Jesse Root to Silas Deane, May 25, 1775

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Dear Sir on the 13th Inst. we Recd letters from [Bernard] Romans representing the Garreson at Ticondaroga in a feeble State both as to men & provisions requesting Men & Money ー at the Same time the Govr. Recd a letter from [Ethan] Allin of like Import ー whereupon we rallied Sent Col Charles Webb & Col Joshua Porter & Mr Barn[abas] Dean with £ 500 money escorted with Eight marines from this Town well Spirited & equipped² ー with directions to proceed to Albany to procure from thence what assistance they Could & then to proceed to Ticondaroga with all possible Expidetion & to do every thing to Secure & preserve the acquisition ー about four days ago the officers & Soldiers from Ticondaroga & Crown point were brought into this Town Consisting of about Sixty persons ー and are herekept at the publick Expence ー The Troops are Continually marching for Boston unanimity & firmness Continues to reign here you Cannot Conceive what universal Joy defused it self through every Breast & Triumph in every Countenance on publication of the glorious resolutions of the Continental Congress by Mr [Samuel] Mott ー May that unerring Wisdom that guides the roling Speres through the unmeasurable Track of ether ー that Mighty power that Sustains the Stupendious frame of Nature Inspire your venerable Body with all that Wisdom & firmness that is requisite to guide & direct the Important Concerns of the american Empire for its Safety & preservation against all the Craft & power of Tiranny the Pope & the Divel In haste as the Post is waiting with the greatest esteem I am &c.

Jesse Root

Hartford
May 25th A D 1775

P S inclosed is a Copy of a letter from Col. Porter & Webb Since they went from here ー of the further acquisitions to the Northward the Post will inform

1. Deane Papers, ConnHS.

2. This is the first mention of American marines during the Revolutionary War period. Why there should be marines on May 13, 1775, more than a month before Connecticut even considered commissioning vessels of war, and why these marines should be found in the inland city of Hartford is difficult to comprehend. The theory that they might have been enlisted for service on Lake Champlain is untenable, as Governor Skene's schooner, subsequently named the Liberty, was not taken up at Skenesborough until the very day that Roman's letter arrived in Hartford, so there could have been no knowledge of her capture. In Benedict Arnold's letter of May 26, 1775, to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, they are identified as eight gentlemen "who are Seamen." It is probable, therefore, that the use of the word "marines" had been a figure of speech by Jesse Root, whose rhetorical flourishes are apparent throughout his letter.

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1775 May 25

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