General Roberdeau' s reply to the Address

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GENTLEMEN: The sense which the Officers of the Second Battalion express, in this obliging Address, of my attention to, and zeal in, the service of my bleeding country, in that particular line of duty marked out by their free unanimous voice, is not only very honourable, but also highly pleasing, as it is a fresh proof of the regard of a corps with whom I have had uninterrupted happiness ever since our first connection, and whose esteem I would ever studiously cultivate. At the same time that I accept with thanks, as a further mark of regard, your congratulations on my late honourable appointment at Lancaster, permit me to say that neither that appointment nor your congratulations can prevent the pain of an ingenuous mind under the conscious sense of a want of talents for so important a station. However, the cause in which we are engaged is the cause of God, who loveth justice and hateth oppression. He can give efficacy to the feeblest efforts. The concurrence of officers and privates, in a general assurance of their zeal and readiness in the service of their country under my command, presages a happy, and, I trust, a successful campaign, for which they have my hearty thanks. I expect no less from every friend to America, engaged in the service, as I can have no private or sinister view, and it is evident union alone can serve our suffering country, whereas divisions would destroy it. DANIEL ROBERDEAU.

Philadelphia, July 10, 1776.