½ after 10.

An Extraordinary Gazette is this instant crying about,

I have been & got it. It contains nothing but an account

of our taking peaceable possession of Rhode Island where

we took a few Cannon & Prisoners. The Continental Fleet

as it was called which lay there is not taken, but seems

to be impounded.

IB. Jan y 22 d 1777.

Thursday 23 d

Thus far I wrote yesterday, not doubting but you would have it before

now. I ran over to Wilson with the Gazette, & after having written the an

above left it with him to get put into the post. He gave the commission

to Molly. "Between two stools" (says the proverb, "the breech falleth to the

ground. So fared it with me between Wilson & his Molly - She never heard

the Bellman.

This post brought me a letter from M rs W. none from M r W.

I know not how the course of the post is, perhaps the letter I sent him

on Saturday night did not reach him time enough for me to have an

answer from him so soon. I wrote to him by the post on purpose, & got

the letter directed by Wilson,- that not choosing to put it into the packet

for fear M rs W. should expect to see it, and be uneasy at his not shewing

it her.

M rs W.'s letter contains the following passage; which is all that is very

material in it.

"Mr Guy has made us a visit of 2 days. His pride would n't

" submitt to come to the house till he had seen M r W. at a tavern:

"whom he requested to see in a note to him. M r W. went immediately

"& as soon asked him the meaning of his behaviour; which

"G- evaded, saying 'twas a parcel of nonsense. I cannot attribute his

"visit to any thing but the pricking of his conscience for so heavy a

"charge against M r W. I still think there is a secret grudge as he

"was very awkwardly familiar the whole time he was with us."

She ends thus.

"I have no message from M r W. who went from home early this

"morning, & knew nothing of my intention" (meaning of writing.) — "I

"have some suspicion that I dare not yet wish to disclose to you"

This is rather aenigmatical — Does it refer, I wonder, to the boarding scheme?