nothing but the Congress Trade, and that I think has been as well managed as it could be.". 274. THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO THE Gentlemen COMMISSIONERS AT PARIS.1 BALTIMORE 30 Decemr. 1776. Upon mature deliberation of all circumstances Congress deem the speedy declaration of France and European Assistance so indispensibly necessary to secure the Independence of these States, that they have authorized you to make such tenders to France and Spain, as they hope, will prevent any longer delay of an event, that is judged so essential to the well-being of North America. Your wisdom we know, will direct you to make such use of these powers, as will procure the thing desired on terms as much short of the concessions now offered as possible; but no advantages of this kind are proposed at the risk of a delay, that may prove dangerous to the end in view. it must be very obvious to the Court of France, that, if Great Britain should succeed in her design of subjugating these States, their Inhabitants, now well trained to arms might be compelled to become Instruments for making conquest of the French Possessions in the West Indies, which would be a sad contrast to that security and commercial benefit, that would result from the independence of North America.2 The next oportunity will bring you the determination of Congress concerning the persons, that are to be sent to the Courts of Vienna, Prussia, Spain and the Grand Duke of Tuscany. In the meantime, it is hoped, that, through the medium of the Ambassadors from those Courts to that of France, you may be so fortunate, as to procure their friendly mediation for the purposes proposed by Congress.3 Wishing you health, success, and many happy years we remain Honble. Gentlemen Your most Obedt. and very Hume. Servts. 3 See nos. 272, ante, 298, post. BENJA. HARRISON RICHARD HENRY LEE WILL HOOPER ROBT MORRIS, at Philada. [274]1 Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll., Signers, II. 9; Am. Phil. Soc., Lee Papers, vol. I., p. 259, no. 75 (draft); Haverford College, Roberts Coll., 720 (duplicate); Washington, Department of State (draft); Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 240; Sparks, Dipl. Čorr. Rev., I. 246; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1480; Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 241 (printed from the draft in Am. Phil. Soc.). 2 See the resolves in the Journals, Dec. 30. Cf. the several letters of Silas Deane in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. Robert Morris wrote to John Jay, Sept. 23: "It appears clear to me that we may very soon involve all Europe in a War by managing properly the apparent forwardness of the Court of France; it's a horrid consideration that our own Safety should call on us to involve other nations in the Calamities of War. Can this be morally right or have Morality and Policy nothing to do with each other? Perhaps it may not be good Policy to investigate the Question at this time." Correspondence of Jay, I. 84. 3 See the Journals, Dec. 27, 30; also (1777), Jan. 1, May 1, 7, 9, 12, 19, 31, June 4, 5, 27, 28, July 1. Cf. no. 284, post. 275. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOSIAH BARTLETT.1 My dear Sir BALTIMORE 31st Decr. 1776 By a circular letter from the President you'll see that the Genl. is vested with almost Dictatorial Powers this Measure was thot absolutely necessary for the Salvation of America. there is also measures. taken (which I hope will be effectual) to prevent the abuses suffered by the Soldiers last Campaign. I am in no doubt that the greviences so justly Complain'd off in every department will be redressed so far as is possible, and the Causes of them removed. 276. THE COMMITTEE IN PHILADELPHIA TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 PHILADA. Decembr. 31st, 1776 Sir We have the honor to enclose herein sundry resolves of Congress just received from Baltimore by express. We have barely taken time to read them over and finding them so important we wou'd not delay the express one moment. We find by these resolves your Excellencys hands will be strengthened with very ample Powers and a new reformation of the army seems to have its origin therein. happy it is for this Country that the General of their Forces can safely be entrusted with the most unlimited Power and neither personal security, liberty or property be in the least degree endangered thereby. We shall loose no time in executing the matters assigned to us by these resolves and are most truly Your Excellencys obt Servts ROBT MORRIS GEO CLYMER [275]1 Library of J. Pierpont Morgan, Signers of the Declaration, I. 2 See the Journals, Dec. 27 and 30. Cf. nos. 268, 273, ante, 276, 277, post. The President's circular letter is printed in the Journals (ed. Ford) under Dec. 30, from a copy in the Library of Congress. It is also printed, with note showing some variations of the letter as sent to the different states, in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1478. The letter to Massachusetts is in Mass. Arch., vol. CXCVI., f. 85; to Maryland, in Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, VI. 61 (printed in Scharf, Chron. of Baltimore, p. 155); to New Jersey, in N. J. State Lib. (printed, except a postscript, in N. J. Rev. Corr., p. 21). The letter to New York is printed in Jour. Prov. Cong., I. 770, II. 382. [276]1 Library of Congress, Washington Papers; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1510. 2 Cf. nos. 268, 273, 275, ante, 277, 284, 426, post. "General Washington must be invested with dictatorial power for a few months, or we are undone. The vis inertiae of the Congress has almost ruined this country.” Benjamin Rush to Richard Henry Lee, Dec. 30, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1487. Sir 277. WILLIAM ELLERY TO THE Governor OF RHODE ISLAND BALTIMORE, December 31st, 1776. I received your Letter of the 30th of November 2 and laid it before Congress, and took particular Notice of the very weak Condition of our State. Congress are sensible of its Situation; but as they have by a late resolve, which the President will by this Express transmit to you, with a circular Letter in which the Reasons for their Doings are contained, delegated to and invested Genl. Washington with the whole military Power for a limited Time, Application will properly be made to him in every Instance which respects the military Department. With Regard to the other Parts of your Letter, which were ordered to be laid before Congress, as they required no particular Observations none were made upon them either by Congress or Me. .. Among other things that fell into our Hands by the Victory at Trenton, were four Standards, One of which is now in the Room where the Congress is held, and directly before Me. It is an Hessian Silken Standard. My dear Sir 278. WILLIAM HOOPER TO ROBERT MORRIS.1 Hewes no doubt in his letter to you mentions a second piracy committed upon his property at Sea. I shall remonstrate in the firmest tone to Congress against this procedure and if they will not bring the offender to Justice I have no business here. Pray write such a letter to me upon the Subject as I may make use of in Congress to assist our much injured friend? BALTIMORE Decr. 31, 1776 Sir, 279. THOMAS NELSON, JR., TO HORATIO GATES.1 BALTIMORE Decr. 31st 1776 2 Being one of a Committee appointed by Congress to prepare a plan for establishing a Board of War and Ordnance, and not having a thorough knowledge of the Duties of these Boards, I have taken the Liberty to [277]1 R. I. Arch., Letters to the Governors, 1776-1777, p. 82; Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 113; R. I. Col. Recs., VIII. 170; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1506. 2 Cooke's letter to Ellery, Nov. 30, is in Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 101. Just when the letter was laid before Congress does not appear from the Journals. 3 See the Journals, Dec. 27, and nos. 268, 273, 275, 276, ante, 284, 426, post. [278] Hist. Soc. of Pa., Etting Coll., Signers, p. 43. 2 In a letter to Hewes, Jan. 1, 1777 (no. 282, post), Hooper says: "I laid your letter relative [to] the capture of the Brig Joseph before the Congress." This is evidently the "letter from Mr. Hughes" mentioned in the Journals Dec. 31. See also no. 358, post. [279] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, VII.; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1506. 2 See the Journals, Dec. 26; also no. 298, note 7, post. See also Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1509, and Hancock to Schuyler, Dec. 30, ibid., III. 1477. request the favour of you, when your health will permit, to furnish me with such a plan as you shall think best adapted to answer the designs of Congress. My not having the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you, will, I hope, be a sufficient appology for my addressing you by Letter. I am Sir, Your obedt hle servt THOS NELSON, JR. Το Major-General Gates. 280. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO WILLIAM SHIPPEN.1 My Dear Sir, BALTIMORE ISt. January 1776 [1777] The removal from Philadelphia was not a measure of mine, but had my hearty disapprobation so long as disapproving availed anything; but when go they would, I endeavored to put the best face on it.2. My dear Sir 281. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOSEPH HAWLEY.' BALTIMORE I Jany 1777 The adjournment of Congress to this place I confess gave me pain, but the air is so much more exhilirating that some capital Measures touching our Foreign Affairs have been taken which I think will be very serviceable, and I hope it on the whole will prove serviceable.2. P. S. The Tories must be exported; Bonds will not answer the purpose, prisons We have not a Sufficiency, and they are not worth hanging. I observe in a very good Act of yours the Word "Colony " is again used, does it not look like Diffidence in your Right to the Terms of an "Independant State"? 282. WILLIAM HOOPER TO JOSEPH HEWES.1 My dear Hewes I was favoured with two letters from you by Capt. Allon. I lament your hard fortune, and unless some measures are immediately taken to prevent the infamous practices of the Privateers, America will soon be in a state of general confusion-One Part warring against another, and the defenceless Southern colonies become a devoted prey to their more. formidable Eastern neighbours. I laid your letter relative [to] the Capture of the Brig Joseph before the congress without any embellishment or reserve. The New England Gentlemen felt the force of the Imputa [280]1 Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 166. 2 Cf. nos. 247, 249, 263, ante, 286, 298, 302, post. [281]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Hawley Papers, II. 2 Cf. no. 280, ante. [282] Furnished by courtesy of Mr. James H. Manning of Albany. 2 The "letter from Mr. Hughes" mentioned in the Journals, Dec. 31. tion but considered it as too general. I have an order that Our President should write the President and Council of Masstts requesting to make an immediate enquiry after the Vessell and the Pirates who have taken her, secure her and them and report immediately to congress. I have also procured a reference of your letter to the marine Committee, who I hope will take some spirited resolves to avenge the Injury done you and to prevent the repetition of such unjustifiable depredations. Morris is not here, but I have requested him in a letter which I wrote him yesterday enclosing yours to correspond with me upon the subject and exert his utmost endeavours to interest Congress in favour of your Application, by a publick epistle to our Honours. This is all which can be done at present, when I hear more particularly from you I shall prosecute every expedient to improve such information to your benefit." The Congress upon Part of G Howes' Army advancing within 9 Miles of Cooper's ferry, by the advice of Mifflin and Putnam removed to this dirty infamous extravagant hole, where with all possible Oeconomy we live at the rate of 50/ per day, Every necessary of life being double what they cost us in Philadelphia. and before we left that everything was enormous.... Yours truly WH BALTIMORE Jany I. 1777 [P. S.] Sir, 283. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 BALTIMORE Jany 1st. 1777. I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours to the 27th Ulto. Your Letter of that Date, containing the very agreeable Intelligence of the Success of the Continental Arms under your Command, was last Night delivered to me by your Aid de Camp Col Baylor, together with the Hessian Standard. I entertain the most pleasing Expectation that our Affairs will henceforth assume a better Complexion. Your Account of the Behaviour and Spirit of the Troops, gave the highest Satisfaction to Congress; and manifests a Disposition which may prove the forerunner of future Success.. 3 From the inclosed Resolve you will perceive Congress have determined, that a Horse, properly caparisoned, be presented to your Aid de 3 No record of such an order is found in the Journals. 4 No. 278, ante. 5 See the Journals, Feb. 4, and no. 358, post. 6 Cf. nos. 260, 262, ante, 295, post. See also nos. 332, note 2, 347, post. [283]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XIII. 3; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 317. 2 Washington's letter of Dec. 27 was read in Congress Dec. 31. It is in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 401. 3 See the Journals, Jan. 1. |