Governour Trumbull to General Washington

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Lebanon July 13, 1775.

SIR: Suffer me to join in congratulating you on your appointment to be General and Commander-in-Chief of the

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Men who have tasted of freedom, and who have felt their personal rights, are not easily taught to bear with encroachments on either or brought to submit to oppression. Virtue ought always to be made the object of government; justice is firm and permanent.

His Majesty' s Ministers have artfully induced the Parliament to join in their measures, to prosecute the dangerous and increasing differences between Great Britain and these Colonies with rigour and military force, whereby the latter are driven to an absolute necessity to defend their rights and properties by raising forces for their security.

The honourable Congress have proclaimed a Fast to be observed by the inhabitants of all the English Colonies on this Continent, to stand before the Lord in one day with publick humiliation, fasting, and prayer, to deplore our many sins, to offer up our joint supplications to God for forgiveness, and for his merciful interposition for us in this day of unnatural darkness and distress.

They have with one united voice appointed you to the high station you possess. The Supreme Director of all events hath caused a wonderful union of hearts and counsels to subsist amongst us. Now, therefore, be strong and very courageous. May the God of the Armies of Israel shower down the blessing of his divine providence on you; give you wisdom and fortitude; cover your head in the day of battle and danger; add success; convince our enemies of their mistaken measures; and that all their attempts to deprive these Colonies of their inestimable constitutional rights and liberties are injurious and vain.

I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your most obedient bumble servant,

JONATHAN THUMBULL.

His Excellency George Washington, Esquire.