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:

===============NEW YORK, June 3d 1776=====
=====DEAR BROTHER,===============

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

[[63]]

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