Whipple, William (1730-1785) to John Langdon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03269 Author/Creator: Whipple, William (1730-1785) Place Written: Baltimore, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 December 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 32 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Written by New Hampshire Continental Congressman Whipple, a Declaration of Independence signer, to Langdon agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war. Langdon had resigned his Congressional seat in June 1776. Wrote last letter to Langdon a day or two before Congress adjourned on 11 December 1776. Says they started meeting in Baltimore on 20 December 1776. Claims the British approach sparked a panic except for the Tories "of which you know there are not a small number." Heard that enemy troops have made it to Burlington, New Jersey. Because of the loss of Fort Washington and the ending of enlistments, the army could not stop the British. Says that General Washington's army is growing though. Delves into other army matters. Says accounts from France are favorable. Has not been able to get dimensions of ship being built in New Hampshire. Hopes to procure two or three small vessels to send iron northward to ballast the ship. Says iron and flour are cheaper in Baltimore than in Philadelphia. Written a day before Washington's attack on Trenton.
Langdon was a signer of the U.S. Constitution, a U.S. Senator from 1789-1800 (and the first president pro-tempore in 1789), and Governor of New Hampshire 1805-1808 and 1810-1811.
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