I must do General Wolcott the Justice to say that his not Complying with your request in your letter of the 16th of November sooner was not from any disposition to treat it with neglect, for he seemed really concerned to have the matter accomplished, but he was left alone, and the Congress moved from Philadelphia to Baltimore about the time he received the letter which necessarily occasioned the delay.

I shall always take pleasure in rendering you any service in my power, and especially when it will promote the public good. I am Sir due regards Your humble Servant

I forgot to mention in my last the affair of the cannon which Congress requested the loan of; 2 some gentlemen seemed much surprized at the prices of 70 and 80 pounds per ton, as some had been purchased and more engaged here at £40 this currency per ton. I understand the Salisbury cannon are not so heavy as these; therefore the difference of price is not so great as was imagined. When it was proposed to borrow them, we represented that they were wanted for the defence of the State of Connecticut, and if lent others must be immediately provided in their stead, therefore we conceived Congress would not think such a requisition reasonable, but lest giving so high a price should make a bad precedent and raise the price here, it was resolved to apply to borrow them. We gave as a reason why they could not be afforded cheaper, that the furnace was rebuilt and put in blast at a great expence for the purpose of casting some cannon for the use of that State, the scarcity of wood, the high price of coal and the distance it was carted, etc.

414. DANIEL ROBERDEAU TO THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND
(THOMAS JOHNSON, JR.).1

Being a Committee of Congress appointed to confer with Major General Greene now in this city, we find it is General Washington's settled opinion that Genl. Howe may suddenly attempt to gain this Capital. We wish that the new levies in your State may be forwarded with the utmost expedition possible: so that they may either join our troops already in the Jersies, or at least be at hand to arrrest the enemy at the Delaware, in the supposed attempt to pass it. . . .

PHILADA. March 22d 1777.

[413] Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., II. 35; Mass. Hist. Soc., C 81 A 6 (draft).

2 See the Journals, Feb. 12. Cf. ibid., Nov. 28, Dec. 23, 29, 1776.

[414] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IX. 11; Arch. of Md., XVI. 187.

2 See the Journals, Mar. 13, 20, 21 (pp. 189, 191), 24, Apr. 2, 4.

415. JAMES LOVELL TO JOHN TRUMBULL.1

J. Trumbull Esqr;

Sir:

March 22d [1777.]

I wrote you a few Lines, by Mr Bates, in regard to yr. manner of returning your Commission. I was not aware of some circumstances, attending your appointment, which have upon this occasion been canvassed. I shall not accurately enter upon any discussion, of the propriety or Impropriety of your resignation; I shall only, as an affectionate friend, give you this early Intelligence of a number of facts, which will enable you to make a final Determination in this Matter.

3

The Commissions of several Inclos'd in Letters of less apparent resentment than your's had been readily admitted for resignation. some very cutting resolutions had been made, on insolent passages of the late Letters of S-r, especially on those parts which called for stigmas on you or your Brother. Immediately your Letter is open'd, and by your friends committed, instead of the resignation being instantly accepted; a favourable report was made, but overuled by a motion to postpone the consideration. Upon this GG-————————— G sent in a recommendatory letter, explaining the circumstances of your appointment. But this would not do; Congress are highly piqu'd at the style and manner of your demand, in a Case which will appear to you now, in the line of favour, and not of strict right. You are to know, that G————————— G▬▬▬▬▬▬▬'s power was in Canada, so that your appointment before his entrance there, was not strictly proper. Whether your first Commission was dated after any formal Debate upon this point, I cannot say, but that, and the late one are of one Date, founded on your nomination in Congress," I suppose. Every Member is entirely willing to accord you a Commission agreeable to the Date you expect; but they are as determin'd on the other Hand, to lose, even your acknowledg'd abilities, if they do not receive a Different Request from what is now before them.

5

You were certainly unacquainted with the Criticisms which may take place on G————— G▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬s power of appointment out of Canada. You are also unacquainted with the provocations which have been given to Congress for attention to the Style of the Letters of their officers, prior to the Receipt of your's. Gen: GGen: G is attach'd to you, the Congress admit your Merit; and, while they are dispos'd to give you a Rank which

[415] Conn. Hist. Soc., Papers of Jonathan Trumbull, Commercial (copy); L. I. Hist. Soc., Laurens Papers (copy); S. C. Hist. Soc., vol. of copies, p. 263; Hist. Mag., I. 290.

2 Schuyler. See the resolves, Mar. 15; cf. no. 410, ante.

3 General Gates.

4 See the Journals, Mar. 14, 19, 20.

5 See the Journals, June 17, July 8, 1776; also nos. 6, 18, 75, ante.

Trumbull's appointment by Gates was June 28, 1776; his election by Congress was Sept. 12. See nos. 123, 124, ante.

shall save you from any appearance of demerit, they think that you yourself will Judge the Commission more valuable for proceeding from a body attentive to their own Honour.

No Time will be lost by this Accident, if you Determine to procure the Commission, by the Method I shall take the freedom to point out; because you may go on to act, from an absolute certainty to receive it, by the first Opportunity, after your Letter shall arrive here.

To the Hone J: H: Esqr etc.7

Sir:

Since I address'd a Letter to yr: Honour from Providence, enclosing my Commission, I have been led to find I was mistaken in the Apprehension that my Appointment to the office of De. A. Genl.—on the 28th of June, from which time I have acted, was so much in the usual manner, as to render my Commission bearing an after Date, a decisive Degradation, when compared with usual practice; but, the same desire of serving my Country in the most effectual Manner, which had govern'd all my actions, in the course of my Adjutancy, since the day of my first Appointment, leads me to be anxious that I may not be under any appearances of Disgrace, from any circumstance in my Commission as this would lessen the Efficacy of my most vigorous Exertions. Therefore I entreat your Honor would move the Honble Congress to favor me with a Commission consonant in Date to my Appointment from Genl. Gates; assuring them of my Zeal for the Service of the United States, and of the greatest Respect for their Body.

I am
Hone Sir, etc.

I do not affect to point out a verbal exact model for you. It is the tenor only. With something similar you may be assur'd of an instant complyance here; The Delay therefore depends on yourself. I hope you will make none 8

I am etc etc.

J: LOVELL.

7 Lovell is suggesting to John Trumbull that he write a letter of this character to President Hancock.

66

8 Cf. no. 419, post, and see the Journals, Apr. 19. The file of letters in the Jonathan Trumbull Papers, from which this letter is taken, is endorsed by John Trumbull: Copy of Letters, to and from Congress and Mr. Lovell on the Subject of my Resignation." The letters extend in date from Feb. 22 to Apr. 6. Among them is that mentioned in the beginning of this letter. It is dated Mar. 16. Affixed to the file is the following memorandum, in the writing of James Lovell:

"After Mr. Lovell recd the last Letter before mentioned, some Member moved that it should be refferred to Genl Gates to fill his place On which Dr. Witherspoon rose and said he had no objection, in case he was restrained from re-appointing Mr. Trumbull. On which some Person replyed that there was no Danger of that young Gentleman's Spirit stooping to accept that office now." Cf. no. 466, post. The group of letters is printed in Hist. Mag., I. 289-292.

416. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.1

My Dear Sir,

PHILADELPHIA 24th. March 1777

We have been in great want of arms to put in the hands of the new levies and were this day considering of means to obtain them, when in the midst of debate on that subject, news were brought us that 11,000 stand and a number of locks was that minute arrived; this is the most lucky circumstance that could have happened. This vessel is from Nantz and had a long passage. She brings no public news nor have I yet heard of any private.2

Dear Sir,

417. JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN.1

PHILADELPHIA, March 24, 1777.

This Morning a Vessell has arrived in this City with 6800 stand of excellent Arms and 1500 Gun Locks, belonging to Congress, and 1500 more private Property. These last We have ordered to be bought.

This News you may depend on. The Letters were brought into Congress, in the Midst of a Debate concerning a Resolution to impower the General to procure Arms wherever he could find them."

Thus it is. On how many Occasions when We have been unable to see any way to help ourselves has Providence sent Us an unexpected Relief! Thus it has been, and thus it will be. I am, etc.,

Sir,

JOHN ADAMS

418. THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO THE

COMMISSIONERS IN PARIS.1

PHILADELPHIA March 25, 1777

We are commanded by Congress to transmit Copies of their Resolve of the 13 instant to all the Gentlemen abroad that hold correspondance with any of their Committees The Necessity of such a resolution and due attention to it, is fully evinced by the heavy expence america has been put to by many Gentlemen received into their Service, who have found it impossible to render themselves usefull for want of the Language and we think this the most likely means to save others the charge and trouble of a long voyage, as well as the mortification of being disapointed in their expectations.

[416]1 Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 315; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks Coll., no. 52, vol. II., p. 1781.

2 See the Journals, Mar. 24; cf. nos. 417, 421, post.

[417]1 Warren-Adams Letters, I. 306.

2 See the Journals (p. 197); cf. no. 416, ante. See also Robert Morris to John

Jay, Apr. 1, Correspondence of Jay, I. 125.

[418] Am. Phil. Soc., Franklin Papers, vol. V. (11.), no. 122.

You will therefore serve all such and oblige us by discouraging their coming to America for Military employments

[Addressed :] Το

We are Sir

2

Your Obed. Servants

By order of the Committee of Secret Correspondence

The Honorable Doctr Benjn Franklin

Silas Deane and Arthur Lee Esqrs.

Paris

Dear Sir

ROBT MORRIS

419. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1

PHILADELPHIA March 26. 1777

I am favoured wth yours of the 10th. and as far as Time will permit Shall reply to the several Matters therein hinted.

With respect to General Arnold, he is considered by Congress as a brave and deserving Officer, and had it been possible to have proceeded in the line of Succession in appointing officers would undoubtedly have been promoted. This cannot be done with°. giving great Dissatisfaction to the States that had no officers in the army in the beginning of the War; who claim a Right to their proportion, agreable to the Number of Men wch. they furnish for the Service, of Major and Brig. Generals. The principles of appointmt. are therefore reduced to three Heads, and a Regard will be had to each of these, "the present Rank of the officers, their Merit, and the proportion already mentioned ", and upon the two first I think General Arnold will meet a timely promotion.2

I am informed that upon a report of the Board of War upon your Brother's Letter, Congress discovered a Resentment at the disrespectful Freedom expressed therein, and would not consent to give him a Comm. of an earlier Date. I think he had a Right to his Claim, but cannot altogether approve of the Stile in which he addressed the Legislative authority of the Continent. It is the fixed Determination of Congress to preserve the civil above the military, and the authority of that will not be surrendered, should it be necessary to disband the army in preserving the same. Your Friends will endeavour to reconcile the Matter, and if Meas

2 See the Journals, Mar. 13, 14, 19, and nos. 136, 360A, 407, 410, ante, 489, 501, note 2, post. [419]1 Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 72.

2 See Washington to Richard Henry Lee, Mar. 6 (Writings, ed. Sparks, IV. 251), Arnold to Washington, Mar. 26 (Letters to Washington, ed. Sparks, I. 359), and Washington to Arnold, Apr. 3 (Writings, ed. Sparks, IV. 377). Arnold was elected major-general May 2, 1777, in recognition of his conduct at Danbury. See the Journals, May 2, Aug. 8, Nov. 12, 29, and nos. 476, 497, 582, 583, 585, 607, post. In accordance with instructions of Congress, Nov. 29, Washington sent to Arnold, Jan. 20, 1778, a new commission. See Washington's Writings (ed. Ford), VI. 289, (ed. Sparks), V. 215. According to Heitman, Historical Register, Arnold's commission bore date of Feb. 17, 1777. Concerning the principles of promotion, see nos. 363-365, 372, 376, 392, ante.