05/30/2026
Reading this excerpt from a letter Nathan Hale wrote to his brother Enoch on this day in history, there is no denying he had a way with words, especially the last paragraph we have included.
Note when reading this it is just 5 weeks before the Declaration of Independence was signed and 16 weeks before his capture and ex*****on.
"Maj. Brooks informed me last evening, that in conversation with some of the frequenters at Head Quarters he was told that General Washington had received a packet from one of the sherrifs of the city of London in which was contained the Debates at large both houses of Parliment - and what is more, the whole proceedings of the cabinet. The plan of summer's campaign in America is said to be communicated in full. Nothing has yet transpired; but the prudence of our Genl. we trust will make advantage of the Intelligence. Genl Gates is gone to Philadelphia, probably to communicate the above.
Some late accounts from the northward are unfavorable, and would be more so could they be depended on. It has been reported that a fleet has arrived in the River; upon the first notice of which our army thought it prudent to break up the siege and retire- that in retreating they were attack'd and routed, Numbers kill'd, the sick, most of the cannon and stores taken. The account is not authentic: We hope it is not true.
It would grieve every good man to consider what unnatural monsters we have as it were in our bowels. Numbers in this Colony and likewise in the western part of Connecticut, would be glad to embrue their hands in their Country's Blood."
