Beschreibung:

MONTGOMERY, Richard (1736-1775), Brigadier General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("R. Montgomery") to "Dear Robert" [probably Robert R. Livingston (1746-1813)], Albany, 6 August [1775]. 4 full pages, 4to, small tear at fold, otherwise fine. RARE. MONTGOMERY TO LIVINGSTON ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: "I LIKE BOTH THE ADDRESS & DECLARATION AS TO TITLE AND MATTER, EXCEEDINGLY - BUT WISH SOME OTHER TERM HAD BEEN SUBSTITUTED IN THE ROOM OF DECLARATION..." An exceptionally interesting, long letter to his father-in-law, a delegate to the Continental Congress who served on the Committee of Congress charged with the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Montgomery (see notes to lot 102) was preparing to join Schuyler for the American invasion of Canada: "I address you upon hazard at Philadelphia...You will no doubt have seen all Schuyler's letters to the Congress...With respect to the expediency of the measures on foot, I am not possessed of the necessary information to form any judgement of it." Alluding to the overly optimistic expectation that the Canadians would flock to the cause of Independence from the crown, he writes "should the Canadians relish the intended visit it will effectually secure us from Indian hostilities, should we have success. It will shew our strength to the world,- but it will much enlarge the sphere of our operations & next year we shall require a great force to maintain our footing." Considering the chance the expedition might fail, Montgomery thinks that "the inconvenience of a failure may not be so great as you apprehend. We must be exceedingly unfortunate indeed not to be able to act on the defensive at this end of Lake Champlain & to keep command of that lake tho' we were obliged to retire from Canada. We still have...our frontiers tolerably secure from the petite guerre...considering Mr. Carlton's weakness." In regard to the Connecticut Troops he explains: "they could not have proceeded to Ticonderoga for want of provisions. Waterbury's Regt. is to move from hence this week." But "where are the troops to occupy the [Hudson] Highlands? In coming up by water, I observed with pleasure the River may be made impassible. But I believe a boom necessary for that purpose & there must be several posts occupied...The reconnoitering committee...have recommended stone & lime [fortifications], but fascines are far better, cheaper & expeditious..." By "felling wood their little posts (capable of containing a hundred men each) may be made exceedingly strong - the boom may be made so as to shut occasionally with the flood tide." Referring to the recently drafted Declaration of Independence he writes: "I like both the address & Declaration as to title and matter, exceedingly - but wish some other term had been substituted in the room of Declaration - 'tis in my humble opinion too like a declaration of war ." He adds that "Mr Tryon is carrying on some secret designs...& caballing with the Poughkeepsie Tories" and concludes: "I can't form any idea what is to be expected from the troops - if they will fight I do nothing more. I think the want of dexterity in handling arms may be amply supplied by resolution & vigour."