I am sory to find how egregiously you have been represented to the Members of Congress. You have many Enemies. General Gates, did he communicate to you? * I wrote freely to I shall esteem Myself among the Number of your friends, and am S CHASE 27. EDWARD RUTLEDGE TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.1 Dear Livingston, PHILADELPHIA July 20, 1776. I should have answered my friend's obliging favor sooner, had I not thought that he would cheerfully excuse me until I had called the attention of the House effectually to the Support of his country. I trust this is in some measure now done. We have sent off Expresses to the Eastern States and to Maryland with very strong requests and in order to compel the Jerseys to afford a further assistance we have directed (not permitted) General Washington to call into your city from the flying camp 2000 men, judging, I should suppose truly that the people of that colony would not suffer to be overrun, but when convinced that they must contribute to the common cause, they would do it at once.2. . . 28. WILLIAM ELLERY TO EZRA STILES.1 [PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 1776.] Ld. Howe is arrived in the Eagle Man o' War. The Reinforcmt is not arrived and I hope will never arrive. His Ldship sent a Flag o' truce a few days ago with Letters to Gen. Washington directed "to George Washington Esq." which were not received because his proper Title was not given him: since that some others have been sent to him with a similar Superscription and were for the same Reason not received. After this a flag was sent to Amboy with Letters to all the late Governors S° of N. York incloss written Declarations containing his and his brother's (Genl Howe) appointmt as Commissioners to receive the Submission of the Colonies or private Persons and grant Pardons agreeable to the late act of the Brit. Parliament, and a number of Letters principally from Friends in London to Friends here placing the Character of the Howes in the most amiable point of View, and recommending Reconciliation with G. Britain. These Letters were all sent by the commanding Officer at Amboy to G. Washington, and were transmitted by him to Congress, and were opened and read, that part of them, I mean which related to our Affairs. Among the Letters were some to Dr Franklin, one to the Farmer, and one to Mr Stockton. Dr Franklin was not in Congress 4 See his letter to Gates, July 18, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 410. day, I came to Congress with Mr. Carroll", etc. On yester [27] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Livingston Papers, I. 191 (copy of part). when the Letters were bro't in, but was sent for. When he entered, his Letters were delivered to him sealed. He opened them, looked over them, and handed them to the President desiring him to read them. They were according read to Congress and contained much the same Sentiments with those to Friends, as did that to Mr Stockton, who is a Member of Congress, and who was treated and behaved in the same manner that Dr Franklin did. As the Farmer is in the Jersey at the Head of his Battalion, his Letter is kept sealed by the President until he shall return and receive it in Congress.2 The Letters to the late Governors and the Declarations are ordered to be printed to let the People see upon what Terms Reconciliation is proposed to them:-Odi Danaös, etiam Dona ferentes: but when what some People, Tories, may call the Olive-plant is handed to us at the point of the Bayonet, or is hurled to us from the Mouths of Canon, if possible I should more than hate it. The Truth is the Door is shut, and it would now be in vain, to talk of any sort of Alliance with Britain but a Commercial One. We have been driven into a Declara of Independency and must forget our former Love for our British Brethren. The Sword must determine our Quarrel. 29. JAMES WILSON TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS.1 [PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 1776.] Doctor Franklin and I have been favoured with your letter of the 14th instant. At his request I write this answer for him and myself. I believe the Congress have no particular views which they would wish to accomplish at the ensuing Treaty. Their intention and their earnest desire is that Peace and Friendship may be preserved and cultivated between the United States and the Indian Tribes. Presents are the most prevailing arguments that can be used with the Savages for this purpose.2 Dear Sir 30. ROBERT MORRIS TO JOSEPH REED.1 FROM THE HILLS ON SCHUYLKILL I received your obliging letter of the 18th. yesterday in Congress, and shou'd have been tempted to have laid the enclosure immediately before the House, had not a letter from the same person on the same subject and in a similar style addressed to J. Kinsey Esqr of New Jersey, been read in Congress the day before. the Temper of the House was plain and 2 The "Farmer was John Dickinson. 3 See no. 25, ante. [29]1 Henkels, Catalogue, no. 738, item 140 (extract). 2 The commissioners for Indian affairs in the Middle department were Jasper Yeates and John Montgomery, appointed July 4 (Journals, V. 517). See also ibid., July 20. Cf. nos. 60, 70, post. [30] N. Y. Hist. Soc., MSS. of Joseph Reed, IV.; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 467 (dated July 20). you may judge what it was, when I tell you, the only enquiry that letter produced was,? how it got to Mr. Kinseys hands.2 I am sorry to say there are some amongst us that cannot bear the thought of reconciliation on any terms. to these men all propositions of the kind, sound like high Treason against the States and I really believe they wou'd sooner punish a Man for this Crime than for bearing arms against us. I cannot help Condemning this disposition as it must be founded in keen resentment or on interested Views whereas we ought to have the Interest of our Country and the Good of Mankind to Act as the Main Spring in all our Public Conduct. I think with you that if the Commissioners have any propositions to make they ought to be heard. shou'd they disclose powers different from what we imagine them to be Vested with, and an inclination to employ those powers favourably for America, it is our duty to attend to such offers, weigh well the Consequences of every determination we come to and in short to lay aside all prejudices, resentments and sanguine Notions of our own Strength in order that Reason may influence and Wisdom guide our Councils. If the Admiral and General are really desirous of a Conference I think and hope they will address our General properly. this may be expected if they have powers beyond granting pardons; if they have not, it is Idle for them to solicit any intercourse as no good can possibly arise to them or their Cause from it, but on our parts I think good Policy requires that we shou'd hear all they have to say. I am not for making any Sacrifice of Dignity; but still I wou'd hear them if possible, because, if they can offer Peace on admissible terms I believe the great Majority of America wou'd still be for accepting it. If they can only offer Pardons and that is fully ascertained it will firmly Unite all America in their exertions to support the Independence they have declared, and it must be obvious to everybody that our United Efforts will be absolutely necessary this being the case? why shoud we fear to Treat of Peace or to hear the Commissioners on that Subject. if they can offer terms that are advantageous and honorable for this Country, let us meet them, if they cannot, We are not in a situation or temper to ask or receive pardons, and all who 'dont mean to stoop to this Ignominious submission will consequently take up their Arms with a determination to Conquer or die. If they offer or desire a Conference and we reject it, those who are already dissatisfyed will become more so others will follow their example and we may expect daily greater disunion and defection in every part of these States. at least such are my apprehensions on this Subject. I have uniformly Voted against and opposed the declaration of Independance because in my poor oppinion it was an improper time and will neither promote the interest or redound to the honor of America, for it has caused division when we wanted Union, and will be ascribed to very different principles than those, which ought to give rise to such an Important measure. P. S. I will lay the London Letter before Congress tomorrow 2 The letter from Dennis De Berdt, May 3. See nos. 25, 28, ante. 31. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO SAMUEL ADAMS AND JOHN ADAMS.1 KINGS BRIDGE July 21, 1776 Dear Sirs Pray subscribe for me the Declaration of Independence if the same is to be signed as proposed. I think We ought to have the privilege when necessarily absent of voting and signing by proxy.. Sir: 32. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 PHILADELPHIA, July 22, 1776. The bearer, Mr. Joseph Belton, some time since petitioned the Congress for encouragement to destroy the enemy's ships of war by some contrivances of his invention. They came to no resolution on his petition; and, as they appear to have no great opinion of such proposals, it is not easy, in the multiplicity of business before them, to get them to bestow any part of their attention on his request. He is now desirous of trying his hand on the ships that are gone up the North River; and, as he proposes to work entirely at his own expense, and only desires your countenance and permission, I could not refuse his desire of a line of introduction to you, the trouble of which I beg you to excuse. As he appears to be a very ingenious man, I hope his project may be attended with success.2 With the sincerest esteem and respect, I have the honour to be, etc. My Friend: .... 33. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1 PHILADELPHIA, July 22, 1776. Lord Howe's Proclamation has now convinced everybody that no offers are to be made us but absolute submission. I think it very happy for America that Britain has insisted on those terms; for had she proposed a treaty, and offered some concessions, there would have been [31]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers. 2 Cf. the query of Samuel Chase, no. 12, note 4, ante, and see the Journals, July 19, Aug. 2; see also vol. I. of these Letters, p. 530. [32] Works (ed. Smyth), VI. 450; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 496; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 263. 2 In September, 1775, and earlier, Belton had proposed to the Pennsylvania committee of safety to destroy British ships by means of a submarine vessel. See Pa. Arch., first ser., IV. 650, 654. It was only a short time after Belton went to New York on this mission that David Bushnell put his submarine, the American Turtle, to the test in an attempt to destroy the British fleet. An account of this affair is related by David Humphreys in his Life of General Israel Putnam, pp. 123-129. See also Am. Jour. of Science, II. 94; Abbot, The Beginning of Submarine Warfare under Captain-Lieutenant David Bushnell; Fyfe, Submarine Warfare, Past, Present, and Future; and Burgoyne, Submarine Navigation, Past and Present. Cf. no. 64, note 7, post. Nothing further has been learned concerning the outcome of Belton's application to Washington, but it is not improbable that the superiority of Bushnell's scheme effectually forestalled the consideration of that proposed by Belton. Cf. Washington to Jefferson, Sept. 26, 1785, in Writings (ed. Ford), X. 501. Concerning Ephraim Anderson's plans for the destruction of the British fleet by means of fire-ships, see no. 13, ante. See also vol. I. of these Letters, no. 340, note 2. [33]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 496. danger of divisions, or at least of our not acting with unanimity and spirit, as I think will now be the case.2 The Convention here have taken on them the government of this Colony, and have appointed Delegates for Congress, men who will forward, and not hinder, spirited measures. In short, there is a far greater harmony in carrying on spirited measures in Congress than heretofore. The Conventions even of Maryland and New York seem now to be in earnest. The Confederation is now before a Committee of the Whole. By reason of so much other business, it goes on but slowly. When it is laid before our Legislature, brother Whipple expects to be at home, and can inform them of some things they may want to be informed of concerning it. Our Court, I hear, is to sit again the 1st of September. . . 34. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.1 Dear Sir: PHILADELPHIA, July 22, 1776. I have your favour of the 6th instant. In answer to the part of it respecting the commissions, I can only say, I am perpetually dunning the President to send them. If any alteration in the wages of the commission officers, they will be higher; so there can be no difficulty with them. If any are lowered, it will be the mates, midshipmen, coopers, sailmakers, and perhaps some other of the petty officers, and perhaps boatswain, carpenter, and gunner. If the three last are altered, it will be but a trifle say one dollar.2. . I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you so soon as I hoped, as some very important matters are now on the tapis, which I want to hear debated; besides, I would fain have the marine matters settled before I leave this. I therefore think it will be the latter end of August before I shall be able to enjoy that satisfaction which I have flattered myself would be much earlier.. I have Mr. Hancock's promise that the commission and blank warrants shall go off in a day or two by express. The gentlemen are appointed agreeable to your recommendations. There can be no difficulty in their acting, though they have not their commissions, as they will soon have them. . . P. S. The order the Officers stand appointed: Peter Shores First Lieutenant, John Wheelright Second Lieutenant, Josiah Shackford Third 2 See no. 25, ante. "I will likewise send you by this post, Lord Howe's letter and proclamation, which has let the cat out of the bag. These tricks deceive no longer. Gentlemen here, who either were or pretended to be deceived heretofore, now see or pretend to see through such artifices. I apprehend his Lordship is afraid of being attacked upon Staten Island, and is throwing out his barrels to amuse Leviathan, until his reinforcements shall arrive." John Adams to Mrs. Adams, July 20, Familiar Letters, p. 202. 3 See the Journals, July 12, 22, and passim (index, Confederation). Cf. nos. 9, 18, 26, ante, 43, 44, 45, 47, 50, 52, 68, 73, 83-85, 94, post. Cf. nos. 34, 83, 94, post. [34] Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 497. 2 Cf. the Journals, Dec. 9, 1775, and Nov. 15, 1776. 3 See no. 33, ante. * See the Journals, July 22. |