Boston 30th July 1778
Dear Sir,
I receivd the highest Pleasure last Evning by receiving your Letter dated at Philadelphia, may you ever enjoy your Possessions in Peace & Quiet, & hope the Advantages that may arise to you from a free & unembarrass'd Commerce will soon compensate for the Damages you sustain'd by the Loss of your Buildings, it was unlucky ye Invoices of ye 3 Cargoes1 were so long kept from you, as the Goods have been & are still greatly wanted in the Army, but as yet I've heard nothing from the Board of War, respecting them,2 the Queen of France3 is now in my Charge, as Capt. Green will inform you. I shall strictly comply with your Orders respecting the Salt. Mr Warren4 was possest of those Circumstances by Capt. Green.... I rejoice you are again joining Congress am much obliged by the many Favours already conferd by you, and dont wish to receive any more after I abate my utmost Exertions to merit them. The Henrietta is ready to obey your Orders; should be glad to know if Capt. Brown5 is to go on Her—Mr Hancock6 with Mr Hudson arriv'd here last Saturday Sunday Ive been so busy that my Interview with him has been but short as yet, but to Day we dine together—yours &.
J B
LB, DLC, John Bradford Letter Books, vol. 2, pp. 151–52. Addressed at top: “Honbl Robert Morris Esqr." The sentence not printed refers to the death of an unidentified friend.
1. That is, the cargos of the ship Henrietta, ship Three Friends, and Continental Navy frigate Queen of France.
2. Bradford had written Morris on 23 July expressing concern that he had still not received instructions on how to dispose of the cargo of ship Henrietta. He stated that "frequent & large Demands are made for Goods belonging to the Public, & the Army have really suffer'd for Want of them, but I'm not Authoriz'd to deliver them." John Bradford Letter Books, vol. 2, p. 151.
3. Continental Navy frigate Queen of France, formerly commanded by Capt. John Green, Continental Navy.
4. James Warren, member of the Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Department.
5. Patrick Brown, former master of ship Henrietta.
6. John Hancock, who had obtained a leave of absence from the Continental Congress on 9 July to return home.
