193 John Leverett to Stephen Sewall

    Cambridge, Apr. 14, 1719.

    Dear Sir

    Yours of the 9th Instant came to safe hands. I never could concieve that a Testimony from the person that gave it could in the least shock your Charity, though pretended to be ocular. Had you had any Early Surmize of any thing ill of your Lady the Long Experience of so untarnish a Vertue, would have erased it. And I never feared that so known a lyar as has raised a Story at once (I beleive by the immediate inspiration of the Devil, at the moment she vented it) would make any the least impression in your mind. I will assure you, though the mentioning such a thing might have occasioned a sort of chillness in most, yet it raised in me nothing less then a sort of Joyfull reflection on the most innocent friendship and freedom that ever I had with any person that I ever [conspired?] with for such indeed has bin mine with your Lady, from the first time that I ever Spake to her. And realy, this was not the first time I have entertained myself with so pleasing a reflection, though none with greater thankfullness to heaven then this last occasion by this flash from the bottomless pit. We will endeavour to cry unto the lord, and with hope that he will in due time hear us, when we do cry, Deliver our Souls from Lying Lips, o Lord, and from a decietfull tongue. It may be we shall see some time or other the answer of those Enquirys, what shal be given unto thee? or what shalbe don unto thee, thou fals tongue? Sharp arrows of the Mighty with Coals of Juniper. I never felt the truth of the Poet more effectually then I did upon the hearing of what that poor deserted of all truth had said—Hic murus aheneus esto. Nil conscire sibi, nulla fallescere culpa.1

    I shall take the first opportunity to advise with your Son upon the operations of the approaching Campain, as the Military Hector the other day stiled it to the observation and Animadversion of som of the Judges of the Superiour Court at Charlestown.

    Goffe returned the last Week, but keeps close to avoid a warrant from Mr. Justice Fulham, taken out upon a poor fellows having sworn the peace against him; wherein he is commanded to find suretys for the peace. The Undersheriff has bin sundry times at his house to take him, but he can’t find him at home. Though he has bin at Boston twice since his return, the last time he went down, it is supposed he rid through the Neck to Charlestown, that he might not be stopped by the officer in the Town. He says he understands the Officer has a Warrant for him, but he gives out he shall not take him. If the Sheriff had your Writ of Review, perhaps in Serving that he might take the opportunity of Executing the Warrant too.

    I thank you for your good Wishes and hope they will take effect. I think the Gentleman has the root of the matter in him. And I hope in due time will give a view of some ancient [Countenancies] and Vertues that have in our remembrance bin conspicuous.

    I delivered your Letter to Mr. Bordman, and I hope by and by to do the like to Major Bond, whom I expect in Town this afternoon, if the Weather don’t privent him.

    The news of the King of Spain’s death mention’d in yesterdays Boston News Letter wants confirmation, and no persons of [Correspondence] do respect it. And so all speculation upon such an event ought to be suspended. King Georges Proclamation of War seems in the Language and spirit of it to breath something extraordinary. Ulrica Queen of Sweden (she was sister to the late King, and Consort of the Prince of Hess-Cassel) has ordered all the English and Dutch vessels seized by his Late Brothers Order, to be dismissed and the Resident of the States General is admitted to Court.

    You will distribute my Service as you know proper, and be always assured that I am

    Sir Your honest friend and humble Servant J. Leverett.

    John Leverett Papers. RC.