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New York, Debr. 14,
1784
My dear Dolly:
I am happy to hear by my brother that you and our little boy
are so well, and I am likewise happy in being able to inform
you of my arrival at this place, at the same I am extremely
unhappy in being obliged further to add that after a most
severe passage of about 74 days from London, we were at three
o'clock last Sunday morning most unfortunately and I may add
most wretchedly cast away on the south side of Long Island
30 miles NE from Sandy Hook surrounded with breakers
and continually beating upon the sand we waited with the grated
anxiety for the approach of morning. It is impossible to describe
out situation, but in the morning we found the beach within
about half a mile of the ship, and the land about four miles
from the breakers with out boat and effected a landing on
the beach about one o'clock, and about seven in the evening
we found an Hospitable shelter on the Island. The passengers
were all saved and I hope all the crew. It is with the greatest
uneasiness that I wait at this place till my business will
make it possible for me to be with you, but this unfortunate
circumstance renders it absolutely necessary. The ship I expect
will be lost and most of the cargo, for which reason I must
wait till I can learn the event, but I hope to be at home
in a fortnight. In the mean time my dear Girl I commend you
to that being in whom we are all safe, and pray you to believe
me in every situation.
Yours most truly and faithfully,
Julius Deming
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