William Whipple letter

A descriptive four-page letter concerning the American Revolution. Whipple relays to Bartlett, physician, statesman, and first constitutional governor of New Hampshire, an account of the New Hampshire militia and other New England militia units commanded by General John Sullivan during an engagement with the British Army at Rhode Island, August 1778. Whipple laments the fact that militia units left Sullivan's troops at their discretion rather than at the command of their officers. The letter also briefly comments on the Comte d'Estaing, commanding a French fleet near Newport, RI, during the engagement, and British Admiral John Byron. Whipple concludes by commenting that the Continental Congress must address the currency issue if the American naval and land forces are to remain intact.