Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Long a supporter of colonial interests, Josiah Bartlett continually resisted the Royal Governor's attempts to woo him with titles and appointments. At the Second Continental Congress, he supported the call for independence from the beginning.
Bartlett believed time would tell if the colonies would be strong enough to defeat Britain, but a solid declaration of independence would provide a strong foundation on which the colonies could build their liberties. Bartlett voted for independence on July 2 and signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776.
Bartlett's letter, written six months before the approval of the declaration, describes the aggression of the British. He writes of their desire to seize powder stores, ships, and to occupy the harbor, and the necessity of the colonies to begin to supply and prepare themselves for war. The nature of the letter shows how wide the gap between the colonies and Britain had become.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Josiah Bartlett to Mashech Wear, Philadelphia, 1776
- Creator: Josiah Bartlett
- Creation Date: 1776-02-26
- Subject Date: 1776-02-26
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 31.75 cm x 20.32 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 420, Box 58/3
- Collection: John S. H. Fogg autograph collection
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795
- Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795--Correspondence.
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Causes.
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Committees of correspondence.
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783.
- United States. Declaration of Independence--Signers.
- United States. Declaration of Independence.
People
Other Keywords
- American
- Arms
- Bartlett, Josiah (1729 - 1795)
- British
- Colony
- Congress
- Defense
- Gunpowder
- Manufacturing
- Mashech Wear
- Philadelphia
- Saltpeter
- Vessels
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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