Philada. July 15 1776
My dear Sir
I must acknowledge that when you left Congress, I gave you Reason to expect a letter from me before this Time. You will not, I am very certain, attribute my omission to the Want of a most cordial Esteem for you. The Truth is, I hardly know how to write without saying something of our Canadian Affairs; and this is a Subject so thoroughly mortifying to me, that I could wish totally to forget all that has past in that Country. Let me however just mention to you that Schuyler & Gates are to command the Troops to be employ'd there, the former, while they are without, and the latter, while they are within the Bounds of Canada. Admitting both these Generals to have the military Accomplishments of Marlborough and Eugene, I cannot conceive that such a Disposition of them can be attended with any happy Effects, unless Harmony subsists between them. Alas! I fear this is not the Case. Already Disputes have arisen, which they have referrd to Congress! And though they appear to treat each other with a Politeness becoming their Rank, in my Mind, Altercations between Commanders who have Pretensions so nearly equal, I mean in Point of Command, forebode a Repetition of Misfortunes. I sincerely wish my Apprehensions may prove to be groundless.
General Howe, as you have heard, is arrivd at New York. He has brought with him from 8 to 10,000 Troops. Lord Howe arrivd the last Week, and the whole Fleet is hourly expected. The Enemy landed on Staten Island. Nothing of Importance has been done, saving that last Fryday at about three in the Afternoon a 40 and a 20 Gun Ship with several Tenders, taking the Advantage of a fair & fresh Gale and flowing Tide, passed by our Forts as far as the Encampment at Kings bridge. General Mifflin who commands there in a letter of the 5 instant informd us he had twenty one Cannon planted and hoped in a Week to be formidable. Reinforcements are arrivd from N England, and our Army are in high Spirits. I am exceedingly pleasd with the calm & determind Spirit, which our Commander in Chiefe has discoverd in all his Letters to Congress. May Heaven guide and prosper him! The Militia of the Jerseys Pennsylvania & Maryland are all in Motion. General Mercer commands the flying Camp in the Jerseys. We have just now appointed a Committee to bring in a Plan for a Reinforcement to compleat the Number of 20,000 Men to be posted in that Colony.1
Our Declaration of Independency has given Vigor to the Spirits of the People. Had this decisive Measure been taken Nine Months ago, it is my opinion that Canada would at this time have been in our hands. But what does it avail to find fault with what is past. Let us do better for the future. We were more fortunate than I expected in having 12 of the 13 Colonies in favor of the all important Question. The Delegates of N York were not enpowerd to give their Voice on either Side. Their Convention has since acceeded to the Declaration & publishd it even before they receivd it from Congress. So mighty a Change in so short a Timel N Jersey have finishd their Form of Government, a Copy of which I inclose. They have sent us five new Delegates, among whom are Dr. Witherspoon & Judge Stockton. All of them appear to be zealously attachd to the American Cause. A Convention is now meeting in this City to form a Constitution for this Colony. They are empowerd by their Constituents to appoint a new Committee of Safety to act for the present & to chuse new Delegates for Congress. I am told there will be a Change of Men, and if so, I hope for the better.
A Plan of Confederation has been brot into Congress wch I hope will be speedily digested and made ready to be laid before the several States for their Approbation.2 A Committee has now under Consideration the Business of foreign Alliance. It is high time for us to have Ambassadors in foreign Courts. I fear we have already sufferd too much by Delay. You know upon whom our Thoughts were turned when you was with us.
I am greatly obligd to you for favoring me with the Form of Goverment agreed upon by your Countrymen.3 I have not yet had time to peruse it, but dare say it will be a Feast to our little Circle. The Device on your great Seal pleases me much.
Pray hasten your Journey hither. Your Country most pressingly solicits, or will you allow me to say demands your Assistance here. I have written in great Haste.
Adieu my dear Sir, and be assured that I am very affectionately, your Friend.
SA
Receiver's copy, American Philosophical Society.
1 See JCC, 5:561 - 62.
2 A draft plan of the articles of confederation was presented to Congress on July 12. JCC, 5:546.
3 Lee's letter to Adams of July 6, in which he enclosed a copy of Virginia's new constitution, is in Richard Henry Lee, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, ed. James C. Ballagh, 2 vols. (New York: Macmillan Co., 1911 - 14), 1:207 - 8.