Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 11, October 1 1778-January 31 1779
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Josiah Bartlett to To: Mary Bartlett


My Dear
Philadelphia October 10th 1778

   This will be Sent to you by Colo Folsom by whom I Recd yours of the l9th ulto. I wrote you the 5th Inst. by the post but it is likely you may receive this before that Comes to your hand for I find my letters to you by the post are near a month old when you Receive them for the most part. I Believe I Shall Set out for home the first Week in next month and hope to See you by the 20th. But if General Whipple Should come here alone I may be Detained here till the 15th or 20th of the month but I am Determined to Return home as soon as I Can with propriety after the month of November comes in.(1)

   The weather here is now uncommonly warm for the Season but it is not likely it will hold So long. I am in pretty good health. Charles Chace is well & is at work at his trade and talks he is willing to tarry here over the winter. I make no Doubt you will take Care to order some wood be procured for you by Carting before winter



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   Sets in, and if necessary hire David Sanborn to tarry with you till my Return in order to prepare for winter.

   It is very probable I Shall not write to you more than twice more from this City.

   I have no news to Send you. Remember me to all Enquiring friends & particularly to David Sanborn. Remember my Love to all the Children and accept for the Same your Self from yours,

    Josiah Bartlett

   [P.S.] I have sent a small pamphlet by Colo Folsom.


Note: RC (NhHi: Watt Collection).

1 William Whipple explained his plans for attending Congress in the following letter to Bartlett of October 13, 1778.

   "In my last I told you I had some thoughts of taking a seat in Congress. I have since come to a determination to set out about the 20th inst and hope to be with you by the first of Nov. If anything shod happen to prevent my joining you so soon as I expect, I hope you will not leave Philadelphia as soon as you talk of. A week or two will make no great difference in the traveling. I do not understand that I am to have any company as those Gent who were chosen to go with me have all declined. The Genl. Court sets in about two weeks when I suppose some body will be chosen. I must intreat you not to leave Philadelphia till I arrive." C.C. Jones' Signers of the Declaration Collection, NNPM.