of the town, a great many for near half a mile above us; still, I thought there was no danger of their coming out; perhaps they might take it into their heads to fire their cannon, and spoil our houses, but thought after the first shot or two we should have time to escape; but one night about 9 o'clock, there was news that the troops were coming out of town; my son came in and told his mother, he thought she had better get out of the way if she could:-it was very dark and muddy, and no horse to be got, they were all gone; so she was obliged to travel nearly a mile in the mud, which she had not done for seven years. After that, she said she could not go home again-she could not run away if there should be occasion. Afterward she was taken sick with a fever, and was nigh death, according to human appearance; but God had something more for her to do or suffer. Afterward Jonathan and I staid until they fired their cannon balls into a number of houses, and one into our store, and two more, one on each side. Since that, every few days they fire into Roxbury, and have shattered some of the houses very much. After we were driven away, we went just up by the middle meeting-house, and hired a store, and part of a house, so that we have as good accommodations as we can expect in these times. My son Jonathan is in very good business-he is settler for the army. We have many mercies to be thankful for, notwithstanding our afflictions. These troubles sometimes have altered the course

of the post-riders;-they can come no further than Cambridge. I have waited to write to you for a long time, and have been seeking for an opportunity, but this is the first.

I am glad to hear that any of your family are in health, and very sorry to hear of the indisposed state of dear little William and Charlotte. May God preserve them by his providence, and form them by His grace, to do special service for Him in the world.

I long to see you, and yours. Why cannot you come and see us when the weather grows a little cooler? 1 apprehend we are as safe as you are. We are out of the reach of their cannon. They are not about to come out; I believe they have paid pretty dear for their impudence. They had more than a thousand killed, and then five hundred wounded in the battle at Charlestown.

We are all as well as usual, and remember you, and yours, with love and great concern. Your most affectionate father, NATH'L. PATTEN.

Mrs. Ruth Patten.

TWO LETTERS FROM THE ELDEST BROTHER-AN INVALID.

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, May 2d, 1773.

My Very Dear Sister,—

Not a day passes, but you with yours, have your part in the warmest place in my heart.

I much long to hear from you, but more to enjoy an interview with you in some retired corner. I enjoy, through the goodness of my God, some measure of health, though I find no satisfaction to that degree as when I left Connecticut; since the returns of my disorders are more frequent, and my pains more severe, and my mind more subject to gloom.-What are the designs of my God to me, is a secret. I intended to have seen you this week, had I not received a line with some medicines from Dr. H., whereby I shall not hurry.

The affairs of the family are much as formerly. I find our parent wears the marks of age in his appearance, and a weight on his shoulders almost insupportable. I long to be able to take from him part of his burdens, as he finds but very little help. I conclude before this reaches you, you will have heard of the broken state of our dear sister Phelps, and her family, by the death of our worthy brother, the Colonel-a heavy breach, not only to the widow and the fatherless ones, but to the public, as he was just entering into a large and useful field in a civil life-but he is gone!

What, my sister, shall I do? where shall I go? and into what scenes shall I attempt to enter to serve my God, and the best interests of my fellow men? I could talk with you all night were I with you. I hope friends in Hartford are well.

1 suppose my father writes Mr. Patten, there

fore excuse only with love, and to the little ones as if mentioned by name, with compliments to all inquiring friends, and know me to be without a preamble,

Your affectionate brother,

Mrs Ruth Patten.

RALPH WHEeelock.

Dear Sister,

DARTMOUTH, May 15th, 1775.

I find an additional circumstance to my comfort of mind in my retired and secret devotion, that I have a sister so near and dear to me, with her little flock around, whom I can with só much pleasure remember, and hope desires ever to meet at the fountain head, without contradiction, or a mistrustful thought.

I wrote you by Esquire Curtis in great hurry, which I conclude you received, as I now do by Mr. Smith the bearer, a tutor of Dartmouth, of a modest, amiable disposition, who comes in haste on affairs of our father. The oeconomy of our country, and family, are much as they were when I first wrote. Our parent lives with a load daily on his shoulders, which at times, appears insupportable, and no earthly friend to unbosom himself to, as is most agreeable to his natural mind, though, I doubt not, he finds a leaning place at times--all is better. I have but little converse with the house more than a

stranger, and did I not at times find freedom in my nearest approach to the feet of mercy, it seems to me, my trials would be insupportable; but blessed be God, when earthly burdens are greatest, heavenly joys are sweetest. I believe something will yet appear in the plan of our God by and by to the world, now unthought of, though it is only a thought. How are your circumstances? and--I am yet undetermined where to set my stakes for life, but was that concluded many hinderances would arise. I wait on God. Give duty, love and compliments to all, as due, especially to some of our old Christian friends. Write me particularly by the bearer when he returns. I want to converse with you more than is proper to write. Remember me in your nearest and warmest approaches to the throne of grace, and believe me to be as ever—

Your affectionate brother,

RALPH WHEELock.

Mrs. Patten.

HARTFORD, June 5th, 1775.

What is it, my dear sister, that causes our profound silence? Is it carelessness or indolence or a scene of cares, or a want of love? I hope it is not the latter. I have felt myself reproved when I thought of your great trials-the loss of your two daughters, though my information was accidental. We live in a dying world however