tion of vacant land. It remains doubtful yet whether there is any vacant land not included within the charter limits of some one of the thirteen States, and it is an undetermined question of great magnitude whether such land is to be considered as common stock, or the exclusive property of the State within whose charter bounds it may be found." Until this business has been determined in Congress and approved by the States you will readily discover the difficulty of doing anything in the way of raising money by appropriation of vacant land. We consider your proposal on this subject as of very great importance, and we shall not fail to solicit the attention of Congress thereto whenever the pressing business of the campaign will permit. In the mean time we see no reason that should prevent the young nobleman of Irish extract from coming to America, because the suspension of the question concerning vacant lands will not obstruct his views of getting the quantity he may want, either by original entry or by purchase on the most reasonable terms, upon the frontiers of those States where vacant lands are in abundance to be met with. We are warranted to say that such rank as that nobleman may have when he leaves service in Europe will be granted to him here. Congress clearly discern with you, gentlemen, the all-important concern of supporting the credit of the continental money, and with this view have proposed, as you will see by the inclosed resolves, to pay the interest of twenty millions of dollars by bills drawn on you. This we hope will in time replenish the loan offices so effectually as, with the aid of taxation now generally taking place, to prevent the necessity of future emissions. By your letters of the 25th of May we have no doubt but these interest bills will be paid with all due punctuality. About five millions only of the twenty voted are yet borrowed, and the interest on those five will not be drawn for in bills till near a twelvemonth.* We B. HARRISON. R. H. LEE. J. WITHERSPOON. 2 The letter referred to seems to be missing. In Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 325, is a letter from Franklin and Deane, dated May 26, but it does not discuss the question of defraying the cost of the war by the sale of vacant lands. Such a scheme was, however, proposed by Deane in a letter dated Dec. 1, 1776. None of the existing letters of the commissioners mention "the young nobleman of Irish extract". This was probably Count Arthur Dillon. A sketch of him is in Appleton, Cyclo. Am. Biog. 3 The problem of the western territory had already been agitated in connection with the Articles of Confederation. See no. 616, ante. Maryland put the question to test Oct. 15. See the votes in the Journals (pp. 806-807). * See the Journals, Sept. 10, and no. 671, note 3, ante. The letter of May 25 from the commissioners in Paris is in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 322. Sir, 673. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOHN NIXON.1 YORK TOWN; PENNSYLVANIA. October 6th. 1777. I have recieved your Favour wherein you request Leave to resign on Account of Indisposition, and immediately laid it before Congress: In Consequence of which I have it in Charge to inform you, that they have at present, in Consideration of the Services you have rendered the Cause of Freedom and your Country, declined accepting your Resignation. It is their Wish that you would spend some Time in travelling thro New England, or any other Part of America that may be most agreeable. Should you after this Excursion, find your Health no better, the Congress will in that Case tho with Reluctance, consent to your retiring from the Army.2 With the warmest Wishes for a Restoration of your Health, that you may be thereby enabled to render still further Services to your Country, I have the Honour to be, with great Respect, Sir My dear Sir, I have a very good opinion of Col Carrington, and would willingly serve him, but I much doubt whether the erasure of the Journal you propose can be obtained, but I will try.2. . [673]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 293; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., f. 287. 2 The Journals contain no mention of Nixon's offer to resign, or of the action of Congress thereon. [674]1 Henry, Patrick Henry, III. 100; Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 325. 2 The entry in the Journals here referred to is under Aug. 19. The action was taken in consequence of a letter of Aug. 8, from Governor Henry to the Virginia delegates, read in Congress Aug. 18. The letter is in Henry, Patrick Henry, with date Aug. 6, and in Pa. Arch., second ser., III. 101. Henry's suggestion that the censure of Carrington be erased is found in a postscript to a letter to Richard Henry Lee, Sept. 12, in Henry, Patrick Henry, III. 94. The resolution was not erased, but on May 23, 1778, Congress removed the censure. See the Journals of that date. 675. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.1 Honble gentlemen, CONGRESS CHAMBERS YORK TOWN IN PENNSYLVA Before this reaches you, the particular Circumstances and Reasons of the Departure of Congress from the City of Philadelphia must have come to your Knowledge. I shall therefore wave the Subject, and only say that the Congress is tolerably well accommodated in this place, and are now Conducting the Publick Business here. . . . . P. S. I have it in Charge from Congress to Request, that you will be pleas'd to Enlarge Lieut. Colonel Campbell on giving the same Parole that you have other officers under it.2 Honl Council of Massachuss Bay and Assembly Dear Sir 676. ELIPHALET DYER TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 YORK TOWN, Octobr 8th 1777 . I find to my surprise that the Commisrs for setling accounts are ordered from Hertford to this Country. it is moved to be taken up again as the Inconveniencies you mention beside the danger in removing Your papers at so great a distance is readily seen by every one. 677. JAMES DUANE TO PHILIP SCHUYLER.1 My dear General . YORK TOWN 9th. Octobr. 1777 . Your Letter, my dear Sir, is referred to a Committee. They will be in no hurry to make out your Charge: and I think the Line you have drawn for your Attendance is Justifiable and proper. I shall however press to bring your Affair to a Hearing when Circumstances will admit. General Washington most certainly has no Leisure at present. This last Affair has rais'd his Reputation very much indeed; and I think very deservedly. . . . [675]1 Mass. Arch., CXCVIII. 212; Library of Congress, Force Trans., Mass. Recs., Letters, 1777. 2 See the Journals, Aug. 19; cf. ibid., Jan. 6, Feb. 20, Mar. 14, June 2, 6, July 22, Aug. 7. Lieut.-Col. Archibald Campbell, with two transports of Highlanders, sailed into Boston Harbor June 17, 1776, and was taken prisoner. A letter from him to General Howe, giving an account of the affair, is in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., VI. 981. See the Journals, July 2, 1776. A biographical sketch of Campbell is in Dict. Nat. Biog., III. 794. [676]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. 2 Cf. no. 664, ante. [677]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Schuyler Papers, no. 547. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 8, 9. In the entry of Oct. 9, the date of Schuyler's letter is given as 27th February instead of 27th September. See no. 669, ante. 3 The battle of Germantown. See the Journals, Oct. 8. Dear Sir 678. HENRY LAURENS TO JOHN LEWIS GERVAIS.1 YORK 9th. October 1777 this will probably be delivered to you by the Baron Kalb a Gentleman who has been long attending Congress with tenders of his Service in the Army, and who was a few days before we left Philadelphia actually voted a Major General to be Commissioned one day antecedent to the Marquis delafayette. this shows you the high estimation which Congress had made of the abilities and merits of the Baron, nevertheless from certain delicacies respecting rank on his part and other circumstances which are unnecessary to recapitulate the business which Congress had so much at heart became stagnant, and the Baron I believe is determined to return to France by way of Charles Town.2. . 679. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND My Dear Sir (THOMAS JOHNSON, JR.).1 YORK TOWN, October 10th. 1777 I wrote to you this Morning the best Accounts I could obtain of the Battle of the 4th. Inst. I sent My Letter by Major Tarling Deputy Quarter Master of Georgia. this afternoon I was honoured with your favor of the 8th Ulto. inclosing the Petition of Brothers and Doffler, and inclosed is the Determination of Congress. my motion being granted a similar one was prayed by Dr. Wetherspoone for some Damage Done by Colonel Stones Regiment. this produced an universal Complaint against our Troops. it is referred to the Board of War to consider of some general Regulation.3. . . . The Confederacy will be, I believe, finished before Monday Week. I will attend my Duty in the House of Delegates. Mr. Rumsey came here a few Days ago, on Business, and promised to relieve Me when the Assembly should sit. I wish notice could be given to him of the Day of the Meeting of the Assembly. [678]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, p. 17. 2 See the Journals, Mar. 19, Aug. 13, Sept. 8, 15, Oct. 3, 4. The statement that Kalb was to be commissioned one day antecedent to Lafayette is an error. Such a resolution was passed Sept. 15, but was reversed by a resolution of Oct. 4 that the two commissions bear the same date. Concerning Kalb, see Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., I. 393-396, 416-421, and Kapp, Life of Kalb. [679]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 90; Arch. of Md., XVI. 395. 2 The battle of Germantown. Some further details of the battle are given in an omitted passage of this letter. 3 The reference is to the resolution, Oct. 10, relative to irregularities of the Fourth Georgia battalion during its march through Maryland. See also the Journals, Oct. 8. 4 See nos. 659, 671, ante, nos. 680, 681, 683, 687, 701, 704, 712, 722, 723, 725, 731, 733, 735, 738-740, 746, 749, 753, 754, 760, 765, 766, post. 680. CORNELIUS HARNETT TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1 Sir: YORK TOWN PENNSYLVANIA Oct. 10th, 1777.2 Congress have once more begun to think of confederation. I could wish to know the sentiments of our General Assembly upon some Capital points. The method of voting by States was yesterday determined, viz, that each State should have one vote, no colony against it but Virginia. The grand point of settling the Quota of Taxes each State is to pay, comes on this afternoon. Three proposals have been made, one to tax by the Poll, another to assess the value of the Lands, and the other to assess property in general. The latter at present I think most equitable. should the Confederation be agreed upon Mr. Penn and myself will embrace the earliest opportunity of transmitting it to your Excellency, to be laid before the General Assembly. The Delegates of the several States are exceedingly anxious to finish this business, many assert that the very Salvation of these States depend upon it; and that none of the European powers will publicly acknowledge them free and independent, until they are confederated. The time of Congress ever since my arrival has been chiefly taken up with army matters. We have as yet no printing press, or Post Office established here, this will be done in a few days. I shall then have it more in my power to communicate to your Excellency every piece of interesting intelligence which comes to hand, at present I can hardly find time to write a letter, Congress sits from morning 'till night, and Committees 'till 10 and 11 o'clock. In fact I am almost tired of my troublesome office, and heartily wish to be with my family. I have not time to enlarge, but have the honor to be with respect your Excellency's most obdt and very huml Servant, CORN'L HARNETT. I beg your Excellency will remember me most respectfully to your Council. 681. HENRY LAURENS TO JOHN LAURENS.1 1 YORK TOWN 10th. October 1777. My Dear Son, we yesterday received a long Chatechistical Letter from Gen Sullivan the sequel of which is a desire to withdraw himself from the 66 [680]1 N. C. State Recs., XI. 647; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., XXXVI. 475. 2 See no. 679, note 4, ante. Some statements in this letter indicate that the date should probably be Oct. 8. Harnett says: The method of voting by States was yesterday determined." That point was decided Oct. 7. He further says: "The grand point of settling the Quota of Taxes each State is to pay, comes on this afternoon." This suggests that the discussion of Oct. 9 had not yet taken place. The resolution of the afternoon of Oct. 8 may, however, be the first determination of a date for the discussion of article IX., and not a postponement. It may be remarked, further, that in the opening of the letter Harnett mentions that he had received Caswell's letter of Sept. 2 two days ago. John Penn, in a letter to Caswell, Oct. 5, says that he had just received Caswell's letter of Sept. 2, to him. These letters from Caswell must have arrived at the same time. Cf. nos. 681, 683, 701, 712, 723, 733, 747, 749, post. 3 See the Journals, Oct. 17. [681] L. I. Hist. Soc., Laurens Papers. |