Extract of a Letter From Philadelphia to a Gentleman in England

v2:1621

Travel through whatever part of this Country you will, you see the inhabitants training, making firelocks, casting mortars, shells and shot, and making saltpetre, in order to keep the gunpowder mills at work during the next autumn and winter. Nothing, indeed, is attended to but preparing to make a defence that will astonish the whole world, and hurl destruction on those who, to preserve themselves in office, have advised measures so fatal both to Britain and America. At least two hundred thousand men are now in arms, and well trained, ready to march whenever wanted for the support of American freedom and property. In short, a spirit of enthusiasm for war is gone forth, that has driven away the fear of death; and magazines of provisions and ammunition, by order of the States General of America, (or the twelve United Colonies,) are defected to be made in all proper places, against the next campaign.