122
��Early History of the Ber7)tuda Jsla?ids.
��will be unprepared ; and consequently there is the fairest prospect of success.
Mr. Lrown has been mentioned to me as a very proper person to be consulted upon this occasion. You will judge of the propriety of communicating it to him in part or the whole, and as soon as jjossible favor me with your sen- timents, and the steps you may have taken to forward it. If no immediate and safe opportu- nity offers, you will please to do it by express. Should it be inconvenient to part with one of the armed vessels, perhaps some other might be fitted out, or you could devise some other mode of executing this plan; so that, in case of a disappointment, the vessel might proceed to some other island to purchase.
I am. Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant,
G. \Vashington.
This plan was approved by the Gover- nor and Committee of Rhode Island, and Captain Abraham Whipple agreed to engage in the affair, provided General Washington would give him a certificate under his own hand, that in case the Bermudians would assist the undertak- ing, he would recommend to the Conti- nental Congress to permit the exporta- tion of provisions to those islands from the colonies.
General Washington accordingly sent the following address to the Bermudians.*
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLAND OF BERMUDA. Camp at Cambridge, 6 September, 1775. Gentlemen :
In the great conflict, which agitates this continent, I cannot doubt but the assertors of freedom and the rights of the constitution are possessed of your most favorable regards and wishes for success. As descendants of free- men, and heirs with us of the same glorious in- heritance, we flatter ourselves, that, though di- \'ided by our situation, we are firmly united in sentiment. The cause of virtue and liberty is confined to no continent or climate. It comprehends, within its capacious limits, the wise and good, how-
- Writings of George Washing-
ton, by J. Sparks, vol. iii., page 77.
��ever dispersed and separated in space 01 distance.
You need not be informed that the violence and rapacity of a tyrannic ministry have forced the citizens of America, your biv^ther colonist, into arms. \Ve equally detest and lament the prevalence of those counsels, which have led to the efl'usion of so much human blood, and left us no alternative but a civil war, or a Ijase submission. The wise Disposer of all events has liitherto smiled upon our virtuous efforts. Those mercenary troops, a few of whom lately boasted of subjugating this vast continent, have Ijeen checked in their earliest ravages, and now actually encircled within a small space; their arms disgraced, and them- selves suffering all the calamities of a siege. The virtue, spirit, and union of the provinces leave them nothing to fear, but the want of ammunition. The application of our enemies to foreign states, and their vigilance upon our coasts, are the only efforts they have made against us with success.
Under these circumstances, and with these sentiments, we have turned our eyes to you. Gentlemen, for relief. We are informed, that there is a very large magazine ia your island under a very feeble guard. \Ye would not wish to involve you in an opposition, in which, from your situation, ^^'e should be unable to support you; we knew not, therefore, to what extent to solicit your assistance, in availing ourselves of this supply; but, if your favor and friendship to North America and its liberties have not been misrepresented, I per- suade myself you may, consistently with your own safety, promote and further this scheme, so as to give it the fairest prospect of success. Be assured , that, in this case, the whole power and exertion of my influence will be made with the honoralile Continental Congress, that your island may not only be supplied with provisions, but experience every other mark of affection and friendship, which the grateful citizens of a free country can bestow on its brethren and benefactors. I am. Gentlemen,
With much esteem.
Your humble servant.
��� �
