Joseph Reed was born at Trenton, New Jersey, on the 27th of August,
1742. After a thorough and comprehensive education in the colonies, he
adopted the law as his profession; and his advantages were greatly
increased by special training at the Temple in London. Returning to
America, he settled in Philadelphia and began to practise, but was
keenly alive to all passing events, and gave the British ministry
timely warning of what he thought the end would be, should the growing
dissatisfaction with the coercive measures adopted by Great Britain
toward her American colonies lead to an open revolt and an armed
resistance. His acquaintance with Washington began when the latter came
to Philadelphia from Virginia as a delegate to the first Continental
Congress. This friendship resulted in Reed’s accepting in 1775 the
office of military secretary to the commander-in-chief. When a friend
remonstrated with him on the step he had taken, he replied,--
“I have no inclination to be hanged for half-treason. When a
subject draws his sword against his prince, he must cut his way
through, if he means afterwards to sit down in safety. I have
taken too active a part in what may be called the civil part of
opposition, to renounce without disgrace the public cause when it
seems to lead to danger, and have a most sovereign contempt for the
man who can plan measures he has not spirit to execute.”
So well did he fill this position that in 1776, on the recommendation
of Washington, Congress appointed him adjutant-general in the
Continental service, and well did he justify the chief’s favorable
opinion of him, by the vigilance, thoroughness, and ability with which
he discharged the arduous duties of this most responsible office. As
adjutant-general he met the messenger of Lord Howe, when the latter
sent a letter to “George Washington, Esq.,” and refused to transmit
it to the commander-in-chief, because it was not properly addressed.
Reed’s first taste of actual war was during the series of engagements
on Long Island in August, 1776; but when Washington began his retreat
through the Jerseys, he sent Reed to solicit reinforcements from
the State Legislature. Having spent his boyhood in Trenton, and his
college days in Princeton, his accurate knowledge of the topography of
the country contributed in no small degree to the glorious victories
which on the 26th of December, 1776, and 3d of January, 1777, changed
the gloom and despondency of the Americans into the assurance and
exultation of success.
As an acknowledgment of his distinguished services during the late
campaign, Congress, again at the instance of Washington, promoted
Reed, his commission as brigadier-general bearing date May 12,
1777. His legal ability also received its share of recognition, the
Executive Council of Pennsylvania appointing him to fill the office of
chief-justice of that State. He declined both appointments, however,
preferring to serve as a volunteer whenever occasion demanded his
military services. Congress accepted his resignation on the 7th of
June, 1777. At the first news of the invasion of Pennsylvania by the
British, he joined the army again and took part in the battles of
Brandywine and Germantown, and in the skirmish at Whitemarsh. Though
refusing the office of chief-justice, he had accepted a seat in
Congress; and his time was divided between active service in the camp
at Valley Forge, and in making appeals on the floor of Congress for
reinforcements and supplies for the destitute army. Impoverished by the
war, and with his great heart wrung by the sufferings he had witnessed
among our soldiers while in winter-quarters, he was suddenly exposed
to a great temptation. Ten thousand pounds sterling, and any colonial
office in the king’s gift, were tendered him, if he would withdraw
from the American cause, and use his influence in reconciling the two
countries. Reed hesitated not one moment, but proudly answered, “I
am not worth purchasing, but such as I am, the King of Great Britain
is not rich enough to buy me.” His military career closed with the
battle of Monmouth on the 28th of June, 1778, and in November he was
unanimously elected president of the State of Pennsylvania. To this
new dignity he brought all the incorruptible integrity, fertility of
resource, and indomitable courage that had characterized him as a
soldier. Twice re-elected, his tenure of office expired in October,
1781. A few months before his death, he was again called to serve the
public, being elected to a seat in the Continental Congress; but his
health had already begun to fail, and at the early age of forty-three
he died on the 5th of March, 1785.