Reason however to Promise ourselves by the Assistance of Heaven a
favorable Issue. Men of Virtue throughout Europe heartily wish
well to our Cause. They look upon it, as indeed it is, the Cause
of Mankind. Liberty seems to be expelled from every other part of
the Globe & the Prospect of our affording an Asylum for its
Friends in this new World, gives them universal Joy. France &
Spain are in reality though not yet openly yielding us Aid.
Nevertheless, it is my Opinion, that it would be more for the
future Safety as well as the Honor of the united States of
America, if they would establish their Liberty & Independence,
with as little foreign Aid as possible. If we can struggle
through our Difficulties & establish our selves alone we shall
value our Liberties so dearly bought, the more, and be the less
obligd & consequently the more independent on others. Much
depends upon the Efforts of this year. Let us therefore lay aside
the Consideration of every Subject, which may tend to a Disunion.
The Reasons of the Scrutiny. Congress have orderd an Enquiry &
for this purpose Generals Schuyler & St. Clair are orderd to Head
Quarters. Gates immediately takes the Command of the Northern
Army. He gains the Esteem of the Soldiers and his Success in
restoring the Army there the last year from a State of Confusion
& Sickness to Health & good order, affords a flattering Prospect.
In my opinion he is an honest & able Officer. Bad as our Affairs
in that Quarter appear to be, they are not ruinous. Reinforcemts
of regular Troops are already gone from Peeks Kill, and I hope
the brave N E Militia will joyn in sufficient Numbers, to damp
the Spirits of Burgoin. One grand Effort now may put an End to
this Conflict.
I am &c
TO JOHN LANGDON.1
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADE August 7, 1777
MY DEAR SIR/
Major Bass will be kind enough to deliver to you this Letter. He
brought me a very friendly Message from you, for which I return
you my hearty Thanks. If I had Inclination or Leisure to write a
Letter of Compliment, I am sure you would not be pleasd with it.
The Times are very serious; our Affairs are in a critical
Situation. The Enemy, after long promising a Visit to this City,
made an Appearance last Week near the Capes of Delaware. But they
have not been seen these six days past. The Hounds are in fault
and have lost Scent of them. We shall hear where they engage, I
dare say, before long. It belongs to the military Gentlemen to
frustrate their Design. I think they could not have come here in
a better time, because we were well prepared for them. General
Washington had drawn his Forces into the Neighborhood of this
Place, and I verily believe, the people here, divided and
distracted as they are about their internal Government, would
have joynd in sufficient Numbers to have given a good Account of
them.
The shameful Defeat of our Forces at Ticonderoga is not more
distressing to us than it is vexatious. A thorough Scrutiny into
the Causes of it must and will be made. For this Purpose Schuyler
and St Clair are orderd to Head Quarters. I confess I cannot at
present account for it even upon the Principle of Cowardice.
There seems to me to be the evident Marks of Design. Bad as our
Affairs are in that Quarter they are not desperate. Gates is gone
to take the Command. He is an honest and able officer; always
belovd by his Soldiers because he always shares with them in
Fatigue and Danger. This has not been said of his immediate
Predecessor. I hope the N England States will once more make a
generous Exertion, and if they do I am deceivd if Burgoyns
Prosperity does not soon prove his Ruin.
Our Intelligence from Europe is very flattering to us. The
virtuous and sensible there universally wish well to our Cause.
They say we are fighting for the Liberty and Happiness of
Mankind. We are at least, contending for the Liberty & Happiness
of our own Country and Posterity. It is a glorious Contest. We
shall succeed if we are virtuous. I am infinitely more
apprehensive of the Contagion of Vice than the Power of all other
Enemies. It is the Disgrace of human Nature that in most
Countries the People are so debauchd, as to be utterly unable to
defend or enjoy their Liberty.
Pay my respects to Coo Whipple. He promisd to write to me. I hope
he will soon have Leisure to fulfill his promise. A Letter from
you would oblige me much. Adieu.
_________________________________________________________________
1Of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; member of the Continental
Congress.
TO MRS. ADAMS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADA Augt 8 1777
MY DEAR BETSY
I have lately written to you by every Opportunity and am
determined to omit none for the future, till I shall have the
Pleasure of seeing you, which I intend some time in the Fall. We
have heard Nothing of the Enemies Fleet since this Day Week.
General Gates is gone to take the Command of the Northern Army in
the Room of Schuyler . . . Gates has always been belovd by his
Soldiers & I hope will restore our Affairs there; for although
they are in a Situation bad enough I do not think them desperate.
He is empowerd to call on the N England Militia, who I hope will
once more make a generous Effort. If they do, I am mistaken if
Burgoyns present Success does not [prove his ruin.] A Change of
Officers, I dare say, will give new Spirits [to] the Men. But I
forget that I am writing [to] a female upon the Subject of War. I
know your whole Soul is engagd in the great Cause. May Heaven
prosper it! Adieu my dear,
My Respects to my
Family & Friends.
TO ROGER SHERMAN.
[MS., Library of Massachusetts Historical Society; a draft is in
the Lenox Library.]
PHILADA Augt 11. 1777
DEAR SIR/
I duly receivd your obliging Letter of the 11th of July. I thank
you for the favor, and beg you to continue to write to me as
often as your Leisure will admit of it. The Rumour you mention'd
has since appeard to be a serious Fact. We have lost
Ti[c]onderoga, and as far as I can yet judge, shamefully: I was
going to add, vilainously; for indeed I cannot account for it,
but upon the worst of Principles. The whole appears to me to
carry the evident Marks of Design. But I hope & believe it will
undergo the strictest Scrutiny. The People at large ought not,
they will not be satisfied, until a thorough Inquiry is made into
the Causes of an Event in which their Honor and Safety is so
deeply interested. The only Letter receivd by Congress from St
Clair, you have seen publishd under their Sanction. Schuyler has
written a Series of weak & contemptible THINGS in a Stile of
Despondence which alone, I think, is sufficient for the Removal
of him from that Command; for if his Pen expresses the true
Feelings of his Heart, it cannot be expected that the bravest
Veterans would fight under such a General, admitting they had no
Suspicion of Treachery. In a Letter dated the 4th Instant at
Still Water, he writes in a Tone of perfect Despair. He seems to
have no Confidence in his Troops, nor the States from whence
Reinforcements are to be drawn. A third Part of his Continental
Troops, he tells us, consists "of Boys Negroes & aged Men not fit
for the Field or any other Service." "A very great Part of the
Army naked--without Blanketts--ill armed and very deficient in
Accoutrements: without a Prospect of Reliefe." "Many, too Many of
the Officers wod be a Disgrace to the most contemptible Troops
that ever was collected." The Exertions of others of them of a
different Character "counteracted by the worthless." "Genl
Burgoyne is bending his Course this Way. He will probably be here
in Eight Days, and unless we are well reinforced" (which he does
not expect) "as much farther as he pleases to go."---Was ever any
poor general more mortified! But he has by this Time receivd his
Quietus. Gates takes the Command there, agreeably to what you
tell me is the Wish of the People; and I trust our Affairs in
that Quarter will soon wear a more promising Aspect.
The Enemies Ships, upwards Of 200 sail, after having been out of
Sight six Days, were discoverd on Thursday last, off Sinapuxint
15 Leagues from the Capes of Delaware Steering towards Chesapeake
Bay.
Your Friends here are well, except Colo Williams, who has been
confined a few days, but is growing better. I have a thousand
things to say to you, but must defer it to other Opportunities, &
conclude in Haste, with friendly Regards to your Family, very
affectionately yours,
TO JAMES WARREN.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADA Augt 12 1777
MY DEAR SIR
The inclosd is an attested Copy of Genl Schuylers Letter to the
President of the Congress. It needs no Comment. How far the
Massachusetts state deserves the Strictures therein made, you can
tell. I send it to you for the Perusal of the Members of your
Honbl House. If they have sent into the Army, Boys Negroes & Men
too aged to be fit for any Service they will lay their Hands upon
their Mouths. If not, I hope some decent but keen Pen will
vindicate them from that & other Aspersions. This, like all his
other Letters, is written in such a desponding Stile, that it is
no Wonder if Soldiers decline fighting under him, though they may
be under no Apprehension of Treachery. But he has by this time
receivd his Quietus, at least till he can give a good Account of
his Conduct. Gates has gone to take the Command, and our Affairs
in that Ouarter, I dare say will soon wear another Face.
The Enemies Fleet have been again seen 200 sail off Sinipunxint
15 Leagues South of the Capes of Delaware. I think I have now a
just Demand upon you for a Letter. I shall be disappointed if I
do not receive one by the next Post. Adieu my Friend.
TO WILLIAM HEATH.1
[MS., Library of Massachusetts Historical Society; the text has
recently been printed in Collections of Massachusetts Historical
Society, 7th ser., vol. iv., p. 140.]
PHILADE Augt 13th 1777
MY DEAR SIR,
The Surrender of Tyconderoga has deeply wounded our Cause. The
Grounds of it must be thoroughly inquired into. The People at
large have a Right to demand it. They do demand it and Congress
have orderd an Inquiry to be made. This Matter must be conducted
with Impartiality. The Troops orderd for the Defence of that Post
were chiefly from New England. It is said there was a great
Deficiency in Numbers--and General Schuyler tells us that a third
Part of the Army there were Boys Negroes and aged Men not fit for
the Field or indeed any other Service, that a great Part of them
were naked, without Blanketts, ill armed & very deficient in
Accoutrements. Such is the Picture he draws. I wish to know as
soon as possible, how many Men actually marchd for that place
from N E, & particularly from Massachusetts Bay. What Quantity of
Cloathing was sent for them & under whose Care; and how they were
furnishd with Arms & Accoutrements. In short I am desirous of
being informd by you as minutely as possible, of the part taken
by Muster Masters Quartermasters Cloathiers & their Agents and
all other Persons employed in making and providing for the Army
in the Northern Department, as far as it has properly fallen
under your Notice & Direction. Excuse me for giving you this
Trouble & be assured that I am very cordially,
your Friend,
_________________________________________________________________
1Major General in the continental army.
TO MRS. ADAMS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADA Augt 8 1777
MY DEAR BETSY
I was favord with yours of the 2d of this Month by yesterdays
Post. I am much obligd to you for writing to me so often, and
hope you will not omit any future opportunity. [One] or another
of my Boston Friends write to me by every Post, [so] that I think
I should be informd if any extraordinary Accident should happen
to my Family, but I am never so well satisfied as when I receive
one from you. I am in continual Anxiety for your Safety, but am
happy in committing you to the Protection of all gracious Heaven.
May He be your Refuge in every Time of Distress! I had before
heard that the Enemies Fleet was seen off Cape Ann. We had an
Account of it [by] an Express from General Heath, who
contradicted it the [same] Day by another Express. Indeed I did
not give Credit to . . . . News for the British Ships were seen
off the Maryland Shore on the first of August, the very day on
which they were reported to have been seen off Cape Ann. Having
the Command of the Sea, they have it in their Power to give
frequent Alarms to our Seaport Towns. We have not heard of them
since, and it is the opinion of some that they are gone to South
Carolina, but as it is altogether uncertain where they will go,
it is prudent to be ready to receive them in every Place. It is a
Question with me whether they have any Plan upon which they can
depend themselves. I pray God that [their] Councils may be
confounded.
I earnestly hope with you, my Dear, that our . . . . Life is not
always to live at this Distance from each [other] but that we
shall see the happy Day when Tyranny [shall] be subdued and the
Liberty of our Country shall be settled upon a permanent
Foundation. If this is not to be accomplishd in our Day, May we
hereafter meet our virtuous Friends in that blessd Region, where
the wicked shall cease from troubling.
My Love to my dear Daughter, Sister Polly & the rest of my Family
& Friends. Tell my Servants I thank them for their kind
Remembrance of me. I am, my dear,
ever yours,
I have sent the Letter to
Capt M. inclosd in one
to Dr F.
TO HENRY BROMFIELD.
[Publications of Colonial Society of Massachusetts, vol. vi., pp.
78, 79.]
PHILADA Sept 2, 1777.
MY DEAR SIR
I am requested by a Member of Congress from South Carolina for
whom I have a particular Regard, to introduce his Friend Mr Henry
Crouch to some of my Boston Friends. He is a Merchant of
Charlestown and will set off on a Visit your Way tomorrow. I take
the Liberty of addressing a Letter to you by him. Your friendly
Notice of him will greatly oblige me.
I heartily congratulate you on the happy Change of our Affairs at
the Northward. The Feelings of a Man of Burgoyne's Vanity must be
sorely touched by this Disappointment.
Howe's Army remains near where they first landed and is supposed
to be ten thousand fit for Duty. Washington's Army exceeds that
Number, is in health & high Spirits, and the Militia have joynd
in great Numbers, well equip'd and ambitious to emulate the Valor
of their Eastern Brethren. Our light Troops are continually
harrassing the Enemy. The Day before yesterday they attack'd
their out Posts & drove them in, killing & wounding a small
Number. By the last Account we had taken about seventy Prisoners
without any Loss on our side. Our Affairs are at this Moment very
serious and critical. We are contending for the Rights of our
Country and Mankind--May the Confidence of America be placed in
the God of Armies! Please to pay my due Respects to my old Friend
Mr Phillips & his Family and be assured that I am very cordially
Yours,
TO MRS. ADAMS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADA Sept 17, 1777
MY DEAR BETSY
Your kind Letter of the 29th of August is now before me. You
therein take a very proper Notice of the signal Success of our
Affairs at the Northward. I hope my Countrymen are duly sensible
of the obligation they are under to Him from whose Hand, as you
justly observe, our Victory came. We had a Letter from General
Gates yesterday, from which we every hour expect another great
Event from that Quarter. The two Armies this way had an obstinate
Engagement last Thursday. The Enemy have gaind a Patch of Ground
but from all Accounts they have purchasd it as dearly as Bunkers
Hill. Two or three more such Victories would totally ruin their
Army. Matters seem to be drawing to a Crisis. The Enemy have had
enough to do to dress their wounded and bury their dead. Howe
still remains near the Field of Battle. Genl Washington retreated
with his Army over the River Schuilkill through this city as far
as . . . . and we are every day expecting another battle. May
Heaven favor our righteous Cause and grant us compleat Victory.
Both the Armies are about 26 miles from this City.
I am pleasd to hear that Colo Crafts invited Mr Thacher to preach
a Sermon to his Regiment. He discoverd the true Spirit of a New
England officer. I dare say it was an animating Discourse.
Religion has been & I hope will continue to be the ornament of N.
England. While they place their Confidence in God they will not
fail to be an happy People.
I am exceedingly rejoycd to hear that Miss Hatch is in hopes of
recovering her Health.
Remember me, my dear, to my Family and Friends. I am in good
Health & Spirits and remain with the warmest Affection
Your,
TO ARTHUR LEE.
[R. H. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, vol. ii., pp. 228, 229.]
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26th, 1777.
MY DEAR SIR,---Your several letters, with their enclosures, came
to my hand. And although I have not hitherto acknowledged to you
the receipt of them, I assure you I have been and am still
improving the intelligence you have given me to the best of my
powers, for the advantage of this country. From our former
correspondence you have known my sentiments. I have not altered
them in a single point, either with regard to the great cause we
are engaged in, or to you, who have been an early, vigilant, and
active supporter of it. While you Honour me with your
confidential letters, I feel and will freely express to you my
obligation. To have answered them severally, would have led me to
subjects of great delicacy; and the miscarriage of my letters
might have proved detrimental to our important affairs. It was
needless for me to run the risk for the sake of writing; for I
presume you have been made fully acquainted with the state of our
public affairs by the committee. And as I have constantly
communicated to your brother R. H. the contents of your letters
to me, it was sufficient on that score for him only to write, FOR
HE THINKS AS I DO.
The Marquis de la Fayette, who does me the honour to take this
letter, is this moment going; which leaves me time only to add,
that I am and will be your friend, because I know you love our
country and mankind.
I beg you to write to me by every opportunity. Adieu, my dear
sir,
TO HORATIO GATES.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
[ 1777]
SIR
I have had the Honor of laying before the Council Board of this
State your Letter of the 19th of October, inclosing Copy of a
Convention by which the British Lt Genl Burgoyne surrendered
himself & his whole Army on the 17 of the same Month into your
Hands. The repeated Instances of the Success of the American Army
in the Northern Department reflect the highest Honor on yourself
& the gallant officers & Soldiers under YOUR Command. The Board
congratulate you on this great Occasion; and while the Merit of
your signal Services remains recorded in the faithful Breasts of
your Countrymen, the warmest Gratitude is due to the God of
Armies, who has vouchsafed in so distinguished a Manner to favor
the Cause of America & of Mankind.
I have the Honor to be
in the Name of the Council Board,
Sir &c
RESOLUTION OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
[NOVEMBER 1, 1777.]
[MS., Papers of the Continental Congress. Reports of Committees.
No. 24, p. 431.]
Forasmuch as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men, to adore
the superintending Providence of Almighty God:--To acknowledge
with Gratitude their Obligation to Him for Benefits receivd, and
to implore such further Blessings as they stand in Need of:--And,
it having pleased Him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue
to us the innumerable Bounties of His common Providence; but also
to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War
for the Defence and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and
Liberties. Particularly in that He hath been pleased, in so great
a Measure to prosper the Means used for the Support of our
Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal Success.
It is therefore recommended to the Legislative or Executive
Powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday the
Eighteenth Day of December, next, for solemn Thanksgiving and
Praise. That at one Time, and with one Voice, the good People
may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate
themselves to the Service of their divine Benefactor. And, that
together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they
may joyn the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby
they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble & earnest
Supplication that it may please God through the Merits of Jesus
Christ mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance.
That it may please Him, graciously to afford His Blessing on the
Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the publick
Council of the whole. To inspire our Commanders both by Land and
Sea, & all under them with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may
render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty
God, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human
Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE. That it may please Him, to
prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People, and the Labor
of the Husbandman, that our Land may yet yield its Increase. To
take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for
cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue, & Piety,
under His nurturing Hand; and to prosper the Means of Religion
for the Promotion and Enlargement of that Kingdom which
consisteth "in RIGHTEOUSNESS PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST."
And it is further recommended, that servile Labor, and such
Recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming
the Purpose of this Appointment, may be omitted on so solemn an
occasion.
[TO JOHN ADAMS.]
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON Decr 8 1777
MY DEAR SIR
I heartily thank you for your two favors of the 12th & 18th of
Novemr, the former of which gave me a piece of Intelligence which
I thought proper to give the Publick through the News paper.
Unluckily for me, on my Arrival here, I found the General
Assembly sitting, and consequently I am plungd in publick
Business sooner than I could wish to have been. Among other
things I have the Satisfaction of informing you of your
Reelection as a Member of Congress. Your old Colleagues are all
again chosen. I honestly told some of our Countrymen that I
thought it incumbent on them thorowly to acquaint themselves with
the Character and Conduct of those who represent them at the
Distance of four hundred Miles; but I fear they are too
unsuspecting. What do frequent Elections avail, without that
Spirit of Jealousy & Strict Inquiry which alone can render such
Elections any Security to the People? But surely the more
implicit the Confidence of the Publick is, the more circumspect
ought those to be, who are entrusted with publick Affairs.
Mr------ came to this Town with great Pomp, and was receivd by
the military and naval Gentlemen, as I am informd, with equal
Ceremony. His Colleagues arrivd in the Dusk of the Evening and
without Observation. He is the most happy who has the greatest
Share of the Affections of his Fellow Citizens, without which,
the Ears of a sincere Patriot are ever deaf to the ROARING OF
CANNON AND THE CHARMS OF MUSICK. I have not seen nor heard of any
Dangers on the Road that should require Guards to protect one. It
is pretty enough in the Eyes of some Men, to see the honest
Country Folks gapeing & staring at a Troop of Light Horse. But it
is well if it is not some times attended with such Effects as one
would not so much wish for, to excite the Contempt of the
Multitude, when the Fit of gazing is over, instead of the much
longd for Hosannas.