American History Told by Contemporaries/Volume 2/Chapter 26
PART VII
CONDITIONS OF THE REVOLUTION
CHAPTER XXVI — THE PATRIOTS
159. "Liberty Tree" (1775)
BY THOMAS PAINE
Paine was the son of a staymaker in England, and emigrated to America in the midst of the political excitement of 1774. His various pamphlets had a wide and powerful influence. — Bibliography : Tyler, Literary History of the Revolution, I, 452 471. — For the Liberty Tree, see Winsor, Memorial History of Boston, III, 159.
IN a chariot of light from the regions of day,
- The Goddess of Liberty came;
Ten thousand celestials directed the way,
- And hither conducted the dame.
A fair budding branch from the gardens above,
- Where millions with millions agree,
She brought in her hand, as a pledge of her love,
- And the plant she named, Liberty Tree.
II.
The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground,
- Like a native it flourished and bore.
The fame of its fruit drew the nations around,
- To seek out this peaceable shore.
Unmindful of names or distinctions they came,
- For freemen like brothers agree,
With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued,
- And their temple was Liberty tree.
III.
Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old,
- Their bread in contentment they eat,
Unvex'd with the troubles of silver and gold,
- The cares of the grand and the great.
With timber and tar they Old England supply'd,
- And supported her power on the sea ;
Her battles they fought, without getting a groat,
- For the honour of Liberty tree.
IV.
But hear, O ye swains, ( 'tis a tale most profane,)
- How all the tyrannical powers,
King, Commons, and Lords, are uniting amain,
- To cut down this guardian of ours ;
From the east to the west, blow the trumpet to arms,
- Thro' the land let the sound of it flee,
Let the far and the near, — all unite with a cheer,
- In defence of our Liberty tree.
Thomas Paine, editor, The Pennsylvania Magazine, July, 1775 (Philadelphia, 1775), 328-329.
160. A Troublous Year in a Country Village (1776)
Williams was the first minister at Longmeadow, Massachusetts. His diary gives a picture of the life of a small village in the tumultuous Revolutionary times. — Bibliography of civil life during the Revolution : Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, ch. i, and bibliographical notes.
JANUARY 1, 1776 — Grant us help in this day of trouble; a very remarkable year past ; the most that I ever saw — unnatural war, great sickness, and remarkable drought. 100 years ago we were in a struggle with the Indians, who rose up in rebellion and designed the ruin of the country, but God preserved us. In the year past the leaders of our nation have sent troops to subdue and bring us under in this country, to submit to their arbitrary and tyrannical measures. Much blood has been shed — towns destroyed. I do humbly pray that God would humble and reform us, and heal our backslidings, and yet regard us in our low estate, and relieve us in this calamity, and grant that real religion may yet revive and flourish, and that we may know God and turn to Him and accept the punishment of our sins, and answer the ends of it.
5 — By post we have the king's speech to Parliament and observe that he seems resolutely set to bring the Americans under. O Lord, be pleased to restrain the wrath of man and cause it to praise thee. — 12 — Report that the great mortar and some cannon are brought through the woods from Ticonderoga. What the design is I do not know. The Lord mercifully regard and help ; otherwise all these schemes and pains and labors and expenses will be to no purpose.
March 28 — This day our military company was called together and chose their officers. I prayed with them at the meeting house.
April 9 — I hear of tumults and disorderly practices, stupidity, hardness of heart, atheism, and unbelief prevail. The British ministry breathe out cruelty against the colonies still. Things look darker and darker. 21 — Sabbath, and a quiet Sabbath. No alarm or tumult, praised be God.
May 1. — A report of 20,000 troops at Halifax from England, not yet confirmed.
July 24. — A number of people gathered together, some dressed like Indians with blankets, and manifested uneasiness with those that trade in rum, molasses, sugar, etc. I understand that a number went to Merchant Colton's and have again taken away his goods. I don't see the justice or equity of it. Many don't approve of it, but have not resolution enough to interpose and endeavour redress. I am fearful of special troubles in this place, not only on account of Samuel Colton's goods, but also because several of our people are going into service in Connecticut, and so our quota will be deficient, and possibly men may be drafted.
August 11. — This day I read publickly, being required thereto by the Provincial Council, the Declaration of the Continental Congress for Independency. 21. — Joseph Bumstead (a trusty man servant of the family) and grandson Stephen set out for Roxbury to join the army.
14 — Sabbath. This day a number of soldiers came from town on their march to the southward and breakfasted eastward of Dea. Ely's. Not so much interruption as we feared. The men behaved with moderation. They are under the conduct of Gen. Lee, who is gone down the other side. 16 — Report, probably true, that our forces at Quebec have met with a great rebuff. Gen. Montgomery killed, Col. Arnold wounded, 70 men killed, 300 taken.
Sept. 4 — Awful work ; our troops driven from Long Island ; reports more affecting and distressing ; thousands destroyed, especially Connecticut people. 6 — A gentleman of intelligence came from New York and gave me a more favorable account. 12 — Report of regulars and Indians coming down the Mohawk river towards Albany ; likely to divide our forces and distress us on every side. Report that the General Court has voted that every fifth man of our militia be ready at minute's warning. 14 — In the evening an order came to have the militia ready at a minute's warning. Sabbath disturbed.
Oct. 1 — Several persons inimical to American liberty brought to town some confined in the jail ; others carried to Worcester, brought from the Westward, near Hudson river.
Nov. 16 — This day a number of men called tories were escorted by a party of armed men and came to Dea. Ely's and breakfasted, from Long Island, who have showed themselves unfriendly to the liberties of America. Lord grant moderation and kindness. 25 — Dark weather, dark things, stupidity, and obstinacy ; disregard of the business of the house of God.
30 — Military Co. called together at a minute's warning to go wherever called. People don't appear forward.
December 4 — Our soldiers begin to return that enlisted for a stated time, and people seem engaged to get money, and I fear by oppression and unjust measure. 6 — Reported a large fleet appears before New London. People are in a fright and the Connecticut militia flecking down to New London.
31 — The last day of the year. It has been one of the most remarkable in the history of America. The people, by their Congress have declared Independency, and the king's troops and fleets are come against us. Battles have been fought ; forts and towns taken ; much blood shed ; many taken captive and wounded ; many sick, and many have died in our army. Sickness has everywhere prevailed ; deaths have been many ; a day of darkness indeed.
[R. S. Storrs and others, editors], Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Longmeadow ([Hartford], 1884), 210-212 passim.
161. Reign of King Mob (1775)
This piece sums up the view of the loyalists as to the process by which the Revolution was brought about. Such violence undoubtedly checked the opposition to the movement. — Bibliography as in No. 166 below.
YOUR assuming the government of Massachusetts Bay, makes it unnecessary for me to make any apology for addressing you in this public manner, further, than by acquainting you that it is to represent to you the distresses of some of those people, who, from a sense of their duty to the king, and a reverence for his laws, have behaved quietly and peaceably ; and for which reason they have been deprived of their liberty, abused in their persons, and suffered such barbarous cruelties, insults, and indignities, besides the loss of their property, by the hands of lawless mobs and riots, as would have been disgraceful even for savages to have committed. The courts of justice being shut up in most parts of the province, and the justices of those courts compelled by armed force, headed by some who are members of your Congress, to refrain from doing their duties, at present it is rendered impracticable for those sufferers to obtain redress, unless it be by your interposition, or the aid of military force, which will be applied for in case this application fails. A particular enumeration of all the instances referred to, is apprehended unnecessary, as many of your members are personally knowing to them, and for the information of any of you who may pretend ignorance of them, the following instances are here mentioned. In August last, a mob in Berkshire forced the justices of the court of Common Pleas from their seats, and shut up the court-house. They also drove David Ingersoll from his house, and damaged the same, and he was obliged to leave his estate ; after which his enclosures were laid waste. At Taunton, Daniel Leonard was driven from his house, and bullets fired into it by the mob, and he obliged to take refuge in Boston, for the supposed crime of obeying his Majesty's requisition as one of his council for this province. Colonel Gilbert, of Freetown, a firm friend to government, in August last being at Dartmouth, was attacked at midnight by a mob of about an hundred, but by his bravery, with the assistance of the family where he lodged, they were beaten off. The same night Brigadier Ruggles was also attacked by another party, who were routed after having painted and cut the hair off of one of his horse's mane and tail. Afterwards he had his arms taken from his dwelling-house in Hardwick, all of which are not yet returned. He had at another time a very valuable English horse, which was kept as a stallion, poisoned, his family disturbed, and himself obliged to take refuge in Boston, after having been insulted in his own house, and twice on his way, by a mob. The chief justice of the province in Middleborough, was threatened to be stopped on the highway in going to Boston court, but his firmness and known resolution, supporting government in this as well as many other instances, intimidated the mob from laying hands on him ; he was also threatened with opposition in going into court, but the terror of the troops prevented. The whole bench were hissed by a mob as they came out of court. In September, Mr. Sewall, his Majesty's Attorney-General for Massachusetts Bay, was obliged to repair to Boston for refuge. His house at Cambridge was attacked by a mob, and his windows were broken, but the mob was beaten off by the gallant behavior and bravery of some young gentlemen of his family. About the same time the Lieutenant-Governor Oliver, president of his Majesty's council, was attacked at Cambridge, by a mob of about four thousand, and was compelled to resign his seat at the board, since which, upon further threats, he has been obliged to leave his estate, and take refuge with his family in Boston. At Worcester, a mob of about five thousand collected, prevented the court of Common Pleas from sitting, (about one thousand of them had fire-arms,) and all drawn up in two files, compelled the judges, sheriffs, and gentlemen of the bar, to pass them with cap in hand, and read their disavowal of holding courts under the new acts of parliament, not less than thirty times in their procession. Daniel Oliver, Esq., of Hardwick, was disarmed by a mob, and has been obliged to take refuge in Boston, to the total loss of his business. Colonel Phips, the very reputable and highly esteemed sheriff of the county of Middlesex, by a large mob was obliged to promise not to serve any processes of courts, and to retire to Boston for protection from further insults. Colonel Saltonstall, the very humane sheriff of the county of Essex, has been obliged to take refuge in Boston, to screen himself from the violence of the mob. The court of Common Pleas was forbidden to sit at Taunton, by a large mob, with a justice acting as one of their committee. At Middleborough, Peter Oliver, Esq., was obliged to sign a paper, not to execute his office, under the new acts. . . .
The Plymouth protesters, addressers, and military officers, were compelled by a mob of two thousand, collected from Plymouth and Barnstable counties, to recant and resign their military commissions. Thomas Foster, Esq., an ancient gentleman, was obliged to run into the woods, and had like to have been lost, and the mob, although the justices, with Mr. Foster, were sitting in the town, ransacked his house, and damaged his furniture. He was obnoxious as a friend to government, and for that reason they endeavored to deprive him of his business, and to prevent even his taking the acknowledgment of a deed. Richard Clark, Esq., a consignee of the tea, was obliged to retire from Salem to Boston, as an asylum ; and his son Isaac went to Plymouth to collect debts, but in the night was assaulted by a mob and obliged to get out of town at midnight. Jesse Dunbar, of Halifax, in Plymouth county, bought some fat cattle of Mr. Thomas the counsellor, and drove them to Plymouth for sale ; one of the oxen being skinned and hung up, the committee came to him, and finding he bought it of Mr. Thomas, they put the ox into a cart, and fixing Dunbar in his belly, carted him four miles, and there made him pay a dollar, after taking three more cattle and a horse from him. The Plymouth mob delivered him to the Kingston mob, which carted him four miles further, and forced from him another dollar, then delivered him to the Duxborough mob, who abused him by throwing the tripe in his face, and endeavoring to cover him with it to the endangering his life. They then threw dirt at him, and after other abuses carried him to said Thomas s house, and made him pay another sum of money, and he not taking the beef, they flung it in the road and quitted him. Daniel Dunbar, of Halifax, an ensign of militia there, had his colors demanded by the mob, some of the selectmen being the chief actors. He refused ; they broke into his house, took him out, forced him upon a rail, and after keeping him for two or three hours in such abuses, he was forced to give his colors up to save his life. A constable of Hardwick, for refusing to pay his collections, directly contrary to the oath of his office, was bound and confined six and thirty hours, and threatened with being sent to Simsbury mines. His wife being dangerously ill, he was released after signing a something which one of the mob had prepared for him. The mob committee of the county of York, ordered that no one should hire any of Sir William Pepperell's estates, buy no wood of him, or pay any debts due to him. In February, at Plymouth, a number of ladies attempted to divert themselves at their assembly room, but the mob collected, (the committee having met previous thereto,) and flung stones which broke the shutters and windows, and endangered their lives. They were forced to get out of the hall, and were pelted and abused to their own homes. After this the ladies diverted themselves by riding out, but were followed by a mob, pelted and abused, with the most indecent Billingsgate language. These things happened at the time when some of the people of Plymouth, in conjunction with the committee men from other towns in that county, aided and assisted by four dissenting clergymen, were presenting to General Gage, by their memorial, the peaceable state they were in before the arrival of a party of soldiers at Marshfield, in that county.
The Honorable Israel Williams, Esq., one who was appointed of his Majesty's new council, but had declined the office through infirmity of body, was taken from his house by the mob in the night, carried several miles, put into a room with a fire, the chimney at the top, the doors of the room closed, and kept there for many hours in the smoke, till his life was in danger ; then he was carried home, after being forced to sign what they ordered, and a guard placed over him to prevent his leaving the house.
To recount the suffering of all from mobs, rioters, and trespassers, would take more time and paper than can be spared for that purpose. It is hoped the foregoing will be sufficient to put you upon the use of proper means and measures for giving relief to all that have been injured by such unlawful and wicked practices.
Rivington's Gazette, March 9, 1775 ; reprinted in Frank Moore, Diary of the American Revolution (New York, etc., 1860), I, 37-42 passim.
162. A Soldier's Love-Letter (1777)
BY COLONEL ALEXANDER SCAMMELL
Scammell was an excellent officer, a favorite of Washington, and at one time adjutant-general of the American army. He served through the war, but was killed at the siege of Yorktown. The original letter has been preserved by a descendant of Nabby Bishop. — Bibliography : Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, Index.
AFTER a very severe march one hundred miles of the way on foot, through the woods in an excessive miry Road, wet, rainy weather accompanied with Snow and Hail, I arrived the 20th of May at
The tender moments which we have spent together still, and ever will, remain fresh in my memory — You are ever present in my enraptur'd heart — & a mutual return of Affection from you, I find more and more necessary to my Happiness — cherish the Love my dearest Nabby, which you have so generously professed for me — Altho I am far distant from you, still remember that I am your constant, and most affectionate admirerer — I should have wrote you sooner, but being orderd upon the disagreable Command of sitting as president of a Genl.-Court martial to try men for their Lives, many of which have justly forfeited them — and to try several Villains who have attempted to spread the small Pox — I assure you that it is a most trying Birth, and has worried my mind more than any command I was ever upon But hope I shall ever be able to discharge my Duty in such a manner as never to be subject to any disagreable Reflections — I have been upon
Ys
Write to me every Opportunity.
Miss Naby Bishop.
PS — I long for the time when through you I can send my dutiful Regards to your Hond Parents by the tender Name of Father & Mother — June 23d 1777.
I congratulate you upon the Cause of your Fear being remov'd as Burgoyne is going to attack Ticonderoga & not Boston. I hope we shall be able to keep him off.
To
Miss Abigail Bishop
at
Mistick.
From the MS. in the possession of Mrs. Mary Putnam Hart of Cambridge.
163. Regulation of Prices (1777)
Huntington was a member of Congress and governor of Connecticut. The family letters, of which this is one, are an entertaining source of knowledge as to the daily life of the period. — On the regulation of prices, see Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VII, 15, 69; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 133; ch. xxxiii below.
HARTFORD May 29th 1777
Mrs HUNTINGTON
I TAKE this Opportunity to Convey a Line which have more Leisure to Write than I had to Answer yours by John Stockwell
It is with Concern that I hear of any Difficulty you Meet with in your (Widowhood) but hope you will not Surfer among a Civil People Especially when you are able to Pay for all the Favours & Supplies you want — we Read that "the full fed Soul Loatheth the Honey Comb, when we are put to Distress for an Article for the Support of Life we know better how to prize it I wish to be more Thankfull for every Enjoyment than I have been, & hope to see a Greater Scarsity of Money than we have at Present. That the Worshipers of Mammon may be Put to Difficulty to Come at the Shrine of their Idol whose Worship must be Supported and will be kept up at the Expence of all that is Good & Praiseworthy — That God has but one Perfection and that is the Idea of Infinite Increase or Augmentation and when the Materials of Increase are Plenty his Size must Grow to an amazing Bulk his Worshipers are hearty Sincear & True for they Give their Hearts and Souls to him and his Service is their Most Perfect Freedom a Freedom that Differs not from Slavery — The Assembly Yesterday had a Most Serious Debate upon the Question whether they would Repeal the Act for Regulating Prizes [prices] This Debate was brought on by Gentlemen in Trade and Seconded by Farmers who have No Avertion to Money nor to the Ways of Gitting of it Seriousness Brooded on their Countenances they Declared that articles of Life & for the Army would always be Scarse untill the Poor Farmer and the Honest Importer Could be Encouraged to their Several Emplo[y]ments of Raising, Importing &c and that the Prices stated by Law were in many Instances low & Disheartening and Would bring on a Scarsity, these Men were such as I am sure Wished well to their Country, but the God of this World had blinded their Eyes I Never Saw More Seriousness appear on hearing a Most Authodox Hopkintonian Sermon than was in the House & on full Debate & Consideration the Question was Put whether The House would give Liberty to a Certain Great Patriot to bring in a Bill for the Repeal of the Law against Monopolies & Oppression, there were but about ten or Twelve Hands up for the Repeal, to the Great Mortification of the Mammonites who will yet be seen to worship on Every high Hill and under every Green Tree
It is now under Consideration whether an Act Shall be Passed to make it more Dangerous to Violate the Law against Oppression, That no man shall, after his Covinction [conviction] for a Breach of that Law be Capable of Holding any office Civil or Military nor to Recover a Debt or Receive a Deed of Land and that None shall hold an Office untill he has taken a Solemn Oath that he has not Violated that Law Directly nor Indirectly after the loth Day of June Next which Act I hope will Pass and that Justice & Virtue May in our Day Triumph over Iniquity — I have a New appointment on the Commit of Safety for the year Ensuing but am very Sorry to See Genl Huntington left out he is a Useful Man in that Business & has Rendered good Service to his Country but it is in Vain to Expect a Reward for any Good Deed in this World if the Reward is to Come from the Hands of Designing Men — There were about Eighty Prisoners brought into this Town yesterday taken from Long Island by a Party who went over & brought them off the [Point] agreeable Mr Joseph Chew is one of those Captives. Capt Benj Throop was one of the Captains in the Expedition & Little Joseph Lothrop of Norwich was in the Party, they Came up with the feelings and appeara[n]ce of Victors no Doubt they had Sensations of the Similar Kind that were had by Alexander the Great — I am at a Loss when I Shall Come home as I Cannot Conceive of the Assembly Rising this Week If you have spent your Money you must Try my Credit a few Days among Friends — My Love to the Children & Compliments to Capt Abel & other Friends and Good Wishes to Enemies, that they may become Friends — There is one Stone to be Executed here this Morning between the Hours of 8 & 10 for Conspiracy against his Country May God be Merciful to him — I am afraid he will Suffer too Much for his Crime, but am not his Judge if his own Account of his Case is True his Case is hard — I know not the Truth of what he says and Indeed Suspect it much — I am &c
Mrs Huntington
W. D. McCrackan, editor, The Huntington Letters (New York, 1897), 34-40.
164. "Columbia, Columbia to Glory Arise" (1777)
BY REVEREND TIMOTHY DWIGHT
Dwight was a graduate and tutor at Yale, later president of Yale. This song was written while he was acting as chaplain to the American army, in the campaign against Burgoyne. — Bibliography: Tyler, Literary History of the Revolution, II, 173-174
COLUMBIA, Columbia, to glory arise,
The queen of the world, and the child of the skies !
Thy genius commands thee ; with rapture behold,
While ages on ages thy splendors unfold.
Thy reign is the last, and the noblest of time,
Most fruitful thy soil, most inviting thy clime ;
Let the crimes of the east ne er encrimson thy name,
Be freedom, and science, and virtue thy fame.
To conquest and slaughter let Europe aspire ;
Whelm nations in blood, and wrap cities in fire ;
Thy heroes the rights of mankind shall defend,
And triumph pursue them, and glory attend.
A world is thy realm : for a world be thy laws,
Enlarged as thine empire, and just as thy cause ;
On freedom s broad basis, that empire shall rise,
Extend with the main, and dissolve with the skies.
Fair Science her gates to thy sons shall unbar,
And the east see thy morn hide the beams of her star.
New bards, and new sages, unrivall'd shall soar
To fame unextinguish'd, when time is no more ;
To thee, the last refuge of virtue designed,
Shall fly from all nations the best of mankind ;
Here, grateful to heaven, with transport shall bring
Their incense, more fragrant than odors of spring.
Nor less shall thy fair ones to glory ascend,
And genius and beauty in harmony blend ;
The graces of form shall awake pure desire,
And the charms of the soul ever cherish the fire ;
Their sweetness unmingled, their manners refined,
And virtue's bright image, instamp'd on the mind,
With peace, and soft rapture, shall teach life to glow,
And light up a smile in the aspect of woe.
Thy fleets to all regions thy power shall display,
The nations admire, and the ocean obey ;
Each shore to thy glory its tribute unfold,
And the east and the south yield their spices and gold.
As the day-spring unbounded, thy splendor shall flow,
And earth's little kingdoms before thee shall bow :
While the ensigns of union, in triumph unfurl'd,
Hush the tumult of war, and give peace to the world.
Thus, as down a lone valley, with cedars o'erspread,
From war s dread confusion I pensively stray'd —
The gloom from the face of fair heaven retired ;
The winds ceased to murmur; the thunders expired;
Perfumes, as of Eden, flow'd sweetly along,
And a voice, as of angels, enchantingly sung :
"Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise,
The queen of the world and the child of the skies."
Samuel Kettell, Specimens of American Poetry (Boston, 1829), I, 246-247.
165. Woman's Work for the Soldiers (1780)
BY MRS. ESTHER REED AND GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
Mrs. Reed was the wife of Joseph Reed, for whom see No. 61 above. The letter shows the interest and spirit of self-sacrifice of the time. — Bibliography : W. B. Reed, Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed, II, 253-255, and Life of Esther Reed. — For Washington, see No. 195 below.
Sir,
THE subscription set on foot by the ladies of this City for the use of the soldiery, is so far completed as to induce me to transmit to your Excellency an account of the money I have received, and which, although it has answered our expectations, it does not equal our wishes, but I am persuaded will be received as a proof of our zeal for the great cause of America and our esteem and gratitude for those who so bravely defend it.
The amount of the subscription is 200,580 dollars, and ₤625 6s. 8d in specie, which makes in the whole in paper money 300,634 dollars.
The ladies are anxious for the soldiers to receive the benefit of it, and wait your directions how it can best be disposed of. We expect some considerable additions from the country and have also wrote to the other States in hopes the ladies there will adopt similar plans, to render it more general and beneficial.
With the utmost pleasure I offer any farther attention and care in my power to complete the execution of the design, and shall be happy to accomplish it agreeable to the intention of the donors and your wishes on the subject.
The ladies of my family join me in their respectful compliments and sincerest prayer for your health, safety, and success.
I have the honour to be,
- With the highest respect,
- Your obedient humble servant,
- With the highest respect,
Sir,
Ever since I received your Excellency's favour of the 20th of this month, I have been endeavouring to procure the linen for the use of the soldiers, and it was not till Saturday last I have been able to meet with any fit for the purpose, it being unavoidably delayed so long. I have been informed of some circumstances, which I beg leave to mention, and from which perhaps the necessity for shirts may have ceased ; one is the supply of 2000 sent from this State to their line, and the other, that a considerable number is arrived in the French fleet, for the use of the army in general. Together with these, an idea prevails among the ladies, that the soldiers will not be so much gratified, by bestowing an article to which they are entitled from the public, as in some other method which will convey more fully the idea of a reward for past services, and an incitement to future duty. Those who are of this opinion propose the whole of the money to be changed into hard dollars, and giving each soldier two, to be entirely at his own disposal. This method I hint only, but would not, by any means wish to adopt it, or any other, without your full approbation. If it should meet with your concurrence, the State of Pennsylvania will take the linen I have purchased, and, as far as respects their own line, will make up any deficiency of shirts to them, which they suppose will not be many after the fresh supplies are received. If, after all, the necessity for shirts, which, though it may cease, as to the Pennsylvania Troops, may still continue to other parts of the army, the ladies will immediately make up the linen we have, which I think can soon be effected, and forward them to camp, and procure more as soon as possible, having kept in hand the hard money I have received, until I receive your reply.
The circumstances I have mentioned will, I hope, appear a sufficient motive for the ladies postponing the execution of the plan your Excellency proposed ; I will not, therefore, take up your time in apologizing for the delay.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from your Excellency of the 20th, to which I would reply, that if the scheme to give the soldiers hard money, should be thought proper, of course, the putting the money I have, into the Bank, could not be done, and I find, on inquiry, that considerable advantage may be had, by laying out hard money either in linen or any other article. . . .
Madam,
I have the honour to thank you for your favour of the 31st ult. It was not my intention to divert the benevolent donation of the ladies from the channel they wished it to flow in. I gave my opinion in con sequence of their request, but I shall be equally ready to subscribe to theirs, and will execute their commands in the manner most agreeable to themselves. At the same time I have my apprehensions (from the peculiar circumstances of our army) that a taste of hard money may be productive of much discontent, as we have none but depreciated paper for their pay.
A few provident soldiers will probably avail themselves of the advantages which may result from the generous bounty of two hard dollars in specie, but it is equally probable that it will be the means of bringing punishment on a number of others whose propensity to drinking, over coming all other considerations, too frequently leads them into irregularities and disorder which must be corrected.
A shirt would render the condition of the soldiery much more comfortable than it is at present, and no prospect of public supplies (in any degree adequate to our wants) are yet opened to my view. The provision made or making for the troops of Pennsylvania, and the late importation from France, is small, in comparison of our aggregate call, and affords a melancholy prospect of continued sufferings.
I have the honour to be,
- Madam, with the most perfect respect,
- Your most obedient servant,
- Madam, with the most perfect respect,
Sir,
I had the honour of receiving yours of the roth instant, to which I would reply, that the ladies had not the most distant wish that their donation should be bestowed in any manner, that did not perfectly accord with your opinion. I shall, therefore, without delay, put the plan in execution, and I am in hopes our expedition will prove, at once, our industry, our earnest desires to promote the comfort of the soldiery, and our cheerfulness to comply with your request. . . .
William B. Reed, Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed (Philadelphia, 1847), II, 262-266 passim.