[Communicated by Mr. Wm. C. Lane, Librarian of Harvard]
(These two letters from Mrs. Delany—Geo. III’s “Dear Mrs. Delany”—were addressed to Capt. Henry Hamilton, who, in the autumn of 1778, had led the English expedition from Detroit which, by way of the Maumee and the Wabash, reached Fort St. Vincent (Vincennes) and surprised and captured it.
The post was soon after surprised and recaptured by the Americans under Capt. George Rogers Clark, and Hamilton was carried a prisoner to Williamsburg, Va. He remained in captivity eighteen months under very harsh conditions, until sent on parole to New York in October, 1780. An exchange of prisoners was arranged in March, 1781, and Hamilton reached England in June of the same year.
In 1782 he was again in Canada, and on November 15, 1784, when Haldimand left Quebec for England, he succeeded him as governor. The next summer he was recalled. He was Governor of Bermuda 1788–94, and Governor of Dominica from 1794 till his death in 1797.
Hamilton’s memoirs and the journal of his expedition from Detroit are in the Harvard University Library, and will be printed in book form.—W. C. L.)
St. James Place [London] 7 Feby. 1781.
Dear Sr:
Being offer’d a safe conveyance for my letter, I cannot resist the opportunity of congratulating you, on your enlargement from your Horrible Dungeon; you are too just, and generous to your Friends, not to have felt their anguish on your Sufferings, and fear, it was no small aggravation to them. My exquisite Friend the Duchess Dowr of Portland, took every precaution to conceal, what she with real concern, had heard was your situation, and during the rigor of it, I was ignorant of what must have griev’d me very much, as I cannot without shuddering recollect the inhuman treatment you have met with; most heartily I wish you at perfect Liberty, among your Friends here; tho it may be presumption in me, to have any expectation, of sharing the joy such an event would give them; and shou’d not be surpriz’d, if you started at my well known hand (tho somewhat the worse for the wear) supposing it a letter rather from the Dead, than the living; but, it has pleas’d God to Lengthen my Days to an age which commonly is attended with Labour & Sorrow; of the latter I have had some share of the most grievous kind that of surviving many Dear and Valuable Friends; but as I trust they are infinitely happier than I can possibly be on this turbulent spot, that consoles me and my spirits are still sufficient to enable me to enjoy my remaining Blessings; among the Number, The Honourable Station yr Excellent Brother Sackville possesses, the high esteem he is in with every Body that can distinguish merit & his Domestick and social Happiness must gladden the heart of all that know him; I say no more of the rest of yr familly as I suppose you have better intelligence from them; my last accts. were satisfactory of all. The Death of our ingenious Friend and most excellent woman Mrs. Hamn of Summer Hill had been so long expected from the severity of a long illness that her release was rather to be wished tho her loss must be lamented. I have felt much for her good Daughter who I fear has not so cordial a Friend in her Brother as she truly deserves; her Mother has taken care to leave her in comfortable and independent circumstanse. Your constant Friend Mrs Sandford has supported a very delicate state of health, marvellously, and gone thus far with great success in the Education of her 4 fine Sons; she has been very unhappy abt you as she heard how inhumanly yu had been treated—I know if she was at my Elbow I shou’d be charged with her affectionate complimts and wishes to her old Friend Harry, and think if you were to meet you wou’d still recollect your old Friend Pooney.
And now it might become me to apologize for so long a letter; but that would be meer ceremony for I know your good heart too well not to suppose even so imperfect an account of your Friends will be welcome, I therefore add before I conclude, that my three Nephews are well tho not all Happy, my Bror Dewes died last summer and has left his Eldest Son in good circumstances,—my Nephew Bernd was the Happiest of Men till deprived some months ago of a most amiable wife; my 3d Nephew has not a wish to make being the Husband of an agreeable worthy wife settled to their hearts’ content at Calwich. My Niece Mrs Port mother of 6 Children and consequently full of Parental anxieties but well in health—you see by trespassing so much on your Friendp how confident I am of it—will you hazard a letter to me? if waves and wind are favourable I may receive it—please God,—before my 82d year is compleated; and, if not by that time superannuated, it will give sincere pleasure to Dear Sr
Your affectionate Friend