Beschreibung:

WHIPPLE, William, Signer (New Hampshire ). Autograph letter signed ("William Whipple," with large flourish), TO JOHN LANGDON (1741-1819), Philadelphia, 7 November 1776. 3½ pages, folio, 330 x 193 mm. (13 x 7¾in.), docketed by Langdon in blank portion of page 4. "MY DESIRE IS TO ANIMATE EVERY ONE TO EXERT HIMSELF IN THE GLORIOUS CAUSE IN WHICH AMERICA IS ENGAG'D..." An important letter, dated only four months after the Declaration of Independence, full of news on the mood in Congress, the situation of the army, plans for the American navy and military affairs. Whipple, writing from Congress to a fellow New Hampshire delegate, reports that certain financial matters are in hand, then discusses obstacles in arming the U.S. Navy: "I mentioned by Col. [Josiah] Bartlett [of Connecticut] how matters stood respecting the Guns & cannot help flattering myself [that] you'll have them from Connecticut. The furnaces [cannon foundries] here have been very unfortunate. The guns...have been try'd a second time and many of them would not stand the proof so that there is [ sic ] not Guns in this City for one ship. The President [John Hancock] tells me he has forwarded the commissions for the officers," but those for the Raleigh , a new U.S. naval frigate built in Portsmouth, will be delayed. Whipple has forwarded reports to the Marine Committee of Congress, and assures Whipple that "I'll undertake to defend you against calumny," although "some Gent[leme]n suppose you have exceeded your power..." Turning to general war news, he complains that although Congress should take "effectual measures...to procure Cloathing for the Army," the delegates "suffer their attention to be much engrossed by their private interest," so "Public concerns of the utmost importance [are] neglected" even though "their own & their Country's salvation is at stake." The Continental troops, though, "are in good Spirits" even though "almost naked." Appeals for provisions and supplies have been made to several state governments, but these are not likely to have much effect. "I have wrote [ sic ] very freely," he confesses, but trusts Langdon will be discreet and affirms that "I by no means am Discouraged; my desire is to animate every one to exert himself in the Glorious cause in which America is engag'd, for my own part I have no doubt of Success, in the end....such Exertions under the Smiles of Heaven, will restore peace & establish Happiness in this Western World." Genl. [Charles] Lee "says that [British commander] Howe has but two moves more in which we shall check mate him," although he must "leave the explanation of this to those who understand the game of chess." A report has come that "many Hessians had deserted. If this proves true it's a favorable circumstance, [since] great pain has been taken to persuade those people that they would be massacred if they fell into the hands of the Americans. Those that have been taken are very agreeably disappointed..." In a postscript, Whipple reports that General Howe "removed very suddenly in the night from White Plains, where he was encamped...a matter of great speculation in our army...it was conjectured that he intended to cross over to New Jersey. Genl. Washington has detached about 4,000 men under the command of Genl. [Israel] Putnam over the [Hudson] River...in order to give him a proper Reception..." He adds that "advice is just received that the Enemy had retreated from Crown Point" (on Lake Champlain); details are hourly