Abraham Clark letter to Colonel Elias Dayton, 1776 July 4
Clark writes to Colonel Dayton, stationed with the third battalion of New Jersey Forces, at Johns Town, Mohawk River, or Crown Point, concerning the retreat from Canada and the imminent attack on New York by General Howe. Even so "Congress resolved to declare the United Colonies Free & independent States. A declaration for this purpose I expect will this day pass Congress ... after which it will be proclaimed with all the State & Solemnity circumstances will admit. It is gone so far, that we must now be a a free independent State or a conquered country."
Archival Material, English, 1776
1776