Letter from the Messrs. Bradfords, of Philadelphia, to the Printer of a Publick Paper in London

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EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MESSRS. BRADFORDS, OF PHILADELPHIA, TO THE PRINTER OF A PUBLICK PAPER IN LONDON, DATED PHILADELPHIA, JULY 8, 1775.

By the papers you will find that we are forced into a war with our brethren of Great Britain; you will also find that an overruling Providence covered our heads at the Lexington, Noddle Island, and Bunker' s Hill actions. Our people have not in those three battles lost more than one hundred killed, and about two hundred wounded; whereas, the Ministerial Troops have at least lost fifteen hundred killed, and one thousand wounded.

In the affair at Bunker' s Hill, it is asserted by many respectable people, who have, since the action, got out of Boston, that the Welsh Fusileers have only one Captain and ninety men left out of the whole Regiment; and that Gage has lost four Colonels and three Majors, among whom are Colonel Nesbit, Majors Pitcairne and Sheriff. However the ministerial account may gloss over matters, their loss has been such that a few more such victories would leave Gage but a few men, and we should joyfully put up with the disgrace of a retreat every day for a month upon the same terms. Tell Lord Sandwich that Lord Howe says, the rebels fought more like devils than men, and that if our re-enforcement had come up in time he must have been totally defeated.

Our Congress are still sitting, and likely to sit for some time. Seeing they were involved, they have taken all the necessary steps; they have an army of eighteen thousand or twenty thousand, headed by General Washington, around Boston, who are well armed, and have magazines sufficient for two years, notwithstanding the steps taken to keep warlike stores from cowards and poltrons, who had only broomsticks and rusty guns.

You may likewise tell his Lordship, that our Army is able to cope with thirty thousand such troops as Gage now

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commands, and that we should be glad to see his Lordship at the head of them.

No power ever armed so many men in so short a time as has been done in this Country; it is computed that we have now above three hundred thousand men well armed, two-thirds of whom will fight from principle.

This Province has raised one thousand riflemen, the worst of whom will put a ball into a man' s head at the distance of one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards; therefore, advise your officers who shall hereafter come out to America to settle their affairs in England before their departure.

We are well assured that the ministerial tools in this Country have been tempting the Indians to fall on our frontiers, and in one Province it has been proved that they have endeavoured to set the negroes on their masters. Such hellish designs are carrying on by those wretches as must make any thing but the Devil, or Lord North and his tools, hide their heads.

We are, Sir, yours, &c., W. & T. BRADFORD.

Letter from the Messrs. Bradfords, of Philadelphia, to the Printer of a publick Paper in London. The Ministerial account may gloss over the affair of Bunker's Hill, but a few more such victories would leave General Gage but a few men, and we should joyfully put up with the disgrace of a retreat every day for a month, upon the same terms. [1775-07-08] Bradford, Gamaliel, Jr.. [S4-V2-p1608] [Document Details][Complete Volume]