THOMAS JEFFERSON to JOHN RANDOLPH, ESQ.

PHILADELPHIA, November 29, 1775. DEAR SIR, I am to give you the melancholy intelligence of the death of our most worthy Speaker,* which happened on the 22d of the last month. He was struck with an apoplexy and expired within five hours.

This

'I have it in my power to acquaint you, that the success of our arms has corresponded with the justice of our cause. Chamblee and St. Johns were taken some weeks ago, and in them the whole regular army in Canada, except about forty or fifty men. day, certain intelligence has reached us, that our General, Montgomery, is received into Montreal, and we expect, every hour, to be informed that Quebec has opened its arms to Colonel Arnold, who, with eleven hundred men, was sent from Boston up the Kennebec, and down the Chaudiére river to that place. He expected to be there early this month. Montreal acceded to us on the 13th, and Carleton set out, with the shattered remains of his little army, for Quebec, where we hope he will be taken up by Arnold. In a short time, we have reason to hope, the delegates of Canada will join us in Congress, and complete the American Union, as far as we wish to have it completed. We hear that one of the British transports has arrived at Boston; the rest are beaten off the coast, in very bad weather. You will have heard, before this reaches you, that Lord Dunmore has commenced hostilities in Virginia. That people bore with every thing, till he attempted to burn the town of Hampton. They opposed and repelled him, with considerable loss on his side, and none on ours. It has raised our countrymen into a perfect frenzy. It is an immense misfortune to the whole empire, to have a King of such a disposition at such a time. We are told, and every thing proves it true, that he is the bitterest enemy we have. His Minister is able, and that satisfies me that ignorance or wickedness somewhere, controls him. In an earlier part of this contest, our petitions told him, that from our King there was but one appeal. The admonition was despised, and that appeal forced on us. To undo his empire

he has but one truth more to learn; that, after Colonies have drawn the sword, there is but one step more they can take. That step is now pressed upon us, by the measures adopted, as if they were afraid we would not take it. Believe me, dear Sir, there is not in the British empire, a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain, than I do. But by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America. We want neither inducement nor power, to declare and assert a separation. It is will, alone, which is want

*Hon. Peyton Randolph.

ing, and that is growing apace under the fostering hand of our King. One bloody campaign will probably decide, everlastingly, our future course; I am sorry to find a bloody campaign is decided on. If our winds and waters should not combine to rescue their shores from slavery, and General Howe's reinforcements should arrive in safety, we have hopes he will be inspirited to come out of Boston and take another drubbing: and we must drub him soundly, before the sceptred tyrant will know we are not mere brutes, to crouch under his hand, and kiss the rod with which he deigns to scourge us. Yours, &c.'

Jeff. Writ. vol. i. p. 152.

GENERAL WASHINGTON to GOVERNOR TRUMBULL.

'CAMBRIDGE, 2 December, 1775. 'SIR,The reason of my giving you the trouble of this, is the late extraordinary and reprehensible conduct of some of the Connecticut troops. Some time ago, apprehending that some of them might incline to go home, when the time of their enlistment should be up, I applied to the officers of the several regiments, to know whether it would be agreeable to the men to continue until the 1st of January, or until a sufficient number of other forces could be raised to supply their place, who informed me, that they believed the whole of them would readily stay, till that could be effected. Having discovered last week, that they were very uneasy to leave the service, and determined upon it, I thought it expedient to summon the general officers at head-quarters, and invite a delegation of the General Court to be present, that suitable measures might be adopted for the defence and support of our lines. The result was, that three thousand of the minute-men and militia of this Province, and two thousand men from New Hampshire, should be called in by the 10th instant for that purpose. With this determi nation the Connecticut troops were made acquainted, and requested and ordered to remain here, as the time of most of them would not be out before the 10th, when they would be relieved. Notwithstanding this, yesterday morning most of them resolved to leave the camp.

Many went off, and the utmost vigilance and industry were used to apprehend them. Several got away with their arms and ammunition.

'I have enclosed you a list of the names of some of them, in General Putnam's regiment only, who escaped, and submit to your judgment, whether an example should not be made of these men, who have basely deserted the cause of their country at this critical juncture, when the enemy are receiving reinforcements.

'I have the pleasure to inform you, that one of our armed vessels, the Lee, Captain Manly, took and brought in the other day a valuable store-ship bound to Boston. I am, &c.'

GOVERNOR TRUMBULL'S REPLY.

The late extraordinary and reprehensible conduct of some of the troops of this Colony impresses me, and the minds of many of our people, with grief, surprise, and indignation; since the treatment they met with, and the order and request made to them, were so reasonable, and apparently necessary for the defence of our common cause, and safety of our rights and privileges, for which they freely engaged; the term they voluntarily enlisted to serve not expired, and probably would not end much before the time when they would be relieved, provided their circumstances and inclinations should prevent their undertaking further.

'Indeed, there is great difficulty to support liberty, to exercise government, to maintain subordination, and at the same time to prevent the operation of licentious and leveling principles, which many very easily imbibe. The pulse of a New England man beats high for liberty; his engagement in the service he thinks purely voluntary; therefore, when the time of enlistment is out, he thinks himself not holden without further engagement.

This was the case in the last war. I greatly fear its operation amongst the soldiers of the other Colonies, as I am sensible this is the genius and spirit of our people. The union of the Colonies, and the internal union of each, are of the utmost importance. I determine to call the General Assembly of this Colony to meet at New Haven on Thursday, the 14th instant. Please to notify me of any matters you think proper to suggest for consideration. You may depend on their zeal and ardor to support the common cause, to furnish our quota, and to exert their utmost strength for the defence of the rights of these Colonies. Your candor and goodness will suggest to your consideration, that the conduct of our troops is not a rule whereby to judge of the temper and spirit of the Colony.'

Ibid. p. 183. Note.

GENERAL WASHINGTON to the PRESIDEnt of Congress.

'CAMBRIDGE, 4 December, 1775. 'SIR, It is some time since I recommended to the Congress, that they would institute a COURT for the trial of prizes made by the Continental armed vessels, which I hope they have ere now taken into their consideration; otherwise I should again take the liberty of urging it in the most pressing manner,

'I am informed, that it has been the custom of these Provinces, in the last war, for the legislative power to order every town to provide a certain quota of men for the campaign. This, or some other mode, should be at present adopted, as I am satisfied the men can not be had without it. This the Congress will please ta

take into their immediate consideration. My suspicions on this head I shall also communicate to the Governors, Trumbull and Cooke, also to the New Hampshire Convention.

'By the last accounts from the armed schooners sent to the River St. Lawrence, I fear we have but little to expect from them. They were falling short of provision, and mentioned that they would be obliged to return; which at this time is particularly unfortunate, as, if they chose a proper station, all the vessels coming down that river must fall into their hands. The plague, trouble, and vexation I have had with the crews of all the armed vessels, are inexpressible. I do believe there is not on earth a more disorderly set. Every time they come into port, we hear of nothing but mutinous complaints. Manly's success has lately, and but lately, quieted his people. The crews of the Washington and Harrison have actually deserted them; so that I have been under the necessity of ordering the agent to lay the latter up, and get hands for the other on the best terms he could.

'The great want of powder is what the attention of Congress should be particularly applied to. I dare not attempt any thing offensive, let the temptation or advantage be ever so great.'

Lond. ed. vol. i. p. 55.

Wash. Writ.

SAME to GOVERNOR COOKE.

Sparks, vol. iii. p. 184.

CAMBRIDGE, 5 December, 1775. 'SIR, — I have of late met with abundant reason to be convinced of the impracticability of recruiting this army to the new establishment, in any reasonable time by voluntary enlistments. The causes of such exceeding great lukewarmness I shall not attempt to point out; sufficient is it to know that the fact is so. Many reasons are assigned; one only shall I mention, and that is, that the present soldiery are in expectation of drawing from the landed interest and the farmers, a bounty equal to that given at the commencement of this army, and therefore they keep aloof. Be that as it may, I am satisfied that this is not a time for trifling, and that the exigency of our affairs calls aloud for vigorous exertions.

'After every stimulus in my power to throw in their way, and near a month's close endeavor, we have enlisted men, of whom one thousand five hundred at a time are to be absent on furlough, until all have gone home to visit and provide for their families.

'I submit it to the wisdom of your and the other New England Colonies, whether vigorous measures, if the powers of government are adequate, ought not to be adopted, to facilitate the completion of this army without offering a bounty from the public, which Con. gress have declared against.

'I have by this conveyance laid the matter before Congress, but the critical situation of our affairs will not await their deliberation and recommendation; something must be done without further delay. I am, Sir, &c.' Wash. Writ.

Sparks, vol. iii. p. 188.

GENERAL SCHUYLER to GENERAL WASHINGTON.

November 22, 1775.

'Nothing can surpass the impatience of the troops from the New England Colonies to get to their firesides. Near three hundred of them arrived a few days ago, unable to do duty; but as soon as I administered that grand specific, a discharge, they instantly acquired health, and rather than be detained a few days to cross Lake George, they undertook a march from here of two hundred miles with the greatest alacrity.

'Our army requires to be put on a different footing. Habituated to order, I can not, without the most extreme pain, see that disregard of discipline, confusion, and inattention, which reigns so generally in this quarter, and I am therefore determined to retire. Of this resolution I have advised Congress.'

Ibid. p. 191. Note.

GENERAL WASHINGTON to GENERAL SCHUYLER.
'CAMBRIDGE, 5 December, 1775.

DEAR SIR, Your much esteemed favor of the 22d ultimo, covering Colonel Arnold's letter, with a copy of one to General Montgomery and his to you, I received yesterday morning.

'I am exceedingly sorry to find you so much plagued and embarrassed by the disregard of discipline, confusion, and want of order among the troops, as to have occasioned you to mention to Congress an inclination to retire. I know that your complaints are too well founded; but I would willingly hope, that nothing will induce you to quit the service, and that, in time, order and subordination will take place of confusion, and command be rendered more agreeable. I have met with difficulties of the same sort, and such as I never expected; but they must be borne with. The cause we are engaged in is so just and righteous, that we must try to rise superior to every obstacle in its support; and, therefore, I must beg that you will not think of resigning, unless you have carried your application to Congress too far to recede. I am, dear Sir, with great esteem and regard, yours, &c.'

Ibid. p. 190.

SAME to the PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
CAMBRIDGE, 14 December, 1775.

'SIR, I received your favor of the 2d instant with the several Resolves of Congress therein enclosed. The Resolves relative to