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G. Washington argues for Independence
Most people probably think of George Washington as, of course, strongly supporting Independence when it came in July 1776, and as putting his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor on the line to defend it, but not as a passionate and articulate advocate of Independence before hand. This letter, written to Joseph Reed from Washington’s headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts on February 10, 1776, may help correct that misimpression. Washington says that he has seen no possibility of an accommodation with King George since the King’s response to the battle of Bunker Hill, which took place in June 1775 (the same month Washington was appointed as Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army). Of course, many people began supporting Independence as a result of reading Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, which was published in early 1776. I had previously thought that Washington was one of Paine’s converts. But this letter puts the conversion earlier. Also, in both tone and content, the letter strikingly anticipates the Declaration of Independence.
… With respect to myself, I have never entertained an idea of an accommodation, since I heard of the measures, which were adopted in consequence of the Bunker’s Hill fight. The king’s speech has confirmed the sentiments I entertained upon the news of that affair; and if every man was of my mind, the ministers of Great Britain should know, in a few words, upon what issue the cause should be put. I would not be deceived by artful declarations, nor specious pretences; nor would I be amused by unmeaning propositions; but in open, undisguised, and manly terms proclaim our wrongs, and our resolution to be redressed. I would tell them, that we had borne much, that we had long and ardently sought for reconciliation upon honorable terms, that it had been denied us, that all our attempts after peace had proved abortive, and had been grossly misrepresented, that we had done every thing which could be expected from the best of subjects, that the spirit of freedom beat too high in us to submit to slavery, and that, if nothing else could satisfy a tyrant and his diabolical ministry, we are determined to shake off all connexions with a state so unjust and unnatural. This I would tell them, not under covert, but in words as clear as the sun in its meridian brightness. I may be mistaken in the above. According to Wikipedia, Paine’s Common Sense was published January 10, 1776. So it’s likely that when Washington wrote to Reed on February 10 he had already read Common Sense and had been influenced by it. Also, I would like to know the source of specific phrases of Washington’s in this letter, e.g., “we are determined to shake off all connexions with a state so unjust and unnatural,” which later appeared in the Resolution of Independence of July 2, 1776, and as the final paragraph in the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, as (this is jotted down from memory and may not be exact), “We … do solemnly declare, that … all political connection between [these Colonies] and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” Was “shake off all connexion,” like “all political connection shall be dissolved,” from Paine’s work? Or was it perhaps from the various declarations of independence by the colonies, which were made over several months prior to Congress’ Resolution of Independence in July? Or, less likely but more intriguing, was the phrase original to Washington? In any case, according to his own account, Washington had given up any hope of reconciliation with Great Britain after the King’s response to the battle of Bunker’s Hill in June 1775, meaning that from around August 1775 onward (when word of the King’s response would have been received in the Colonies) be believed in Independence. So the question to be answered is: since Washington already believed in Independence before Common Sense was published, how did Common Sense change his views? Did it persuade him of something new, or only strengthen him in what he already believed?
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