![[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] LOVELL, James (1737-1814), Continental Congressman (Mass.). Autograph letter signed (“Js. Lovell”), to unidentified, 2 September [1777]. 4 pages, 4to.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/NYR/2015_NYR_12436_0247_000(revolutionary_war_lovell_james_continental_congressman_autograph_lette054956).jpg?w=1)
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[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] LOVELL, James (1737-1814), Continental Congressman (Mass.). Autograph letter signed (“Js. Lovell”), to unidentified, 2 September [1777]. 4 pages, 4to.
“SOME WERE BEGOTTEN BY THEIR PARENTS FOR SECONDARY PLACES”
A jaundiced view from Congress of the military and political situation in Philadelphia under Howe’s threatening advance, and outrage at the high costs of living in the wartime capital. “Now our main Army is got to the Southward of Philadelphia you will more than ever expect news from me,” Lovell writes. “But all in this city are as much unconcerned about war as if Howe was at Black Heath.” Lovell himself seems more put out by the bill handed him by his landlady, “a religious, pious good Body,” for £63.5. “I must really live on rotgut Beer. Wine being 12 & 14 Dollars per Gallon…will give some idea of this cursed city, flowing with paper money as every Chap who has two grains of capacity has some employment of the Continent and the lame and the Blind are maintained as city guards by the United States.” About Gen. John Sullivan’s recent raid into Staten Island, Lovell says the “affair was conducted in a wrong headed way. Some were begotten by their parents for secondary places.” Turning to financial matters he says, “Negotiable certificates are still sought after by the Junto but I think we are too string for them. Bills of interest on France will be as good to the loan holder at 12 or 15 per cent; but I think we are bound to draw for 6 per cent at par as we have ordered Spanish and paper to hold equality, tho they will not mind our orders…”
“SOME WERE BEGOTTEN BY THEIR PARENTS FOR SECONDARY PLACES”
A jaundiced view from Congress of the military and political situation in Philadelphia under Howe’s threatening advance, and outrage at the high costs of living in the wartime capital. “Now our main Army is got to the Southward of Philadelphia you will more than ever expect news from me,” Lovell writes. “But all in this city are as much unconcerned about war as if Howe was at Black Heath.” Lovell himself seems more put out by the bill handed him by his landlady, “a religious, pious good Body,” for £63.5. “I must really live on rotgut Beer. Wine being 12 & 14 Dollars per Gallon…will give some idea of this cursed city, flowing with paper money as every Chap who has two grains of capacity has some employment of the Continent and the lame and the Blind are maintained as city guards by the United States.” About Gen. John Sullivan’s recent raid into Staten Island, Lovell says the “affair was conducted in a wrong headed way. Some were begotten by their parents for secondary places.” Turning to financial matters he says, “Negotiable certificates are still sought after by the Junto but I think we are too string for them. Bills of interest on France will be as good to the loan holder at 12 or 15 per cent; but I think we are bound to draw for 6 per cent at par as we have ordered Spanish and paper to hold equality, tho they will not mind our orders…”