ghter and confidences. At these gatherings
none was held in more affection than the young daughter of William and
Ann McCarty Ramsay. Where could a more charming letter be found than
this written by the hand of Martha Washington one hundred and
seventy-four years ago, within the sounds of the guns of Bunker Hill, to
Mistress Betty Ramsay:

Cambridge December the 30th 1775

Dear Miss

I now set down to tell you that I arrived hear safe, and our party
all well--we were fortunate in our time of setting out as the weather
proved fine all the time we were on the road--I did not reach Phila^d
till the tuesday after I left home, we were so attended and the
gentlemen so kind, that I am lade under obligations to them that I
shall not for get soon. I dont dout but you have seen the Figuer our
arrival made in the Philadelphia paper--and I left it in as great
pomp as if I had been a very great some body.

I have waited some days to collect something to tell, but allass
there is nothing but what you will find in the papers--every person
seems to be chearfull and happy hear--some days we hear a number of
Cannon and shells from Boston and Bunkers Hill, but it does not seem
to surprise any one but me; I confess I shuder everytime I hear the
sound of a gun--I have been to dinner with two of the Generals, Lee &
Putnam and I just took a look at pore Boston--& Charlestown--from
prospect Hill Charlestown has only a few chimneys standing in it,
there seems to be a number of very fine Buildings in Boston but God
knows how long they will stand; they are pulling up all the warfs for
fire wood--to me that never see any thing of war, the preparations
are very terable indead, but I endevor to keep my fears to my self as
well as I can.

Your Friends Mr Harrison & Henly are boath very well, and I think
they are fatter than they were when they came to the Camp--and Capt.
Baylor is a lusty man to what he was when you see him. The girls may
rest satisfied on Mr. Harrisons account for he seems two fond of his
country to give his heart to any but one of his Virginia Friends,
there are but two Young Laidis in Cambridge, and a very great number
of Gentlemen so you may guess how much is made of them--but neither
of them is pritty I think.

This is a beautyfull Country, and we had a very pleasant journey
through New england, and had the pleasure to f