Mr. Hare, a Brother of Mr Robert Hare,1 the Porter Brewer in this City is bound to Boston. He has boarded, Sometime in the Same House with me, and is very desirous of seeing the Town of Boston. He is travelling to Boston merely from the Curiosity of a Traveller, and meddles not with Politicks. He has an Inclination to see the public Buildings, your Church and the Chappell particularly. I Should be much obliged to you, if you would procure him the Sight of as many of the public Buildings in Town as you can conveniently.

Our Generals, I fear have made a Mistake in Retreating from Long Island. I fear they will retreat from the City of New York next. These are disagreable Events. I dont like these Measures. I wish there was more firmness. But let not these Things discourage. If they get Possession of New York, Long Island, and Staten Island—these are more Territory than their whole Army can defend—this Year. They must keep their Force together. The instant they divide it they are ruined. They cannot march into the Country, for before they get Ten Miles into the Country they are surrounded or their Retreat cutt off. They cannot go up the North River2 to any purpose—because, a few Months, will make Ice in it in which their Vessells cannot live. They must keep the most of their Ships in the Harbour of New York to defend their Army. I sometimes think, that Providence, against our own opinions and Inclinations has provided better for Us in this Instance than our own Wisdom would have done. Had the Enemies Fleet and Army been kept from Long Island, they must and would have made an Effort elsewhere for Winter Quarters. At Staten Island they could not have wintered. They must therefore have wintered at Boston, Rhode Island, or have gone to the Southward to Virginia, one of the Carolinas or Georgia, and either of these Cases would, perhaps have been worse, for Us. The Panick, which is Spread upon this occasion is weak and unmanly. It excites my shame, and Indignation. But it is wearing off. If our whole Army had been cutt to Pieces it would have been Shamefull to have been So intimidated, as some are or pretend to be. 12Congress I hope will Stand firm. I am, my dear Sir, in all Conditions of Affairs public and private, your Friend

It is in vain for me to think of telling you News, because you have direct Intelligence from Ticonderoga much sooner than I have, and from N. York sooner than I can transmit it to you.

Before this Time the Secretary1 has arrived, and will give you all the Information you can wish, concerning the State of Things here. Mr. G.2 got in the day before Yesterday, very well.

There has been a Change, in our Affairs at New York. What Effects it will produce I cant pretend to foretell. I confess, I do not clearly foresee. Lord Howe is surrounded with dissaffected American Machiavillians, Exiles from Boston and elsewhere, who are instigating him to mingle Art, with Force. He has sent Sullivan here, upon his Parol, with the most insidious, 'tho ridiculous Message, which you can conceive. It has put Us rather in a delicate Situation, and gives Us much Trouble.

Before this day, no doubt you have appointed, some other Persons to come here, and I shall embrace the first Opportunity, after our Affairs shall get into a more settled Train to return. It is high Time, for me, I assure you: yet I will not go, while the present Fermentation lasts, but Stay, and watch the Crisis, and like a good Phisician assist Nature in throwing off the morbific Matter.

The Bearer, Mr. Hare, is a Brother of the Gentleman of the Same Name, in this City, who has made himself So famous by introducing the Brewery of Porter, into America. He wants to see our Country, Harvard Colledge, the Town of Boston &c. If you can help him to such a sight, I should be glad. Cant you agree with him to erect a Brewery of Porter in Mass. Your Barly and Water too, are preferable to any here.

Upon the Receipt of yours and Mrs. Temples Letters,3 I communicated the Contents of them to Congress, who appointed a Committee to consider them, who reported that the Trees 13should be paid for as Wood. The President, I Suppose has communicated the Resolution upon it, which agrees with the Report. I should be glad to write Mrs. Temple on Account of this, but have not Time. You will be So good as to let her know it. I answered her Letter before her affair was determined.4