Philadelphia April 10, 1777
Sir,
In obedience to an older of Congress we do ourselves the honor to inform your Excellency of the reasons and principles that have governed Congress in their resolution for forming a Camp on the west side of Delaware.1 The repeated information that hath been received of the enemies movements, and it being the opinion of your Excellency, as well as of many other General Officers, that this City was the Object of such movements, rendered it proper that means should be fallen upon, to prevent the success of such a design, as well to guard against the bad impression that it would certainly have on the affairs of America in general, as to give security to the valuable Stores here collected, and which cannot speedily be removed.
It has been considered that if the real design of the enemy should be against this City, the Troops are here well fixed, and will be an encouraging place of resort to the Militia of this State in their present unfixt condition, being between their old plan of association, and their new, but yet unexecuted, law. On the other hand, should the design of the enemy be upon Hudsons river, or more eastward, the Troops here may with ease reach that river, before those now at Head Quarters can have all crossed it. But other considerations remain, and they are, should the enemy continue in Jersey with a view to attack your Army, or should your Excellency mean to make a decisive impression on them when your numbers are sufficient, in either supposition. the Troops ought not to be here. And therefore, in the whole of this business, Congress means not, in any manner, to interfere with the designs, or to counteract the Judgement of your Excellency, but wish you freely to call up to Head Quarters, all, or any part of the Troops encampt here as you shall please. It is not supposed that this will occasion any delay, and will certainly prevent the injuries that would be derived to the Troops, as well in health as discipline, from their entering and remaining any time in this City.
We are, with sentiments of much esteem, Your Excellencies most obedient humble servants,
Richard Henry Lee
Geo. Clymer
John Adams
Abra. Clark
Receiver’s copy, John Work Garrett Library, Johns Hopkins University. Lee drafted this letter as well as another draft in the Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society. Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, pp. 270 - 71.
1 In response to intelligence concerning enemy troop movements, contained in Gen. Israel Putnam’s 8 April letter, Congress appointed a committee on the ninth to recommend measures for opposing an attack on Philadelphia and to confer with Pennsylvania officials. The Pennsylvania Council agreed to meet with the committee that evening, and as a result of the committee’s recommendations several resolves, including one for establishing a camp on the west bank of the Delaware, were passed on the tenth and the committee was directed to inform Washington of the reasons for Congress’ action. See JCC, 7:246 - 47, 250 - 51; and Pa. Council Minutes, 11202 - 3. Washington’s response to this letter, in which he recommended that troops be collected at Bristol, Pennsylvania, and forwarded to headquarters, is in Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, 7:400 - 402. For Congress’ subsequent action, see JCC, 7:270 - 71; and Richard Henry Lee to Washington, 16 April 1777.