Beschreibung:

WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President . Letter signed ("G:Washington") as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, TO BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN GLOVER Morristown, New Jersey, 26 April 1777. 1 page, folio, 380 x 240mm. (15 x 9 1/2 in.), integral address leaf (cleanly separated), WITH FREE FRANK: "On public Service," small losses along central vertical folds (affecting approximately 8 letters), small repairs to versos of both leaves . GENERAL WASHINGTON PLEADS WITH AN OFFICER TO REJOIN THE AMERICAN CAUSE: "CAN ANY RESISTANCE BE EXPECTED FROM THE PEOPLE WHEN DESERTED BY THEIR LEADERS?" An eloquent letter to John Glover (1732-1797), among Washington's ablest military commanders. A resident of Marblehead, Massachusetts, he was commissioned a colonel soon after the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord, and he served under Washington's direct command until the British evacuation of Boston. In command of a regiment in General John Sullivan's brigade, he directed the ships which evacuated the American forces after the Battle of Long Island. In December 1776, Glover's experienced Marblehead boatmen piloted the boats which transported Washington's army across the Delaware during a winter storm to surprise the British encampment at Trenton. Glover's regiment's enlistments expired soon afterwards and Glover himself returned to Marblehead to nurse his ailing wife and tend to neglected business affairs. In sore need of seasoned commanders and with repeated proofs of Glover's ability as a leader, there was ample reason for Washington to recommend Glover's promotion to the rank of Brigadier General. Congress duly approved the appointment of ten men, including Anthony Wayne and Glover. But when his commission reached him, dated 21 February, Glover declined it. Washington's response is a powerful combination of gentle rebuke, praise and appeal to patriotism: "After the conversations, I had with you, before you left the Army, last Winter, I am not a little surprised at the contents of yours of the first instant. As I had not the least doubt, but you would accept of the commission of Brigadier, if conferred upon you by Congress, I put your name down in the list of those, whom I thought proper for the command, and whom I wished to see preferred. Diffidence in an officer is a good mark, because he will always endeavour to bring himself up to what he conceives to be the full line of his duty; but I think, I may tell you, without flattery, that I know of no man better qualified than you to conduct a Brigade. You have activity and Industry, and as you very well know the duty of a colonel, you know how to exact that duty from others. I have with great concern observed the almost universal listlessness that prevails throughout the continent; and I believe, that nothing has contributed to it more, than the resignation of officers, who stepped early forward and led the people into the great cause, in which we are too deeply embarked to look back, or to hope for any other terms, than we can gain by the sword. Can any resistance be expected from the people when deserted by their leaders? Our enemies count upon the resignation of every officer of rank at this time, as a distrust of, and desertion from, the cause, and rejoice accordingly. When you consider these matters, I hope you will, with all expedition, come forward, and take that command which has been assigned you. As I fully depend upon seeing you, I shall not mention any thing, that has passed between us, upon this subject, to the Congress..." (Fitzpatrick, 7:471-472). Washington's eloquence prevailed. Glover took up his command and participated in the defense of Newport, Rhode Island, served as a member of the court which passed sentence on the British spy, Major John André helped defend the forts in the Hudson Highlands and finally retired in 1782 due to failing health. After the war, he served as a member of the Massachusetts delegation which ratified the Federal Constitution. Provenanc