The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Boston, the third of March 1763.

Loving Son,

These few lines come to let you know that I am very well at present, thank God for it, hoping that you and the family are so too. I have been here this fortnight and it is fifteen years you know since I was here last, and there is great alterations both in the place and people, the great men do nothing but quarrel with one another, and put pieces in the news paper against one another, and some says one is right, and others says t'other is right and they don't know why or wherefore, there is not half such bad work amongst us when we are a going to ordain a minister as there is amongst these great Folks, and they say there is a going to be a standing army to be kept in pay all peace time and I am glad of it I'm sure for then money will be plenty and we can sell off our sauce and meat, but some other people says we shall be forced to pay 'em and that will be bad on t'other hand because we have paid taxes enough already amongst us, and they say we are desperately in debt now but howsoever we don't pay near upon so much as Boston folks and that's some comfort but I hope our deputies will be so wise as to take care we shan't pay no more for that, the Boston people are grown deadly proud for I see seven or eight church ministers t'other day and they had ruffles on and great tie wigs with matter a bushel of hair on 'em that comes half way down their backs, but I don't wonder they go so fine for there is a parcel of people in London that chooses 'em as they say and pays 'em, but our m----- thinks themselves well off if they can get a tow shirt to go to meeting in but that is not their fault for if they ain't well paid they can't help it and they ought to be for the bible says the labourer is worthy of his hire and they that preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel but I'm dreadful afraid that now there is so many of these ministers here that they will try to bring in popery among us and then the inquisition will come and we shall all be made slaves or I have bought your jews harp and intend to come home next week and tell your mother so. So no more at present but that I am Your loving father Humphry Ploughjogger.