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AMERI C AN TND EFE NDE NC E
DID THE COLONISTS f>ESIR<E 1JT?
LETTERS OF JOT' JAI AND JOHN ADAMS.

LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

ACTOES IN THE AMEEICAN REVOLUTION*

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

DID THE COLONISTS DESIRE IT?

Lfc.il JSRS OF JOHN JAY AND JOHN ADAMS.

LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

OF OTHER

Actors in the American Revolution.

COMPILED BY

JEREMIAH COLBURN.
hi

BOSTON 1876.

" Hutchinson says that, as early as 1765, Samuel Adams owned without reserve, in private dis
course, that he was for the independence of the colonies, and adds, that ' from time to time he
made advances towards it in public, a6 far as would serve to the greatpurposeof attaining to it.' "
— Life of Samuel Adams.
" The character of your Mr. Samuel Adams runs very high here. I find many who consider
him the first politician in the world. I have found more reason every day to convince me that
he has been right, when others supposed him wrong." — Josiah Quincy, Jr., London, 1774.

Reprinted from the New-England Historical and Genealogical Register
for July, 1876.

David Ci.afp & Son, Pi inters

DID THE AMERICAN COLONISTS DESIRE
INDEPENDENCE ?

^PHE following letters from John Jay and Ex-President John
1- Adams to the translator of JBotta's "History of the American
Revolution' are copied from the originals in my possession. The
letter of Mr. Jay is entirely autograph ; but only the signature in
that of Mr. Adams is in his handwriting.
These letters will be read with interest ; for they give important
information as to the state of feeling previous to the Revolution in
the British American Colonies in regard to independence of the
English crown. Letter of John Jay.
Bedford, West Chester County, State of New York, 13th Jany 1821.
Sir I have reca your Letter of the 23d ult — expressing a Desire that Bot-
ta's History and your Translation of it, may have my approbation — And
also that I would mention to you the most authentic of the Documents
which are before the Public, relative to the negociations at Paris in 1782.
Having as yet recd and read only the first volume of the History, I cannot
form, and consequently cannot express, an opinion of the whole work.
As to the first volume — there are in it certain assertions, Representa
tions, and Suggestions, of which there are some which I believe to be erro
neous, and others which I suspect to be inaccurate. Being too feeble either
to write or to read much at a Time without Fatigue; I forbear to enume
rate them. I will nevertheless, for your satisfaction, select and notice one
of the most important — viz'.
That anterior to the Revolution, there existed in the Colonies a Desire of
Independence. The following extracts respect this Topic : —
Pa^e 10. " The Love of the Sovereign and their ancient country, which
the first colonists might have retained in their new PjStablishmeuts, gradually
diminished in the Hearts of their Descendants."
P. 11. " The greater part of the Colonists had heard nothing of Great
Britain, excepting that it was a distant Kingdom, from which their ances
tors had been barbarously expelled."

4
P. 12. "As the means of Constraint became almost illusory in the
Hands of the Government, there must have arisen and gradually. increased
in the minds of the Americans, the Hope and with it the Desire to shake
off the Yoke of English superiority." " The Colonists supported impa
tiently the superiority of the British Government."
P. Io. "Such was the State of the English colonies in America,
such the opinions and Dispositions of those who inhabited them, about the
middle of the Eighteenth century." " It was impossible that they should
have remained ignorant of what thev were capable ; and that the progres-
cive Development of national Pride should not have rendered the British
Yoke intolerable."
P. 33. " Already those who were the most zealous for Liberty, or the
most ambitious, had formed in the secret of their hearts the Resolution to
shake off the Yoke of England whenever a favorable occasion should pre
sent. This Design was encouraged by the recent cession of Canada."
P. 19'J. "The Colonists looked upon (the Congress of 1774) as a con
vention of men who in some mode or other, were to deliver their country
from the Perils that menaced it. The greater part believed that their
ability &° would enable them to obtain from the Government, a Removal
of the Evils that oppressed them, and the Re-establishment of the ancient
order of Things. Some others cherished the Belief, that they would find
means to conduct the American nation to that Independence, which was the
first and most ardent of their aspirations or rather the sole Object of that
intense passion, which stung and tormented them, night and Day."
P. 314. " Both (Putnam and Ward) had declared themselves too openly
in favor of Independence. The congress desired indeed to procure it, but
withall in a propitious Time."
P. 388. Thus ceased, as we have related, the Royal Authority in the
different Provinces. It was replaced progressively by that of the People ;
that is by congresses or conventions extraordinary, that were formed in
each Colony. But this was deemed insufficient by those, who directed the
affairs of America — their real Object being Independence."
Explicit Professions and Assurances of Allegiance and Lovalty to the
Soveieign (especially since the accession of King William) and of affection
for the mother Country, abound in the Journals of the colonial Legislatures
and of the congresses and conventions, from early Periods to the second
Petition of congress in 1775.
If those Professions and Assurances were sincere, they afford Evidence
more than sufficient to invalidate the charge of our desiring and aimincr at
Independence. If, on the other hand, those Professions and Assurances were factitious
and deceptive, they present to the world an unprecedented Instance of lono-.
continued, concurrent, and detestable Duplicit}' in the colonies. Our coun
try does not deserve this odious and disgusting Imputation. Durino- the
course of my Life, and until after the second Petition of congress (in 177/j'i
I never did hear any American, of any class, or of any Description, express
a wish for the Independence of the colonies.
Few Americans had more or better means and Opportunities of becoming
acquainted with the Sentiments and Disposition of the colonists relative r°
public affairs than the late Docf Franklin. In a letter to Iiis son, dated tl
'!:'. .March, 177.), he relates a conversation which he had with Lord Ch
imin in the preceding month of August. His Lordship bavin" mention' d

an opinion prevailing in England, that America aimed at setting up for it
self as an independent State, the Docf thus expressed himself.
" I assured him, that having more than once travelled almost from one
End of the continent to the other, and kept a great variety of company, eat
ing, drinking and conversing with them freely, I never had heard, in any
Conversation, from any Person, drunk or sober, the least Expression of a
wish for a Separation ; or a Hint that such a Thing would be advantageous
to America."
It does not appear to me necessary to enlarge further on this subject. It
has always been, and still is, my Opinion and Belief, that our country was
prompted and impelled to Independence by necessity and not by choice.
They who know how we were then circumstanced, know from whence that
necessity resulted.
It would.indeed be extraordinary if a Foreigner, remote (like Mr Botta)
from the best Sources of authentic Information, should in writing such a
History, commit no mistakes. That Gentleman doubtless believed his nar
rations to be true. But it is not improbable that he sometimes selected his
materials with too little apprehension of Error ; and that some of his In
formers were too little scrupulous. This Remark derives a degree of
Weight from the following Passage in the History, viz' :
General Montgomery " left a Wife, the Object of all his Tenderness,
with several children, still Infants — a spectacle for their country, at once of
Pity and Admiration. The State, from Gratitude towards their Father,
distinguishd them with every mark of Kindness and Protection."
I have been acquainted with General Montgomery's Widow from my
Youth. The fact is, she never had a child.
In making the Translation, attention has doubtless been paid to the Rule
that a Translator should convey into his Translation with Perspicuity and
Precision, the Ideas of his Author, and no others ; and express them, not
literally, but iu well adapted classical Language. How far your Trans
lation is exactly correct, I am an incompetent Judge ; for, not understand
ing the Language of the original, I cannot examine and compare the Trans
lation with it. Of the style and manner of the Translation, I think well.
Which are the most authentic Documents before the Public, relative to
the negociations at Paris in 1782 ? is a question which I am not in capacity
to answer. Many years have elapsed since I have read any of them ; and
others have since been published, which I have not seen. Without a pre
vious and careful Examination of each of them, it would be rash and uufair
to give a Preference to either.
On receiving your first Letter, I conjectured that you was of the respect
able Family of your name in Massachusetts ; and that conjecture appears
from your last to have been well founded. If in going from Philadelphia
to Boston,' you should not find it inconvenient to take the Road through
this Town, you will meet with a welcome Reception from
Sir your ob' Serv'
George Alexander Otis Esq'. John Jay.
The 2d Vol. was brought here this Evening.
[Addressed: " George Alexander Otis, Esq1 | Philadelphia."]

Letter of John Adams. Montezillo,- February 9th 1821.
Dear Sir
I thank you for your favour of the 29 January, and your Translation
of Botta. I have not yet read it for I received it but yesterday, and reading
is to me so laborious, and painful an occupation, that it requires a long time.
But I cannot refrain from expressing the pleasure 1 have received from the
reasoning of Mr. Jay, upon the passage from Botta — "That anteriour to the
Revolution there existed in the Colonies a desire of Independence." There
is great ambiguity in the expression, there existed in the Colonies a desire
of Independence — it is true there always existed in the Colonies a desire of
Indepeiidence of Parliament, \n. the articles _oJMrrternal Taxation, jincl
i LiiernaLpolicy ; and a very general if not a universal opinion, that they
were Constitutionally entitled to it, and as general a determination if possible,
I to maintain, and defend it — but there never existexLa desire of Independence
iof the Crown, or of general^ regulations of Commerce, for the equal and
[impartial 'benefit of all parts of the Empire'^It is true there might be
times and circumstances iu which an Individual, or few Individuals, might
entertain and express a wish that America was Independent in all respects,
but these were " rari nantes in gurgite vasto." For example in one thousand
seven hundred and fifty six, seven, and eight, the conduct of the British
Generals Shirley, Braddock, Loudon, Webb and Abercromby was so absurd,
disastrous, and distructive, that a very general opinion prevailed that the
\\ ar was conducted by a mixture of Ignorance, Treachery and Cowardice,
and some persous wished we had nothing to do with Great Britain for ever.
Of this number I distinctly remember, I was myself one, fully believing
that we were able to defend ourselves against the French and Indians,
without any assistance or embarrassment from Great Britain. In fifty eight
and fifty nine, when Amherst and Wolfe changed the fortune of the War,
hy a more able and faithful conduct of it, I again rejoiced in the name of
Britain, and should have rejoiced in it, to this day, hail not the King and
Parliament committed high Treason and Rebellion against America as soon
as they had conquered Canada, and made Peace with France. Th_at_ there
existed a general desire of Independence of the Crown in any part of
America before the Revolution, is as far from the Truth, as -the Z aiith is
from the Nadir. That the encroaching disposition of Great Britain was
early foreseen by many wise men, in all the States, would one day attempt
to enslave them, by au unlimited submission to Parliament, and rule them
with a rod of Iron ; that this attempt would produce resistance on the part of
America, and an awful struggle was also foreseen but dreaded and deprecated
as the greatest Calamity that could befal them. For my own part, there
was not a moment during the Revolution, when I would not have given
every thing I possessed "fora restoration to the State of things before the
Contest began, provided we could have had any sufficient security for its
continuance. I always dreaded the Revolution as fraught with ruin, to me
and my family, and indeed it has been but little better. 1 could entertain
von with many little trifling anecdotes which though familiar and vulvar
would indicate the temper, feelings, and forebodings among the people, that
I cannot write.
I see :il the end of the Biography, of the Author, that Botta has written
the Biography of John Adams. — I never saw, or heard of it before, but if

he means me, it must be a curious mess, for he can certainly have no
authentic information on the very insignificant subject.
I am Sir, Your obliged friend
George Alexander Otis, Esq'0 and humble servant,
John Adams.

DOCUMENTS AND LETTERS BY ACTORS IN THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION,
IN THE COLLECTION OF THE COMPILER.
Gen. Sir Robert Pigot.
GEN. Pigot was commander of the thirty-eighth regiment at the
battle of Bunker Hill. He was thanked in general orders for
the prominent part he took in the engagement. His regiment had
nine officers among the killed and wounded.
" Hero the firm anim iting Pigot fought,
His warlike name the gallant leaders caught;
The privates felt iis force, from man to man
T' excell in fight an emulation ran."
Cooking's Poem, London, 1781.
Mr. Wheeler, Will you be so good as to let my Landlord or his Brother know if you
can find an Opportunity that I do not intend to be his Tenant any longer
after the year expires, as I am obliged to reside on this side the water & can
have but little Use & no Enjoyment of his House. If he has no Objection
my Serv' shall continue in it & a Sentry kept at the gate till he can provide
a Tenant, or will send any one to take care of it
I am Sir
Bunker's Hill yr. very Hum1. Serv'.
24 July [1775] R'. Pigot.
Gen. John Thomas.
He was born in Marshfield, Mass., 1725, and died in Chamblee,
Canada, June 2, 1776.
" By the way, I must do justice to Thomas ; he is a good officer,
and is esteemed. We have no trouble with his camp ; it is always
in good order, and things are conducted with dignity and spirit in
the military style." — James Warren to Samuel Adams, June 21,
1775. Roxbury Feby 17th 1776.
Recd. of Cap' Amos Turner two pounds Nine Shillings & Eight pence
half penny which being the Balance of Wages Due from Said Cap' Turner
to Mr Calvin Garnet a Private in said Turner's Company Jn° Thomas

John Glover, Brigadier General.
He joined the army at Cambridge in 1775 with 1000 men from
Marblehead, was in the advance of the army which crossed the Dela
ware on tbe night of the 25th of December, 177(5. " I think I may
tell you without flattery, that I know of no man better qualified than
you to conduct a brigade." — Washington to Glover, April 26,
1777.
Sir, I recd yours by your boy respecting the swivils Borrow" for the Use of
y" American Navey. Doubtless you remember when I recd yr Guns, it was
agreed that if they should be Lost, I was to see you paid four pounds for
the pair, agreeable to that I maid my return to General Washington I
therefore Cannot of my self pay a greater Prise. I think if 1 mistake not
I gave you a Receipt for that amount which if you will receive, I will
Desier Cap' Wm Bartlett to pay. I am Sir yours &c.
Beverly Feby. 29. 1776. John Glover.
[Addressed : " To Cap' John White Jun1 | In Salem "]

Col. James Lochwood.
He was aid to Maj.- General David Wooster.
Camp, before Quebec, April 25th, 1776.
Dear Sir
1 have just received your favour of yesterday & say in answer — The
Gen1 [Wooster] thinks it will be better that Mr Lizott should be sent by
Water than through the Country — with regard to the two Vessels Cap'
Tenyck who takes command of Peppers Schooner has Orders to take up all
suspected Vessels & boats & those two, have been mentioned to him, he will
stop at Point au Tremble, the Gen1 therefore desires you to direct him, at
any rate to secure those Vessels, he will receive proper information from
you concerning them — remember me affectionately to your family & believe
me your most obed' Serv'
Cap' McNeil — Ja8 Lockwood
[Addressed : " To Cap" Hector McNeil | at | Point au Tremble "J
Maj. -General David Wooster.
He was born in Stratford, Conn., 1710, and died May 2, 1777,
from wounds received in an engagement with British troops at Dan-
bury, Conn., 27th April, 1777. Camp Before Quebec, April 26th 1776
Dear Sir,
I am much obliged to you for the information you give me in yours of
yesterday which I have received & say in answer — I shall write Gen1
Arnold concerning the Acadien & also to arrest Palmer —

I have Ordered four Barls Pork to be sent you from here should be glad
you would send two of them to Cap" Scott if you can possibly procure flour
at Point au Tremble I hope in a few days to be able to replace Cash for it.
I am informed that Mr Cole with a large sum was left at Crownpoint & was
every hour expected at Montreal.
With regard to the Gaspee please to procure a Pilot & put some hands
on board of her from Cap" Church's party & send her to Jackes Cartier
with Orders to be left ashore . there — Let Matherman follow his Cap'.
The Articles for the Maria with a Gunner were sent from this place yester
day, I have sent for Cap" Goforth from three Rivers a very good man, to
take charge of her — Prince, Pepper's Mate 1 shall send after immediately —
Give me leave to congratulate you upon the Good News from Boston &
believe me most affectionately your very hble Serv'
My Comp'8 to your family David Wooster.
Cap' Mc Neil
[Superscribed: "On the Service of the United Colonies"
Addressed: "To Cap" Hector McNeil | at | Point au Tremble"]
Col. Elias Dayton.
In 1759 he was in the army under General Wolfe at Quebec. He
joined the American army in 1775, and was in the battles of Bran-
dywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Springfield, and at the Siege of
Yorktown. Fort Stanwix July 18th 1776.
Dr Sir The bearer  Schuyler has just returned from a scout to Oswego where
he says everything is as yet quiet he saw a horse & a number of Cows there
which he says can be easily brought off if General Schuyler Approves of'
the scheme I will send proper persons with Schuyler to effect it if the
Cows are left a little longer without doubt our enemy's will possess them —
I expect tomorrow to dismiss two scouts towards Oswegotse hope to be
all ways so much upon our guard as to prevent being surprised by our
barbarous enemies what do you think of setinsj fire to Fort Ontario
E. D.
Maj. -Gen. William Heath.
He was born in Roxbury, Mass., March 2, 1737 ; and died there
Jan. 24, 1814. In early life entered into military duties, in 1761
and 1771—4 was a member of tbe legislature ; was a member of the
committees of Safety and Correspondence and a delegate to the
Provincial Congress in 1774—5. He joined the army in 1775, and
continued till tbe close of the war. Head Qrs. Boston, 1" September 1776.
Sir, You will immediately repair to and take the Command of Castle
Island. I am Sir
your obed' serv'
L' Col1 Revere W. Heath, M. Gen1
2

10
John Gooch.
New Jersey. Fort Constitution, Sept. 23. 1776.
Sir The many favors Received from you will ever hold a gratfull place in
my heart, and I flatter myself a Letter will not prove disagreeable as I
look on myself obliged in gratitude to let you hear from me, as I know you
must be anetious for the certainty of events of which you can have at that
distance but a confused account, as I was on the spot will endeavor to give
you as Concise & Just account as possible; on the 15th Inst we evacuated
New York & took all stores of every kind out of the City, and took
Possession of bights of Haerlem eight miles from the City, the Enimy
incamp'd about two miles from us; on the 16th the Eninimy advanced and
took Possession of a bight on our Right Flank ab* half a mile Distance
with about 3000 men, a Party from our Brigade of 151) men who turned
out as Volunteers under the command of Lieut. Col0 Crary of the Regm'
I belong to were ordered out if possible to dispossess them, in about 20
minits the Plngagement began with as terrible a fire as ever I heard, when
Orders came for the whole Brigage imediately to march to support the
first detachment, the Brigade Consisted of ab' 900 men. we immediately
formed in front of the Enimy and march'd up in good order through their
fire, which was incessant till within 70 yards when we Engaged them in
that situation we engaged them for one hour and eight minits, when the
Enimy Broke & Ran, we persued them to the next hights, when we were
ordered to Retreat Our lose does not exceed in killed and wounded twenty
five men, the lose of the Enimy was very considerable but cannot be ascer-
taind, as we observed them to carry of their dead and wounded the whole
time of the Engagement, they left a Number of killed and wounded on the
Field of Battle & a great number of small Armes, the great Superiority of
Numbers and every other advantage the Enemy had, when considered makes
the Victory Glorious, and tho' but over a part of their Army yet the Con
sequences of it are attended with advantages very great, as they imediately
qui ted the hights all round us and have not been troublesome sinse, our
people behaved with the greatest Spirit, and the New England men have
gained the first Lawrells. I received a slight wound in the Anekle at the
first of the Engagement but never quited the Field during the Engagement.
I'm now Ready to give them the second part whenever they have an
appetite, as I'm convinced whenever stir from their Ships we shall di ubb them.
Every thing here is very dear Rum 1 6s. 1. my : pr Galls and every thing
in proportion. 1 expect to see you in Jany if heaven spares me when perhaps
may fall on a seeme that you may think advantageous as it will be impossible
for me to stay in the Army for eight pounds pr month should esteem myself
very iu having a line, my Best Respects to your Lady & Family.
I am with a due sense of obligations
Your oblig'd & most olid' Servant
John Goocn.
[Addressed: "To Thomas Fayerweather Esq | Merch' | In | Boston"]
William White.
Fort Washington October 5th 1776.
Mr. Comasery Cuts Sr pleyse to Let the Baiere have the Rum for Twenty
seven men on fortugue William White Liu'

11
Robert Morris, Philip Livingston. Richard H. Lee, William Whipple
and Francis Lewis.
In Secret Committee
of Congress. Philadd. Dec7. 4th- 1776.
Gent".
A Committee of Congress was appointed the 25th Sepf. to procure
Cloathing in all the States on this Continent for the use of our Army and
we find they wrote to you on the 10th Octr. requesting the favour of you to
employ proper persons to purchase what cou'd be obtained in your State to
this letter they have not rec'd any answer and the Congress being very
anxious and impatient to have this important business duely attended to &
executed have directed us to send one or more trusty persons into the
Eastern States to collect what has been bought & to make such further
purchases of suitable articles as they can accomplish. We have engaged
Messrs Ab"' Livingston & Wm Turnbull bearers hereof to go upon this
Service. You will be pleased to direct them to the persons who have made
purchases on Continental acc't by order, & let the Goods be delivered to
these Gent™ or their order. We have also by direction of Congress
authorized them to make further purchases & must beg the favour of your
advice and assistance to them in the prosecution of that business, or that
you will desire your Committee to give them such assistance.
We have judged it dangerous to send a large amount of money with
them at this time on ace'' of the situation of our Enemy neither cou'd we
judge what sum might be sufficient, therefore we request you will order
them to be supplyed out of your Public Treasury if needfull, their drafts on
this Committee for the amount shall be Paid & if desired the money shall
be sent by express. Your Zeal to serve the general cause on all occasions
makes us satisfied of your concurrence with our desires & we remain with
the utmost respect Gent'". Your most Obed't & most
h'ble Serv'3-
Rob'. Morris.
Phil. Livingston.
To Richard Henry Lee.
The Honble. Assembly of Wm Whipple.
Massachusets Bay. Fra: Lewis.
Gen. George Clinton.
In October, 1777, Forts Montgomery and Clinton, on the Hud
son river, were bravely defended by Gen. Clinton and his brother
Gen. James Clinton — the latter being badly wounded. He was the
first governor of the State of New-York, holding the office for eight
een years, being active in both civil and military offices during the
war. March 3d 1777
Sir You are not upon any Pretence whatever unless obliged by the stress
of weather to land upon Long Island nor to suffer any of your Men so to
do — nor are you or any of your men in such Case to plunder or distress any
of the Inhabitants whatever their political Principles or characters may bee
and these Instructions you are to follow at your Peril.
To Cap' Wm Smith Scudder

12

Maj.- General William Heath, Capt. Thomas Jackson and Major Jonathan
Pollard.
An Abstract for Six Weeks Pay from the first Day of January 1777 for
a Detachment of Men under the Command of Cap' L'. Thomas Jackson of
the Artillery

I Sergant

a 60s.

£. 4.

4.

0

1 Corporal

a 55s.

3.

17.

0

1 Boinbardiar

a 55s.

3.

17.

0

1 Gunner

a 55s.

17.

0

4 Matrosses

a 50s.

49.

0

0

To Travelling Money Due for 18
Men from Peekskill to Boston Beign
220 Miles a 20 Miles for 1 Days Travelling
the Whole Amount ....

64. 15. 0

16. 10. 0

£. 81.

Thomas Jackson C;

5. 0
Artillery

Roxhury, March 13th 1777.
Received of Major-General Heath the ahove abstract in full
Tho" Jack.son Cap' L' Artillery
To Ebenezer Hancock Esq. Deputy Paymaster General to
The Forces of the United States of America

Sir Pay to Major Jonathan Pollard Two Hundred and Seventy Dollars f
as a refund of the within, for which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant
Given at Head Quarters ,,T TT ,, „
Boston March 29* 1777 ^ " HEATH' MG>
Received the above for Major-General Heath, Jon" Pollard A Dc

Gen. Joseph Spencer.
He held the rank of Major in the colonial army in 1756. He was
appointed Brigadier-General in the continental army, June 22,
1 775, and Major-General Aug. 9, 1776. In 1777 he was in command
of the forces on Rhode Island. He resigned June, 1778, and was
elected a delegate to Congress the same year. He died at East-
Haddam, Conn., January, 1789, aged 75 years.
Sir Providence 10,b Dec1. 1777
According to agreement with Mr Adams when here I wrote to him to
be here to pay the Troops the beginning of this Week and according to his
desire ordered the Officers to be here ready with their abstracts, and not
until yesterday did I know but that the Cash would be ready. Yesterday
Sundry Officers came for their pay, and then I Rec'd a Letter from Mr
Adams informing that he had no Cash to bring which is a very unhappy
disappointment to the Troops and happening at the present Juncture is very
prejudicial to me in my Command at this place and indeed I am in absolute
need of Three or Four Thousand pounds of Cash to provide for the neces
sary subsistence of the Army — I think, Sir, out of what Cash you have I
ought to have my part. 1 miist depend on some. I shall soon be at Boston

13
on other business as well as this, when I shall wait on you relative to this
matter. I am Sir your Humble Serv'
Ebenr Hancock Esq. Jos Spencer M.G.
[Addressed: "On publick Service" " Ebenr Hancock Esq | Dy Pay
Master Gen1 | to the Eastern Department | Boston"]
Col. Jonathan Trumbull.
In 1775—8 he was paymaster of the northern department of tbe
army, and in 1780 first aide-de-camp to Washington, with whom
he remained until the close of the war. This letter is franked by
his father, " Brother Jonathan," the friend of Washington.
„. Lebanon 19th Jauy. 1778
Sir The Draft from Continental Treasury Board in my Favor on your
office for 200,000 Dollars which was protested by you on the 10th of last
Month has been to Congress, & is now returned to me again, with Instructions
"to hold it in my Custody, un till there shall be Cash in the Massachusetts
Loan Office for supplying the Amount which the Treasury Board are
assured will, by partial Payments, be compleated at no very distant Period."
You will be so good Sir, as to inform me pr this Messenger, what Prospect
there is of the money being obtained — to prevent Trouble & Expence I shall
be glad to be furnished with the whole Sum att one Payment if possible, if
that cannot be soon compleated, our necessities will oblige me to call for a
partial Payment whenever you inform of any considerable Part being ready.
Our Department has already suffered very Deeply by the Disappointments
occasioned by Mr Hancock's unaccountable Delay — or non Information of
the first Draft which was Dated 16th Oct0— On which, if it had been
forwarded agreable to the Expectations of Congress I am told the Money
miu-ht have been received — the money for supply of this Failure, has not yet
been furnished at my office — the Distress of many for Want of it is great
— great Part of which falls on the Militia of your State — who are at this
Day unpaid for their Services in Gen1 Gates army last Fall
I send this pr special Messinger who will wait your Reply.
I am Sir
Your most humble Servant
Nathan1 Appleton Esq Jon" Trumbull Junr. P. M. G.
Northern Department
[Superscribed , " Public Service "
franked "Jonathan Trumbull"
Addressed: "Nathaniel Appleton Esq | Commissioner of Loan Office |
State of Massachusetts Bay "]
Lord Stirling ( William Alexander).
He was born New-York city in 1726, and died Albany, Jan. 15,
1783. He was a Colonel in 1775, and was made a Brigadier-Gene
ral by Congress, March, 1776. He distinguished himself in various
battles during the Revolution.

14 Aquakanock Octob1 5. 1778. ,
Dr Sir I must desire that you will immediately march with your whole force
including militia up to the Heights near Second River, a detachment of the
Enemy is on the heights near Arant Schylers, you will Do your best to
Auoy them in Case they should Attempt to pass the River below us. Let
me hear from you as often as possible I am
Colonel Dayton. your most Humble Serv'
Elizabeth Town _ Stirling
let the River be examined to see if they have any boats in it.
[Addressed: "To Co1 Dayton | Elizabeth Town"]
Gen. Rufus Putnam.
He was born in Sutton, Mass., April 9, 1738, and died at Mari
etta, Ohio, May 4, 1824. In 177 5 he joined the army of the Revo
lution as a Lieut. Colonel in the regiment of Col. David Brewer.
He served with distinction as an engineer and commander until the
close of the war. Coller Barrack February y° 20"1- 1779.
Sir. I send you six men to chop logs you will Quarter them and Imploy
them as you think propper if a Sawyer is wanted I can furnish one.
r., r, t isi Yours.
Io Lap r lowers n t> r, ,„
r R Putnam Col0
P. S. The Mens Names
are Jonathan Harwood
Enoch Fuller
Isaac Train
John Church
John Cummins
John Ayres.
[Addressed: "To Cap1 Flowers"] Richard Henry Lee.
Philadelphia March 29. 1779.
Dear Sir,
I am honored with your favor of the 19th- and thank you for it. I
always thought too well of your wisdom and justice to suppose you could
be influenced by the most groundless, ill designing, and improbable calumnies
that ever were devised by wicked minds. From the most intimate confiden
tial correspondence and from the best information, I have abundant reason
to be satisfied that both my brothers in Europe are as firmly attached to the
independence and happiness of America as any men that breathe the vital
air. I should detest them if I thought otherways, or had any reason to
think of them than as I have above expressed. A strict adherance to dutv
active Services for their Country, and opposition to public peculation has
drawn tliis calumny on them. Mr Ford being such a man as you describe

15
and having with him authentic documents to prove that he had been confided
m b}T one of these States might well impose upon Dr. Lee who was an utter
stranger to any misconduct that he had been guilty of here. I will answer
for it, that he wont remain an hour in his employment after the Doctor
knows his character. I shall be greatly concerned indeed if we have been
so unfortunate as to have lost the military Stores that you expected. But
since Dr Lee does not mention anything in his letters to me about having
shipped them, and not having seen any mention of such capture in the N.
York papers, I yet hope they may be safe. T'is true the number of
privateers that avarice and enmity have equipped from N.York & Bermuda
to cruise on our trade is very great indeed. I think by their list they
amount to more than eighty. Some Frigates are ordered to clear our Coast
of these Rovers, and I hope they will be successful. But this destination
of our Frigates ought not to be made public. I wish with all my heart we
had any important intelligence to communicate to you. 1 know of none,
unless what I have before written, that we have very good reason to know
that our enemies have no prospect of aid of any kind from any European
Power to assist them in their war against us. Holland seems much disposed
to us, at least Amsterdam is securely with us, and that is a Powerful Part
of their Union. The King of the two Siclies has opened his Ports to us,
and the English themselves Publish that Spain has notified to the Court of
Loudon that they will join France if the former does not acknowledge the
Independence of America and make peace. But such is the distinctive
obstinacy and wickedness of our enemies, that they appear determined to
try another Campaign, and therefore our efforts should be exerted to reen-
force our Army with all possible dispatch.
The malice of our foes must recoil upon their own heads, if we are but
wise and take the necessary precautions. I am, dear Sir, yours with much
Affection and Sincerity
Richard Henry Lee.
[Addressed & franked : " Honorable John Page, esquire | at Williams
burg, in | Virginia."
" It. H. Lee "] Gen. Mordecai Gist.
He was born in Baltimore, Md., 1743, and was appointed major
of a battalion of Maryland regulars, in July, 1776, attached to the
brigade under the command of Lord Stirling. In 1777 he was
promoted to colonel, and was engaged in the battle of Germantown.
In 1779 Congress appointed him a brigadier general, and he served
with distinction throughout the war. Camp Butter Milk Falls.
24 July 177 9.
Dear Sir.
It is now two Weeks since my arrival from the S. Ward during which
time my horses have had no Forrage of any kind whatever, which
with the fatigue of a long Journey has operated so forcibly on the frame
& Spirit of "hose Honest Creatures, that you might from appearances,
venture to swear they have suffered all the pains of transmutation ; pray my
Dear Sir remedy this evil or enable the bearer my Brigade ***** the

16
request of Mrs Alexander I have to inform you that she with her family &
Miss Buchanan are in perfect health & beg their compliments to you
With due Respect I am Sir yr mo Hum Serv'
M. Gist.
William Eustis, LL.D.
He was born Cambridge, Mass., June 10, 175.3, and died in
Boston, Feb. 6, 1825. He entered the army as a regimental sur
geon in 1775, and served during the Revolution. He was a mem
ber of Congress 1800-5 and 1820-3; Secretary of War, 1809-12;
Minister to Plolland in 1815; and Governor of Massachusetts in
1824-5, dying while in office.
Dear Craigie
There is so favorable an opportunity by Doctor Foster to remind you
of your promise last Winter that I cannot suffer it to pass unimproved.
For God's Sake (if not for the sake of your friends ) let us have the pleasure
to hear from you. Acquaint us what methods you pursue in Philadelphia
rather what steps Congress- imagine we shall very shortly be obliged to take.
Is it not astonishing that regardless of the decent applications from the
medical dep' they use us with a neglect which would weary the patience of
Job ? Do they imagine us stocks and stones ? and are we not human
nature ?
I do assure you, my good friend our ill treatment is not seldom mentioned
by officers of the line & its only palliative is that we have the honor to taste
that inattention which the Saviours of this Country have lono- experienced:
I have not time to write Doctor Browne by this opportunity and will
thank you to inform him that after signing one copy of the Paper I have
transmitted it to Doctor Warren in Boston : and another to Dr. Turner in
Norwich to be sent on by him to Dr. Adams &c at Providence : mentioning
the necessity of their loosing not a post, but of forwarding them to i?
Browne in Ph : as soon as possible. To Doctors Foster & Ledyard I have
likewise given a copy which I imagine Doctor Foster is to take on with
him to Philadelphia.
One good effect will at least be produced by this which from its nature
must be our last representation to Congress. January will either o-ive us
some compensation for five the most valuable years in life expended^in the
service ot the country, or it will send us home with a most useful lesson:
and which alternative will conduce most to our advantages as individuals I
am utterly at a loss to determine
Adieu, my dear friend and believe me with affection yr friend & servant
„,„,, . T, , . William Eustis.
22 October At Robinsons House
Andr Craigie Esq. [1779 near West Point]
Gen. Joseph Reed.
He was born Trenton, N. J., Aug 27, 1741, and died Phik
delphia, March 5, 1785. A lawyer by profession, he took an ac-

17
tive part in the early movements in favor of independence. He was
a member of the Committee of Correspondence, President of the
first Pennsylvania Convention in 1775, and delegate to Congress.
At the solicitation of Washington, in 1775, he accompainied him
to Cambridge as his first Secretary and Aide-de-Camp. In 1777
he was appointed Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, and by Congress
a Brigadier General — both of which he declined. He served ""as a
volunteer at the battles of Brandy wine, AVhite Marsh, Germantown
and Monmouth. He was a member of Congress in 1778, and a
signer of the Confederation. He held many other important posi
tions, and aided many philanthropic movements. Jan 7. 1780.
Dear General
I received your Letter last Evening giving me Expectation of meeting
you this Day : But not hearing from you, I have sent again to know whether I
may expect you & when & whether any Persons on the Part of the Troop
will make known their Complaints, which will most certainly be redressed
on every reasonable Point, & when any Doubt arises the Construction to be
in Favour of the Soldiers. The Proposals made by them on the 4th Inst.
seem to form a reasonable Ground of Accomodation. The 4th Article has
been hastily drawn, their own Experience will convince them of the
Necessity of some Alteration. It will be necessary also to distinguish those
who have freely enlisted for the War, otherwise all Contract is at an End.
& when they are requesting an Allowance for Depreciation agreable to
Contract, they certainly will not vindicate a Breach of Contract. We will
also agree upon some equitable Mode of determining who are so enlisted
which may be done by three Persons agreed on for that Purpose., But this
will not exclude those from a Gratuity proportioned to their service. They
may depend upon every just & reasonable allowance & I hope they have
too much Honour & Spirit to tarnish their former good conduct- by asking
unreasonable Things, or those which are impracticable. Their honourable
& patriotick Conduct this morning will be ever remembered & suitably
rewarded if nothing unfavorable to their Country should happen. Should
they refuse to serve their Country at this time it will be an eternal Reproach
to the State to which they belong & to which they have done so much
Honour by their Bravery & they must acknowledge that when they compare
the Conduct of the State to them with that of most of the States, they have
been better provided than others. Those who after being discharged choose
to reinlist will be kindly received but they will be at their own Liberty to do
so or not. If they choose to engage again they will be allowed Furlows to see
their Friends when the Circumstances of the Army will admit — The Arrears
of Pay, Depreciations, Cloathing &c. I mentioned in my former letter these
will be taken care of immediately. Should they take any rash step after this
all the world will condemn them, & they will condemn themselves : for
America will not be lost, if they decline their Asistance to save her.
I am Dear Sir
Your Obed Hble Ser'
Jo" Reed

18

Gen. David Cobb.
He was born in Attleborough, Mass., Sept. 14, 1748, and died
April 17, 1830. He graduated at Harvard College, 1766, and prac
tised medicine in Boston and Taunton for several years. He was a
member of the Provincial Congress in 1775 from Taunton, having
as colleague Robert Treat Paine, afterwards a signer of the Declara
tion of Independence. He entered the army in 1777, and was
appointed by Washington one of his Aides-de-Camp in June. 1781,
in whose family he remained till the close of the war. He was ap
pointed by Gov. Hancock a judge of the Court of Common Pleas,
and Major-General of the militia, in which positions he showed
much ability and determination of character. In 1789 he was
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and in 1793 elected mem
ber of Congress, Senator in 1795, and in 1809 Lieut. -Governor of
the State. [See Register, viii. 5. J Boston April 25th. 1780.
Dear Col0.
I got to this Town, from Taunton last Evening, & to my very great
disappointment found Mr Lovell here, with my great Letter in possession,
that I wrote you a month ago, I was damn'd mad in seeing him & more so,
when I was inform'd that he had not sent my Letter, as it contains matters
that you'd be fond of knowing — As I have just got to Town, can't be able
to inform you any particulars relating to cloathing, small stores &c. but
shall write you next post what scituation they are in —
Mr Loveh's detention was occasioned by the lameness of his Horse, the
poor fellow had bo't him and that cost him 5 part of his Depreciation & in
three days after he was Kick'd in such a maimer that he has not been out
of the stable these three weeks — -we Gent". Officers are not able to purchase
Horses every month — Lovell feels anxious about his being detain'd, but his
scituation cou'd not be prevented. Your Friend
Col. Jackson. David Cobb

[Addressed : " Col Henry Jackson | Headquarters "]

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