Henry Jackson To Henry Knox Discussing The Poor State Of Recruitment For The American Army And His Concerns Over Certain Defenses 27 May 1777

Gives details of marching with an unspecified company, and discusses his recent service at Providence, Rhode Island. Refers to a recent election of representatives, possibly in Boston, Massachusetts. Writes, My good friend, we are in a very bad state of defense in this Town & harbor, not a man in all the Forts here... Sent his regiment to recruit soldiers outside of Boston, and they have only raised 26 men: the Country People have got the devil in them... good god Harry if we go on in this way we shall soon be ruined, ruined for ever. Mentions the discrepancy between the current draft of nine months and George Washington's orders to draft for three years or the length of the war. Disapproves of the nine month draft, stating by the time I had got them well disciplined their time would out... then all my time, trouble & expense would be lost. Spotted two British frigates in the [Massachusetts] Bay.