I pray God keep you and yours. My Wife and Daughter join with me in Love and Respect to you and yours and the rest of our Relations. I am Yr Loving Brother, When you write again direct to me at Stratfordby Bow nigh London To Mrs. Mary Washington nigh the ffalls Rapp'k River Virg'a J. B. This Letter was furnished by Mr. R. W. Downman of Washington City, who is a descendant of Joseph Ball, and has his Letter Book. * I am indebted for a copy of this letter to Mr. Herbert Lathrop, of New York City, who is a most zealous and industrious delver in the field of history. In the Letter referred to he also speaks of the I roken colonels, and blames the conduct of the officers at Bunker Hill, observing, "I dare say the men would fight very well, (if properly officered), although they were exceedingly dirty and nasty people." These terms, though used in the English sense, are sufficiently disagreeable. There is little doubt but that Washington's opinion on these points was temporary, and that when discipline was applied the evils complained of were remedied. See the Letter in the Historical Record, II., 550. |