Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01342

Author/Creator: Peirce, Joseph (1745-1828)

Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 28 January 1782

Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 31 x 20 cm.

Summary of Content: Discusses the Excise Act and the response of New England Towns and ports. Mentions problems with currency and payments, and argues, ”Our Legislative & Executive Bodies seem to be by far too large for so young a State - they swallow up an immense Sum of money, which might be better approximated to pay the army.” Comments on local merchant vessels and mentions he has received word about the vessel Knox’s brother William is on. Congratulates Knox and his wife on the birth of their son, and adds that since his own last letter Mrs. Peirce has had a baby boy as well, and that both are healthy.

People: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806., Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828., Knox, Lucy Flucker, ca. 1756-1824.

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Full Transcript: [draft], Boston Jany: 20 1782, My good Friend, , I embrace the first oppy. after recovering from a severe fit of sickness which lasted about Six weeks - to acknowledge the rect. of Your several letters of 14 & 20 Novr. & 7 Inst. you ask me ”whether their is a prospect that the State will pay off the March notes when due,” I wish I could say I thought there was, the various modes adopted to raise money fails the [struck: public] Governmt in almost every Instance - The Excise Act passed last Session, but caused much murmg in many of the Country Towns, & in some of the Sea Ports, their representatives have retd. to this Session, (which has just begun,) with instructions to use their influence to obtain a repeal, it has not yet been debated - To the honor of the Town of Boston (that will pay of the excise much more than all the Towns that have [intrusted] to obtain a repeal, no murmering is heard, it is a good [struck: symtom] symptom, when in these cases the Capital Towns are firm - , Our Legislative & Executive Bodies seem to be by far too large for so young a State - they swallow up [struck: an] immense Sum of money, which might be better appropriated to pay the Army, - The scarcity of money is greater now [inserted: by far] than it has been known to be since paper ceased - , I have the pleasure to inform you that a Vessel from France has arriv’d at Providence [2] [struck: that I] and brot. Answeres to Letters to [Mr Thos] Russell, which went in The frigate with your brother. they must have arriv’d 23 or 24 days - this must give you pleasure - With respect [strikeout] to the position I have not as yet been able to [Committ propers persons] upon it. I shall do it the first oppy. - The whole eastern Country is contaminated, from Penobscot, Goods of all sorts are pourd into them & then smug[inserted: g]led to the Sea Ports - the sweets of which they Taste and indeed do better than they did before the war [inserted: this Trade camp is off much of our Cash] - Perhaps if that [port] should be broken up next Spring, it may have a good effect - , By directions from my brother John I have applied many times in the Cours of four or five months to the Committee for [illegible] with the Army - to settle for him, but the Committee have As often told me, that it Cannot be done till returns are made by the [Conl] they have wrote & sent to him repeatedly, but neither answer nor return is yet recd. [struck: to the injury of] to the great injury of those concern’d - that is the only Regt. of all the Massachst. Troops, that is in this situation - ’tis pity for his own reputation, that he does not make returns, - people will have their say - upon these occasions - [strikeout] the officers being injured by it, it will lessen that respect & harmony which ought always to be cultivated - [strikeout] This [struck: is] in confidence, [strikeout] [3], I congratulate you and Mrs. Knox on the addition of another fine boy, and at the same time have the pleasure to inform you that since my last Letter Mrs Peirce has presented me with a fine boy. She and the Child are both very well. - , I am very respectfully - , Your friend & Servt, Joseph Peirce, , Br Genl Knox, , [address], Brigr. General Knox, post) Philadelphia, , [docket], From Mr Joseph Peirce, 28 January 1782

Keywords/Subjects: Revolutionary War, Military History, Taxes or Taxation, Government & Civics, Law, Coins & Currency, Finance, Economics, Soldiers’ Pay, Continental Army, Merchants & Trade, Commerce, Maritime, Travel, Children & family, Women’s History, Health & Medical

Sub Era: The War for Independence