About Item:

Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus, also known as John Cheverus, was a French Catholic priest who spent some of his career in New England. During the War of 1812, many coastal cities and towns were vulnerable to attack from the British. Bishop Cheverus wrote this letter in September 1814, right after the British military had attacked and burned much of Washington, D.C. Paul Revere wanted to help strengthen parts of Boston and sent his employees to help build up a section of the North End waterfront. This letter thanks Paul, and Bishop Cheverus especially calls out that Paul paid his employees their normal wages even though they didn’t work in his shop that day.

Read full transcription here

Read modernized transcription here

Glossary Terms:

• Fortifications—Walls or reinforcements built to protect an area or structure
• Wages—Amount someone is paid for their work

Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society