One or two more letters of Hale are extant from 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 increased to eighty and there is a sergeant recruiting who, I hope, has got the other ten which completes the company. We are hardly able to judge as to the numbers the British army for the Summer is to consist of--undoubtedly sufficient to cause us too much bloodshed. I had written you a complete letter in answer to your last, but missed the opportunity of sending it.