1775: "When We Shall Return to Our Habitation in Boston"

Samuel Adams wrote to his wife, Elizabeth Wells Adams, commenting on her residences in Massachusetts during the Siege of Boston and his hopes as he served in the Second Continental Congress. 

Spelling is original; a few apostrophes added for clarity of spelling. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 7th 1775

My Dear

My last Letter to you I sent by young McGowen Brown who left this place about a fortnight ago. I know not how many I have written. I wish you would send me the Dates of those you have receiv'd, in your next.

My Son informs me in a late Letter, that you were about removing to little Cambridge. I am exceedingly pleas'd with it, because I am sure you could not be comfortable in your house at Dedham in the cold Season. When we shall return to our Habitation in Boston, if ever, is uncertain. The Barbarity of our Enemies in the Desolations they have wantonly made at Falmouth and elsewhere, is a Presage of what will probably befall that Town which has so long endur'd the Rage of a merciless Tyrant. It has disgrac'd  the Name of Britain, and added to the Character of the Ministry, another indelible Mark of Infamy. We must be content to suffer the Loss of all things in this Life, rather than tamely surrender the publick Liberty. The Eyes of the People of Britain seem to be fast closed; if they should ever be opened they will rejoyce, and thank the Americans for resisting a Tyranny which is manifestly intended to overwhelm them and the whole British Empire. Righteous Heaven will surely smile on a Cause so righteous as ours is, and our Country, if it does its Duty will see an End to its Oppressions. Whether I shall live to rejoice with the Friends of Liberty and Virtue, my fellow Laboreres in the Common Cause, is a Matter of no Consequence. I will endeavor by God's Assistance, to act my little part well—to approve my self to Him, and trust every thing which concerns me to his all-gracious Providence.

The Newspapers will give you an Account of the Surrender of the Garrison at Fort Chambly to Major Brown of Massachusetts. The Colors of the 7th Regiment weretaken there and were brought to the Congress on Fryday last.

I wrote to my Daughter not long ago. I hope she has receiv'd the Letter. Remember me to her and to Sister Polly and all the other Friends.

You will believe, my dear Betsy, without the Formality of my repeating it to you, that I am, most affectionately, 

Your[s],

[Samuel Adams]

Source:

Samuel Adams, edited by Harry Alonzo Cushing, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Volume III, 1774-1777 (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907), page 239-240.