William Paterson Letters for the years 1772 thru 1780

Princeton, NJ - 17 January 1772

To see you shine as a speaker would give great pleasure to your friends in general, and to me in particular. I say nothing of your own honour.

Princeton, NJ - 26 October 1772

I always drive through Elizabethtown as quickly as possible, lest the soft infection should steal upon me, or I should take it in with the very air I breathe.

New Brunswick, NJ - 22 April 1776

I was in expectation of hearing frequently from you, and, to tell the truth, was not a little mortified that I was passed over in silence. Why, Burr, all this negligence?

The Hermitage, NJ - 27 January 1779

The intelligence gives me real pleasure, and the more so, because, until Mrs. Prevost told me, I had no idea of your disorder being so rooted and dangerous.

The Ponds, NJ - 18 March 1779

I am married, Burr, and happy. May you be equally so. I cannot form a higher or a better wish.

Morristown, NJ - 29 September 1779

I was for a time in expectation that you would return into Jersey, as the scene of military operations was directed to your part of the world, and would unavoidably drive you from your study and repose.

Rariton, NJ - 14 April 1780

Peace is distant. There is no prospect of it in the present year. Nor do I think that Britain will come to terms while she fancies herself superior on the ocean.

Morristown, NJ - 27 August 1780

I have always been fond of solitude, and, as it were, of stealing along through life. I am now sufficiently fond of domestic life. I have every reason to be so.

Morristown, NJ - 31 August 1780

Business fairly bears me down. The truth is, that I am tired of writing, tired of reading, tired of bustling in a crowd, and, by fits, heartily tired of myself.