| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 20 March 12, 1783 - September 30, 1783 --Elias Boudinot to Samuel Mather
Revd. & dear Sir, Princeton August 20th. 1783
I have been honored by the receipt of a Pamphlet, entitled "an Aged Minister's dying Legacy to the united States" which you have been so kind as to enclose to my address.(1) Permit me Sir, to acknowledge my Acceptance of it with Gratitude.
Every attempt to improve the late glorious Success, in a War so unequal; to the best Interests of the Citizens of these States, meets my hearty Concurrence and warmest Approbation. I have been in the midst of the principle Scenes of Action, during the whole Contest. I have not been a bare Spectator. I have carefully and attentively watched & Compared the Steps of divine Providence thro' the whole; and as the result, I can assure you, that our Success has not been the effect of either our Numbers--Power--Wisdom or Art. It has been manifestly the Effect (I was going to say miraculous Effect) of the astonishing and unparralelled Interposition of a holy God in our
Page 566
AUGUST 20, 1783
Link to date-related documents.
favour--of that God who speaketh & it is done--who commandeth and it cometh to pass.
I do not mean in the least, to derogate from the Bravery, wisdom, Patience & Perseverence of one of the most deserving Armies that ever graced any Country. As well might we decry the Merit of Moses, in conducting the Children of Israel thro the Wilderness, as I am clear that our political Salvation is not at all inferior to theirs. My Meaning is that in no Instance has our Numbers, Power, Wisdom or Art been such, that in the Judgment of rational, enlightened Judges, Success could have been reasonably depended on, independent of the special aid & overruling direction of Heaven.
In many Instances, our Misfortunes have been our Happiness, and often our Mistakes & Blunders have been the cause of our succeeding beyond the most sanguine Hope. Had it not been for the Loss of Ticonderoga, we should never have had the british & Hessian Standards to have graced the Victory of Saratoga--And had not our Troops have been totally routed at Cambden, York Town would not have added the haughty Cornwallis to the american Trophies.
I most earnestly pray, that your Labours may be blessed beyond your most enlarged Expectations, and that at last you may receive the plaudit of "well done good & faithfull Servant, enter into the Joy of your Lord."(2)
I have the Honor to be with great respect, Revd & dear Sir, Your most Obed and very Hble Servt, Elias Boudinot
RC (MHi: Miscellaneous Bound Collection).
1 For Mather's The Dying Legacy of an Aged Minister of the Everlasting Gospel, to the United States of America (Boston: Edes & Gill, 1783), see Evans, Am. Bibliography, no. 18,032.
2 Matthew 25:21.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |