Joseph
Hewes letter
to James Iredell -
May 17, 1776
Joseph Hewes
wrote this interesting letter to his friend James Iredell, whom George
Washington would later appoint to the first Supreme Court. In the
letter, Hewes discusses the
efforts of Congress to acquire clothes, ammunition and supplies for the
army. Hewes also questions Iredell about whether or not
the British had attacked North Carolina and if the state had yet
adopted a new constitution. The letter was written shortly before
Joseph Hewes voted for the Declaration of Independence.
Joseph
Hewes letter to James Iredell
Dear Sir
Philadelphia 17th May 1776
This being a day of humiliation, fasting and
prayer, I mean to steal as much time from my private devotions as will
serve to acknowledge the receipt of your agreeable favour of the 29th
ultimo (last month) which has just reached me. Complaints of distresses
made to our friends it is said is some alleviation of them-I cannot say
the observation is true, however I must complain a little, an obstinate
ague & Fever or rather an intermitting Fever persecutes me
continually. I have no way to remove it unless I retire from Congress
and from public business, this I am determined not to do till No.
Carolina sends a further delegation provided I am able to crawl to the
Congress Chamber. So much for self, a little politicks and I have done.
Much of our time is employed in raising Men, making Cannon, Muskets
& money, finding out ways & means of supplying our
Troops with Cloaths, provisions & amunition. We appear to have
everything we want. We resolve to raise regiments, resolve to make
Cannon, resolve to make & import muskets, powder and Cloathing,
but it is a melancholly truth that near half of our men, Cannon,
muskets, powder, Clothe &c is to be found no where but on
paper. We are not discouraged at this, if our Situation was ten times
worse I would not agree to give up our cause. To the whole force of
Great Britain has been added near half of Germany, 25,000 Hessians,
Waldeckers and others have been expected for some time past, indeed the
report of this day is, that a large detachment of them with the
Commissioners are arived at Halifax in Nova Scotia. The latter, it is
said are coming here to treat with Congress, in the mean time the
former are to wait the event of the Treaty; if it succeeds not, they
are to spread the horror and devastations of War from one end of the
Continent to the other. Whither this be true or only the lye of the day
I know not. It is too true that a great number of those Germans are
taken into British pay. I have not heard any thing from your Congress
at Halifax since the 22d of April. I am anxious to know how they go on
in forming a Constitution, and more Anxious to know how they defend
their Country, for I expect a formal attack has been made on it before
this day. This you will receive by Mr Louther to whom I must refer you,
he is just from head quarters and will be able to give you some acco.
(account) of our army.
My Compliments to Mrs. Iredell & Mrs Blair. You and they have
always the best wishes of, Dear Sir, your much obliged, & very
huml (humble) Servt,Joseph Hewes
