6 WGW, vol. 3, 8-20-1775. To Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage. “Sir: I addressed you on the 11th. Instant in Terms, which gave the fairest Scope for the Exercise of that Humanity, and Politeness, which were supposed to form a Part of your Character. I remonstrated with you on the unworthy Treatment, shewn to the officers and Citizens of America, whom the Fortune of War, Chance, or a mistaken Confidence, had thrown into your Hands.”
“Whether British or American Mercy, Fortitude, and Patience are most preeminent, whether our virtuous Citizens, whom the Hand of Tyranny has forced into Arms to defend their Wives, their Children, and their Property, or the mercenary Instruments of lawless Domination, avarice and Revenge, best deserve the Appellation of Rebels, and the Punishment of that Cord, which your affected Clemency has forborne to inflict: whether the Authority, under which Fact, is usurped, or founded upon the genuine Principles of Liberty, were altogether foreign to the Subject. I purposely avoided all political Disquisition; nor shall I now avail myself of those Advantages, which the sacred Cause of my Country of Liberty, and human Nature, give me over you.”
7 WGW, vol. 5, 7-7-1776. To Gov. Jonathan Trumbull The Interest of America is now in the Ballance, and it behoves all Attached to her Sacred Cause and the rights of Humanity, to hold forth their Utmost and most speedy Aid. I are Convinced nothing will be wanting in your power to Effect.” WGW, vol. 8, 7-31-1777. To Gov. Jonathan Trumbull. “I sent Genls. Lincoln and Arnold to assist in that Command. These two Gentlemen are esteemed good Officers and, I think very deservedly. I am persuaded, nothing, that their judgements shall direct, will be omitted to stop the Progress of General Burgoyne’s Arms, as far as in them lies — and, I am equally Sure, their personal exertions and Bravery will not be wanting in any instance. Their presence, I trust, will remove every Ground of diffidence and backwardness in the Militia, and that they will go on when and where their Services are demanded, with a Spirit and Resolution becoming Freemen and the Sacred Cause in which they are engaged.”
8 Ibid., vol. 6, 9-4-1776. To Col. Fisher Gay. “Let me therefore not only Command, but exhort you and your Officers, as you regard your Reputation, your Country, and the sacred Cause of Freedom in which you are engaged, to Manly and Vigorous exertions at this time, each striving to excell the other in the respective duties of his department. I trust it is unnecessary for me to add further, and that these and all other Articles of your duty you will execute with a Spirit and punctuallity becoming your Station.”
9 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-10-1776. To The President of Congress.
10 Ibid., vol.11, 4-21-1778, to John Banister.
11 The Congressional thanksgiving Proclamation states: Ibid., vol. 10, 11-30-1777. General Orders. “Forasmuch as it is the indispensible duty of all men, to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligations to him for benefits received, and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also, to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defence of our unalienable rights and liberties.
It is therefore recommended by Congress, that Thursday the 18th. day of December next be set apart for Solemn Thanksgiving and Praise; that at one time, and with one voice, the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that, together with their sincere acknowledgements and offerings they may join the penitent confession of their sins; and supplications for such further blessings as they stand in need of. The Chaplains will properly notice this recommendation, that the day of thanksgiving may be duly observed in the army, agreeably to the intentions of Congress.
12 Ibid., vol. 10, 12-17-1777. General Orders. Head Quarters, at the Gulph. “The Commander in Chief with the highest satisfaction expresses his thanks to the officers and soldiers for the fortitude and patience with which they have sustained the fatigues of the Campaign. Altho’ in some instances we unfortunately failed, yet upon the whole Heaven hath smiled on our Arms and crowned them with signal success; and we may upon the best grounds conclude, that by a spirited continuance of the measures necessary for our defence we shall finally obtain the end of our Warfare, Independence, Liberty and Peace. These are blessings worth contending for at every hazard. But we hazard nothing. The power of America alone, duly exerted, would have nothing to dread from the force of Britain. Yet we stand not wholly upon our ground. France yields us every aid we ask, and there are reasons to believe the period is not very distant, when she will take a more active part, by declaring war against the British Crown. Every motive therefore, irresistably urges us, nay commands us, to a firm and manly perseverance in our opposition to our cruel oppressors, to slight difficulties, endure hardships, and contemn every danger. The General ardently wishes it were now in his power, to conduct the troops into the best winter quarters. But where are these to be found? Should we retire to the interior parts of the State, we should find them crowded with virtuous citizens, who, sacrificing their all, have left Philadelphia, and fled thither for protection. To their distresses humanity forbids us to add. This is not all, we should leave a vast extent of fertile country to be despoiled and ravaged by the enemy, from which they would draw vast supplies, and where many of our firm friends would be exposed to all the miseries of the most insulting and wanton depredation. A train of evils might be enumerated, but these will suffice. These considerations make it indispensibly necessary for the army to take such a position, as will enable it most effectually to prevent distress and to give the most extensive security; and in that position we must make ourselves the best shelter in our power. With activity and diligence Huts may be erected that will be warm and dry. In these the troops will be compact, more secure against surprises than if in a divided state and at hand to protect the country. These cogent reasons have determined the General to take post in the neighbourhood of this camp; and influenced by them, he persuades himself, that the officers and soldiers, with one heart, and one mind, will resolve to surmount every difficulty, with a fortitude and patience, becoming their profession, and the sacred cause in which they are engaged. He himself will share in the hardship, and partake of every inconvenience. To morrow being the day set apart by the Honorable Congress for public Thanksgiving and Praise; and duty calling us devoutely to express our grateful acknowledgements to God for the manifold blessings he has granted us. The General directs that the army remain in it’s present quarters, and that the Chaplains perform divine service with their several Corps and brigades. And earnestly exhorts, all officers and soldiers, whose absence is not indispensibly necessary, to attend with reverence the solemnities of the day.”
13 We considered a portion of that sermon in the earlier chapter on Washington’s spirituality.
14 Israel Evans, A Discourse, Delivered, on the 18th Day of December, 1777, the Day of Public Thanksgiving, Appointed by the Honourable Continental Congress, by the Reverend Israel Evans, A. M. Chaplain to General Poor’s Brigade. And now published at the Request of the General and Officers of the said Brigade, To be distributed among the Soldiers, Gratis. Lancaster: Printed by Francis Bailey, 1778.
15 WGW, vol. 5, 7-9-1776.
16 Cf. WGW, vol. 26, 3-18-1783. To the President of Congress. “Sir: The result of the proceedings of the grand Convention of the Officers, which I have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency for the inspection of Congress, will, I flatter myself, be considered as the last glorious proof of Patriotism which could have been given by Men who aspired to the distinction of a patriot Army; and will not only confirm their claim to the justice, but will increase their title to the gratitude of their Country. [WGW Note: Ford prints from a letter from Maj. J. A. Wright to Maj. John Webb, from West Point, Mar. 16, 1783, the following: “Yesterday there was a meeting of the officers. The Commander in Chief came among us, and made a most excellent address; he appeared sensibly agitated; as the writer advises to ‘suspect the man who should advise to more moderation and longer forbearance,’ this expression, together with a second anonymous letter, which I have not seen, gave reason to suppose that it was a plan laid against his Excellency, as every one who knows him must be sensible that he would recommend moderation. The general having finished his address, retired. Gen’l Gates took the chair; the business of the day was conducted with order, moderation, and decency.”]
“Having seen the proceedings on the part of the Army terminate with perfect unanimity, and in a manner entirely consonant to my wishes; being impressed with the liveliest sentiments of affection for those who have so long, so patiently and so chearfully suffered and fought under my immediate direction; having from motives of justice, duty and gratitude, spontaneously offered myself as an advocate for their rights; and having been requested to write to your Excellency earnestly entreating the most speedy decision of Congress upon the subjects of the late Address from the Army to that Honble. Body, it now only remains for me to perform the task I have assumed, and to intercede in their behalf, as I now do, that the Sovereign Power will be pleased to verify the predictions I have pronounced of, and the confidence the Army have reposed in the justice of their Country.
“And here, I humbly conceive it is altogether unnecessary, (while I am pleading the cause of an Army which have done and suffered more than any other Army ever did in the defence of the rights and liberties of human nature,) to expatiate on their Claims to the most ample compensation for their meritorious Services, because they are perfectly known to the whole World, and because, (altho’ the topics are inexhaustible) enough has already been said on the subject.”
17 Ibid., vol.11, 5-2-1778.
18 In Federer, America’s God and Country, pp. 459-60.
19 Ibid., p. 460: “John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg (1746-1807), a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1774, was a 30 year-old pastor who preached on the Christian’s responsibility to be involved in securing freedom for America. He was the son of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, one of the founders of the Lutheran Church in America. In 1775, after preaching a message on Ecclesiastes 3:1, ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven,’ John Peter Muhlenberg closed his message by saying: ‘In the language of the Holy Writ, there is a time for all things. There is a time to preach and a time to fight. And now is the time to fight.’ He then threw off his clerical robes to reveal the uniform of an officer in the Revolutionary Army. That afternoon, at the head of 300 men, John Peter Muhlenberg marched off to join General Washington’s troops and became Colonel of the 8th Virginia Regiment. He served until the end of the war, during which he was promoted to the rank of Major General. In 1785 he became the Vice-President of Pennsylvania, and in 1790 was a member of the Pennsylvania constitutional Convention. He then served as a U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania, and in 1801 he was elected to the United States Senate. In 1889, the State of Pennsylvania placed his statue in the Statuary Hall at Washington.”
His younger brother, Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg (1750-1801), was also a Lutheran clergyman. He at first criticized his brother’s support for the Revolution. But when the British invaded New York where he was pastoring, he was forced to leave and returned to his father’s house in Trappe. Eventually Frederick Augustus entered politics as well. He served as the first Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in 1789. In that capacity, along with Vice-President John Adams, who was thus also President of the Senate, signed the Bill of Rights when it was sent to the states for ratification.
20 WGW, vol. 33 7-24-1793, to the overseers at Mt. Vernon, “You will recollect that your time is paid for by me, and if I am deprived of it, it is worse even than robbing my purse, because it is also a breach of trust, which every honest man ought to hold most sacred. You have found me, and you will continue to find me faithful to my part of the agreement which was made with you, whilst you are attentive to your part; but it is to be remembered, that a breach on one side releases the obligation on the other; if, therefore it shall be proved to me that you are absenting yourself from either the Farm or the people without just cause, I shall hold myself no more bound to pay the wages, than you do to attend strictly to the charge which is entrusted to you, by one who has every disposition to be, Your friend”
21 Ibid., vol. 12, 8-3-1778, *To JOHN PARKE CUSTIS, “I presume you are not unacquainted with the fact of £ 12,000 at compound Interest amounting to upwards of £ 48,000 in twenty four Years. Reason therefore must convince you that unless you avert the evil by a deposit of the like Sum in the loan Office, and there hold it sacred to the purpose of accumulating Interest in the proportion you pay, that you will have abundant cause to repent it. No Virginia Estate (except a very few under the best of management) can stand simple Interest how then can they bear compound Interest. You may be led away with Ideal profits; you may figure great matters to yourself to arise from this, that, or t’other Scheme, but depend upon it they will only exist in the imagination, and that year after year will produce nothing but disappointment and new hopes; these will waste time, whilst your Interest is accumg. and the period approaching when you will be called upon to be prepared perhaps to advance 4 times the original purchase money. Remember therefore, that as a friend, I call upon you with my advice to shun this rock by depositing the Sum you are to pay Alexander, in the loan Office; let it be considered as Alexanders money, and Sacred to that use and that only, for if you shd. be of opinion that pay day being a great way off will give you time enough to provide for it and consequently to apply your present Cash to other uses it does not require the gift of prophecy to predict the Sale of the purchased Estate or some other to pay for it.”
22 Ibid., vol. 15, 5-10-1779. To COLONEL DANIEL BRODHEAD, “[I cannot conclude without recommending the strictest oeconomy in all your conduct and operations; you may be assured it is become indispensably necessary, and that you cannot pursue more effectual means of recommending yourself to public favor and thanks than by an attention to its interests,] at this period of its affairs. [I earnestly recommend that the Batteaux and other vessels, which are built for public use be held in a manner sacred otherwise they will get squandered and when the period arrives that they will be wanted none will be found.]”
23 Ibid., vol. 8, 6-10-1777., GENERAL ORDERS “It is with inexpressible regret the Commander in Chief has been driven to the necessity of doing a severe, but necessary act of Justice, as an example of what is to be expected by those daring offenders, who, lost to all sense of duty, and the obligations they owe to their Country, and to mankind, wantonly violate the most sacred engagements, and fly to the assistance of an enemy, they are bound by every tie to oppose. A spirit of desertion is alone the most fatal disease that can attend an army, and the basest principle that can actuate a soldier; Wherever it shews itself, it deserves detestation, and calls for the most exemplary punishment. What confidence can a General have in any Soldier, who he has reason to apprehend may desert in the most interesting moments? What, but the want of every moral and manly sentiment, can induce him to desert the cause, to which he has pledged his faith, even with the solemnity of an oath, and which he is bound to support, by every motive of justice and good will to himself, and his fellow creatures? When such a character appears, it may almost be said in reference to it, that forbearance is folly; and mercy degenerates into cruelty.”
24 Ibid., vol. 7, 2-28-1777, To MAJOR GENERAL ISRAEL PUTNAM Head Quarters, Morris Town, February 28, 1777, “Dear Sir: Your several favours of the 25th and 26th. Instt. came safe to hand. The pass granted by Lord and Genl. Howe to William Taylor, dated the 18th, is of such a nature, as not to afford any protection to the Vessel and Crew, even on the most scrupulous construction of the Law of Nations, and She came in so suspicious a manner, without a flag flying, as would have justified severer treatment than mere detention. But ‘tis possible, that Taylor and the master of the Vessel, not sufficiently informed of the practice necessarily observable in bearing Flags, or Strangers to the instances, in which Protection can with propriety be granted by an Enemy, came with no ill design; I would therefore have the Vessel and hands released, being desirous to remove from our Army every, the smallest, Imputation of an Infringement on the sacred dignity of a Flag. Indeed I would pass over unnoticed, any small deviation from the usual Line in these cases, if not attended with danger to us. They are to consider this early discharge as an Indulgence, which they, or any other person, must not expect a Repetition of. It may not be improper to send Colo. Foreman a Copy of this part of my answer, that Taylor may know my sentiments, and the Reasons that induce me to discharge his Vessel. When the English Letters, that were found on board, come to you, please to send them to me, if of any Consequence.”
Ibid., vol. 11, 3-22-1778, To SIR WILLIAM HOWE, “The conduct of Lieutenant Col. Brooks in detaining John Miller, requires neither palliation nor excuse. I justify and approve it. There is nothing so sacred in the Character of the King’s Trumpeter, even when sanctified by a flag, as to alter the nature of things, or consecrate infidelity and Guilt. He was a Deserter from the Army under my Command; and, whatever you have been pleased to assert to the Contrary, it is the Practice of War and Nations, to seize and punish Deserters Wherever they may be found. His appearing in the character he did, was an aggravation of his Offence, in as much as it added insolence to perfidy. My scrupulous regard to the priviledges of flags, and a desire to avoid every thing, that partiality itself might affect to consider as a violation of them, induced me to send orders for the release of the Trumpeter, before the receipt of your Letter; the improper and peremptory Terms of which, had it not been too late, would have strongly operated to produce a less compromising conduct; I intended at the time to assure you, and I wish it to be remembered, that my indulgence in this instance, is not to be drawn into precedent, and that, should any deserters from the American Army, hereafter have the daring folly to approach our Lines in a similar manner, they will fall victims to their rashness and presumption.”
25 Ibid., vol. 10, 1-29-1778, To THE COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS, “In speaking of rank, as a spur to enterprise, I am led, by the way to hint an idea, which may be improved and turned to no small advantage. This is the institution of honorary rewards, differing in degree, to be conferred on those, who signalize themselves, by any meritorious actions, in proportion to the magnitude and brilliancy of the achievement. These should be sacred to the purpose of their institution, and unattainable by loose recommendations, or vague, though arrogating pretension; given only upon authentic vouchers of real desert, from some proper board. Congress have already adopted the idea, in particular instances; but it were to be wished, it could be extended to something more general and systematic. I have not sufficiently employed my thoughts upon the subject, to digest them into a proposition, as to the nature variety and extent of these rewards; but I would in general observe, that they may consist in things of very little cost, or real value, and that the more diversified they are, the better. If judiciously and impartially administered, they would be well calculated to kindle that emulous love of glory and distinction, to which may be imputed far the greater part of the most illustrious exploits performed among mankind, and which is peculiarly necessary to be cherished and cultivated in a military life.”
26 Ibid., vol. 34 10-20-1794, To GOVERNOR HENRY LEE, “There is but one point on which I think it proper to add a special recommendation. It is this, that every officer and soldier will constantly bear in mind that he comes to support the laws and that it would be peculiarly unbecoming in him to be in any way the infractor of them; that the essential principles of a free government confine the provinces of the Military to these two objects: 1st: to combat and subdue all who may be found in arms in opposition to the National will and authority; 2dly to aid and support the civil Magistrate in bringing offenders to justice. The dispensation of this justice belongs to the civil Magistrate and let it ever be our pride and our glory to leave the sacred deposit there unviolated. Convey to my fellow citizens in arms my warm acknowledgments for the readiness with which they have seconded me in the most delicate and momentous duty the chief Magistrate of a free people can have to perform and add my affectionate wishes for their health comfort and success. Could my further presence with them have been necessary or compatible with my civil duties at a period when the approaching commencement of a session of Congress particularly urges me to return to the seat of Government, it would not have been withheld. In leaving them I have the less regret, as I know I commit them to an able and faithful director; and that this director will be ably and faithfully seconded by all.”
27 Ibid., vol. 22, 5-5-1781, To BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES CLINTON, “Alarmed at the critical situation of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler, I ordered out of the small pittance in our Magazines, 50 Barrels of Meat and the same quantity of flour, to be transported from this Army, and instantly thrown into that Garrison, but the Commissary reports there are but 34 Bbs of Meat in store. I have directed this number to be sent, and the residue of the 50 Barrels to be made up, from the Fish lately barreled on the River. This supply (the Fish included, or not, as you think proper) you will be pleased to consider as solely designed for the relief of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler, and sacredly to be appropriated to that and no other purpose whatever: For in our present embarrassed circumstances, when we know not from whence the supplies of tomorrow are to be derived, no inferior object could have justified the Measure of stripping this Army of its last Mouthful.”
Ibid., vol. 22, 7-11-1781, To COLONEL CHARLES STEWART, “Sir: It is his Excellency’s request that you will take immediate and effectual Measures, to have such a number of the Beef Cattle from the Eastern part of Connecticut and that part of Massachusetts contiguous to Rhode Island, furnished for the Militia Stationed at R Island, that they may not be under the necessity of consuming a single Barrel of salted Provision, if it can possibly be avoided. The Salted Provision to be repacked (if necessary) and kept sacredly as a reserve in the Magazine where it now is.”
28 Ibid., vol. 25, 9-25-1782. To COLONEL ELISHA SHELDON, “Sir: On friday next you will move from your Quarters (wherever they may be) with your whole Corps, at such time and manner, as to be at the White Plains positively between sunset and dark; your Men will require provisions for saturday and may be perfectly light. I send you the Paroles and Cr Signs untill the 29th inclusive, you will keep them sacredly to yourself, except when they are to be delivered to the Officers entitled to them, on the several days they are designed for.”
29 Ibid., vol. 26, 3-3-1783. To LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM STEPHENS SMITH, “It is much to be regretted, that while I am using every means in my power to comply with the orders of Congress, founded, in my judgment, on our true interest and policy, that there should be such a counteraction as we daily experience by individuals. But lamentable indeed is our situation when States, or the Administration of them, are leaping over those bounds which should ever be deemed the sacred barrier betwn. us and the Enemy, without which all opposition to their measures must soon cease. or dwindle into something, ridiculous enough.”
30 Ibid., vol. 26, 4-18-1783. To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS “This Act, at a comparative small Expence, would be deemed an honorable Testimonial from Congress of the Regard they bear to those distinguished Worthies, and the Sense they have of their suffering Virtues and Services, which have been so happily instrumental towards the security and Establishment of the Rights Liberties and Independence of this rising Empire. These constant companions of their Toils and Dangers, preserved with sacred Care, would be handed down from the present possessors, to their Children, as honorable Badges of Bravery and military Merit; and would probably be bro’t forth, on some future Occasion, with Pride and Exultation, to be improved, with the same military Ardor and Emulation, in the Hands of posterity, as they have been used by their forefathers in the present Establishment and foundation of our National Independence and Glory.”
31 Ibid., vol. 25 10-23-1782. To REVEREND WILLIAM GORDON “It appears to me impracticable for the best Historiographer living, to write a full and correct history of the present revolution who has not free access to the Archives of Congress, those of Individual States, the Papers of the Commander in Chief, and Commanding Officers of seperate departments. Mine, while the War continues, I consider as a species of Public property, sacred in my hands; and of little Service to any Historian who has not that general information which is only to be derived with exactitude from the sources I have mentioned. When Congress then shall open their registers, and say it is proper for the Servants of the public to do so, it will give me much pleasure to afford all the Aid to your labors and laudable undertaking which my Papers can give; ‘till one of those periods arrive I do not think myself justified in suffering an inspection of, and any extracts to be taken from my Records.”
32 Ibid., vol. 26, 3-18-1783, To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, “To prove these assertions, to evince that my sentiments have ever been uniform, and to shew what my ideas of the rewards in question have always been, I appeal to the Archives of Congress, and call on those sacred deposits to witness for me.”
33 Ibid, vol. 1, 5-27-1754, JOURNAL May 27, 1754. “Besides, an Embassador has princely attendants, whereas this was only a simple petty French officer; an Embassador has no need of spies, his person being always sacred: and since their intention was so good, why did they tarry two days, five miles distance from us, without acquainting me with the summons, or at least, with something that related to the Embassy? That alone would be sufficient to excite the strongest suspicions, and we must to do them the justice to say, that as they wanted to hide themselves, they could not have picked out better places than they had done.”
34 Ibid., vol. 1, Address To His Command. “And though our utmost endeavors can contribute but little to the advancement of his Majesty’s honor and the interest of his governments, yet let us show our willing obedience to the best of kings, and, by a strict attachment to his royal commands, demonstrate the love and loyalty we bear to his sacred person; let us, by rules of unerring bravery, strive to merit his royal favor, and a better establishment as reward for our services.”
35 Ibid., vol. 19, 8-11-1780, To BRIGADIER GENERALS ANTHONY WAYNE AND WILLIAM IRVINE, “Citizens and good men to realize the consequences and to assure themselves they act upon substantial grounds before they venture to execute what they have intimated. They ought to recollect that they cannot hereafter be happy, if they find their conduct condemned by the country and by the army, especially if it has been the cause of any misfortune. They should remember that we have actually entered upon the operations of the campaign; that we are now in the vicinity of the enemy and in a position that makes an action not very improbable perhaps not very remote [if my intelligence true.] When they duly weigh these things they cannot but be sensible that the love of their country; the obligations of their respective stations; what they owe to their own characters and to that discipline which ought to be sacred among military men; all these motives call upon them to relinquish the intention they have suggested. It is true, we have not many considerations of interest to attach us to the service; but we have those of honor and public good [in a high degree] and I flatter myself these ties will not prove too feeble.”
Ibid., vol. 23, 10-31-1781, GENERAL ORDERS, “The General cannot forbear adding that Accusations of so serious a nature should be made with the most scrupulous caution; an Officer’s Character being too sacred to be impeached with Levity without a sufficient foundation.”
36 Ibid., vol. 26, 3-5-1783, To THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY “And let me conjure you, in the name of our common Country, as you value your own sacred honor, as you respect the rights of humanity, and as you regard the Military and National character of America, to express your utmost horror and detestation of the Man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our Country, and who wickedly attempts to open the flood Gates of Civil discord, and deluge our rising Empire in Blood. By thus determining, and thus acting, you will pursue the plain and direct road to the attainment of your wishes. You will defeat the insidious designs of our Enemies, who are compelled to resort from open force to secret Artifice. You will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; And you will, by the dignity of your Conduct, afford occasion for Posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to Mankind, “had this day been wanting, the World had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining.”
37 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-15-1776, To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS New York, July 15, 1776. “The Inhuman Treatment to the whole, and Murder of part of our People after their Surrender and Capitulation, was certainly a flagrant violation of that Faith which ought to be held sacred by all civilized nations, and founded in the most Savage barbarity. It highly deserved the severest reprobation, and I trust the Spirited Measures Congress have adopted upon the Occasion, will prevent the like in future: But if they should not, and the claims of humanity are disregarded, Justice and Policy will require recourse to be had to the Law of retaliation, however abhorrent and disagreeable to our natures in cases of Torture and Capital Punishments”.
