Joseph Reed was born at Trenton, New Jersey, on the 27th of August, 1742. After a thorough and comprehensive education in the colonies, he adopted the law as his profession; and his advantages were greatly increased by special training at the Temple in London. Returning to America, he settled in Philadelphia and began to practise, but was keenly alive to all passing events, and gave the British ministry timely warning of what he thought the end would be, should the growing dissatisfaction with the coercive measures adopted by Great Britain toward her American colonies lead to an open revolt and an armed resistance. His acquaintance with Washington began when the latter came to Philadelphia from Virginia as a delegate to the first Continental Congress. This friendship resulted in Reed’s accepting in 1775 the office of military secretary to the commander-in-chief. When a friend remonstrated with him on the step he had taken, he replied,—

“I have no inclination to be hanged for half-treason. When a subject draws his sword against his prince, he must cut his way through, if he means afterwards to sit down in safety. I have taken too active a part in what may be called the civil part of opposition, to renounce without disgrace the public cause when it seems to lead to danger, and have a most sovereign contempt for the man who can plan measures he has not spirit to execute.”

So well did he fill this position that in 1776, on the recommendation of Washington, Congress appointed him adjutant-general in the Continental service, and well did he justify the chief’s favorable opinion of him, by the vigilance, thoroughness, and ability with which he discharged the arduous duties of this most responsible office. As adjutant-general he met the messenger of Lord Howe, when the latter sent a letter to “George Washington, Esq.,” and refused to transmit it to the commander-in-chief, because it was not properly addressed. Reed’s first taste of actual war was during the series of engagements on Long Island in August, 1776; but when Washington began his retreat through the Jerseys, he sent Reed to solicit reinforcements from the State Legislature. Having spent his boyhood in Trenton, and his college days in Princeton, his accurate knowledge of the topography of the country contributed in no small degree to the glorious victories which on the 26th of December, 1776, and 3d of January, 1777, changed the gloom and despondency of the Americans into the assurance and exultation of success.

As an acknowledgment of his distinguished services during the late campaign, Congress, again at the instance of Washington, promoted Reed, his commission as brigadier-general bearing date May 12, 1777. His legal ability also received its share of recognition, the Executive Council of Pennsylvania appointing him to fill the office of chief-justice of that State. He declined both appointments, however, preferring to serve as a volunteer whenever occasion demanded his military services. Congress accepted his resignation on the 7th of June, 1777. At the first news of the invasion of Pennsylvania by the British, he joined the army again and took part in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and in the skirmish at Whitemarsh. Though refusing the office of chief-justice, he had accepted a seat in Congress; and his time was divided between active service in the camp at Valley Forge, and in making appeals on the floor of Congress for reinforcements and supplies for the destitute army. Impoverished by the war, and with his great heart wrung by the sufferings he had witnessed among our soldiers while in winter-quarters, he was suddenly exposed to a great temptation. Ten thousand pounds sterling, and any colonial office in the king’s gift, were tendered him, if he would withdraw from the American cause, and use his influence in reconciling the two countries. Reed hesitated not one moment, but proudly answered, “I am not worth purchasing, but such as I am, the King of Great Britain is not rich enough to buy me.” His military career closed with the battle of Monmouth on the 28th of June, 1778, and in November he was unanimously elected president of the State of Pennsylvania. To this new dignity he brought all the incorruptible integrity, fertility of resource, and indomitable courage that had characterized him as a soldier. Twice re-elected, his tenure of office expired in October, 1781. A few months before his death, he was again called to serve the public, being elected to a seat in the Continental Congress; but his health had already begun to fail, and at the early age of forty-three he died on the 5th of March, 1785.