Your very interesting Letter of last week in which you mention the departure of your dear Caroline, with so much affectionate regret, is a pleasing evidence of her intrinsick worth.—I hope she has comfortably reached her Home, & is seated by her worthy Partner in their own Mansion, kindly welcomed to the arms of a fond Mother, where she may safely repose without fear of molestation, or dread of an hostile Foe, & rapacious Plunderer—

Mr Peabody has been concerned for his Son, at Buckstown, to day he has received a long letter from him, giving a particular account as he could collect, of the conduct, & movments of the british naval, & land Forces—by which he, as well as others, have lost their property, I am thankful not quite their all—But the tender mercies of a victorious conquering Enemy, are indeed cruelty—

The shameful ravages made at Bangor, & Castine, must be an everlasting Blot upon the character of the british Offi[cers]—who did not prevent their wanton Destruction Poor Mr Combs Servants they beat unmercifully because, I suppose they hesitated obeying the Orders of their new Lords—Capt. Peabody was one of the commitee to go to Castine, to know what the Designs & feelings of the Commanding Officers were towards <the> Buckstown—He found they had just sent on there for provision to be made for the reception, & accommodation of their General Officers, &c—They tarried one Day & night, & returned—much pleased with penobscot river, & the very pleasant villages—They were so polite as to take only two merino Bucks, from Six, & destroyed but one of his small vessels!!!—But he says, no one that did not see, can conceive of the alarm & agitation into which all were thrown—“Some of our Officers, & soldiers were cowards, & scroundels,”—just as they were at Washington—

We all feel more, than it is proper for us to express—& I am sorry I have written a word of this unpleasant Subject—<for> It is hard knowing where to stop, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speak”—

I hope Mrs Greenleaf has heard from her Brother, I pity the dear Lads, who I know must both be extremely anxious for their family, & fathers property, which I fear is greatly impaired by the ravages of the Enemy—

I was glad to hear from William Cranch, that he had obtained the desired Object, of being receivd a member of Cambridge University—I think he will a respectable member of Society—& so will Richard—but not eminent in the classicks—

Sep. 27th. I thank you my dear Sister, for your kind invitation, & if nothing prevents I hope to see you at Quincy some time next week—Mr Peabody would be glad to visit you, but he is so infirm in his Limbs that I believe Abby will stay at home, & take care of the family with him—I do not love to go without her because she is my Ears—I hate to ask any one to repeat—but I dare not repine, for <I have> many mercies— / are bestowed upon your affectionate Sister