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(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1777.) Warren, James. A Massachusetts leader awaits the Articles of Confederation and news from Washington's army. Autograph Letter Signed as "JWarren" to Elbridge Gerry, then in the Continental Congress. 3 pages, 9 1/2 x 7 inches, on one folding sheet, with docketing on final blank; minor foxing, short cello tape repair on final blank. (MRS) Boston, 14 December 1777
James Warren (1726-1808) was then serving as president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Here he writes to his friend in the Continental Congress, eagerly awaiting the Articles of Confederation for debate and ratification: "In your last, you informed me that the Confederacy was compleated. We are in daily expectation of it." The state legislature plans to "deliberately consider in every view that & the report of our Comm'te on Constitution which is at last made." Warren also discusses war news, particularly the disposal of Burgoyne's captive army: "Burgoyne still remains at Cambridge . . . . A number of transports are arrived at Newport & application is made to Congress for the British troops to embark there. I can't suppose Congress will ever grant a request so manifestly impolitic & so disagreeable to the sentiments of the people." He also expresses impatience with the slow progress of Washington's army, just a week before they settled into winter quarters at Valley Forge: "Our expectation of great event from the southern army have been so long in execution that they are now dying a natural death. We hear nothing & begin to expect nothing. . . . Must that small army hold Philadelphia & employ us two years instead of 6 weeks in destroying them?" Provenance: Charles Hamilton auction, 3 November 1966, lot 414, to the consignor.
