David McClure to William Knox about rumors from New York - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.00457
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0015] September-December 1776
Title	David McClure to William Knox about rumors from New York
Date	26 September 1776
Author	McClure, David (1748-1820)
Recipient	Knox, William
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	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.
Subjects	Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights) Revolutionary War Military History Freedom and Independence Battle Artillery Continental Army
People	McClure, David (1748-1820) Knox, William (1756-1795)
Place written	Hampton, New Hampshire
Theme	The American Revolution
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Related documents	Letter from William Knox to Henry Knox about British ships and news of Dutch diplomacy with Britain
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF [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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