George Washington: First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen

For Lesson Two:
Excerpt from Letter from George Washington to Artemas Ward, July 9, 1776

Sir: The inclosed Declaration will shew you, that Congress at Length, impelled by Necessity, have dissolved the Connection between the American Colonies, and Great Britain, and declared them free and independent States; and in Compliance with their Order, I am to request you will cause this Declaration to be immediately proclaimed at the Head of the Continental Regiments in the Massachusetts Bay....

See Letter from George Washington to Artemas Ward, July 9, 1776 for complete text of the letter.