om which only partial
extracts have been made. One that was written on the 3d of June, 1776,
we give with more fullness, omitting only some unimportant clauses. This
letter has especial value as an illustration of the fact that most of us
now and then have received letters that seemed casual in themselves, but
have, to our surprise and often to our deep sadness, proved to be
farewell letters.

It is not probable that, in the hurried days that followed, further
messages were sent to his grandmother, to his former pastor and
beloved teacher, Mr. Huntington, and to his sister Rose and her family.
In the late autumn of 1776, after they had learned his fate, and in the
years that followed, one can easily imagine how precious seemed these
appreciative words, embalming as it were the abiding affection of the
man who wrote them. Hale's reference to "the Doctor" also recalls the
fact that, from the immediate family of Deacon Richard Hale, five
men--three sons, one stepson, and one son-in-law (Surgeon Rose)--entered
the Revolutionary Army; one son dying in 1776, one son in 1784, his
health having been ruined while in the service, and one son in 1802, his
life perhaps shortened by his exposures. Whatever else may have been
lacking in that one family, patriotism certainly was not deficient,--the
patriotism that does not count the cost to one's self, but the gain to
one's country.

The following is the letter referred to, written to his brother Enoch:

DEAR BROTHER,
NEW YORK June 3d 1776

Your Favour of the 9th of May and another written at Norwich I have
received--the first mentioned one the 19th of May ult.

You complain of my neglecting you--It is not, I acknowledge, wholly
without reason--at the same time I am conscious to have written to
you more than once or twice within this half year. Perhaps my
letters have miscarried.

Continuance or removal here depends wholly upon the operations of
the war.

It gives pleasure to every friend of his country to observe the
health which prevails in our army. Dr. Eli (Surgeon of our Regt.)
told me a few days since, there was not a man in our Regt. but
might upon occasion go out with his Firelock. Much the same is said
of other Regiments.

The army is improving in discipline, and it is hoped will soon be
able to meet the enemy at any kind of play. My company which at
first was small, is now in