George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0244

From George Washington to Joseph Palmer, 22 August 1775

To Joseph Palmer

Cambridge Augt 22d 1775.

Sir,

In answer to your favour of yesterday1 I must inform you, that I have often been told of the advantages of Point Alderton with respect to its command of the shipping going in and out of Boston Harbour; and that it has, before now, been the object of my particular enquiries—That I find the Accts differ, exceedingly, in regard to the distance of the ship Channel, & that, there is a passage on the other side of the light House Island for all Vessells except ships of the first Rate.2

My Knowledge of this matter would not have rested upon enquiries only, if I had found myself at any one time since I came to this place, in a condition to have taken such a Post—But it becomes my duty to consider, not only what place is advantageous, but what number of men are necessary to defend it—how they can be supported in case of an attack—how they may retreat if they cannot be supported—& what stock of Ammunition we are provide⟨d⟩ with for the purpose of self defence, or annoyance of the Enemy—In respect to the first; I conceive our defence must be proportioned to the attack of Genl Gage’s whole force (leaving him just enough to man his Lines on Charles Town Neck & Roxbury) and with regard to the second, and most important object, we have only 184 Barrls of powder in all, which is not sufficient to give 30 Musket Cartridges a man, & scarce enough to serve the Artillery in any brisk action a single day.

Would it be prudent then in me, under these Circumstances, to take a Post 30 Miles distant from this place when we already have a Line of Circumvalation at least Ten Miles in extent, any part of which may be attacked (if the Enemy will keep their own Council) without our having one hours previous notice of it? Or is it prudent to attempt a Measure which necessarily would bring on a consumption of all the Ammunition we have; thereby leaving the Army at the Mercy of the Enemy, or to disperse; & the Country to be Ravaged, and laid waste at discretion? To you Sir who is a well wisher to the cause, and can reason upon the effects of such a Conduct, I may open myself with freedom, because no improper discoveries will be made of our Situation; but I cannot expose my weakness to the Enemy (tho’ I believe they are pretty well informed of every thing that passes) by telling this, and that man who are daily pointing out this—that—and t’other place, of all the motives that govern my actions, notwithstanding I know what will be the consequence of not doing it—namely, that I shall be accused of inattention to the publick Service—& perhaps with want of Spirit to prosecute it—But this shall have no effect upon my Conduct, I will steadily (as far as my judgment will assist me) pursue such measures as I think most conducive to the Interest of the cause, & rest satisfied under any obloquy that shall be thrown conscious of having discharged my duty to the best of my abilities.3

I am much obliged to you however, as I shall be to every Gentleman, for pointing out any measure which is thought conducive to the publick good, and chearfully follow any advice which is not inconsistent with, but corrispondant to, the general Plan in view, & practicable under such particular circumstances as govern in cases of the like kind. In respect to point Alderton, I was no longer ago than Monday last,4 talking to Genl Thomas on this head, & proposing to send Colo. Putnam down to take the distances &ca, but considered it could answer no end but to alarm, & make the Enemy more vigilant, unless we were in a condition to possess the Post to effect. I thought it as well to postpone the matter a while. I am Sir Yr Very Hble Servt

G. Washington

ALS, . , owned (1970) by Richard Maass. The cover is addressed “To The Honble J: Palmer Watertown.”

1Palmer’s letter to GW of 21 Aug. has not been found. In it Palmer apparently suggested a scheme for blockading Boston Harbor similar to the one about which Richard Henry Lee wrote to GW on 1 Aug. 1775. See note 4 to that document.

2Point Alderton (now Allerton), located at the end of Nantasket peninsula, overlooks Nantasket Roads, the main ship channel leading into Boston Harbor. Point Alderton lies on the south side of the channel, and Lighthouse Island is on the north side.

3GW repeated these arguments in his letter to Richard Henry Lee of 29 Aug. 1775. For his rejection of another proposal for blockading Boston Harbor, see GW to Josiah Quincy, 4 Nov. 1775.

4GW apparently is referring to Monday, 14 Aug., not to 21 Aug., which was also a Monday.

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