Swan, James (1754-1830) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03471 Author/Creator: Swan, James (1754-1830) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26-28 February 1787 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 30.2 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy
Two parts. First part written 26 February 1787. Notes he missed the post at Hartford, Connecticut and only has time to write a quick note. Describes how long and difficult his journey has been, particularly for Mrs. Swan, and says he will never go by land again. Mentions that General [Benjamin] Lincoln will be in town, at which point Swan hopes to learn his future rank. Says he saw [Colonel David] Humphreys in Springfield, Massachusetts dressed "in all the extra elegance of Paris. Noted as written at Bruce's Leicester.
Second part dated 28 February 1787. Writes that he forgot to post this letter. Further describes his journey home, which seems to have worn out Mrs. Swan. Mentions again seeing Humphreys and Lincoln's expected arrival. Discusses the upcoming election for governor and the sentiments of the people. Notes [John] Hancock and [Benjamin] Lincoln seem to be principally talked of. Says the reason given was that Hancock and Lincoln were both military men, more so than "Bowdn" (referring to James Bowdoin) anyways. Describes a "lie" he heard regarding a Mr. "H" (possibly referring to Hancock) and a judge of the "Supreme Court" being supporters of Chayse [Shays' Rebellion?]. Says such lies will "distract us..." Ink is faded.
[draft]
My dear Sir
26 Feby 1787 - pm
Having missed the post at Hartford, & affraid of missing the next, & thereby incurring, at least, the censure of neglect, I have just time to say, that thus far we have got, on our way home, without any accident, of material note, happening. The worst & indeed only one has been, the cursed horses stoping the two first days at every high hill. After being [posted], and their ears well whipped they have done well ever since. Mrs Swan is realy wore out; - her health I am in hopes, will not be endanger'd by the fatigue; but if it was to do again, I would never go by land. Short days - the hard roads [strikeout] [inserted: leaving us] fast, a thousand difficulties & hardships, which a Lady is not fitted to bear, all urge a water journey in future.
Genl. Lincoln is to be in Town in a few days - when I shall learn my future rank. Humphrey's we saw in Springfield, dress'd in all the extra ellegance of Paris, of this & other things more when in Boston.
With all that heart can feel, and tongue express, Mrs. Swan joins me in to you & your good Lady & family - Ever I am sincerly
Your assured friend
James Swan
Mr Genl Knox
Dorchester Wedny. 28th. Feby. 87
After passing thro' Worchester, I again forgot to drop this Letter at the Post office, occasion'd by our being obliged, tho' in the evening to go on to Shrewsbury: the discharged troops filling all the Taverns. -
Last night we got home & found the family perfectly [2] well. The fatigue of the Journey, - the voice of the children, and the novelty & pleasure of our situation, quite overcame Mrs. Swan, & she is realy sick. Our Horses have perform'd wonderfully will, as the day we set out, could be called but half a one, & we passed most of friday at Mr. Broomes -
On Sunday we met Col. Humphries at Springfield. He was dressed most elegantly & I think a very polite genteel man. When men like him feel the importance of office and know how to maintain the dignity of it, - they not only do honor to themselves, but they also make the office respectable.
Genl Lincoln is expected in town in a few days as Maj. Cushing, [escorte] by young Newman & drove by Pease going to Springfield with money for the New levies, acquainted in Brookfield. This will save me making a sudden journey to the Westward. - I find [strikeout] that in the late commotions, I was at least misled in Dorchester and I find an infinite satisfaction in learning, that every one supposed my absence, as it realy was, to have been earlier than [inserted: the plan of] the late expedition was made public.
I found much amusement on traveling through this state, in collecting the sentiments of the people respecting the next choice of Govr. - Hancock & Lincoln, seem to be principally talk'd of. The reasons they give for it were, that both were Military men, & altho' H. was not so much so as yet both were more so than [Bowdn] - That a change of men, would probably bring about a change of measures - That an acting chief Magist. was better than a Counciling one - That money might be saved by it &c. - in short I found that friends of each party had been sowing seeds in favour of their patron, & the most vile calumny had been propagated against each by the other. At Shrewsbury I found a most villainous lie inserting itself [inserted: in the deepest impressions] on the minds of the yeomen & soldiery there [3] there present, that H & one of the judges of the Supreme Court were the principal supporters of Chayse. Falsehood so daringly asserted & so cautiously invented to ruin H's pretentions, must appear to all but the credulous the weak efforts of a weak party. To tack the Judge to H. carries more probabilities than if H. was alone - The design was doubtless to render it so without giving time to think of or harbor the monster, I damn'd the idea, & assured the whole assembly with which they appear'd satisfied, that there was not the least foundation for such a suspicion. Truth I will ever espouse altho' it shall opperate to the forwarding the man whom I do not so will esteem or another - I am afraid these parties will send still more to distract us - and that this Government will be [inserted: the] first - that falls [inserted: from] altho' it was the foremost in establishing the freedom & Independence of America.
Considering the load of business that [illegible] upon you; I ought to trouble you but seldom with my impertinents. The present you sought for - it is of friendship to tell you of our safe arrival Mrs. S. will write your Lady by next post to whom I beg to be presented with all respect & gratitude and to you I shall ever remain very sincerely
Dear Sir your [obliged] friend
James Swan
[address leaf]
The Honbl.
Major Genl. Knox
Secretary at War
New York
[docket]
James Swan Esqr. Dorchester
27 February, and 1st March
1787
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