Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

[1780, Nov 4]

No letter by the Post Do not even a drunken one and very little
news has transpired this week -not the last communi=
cation between Portsmouth and us, Report says the enemy
are throwing up works there and I suppose they are but
I also think they are very much disappointed in their
foundations with respect to the success of Cornwalllis who
Which I believe is stopt in his career, reports from [torn]
are many and very favourable but as the most of these
want confirmation I shall defer the acco till next
Post__you may rest assured that affairs there have taken
A favourable turn.__ Gen Muhlenberg is now at
Suffolk with a considerable Army of Regulars, [A]
Militia who turn out in great numbers and with
great cheerfulness. For my part I think my situation
a safe one and I believe our friend at [Hood ]thinks
theirs the same__ I heard from there the first of the
week nothing new [Liddy was] still very ill very little
hopes I believe of her recovery. Expect a long letter next
week and I trust an agreeable one__Have you got the
brass tops for [Gitter's] Chair wheels or have you got
him the tea kettle.I plainly preserve our correpon=
=dence on the decline but so do you justice you have
done more than I had a right to expect considering your
lodgings__ Come here and let us see your face dont be
afraid there's no body here that will hurt you lets see
what a figure you've cut in your new Phasion and
your taste in Horse flesh __ dont be scared as prize horses
here well that are fine will fetch what you plan to ask
consider that Remus sold for 10,000 to [illegible] river Job.
To Davis complains of my ^[curry] Knives, I wish you could
procure some of your Fathers if he has declined the
business or there is a Patrick McClosky's widow
who had some good ones which she perhaps might
dispose of if you get them contrive them by land
as soon as possible__ But seriously dont you intend the
way soon__ Good Quarters here I can assure you __ Oysters
excellent, good wine & [Jamaica] Cider, Beer &c, &c, &c, &c
I have not heard of Purviance since I wrote you but sup=
pose his bounds is prescribed as they have taken Post as
Dart Stables and the great bridge

You'll naturally imagine that imported goods have
taken a rise since the Invasion and Tob^o fallen
I have not seen North or Astor lately but conclude from
my own knowledge that a waggon load of dry goods
wood and well at Richmond as the waggon & horses
might be sold at a good price but as I am not acquainted
with circumstances sufficient to recommend it leave it entirely
to your own consideration__ I am of oppinion that the
British will not stay longer at Portsmouth than to take
all the Beef and Pork which that part of the country af
ford for (as I said before) I think them disappointed in
first aim adieu I hope in my next to give you a good
account of Cornwallis and till then

Family well and sends peace and health to Poll

I have receiv'd yours to Ms lov of the 23^rd Oct. [Bots] begs youll not forget the search I wrote you for

Plume
1780

Joseph North Es^q.. Post Office
Philadelphia