What Quincy went through may be guessed from his correspondence with his
father.
* * * * *
BRAINTREE, March 22, 1770.
MY DEAR SON, I am under great affliction at hearing the bitterest
reproaches uttered against you, for having become an advocate for those
criminals who are charged with the murder of their fellow-citizens. Good
God! Is it possible? I will not believe it.
Just before I returned home from Boston, I knew, indeed, that on the day
those criminals were committed to prison, a sergeant had inquired for you
at your brother's house; but I had no apprehension that it was possible an
application would be made to you to undertake their defence. Since then I
have been told that you have actually engaged for Captain Preston; and I
have heard the severest reflections made upon the occasion, by men who had
just before manifested the highest esteem for you, as one destined to be a
saviour of your country. I must own to you, it has filled the bosom of
your aged and infirm parent with anxiety and distress, lest it should not
only prove true, but destructive of your reputation and interest; and I
repeat, I will not believe it, unless it be confirmed by your own mouth,
or under your own hand.
Your anxious and distressed parent,
JOSIAH QUINCY.
* * * * *
BOSTON, March 26, 1770.
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