anything against the voyage come here before that fatal day. If once she goes-You may sing My Daphne is lost, lost, lost ah lost to my view. As you were not acquainted with the Miss Taylors I believe my last did not mention anything about tht Wedding I assure King Street was alive. The Bride was dressed more Elegant than any I have yet seen. But pray what cd be the reason that you would not accompany Cousin Debby to visit Miss Wharton. The Gentlemen here upon tht occasion visit as much as the ladies, and the Wedding house at such times resembles a bee hive, Company perpetually flying in & out. I have just rec an Invitation to drink tea with Mrs Governor Clinton I wish you and Cousin Isaac were here to Escort me. I suppose Aunt Norris for your entertainment, on Christmas day, told you of the Slaying match that Mr. Houston in Second Street gave his Daughters. Dear Papa dear Papa do give us a Slaying-he at last consented told them to get ready and dress themselves warm Which they accordingly did and came running We are ready papa he ordered the Servants to have some burnt Wine against they came back. He desired them to step up stairs with him before they went as soon as they got into an Attick Chamber he threw up all the windows, and seated them in two old Arm Chairs and begun to Whip & Chirrup with all the Spirit of a slaying party. And after he had kept them long enough to be sufficiently Cold he took them down & cald for the Mulled Wine, and were all very glad to sit close to the fire and leave Slaying to those that were too Warm. Compliments of the Season to Cousin Isaac & yourself, and send you each a Cookey as you wont come here to eat them. I expect Kerney Wharton every moment which has made me write in great hast. I am &c. H. THOMSON Dec. 28-86. J. M's letter dated March 13th came safe to hand. I suppose ere this Jon forward in new York. has informed you of what is going As a certain Gentleman's Visits were often made to ladies that Mrs. T. has no acquaintance with, she can give but little acct of what passed among them. As to Miss Corsar I once had a glance of her at Mrs. Osgood's but question if I should know her again. I believe Jonathan saw her several times. One Mr. Otto was married last tuesday. Mrs. Otto recd visits thursday friday & Saturday in the usual manner. Coach got overturned in the Crowd Nobody in it. I must inform you that Crabs are Just coming in Season as they are thought to be a cure for a fever I wish you were in the way of eating some. Tell Jonathan he should have been here last Saturday to have seen the belles a la mode de N.Y, from the brides they came here in flocks. The shew of artificial flowers that adorned the room, must have affected his Optick nerves. My Correspondents must excuse my writing in pacquets. If I can collect material for one at a time, It is as much as I can accomplish. Adieu H. THOMSON March 19-87 New York March yo 2a 1788 After relating the adventures of my Winter Campaigne I think there will be no Occasion to apologize for this letter being dated in March. In the beginning of december I caught a violent cold which confined me better than six weeks. As soon as I got better C. T. was confined for some time, has not got quite clear of his cough . . . I am amazed to find by your letter that you are so late in adopting feaderal fashions. Covered buttons were worn by the patriots here last fall. C. T. has a suit almost worn out with cloth Buttons. As to the Capes I had them the last Winter at my tea parties, the hats are not much worn here. The Centinel you sent was published here a fort-night ago, since which we have had some Resolutions taken by your Wheel barrow Society and some Critisism, on Jacky's poetry. Yr transactions glided quick oer frozen rivers and beaten tracks of Snow. Respecting funerals this Winter has been very sickly scarce a day passes that the bell does not toll for some departed friend. We have lost Mrs. Otto. The Count and Marchiness arrived about a fortnight after her Interrment. The total change that their Arrival made in Mr. Otto's family deverted him from a gloom that her death had occasioned, and which is not allowable in fashionable Circles. They were I believe a very happy Couple. The Count has been announced as Minister Plenipotentiary from his most Christian Majesty to Congress. The Marchioness is in a very bad state of health. She is thought to be Consumtive. When I visited her she was confined in her bed. I left a card and expect to see her when she gets better & the weather warmer; her manners are affable, her dress plain for her station. In a tete a tete with a french Gentleman she said that if she had been born in America she thinks her disposition would have inclined to the Quaker principles to avoid the Ceremonies attending gay life. When I have the pleasure to see her I shall form my own Opinion of her according to the rules of Lavater. Marriages-Mr. Vanhorn & Miss Miller a private Wedding they see no Company. Nanny has taken a house opposite Lady Marys in Canvastown. You once had business in that part of the City. It is in more repute now than It was then, so says Nanny. My favorite preacher Mr. Wilson Is gone to settle at Charles town he had not his health here, being inclined to a consumption. The offer from there was advantageous & pleasing to him. I was in hopes that Nanny & he would have made a match, but he has chosen to spend his days with Cornelia. The young Marquis a Youth of 17 is violently smitten with lady Wheat. Miss Shaw her sister is to be married in May to Mr. Wilks a nephew of the famous Mr. Wilks of London he bears the Character of being a very Clever young man-Pray which of the Shippens sons Is a going into the neighborhood of Harriton. Where about is the farm that he goes to? C. T. joins in compliments In haste, H. T. I received a letter dated August 1st From J Mifflin—The alliance he mentions that is forming in Chesnut Street brings the following lines into my head: "That mighty power that form'd the Mind And blessed the new born pair. To seek them bodies here W, M. & A. E. The other alliance hinted at also makes me recollect these lines: How can the soft enchantment hold City tavern & Isaac Wharton's widow. Congress have not yet determined where the new Congress are to meet-The eastern States are for N. Y. & the southern States for Philadelphia. Neither side can get the 7th State at present, nor doth either side incline to give way. Our President keeps an open house, Lady Christinia has very large tea parties, there were seventy Gentlemen & Ladies counted at one of her Levee's and on one of the hottest days we have had. My best respects also C. T's attend Aunt Norris I cant help her opinion about the procession, but I know she is a Philadelphian and did not see ours. How unfortunate you were-for the very Saturday after your visit Cornelia made one of my Party. She was but four days a coming. The storm tht blew you away brought her here. "Ah cruel chance & crossing Fate." Please to make my Compliments to Cousins Isaac & Joseph.—I am &° H. THOMSON EFFECTS OF THE "NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT" IN PHILADELPHIA, 1769-1770. [The following extracts, selected from letters of Henry Drinker to his partner Abel James, who was in England on business for the firm, relate to the effects of the "Non-Importation Agreement" in Philadelphia, 1769-1770. The firm of James and Drinker, in addition to being importers of dry goods, did an extensive commission business, which aided them materially in obtaining full freights for their ships, of which they had several in the English trade. Few mercantile houses in the city made greater sacrifices than they by the "Non-Importation Agreement."-ED. PENNA. MAG.] 12 mo. 9, 1769.-" Our accounts by the October mail intimate that the Parliament will hardly meet till January, that American grievances will not be the first object, and that the duty will remain on Tea, which if so, will prevent a supply of goods in the Spring if our merchants keep firm to their Agreement, which I now doubt more than ever. Interest, all powerful Interest will bear down Patriotism. This I think will be verified in the Colonies ere long, should the Parliament be obstinate. Romans we are not as they were formerly, when they despised Riches and Grandeur, abode in extreme poverty and sacrificed every pleasant enjoyment for the love and service of their Country." 2 mo. 12, 1770.-"The accounts from England after the Parliament has proceeded to business will be expected here with great earnestness by many; their disposition as to the Colonies is indeed of great importance at this critical juncture. Should they determine to pass by us unnoticed, or what amounts to the same thing, grant us no relief in the burthens we complain of, then shall we see how far our publick spirit and patriotism will hold out. I rather apprehend it is but skin deep with a great many and principally with the fierce and violent, as they appeared to be at first setting out. Already do we see those making breaches in the Agreement |