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Philadelphia, October 8, 1776.
I ought to acknowledge with gratitude your constant kindness in writing to me by every post. Your favour of 29 September came by the last. I wish it had been in my power to have returned your civilities with the same punctuality, but it has not. Long before this you have received letters from me, and newspapers containing a full account of the negotiation. The communication is still open, and the post-riders now do their duty, and will continue to do so.
I assure you we are as much at a loss about affairs at New-York as you are. In general, our Generals were outgeneraled on Long-Island, and Sullivan and Stirling, with a thousand men, were made prisoners, in consequence of which, and several other unfortunate circumstances, a council of war thought it prudent to retreat from that island and Governour' s Island, and then from New-York . They are now posted at Haerlem, about ten or eleven miles from the
You are told that a regiment of Yorkers behaved ill, and it may be true; but I can tell you that several regiments of Massachusetts men behaved ill too. The spirit of venality you mention is the most dreadful and alarming enemy America has to oppose. It is as rapacious and insatiable as the grave. We are in the foece Romuli non republica Platonis . This predominant avarice will ruin America, if she ever is ruined. If God Almighty does not interpose by his grace to control this universal idolatry to the mammon of unrighteousness, we shall be given up to the chastisements of his judgments. I am ashamed of the age I live in.
You surprise me with your account of the prayers in publick for an abdicated King, a pretender to the crown. Nothing of that kind is heard in this place, or any other part of the Continent, but New-York and the place you mention. This practice is treason against the State, and cannot be long tolerated.
Don' t leave off writing to me. I write as often as I can. I am glad Master John has an office so useful to his mamma and papa as that of post-rider.
ohn Adams to Mrs. Adams
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city. They left behind them some provisions, some cannon, and some baggage. Wherever the men-of-war have approached, our Militia have most manfully turned their backs and run away, officers and men, like sturdy fellows; and their panicks have sometimes seized the regular regiments. One little skirmish on Montresor' s Island ended with the loss of the brave Major Henley, and the disgrace of the rest of the party. Another skirmish, which might, indeed, be called an action, ended in the defeat and shameful flight of the enemy, with the loss of the brave Colonel Knowlton on our part. The enemy have possession of Paulus Hook and Bergen Point, places on the Jersey side of North River . By this time their force is so divided between Staten-Island, Long-Island, New-York, Paulus Hook, and Bergen Point, that I think they will do no great matter more this fall, unless the expiration of the term of inlistment of our army should disband it. If our new inlistments fill up for soldiers during the war, we shall do well enough. Every body must encourage this.