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Beaufort, N.C., May 1814

Ever Dear Brother,

Straits near Beaufort, May 15th, 1814

About 5 weeks ago, I had the very great satisfaction of receiving your favor of the 9th of March, and I owe my grateful acknowledgments to the Giver of all good for the health and comfort which you and the rest of my relations enjoy. I had heard of Sister Mary's death by a former letter but not of Uncle John's, and heartily sympathize with you in the satisfaction you express in having been so eminently instrumental in administering to their support and comfort when the weight of old age and poverty lay heavy upon them.

When I wrote you last, I was a boarder in the house that I formerly owned, where I continued till about 20 months ago, when as Samuel had taken a house in a pleasant situation on the waters of the Straits, I agreed to live with him and am so well pleased with the agreeable disposition of the wife and neighbors that I am likely to still continue here, and although I am 77 years of age, I do not remember ever to have spent 20 months together with fewer complaints.

After war was declared, Saml., who is always pleased with new things, turned his attention to military tactics in which he soon distinguished himself. In July last, when the regulars who garrisoned Fort Hampton were ordered to march to Canada, a garrison was furnished from the drafted militia. Saml. entered the service as a volunteer, as a 3rd Lieutenant of Artillery, and in the course of 6 months rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. And when a second draft was made, he thought fit to continue in the fort until they were relieved by regulars, which happened about 3 weeks since.

Fort Hampton is 6 miles from our house.

I am glad to hear that you are not much oppressed by the calamities of war and that the industrious can find employment and live comfortably. I am happy that I have it in my power to make the same remark regarding people here. I do not know a single article of provision that is higher than usual, except sugar, which has been as high as $25 per cwt. The inland navigation between our inlet and Virginia has been very profitable to those who own small vessels, as great quantities of goods are brought in here in neutral vessels and transported through the Sound to Virginia. I believe there are at one time or another since the war five times the number of large vessels in this port that I have ever known to be here in times of peace.

But notwithstanding all the profit that can be made, I abominate the very name of war and would prefer peace, though attended with laborious poverty accompanied with virtue and humanity. Finding that I am near the bottom of my paper, I must quit other matters or neglect the obligations of friendship. Although my eyesight is no worse than it has been for years past, writing is a troublesome business to one of my age. I must therefore be excused from writing more than one letter to my friends at Hempstead. Therefore, I request you to give my best respects to each and every one of them, and I beseech God Almighty to bless you all both here and hereafter.

I remain your ever affectionate brother,

Saml. Leffers

Copied from the original owned by Mrs. Alceze Lefferts Smith, Gloucester, N.C.