Letter George Washington to Joseph Spencer, December 22, 1776
The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 06
[Note 68: On December 22 Reed wrote to Washington from Bristol, Pa., that Griffin had advanced as far as Mount Holly, N.J., with 600 men and that the main body of troops from Bristol would cross the river December 23 and cooperate with Griffin in an attempt on the British post between Bristol and the Black Horse.Sir: When I wrote to you on the 14th instant, I had little doubt of receiving considerable support from the Militia of this State, and was taught to believe, that a large part of the old Troops (coming on with General Lee) had reinlisted: In the first, I have every reason in the world to fear a disappointment; in the latter, I find myself woefully deceived. It is easier there fore to conceive, than describe, the situation I am in, left or shall be, in a very few days, with only a very few Southern Regiments (reduced almost to Nothing) to oppose Howe's Main Army, already posted in such a manner as to pour in his whole Force upon us, so soon as the frost affords him a passage over the Del aware, and our numbers such, as to give no effectual opposition."We are all of Opinion my dear General that something must be attempted to revive our expiring Credit give our Cause some degree of Reputation and prevent a total Depreciation of the Continental Money which is coming on very fast. That even a Failure cannot be more fatal than to remain in our present Situation in short some Enterprize must be undertaken in our present Circumstances or we must give up the Cause. ... Will it not be possible My dear Genl. for your Troops or such Part of them as can Act with Advantage to make a Diversion or something more at or about Trenton. The greater the Alarm the more likely Success will attend the Attacks. If we could possess ourselves again of New Jersey or any considerable Part of it the Effect would be greater than if we had never left it. Allow me to hope that you will consult your own good Judgment and Spirit and not let the Goodness of your Heart subject you to the Influence of Opinions from Men in every Respect your Inferiors. Something must be attempted before the 60 Days expires which the Commissioners have allowed; for however many affect to despise it, it is very evident that a very serious Attention is paid to it and I am confident that unless some more favourable Appearance attends our Arms and Cause before that Tune a very great Number of the Militia Officers here will follow the Example of those of Jersey and take Benefit from it. I will not disguise my own Sentiments that our Cause is desperate and hopeless if we do not take the Oppy. of the Collection of Troops at present to strike some Stroke. Our Affairs are hastng. fast to Ruin if we do not retrieve them by some happy Event. Delay with us is now equal to a total Defeat. "Be not deceived my dear General with small flattering Appearances, we must not suffer ourselves to be lull'd into Security and Inaction because the Enemy does not Cross the River. It is but a Reprieve, the Execution is the more certain for I am very clear that they can and will cross the River in spite of any Opposition we can give them. Pardon the Freedom I have used, the Love of my Country, A Wife and 4 Children in the Enemys Hands, the Respect and Attachment I have to you, the Ruin and Poverty that must attend me and thousands of others will plead my Excuse for so much Freedom." This nervously written letter from the Adjutant General is in the Washington Papers and should be read with that of Reed's to Lee of November 21. (See note 69, p. 300.) Reed's family, according to William B. Reed, in his Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed (vol. 1, p. 273, note), was at Evesham, which was not then in the possession of the British. Stryker's Battles of Trenton and Princeton (Boston: 1898), Ch. VI, describes the evidences that Washington's intent to move against the British took shape as early as December 14. Reed appears to have spent his time on December 25 in Philadelphia and galloping to Bristol, Pa., on that afternoon. He was not present at the attack on Trenton.
Griffin had moved across the Delaware with a part of the Flying Camp and gathered some New Jersey Militia at Mount Holly. His presence stirred up the British to a watchfulness that nearly defeated Washington's attack on Trenton.
The letter from Washington to Col. Joseph Reed, or John Cadwalader, dated Dec 23, 1776, is deliberately omitted because of its doubtful authenticity. It is too evidently compiled from the various authentic letters to Griffin, Cadwalader, Reed, and Putnam of December 23, 24, and 25 for the purpose of connecting Reed as closely as possible with the Battle of Trenton. Sparks printed it from Wilkinson's Memoirs with the note that "it bears the mark of being genuine." Ford copied from Sparks. In Gordon's History of American Revolution (London: 1788), vol. 2, p. 391, is an extract of what purports to be a Washington letter of this period (no exact date is given) regarding the strength of the Army: "For Heaven sake keep this to yourself, as the discovery of it may prove fatal to us," but does not note this as being sent esther to Reed or Cadwalader. Gordon also quotes, "necessity, dire necessity will, nay must justify any attempt etc.," but does not agree with the wording of the rest of the para graph of the December 23 letter as printed by Sparks. William B. Reed printed the letter in his 1852 publication on the Sparks-Mahon controversy with the statement: "the original being in my possession, having been recovered since the publication of Mr. Sparks's work." Facsimiles of this alleged original are in Smith and Watson's American Historical and Literary Curiosities (Philadelphia: 1847, and later editions), but they are more convincing of forgery than substantiating originality. The present whereabouts of the alleged original is undivulged.]
Thus Circumstanced, it is a matter of concern to me, that in my last, I directed you to take back any of the Militia designed for the support of the Army under my Command, and have to request, that, instead of ordering the return of any of those that were destined for this Department (by order of their respective States) that you will hasten them on with all possible expedition, as I see no other chance of saving Philadelphia, and preventing a fatal blow to America, in the loss of a City from whence so much of our Resources are drawn.
With respect to yourself, you will proceed agreeable to the directions in my former; It is not possible for me, at this distance to lay down any particular Rule for your conduct, Circumstances and the advice of your Officers must Govern you, particularly that of General Arnold, who comes on to your assistance. I am &c.
P.S. Let me hear from you frequently. (69)
[Note 69: The draft is in the writing of Samuel Blatchley Webb.]
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