Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00474 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 October 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 31.9 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Laments the loss of Bergen Point, New Jersey, as well as any other easy victory by the British because it lifts their spirits and emboldens them. It also discourages the Americans. Wants there to be no more works built that cannot be properly defended. Discusses several prizes taken by privateers and the supplies seized. Also relates news from London papers that were aboard one of the ships. Discusses a ship his is outfitting and inquires again about the guns he requested from Knox. Mentions the marriage of Ebenezer Oliver to Sucky (Susanna) Johonnet.
[draft]
Boston October 10 1776
My worthy Friend
I thank you for your agreeable favor of 30th Sept: am very sorry for the Enemy have cond: the Redout at Bergen Point with but little opposition. I wish every Post which we occupy (lett it be of ever so little consequence,) may hold out to the last, and not give them up one after the other, as if we only took posestion of them to give up when atack'd, alltho' they may be of but little consequence in them selves, yet the enemy are made to beleive they have got a great advantage over us, and must give them very great spirits, and I thin really give them great advantage, when they find we give up Post after Post without stand'g like men. they will march up much bolder, (humane nature is humane nature,) men will behave the most bold when they think there is the least danger - I dare say you think with me - It not only encourages the enemy, but discourages our[s], which gives them a double advantage, Therefore I think it will be best to have no more Work than we are able to defend, and lets defend them to the last extremity - We have had severall very fine Ships Load'd with Provision & out a long time therfore there is no new's by them - they are both from Ireland, [2] but there is a Privateer that belong's to Salem has got in there, has taken three very fine Prize's but not one of them has got in yet, but expect'd every hour, one of them is a very fine Prize, She is from London bound Genova, load'd with wollen goods, one of them owners told me, she had Clothing enoh: on board for 15,000 men, allow'g 5 yds each man - besides 30 Ton of Lead - she is suppose'd to be worth £100,000 Sterg. She has London papers on board of much later date than any we have had [text loss] give an account [illegible] like to be a Wa[text loss] Span & Portangal, I wish it may [be] true - There is one of the Paper's [text loss] an Acct: of Poor Harry Johnston's safe arrival in London, his Prisoners rise up on him & took the Privateer and carrid her in there, I wish you would think of the 4 or 3 Pounder I wrote you about, how many you can get and at what Prize, & when they can be deliver'd- Our Ship goes on very well She will be one of the grandest Ship on the Continent, I have been offer'd £50 LMy to release our part - I hope before this reaches you your Lucy will be with you - Pray remember me to her, alltho I have not wrote her yet I have not for got her - dont forget to give my best respects to her - [3] Tuesday night, Mr Ebenr: Oliver was marr'd to Miss Sucky Johannet, I think they are a happy pair - Yesterday noon a number of the Black & red (as you call them) wate'd on him & had a very gentle repast - may God bless & preserve you, my good friend, is the Prayer of your friend
Henry Jackson
[address leaf]
To
Collo: Harry Knox
at
Head Quarters
near
New York
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