McClure, David (1748-1820) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00110 Author/Creator: McClure, David (1748-1820) Place Written: Portsmouth, New Hampshire Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 December 1773 Pagination: 3p. +addr.+docket. 21 cm. x 16.6 cm. Order a Copy
Expresses his pleasure regarding their friendship, his shock over Mr. Morehead's death, his fears that Morehead's death will cause divisions in the congregation for which he served as minister. Tells of his current living situation with the Reverend Dr. Langdon, and his studies in divinity. Discusses a recent town meeting in which few Tories attended, commenting that "The chief talk here is Liberty, property & no Duty on Tea." Expresses happiness in hearing that those in Boston "appear in their Resolve respect the detested Tea." M'Clure had recently returned from service as missionary to the Delaware Indians in a town on the Muskingum River in Ohio (see GLC02437.00086). M'Clure spells his name Maccluer.
[draft]
Portsmouth Decr. 23d. 1773. -
My dear Sir,
Our long friendship & old Connexions will never let me be idle when I have an Oppty of writing You & I'm glad it is so for the mind never as Mr. Addison observes unbends itself so agreeably as in Conversation with a friend, & Letters You know were invented to supply the defect of absence - And Letter writing is not only an agreeable Amusement but when I write my friend I expect an Answer. -
I was going to tell you about myself & to let you know the where, the how, the when & the what of my existance, but sometimes when I feel something down in the Mire I think it's of no importance where I am & what I am, And that
"Where he's gone & how he fares
"No body knows - & nobody cares," will do very well for my Motto -
[2] I was not a little surprised at the News of Mr. Moorhead's Death, tho' from his infirmities & advanced Age we could not think his life would be lengthened out much longer, But alass! he is no more! His Death affected me, because I had always reason to consider him as my spiritual father & kind Benefactor from whom I have experienced many favours & kindness & whose Memory will be dear to me even to the latest period of my life. In him the dear Church have lost a faithful Pastor & zealous Minister of our Lord Jesus Christ & where will they find his place supplied? May the head of his Church more than supply the loss! -
What I most fear is that Divisions will take place in the Congregation which is too commonly the Case on the death of a pastor. - My situation is very agreeable I make my home at the Revd Dr Langdon's & am under very good advantages to pursue my favorite Study, that of Divinity. - The chief talk here is Liberty, property & no Duty on Tea - their town meeting here last week was crowded & I was agreeably disappointed to find so few Tories among them - They are very good Sons of Liberty here when they get once warmly engaged. -
I am very glad to find the Bostonians have [3] so much Virtue & Resolution as appears in their Resolves respectg. the detested Tea. -
When I shall have the pleasure dear Sir, of seeing your well known friendly face again I know not, but I hope not long first . - Let me hear from You the first Conveyance. I am dear Sir,
Your old friend
very heartily
David Macclure
Mr H. Knox
[address leaf]
To
Mr. Henry Knox
Boston
[docket]
Mr David Macclure
Portmt Dec 22 1773
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