January 1-December 31, 1781 415

had a hearing before Colon^l Smith a few days after he was confined :
there was nothing appeared against him: notwithstanding he is alway
kept in prison without the least appearance of Being releas^d if M^r
Parks should be Innocent as I blieve he is of what is laid to his Charge
it is Very hard that he should be kept confined: from his wife and
family: I beg your Exelency may take the Prisoners case into con-
sideration and Grant him shuch relief as your Justice and wisdom
may think fitt.

August 13
Red Book
No. 18
Letter 125

[Phil. Thomas, Frederick, to His Excell^y Thomas S. Lee Esq.]
(By L^t Col^o Wood)

I have inclosed A letter directed to M^r Gerock, one of the Pris-
oners sent from Annapolis to our Gaol. As it seems to be An
Essay on a Religious kind of Trade carrying on, or to be carried on,
by the writer & C^o & it is probable the Hon^ble Board May think the
subject worth their Attention — the Auther is a German Clergyman —
It is thought F — 1 is a M^r Furnival — the Prisoner had seen the letter
before I knew it, and no doubt will endeavour to give his Father
Notice that it is in my possession.
P. Guy & W^m [Cann?] have enlisted. I shall pay the Prison Fees
but shall not give them or M^r Stephenson any other bounty

August 13

Balt^re Town Aug. 3^d 1781
My dearest Son! Your last Letter transfused joy & happiness
into my heart & bowels and almost overwhelmed me with happiness
& heartfelt Satisfaction. Far from unmanly grief grining or whim-
pering I only wrote from a Sense of true tender & parental affection
to my first born & only son. Rest assured that you could not possibly
receive with more pleasure and greater Satisfaction what I sent to
your Support & comfort, than I have felt in doing it most willingly
and cheerfully being firmly resolv'd upon to continue in the same
mind & repeat it as often as possible and necessary. You Know, ten-
derness of Love (especially parental) Softens the mind and may
even wet a compassionate and most Affectionate Father's eye with
melted tears, without tho' weakening the minds fortitude &c. Believe
me, I felt more for your sake's than for my own self, being long ago
(these 30 years) accustomed to troubles, Afflictions, injuries, op-
pressions, calamities, plunderings, & insults from high and low, Phari-
sees & Scribes etc, etc.
But hope and wish for your deliverance and pray to God to pro-
tect comfort and Assist you now and for ever, Amen.
Now for affecting & interesting news: Know then ( I hope to your
Sorrow in some manner) that our Sweet & promising fine flower,
lately & happily unfolded is decayed, our dear little Samuel deceased
on tuesday last at 12 o'clock A. M. having on Monday morning been

August 3