Expresses regret that Adams's sons and grandson expended their time as their father and grandfather did "in Diplomatick Dulness, where Knaves find fortune and honest Men Ruin"; comments that an act printed in [Benjamin] Ede's [Boston] Gazette, 13 Nov. 1775, regarding fitting out armed vessels to defend the coast of America is one of the most important documents in world history and the beginning of the destruction of Britain's domination of the sea; comments on a loan that was subscribed by [David] Parish and [Stephen] Girard; responds to a question in Rush's letter [of 10 April, regarding the present war]: "The Liberty of the Ocean is the Pretext, but the Power of the Union The Object."; American Philosophical Society
Philadelphia. Dr. Priestley's experiment with fixed air; his observations thereon. Sending Franklin a pamphlet of his against the importation of negro slaves into Pennsylvania. Desires to see Franklin's treatise on colds; Dr. Cullen's observations on catarrhs and colds. Marriage of Rev. Mr. Coombe.
A personal letter from Julia Rush, in her family's estate Morven, to Benjamin Rush, in Philadelphia. Julia writes of her household and caregiving responsibilities, stating she “has her hands full I assure you.” Julia writes of her and Benjamin’s children's health, describing a home remedy she made to heal a toothache, and requests that Benjamin delegate some housekeeping chores in Philadelphia, giving him detailed instructions for this work such as pickling "morella" cherries. She also mentions the "adjournment of Congress” and spending an "afternoon in company with Mr. Jacob Read."
Requests that he find employment as a weaver for a dragoon who deserted from [Gen. John] Burgoyne's regiment; describes skirmishes with the British and remarks: "We are now. . . in a very, tolerable secure condition"; comments that the Americans' distresses seem to arise from "a total want of method and a little narrow dirty economy in all things relating to the Hospital and Quarter Master General departments" and complains about lack of teams, clothing, magazines, and an establishment for engineers; remarks that the resolutions of Congress regarding military affairs are "absurd, ridiculous and ruinous" and suggests that military men are needed in Congress; requests that Congress allow Lee to return to the Southern district; suggests that in the event of a British move toward Philadelphia, a corps of observation be stationed at Trenton, [N. J.] or at Bristol, [Pa.].; American Philosophical Society
Anthony Fothergill writes to an English physician, J. Woodforde, from Bath and Bristol in England and from Philadelphia. The letters concern their common interests in medicine, with comments on current events, American and Philadelphia society, and medicine in the United States.
Letter from Benjamin Rush to Richard Henry Lee. Mercer is improving after wounding at Princeton. More news of Princeton. "We are much blamed by the Whigs and ridiculed by the Tories for leaving Philada. so suddenly."; American Philosophical Society