LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS. 95
since. You earnestly request my writing you by every Post, at which time you did not consider the embarrassments we are under in town,' and that a letter cannot pass without being liable to the inspection of both parties, unless by water. I wrote you by Breck, as well as by Mr. Prince, which letters I presume you have received, [f my brother can get a pass to go out, shall give him this to forward, it' possible, without inspection. Its hard to stay coop'd up here and teed upon .-alt provissions, more especially without one's wife, Bill, but at the same time would not wish to have her here under the present disagreable circumstances — though I find an absolute necessity to be here myself, as the soldiery think they have a license to plunder every one's house and Store who leaves the town, of which they have given convincing proofs already — And the wanton destruction of property at the late fire, makes the duty, in my mind, more incumbent on me.
We have now and then a carcase offer'd for sale in the market, which formerly we would not have pick'dup in the street ; but bad as it i-, it readily sells for eight pence Lawful money per lb., and a quarter of lamb when it makes its appearance, which is rarely once a week, sells for a dollar, weighing only three or three and a half pounds. To such shifts has the necessity of the times drove us; wood not scarcely to be got at twenty two shillings a cord. Was it not for a triffle of salt provissions that we have, 'twould be impossible for us to live. Pork and beans one day, and beans and pork another, and fish when we can catch it. Am necessitated to submit to such living or risque the little all I have in the world, which consists in my stock of goods and furniture to the amount of between two and three thousand ster- ling, as its said without scruple that those who leave the town, forfeit all the effects they leave behind. AVhether they hold it up as only a means to detain people or not, I cant say — but in regard to Blaves their actions have been consistent with the doctrine, however absurd — It has so far avail'd as to influence many to stay, who would otherways have gone.
April 11///. Nothing but a continual round of company has pre- vented my writing you before this, but one of your liberal principal-, am pers waded, will not only forgive the neglect, but rejoice in our de- liverance, as well as sympathize with us in all the difficulties we have gone through. Nor are my anxieties yet at an end. Your favor of the 26th ult. by express, concludes Ruthy u> be with me before this, but you undoubtedly will be surpriz'd, that after above three weeks liberation, I am still without her, and all owing to the unkindness of
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