Saturday) the battalion declared that they will be commanded only by officers recommended by themselves.

Be assured that this is the only reason of my resignation, for with pleasure will I execute any further office conferred upon me in the service of my country.

I am, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,

JOHN CRADOCK.

To the Council of Safety of the Province of Maryland.

THOMAS GIST TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

GENTLEMEN: According to orders from Brigadier-General Buchanan, I have endeavoured to get the account of the effective arms in Soldiers’ Delight Battalion, but could not obtain any but from three companies, which you will find enclosed; and I believe there is not above forty in the other companies fit for service.

Saturday last being field-day of the said battalion, I attended, when some of the men laid down their arms, declaring they would not do duty under any other Field Officers but what they had recommended to the last Convention. I being loath to blow the spark into a flame of contention, and for the sake of peace and unity, beg leave to resign; and am your Honours’ most obedient servant,

THOMAS GIST.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, July 1, 1776.

SIR: This will be delivered to you by Monsieur Antoine Felis Wiebert, a French gentleman, who brings such ample recommendation of his skill as an engineer, that the Congress are desirous of having him placed in a situation where he may have it in his power to show it; and indeed this is all he requests himself, being very willing, after his abilities shall be put to the trial, that his future character and promotion in the American Army should depend on the proofs he may give of his capacity and qualifications. I am, therefore, to request you will employ him in such way as you shall judge will best conduce to the good of the service and answer Mr. Wiebert’s desire.

I have the Honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President

To His Excellency General Washington, New-York.

JOHN ADAMS TO ARCHIBALD BULLOCK.

Philadelphia, July 1, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Two days ago I received your favour of May 1st. I was greatly disappointed, sir, in the information you gave me, that you should be prevented from revisiting Philadelphia. I had flattered myself with hopes of your joining us soon, and not only affording us the additional strength of your abilities and fortitude, but enjoying the satisfaction of seeing a temper and conduct here somewhat more agreeable to your wishes than those which prevailed when you were here before; but I have since been informed that your countrymen have done themselves the justice to place you at the head of their affairs, a station in which you may perhaps render more essential service to them and to America than you could here.

There seems to have been a great change in the sentiments of the Colonies since you left us, and I hope that a few months will bring us all to the same way of thinking.

This morning is assigned for the greatest debate of all. A Declaration, that these Colonies are free and independent States, has been reported by a Committee, appointed some weeks ago for that purpose, and this day or to-morrow is to determine its fate. May Heaven prosper the new-born Republick, and make it more glorious than any former Republicks have been!

The small-pox has ruined the American Army in Canada, and of consequence the American cause. A series of disasters has happened there, partly owing, I fear, to the indecision at Philadelphia, and partly to the mistakes or misconduct of our officers in that department; but the small-pox, which infected every man we sent there, completed our ruin, and compelled us to evacuate that important Province. We must, however, regain it some time or other.

My countrymen have been more successful at sea in driving away all the men-of-war completely out of Boston harbour, and in making prizes of a great number of transports and other vessels.

We are in daily expectation of an armament before New-York, where, if it comes, the conflict must be bloody. The object is great which we have in view, and we must expect a great expense of blood to obtain it; but we should always remember, that a free Constitution of civil Government cannot be purchased at too dear a rate, as there is nothing on this side the New-Jerusalem of equal importance to mankind.

It is a cruel reflection, that a little more wisdom, a little more activity, or a little more integrity, would have preserved us Canada, and enabled us to support this trying conflict at a less expense of men and money; but irretrievable miscarriages ought to be lamented no further than to enable and stimulate us to do better in future.

Your colleagues, Hall and Gwinnett, are here, in good health and spirits, and as firm as you yourself could wish them. Present my compliments to Mr. Houston; tell him the Colonies will have Republicks for their Governments, let us lawyers, and your divine, [Zubly] say what we will.

I have the Honour to be, with great esteem and respect, sir, your sincere friend and most humble servant,

JOHN ADAMS.

To His Excellency Archibald Bullock, Esq., of Georgia.

JOHN ADAMS TO SAMUEL CHASE.

Philadelphia, July I, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Your favour by the post this morning gave me much pleasure, but the generous and unanimous vote of your Convention gave me much more. It was brought into Congress this morning just as we were entering on the great debate; that debate took up most of the day, but it was an idle mispense of time, for nothing was said but what had been repeated and hackneyed in that room before a hundred times for six months past.

In the Committee of the Whole, the question was carried in the affirmative, and reported to the House. A Colony desired it to be postponed until to-morrow, when it will pass by a great majority, perhaps with almost unanimity; yet I cannot promise this, because one or two gentlemen may possibly be found who will vote point blank against the known and declared sense of their constituents. Maryland, however, I have the pleasure to inform you, behaved well; Paca, generously and nobly.

Alas, Canada! We have found misfortune and disgrace in that quarter—evacuated at last. Transports arrived at Sandy-Hook, from whence we may expect an attack in a short time upon New-York, or New-Jersey, and our Army not so strong as we could wish. The Militia of New-Jersey and New-England not so ready as they ought to be.

The Romans made it a fixed rule never to send or receive Ambassadors to treat of peace with their enemies, while their affairs were in an adverse or disastrous situation. There was a generosity and magnanimity in this becoming freemen. It flowed from that temper and those principles which alone can preserve the freedom of a people. It is a pleasure to find our Americans of the same temper. It is a good symptom, foreboding a good end.

If you imagine that I expect this Declaration will ward off calamities from this country, you are mistaken. A bloody conflict we are destined to endure. This has been my opinion from the beginning. You will certainly remember my decided opinion was, at the first Congress, when we found that we could not agree upon an immediate non-exportation, that the contest could not be settled without bloodshed, and that if hostilities should once commence, they would terminate in an incurable animosity between the two countries. Every political event since the 19th of April, 1775, has confirmed me in this opinion.

If you imagine that I flatter myself with happiness and halcyon days, after a separation from Great Britain, you are mistaken again. I do not expect that our new Governments will be so quiet as I could wish; nor that happy harmony, confidence, and affection, between the Colonies, that every good American ought to study, labour, and pray for, for along time; but freedom is a counterbalance for poverty, discord, and war, and more. It is your hard lot and mine