PROPERTY OF A LADY
[AMERICAN REVOLUTION, NEW YORK CAMPAIGN]. MASON, David, Continental Officer. Autograph letter signed ("David Mason") to his wife [Hannah Mason], New York, 1 August 1776. 2 pages, large folio, (15 5/16 x 9 3/8 in), clean separations at two horizontal folds (repairable), old frame.
Details
[AMERICAN REVOLUTION, NEW YORK CAMPAIGN]. MASON, David, Continental Officer. Autograph letter signed ("David Mason") to his wife [Hannah Mason], New York, 1 August 1776. 2 pages, large folio, (15 5/16 x 9 3/8 in), clean separations at two horizontal folds (repairable), old frame.
WAITING FOR THE BRITISH ATTACK IN NEW YORK: "...INDEPENDENCE IS DECLARED...WE...HAVE NOW GOT AN ARMY OF 60,000 MEN..."
A long, evocative letter from a Continental artillery officer stationed in New York written a month after the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, as the Continental army waited apprehensively for the expected British attack on New York (which materialized three weeks after this letter with landings at Gravesend Bay and culminated in the Battle of Long Island, five days later). Mason sends "some trifles for the children" but no silk as "everything is carried out of New York," and everything " is excessive" in price; of "pins there is none, nor tea." In the summer heat "the fields are burnt up and the troops sickly though they don't die as fast as might be expected." Mason reports on friends, Colonel John Knox (commander of the Continental artillery) and his wife: "...you Envyed Mrs. Knox happiness when she was most unhappy -- for Being here at the time when the Ships came up amidst the fire of Cannon & Bombs [she] was obliged to jump into a Chaise with her Baby and Drive of she knew not where leaving the Col in the greatest anxiety it being near Night and no man to take Care of them only an Negro to drive. Mrs Pollard (our Quarter master wife) and a young Lady in another Chaise being all the Company they had, and at 10 o clock at Night stop'd at a Tavern where they where oblidged to sit up all Night and Barricade the Doors for fear the Landlord whould [sic] have Demolished them before morning he being a Rank Tory and whould not let them have anything to eat or drink." He confesses to feeling "whome [sic] sick enough and rather too much for a soldier."
"It is said that some Highlanders are arrived but I believe not"; he accurately predicts "Lord Howe will attempt to Land the Troops on Long Island...if they do I Believe the Genl. [Washington] will risque a Battle but not without the greatest Advantage for he acts with the Greatest Caution as a wise Genl. ever whould. The [British] Ships that went up the [Hudson] River Remain there still and it is my Oppione [sic] will never be able to join the fleet again, they have been greatly Disapointed [sic] by the Torys who have Gull'd them in almost every thing." Mason goes on to speak of his children, who are about to be inoculated, and cautions a daughter "not to depend to much on Strangers, nor young mens words," for "if she does she will be deceived, Once is Enough."
Another relative serves on a Spanish vessel and Mason wonders whether it "may Come home Now Independence is declared as a Spanish vessel trading with the United States." In conclusion he marvels at the strength of the Continental army: "...we who first began with firing a few three and six pounders, have now got an Army of 60,000 men with Everything Equivalent, so the world Began. I believe you will here [hear] something soone [sic] God grant it may be as we wish - he has prosperd us beyond measure I cant think he will forsake us, though I confess I am more afraid of the profanity of the soldiers then I am of the enemy, may I be preserved from both"
First-hand letters of participants in the New York campaign are rare.
WAITING FOR THE BRITISH ATTACK IN NEW YORK: "...INDEPENDENCE IS DECLARED...WE...HAVE NOW GOT AN ARMY OF 60,000 MEN..."
A long, evocative letter from a Continental artillery officer stationed in New York written a month after the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, as the Continental army waited apprehensively for the expected British attack on New York (which materialized three weeks after this letter with landings at Gravesend Bay and culminated in the Battle of Long Island, five days later). Mason sends "some trifles for the children" but no silk as "everything is carried out of New York," and everything " is excessive" in price; of "pins there is none, nor tea." In the summer heat "the fields are burnt up and the troops sickly though they don't die as fast as might be expected." Mason reports on friends, Colonel John Knox (commander of the Continental artillery) and his wife: "...you Envyed Mrs. Knox happiness when she was most unhappy -- for Being here at the time when the Ships came up amidst the fire of Cannon & Bombs [she] was obliged to jump into a Chaise with her Baby and Drive of she knew not where leaving the Col in the greatest anxiety it being near Night and no man to take Care of them only an Negro to drive. Mrs Pollard (our Quarter master wife) and a young Lady in another Chaise being all the Company they had, and at 10 o clock at Night stop'd at a Tavern where they where oblidged to sit up all Night and Barricade the Doors for fear the Landlord whould [sic] have Demolished them before morning he being a Rank Tory and whould not let them have anything to eat or drink." He confesses to feeling "whome [sic] sick enough and rather too much for a soldier."
"It is said that some Highlanders are arrived but I believe not"; he accurately predicts "Lord Howe will attempt to Land the Troops on Long Island...if they do I Believe the Genl. [Washington] will risque a Battle but not without the greatest Advantage for he acts with the Greatest Caution as a wise Genl. ever whould. The [British] Ships that went up the [Hudson] River Remain there still and it is my Oppione [sic] will never be able to join the fleet again, they have been greatly Disapointed [sic] by the Torys who have Gull'd them in almost every thing." Mason goes on to speak of his children, who are about to be inoculated, and cautions a daughter "not to depend to much on Strangers, nor young mens words," for "if she does she will be deceived, Once is Enough."
Another relative serves on a Spanish vessel and Mason wonders whether it "may Come home Now Independence is declared as a Spanish vessel trading with the United States." In conclusion he marvels at the strength of the Continental army: "...we who first began with firing a few three and six pounders, have now got an Army of 60,000 men with Everything Equivalent, so the world Began. I believe you will here [hear] something soone [sic] God grant it may be as we wish - he has prosperd us beyond measure I cant think he will forsake us, though I confess I am more afraid of the profanity of the soldiers then I am of the enemy, may I be preserved from both"
First-hand letters of participants in the New York campaign are rare.