My dear Sir, 332. WILLIAM HOOPER TO ROBERT MORRIS.1 BALTIMORE February 1. 1777 I lament, my dear Sir, the very small representation which America presents in Congress the members will soon be reduced to the number of 22,2 how unequal to the importance of its councils! I am sorry to say that I think they already savour of the truth of an Observation contrasted to that in holy Writ. That in the Multitude of Counsellors there is wisdom. Some of the middle and Southern colonies have much to answer for in their want of representation. It is a Crime however which carries its own punishment with it, and if there are two Interests in America, that must necessarily prevail which always has its advocates on the spot to promote it, while the other is deserted by those whom every tie of honour, Duty and publick virtue should induce to a different conduct. New York Delaware, Maryland may almost as well desert the Cause as so lamely support it by their appearance in its publick Councils.. . . . I wish some expedient could be fallen upon to put our monied matters in a proper train the demands upon us at present are immense and must continue so, like beginners in every thing else we want Oeconomy or rather want System. Unless officers are appointed competent to the management of our funds we must be ruined, from a false parsimony in saving hundreds in salaries of proper Officers we are sporting away millions in the want of them. I wish the Loan Office may suceed at 4 p Cent the Southern Colonies will not consent to raise it they consider the Eastern Governments as in possession of almost all the Continental currency, and the rise to 5 as only a prelude to a higher demand and that in proportion to our necessities.*. Sir 333. THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO BALTIMORE IN MARYLAND Ist. Feby. 1777 As we shall write you shortly again our attention at present will be confined chiefly to your favor of Decemr. 6th. 1776, in which you mention the misconduct of Captn. Patterson. We have laid your letter before Congress, and they have appointed a Committee to consider the most proper [332] Stan. V. Henkels, Catalogue, no. 1183, item 32 (facsimile); N. Y. Hist. Soc., Collections: Revolutionary Papers, I. 415; Hist. Mag., XIV. 87. 2 In the earlier part of this letter Hooper says, after speaking of a recent severe illness: "I am now recovering, and God willing propose moving southward in a few days. Nelson by advice of a Physician goes to morrow. He is in a bad state of Health. Harrison is still ill and unless he is more attentive to Exercise and Regimen I fear the consequences will be serious. With one united voice we ascribe this catalogue of Ills to this place. I declare to you the Congress presents such a scene of yellow death like faces, that you would imagine Rhadamanthus had shifted his quarters and was holding court in Baltimore." Cf. nos. 260, 262, 282, 295, 304, ante, 340, 344, note 2, post. In the passage omitted Hooper discusses the Pennsylvania delegation, characterizing in particular Wilson and Ross, with some comment upon the course of John Dickinson. 4 See no. 326, note 8, ante. [333] Collection of the late Garrett D. W. Vroom, Trenton; Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 256; Sparks, Dipl. Corr. Rev., I. 255. steps to be taken in this business, that speedy and condign punishment may be applied to Capn. Patterson, when his crime shall be duly enquired into and established -The Congress having an utter abhorrence of all irregular and culpable violation of the law of nations, and that friendship and respect, which they entertain for the French Nation. We wish, you would communicate this to their Excellencies the Governor and General of Martinique-Congress has referred the matter of remittance for discharge of the obligation you and Mr. Harrison have entered into, to the State of Maryland, from whence you will no doubt receive remittance as soon as the British Ships of War now in Chesapeake Bay will permit. My dear Sir, Your most obedt. hume. Servts. BENJA. HARRISON WILL HOOPER ROBT MORRIS, at Philada. 334. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN.1 BALTIMORE Feb. 1, 1777. The Proceedings of the Committee of the four New England States have been read in Congress and are now under the Consideration of a Committee of the whole. They are much applauded as being wise and salutary.2 P. S. I forgot to tell you that, a fair Occasion offering, I moved in Congress that the Eldest son of our deceasd Friend Genl. Warren might be adopted by the Continent and educated at the publick expense. The Motion was pleasing to all and a Committee is appointed to prepare a Resolve. A Monument is also proposd in Memory of him and Genl. Mercer whose youngest Son is also to be adopted and educated. But these things I would not have yet made publick.3 335. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE MARYLAND ASSEMBLY.1 Gentlemen, BALTIMORE, Feb'y. 1st, 1777. In Consequence of Information that a Number of disaffected People in the Counties of Somerset and Worcester in the State of Maryland had 2 Capt. William Patterson of the schooner Dolphin captured and detained, near St. Pierre, Martinique, an English vessel bearing a flag of truce from the governor of Dominica to the general of Martinique. See Arch. of Md., XVI. 121, 122, 127-128, 136, 151. See also the Journals, Jan. 28, no. 322, ante, and no. 338, post. Bingham's letter of Dec. 6 has not been found. [334]1 Warren-Adams Letters, I. 286; Writings of Samuel Adams (ed. Cushing), III. 350. 2 See no. 323, note 2, ante. 3 See the Journals, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, Apr. 8, 12, and no. 411, post. Adams also mentions his motion in a letter to his wife, Feb. 1, adding: "Communicate this only to a few Friends till you hear further of it." N. Y. Pub. Library, Samuel Adams Papers. [335] 'Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 134; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., f. 127. proceeded such Lengths, as to take up Arms agt. their Country, I am directed by Congress to transmit to you a Memorial from the Inhabitants of those Counties, together with the Depositions which accompanied the same. The dangerous Nature and Tendency of this Insurrection, require that the most vigorous and effectual Measures be immediately taken to suppress it. I am therefore to request you will comply with the enclosed Resolves of Congress for this End. Should the Exertions of your Militia be apprehended to be ineffectual, the Congress on your representing the Matter to them, will readily order any additional Assistance that shall be thought necessary.. 336. BENJAMIN RUSH, DIARY.1 [February 4, 1777.] Upon Motion in Congress whether the meeting held by the four New Engd States by deputies at Providence Decemr 25 1776 was a proper one and whether it did not stand in need of the Approbation of Congress to make it valid. It was said by Mr Saml Adams. That a right to assemble upon all occasions to consult measures for promoting liberty and happiness was the priviledge of freemen-that it was contested by Govr Hutchinson and that it was dreaded only by tyrants. Mr Richd Henry Lee. It was said on the same side of the question that we were not yet confederated-therefore no law of the Union infringed. Col: Wilson on the negative said that the design in the committee of the 4 New England States in sending their proceedings to Congress was to demand their approbation That the same was clearly intimated by the tenor of the appointments from Rhode Island and Connecticut-that the committee had commanded, and countermanded continental troops-that the said troops were to be paid by the continent-therefore that the business the Committee transacted was wholly continental and of course required the approbation of Congress. Mr John Adams said that he lately travelled thro' New Engd and that he was sure that the approbation of the Congress of the meeting would give pleasure to the committee and their constitutents. That their meeting was founded in necessity, that Altho' we were not confederated the same principles of equity and reason should govern us as if we were united by a confederacy-that the four New England States bore the same relation to the Congress that four counties bore to a single State. These four counties have a right to meet to regulate roads, and affairs that relate to the poor, but they have no right to tax or execute any other branch of legislation. In like manner the four New Engd States, or any other four 2 See Arch. of Md., XVI. 109-112, and passim (index, Somerset County, Worcester County); also the Journals, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 4, 6, 10, 12, 17, and nos. 341, 347, 443, 463, post. [336] Library Company of Philadelphia, Ridgway Branch, Rush MSS. States have a right to meet upon matters wholly indifferent, but they have no right to touch upon Continental Subjects-that the committee from the 4 New Engd States have touched upon continental Subjects, therefore the Meeting stands in need of the Approbation of the Congress. Dr Rush. The desire of independance is natural not only to individuals but to communities. There was a time (near 200 years) when it was wrong to say a word agst. the dependance of the colonies upon Great Britain. A time came when it was equally criminal to enforce that dependance. The time may come and probably will come when it will be the interest of the united States to be independant of each other, but I can conceive of no temporal punishment to be severe eno' for that man who attempts to dissolve, or weaken the Union for a century or two to come. I admire the proceedings of the committee assembled at Providence. They are full of political virtue and wisdom, and I think the other States will act wisely and virtuously in proportion as they resemble them. But I think the Meeting is full of great and interesting consequences, and should be regarded with a serious and jealous eye. Their business was chiefly continental, and therefore they usurped the powers of congress as much as four counties would usurp the powers of legislation in a state shd. they attempt to tax themselves. The committee have in one instance in regulating the price of goods counterved [contravened?] an express resolution of congress, and lastly tho' the meeting was necessary and no injustice intended or done by it to any state, yet it becomes us to remember that arbitrary power has often originated in justice and necessity. This question was decided by a majority in the Committee of the Whole house in the affirmative, but in the negative a few days afterwards. It was reconsidered Feby 13rd." Sir: 337. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1 BALTIMORE Feb'y 4th 1777. I intend hereafter to trouble you with a letter every post, and shall give my sentiments of the different political principles which I shall perceive to actuate the several States, the measures intended to be pursued, the intelligence we receive and the important decisions in Congress. I find a considerable jealously is entertained of the Northern States, I know not how justly. at present I must refer you to Mr. Hooper who is much better qualified to give you satisfaction on all these matters than I am. Our situation here is unsettled, uncomfortable, and incredibly expensive. These circumstances will I doubt not occasion another adjournment of Congress. Feb'y 5th 2-This day it was resolved in Congress that Col. Nash should be appointed a Brigadier General, that he should proceed to the 2 See no. 355, post; also the references in no. 323, note 2, ante. [337] N. C. State Recs., XI. 373. Feb. 4. 2 This letter, found ibid., p. 374, is evidently only an addition to the letter of See no. 359, post. Western part of the State, and expedite as much as possible the recruiting service, and that the several Battalions of Continental Troops in North and South Carolina should join General Washington as soon as may be after the fifteenth of March. It was proposed to request your assistance in forwarding the recruiting business, but we observed that you were already sensible of the necessity of such an exertion of your interest and influence, and being so well inclined to serve to your utmost power the cause of America, there is no need to remind you of it.3. 338. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 BALTIMORE TOWN Febry. 6. 1777 Thursday Noon Gentlemen. Congress are very anxious that some immediate Steps should be taken by our State, not only as to the person of Captain Patterson, but as to the Payment of the Engagement entered into by the Continental and your Agent. Capt. Patterson is viewed as a pirate and after examination, if the facts should appear to you to be well founded, it may be well to consider, if it would not be proper to send him to Martinico for trial there, by the law of nations. If our State shall pay the value of the vessel and goods seised by Patterson, would it not be proper to inform the Governor of Martinique that the whole would have been returned, but for the Risque. If no remittance can be made but by produce, it will be an equal risque to send back the vessel. Could not Mr. Morris pay the money for our State? An opportunity of writing will present itself in a few days. Would it not be proper for our State to write a letter, disavowing the conduct of Capt. Patterson, and engaging payment as soon as possible and mentioning the men of war in our Bay, which may delay the remittance.2 I must again repeat the necessity of a Representation.3 Sir, 339. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO BALTIMORE Feby. 6th 1777. This will be delivered to you by Mr. Burke 2 from the Island of Jamaica a Gentleman of Spirit, and well affected to the American Cause, who had applied to Congress to be taken into the Service of these States. They have directed that his Application be referred to you, that you may do therein as you shall think proper. The Congress have received very 3 Cf. the Journals. [338]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 87; Arch. of Md., XVI. 122. 2 See nos. 322, 333, ante. 8 See no. 327, ante. [339]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 86. 2 Bartholomew Burke. See the Journals, Jan. 22, 30, Feb. 4, Apr. 7. The draft, dated Mar. 4, of Washington's authority and instructions to Captain Burke to raise a company is in the Washington MSS., as is also a letter of introduction from Robert Morris, dated Feb. 14. |