Gordon, William (Reverend)

Autograph letter signed ("William Gordon"), 1 1/2 pages (14 3/8 x 9 1/2 in.; 365 x 240 mm), Jamaica Plain [Boston, MA], 10 December 1778, to John Collins at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, docketed; fold creases, seal tear in lower margin, small tears in center fold affecting 3 words, a few light stains affecting a few letters.

fold creases, seal tear in lower margin, small tears in center fold affecting 3 words, a few light stains.
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A fine gossipy letter from the first years of the Revolution.

William Gordon was a minister of the third Congregational Society appointed chaplain to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. He corresponded widely with military and political leaders, collecting materials for his History of the Rise ... of the United States (1788). John Adams describes him in his Diary (2:174): "He is an eternal Talker, and somewhat vain, and not accurate nor judicious. Very zealous in the Cause, and a well meaning Man, but incautious, and not sufficiently tender of the Character of our Province, upon which at this Time much depends [written in 1775]."

Writing to John Collins (1717-1795), then representative to the Second Continental Congress from Rhode Island, later Governor of Rhode Island, Gordon illustrates Adams's appraisal of him precisely. He admonishes the Congress to clear Boston Harbor of the British embargo: "Can you bear with patience the thought of having frigates lying in Boston harbour, month after month, at an enormous expence, while a couple of arm'd vessels shall be frequently cruizing at the mouth of the Bay, to the great annoyance of our trade?" He refers to Captain Esek Hopkins (1718-1802) and Admiral Charles Henri d'Estaing (1729-1794): "I have not heard whether any court of inquiry is to be help upon Capt. Hopkins for not finding his way to Count de Estaing" apparently referring to the failed effort to capture Newport in August 1778.

He goes on to remark on the character of Captain Nicholson and his inability to recruit for his ships: "I have met with no other than polite, genteel behaviour from him, but I have heard it assigned as a reason for his not being able to procure men faster, his being so much of the Bashaw — methinks that those that fight for freedom & independence, ought not to be Bashaws." He complains about the level of public debt: "If a continental debt of a number of millions is to be saddled upon posterity from generation to generation without being paid off, the glory is departed from America — our boasted liberties are gone — we are become like other people."

He expresses the hope that Philip Schuyler will not be elected president of the Congress because he cannot be trusted: "Can Genl Gates with any propriety write confidentially to such a president? He may write officially, but I myself, was I the possessor of a secret that would ruin the country if not disclosed to Congress, would not trust it with such a president, unless I could be absolutely certain that he could not make his gain by such ruin." He complains about agitators in the army who believe that the tories should be allowed to return without penalty. Of particular interest is his appraisal of Hamilton: "Who is that Col Hamilton, one of his Excellency's aid de camps? The name is Scotch & that is not a natural good sign. You will remind me of my own. Its true, notwithstanding, besides I have had my name near fifty years, the other little more than twenty ... He is reported as having fine abilities, as being a genius — the more dangerous if ambitious and enterprizing, should he work himself into confidence & favouritism ... ought we not to have the highest possible proof of his sincerity & attachment to the cause of liberty & the continent, ere he is suffered to be in a station, where he may know all the secrets of the Commander in Chief, & all that passes between him & Congress or other assemblies."