Declaration by the Continental Congress

v2:1687

Cambridge, July 21, 1775.

Last Saturday, July 15th, the several Regiments quartered in this Town being assembled upon the parade, the Revered Doctor Langdon, President of the College, read to them. "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North America, now met in General Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the causes and necessity of their Taking up arms." It was received with great applause, and the approbation of the Army, with that of a great number of other people, was immediately announced by three huzzas. His Excellency the General, with several other General Officers, &c˙, were present on the occasion.

Last Tuesday morning, July 18th, according to orders issued the day before by Major-General Putnam, all the Continental Troops under his immediate command assembled at Prospect Hill, when the Declaration of the Continental Congress was read; after which an animated and pathetick addrress to the Army was made by the Rev˙ Mr˙ Leonard, Chaplain to General Putnam' s Regiment, and succeeded by a pertinent prayer, when General Putnam give the signal, and the whole Army shouted their loud amen by three cheers, immediately upon which a cannon was fired from the fort, and the standard lately sent to General Putnam was exhibited flourishing in the air, bearing on one side this motto, "An appeal to Heaven," and on the other side, "Qui transtulit sustinet." The whole was conducted with the utmost decency, good order, and regularity, and the universal acceptance of all present; and the Philistines on Bunker' s Hill "heard the shout of the Israelites, and being very fearful, paraded themselves in battle array."