Ellery, William (1727-1820) to Nicholas Cooke
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00202 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Baltimore, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 February 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : docket : free frank ; 34 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Voices concern about the financing of the national debt and the issuance of paper money. Has found in Congress some interest in naval defense. The American army is at Morristown and the British army is at Brunswick. There have been skirmishes. In one, the Americans would have defeated the enemy if not for the cowardice of Col. Buckner, possibly Mordecai Buckner of Virginia. In another, the Colonial Commandant of the British was killed. Comments that their army on the east side of the Hudson has had to retire to White Plains because of the inclement weather. Comments on a rumor about the Diamond Frigate, which he considers apocryphal. Members of Congress hope to return to Philadelphia, for which Ellery is eager. Cooke was the Governor of Rhode Island. A Member of the Continental Congress from Rhode Island from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
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