Sewall, Jonathan, 1728-1796 to John Foxcroft

Letter written by Sewall as a Loyalist refugee in London to his Revolutionary friend Foxcroft in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A very witty letter throughout. Predicts the downfall of the American experiment. Writes in a mocking tone about "your high & mighty committees, as I suppose will be the case in your free & independent State." In order to protect Foxcroft from charges that he is corresponding with a Tory he writes that he has not received a line from him since August 31, 1774, except one innocuous one having to do with gowns shortly thereafter. In an ironic tone he says he cannot see how it could be against committees or congresses for him to take the "Oportunty of advising you that I am yet in the land of the living, tho' very probably they may all be offended at the Fact." Hopes he will not live to see the day when America is independent of Great Britain. Says he will mortify Foxcroft by telling him all his friends across the Atlantic are doing fine. Says the government is assisting the Tory refugees. Claims none of them have a "penumbra of a Doubt how the Game will end." Asks that if he has enough paper money would he pay Dr. Lee 30 pounds. Says he would like to "take one peep" at his house, but doubts he will ever know it again. Says he will not break his heart about it because "Every Dog, they say, has his Day, & I doubt not I shall have mine." Haughtily says "Ah, my old Friend, could you form a just Idea of the immense Wealth & power of the British Nation, you would tremble at the foolish Audacity of your pigmy States." Red wax seal partially extent. Small square of paper torn next to the seal.