華盛頓紀念碑、培里海軍准將與福爾摩沙(三)
第二部分
四
在殖民地宣佈獨立後，英國的勦撫遠征軍司令郝大將軍(Gen. Sir William Howe)欲招撫大陸軍總司令華盛頓將軍。他派遣部屬，持其親筆函，前往華盛頓將軍的行營。由於郝大將軍不能也不願承認與稱呼華盛頓將軍的正式官銜，只願稱華盛頓將軍為「先生」，企圖矮化已宣佈獨立的United Colonies of North America及華盛頓將軍，所以遭到華盛頓將軍的峻拒。關於這段往事，建州派以前曾特別為文，以嘲諷樂意被北京派來的芝麻綠豆官稱為「先生」的馬先生。
這篇文章發表後，被許多台灣鄉親在網路上轉發與傳頌。
建州派今天再以華盛頓將軍於7/14/1776從紐約行營發給大陸會議主席John Hancock的報告，來對此膾炙人口的事件做個簡述。
華盛頓將軍在報告中說: "About 3 OClock this afternoon I was informed that a Flag from Ld Howe was coming up, -------- I immediately convened such of the Genl officers as were not upon other duty who agreed in opinion that I ought not to receive any Letter directed to me as a private Gentleman --------- Upon this I directed Colo. Reed to go down & manage the affair under the above general Instruction. On his return he Informed me, -------- the Officer acquainted him that he had a Letter from Ld Howe to Mr Washington which he shewed under a superscription to George Washington Esqr. Col. Reed replied there was no such person in the Army and that a Letter Intended for the General could not be received under such a direction --------- the Officer with the Flag again put about and asked under what direction Mr Washington chose to be addressed. [t]o which Colo. Reed answered his station was well known and that certainly they could be at no loss how to direct to him. The Officer said they knew It & lamented It and again repeated his wish that the Letter could be received --- Col. Reed told him a proper direction would obliviate all difficulties & that this was no new matter. [t]his subject having been fully discussed in the course of the last year, of which Ld Howe could not be ignorant upon which they parted."
華盛頓將軍繼續說: "I would not upon any occasion sacrifice Essentials to Punctilio, but in this Instance, the Opinion of Others concurring with my own, I deemed It a duty to my Country and my appointment to insist upon that respect which in any other than a public view I would willingly have waived." 讀了華盛頓這段報告，我們就必須做出一個結論: 台北市重慶北路那個「先生府」裡的馬「先生」恐怕連替華盛頓將軍擦馬靴的資格都沒有。
五
即便是美洲殖民地已宣佈獨立，但自信滿滿、認為勝利在望的英國遠征軍司令郝大將軍仍欲與已經以政府的形式在運作的大陸會議接觸，希望對美洲獨派人士進行招降。
雖然大獨派John Adams反對獨派與英軍司令接觸與談判，但那時華盛頓統率的大陸軍在長島戰役吃了敗仗，之後撤退到曼哈頓島，還要一路往大陸地區撤退，獨派人心惶惶，因此大陸會議還是派出一個代表團，到英軍設在Staten Island的大本營，與郝大將軍接觸。
我們現在來讀John Adams在自傳中的記述:
"In spite of his opposition to taking notice of this British initiative, Congress on September 6, 1776, appointed John Adams, together with Benjamin and Edward Rutledge, to go on a diplomatic mission as a representative 'of the free, independent States of America' to confer with Lord Howe 'to know whether he has any authority to treat with persons authorized by Congress for that purpose, in behalf of America, and what that authority is, and to hear such propositions as he shall think fit to make respecting the same.'"
寫到這裡，Adams回憶起他曾在那時寫信給他老婆，猜他自己為什麼會被大陸會議選為代表團成員。現在我們不引用Adams的說法，我們來採用一些史家的說法。當時大陸會議的大獨派雖然肯定在英國曾駐節一段很長的期間、對英國政情甚為了解的老Franklin的外交折衝能力，但Franklin畢竟曾是親英派與大統派，而且返回美洲的時間也還沒多久，其對美國革命獨立建國的志業的忠誠度仍有待考驗，所以派出大獨派Adams去壓陣，才能保證不出問題或意外。
六
在往英軍大本營進發的途中，Adams目擊了大陸軍軍紀敗壞。他如此記述: "On the Road and at all the public Houses, We saw such Numbers of Officers and Soldiers, straggling and loytering, as gave me at least, but a poor Opinion of the Discipline of our forces and excited as much indignation as anxiety. Such thoughtless dissipation at a time so critical, was not calculated to inspire very sanguine hopes or give great Courage to Ambassadors: I was nevertheless determined that it should not dishearten me. I saw that We must and had no doubt but We should be chastised into order in time."
對照Adams的觀察與記述，從華盛頓將軍在那段時期從大本營所發出的幾項命令，我們都看出華盛頓不斷在要求部隊提高警覺，鼓舞部隊的士氣，也不斷在整飭軍紀。
現在就讓我們來讀在長島戰役來臨前這個緊要關頭，華盛頓將軍所發出的命令。
在殖民地宣佈獨立後，英國的勦撫遠征軍司令郝大將軍(Gen. Sir William Howe)欲招撫大陸軍總司令華盛頓將軍。他派遣部屬，持其親筆函，前往華盛頓將軍的行營。由於郝大將軍不能也不願承認與稱呼華盛頓將軍的正式官銜，只願稱華盛頓將軍為「先生」，企圖矮化已宣佈獨立的United Colonies of North America及華盛頓將軍，所以遭到華盛頓將軍的峻拒。關於這段往事，建州派以前曾特別為文，以嘲諷樂意被北京派來的芝麻綠豆官稱為「先生」的馬先生。
這篇文章發表後，被許多台灣鄉親在網路上轉發與傳頌。
建州派今天再以華盛頓將軍於7/14/1776從紐約行營發給大陸會議主席John Hancock的報告，來對此膾炙人口的事件做個簡述。
華盛頓將軍在報告中說: "About 3 OClock this afternoon I was informed that a Flag from Ld Howe was coming up, -------- I immediately convened such of the Genl officers as were not upon other duty who agreed in opinion that I ought not to receive any Letter directed to me as a private Gentleman --------- Upon this I directed Colo. Reed to go down & manage the affair under the above general Instruction. On his return he Informed me, -------- the Officer acquainted him that he had a Letter from Ld Howe to Mr Washington which he shewed under a superscription to George Washington Esqr. Col. Reed replied there was no such person in the Army and that a Letter Intended for the General could not be received under such a direction --------- the Officer with the Flag again put about and asked under what direction Mr Washington chose to be addressed. [t]o which Colo. Reed answered his station was well known and that certainly they could be at no loss how to direct to him. The Officer said they knew It & lamented It and again repeated his wish that the Letter could be received --- Col. Reed told him a proper direction would obliviate all difficulties & that this was no new matter. [t]his subject having been fully discussed in the course of the last year, of which Ld Howe could not be ignorant upon which they parted."
華盛頓將軍繼續說: "I would not upon any occasion sacrifice Essentials to Punctilio, but in this Instance, the Opinion of Others concurring with my own, I deemed It a duty to my Country and my appointment to insist upon that respect which in any other than a public view I would willingly have waived." 讀了華盛頓這段報告，我們就必須做出一個結論: 台北市重慶北路那個「先生府」裡的馬「先生」恐怕連替華盛頓將軍擦馬靴的資格都沒有。
五
即便是美洲殖民地已宣佈獨立，但自信滿滿、認為勝利在望的英國遠征軍司令郝大將軍仍欲與已經以政府的形式在運作的大陸會議接觸，希望對美洲獨派人士進行招降。
雖然大獨派John Adams反對獨派與英軍司令接觸與談判，但那時華盛頓統率的大陸軍在長島戰役吃了敗仗，之後撤退到曼哈頓島，還要一路往大陸地區撤退，獨派人心惶惶，因此大陸會議還是派出一個代表團，到英軍設在Staten Island的大本營，與郝大將軍接觸。
我們現在來讀John Adams在自傳中的記述:
"In spite of his opposition to taking notice of this British initiative, Congress on September 6, 1776, appointed John Adams, together with Benjamin and Edward Rutledge, to go on a diplomatic mission as a representative 'of the free, independent States of America' to confer with Lord Howe 'to know whether he has any authority to treat with persons authorized by Congress for that purpose, in behalf of America, and what that authority is, and to hear such propositions as he shall think fit to make respecting the same.'"
寫到這裡，Adams回憶起他曾在那時寫信給他老婆，猜他自己為什麼會被大陸會議選為代表團成員。現在我們不引用Adams的說法，我們來採用一些史家的說法。當時大陸會議的大獨派雖然肯定在英國曾駐節一段很長的期間、對英國政情甚為了解的老Franklin的外交折衝能力，但Franklin畢竟曾是親英派與大統派，而且返回美洲的時間也還沒多久，其對美國革命獨立建國的志業的忠誠度仍有待考驗，所以派出大獨派Adams去壓陣，才能保證不出問題或意外。
六
在往英軍大本營進發的途中，Adams目擊了大陸軍軍紀敗壞。他如此記述: "On the Road and at all the public Houses, We saw such Numbers of Officers and Soldiers, straggling and loytering, as gave me at least, but a poor Opinion of the Discipline of our forces and excited as much indignation as anxiety. Such thoughtless dissipation at a time so critical, was not calculated to inspire very sanguine hopes or give great Courage to Ambassadors: I was nevertheless determined that it should not dishearten me. I saw that We must and had no doubt but We should be chastised into order in time."
對照Adams的觀察與記述，從華盛頓將軍在那段時期從大本營所發出的幾項命令，我們都看出華盛頓不斷在要求部隊提高警覺，鼓舞部隊的士氣，也不斷在整飭軍紀。
現在就讓我們來讀在長島戰役來臨前這個緊要關頭，華盛頓將軍所發出的命令。
(待續)
台灣建州運動發起人周威霖
David C. Chou
Founder, Formosa Statehood Movement
(an organization devoted to making Taiwan a state of the United States)
Founder, Formosa Statehood Movement
(an organization devoted to making Taiwan a state of the United States)
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