Letter One-July 20, 1769
1. Dear Mother,
These soldiers have reached my last nerve. I am consumed by such an emotional confusion; on the first hand, I loathe my place under King George and the Parliament's thumb, but you continue attempting to persuade me that I owe them my rights and liberties.2. To you, I am to aim to be nothing more than a puppet for your 'glorious' majesty to string along in life. These soldiers, mother, are noisy echoes of a patriotic lost hope. This hope, seemingly lost in you as well, can be retrieved from the well you've so carelessly tossed it into.
Like you, many of the colonists voice their loyalty to the King. Widespread hope in the King and Parliament, though loyal to England, is truthfully disloyal to the colonial Americans' rights and liberties. Such Americans, whose rights are attacked and hindered by these same two components, turn a blind eye to the truth. It can only be right to protect your liberties, both with pen and sword. Mother, you must think before you set your loyalties; the King has not your best interests in mind, so is it wise to place your trust in him?
Signed,
Laurence
1. The American Promise Volume A:To 1800Families Divide Over the Revolution, pg 230-32
2. Is Patriotism a Mistake? , George KatebRefer to http://historyetc.wetpaint.com/page/Research
Letter Three-March 6, 1770
1. Dearest Mother,
I have delayed response for good reason; though I believe not your reasoning is correct on the issue of your loyalism to the King's Law, I still respect you. It would be an awful time in life to lash out at you, most honorable mother.
I have taken your words as close to my heart as possible, but I cannot logically allow them to prosper. Can you not see what has been happening? Of course recent news just outside my home will reach you before this letter does reach your hands, but I will continue as if you stand in ignorance; blood has been shed here in Boston. Just this January a boy was shot dead for literally no reason at all. Shot in cold blood by one of your 'trusted' King's officials. I stood at his funeral in silence, yet boiling with white hot Rage. Rage, mother!
This unfiltered anger took hold of my lungs, swelled within my heart; my blood ran blistering hot through my veins. An innocent boy! This behavior has gone unnoticed by Your Royal Majesty and his party of Good men. We followed along, my Brothers and Sons, grinding our teeth. We went along with this silent Fury, day to day; nothing more than fist fights had ensued upon the Reds until yesterday evening when a riot broke out. Five men shot down, just as many more wounded, but numbers matter not. We’ve been to far too many funerals for one man to take, yet the Cause stands stronger than ever. If these words are not enough to assuage you, words from your beloved Son, than truthfully nothing short of Divine persuasion will fall on your ears (and believe me, He shall have my side.)
Your Son,
Laurence
1. The American Promise Volume A:To 1800Families Divide Over the Revolution, pg 230-32
Letter Five-April 21st, 1775
1. To one Ms. Chatterton:
To prolong this information would do more damage than it would to tell you now; this morning, at 0200 hours, your son passed away. He was part of the Bostonian militia attack against the British. His death was brought on by splintered wood shot through his shoulder. Our medic, however inexperienced she was, did her best given the situation; there were many more wounded, most with a much less tragic.
He was a brave Soldier and a remarkable man.
The following are a few diary entries that were found on his person. They have been damaged in battle, but our son seemed to have meant these be sent to you upon his returning to Boston. I hope they hold some significance to you.
-General R. Jefferson
April 18, 1775
... and as we walked onwards, towards our destination, the Reds yelled from over the hill. They spoke as if they had Power to speak, "Put down your weapons" and such. We continued in our march, until one of my Brothers opened fire. In all, eight of my Friends have passed and a handful wounded, still. We cannot be silenced, mother. I have not been wounded, and shall continue in full strength towards our colonial goal. Freedom!
April 19, 1775
...for I have been impaled! My left arm shudders in pain, (thankfully my writing hand fails me not) and the medic has been attempting to remove the splinters of wood from my shoulder and arm. She says that I need rest; that I should sleep now...
April 20, 1775
I awoke this morning in an unworldly pain. Shot through my arm, the sun's fire. I can't think about anything but my Brothers, my Friends, and my Mother. She must know that though I went against her words of advice I was fighting for her. For her Freedom, her Rights, her Liberties. Though she was too blind to see them taken for granted, I played her eyes. Though too distracted to hear the hiss behind her king's words, I played her ears. I hope she sees that I did this for her. The doctor says that I don't have much energy, and in order to get better, I must rest. Mother, take these words not for granted: our beliefs have differed, but my love for you has not left me. Thank you for all you have done for me.
2.-Laurence
1. George Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots, Alan CateRefer to http://historyetc.wetpaint.com/page/Research2. The American Promise Volume A:To 1800Families Divide Over the Revolution, pg 230-32
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