Philadelphia, 8 October, 1776.
I ought to acknowledge with gratitude your constant kindness in writing
to me by every post. Your favor of 29 September came by the last. I wish
it had been in my power to have returned your civilities with the same
punctuality, but it has not. Long before this, you have received letters
from me, and newspapers containing a full account of the negotiation.
The communication is still open, and the post-riders now do their duty,
and will continue to do so.
I assure you, we are as much at a loss about affairs at New York as you
are. In general, our Generals were outgeneraled on Long Island, and
Sullivan and Stirling with a thousand men were made prisoners, in
consequence of which and several other unfortunate circumstances a
council of war thought it prudent to retreat from that island and
Governor's Island, and then from New York. They are now posted at
Haerlem, about ten or eleven miles from the city. They left behind them
some provisions, some cannon, and some baggage. Wherever the men of war
have approached, our militia have most manfully turned their backs and
run away, officers and men, like sturdy fellows; and their panics have
sometimes seized the regular regiments. One little skirmish on
Montresor's Island ended with the loss of the brave Major Henley and the
disgrace of the rest of the party. Another skirmish, which might indeed
be called an action, ended in the defeat and shameful flight of the
enemy, with the loss of the brave Colonel Knowlton on our part. The
enemy have possession of Paulus Hook and Bergen Point, places on the
Jersey side of North River. By this time their force is so divided
between Staten Island, Long Island, New York, Paulus Hook, and Bergen
Point, that I think they will do no great matter more this fall, unless
the expiration of the term of enlistment of our army should disband it.
If our new enlistment fill up for soldiers during the war, we shall do
well enough. Everybody must encourage this.
You are told that a regiment of Yorkers behaved ill, and it may be true;
but I can tell you that several regiments of Massachusetts men behaved
ill too. The spirit of venality you mention is the most dreadful and
alarming enemy America has to oppose. It is as rapacious and insatiable
as the grave. We are in the _faece Romuli non republica Platonis_. This
predominant avarice will ruin America, if she is ever ruined. If God
Almighty does not interfere by his grace to control this universal
idolatry to the mammon of unrighteousness, we shall be given up to the
chastisements of his judgments. I am ashamed of the age I live in.
You surprise me with your account of the prayers in public for an
abdicated king, a pretender to the crown. Nothing of that kind is heard
in this place, or any other part of the continent but New York and the
place you mention. This practice is treason against the State, and
cannot be long tolerated.
Don't leave off writing to me. I write as often as I can. I am glad
master John has an office so useful to his mamma and papa as that of
post-rider.[162]