Letter from Colonel Huntington to Governour Trumbull

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Camp at Roxbury, January 14, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: I have your esteemed favour of the 8th instant, and would devoutly join in your petitions, that the hand of the Almighty, in His publick and private deal ings, may be properly and profitably attended to. God has, indeed, appeared for our land, contrary to all human reasoning. The principles and hopes of our enemies have failed them; the King' s speech, threatening as it is, yet betrays, in almost every sentence, the imbecility of his measures. The Ministry, it seems, have still a morbid majority. It will give the minority new spirits, that so eminent and respectable characters as the Duke of Grafton, General Conway, and Bishop of Peterborough, are added to their number. And, before this time, the King' s affairs in Canada will look with a dark aspect. Boston papers are, now a days, something of rarities. I enclose you one for your amusement; the lengthy address in it, animadverting on the address from our Head-Quarters to the soldiers, has inserted one sentence very erroneously. "Your officers tell you, (he says,) that men who are possessed of a vivacity," &c. The word "not," which is essential to the meaning of the sentence, is left out. As light as they make of the burning of two or three old houses at Charlestown, they have pulled down the three or four that escaped the flames. The troops in Boston were under arms all night. I have alighted upon some old proclamations in the house where I am. As they are old things, and the productions of eminent men, I have had thoughts of sending some of them to you.

Recruits come in slowly. The Regiments, on average, are not more than four hundred strong. We have, however, more men than arms. By brother David' s letter to the Major, the situation of affairs at New-York require immediate attention. That Colony has hitherto been, and I fear will forever be, a moth to us. I almost wish its capital was in ashes.

I send my love and duty to mother, brothers, and sisters, and a letter to son. I long to embrace the offspring of my dear companion. I implore the Divine mercy that he may, by his improvements and dutifulness, make some amends to his grand-parents for the loss of their lovely daughter. That he may be a blessing to his friends and the world; above all, that his name be written in Heaven. That you may experience much of the presence of the Father of lights, carrying you through the important business of your station, and have occasion to rejoice in the happy fruits of your care and labour.

I am, with all duty and affectionate regards, your bereaved son,

JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.