take Tyre and Scythia-Germany and Carthage. In Modern look at Holland and Poland-England and Germany. But the truth is that let wealth flow into a Country from whatever cause, it will forever reflect value upon the lands of that Country, and they rise in value in proportion to the influx of wealth. Thus the value of lands in England has doubled and trepled as commerce has brought wealth into the Island. For my own part, I doubt extremely whether Virginia will not pay more by the pres[e]nt Mode than if it had been determined by numbers. But I am satisfied that the mode now fixt is the most just, and so fiat justicia, ruat Coelum. We have recommended extensive taxation, sinking the provincial currencies, and regulating prices. I think that if the States will vigorously execute the recommendations of Congress, we shall, under providence, be a safe and happy people.2. Sir 755. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1 YORK 25th. Novemr 1777 My present duty is to Convey a Resolve of Congress of this date in which your Excellency is requested and enabld to perform an essential Service to the United States, by appointing proper persons for Purchasing and others for manufacturing in the State in which you preside certain articles of Leather for the use of the Army Congress have been encouraged to give your Excellency this trouble by the Delegates from North Carolina and have only in view the general Interest of these States. Nothing therefore is needful for me to add but a reference to the Resolve.. Dear General 756. JAMES LOVELL TO HORATIO GATES.1 YORK 27 Novг. 1777. This present Carryer will perhaps throw you into a dilemma. We want you in different places, but most of all in a third which you are not called to ballance about. We want you most near Germantown." 2 Cf. no. 753, ante. [755] Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 39; N. C. State Recs., XI. 685. 2 See the Journals, Nov. 25. [756] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XI.; N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Revolutionary Papers, III. 227 (copy). 2 Gates was elected a member of the board of war Nov. 27. A memorandum of Henry Laurens (Papers Cont. Cong., no. 19, III. 165), “Nom. 24 Board of War Maj. Gen. Gates Richd Peters Esq.", shows that Gates and Peters were nominated the same day on which the resolution was adopted to enlarge the board. In a letter to Gates, Nov. 17 (Gates Papers, vol. XI.), Lovell says: Prepare yourself for a jaunt to this Place. Congress send for you. I have ten thousand things to tell." See nos. 757-761, post. 66 3 That is, to supplant Washington. Doubtless this was the principal one of the "ten thousand things" which he wished to talk about. In the Samuel Adams Papers (N. Y. Pub. Lib.) is a letter from Jonathan D. Sergeant to Lovell, dated Nov. 20, wherein Washington is denounced for his feebleness and for "such blunders as might have disgraced a soldier of three months' standing". Adams has taken great pains to obliterate the signature. Cf. nos. 689, 700, ante. I hope the last Express did not cause any Uneasiness to you, as the drift of the Proceedings of Congress was by no means intended to throw any slur on your acceptance of the Convention; But to come at a true idea of Burgoyne's Conduct.* We hear his men have behaved so as to oblige the Guards to fire upon them. This information however is not well authenticated. Upon a motion made sometime ago Genl. Schuyler is permitted to tarry and look after his private affairs and St Clair is permitted to do the same upon se[e]ing his name in a council of war at what is generally by the inconsiderate, called the grand army. Since our Resolve was forwarded, I see Kalb Knox and St Clair are a council reporting for the Evacuation of red Bank as incapable of bearing a Siege. Such kind of Counsel seems to be the relish of this Quarter. [P. S.] 27 Nov. 1777. We are sending Confederation Taxation and Confiscation forward to the States, with strong recommendations as to cloathing the Soldiers at prices proportionate to their pay, the Surplus Charge to go against the Continent. I hope these measures together will make our Currency meliorate and content the army. Dear Sir 6 757. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 YORK IN PENNSYLVANIA Novr 27, 1777 Congress have lately established a new Board of War, upon a Salary of 2000 Dollars per Year for each Member. General Gates is appointed president, General Mifflin, Colo Trumbull, Colo Pickering, and Mr Peters are Members.2 three of the Gentlemen have accepted, there remain but two to give their answers, General Gates and yourself. I doubt not, that the first will be in the affirmative, and hope that you will follow the Example, as thereby a prospect will be afforded, of introducing Oeconomy and Discipline into our army, and affairs in general, without which America cannot be free and happy. You was unanimously appointed, and from the Experience wch. Gentlemen have had since you left the Department of Commissary General, of the Incompetency of their Friends to fill the Office, I doubt not that You would have had the offer with the Power of Appointing *3 of the D C Generals of purchases, had You been here to have executed it and there had been a Certainty of your 4 See the Journals, Nov. 22, and no. 752, note 3, ante. 5 See the Journals, Nov. 14, and nos. 734, 743, ante. This note is found on a separate half sheet of paper, on the back of which appears a part of the address and Gates's endorsement. See the Journals, Nov. 22, 26, 27; cf. no. 754, ante, no. 760, post. [757] Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 16, 17, Nov. 7, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 27; also nos. 700, 720, 743, 748, ante, nos. 758-761, 773, 776, post. 3*I form my Opinion from the Temper of the House when it was proposed. [Note in the original.] Acceptance. I know not your Sentiments on the Matter, but however they may be, I most ardently wish that You may accept of this appointment for many Reasons. Colo Reed was nominated and would have been appointed, had it not been known to Gentlemen that your Situation with respect to each would not admit of your sitting together at the same Board. I think there is not the least Doubt of this Fact. Your own affairs need not interrupt your immediate Attendance, as the Super Intendance of all the Commissaries in the eastern and northern Department is with the Governor and Council of Connecticut, who may displace and appoint at pleasure, and can direct the issuing Commissaries to receive the provision now on your Hands, and your Accounts may be settled witho. a constant attendance on the Commissioners. the succession of Errors wch have taken place in the Commissary's Department, have reverberated on Congress, and had the Gentlemen Who were the Cause thereof been troubled with an attention to the Business of rectifying them, I should not have regretted the Consequences, but this Burthen has unreasonably fell on those who opposed the Errors from the Beginning, and there seems to be a general Conviction that the Business never will be carried on by some of the present Officers.5. I hope soon to see the Treasury Office upon a new Establishment, and that your Brother the p. M General will be a Commissioner; his Salary is augmented to 125 Dollars per Month, but I think him too valuable for that office, altho it must be acknowledged an important one. . . . . P. S. If you decline this office, it must have all the Effects so far as it respects yourself of giving up the Cause; a Measure that my Friend. will never consent to, after having endured greater Toils than may be expected in future. General Stevens is broke for Drunkenness Sir 758. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO YORK TOWN 28th. Novem: 1777 My last trouble was dated the 23d. Inst: and conveyed by favour of Mr. Pierce.2 By the present please to be informed, that Congress lately entered into Resolutions for establishing a Board of War to consist of five Commissioners not Members of the House. And I have received express orders 4 Cf. no. 700, ante, nos. 759, 761, 769, post. 5 Cf. nos. 664, 726, 748, ante, nos. 759, 790, post. The omitted passage summarizes the financial measures of Nov. 22, 26, 27. Cf. no. 756, ante. 6 The reorganization of the treasury office was not, however, very speedily effected. See no. 298, note 7, ante. 7 Jonathan Trumbull, jr., deputy paymaster-general of the Northern department. See the Journals, Nov. 19, 22. Cf. no. 412, ante. [758] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XI.; Library of Congress, Presidents LetterBook, I. 43. 2 No. 752, ante. Mr. Pierce was probably John Pierce, jr., assistant paymaster. to notify to you Sir, You have been elected a Commissioner and by the unanimous Voice of Congress appointed President of the Board.3. Dr Sir 759. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 YORK TOWN 28 Nov. 1777 Genl Gates, Genl Miflin, Adj. Genl. Pickering, Jos Trumbull and Rich: Peters Esqrs. are elected etc. to constitute a newly erected Board of War, from which great Things are expected as You will be informed by the President. as You call your Self a plaguegy obstinate Fellow I had some Fears least You shod injure your Self, your Father, and your Friends and more especially your Country, by refusing her Call and I trust that of Providence on this Occasion. you may perceive how honorable and important Congress account the Business by the Generals employed, and by the inclosed Resolve I beg You will not suffer Prejudice or Passion to influence your Judgment, but coolly consider the nature and importance of the Subject and the Duty and Obligation lying on You, to serve your Country in this Station. Congress expect your usefullness especially in the Comissary Department, and assistance to regulate the abuses of that and so for the other great Departments, in which other of the Gent. are particularly versed. it is of importance to be called by every voice as you was to this honble. Service and Col Read was sacrificed to You, supposing You cod not sit together. The Department is of very great Moment most certainly, and never was or cod be properly executed by a Board consisting of Members of Congress, if for no other reason it was impossible to give proper Attention and Time to both, and They are most heartily weary of trying. and if I was not quiting Congress shod have some personal Interest, in the new Boards coming soon. The pay is 2,000 Dols. to Each, and I have no doubt but additions will be made e'er long. I much dislike the new Regulations of the Comissa. Department, but had no doubt Alterations wod take place, as they have already and very likely may further as occasion and experience may require and if you had continued in that, I verily believe you would have [done] your Country a very real and great Service, and that the Army has suffered exceedingly by the inexperience of the new officers. And it is a bad and wrong revenge to wound your already bleeding bleeding Country, to come up with Congress for a great mistake in my opinion, but by far the most I doubt not come into with the best intention. 5 if Jack had really an Inclination to have continued in the Army, I have no doubt he might have obtained Justice in the matter he complained off, and wod have done real Service, and been also a Brigr. Genl. instead of Wilkinson, had his Life been spared. but enough. I hope to see You * See the Journals, Nov. 24, 27; cf. no 757, note 2, ante. [759]1 Conn. State Library, Joseph Trumbull Collection, no. 568. 2 See nos. 757, 758, ante. 3 Cf. no. 757, ante, nos. 761, 769, post. 4 Cf. nos. 664, 726, 748, 757, ante, no. 790, post. 5 John Trumbull. See nos. 415, 419, 466, 495, note 2, ante, no. 776, post. before You can set out hither, designing homeward, if Mr. Law dont delay me next Monday with Complimts to your Lady Col Jos. Trumbull I am your Affectio°. Friend and Brothr 760. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT (JONATHAN TRUMBULL).1 Hond and dear Sir YORK 28 Nov 1777 I wrote you sometime since that the Plan of Confederation was finished, after revising correcting etc it was sent to Lancaster to be printed and is just returned.2 and after a long delay and consideration a Report has been made by the Comtee, to Consider the result of the N England States etc and a number of important resolutions relating to taxation etc etc are come into and will bee also transmitted, it is not my Fault it was not done long ago, but it cant be helpd and tis difficult to explain the reasons of delay in many Cases. But I hope it is not utterly too late.. Congress have established a new board of War, consisting of 5 Members, not of Congress it is deemd of vast importance for the Regulation and Supply etc of the Army, and highly honorable etc, and by the Influence of his Friends Col Jos. Trumbull is chosen a member. the plan was to have one versed in every Department, the members are Genl Gates Presidt. Gen. Miflin, Adj. Genl Pickering, Col Jos Trumbull, and R. Peters Esq late Secrety. it is deemed of very great importance, as you will readily perceive by the Members appointed. The Sallery is 2000 Dols per An: and a Struggle to get higher. And I have no doubt it will yet be raised and such further sums allowed as to satisfie the Members, if this dont.*. . . I am with Great Affection, Esteem and Duty your unworthy Son and Serv P. S. on Fryd: the 21 the motion, made last July was revivd for recalling Mr Deane, was again taken up and carried without a dissenting Voice. He died at last very easie, tho there had been at sund. Times before, the most violent and convulsive throes and Exertions on the same Question 5 this Day Jno Adams Esq was elected in his room he is not present and tis not certain he will not accept, but hope he will." [760]1 Library of J. Pierpont Morgan, Declaration of Independence, I. 2 Cf. nos. 733, 746, 747, 753, 754, ante. 3 See no. 753, note 3, ante. 4 Cf. nos. 757-759, ante, no. 761, post. See no. 753, ante, nos. 766, 768-770, post. In a foot-note to the Journals (ed Ford), under Aug. 5, will be found two motions for the recall of Deane. Possibly that of Lovell was made in July. See no. 565, ante. • See no. 753, ante. Laurens Nov. 28 (Wharton, Notice of his election was sent to Adams by President |