Philadelphia, July 4th, 1775
[Extract]
The New Englanders are fitting out light vessels of war, by which it is hoped we shall not only clear the seas and bays here of everything below the size of a ship of war, but that they will visit the coasts of Europe and distress the British trade in every part of the world. The adventurous genius and intrepidity of those people is amazing.2
1. Boyd, ed., Jefferson Papers, I, 184, 185.
2. Using almost the same words, Jefferson wrote to George Gilmer, on July 5, 1775. Ibid., I, 185, 186.
