I. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE Gentlemen: PHILADA. July 5th. 1776. You will perceive, by the enclosed Resolve that the Congress have judged it necessary to remove the Prisoners from your Colony to York Town in Pennsylvania, and have directed me to request you to carry the same into Execution immediately. Their Vicinity to our Enemies, and the opportunity of deserting to them, or keeping up a Communication dangerous to the Interest of these United States, render this Step not only prudent but absolutely necessary.2 I do myself the Honour to enclose, in Obedience to the Commands of. Congress, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which you will. please to have proclaimed in your Colony in such a Way and Manner as you shall judge best. The important Consequences to the American States from this Declaration of Independence, considered as the Ground and Foundation of a future Government, will naturally suggest the Propriety of proclaiming it in such a Mode, as that the People may be universally informed of it.3 Dear Sir: 2. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JAMES Warren.1 PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 1776. I have the pleasure to inform you that a determined resolution of the Delegates from some of the Colonies to push the question of Independency has had a most happy effect, and, after a day's debate, all the Colonies, excepting New York, whose Delegates are not empowered to give either an affirmative or negative voice,2 united in a declaration long sought for, solicited, and necessary-the Declaration of Independency. New York will most probably, on Monday next, when its Convention meets for forming a constitution, join in the measure, and then it will be entitled THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. My dear Sir . 3. JOHN HANCOCK TO WILLIAM COOPER.1 PHILADA. 6 July, 1776 I hope we shall be a free and happy people, totally unfetter'd, and Releas'd from the Bonds of Slavery. That we may be thus free, [1]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, IV. 212; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. II. 2 On the same day Captain Crawford, a British prisoner on parole, was refused permission to visit the prisoners, probably for the same reason. See vol. I. of these Letters, no. 704, note 2. 3 See no. 4, note 2, post. [2]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 14; Austin, Life of Elbridge Gerry, I. 202. 2 See vol. I. of these Letters, no. 752, note 2; cf. nos. 7, 10, 18, 21, post. [3]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., C 81 H 48. Congress have done, and will still do, more, to promote it. Inclos'd you have the Declaration of Independence, to which Refer you. I write the Assembly, and it is the wish of Congress the Declaration may be proclaim'd in the State of Massachusetts Bay. . Sir 4. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADELPHIA July 6, 1776. The Congress, for some Time past, have had their Attention occupied by one of the most interesting and important Subjects that could possibly come before them; or any other Assembly of Men. Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet. it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Posterity, in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able, and to leave the Event to that Being who controuls both Causes and Events to bring about his own determinations. Impressed with this Sentiment, and at the same Time fully convinced, that our Affairs may take a more favourable Turn the Congress have judged it necessary to dissolve the Connection between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and to declare them free and independent States; as you will perceive by the enclosed Declaration, which I am directed to transmit to you, and to request you will have it proclaimed at the Head of the Army in the way you shall think most proper.2. Dear Sir: 1 5. THOMAS JEFFERSON TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.1 PHILADELPHIA, July 8, 1776. For news, I refer you to your brother, who writes on that head. I enclose a copy of the Declaration of Independence, as agreed to by the House, and also as originally framed: you will judge whether it is the better or worse for the critics. I shall return to Virginia after the 11th of August. I wish my successor may be certain to come before that time: [4] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, LXXXIX. 210; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 32; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 256. 2 To New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire was written a letter comprising the last two paragraphs above, plus a third paragraph, identical with the last paragraph of the letter to the New Jersey convention, no. 1, ante. See Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 33, 1397; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 521, II. 313; N. Y. State Lib., Revolutionary Papers, VII. 371; Mass. Arch., CXCIII. 73. The letter to the convention of Maryland, dated July 8, is in Arch. of Md., XII. 13, and Scharf, Hist. of Md., II. 233. The letter to the Pennsylvania committee of safety, July 5 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 12), is differently expressed. The Declaration was proclaimed before the army under Washington, July 10. See Washington to the President of Congress, July 10, in Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 224, and Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 173. Some account of the event is in the Pennsylvania Journal, July 17; also in Moore, Diary of the Revolution, I. 270. Concerning the reception of the Declaration and its proclamation in different parts of the country, see Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I., passim (index, Independence). Cf. no. 12, post. [5] Writings (ed. Ford), II. 59; Lee, Life of Richard Henry Lee, I. 275; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 118. in that case, I shall hope to see you, and not Wythe, in Convention, that the business of Government, which is of everlasting concern, may receive your aid.2 6. THE PRESIDEnt of Congress (JOHN HANCOCK) TO HORATIO Gates.1 Sir: PHILADELPHIA, July 8th, 1776. The Congress being informed by Letter from General Schuyler to General Washington, which was laid before them at the Request of the former and by your own Consent, that a difference of Opinion had arisen between General Schuyler and yourself with Regard to the Command of the Army in the Northern Department, they immediately took the Matter into Consideration, and have this Day come to the enclosed Resolution, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting in Obedience to their Commands. You will there preceive, that Congress are of Opinion your Command was totally independent of Genl. Schuyler, while the Army was in Canada, but no longer and indeed, the Terms in which the Resolve, relative to your Appointment, is conceived, seem to shew that this was their Intention. You were expressly, by that Resolve, to take the Command of the Troops in Canada; Words, which strongly imply, that they had no Design to divest Genl. Schuyler of the Command while the Troops were on this side Canada. I am however to inform you, that Congress highly approve your Resolution and Magnanimity that the public Service should receive no Detriment from any Difference of Opinion on the Occasion. It is their most earnest Desire, you will go on to act in the same Manner, and cultivate Harmony in all your military Operations. A good Understanding and mutual Confidence are so essentially necessary in order to give Success to our Measures, that I am convinced, they will take Place on all Occasions between you. He deserves most of his Country, and will undoubtedly meet with the greatest applause, in whatever Rank or Station he may be, who renders her the most useful and signal Services.2 2 In a letter to Edmund Pendleton, of which only a fragment, without date, exists, Jefferson says: "I am sorry the situation of my domestic affairs renders it indispensably necessary that I should solicit the substitution of some other person here in my room. I would not urge it again were it not unavoidable. I shall with cheerfulness continue my duty here till the expiration of our year by which time I hope it will be convenient for my successor to attend" (Writings, ed. Ford, II. 61). The end of the delegation year was Aug. 11. See the Virginia credentials, the Journals, Aug. 28. As Richard Henry Lee was given a committee appointment Aug. 27, he probably attended on that day. Jefferson left Philadelphia Sept. 2. [6]1 N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, VI.; Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, IV. 220; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. II. 2 See the Journals, July 8. Schuyler's letter to Washington, dated July 1, and a record of a conversation between Schuyler and Gates, dated June 30, are in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., VI. 1199, 1202, and also ibid., VI. 1266-1269. Washington's letter in which they were enclosed is ibid., VI. 1264. They were read in Congress July 6. A letter similar to this was written on the same day to Schuyler, ibid., fifth ser., I. 115. See also Hancock to Washington, same date, ibid., I. 115; and Gates to Congress, and to Washington, July 16, ibid., I. 375, 376. Cf. nos. 18, 75, post. Dear Sir 7. JOSEPH HEWES TO SAMUEL JOHNSTON.1 PHILADELPHIA, July 8th, 1776. 3 I received a Letter from your Committee of Secrecy War and intelligence respecting the expediency of Fortifying the harbour of Cape Lookout. I laid the matter before a Committee of Congress appointed to consider what places were proper to be Fortifyed but before they consider and make report thereon it is absolutely Necessary they should have a plan or Map of the harbour with proper explanations and discriptions. These should be taken by an engineer on the spot who should form a plan of the Fortifications necessary to be made and the expence that would attend it. I have wrote to Mr. Harnett twice on the subject but as I have reason to believe many Letters Miscarry I now mention the matter to you, in hopes you will endeavour to prevail on the Council of Safety to get the matter done as early as possible. I find a disposition in most of the Members of Congress to grant to our Province all that can be reasonably expected. it is not in their power to assist us at present with Cannon, but as several Forges are beginning to Cast twelve and eighteen pounders I hope towards Winter they will not only have it in their power but be heartily disposed to assist us with some heavy pieces to put into such places as may be thought Most advisable. This is all you can expect, it is all that is done in the like cases, the works must be done At your own expence or by such Continental Troops as may be in the province for the time being. I give you this as my opinion. perhaps they may do more for our Province, it stands high in Rank, and high in estimation. I wish it may be able to support its good character in future. . . . . My friend Penn came time enough to give his vote for independance. I send you the declaration inclosed. all the Colonies voted for it except New York, that Colony was prevented from Joining in it by an old Instruction. Their Convention meets this day and it is expected they will follow the example of the other Colonies.* I had the weight of North Carolina on my shoulders within a day or two of three months. the service was too severe. I have sat some days from Six in the morning till five, and sometimes Six in the afternoon without eating or drinking. My health was bad, such close attention made it worse, I nevertheless obstinately persisted in doing my duty to the best of my Judgment and abilities and attended Congress the whole time, one day only excepted. this I did contrary to the repeated solicitations of my friends, some of whom I believe thought I should not be able to keep Soul and body together 'till this time. duty, inclination and self preservation call on me now to make a little excursion in the Country to [7]1 Haverford College, Roberts Coll., 720; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 117; North Carolina Booklet, vol. IV., no. 5, p. 32. 2 This letter has not been found. The committee was first styled "Committee of Secrecy, Intelligence, and Observation"; once "Committee of Secrecy, War, and Correspondence". See N. C. Col. Recs., X. 507, 519, 527, 544, XI. 293-297. 3 This committee made a partial report June 24. Cf. ibid., X. 354, 443, 590. |