Hewes, Joseph (1730-1779) to Samuel Johnston
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04790 Author/Creator: Hewes, Joseph (1730-1779) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 June 1775 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 22.7 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions Captain Gilles, who transmitted previous correspondence between Hewes and Johnston. Discusses the Colonies' (specifically North Carolina's) ability to finance and sustain a military conflict. Writes "I fear we shall be obliged [text loss] Promise for our Colony much more than it [can?] perform, perhaps, more than it is able to bear, when a Country loses its [hade?], when its Ports are all shut up and all exportation ceases, say, will there be value enough found on that Country to bear heavy Taxes with patience suppose a Country under such Circumstances was to raise an Army, how is it to be paid? suppose the exigencies of th Country should demand one Million starting of Annum how is it to be raised? how made?" Discusses matters related to the Continental Congress. Mentions Mr. Henry (possibly Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia).
Hewes served as a Continental Congressman from North Carolina 1774-1776 and 1779. Johnston served on the Continental Congress 1780-1781 and was later Governor and Senator from North Carolina.
Dear Sir Philadelphia 4th June 1775
I wrote to you along letter by Captain Gilles and would make this much longer if I was at liberty to mention the business taken up by the Congress, but that, I advised you that I could not do till the injunction of Secrecy was taken of, they have much before t[text loss] and the necessity uses [struck: speedy] [inserted: that things should best] [text loss] determined they proceed very Slowly, I wish to God you [text loss] that [struck: your advice] [inserted: I] [strikeout] [inserted: I] might [struck: be taking] [inserted: adhere with] on some matters of great importance, you talked of coming this way early in the summer God grant you may do it soon. I could say a thousand things to you in my [text loss] [that I] dare not put upon papers, I am upceedingly [text loss] (so are my [text loss] I think we are doing any thing but what [text loss] will justifie, but I fear we shall be obliged [text loss] Promise [inserted: for our colony] much more than [strikeout] [inserted: it] [strikeout] perform, perhaps, more than it is able to bear; when a [2] Country loses its trade, when its Ports Are all Shut up and all exportation ceases, say, will there be value enough found in that County to bear heavy Taxes with patience suppose a Country under such Circumstances was to raise an Army, how is it to be paid ? Suppose the exigencies of that Country should demand one Million starling of Annum how is it to be raised? how made,? how such, ? &
I cannot pretend to say when [strikeout] [inserted: the congress will weaken] [text loss] perhaps I may be able to guess at it [strikeout] a [text loss] time - it has been often proposed by some of [members] as of Doors to adjourn the Congress to Hartford a Newhaven in Connecticut to be near the seat of action but some of the Southern Gentlemen have not yet given their Comment [inserted: nor do I think they even will] Hooper & myself are willing [struck: if we should adjourn or break up soon &] [inserted: I should be [strikeout] pleased with the Change it would] afford me an opportunity of finding the camp of the amney [struck: may probably visit the Camp near Boston before] [text loss] near Boston which I want much to see,
[text loss] known papers, [struck: see them as also my illegible to B. Smith] [text loss] my complements to W. Seedia and the Ladies his and your family
I am with much Esteem
Dr Sir
Your very hum Ser
Joseph Hewes
[3] will be absolutely necessary to have a provincial Convintion immediately after we return, [inserted: and] I think Mr Henry may appoint [struck: me to.] [inserted: one day with] august [struck: and] [strikeout], [inserted: for illegible meeting] an express [struck: ought to go to] [inserted: should be sent to] every country with Letters to some of the most popular men that are friends to our cause, and great care should be taken to have as [text loss] a representation as possible [text loss] some [text loss] will by land before the [text loss] will require the utmost exertions of every friend to America [text loss] you,
[struck: in a Letter I wrote to Mr Smith I mentioned] my complements to the Ladies of your family, to M.r Seedia and the Ladies their and to Mr Dauran & family
[address leaf]
Joseph Hewes
4" June 1775
To
Samuel Johnston Esq.r
Honour of
M.r Underwhall
[docket]
copy to S. Johnston
& Underwhall
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.