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James McHenry to Hugh Williamson regarding war vessels, 28 October 1778
Title
James McHenry to Hugh Williamson regarding war vessels, 28 October 1778.
Production
[Place of production not identified : producer not identified, 1778]
Physical Description
1 online resource.
Local Notes
Access is available to the Yale community.
Notes
Both McHenry and Williamson signed the U.S. Constitution. Williamson was a medical doctor of international reputation. When Governor Richard Caswell, with the rank of major general, took to the field at the head of 4,000 troops, he named Williamson to serve as the state's Physician and Surgeon General, a post Williamson held until the end of the war. Williamson, who witnessed the defeat of American troops at the Battle of Camden, volunteered to pass behind enemy lines to care for the American wounded. He spent two months on this mercy mission. When smallpox threatened the prison camp, he argued strenuously with Cornwallis and other British officers over the proper method to combat the disease. His perseverance and scientific reputation paid off. The British followed his advice, and an epidemic was averted. He served as a representative in the first and second Congresses.
Collection: The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859.
Electronic reproduction. Marlborough, Wiltshire : AM, 2014. Digitized from a copy held by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
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Summary
A retained working draft (see strikeouts and docket). Written by McHenry as an aide-de-camp to General Washington to Dr. Williamson as a merchant importing medicines in Edenton, North Carolina. Williamson began a partnership with his brother to import medicines through the British blockade from the West Indies. Claims to have poor intelligence on the enemy in New York, but proceeds to give some details of their situation. Says 150 vessels, including 15 ships of the line, sailed from Sandy Hook on the 19 and 20 October 1778. Says they appear to be bound for Britain. Was only carrying home invalids and refugees. Hopes that the continuation of the war with French assistance will drive the British into debt and lead to the total ruin of their empire. Mentions new medical procedures they are practicing to treat wounds of the breast. Further entries on 30 and 31 October provide updates on British ships and troops in New York.
Variant and related titles
American history, 1493-1945. Module I.
Format
Books / Online
Language
English
Added to Catalog
March 18, 2024
Series
American history module 1
Subjects
Genre/Form
Correspondence
Also listed under
AM (Publisher), digitiser.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, owner.
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