Bridgewater, Oct 10, 1814--
Dear Father--
I send this by Mr. E. Richards1 who has been on a visit to his friends here. The Militia are now about to return from Plymouth and New-Bedford except 200 from the latter-- The number at the former of these places was about 1000--at the latter very considerably less although much the most important place and much the most exposed. I have not however been able to learn the exact number. They were called out upon a representation of Gen. Goodwin of this division--an inhabitant of Plymouth--to the Governor who gave him permission accordingly to order out as many of the militia from his division as he saw fit. The Legislature have now taken the subject into consideration and an order is issued for their recall. It is rumoured today that they will not return to their homes but will be marched to New-Bedford as thirteen sail of vessels were said to have been seen there the latter part of last week, and a large party of the enemy on shore [on] some of the islands exercising, under arms. How this is I do not know. I was not called upon to go to Plymouth, but I was almost ashamed to stay at home when every body else was gone. I was however not a little comforted by the reflection in which I believe most people concurred with me that the place was in no danger, and that the detachment was entirely unnecessary, and therefore I might as well stay as go.-- Politics begin to effervesce here a little. People are afraid of paper money--afraid of exorbitant taxes &c. &c.-- Democracy is still as obstinate, and inclined to justify its Leaders as ever. I suppose you in Hampshire County begin to wax warm by this time-- The fact is, there is more party-feeling--more party union in your part of the country than here. You are more a newspaper-reading people--and let the Hampshire Gazette but give the word--which is generally a faithful echo of some leading federal print--and every federalist in the county has his cue, and knows what to think. It is like the polypus taking its colour from every thing it devours, and imparting the same tinge to its young. 2 Here (if this parish affords a fair specimen of the habits and feelings of the people in this part of the state) the case is different--one takes the Centinel, one the Messenger, one the Boston Gazette, while by far the greater part take no paper at all-- 3 The consequence is, that one is very warm another very moderate, and another is in doubt how to be-- I heard the other day from my Grandfather and his family--they are well-- I have not seen Mr. Porter nor any body else from your quarter except Miss D Lazell-- 4 It is but once in a century that I get an apple here and that is such as you would not give to your hogs.-- I have been obliged to speak for a pair of shoes-- It does not require a longer time for my shoes to get their eyes
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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: The Letters of William Cullen Bryant.
Volume: 1.
Contributors: William Cullen Bryant II - Editor, Thomas G. Voss - Editor, William Cullen Bryant - Author.
Publisher: Fordham University Press.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 1975.
Page number: 39.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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