Samuel Ward to Richard Henry Lee

As it is of the greatest Importance that every Colony should have the earliest Notice of the hostile Intentions of Administration I have enclosed You Copies of Lord Dartmouths Letter & the Order received with it.¹ Our Genl. Assembly immediately ordered Copies of them to be sent to Mr. Cushing to be communicated to the provincial Congress. They then ordered the Cannon at Fort George (which was not tenable) to be sent to Providence where they will be safe and ready for Service, 200 bbls. of Powder, a proportionate quantity of Lead & Flints & several Pieces of brass Cannon for the Artillery Compy. were order’d to be purchased, a Major (General (an officer never before chosen in the Colony) was appointed, several independent Companies of light Infantry Fusiliers, Hunters &c were formed, the Militia was order’d to be disciplined & the Commanding Officers empowered to march the Troops to the Assistance of any Sister Colony. The Spirit & Ardor with which all this was done gave Me ineffable Pleasure and I heartily wish that the other Colonies may proceed in the same spirited Manner for I fear the last Appeal to Heaven must now be made & if We are unprepared We must be undone. The Idea of taking up Arms against Great Britain is shocking but if We must become Slaves or fly to Arms I shall not hesitate one Moment which to chuse for all the Horrors of civil War & even Death itself in every Shape is infinitely prefarable to Slavery which in one Word comprehends every Species of Distress Misery Infamy & Ruin.

I have enlosed the Resolve of our Assembly upon the Report of their Delegates. The polite Notice taken of all the Gentn. of the Congress I hope will be acceptable; You may rely upon a most punctual Adherence to the Association in this Colony.

The other Copy contains the Appointment and Instructions of the new Delegates. The Power of appointing Time & Place for holding a Congress I thought absolutely necessary for the small Pox & many other Things may make it inconvenient to sett at Philadelphia. The Power of adjourning is equally necessary for it will take much Time to chuse new Members & in the interim the Public may suffer the greatest Mischiefs & the trifling Expence of Meeting is the only Objection.

It was supposed by some Gentn. that if our Grievances were redressed this Winter there would be no Necessity of another Congress. I am of a different Opinion. Many new Regulations of Commerce Manufactures &c, may be adopted for the general Good of the Colonies and should the Ministry be inclined to make any new Attempts upon Us our being united & on our Guard would be the most probable Means of preventing them. For these Reasons I proposed an annual Congress; upon the whole our Powers are full & I wish all the Delegates may have such that being free from all Restraints We may deliberate with Freedom, resolve wisely & execute with Firmness whatever the Necessities of our Country may require.

The Distresses of the Town of Boston increase greatly. Many who have till lately supported themselves are now forced to apply to the public, eighteen or twenty Petitions are sometimes recd. in a Day. May the generous Donations of the Colonies continue until God in Mercy relieves them.

Be kind enough to present my most respectful Compliments to your worthy Collegues & to your good Lady & Family & ever remember Me as one who is With the greatest Esteem & Regard Dear Sir Your most obedient humble Servant

Sam: Ward