Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume: 3
My dear Son (1) Philadelpa. 10th Feby. 1776 The old Proverb is with You "better late than never." I have sometimes been displeased that you have not obeyed my Commands & wrote to Me. I will however forgive you but dont omit for the future to write to Me once a Month at least & let me know all about the Business of the Farm & Stock, how you all do, how you imploy your time, what Progress in learning you make and what Books you read.
Goods you observe are scarce; We must learn to manufacture every thing necessary and to do with out every thing else. When the Enemy has invaded our Lives, Liberty and Property, We must exert every Nerve to defend them; when We have once secured them, let Us turn our Attention to the Conveniences of Life- but without Liberty my dearest there is no safety or enjoyment in Life. Could you read History and see the dreadful Miseries of the unhappy People who have lost their Liberty, young as you are I believe you would consent to give up Goods, Business & ease & every pleasure and chearfully suffer all the Dangers & Hardships of War & even risque your Life in Defence of your Country rather than submit to that horrid State of Oppression, Slavery & Misery which others now groan under & Britain is trying to reduce Us to. The War between the Dutch & the Spaniards, lasted sixty years; should this War last one quarter so long you would be able to take up Arms in Defence of your Country; Cherish therefore the Love of Liberty & your Country which next to the Love of God I have endeavoured to plant in your tender heart that you may be qualified the Moment your Age & Strength allow it bravely to take up Arms in the Defence of your dear Country if necessary.
I am pleased with the Acct. which You give Me of the military Operations in the Colony, I expect We shall suffer much, I hope We shall bear it as becomes Freemen and have no Doubt but Heaven will crown our generous Efforts with Success & that We shall finally expel the Monsters from this Continent & establish the Peace, Welfare & Happiness of our Country upon a lasting Foundation.
Write to Me soon; tell Ray & Dicky that I command them to write to me by first Post. You must all take the best Care which you can of the Business, spend all the time you can in improving your Minds, be sure to avoid every thing mean, base or wicked, keep no bad Compy. & as little that is low as possible. May God preserve my dear Son & his Bros. & Sisters. Your affectionate Father, S Ward
[P.S.] Give my warmest Love to your dear Sister Betsy, tell her I think much of her & long to see her, do all you can to make her & each other happy.
RC (RHi).
1 John Ward (1762-1823) was Ward's second youngest son. Ward, Corrcspondence (Knollenberg), pp. 214, 217.
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