Blood of Tyrants: George Washington & the Forging of the Presidency (50 page)
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4
Benjamin Rush to Thomas Rushton, October 29, 1775, in
Letters of Benjamin Rush
, ed. L. H. Butterfield (Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1951), 92.
Benjamin Rush to Thomas Rushton, October 29, 1775, in
Letters of Benjamin Rush
, ed. L. H. Butterfield (Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1951), 92.
5
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 1:101. Emphasis added.
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 1:101. Emphasis added.
6
Ibid.
Ibid.
7
As was typical in eighteenth-century warfare.
As was typical in eighteenth-century warfare.
8
J. H. Benton, Jr.,
Early Census Making in Massachusetts: 1643–1765
(1905), 72–73 (listing population as 15,570 in 1765); Richard Frothingham,
History of the Siege of Boston
(1851), 235.
J. H. Benton, Jr.,
Early Census Making in Massachusetts: 1643–1765
(1905), 72–73 (listing population as 15,570 in 1765); Richard Frothingham,
History of the Siege of Boston
(1851), 235.
9
John Wilkes,
The North Briton
(1769), lxvi.
John Wilkes,
The North Briton
(1769), lxvi.
10
Washington to Bryan Fairfax, July 20, 1774, in
The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series
, 10:130.
Washington to Bryan Fairfax, July 20, 1774, in
The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series
, 10:130.
11
Declaration of Independence.
Declaration of Independence.
12
Stanley Ayling,
George the Third
(New York: Knopf, 1972), 54.
Stanley Ayling,
George the Third
(New York: Knopf, 1972), 54.
13
King George III is believed to have had the genetic disease porphyria, which may have been exacerbated by arsenic from medications or the products used on his hair. T. M. Cox, N. Jack, S. Lofthouse, J. Watling, J. Haines, M. J. Warren (2005), “King George III and Porphyria: An Elemental Hypothesis and Investigation,”
Lancet
366 (2005): 332–35.
King George III is believed to have had the genetic disease porphyria, which may have been exacerbated by arsenic from medications or the products used on his hair. T. M. Cox, N. Jack, S. Lofthouse, J. Watling, J. Haines, M. J. Warren (2005), “King George III and Porphyria: An Elemental Hypothesis and Investigation,”
Lancet
366 (2005): 332–35.
14
Proclamation by the King for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition (1775), in Thomas Pownall,
The Remembrancer, or Impartial Repository of Public Events,
1 (1775), 148.
Proclamation by the King for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition (1775), in Thomas Pownall,
The Remembrancer, or Impartial Repository of Public Events,
1 (1775), 148.
15
Ibid.
Ibid.
16
Washington to Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, August 11, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:289.
Washington to Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, August 11, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:289.
17
For example, the Americans captured twenty-three British troops when they burned the lighthouse in Boston Harbor.
The Lost War: Letters from British Officers during the American Revolution
, ed. Marion Balderston and David Syrett (New York: Horizon, 1975), 38.
For example, the Americans captured twenty-three British troops when they burned the lighthouse in Boston Harbor.
The Lost War: Letters from British Officers during the American Revolution
, ed. Marion Balderston and David Syrett (New York: Horizon, 1975), 38.
18
Ibid., 417.
Ibid., 417.
19
The Americans attacked and burned the lighthouse twice: on July 20 and again, under Washington’s orders, on July 30.
The Americans attacked and burned the lighthouse twice: on July 20 and again, under Washington’s orders, on July 30.
20
Washington to John Hancock, August 4/5, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:223–30. Number of British killed based on a letter from Lieutenant William Fielding, August 13, 1775, in
The Lost War
, ed. Balderston and Syrett, 38.
Washington to John Hancock, August 4/5, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:223–30. Number of British killed based on a letter from Lieutenant William Fielding, August 13, 1775, in
The Lost War
, ed. Balderston and Syrett, 38.
21
Fielding to Washington, August 13, 1775, 39.
Fielding to Washington, August 13, 1775, 39.
22
The accuracy of the British intelligence cannot be confirmed. Washington replied to Gage that such intelligence “has not the least Foundation in Truth. Not only your Officers and Soldiers have been treated with a Tenderness, due to Fellow-Citizens, and Brethren, but even those execrable Parricides, whose Counsels and Aid have deluged their Country with Blood, have been protected from the Fury of a justly-enraged People.” Washington to Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, August 19, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:327.
The accuracy of the British intelligence cannot be confirmed. Washington replied to Gage that such intelligence “has not the least Foundation in Truth. Not only your Officers and Soldiers have been treated with a Tenderness, due to Fellow-Citizens, and Brethren, but even those execrable Parricides, whose Counsels and Aid have deluged their Country with Blood, have been protected from the Fury of a justly-enraged People.” Washington to Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, August 19, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:327.
23
Thomas Gage to Washington, August 13, 1775, in ibid., 1:302.
Thomas Gage to Washington, August 13, 1775, in ibid., 1:302.
24
Washington to John Hancock, August 31, 1775, in ibid., 1:390–93.
Washington to John Hancock, August 31, 1775, in ibid., 1:390–93.
25
Washington to the Massachusetts Legislature, August 14, 1775, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 3:423–24. Such reprisal was consistent with the laws of war at the time. Unless Congress acts to regulate the matter, as it did during the War of 1812, it is fair to consider retaliatory measures to be within the power of battlefield commanders.
Chapter 9: American FortitudeWashington to the Massachusetts Legislature, August 14, 1775, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 3:423–24. Such reprisal was consistent with the laws of war at the time. Unless Congress acts to regulate the matter, as it did during the War of 1812, it is fair to consider retaliatory measures to be within the power of battlefield commanders.
1
Martin Ignatius Joseph Griffin,
Catholics and the American Revolution
, 2 (1909), 255.
Martin Ignatius Joseph Griffin,
Catholics and the American Revolution
, 2 (1909), 255.
2
Connecticut Courant
, December 30, 1776, as qtd. in Don N. Hagist,
Escape Stories: Major Christopher French, 22nd Regiment
.
Connecticut Courant
, December 30, 1776, as qtd. in Don N. Hagist,
Escape Stories: Major Christopher French, 22nd Regiment
.
3
Major French to Washington, in
American Archives
, Fourth Series, 3:1545.
Major French to Washington, in
American Archives
, Fourth Series, 3:1545.
4
Washington to Major French, August 31, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:389.
Washington to Major French, August 31, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 1:389.
5
Washington to Major French, September 26, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 2:47–48. He did concede, “My Disposition does not allow me, to follow the unworthy Example set me by General Gage, to its fullest Extent . . . .”
Washington to Major French, September 26, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 2:47–48. He did concede, “My Disposition does not allow me, to follow the unworthy Example set me by General Gage, to its fullest Extent . . . .”
6
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 1:400. Congress again repeats much of this language on May 21, 1776, in
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 4:370.
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 1:400. Congress again repeats much of this language on May 21, 1776, in
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 4:370.
7
Stephen Moylan to William Watson, November 16, 1775, in
American Archives
, Fourth Series, 3:1568.
Stephen Moylan to William Watson, November 16, 1775, in
American Archives
, Fourth Series, 3:1568.
8
Washington acted with full cognizance of the resolution. Congress certainly communicated this resolution to Washington since it was directly related to his function and other parts included resolutions “[t]hat the General be directed” to perform other tasks. Ibid.
Washington acted with full cognizance of the resolution. Congress certainly communicated this resolution to Washington since it was directly related to his function and other parts included resolutions “[t]hat the General be directed” to perform other tasks. Ibid.
9
Edwin G. Burrows,
Forgotten Patriots: The Untold Story of American Prisoners during the Revolutionary War
(New York: Basic Books, 2008), 38.
Edwin G. Burrows,
Forgotten Patriots: The Untold Story of American Prisoners during the Revolutionary War
(New York: Basic Books, 2008), 38.
10
Charles A. Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
(Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1969), 8.
Charles A. Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
(Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1969), 8.
11
Ethan Allen,
A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen’s Captivity
(1779; Bedford, Mass.: Applewood Books, 1989), 5–6.
Ethan Allen,
A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen’s Captivity
(1779; Bedford, Mass.: Applewood Books, 1989), 5–6.
12
Willard Sterne Randall,
Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor
(New York: Morrow, 1990), 94. See Kenneth C. Davis,
America’s Hidden History: Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women, and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nation
(New York: Smithsonian Books, 2008), 167–71, for a lively and amusing description, which I found helpful.
Willard Sterne Randall,
Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor
(New York: Morrow, 1990), 94. See Kenneth C. Davis,
America’s Hidden History: Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women, and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nation
(New York: Smithsonian Books, 2008), 167–71, for a lively and amusing description, which I found helpful.
13
Allen and Benedict Arnold were fighting for command of the raid.
Allen and Benedict Arnold were fighting for command of the raid.
14
Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
, 134.
Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
, 134.
15
Washington to Philip Schuyler, August 20, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary Series
, 1:331–33.
Washington to Philip Schuyler, August 20, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary Series
, 1:331–33.
16
Ibid.
Ibid.
17
William Glanville Evelyn,
Memoir and Letters of Captain W. Glanville Evelyn, of the 4th Regiment from North American, 1774–1776,
ed. G. D. Scull (1879), 100.
William Glanville Evelyn,
Memoir and Letters of Captain W. Glanville Evelyn, of the 4th Regiment from North American, 1774–1776,
ed. G. D. Scull (1879), 100.
18
Allen,
A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen’s Captivity
, 40.
Allen,
A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen’s Captivity
, 40.
19
Thomas H. Prescott,
An Encyclopedia of History, Biography and Travel, Comprising Ancient and Modern History
(1856), 667.
Thomas H. Prescott,
An Encyclopedia of History, Biography and Travel, Comprising Ancient and Modern History
(1856), 667.
20
Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
, 159–60.
Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
, 159–60.
21
Evelyn,
Memoir and Letters of Captain W. Glanville Evelyn
, 100.
Evelyn,
Memoir and Letters of Captain W. Glanville Evelyn
, 100.
22
Washington Irving,
Life of George Washington
, 3:11.
Washington Irving,
Life of George Washington
, 3:11.
23
Pendennis Castle.
Pendennis Castle.
24
Washington to Sir William Howe, December 18, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary Series
, 2:576.
Chapter 10: Necessary EvilWashington to Sir William Howe, December 18, 1775, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary Series
, 2:576.
1
Thomas J. Fleming, “The Enigma of General Howe,”
American Heritage Magazine
15 (1964): 2.
Thomas J. Fleming, “The Enigma of General Howe,”
American Heritage Magazine
15 (1964): 2.
2
Robert Leckie,
George Washington’s War: The Saga of the American Revolution
(New York: HarperCollins, 1992), 146.
Robert Leckie,
George Washington’s War: The Saga of the American Revolution
(New York: HarperCollins, 1992), 146.
3
Sir William Howe, February 21, 1775, qtd. in Benjamin Franklin,
Life of Benjamin Franklin
(1884), 2:367.
Sir William Howe, February 21, 1775, qtd. in Benjamin Franklin,
Life of Benjamin Franklin
(1884), 2:367.
4
Washington to Howe, December 18, 1775.
Washington to Howe, December 18, 1775.
5
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 1:402.
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 1:402.
6
Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
, 162–64.
Jellison,
Ethan Allen: Frontier Rebel
, 162–64.
7
Washington to Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, May 12, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 15:109.
Washington to Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, May 12, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 15:109.
8
Michael Pearson,
Those Damned Rebels: The American Revolution as Seen through British Eyes
(New York: Putnam, 1972), 318.
Michael Pearson,
Those Damned Rebels: The American Revolution as Seen through British Eyes
(New York: Putnam, 1972), 318.
9
William Farrand Livingston,
Israel Putnam: Pioneer, Ranger, and Major-General, 1718–1790
(1901), 279.
William Farrand Livingston,
Israel Putnam: Pioneer, Ranger, and Major-General, 1718–1790
(1901), 279.
10
Document 37 in
Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society
, vol. 3.
Document 37 in
Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society
, vol. 3.
11
Ibid. The Moravian Church was located just steps from where Washington would be sworn in as president thirteen years later.
Ibid. The Moravian Church was located just steps from where Washington would be sworn in as president thirteen years later.
12
Mark M. Boatner III,
Encyclopedia of the American Revolution
(New York: D. McKay Co., 1974), 1094.
Mark M. Boatner III,
Encyclopedia of the American Revolution
(New York: D. McKay Co., 1974), 1094.
13
Charles Lee to Washington, February 19, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 3:340. Thank you to Abigail Beal for her insight on this point.
Charles Lee to Washington, February 19, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 3:340. Thank you to Abigail Beal for her insight on this point.
14
General Orders, July 2, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 5:180.
General Orders, July 2, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 5:180.
15
Thomas Paine,
Common Sense
, 1776.
Thomas Paine,
Common Sense
, 1776.
16
For an example of this, Jefferson, in his autobiography, gave over only a single paragraph at the start to his family’s lineage and concluded it by saying, “To which let everyone ascribe the faith & merit he chooses.”
Thomas Jefferson: Writings
, ed. Merrill D. Peterson (New York: Library of America, 1984), 3.
For an example of this, Jefferson, in his autobiography, gave over only a single paragraph at the start to his family’s lineage and concluded it by saying, “To which let everyone ascribe the faith & merit he chooses.”
Thomas Jefferson: Writings
, ed. Merrill D. Peterson (New York: Library of America, 1984), 3.
17
Joseph J. Ellis,
American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson
(New York: Random House, 1998), 114, 82.
Joseph J. Ellis,
American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson
(New York: Random House, 1998), 114, 82.
18
John Torrey Morse,
Thomas Jefferson
(New York: Houghton Mifflin & Co., 1883), 7.
John Torrey Morse,
Thomas Jefferson
(New York: Houghton Mifflin & Co., 1883), 7.
19
Ibid., 5; Lance Morrow, “18th Century: Thomas Jefferson,”
Time
, December 31, 1999.
Ibid., 5; Lance Morrow, “18th Century: Thomas Jefferson,”
Time
, December 31, 1999.
20
Morse,
Thomas Jefferson
, 5.
Morse,
Thomas Jefferson
, 5.
21
Jefferson to Henry Lee, May 8, 1825, E-Text Center, University of Virginia Library.
Jefferson to Henry Lee, May 8, 1825, E-Text Center, University of Virginia Library.
22
John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, ed. L. H. Butterfield et al. (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1963–2011), 2:30.
John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, ed. L. H. Butterfield et al. (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1963–2011), 2:30.
23
Qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 181. Many thanks to David McCullough for providing an excellent account of the Battle of Long Island in his magnificent
1776
, which was very helpful in writing this book.
Qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 181. Many thanks to David McCullough for providing an excellent account of the Battle of Long Island in his magnificent
1776
, which was very helpful in writing this book.
24
Ibid., 167.
Letters to and from Caesar Rodney
, Historical Society of Delaware (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1933), 109, qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 202.
Ibid., 167.
Letters to and from Caesar Rodney
, Historical Society of Delaware (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1933), 109, qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 202.
25
Joseph Plumb Martin and James Kirby Martin,
Ordinary Courage: The Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin
(New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2008), 21.
Joseph Plumb Martin and James Kirby Martin,
Ordinary Courage: The Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin
(New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2008), 21.
26
Ibid., 20–21, qtd. in McCullough,
1776,
188.
Ibid., 20–21, qtd. in McCullough,
1776,
188.
27
McCullough,
1776,
188.
McCullough,
1776,
188.
28
Major Tallmadge’s Account of the Battles of Long Island and White Plains, in Henry P. Johnston,
The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn
(Project Gutenberg EBook, 2007), Part II, 78; McCullough,
1776
, 191.
Major Tallmadge’s Account of the Battles of Long Island and White Plains, in Henry P. Johnston,
The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn
(Project Gutenberg EBook, 2007), Part II, 78; McCullough,
1776
, 191.
29
Qtd. in Danske Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
(Charlottesville: The Michie Co., 1911), 25.
Qtd. in Danske Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
(Charlottesville: The Michie Co., 1911), 25.
30
Ibid., 24.
Ibid., 24.
31
Judge J. B. O’Neal, “Random Recollections of Revolutionary Characters and Incidents,”
Southern Literary Journal and Magazine of Arts
4 (July 1838): 40.
Judge J. B. O’Neal, “Random Recollections of Revolutionary Characters and Incidents,”
Southern Literary Journal and Magazine of Arts
4 (July 1838): 40.
32
Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
, 25.
Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
, 25.
33
Ibid., 24.
Ibid., 24.
34
O’Neal, “Random Recollections of Revolutionary Characters and Incidents,” 40.
O’Neal, “Random Recollections of Revolutionary Characters and Incidents,” 40.
35
John Adams to Abigail Adams, February 17, 1777, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, 2:163. John Adams wrote to his wife, “I who am always made miserable by the Misery of every sensible being, am obliged to hear continual accounts of the barbarities, the cruel Murders in cold blood . . . committed by our Enemies. . . . These accounts harrow me beyond Description.”
John Adams to Abigail Adams, February 17, 1777, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, 2:163. John Adams wrote to his wife, “I who am always made miserable by the Misery of every sensible being, am obliged to hear continual accounts of the barbarities, the cruel Murders in cold blood . . . committed by our Enemies. . . . These accounts harrow me beyond Description.”
36
Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
, 25.
Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
, 25.
37
“Ebenezer Fox, American Prisoner,” in Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
, 175.
“Ebenezer Fox, American Prisoner,” in Dandridge,
American Prisoners of the Revolution
, 175.
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