Commissioners will do I know not, nor can I advise them. I am amazed at the Obstinacy of Congress. The Paper for our Money is shipped this Day. Mr. Paca arrived this Morning, so that we are now represented, but if Mr. Rumsey shod. go to Camp, We shall soon be without a Representation.* 220. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 PHILAD. NOV. 23rd. 1776 Saturday. Gentlemen The Congress have resolved to encrease their Navy. Two frigates of 36 Guns are to be built in our State. Many of the Congress, some true Friends, are uneasy at the Powers to the Delegates of Maryland. they are apprehensive, if made known they will reach Lord Howe, and encourage him, and if the Courts of Europe should see them, it would prevent a foreign alliance. some Reasons are given to countenance this Opinion. I do not see why they should not be published in the Journall. the powers relate to Peace and War, and can be of no Service to the publick. I wish You would consider This Subject.2 In eight Days the Enlistment of the far greater part of our Army expires. I greatly doubt if we shall be able to prevail on the Troops to enter into the Service. I have some Hopes of obtaining our wish from Congress. Our Commissioners will proceed on tomorrow I believe. however whether they do or not is a secret.3 221. BENJAMIN RUMSEY TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.1 Sir, We have continued in this Place untill this Day in wch. We shall set off for the Camp not being able to proceed before neither under the Letter nor Spirit of our Commission. Our Convention had certainly two capital Objects in View that as the Congress had engaged the Faith of the United States to furnish the Soldiery with the Bounty of Lands which they were to purchase, it followed by Implication that the United States had None belonging to them in Common but must purchase of particular States who claimed a Monopoly in them and of Course might ruin those States who had None. Her View then was to have these Lands declared a common Stock as being purchased (if ever purchased) by the joint Blood and Treasure of the Confederacy or find no Land to her Ruin. The first Satisfaction She received on this Head was that She might inlist for three Years and give the 20 Doll. Bounty, but must give the 4 See no. 221, note 3, post. [220] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 53; Arch. of Md., XII. 475; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 819. 2 See the credentials, in the Journals, Nov. 19. 3 See nos. 191, 205, 216, 219, ante, 221, 226, 248, post. [221]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 54; Arch. of Md., XII. 476; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 827. Soldiers the Alternative to inlist during the War on the first Conditions, Opening two Rolls for the Purpose. This not pleasing they Resolve again that the Commissioners may proceed to inlist for three Years upon one Roll alone keeping it always in View that it was better to inlist during the War, if it did not retard the Service This Resolution keeping up the first Bone of Contention the Land and by Implication that the States had none still not answering expectation The Congress further resolved that any Resolutions that had passed should neither operate to weaken or strengthen the Claim of the United States or any of them to any Back Land by which this point that has given such uneasiness in our Province will be saved and be discussed hereafter in our future Confederacy. The Second point they had in View was the point of Taxation which they thought unequal being rated on Slaves as well as Whites. This has been expressly named as the Mode as to 6 Millions of Dollars. As to 14. more the same Declaration is made as in the Article of Land, that the proportion of sinking it shall be adjusted hereafter on each State and that nothing heretofore done shall strengthen or weaken such Enquiry or Question. Our Province having in some Measure obtained a Satisfaction on those two Heads Nothing now remains but to consider whether the Convention having impowered Us to proceed and inlist for and during the War on the 20. Dollars we can go on the Terms of three Years and the same Bounty being for a less Term and in this Point we are pretty generally agreed to depart from the Letter to preserve the Spirit.2. 24. Novr. 1776 PHILADA. wrote in the Midst of Company 222. OLIVER WOLCOTT TO MRS. WOLCOTT.1 My Dear 3 PHELIDELPA. 24th. Novr. 1776 I have been alone in the Connecticut Delegation since Col Williams went home. Mr Sherman is dayly expected, but I suppose he finds a good deal of Dificullty in Executing his Business which he was employed in by the Colony, with the Army. Unless Col Williams tho't the present times less dificult, than when his Presence here was first tho't to be so Very essential I can assign No Reason why he went off, except what he himself gave, which was that he did not know whether he should do any good if he Staid—a most puzzling Question, and which probably will be a Matter of everlasting Doupt-but the true Reason of his Return was that he did not know of 2 See the Journals, Nov. 21, 23, and nos. 191, 205, 216, 219, 220, ante, 226, 248, post. 3 Rumsey was chosen a delegate to Congress by the convention of Maryland Nov. 10 (see the Journals, Nov. 19), but did not take his seat until Dec. 12 (see his letter of Dec. 19, no. 248, post). He had however been in Philadelphia for more than a month (see no. 191, note 3, ante), in intimate conference with members of Congress. This letter is therefore essentially, even if not technically, that of a member of Congress. [222]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, vol. II., no. 22. any particular personal or Family Interest to induce him to tarry longer." 223. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO SAMUEL PURVIANCE, JR.1 PHILADELPHIA, 24th Novr. 1776 Dear Sir, Very long before your recommendation of Mr. Plunket came to hand, a Capt. Disney had been appointed Capt. of Marines on board the Virginia, upon the recommendation of Mr. Stone. The Congress have determined to build in Maryland two frigates of 36 guns each, and I make no doubt but that one at least of these will be built at Baltimore. I suppose, when the committee meets on next Tuesday that directions concerning the building the new ships will issue to the respective States. Not a word has been yet said in Congress touching a quarrel with Portugal, nor will any such thing happen, I imagine, unless they should confiscate any of our Vessels.*. If the Tories do not mend their manners, be more modest, and less noisy, they will shortly be haled over the coals in such a manner as will make the country too hot to hold them.. 224. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO [JOSEPH TRUMBULL?].1 PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 26, 1776 The late Events at New York relative to Forts Washington and Lee must be known before this reaches you; I wish they may be forgot, as there appeared to me Want of Generalship. I have the pleasure to alleviate this by informing you that the Disposition of the Court of France is exceedingly favorable; such proofs were given of this so long ago as 2 In his letter to Wolcott, Aug. 12 (no. 73, ante; paragraph omitted there), Williams expresses the wish that there had been no call for his attendance, "at such a Season especially", and requests Wolcott to relieve him by the end of September or earlier. Wolcott wrote to his wife, Oct. 8: "Mr. Sherman goes home for a short visit upon his Return Mr. Williams will probably go home. I shall likely continue here till the Expiration of my Delegation." (Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, II. 20.) Nov. 12, he wrote: This goes by Col. Williams who is returning home. Mr. Huntington and Mr. Sherman have been absent some time the latter is dayly expected back." (Ibid., II. 24.) Cf. no. 162, ante. Dec. 5, he wrote: "No Delegates are yet come from Connecticut tho I am informed Mr. Huntington will soon return." (Wolcott Papers, II. 26.) Cf. no. 215, ante, 244, 260, post. [223] Md. Hist. Soc., Portfolio No. 8 (1); Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 225; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 826; Purviance, Baltimore in the Revolution, p. 206. 2 Presumably David Plunkett, lieutenant in Smallwood's Maryland regiment. 3 James Disney was made captain, July 13, in the 3d Maryland battalion of the flying camp. See Arch. of Md., XII. 170, and passim; also Heitman, Hist. Reg. 4 See no. 211, note 9, ante. [224]1 Copied from the original then in the possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia. The contents of the letter point to Joseph Trumbull as the person to whom it was written. Moreover, Gerry speaks, in his letter of Dec. 7 (no. 239, post), of a letter of Nov. 26 to Trumbull. June last, (but lately discovered to Congress) as were not expected; I am not at Liberty to say more on this Matter at present.2 Sir, 225. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADA. Novr. 26th. 1776. The Congress have ordered General Mifflin to stay in this City, until you shall require his Attendance at Head Quarters, being well convinced that his Influence, which is very considerable over the Associators of this Place, will be employed to spirit them on to the most vigorous Measures.2 226. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 PHILADELPHIA. Nov. 26th. 1776 Tuesday Morning Gentlemen. In my last I expressed some Hopes of prevailing on Congress to give our State some Satisfaction as to the back Lands, and the Mode by which 2 The favorable disposition of the court of France had for some time been known to the committee of secret correspondence (see, for instance, the committee's memorandum of Oct. 1, no. 153, ante), but precisely when their information was disclosed to Congress is not evident. Some such disclosure was made the latter part of August, probably through a letter of William Bingham, agent at Martinique (see nos. 97, 136, ante). Doubtless even prior to this the committee had received the letters of Dumas and Arthur Lee, together with their correspondence with Beaumarchais, written in April, May, and June (see Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 85, 90, 95 et seq.). The first of Deane's letters of which the Journals make definite record is that of Oct. 1 (ibid., II. 153), which was read in Congress Dec. 21; but earlier letters, not only of Deane, but also of Dumas, Arthur Lee, and Beaumarchais, had been received by the committee. It is not, however, apparent just when Deane's letter of Aug. 18 (ibid., II. 112) was received, but it was after Oct. 1 (see the committee to Deane, Oct. 1, ibid., II. 157). [225]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 31; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 852. 2 See the Journals, Nov. 25. Mifflin wrote to Washington, Nov. 26: ... I came into this town at eight o'clock Sunday evening, and waited on Mr. Hancock with your letter immediately after my arrival. Yesterday morning I was admitted to Congress, in general committee, and went as far in my relation of the wretched appointments of the Army, the dangerous and critical situation of the Jerseys and Pennsylvania, and the necessity of immediate vigorous exertions to oppose Mr. Howe, as their sensibility and my own delicacy would justify. After some debate, a requisition was made to the Assembly now sitting, and Council of Safety of Pennsylvania, of their whole Militia; and resolutions formed for the purpose of establishing wholesome and necessary regulations for this and the next campaign. "I received orders from Congress to remain in this town until your Excellency judged it necessary for me to join the Army. Those orders were in consequence of the divided and lethargic state of my countrymen, who appeared to be slumbering under the shade of peace, and in the full enjoyment of the sweets of commerce. "In the afternoon I waited on the Committee of Safety, and with much success addressed their passions. The Assembly are to meet this morning. Their lesson is prepared by the Committee of Safety and some of their leading members, who say matters will now go on well. "It is proposed to call on every man in the State to turn out. Such as refuse are to be fined five pounds per month, the fines to be distributed among those who inlist. "To-morrow the city Militia is to be reviewed. If they appear in such numbers as we expect, I am to give them a talk well seasoned. "Mifflin's letter is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 852. What purports to be his address to the Pennsylvania associators is ibid., III. 890. [226]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 55; Arch. of Md., XII. 481; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 853. the Proportion of the Expenses of the War was to be paid by each State. In this expectation I was delayed and disappointed for two Days, by Mr. Jenifers mentioning that our Commissioners had your orders to proceed. by an obstinate perseverance the enclosed Resolve was obtained last Saturday; on Sunday afternoon our Commissioners left this City. on yesterday the Commissioners from Congress, of which Mr. Paca is one, also sett off for the camps. much depends on their Success.2 In this State it is proposed to call out all the Militia of four Countys and this city immediately for six weeks. Chester, Bucks, Northampton and Philadelphia counties are the nearest to the Jerseys, and it is also proposed to call out a Company of volunteers from each Battalion in this State to enroll 'till 10th March next. The preservation of this State and the Jerseys, and in great measure, the common Safety will depend on the success of this Requisition.3 New Jersey is also called on for aid, and Delaware is solicited, and if our State could afford any assistance in time, an application would also be made to her.* If the present cloud should be happily dispersed, the new Levies will be the first object of your attention. We can neither prosecute the war nor obtain honorable Terms of peace without an Army. The inlistment will be only for three years, on the bounty of 20 dollars, and the annual clothing, or the 20 dollars in lieu thereof, by the resolves of Congress." I am informed, that the recruiting officers are entitled to 10/ for each man inlisted and passed, and 10/ per week for provisions, till the Recruits arrive at some place where they can be furnished by the Continental Commissaries.. Sir, 227. OLIVER WOLCOTT TO TIMOTHY EDWARDS.1 PHELEDELPHIA 29th. Novr 1776 I should probably have Attended with you at the Indian Conferance in July had my Health permitted. . Congress does not allow the Commissioners any Thing more than their Expences. for my Service I intend to Apply to our Assembly for pay, which I hope they will allow, for as the Commissioners are almost from every State I do not know why they may not be paid by them; Any 2 See nos. 191, 205, 216, 219-221, ante, 248, post. 3 See the resolutions in the Journals, Nov. 25, and cf. the resolutions of the committee (of which Chase was a member), appointed Nov. 23, in the Journals, under Nov. 23 (p. 975 n.). See also no. 218, note 3, ante. A letter from the committee mentioned in note 3, above, to George Read, Nov. 25, asking assistance from Delaware, is in Read, Life of Read, p. 216; also in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 837. See also McKinley to Read, Dec. 4 (two letters), Life of Read, pp. 217, 218. Cf. the Journals, Dec. 3, 5, 9. 5 The particular resolves alluded to are of Sept. 16, Oct. 8, and Nov. 21. Cf. no. 219, ante. 6 See the Journals, Oct. 12, 1775, Jan. 17, 1776; cf. ibid., Feb. 6, May 10, Oct. 16, Dec. 27. See also no. 228, note 2, post. [227] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll, no. 1570, Declaration of Independence. 2 Wolcott and Edwards were two of the five commissioners of Indian affairs in the Northern department. Wolcott was chosen July 13, Edwards Nov. 24, 1775. |