McClure, David (1748-1820) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00457 Author/Creator: McClure, David (1748-1820) Place Written: Hampton, New Hampshire Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 September 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 19.7 x 15.8 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks William for disabusing him of rumors from New York. Discusses the activities in New York, the war in general, and the cause of liberty. Praises the artillery at the Battle of Long Island. Notes that 1,000 troops from New Hampshire have set out for New York. Knox has recently set up a correspondence with Reverend McClure, an old friend of his brothers (see GLC02437.00425). McClure spells his name Macclure.
[draft]
Hampton N.H. Sepr. 25th 1776
Dear Sir,
Your favour came seasonably to hand, accept my best thanks for the kind information & expressions of friendship it contains - my anxiety respecting the first rumors from N. York were removed in a few days after my writing, by their being contradicted - the probability of the fact at that time perhaps may apologize for my credulity in realizing it. -
But the great! the important day big with the fate of N.Y. & many valiant defenders of their Country has at last arriv'd!
The storm has at length burst - like the Noise of distant thunder, I form some idea of the horrors of war in that quarter.
The loss of hundreds in the field of battle with whom we are not acquainted or personally connected does not affect us as the fall of one does with whom we are so connected. We strangely grow hardened in dangers & Death the more common they are, they become the more familiar [2] by being frequent & thereby are divested of the terrors. - I often think of B. Porteus's Exclamation 'O Why will Kings forget that they are Men And men that they are Brethren &c.' -
When I take of a view of the dreadful scene of War which the present day exhibits - the advances we are making in the arts of Slaughter, I plainly see the period is yet far off - 'When Nations will learn war no more.'
But however dreadful War is, better have that than inglorious peace & submission to Tyranny. I hope & doubt not dear Sir we shall thro' the kind hand of our God upon us yet see happy days & congratulate with thankful hearts each other on the establishment of American Liberty on a founda. firmer than ever it has been - While Wisdom, Virtue & Valour influences our leaders it will be so. -
I find by the public accounts the Artillery men acquir'd honor by their bravery in the Affair of Long Island - I request it as a favor to be inform'd, dear Sir, from time to time of any interesting intelligence You may receive from Your worthy Brother. - & my warmest Regards to him when You write.
I hope to see you in about two Weeks from this, in health - [3] Nothing very material has taken place in this quarter - the 1000 Men lately raisd in this State are marching off for N.Y.
I am dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend
& most hble Servt.
David Macclure
Mr Wm Knox -
[address leaf]
Mr. William Knox
at the London Book Store
Boston
favor
[struck: Colo. Jackson]
[docket]
Letter from Revd.
David McClure
Septr. 26th 1776.
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