The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
I have it in my power to acquaint you, that the success of our arms has
corresponded with the justice of our cause. Chambly and St. John's were
taken some weeks ago, and in them the whole regular army in Canada,
except about forty or fifty men. This day, certain intelligence has
reached us, that our General, Montgomery, is received into Montreal;
and we expect, every hour, to be informed that Quebec has opened its
arms to Colonel Arnold, who, with eleven hundred men, was sent from
Boston up the Kennebec, and down the Chaudière river to that place. He
expected to be there early this month. Montreal acceded to us on the
13th, and Carlton set out, with the shattered remains of his little
army, for Quebec, where we hope he will be taken up by Arnold. In
a short time, we have reason to hope, the delegates of Canada will
join us in Congress, and complete the American union, as far as we
wish to have it completed. We hear that one of the British transports
has arrived at Boston; the rest are beating off the coast, in very
bad weather. You will have heard, before this reaches you, that Lord
Dunmore has commenced hostilities in Virginia. That people bore with
everything, till he attempted to burn the town of Hampton. They opposed
and repelled him, with considerable loss on his side, and none on ours.
It has raised our countrymen into a perfect phrensy. It is an immense
misfortune, to the whole empire, to have a King of such a disposition
at such a time. We are told, and everything proves it true, that he is
the bitterest enemy we have. His Minister is able, and that satisfies
me that ignorance or wickedness, somewhere, controls him. In an earlier
part of this contest, our petitions told him, that from our King there
was but one appeal. The admonition was despised, and that appeal forced
on us. To undo his empire, he has but one truth more to learn; that,
after colonies have drawn the sword, there is but one step more they
can take. That step is now pressed upon us, by the measures adopted,
as if they were afraid we would not take it. Believe me, dear Sir,
there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a
union with Great Britain, than I do. But by the God that made me, I
will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the
British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments
of America. We want neither inducement nor power, to declare and assert
a separation. It is will, alone, which is wanting, and that is growing
apace under the fostering hand of our King. One bloody campaign will
probably decide, everlastingly, our future course; and I am sorry to
find a bloody campaign is decided on. If our winds and waters should
not combine to rescue their shores from slavery, and General Howe's
reinforcements should arrive in safety, we have hopes he will be
inspirited to come out of Boston and take another drubbing; and we
must drub him soundly, before the sceptred tyrant will know we are not
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