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By the summer of 1776, American and British forces had
been engaged in armed conflict for fifteen months. On View the original documents by clicking on the links below. These
documents are from the George Washington
Papers. Use your browser's Back Button to return to this point. George
Washington, General Orders, July 9, 1776. The Hon. The Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty,
policy and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the Connection which
subsisted between this Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United
Colonies of North America, free and independentStates:
The several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective
Parades, at Six OClock, when the declaration of
Congress, shewing the grounds and reasons of this
measure, is to be read with an audible voice. The General hopes this important Event will serve as a fresh incentive to
every officer, and soldier, to act with Fidelity and Courage, as knowing that
now the peace and safety of his Country depends (under God) solely on the
success of our arms: And that he is now in the service of a State, possessed
of sufficient power to reward his merit, and advance him to the highest
Honors of a free Country. Washington
to Continental Congress, New York, July 10, 1776.. Sir: I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of the 4th and
6th instants, which came duly to hand, with their important inclosures. I perceive that Congress have been employed
in deliberating on measures of the most interesting Nature. It is certain
that it is not with us to determine in many instances what consequences will
flow from our Counsels, but yet it behoves us to
adopt such, as under the smiles of a Gracious and all kind Providence will be
most likely to promote our happiness; I trust the late decisive part they
have taken, is calculated for that end, and will secure us that freedom and
those priviledges, which have been, and are refused
us, contrary to the voice of Nature and the British Constitution. Agreeable
to the request of Congress I caused the Declaration to be proclaimed before
all the Army under my immediate Command, and have the pleasure to inform
them, that the measure seemed to have their most hearty assent; the
Expressions and behaviour both of Officers and Men
testifying their warmest approbation of it. I have transmitted a Copy to
General Ward at General Mercer is now in the Jerseys for the purpose of receiving and
ordering the Militia coming for the Flying Camp, and I have sent over our
chief Engineer to view the Ground within the Neighbourhood
of Amboy, and lay out some necessary Works for the Encampment, and such as
may be proper at the different passes in Bergen Neck, and other places on the
Jersey Shore opposite Staten Island, to prevent the Enemy making impressions
and committing depredations on the Property of the Inhabitants. The
Intelligence we have from a few Deserters that have come over to us, and from
others, is, that General Howe has between 9. and
10.000 Men, who are chiefly landed on the Island, posted in different parts,
and securing the several communications from the Jerseys with small Works and
Intrenchments, to prevent our people paying them a
visit; that the Islanders have all joined them, seem well disposed to favor
their Cause and have agreed to take up Arms in their behalf. They look for
Admiral Howe's arrival every day, with his Fleet and a large Reinforcement,
are in high Spirits, and talk confidently of Success and carrying all before
them when he comes. I trust through Divine Favor and our own Exertions they
will be disappointed in their Views, and at all Events, any advantages they may
gain will cost them very dear. If our Troops will behave well, which I hope
will be the case, having every thing to contend for that Freemen hold dear,
they will have to wade thro' much Blood and Slaughter before they can carry
any part of our Works, if they carry them at all; and at best be in
possession of a Melancholly and Mournfull
Victory. May the Sacredness of our cause inspire our Soldiery with Sentiments
of Heroism, and lead them to the performance of the noblest Exploits. With
this Wish, I have the honor to be, etc. |