Washington Distributes the Declaration of Independence Amongst Army (July 1776)
[The following is a letter to Major-General Ward where Washington orders the Declaration of Independence to be read aloud to the Continental Army as he prepares for a new campaign in New York. For further reading, please visit the Hathi Trust Digital Library to view The Writings of George Washington. This highlight is part of our ongoing Legacies of Liberty series, where we celebrate Washington and Lee’s Revolutionary founders.]
(Signing of the Declaration of Independence | Source: Library of Congress)
To Major-General Ward
New York, 9 July 1776
Sir,
The enclosed Declaration will show you, that Congress at length, impelled by necessity, have dissolved the connection between the American Colonies and Great Britain, and declared them Free and Independent States; and in compliance with their order I am to request, you will cause this Declaration to be immediately proclaimed at the head of the Continental regiments in the Massachusetts Bay. It being evident, from a variety of concurring circumstances, that the British armies mean to direct their most vigorous operations this campaign against the State of New York, to penetrate into it by way of the lakes and the North River, and to unite their attacks, the importance of it has induced Congress to take further measures, for baffling their designs, and rendering it more secure.
You will see by the resolves now transmitted, that the northern army is to be augmented by part of the troops under your command; and I do desire, that you will immediately detach for that purpose three of the fullest regiments forthwith to march to Ticonderoga, or such other place as the said army may be at, and put themselves under the order and directions of the general officer commanding the same.
You will also perceive, that Congress have resolved, that the arms taken in the Scotch transports should be sent here. The President informs me, he has wrote to the agents respecting ‘em; but as I presume they are in your possession, or in some of the stores by your order, you will have the whole of them forwarded with all possible dispatch, in the usual route and with necessary directions. Congress have made some alteration in the establishment of chaplains, and advanced their pay, as they have that of the regimental surgeons; as you will see by their proceedings, copies of which in their instances are also transmitted.
You will be particularly attentive to hastening the march of the three regiments, and give proper orders for their route, and to the commissary and quartermasters, that everything necessary for the same may be immediately provided. Their aid is much wanted and may be of the utmost importance. When they have marched, you will be pleased to put the remaining regiments under the command of the oldest colonel, with such instructions as you may judge necessary, and then retire, if it shall be agreeable to you, for the recovery of your health, as I cannot possibly request you longer to continue; and wishing you a speedy restoration of it, I am, Sir, &c.
P.S. I would have you consult with proper persons and some of the members of the General Court, respecting the route of the three regiments to be detached to the northern army.
And if they shall be of opinion that they may probably arrive from thence for Albany, I should think that would be more preferable for two reasons—First it will ease the troops of much fatigue and 2, they might if there was a necessity for it, afford succor how they passed. I do not mean to give any direction in the matter, nor do I wish this mode to be adopted, unless there appears a probability of their arriving where they are intended to be sent by Congress as early as if they pursued their march by Land and across the Country.