Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00690

Author/Creator: Scollay, William (b. ca. 1756)

Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 14 January 1778

Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 23 x 19 cm.

Summary of Content: Possibly written to William Knox, Henry Knox’s brother. Colonel Scollay expresses joy ”that the circumstance of settleing [sic] a little delicate matter, whether we should continue the Friendship that has so long & uninterreptedly subsisted between us, or obliterate it by a total annihilation of all intercourse, is now I hope brought to such a point as will effectually cement and perpetuate our friendly Connection.” Explains that his previous congratulation of General Horatio Gates, who defeated John Burgoyne in the north, was not meant to undermine the success of the Army of the Southern Department. Has been sick with ”a violent Diarrhea.” Discusses problems caused by Burgoyne’s soldiers in Boston, asserting, ”...if the troops are not soon removed the consequences will I fear be very fatal.” Reports that militia regiments are being raised to garrison the area surrounding Boston against the arrival of the British fleet coming to pick up Burgoyne and his men. Hopes [William] will soon travel to Boston.

People: Scollay, William, b. ca. 1756., Knox, William, 1756-1795., Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792., Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806.

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Full Transcript: [draft] , Boston Jany. 14th 1778 -, My Dear friend -, I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favour, and am happy that the circumstance of settleing a little delicate matter, whether we should continue the Friendship that has so long & uninterruptedly subsisted between us, or obliterate it by a total annihilation of all intercourse, is now I hope brought to such a point as will effectually cement, and perpetuate our friend Connection., When I congratulated you on the success of Genl. Gates upon captivating Burgoine and his Army, I had no intention by any means of giving a lusture to his success at the expence of the Army of the Southern Department however you may have construe’d it, and your candour will most certainly admit to be true., Genl Gates has in a peculiar manner restored in quiet the domestic felicity of many peacable Inhabitants, who have been driven from their rural cottages and [2] exposed to the unavoidable inclemency of the season, their property ravages and every[thing] they held dear sacrificed to the brutal violence of an unrelenting foe., I have been sick since I wrote you, on this poor fine spun mortal frame of mine has for some months been repeatedly attack’d by a violent Diarrhea, which by neglect has reduced me greatly, my physicians with freedom have told it will be attended with very dangerous consequences if it does again relapse; but I am now tolerably recover’d, and am so sanguine as to expect soon to have my former good constitution reinstated., Burgoine’s men are very troublesome, Col. Henly in quelling a riot a few days since, was under the necessity of drawing his sword in order to reduce the Brittains to a sense of the obedience to the American power; one Brittish solider he kill’d upon the spot and wounded several others, thirty of them that who were more particularly [illegible] were immediatly on board the Guard Ship for their better security, There has been lately some very capital Robberies committed on the road between [3] Charlestown and Cambridge, and in this town and its environs, if the troops are not soon removed the consequence will I fear be very fatal., Several Regements of militia are now raising in order to garrison the Islands and heights in the vicinity of this town, against the arrival of the Brittish fleet for Burgoine and his army, we expect our care will be again call’d upon to do duty upon the occassion., I flatter my self I shall soon have the happiness of greeting you upon your arrival in town, believe me my dear friend it will not a little contribute to my felicity; for I can with strict truth assume you have such a value for your friendship, as time, absence, nor no circumstance whatever, can lessen you in my esteem. - it is now so intolerable cold in my chamber that you must excuse this unintelligible Scroll. - , You will be pleased to accept my unfeigned wishes that you may successively enjoy an uninterrupted course of felicity through Life. - believe me dear Billy your friend Affectionately -, Wm Scollay , [docket] , From Mr W Scollay, Jany. 14t. 1778.

Keywords/Subjects: Navy, Battle of Saratoga, Convention Army, Prisoner of War, Friendship, Revolutionary War, Revolutionary War general, Military History, Battle, Health & Medical, Militia, Global History and US Foreign Policy, Global History and US Foreign Policy

Sub Era: The War for Independence