1From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Decleration will shew you, that Congress at length impelled by necessity have dissolved the Connection between the American Colonies & Great Britain and declared them free and Independent States, and in compliance with their order I am to request you will cause this Decleration to be immediately proclaimed at the head of the Continental Regiments in the Massachussets Bay. It being...