Phila. 22d Octr. 1776
Dear Sir,
Accept my thanks for your favor of the 1st which I received by this post only. The inclosed paper will give you all the military news that yesterday arrived to Congress.1 Our enemies have been amazingly industrious (as I think wickedness ever is) in Canada, coming out, contrary to all expectation, with 4 times our Marine force on Lake Champlain. The consequence was as you will see, our people bravely maintained the unequal contest, conducting themselves with a valor that has extorted applause even from their enemies, and which certainly deserved a better fortune. Carleton is now Master of the water, but we do not discover any great advantage that will result to him from that possession for this Campaign, as we have an Army equal to his at Ticonderoga, and the Season is fast approaching when no operations can be conducted on Lake Champlain, at least by means of Vessels. The Generals Washington & Howe are maneuvering on the ground above Kings bridge, each endeavoring to out flank the other. In the course of these operations, a few days since, two opposite Brigades met each other, when a very hot contest arose between the enemy and these New England Batallions, and which ended by driving the British Troops back to their main body. The General says, "our Men behaved with great coolness and intrepedity." Private letters say we lost 30 men and the enemy 150 at the least. Gen. Mercer informs us that 150 Sail of Ships came in to the enemy from Sea last Saturday. That the whole power of Great Britain is now exerted against us is most certain, and that it behooves us to strain every nerve in every part of America to oppose them is equally clear; or else Slavery the most ignominious will surely be our lot. We must Cast Cannon, make powder, build Ships and Forts, and raise Armies with unremitting zeal and industry. Cannot we be as brave and industrious in the cause of liberty & virtue, as they are in Vice and the establishment of human Slavery? Let us lay aside every private consideration, and press the war with force and union. We shall do every thing in our power to procure foreign assistance, and I think a general war in Europe is not far off. May Heaven prosper your righteous consultations and give success to the virtuous cause of America. Farewell.
Richard Henry Lee
Receiver's copy, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio.
1 For the various letters containing military intelligence that were read in Congress on October 21, see JCC, 6:889 - 91. Benedict Arnold's October 12 letter to General Gates describing the October 11 engagement between the Lake Champlain fleets and Robert H. Harrison's letter to President Hancock reporting the October 18 skirmish at East Chester, N.Y., are in Am. Archives, 5th ser. 2:1038 - 39, 1137 - 38.