in England. Mr. Vassall and Family, and Mr. Thomas Brattel, Mr. Geair,1 arive'd here last week; and we hear Captain Foldger is to bring a Hundred passengers, but cannot learn who they are. I shall be happy to have my Friends amongst the Number. I hope to find our Mama and you have altered your resolution.

[Sept.] 21 Scence writeing the above, I have receiv'd your Letter of the 19 of Aut: to Mr. Copley, with one from my Papa and Sister Lucy. every account increases my distress. I pray Heaven to prepair me for all events. I am much disapointed to find my Friends had not ditermind to leave a Country which is involved in the greatest Miserys, but think before this they must have ditermind to leave it. I have not the least Thought that this Letter will meet you or any of my Friends in Boston. I pray God to direct you to those Measures which will be for

1 Geyer.

your Safty. I am very anxious for my poor Babe, but am happy it is under the care of those who will do the best for it. I desire to be resind to the all wise will of the great disposeer of all things, neither to dispise his chastenings, nor to faint when I am rebuke'd of him.

Through the goodness of God there has been a plentifull Hearvest in England, and every kind of thing that can be sent, will be, to the releaf of those who are sufering in a Land of plenty for want of the comforts of Life.

Should this meet you and any of my Friends with you, please to remember me to them with tender Affection, and let them know that my self and Children are well. Should I find they remain in America, which I much hope they will not, I shall write to them soon. pray present my Duty to our Mama, and except of my best wishes for your Happyness, and beleave me to be your Affectinate Sister

SUSANNA COPLEY.

PS the inclosed letters are all I have received from Mr. Copley scence my arival. he mentions haveing Sent a large packet by Mr. Izard, but I have not seen it.

Henry Pelham to Copley

MY DEAR BROTHER,

BOSTON, Octr. 10, 1775.

The Secretary's politeness affords me an Oppertunity of writing a few Lines, which I hope will meet you happyly situated agreable to your most sanguine Wishes once more in London. Every Day affords fresh instances and adds distressing confirmation of the inconstancy of Fortune, of the uncertainty of Life, and the Vanity of all worldly prospects. The variagated Callamities with which this life is checkered, forces the mind

to look forward to another and teaches us to adore that Almighty Being, whose unbounded Goodness assures us of an happy Immortallity, being the certain Reward of a Life of integrity and Virtue. The distressing Circumstances of this Country; The perticular Situation I am now in, The Abscence of many very worthy and dear Friends, and the diminution by Death of the very few that remaind, make me feel very unhappy. The recent and unexpected Death of Miss Lucy Clarke, is what I much deplore, as she was a very valuable and worthy Friend, whose conversation I always found as sensible, as her Behaviour was polite and Friendly: I most sincerely condole with you and Mrs. Copley upon this Event. Her real worth, Benevolence and Piety, as they attracted the Respect and Esteem of her Friends while Living, will ever endear her Memory to them now Dead. I have lost another very agreable Acquaintance in young Lady Pepperell, who died this Morng of a Bilious Fever, after a severe illness of 3 Weeks.1 I find myself extreemly perplexed. I am entirely at a loss to know what to Do. The Total Stoppage of Buisness forbids ny remaining here, and how to leave the place I dont know. My hon'd Mother not inclining to undertake a Voyage and to leave her in so very disagreable a Situation would make me very uneasy. I now much want your advice, but the Distance precludes me that advantage. I am unfortunate in having but few friends here who are sufficiently informed to give me that advice which would regulate my Motions. It is now a twelve month since I have done any Buisness worth nameing. What Money I had oweing to me I cant get a farthing off, and what Buisness I had in hand the Cruelty of the times has rendered unprofitable.

1 Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Royall. Stark, Loyalists of Massachusetts, 208, states that she died on the passage to London.

It requires the full exertion of all my Philosophy, to support my Spirits under the many Disapointments I have experienced for near two Years past. I then fondly flattered myself (from my Buisness which at that time began to increase) that I should be enabled at some future Period, to avow with Reputation and Propriety, a tender attachment for one of the most lovely and amiable of my Female Friends. An Honorable and sincere Affection for female Virtue and Accomplishments is what never can justly raise a Blush in any Face. Sure I am you'll think it need not in mine, when I mention Miss Sally Bromfield as the Object of my highest Esteem and Regard.1

As it was ever my intention to act agreable to the strictest Rules of Justice and Honour, I have hitherto kept this a Secret in my own Breast, thinking it totally unbecoming a generous Mind, under such circumstances as mine, to disturb a Lady's repose by soliciting a Return of that Regard and attention which my present situation forbids me to expect. To a Brother's sympathiszing Friendship do I now first trust this Secret. of my Soul. I should not now have done it had I not wanted that advice which your good Judgement and knowledge of the World so well quallifies you to give, and the many and Continued Marks I have experienced of your kindness and disinterested Friendship, prompts me to ask. The Confusions which commenced upon the fatal Era of the Tea's arrival, at once blasted all my fondest hopes. I at once saw all my prospects vanish, and then first felt the corroding Anguish of Disapointment.2 My Sperits sunk and I found myself obliged to take a 1 Sarah Bromfield (1757-1831) married Eliphalet Pearson in 1786. She was daughter of Henry and Margaret (Fayerweather) Bromfield.

2 First draft: "Foreseeing that if one spark of British Spir[i]t Still an[i]mated the Councills of the Nation she would resent the Outrage and insult offer'd her Laws and Commerce, my Spir[i]ts sunk, etc."

journey to recover my health, which a constant Succession of new Scenes, with a change of Air and Exercise by the blessing of Heaven, in a few months effected. Soon after my Return from Philadelphia, increasing Buisness, again flattered my ardent Wishes. But Alass! a few Weeks soon cut short my glimmering prospect and entirely dissipated every remaining Hope. Those events which I long foresaw have taken place and Civil War with all its Horrors, Now blasts every tender Connection, every Social Tie upon which the happyness of mankind so materially depends. We are now unhappyly a float in one common Ruin1 and have only left us the Mortifying Remembrance, of those halcyon days of ease and peace, which we now in vain, wish to reinjoy. From this State of my mind you will be the better enabled to direct my future destination. I propose remaining here this Winter in hopes you will favour me with your early advice, as that delivered with freedom, will greatly determine my Conduct. I congratulate you and Mrs. Copley, upon her safe arrival with my dear little Fri[e]nds in London, My hon'd Mamma joins me in this and in tender Regards and good Wishes for you my Sister and the little Family. I cant conclude without expressing my uneasiness at your long Silence. when I returned from the southward near a year ago I rec'd 8 Letters which had arrived during my absence; since which I have not had a line from you. I speak sincerely when I say this long Silence hurts me much. Your affectionate Conduct forbids my thinking it any want of Regard. Upon the strictest Review I cant find the cause originateing in myself, Nor yet can I attribute it to the accidental loss of Letters, as 8 in six Months and none in twelve hold no possable proportion.

1 First draft: "The Ambition of some and the intemperate and misguided Zeal of others has most unhappyly overwhelm'd us in one common Ruin.”