ceed, as the Congress is in want of all our money for the public use:* It is greatly wished by Congress that the monied men would supply the loan office faster, and that all the States would go largely into taxation. There is no Commissioners appointed as yet in the Eastern Department to settle the accts. of those States, except what is relating to the army, but suppose there will be some appointed soon; as we have requested of Congress to appoint such to examine the State of New Hampshire's acct, it would be no small advantage to your Delegates if we could be honor'd with the Acts or Resolves of our Honorbl. Court, so far as relates with our duty we owe the State and Court in Congress; we were left to guess the Reasons the State had in giving Genl Stark his orders as it is said he had, and trust we have given the Congress sufficient reason to justify the State therein, and to prevent any censure on the State in supposing they had any desire in acting in a separate or distinct line, but in conjunction and steady union with the whole United States and for the general welfare of the same; ® . Your most obedt and most Humbl servts The Honbl Meshech Weare, Esq. NATHL FOLSOM 620. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASwell).1 Dr Sir: PHILADELPHIA, Septr. 2d, 1777. The inclosed paper will give you all the public intelligence since my last. The complexion of affairs is not yet become so determined that I can set off for home; but I am in daily expectations of some events which may determine my resolutions to that purpose. Our finances have long engaged our attention in Congress, but we have not yet come to any conclusive Resolutions thereon. The subject is of the greatest importance, and truly too great for our talents. One thing every one seems clear in, that Taxation in a very liberal degree must take place. This, Sir, is so necessary that it must at all events be attempted every where. The quantity of money in circulation, and its consequent depreciation, and the accumulating debt of the public makes it inevitably necessary. I fear the system under consideration will not be so far matured before my departure that I can carry it with me, or know how to apply my endeavours at home towards the perfection of it. I shall however make myself as much master as possible of the prevailing opinions thereon. You will find by the intelligence that our affairs every where bear a promising aspect. I 4 See the Journals, Sept. 12, 15. 5 Cf. the Journals, Nov. 5, 1776, Jan. 24, Feb. 13, Mar. 13, 25, Apr. 9, 19, 29, May 3, 1777, Jan. 3, 5, 10, Feb. 6, 1778. Cf. no. 627, post. See nos. 599, 609, 615, ante. [620]1 N. C. State Recs., XI. 604. 2 Cf. nos. 591, 596, 597, ante, no. 627, post. have the most sanguine hopes that this campaign will give a severe blow to the British arms; and I even look forward to an end of the war, much sooner than has hitherto appeared probable. I have, Sir, troubled you too long in this letter, and shall only add that, I have the honor to be with the greatest respect and regard your very obed't hum. S't., THOS. BURKE. 621. THE COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 PHILADELPHIA 2d. Septr. 1777 Sir, We have the honor to send your Excellency herewith a number of hand bills published by order of Congress, in that form, for the more easy dispersion thro the army, that the troops may be made acquainted with, and emulate the conduct of their brave northern and eastern brethren.2 Wishing you health and success we are with much esteem and regard your Excellencies most obedient humble Servants Committee of Intelligence RICHARD HENRY LEE 622. JAMES DUANE TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.1 My dear Sir, [September 3(?), 1777.]2 It is difficult to fix a reward for Herkimer. He does not want a Continental command nor money. The thanks of Congress and a sword will be readily granted. Can you think of any thing more suitable.3 Gansvoort and Willett are in the highest degree of fame. we have had [621] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 304. 2 These were handbills announcing Stark's victory at Bennington. See nos. 606, 612, ante. An extract of Washington's reply, Sept. 3, is printed in Writings (ed. Ford), VI. 65. The Journals do not record the order of Congress for printing the handbills. See however the Bibliographical Notes under Aug. 22, in the Journals (ed. Ford), IX. 1086. [622]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Livingston Papers, I. 299 (copy). 2 With regard to the conjectural date of this letter, see note 3, below. 3 The question of reward for Herkimer, Gansevoort, Willet, and Stark came before Congress Sept. 3; accordingly this letter was probably written on that day. Duane had evidently not yet learned of Herkimer's death, which had occurred Aug. 16 (see Appleton, Cyclo. Am. Biog.), but he must presently have read the following notice, printed in the Pennsylvania Journal Sept. 3: "Kingston (New York) August 25. We hear that the brave Gen. HARKEMAN is dead of the wounds he received at the battle near Oneyda Creek." Arnold wrote to Gates, Aug. 21: General Herkimer died yesterday" (Letters to Washington, ed. Sparks, II. 518), but there is no record that this letter was read in Congress, although Arnold's letters to Gates of Aug. 23 and 24 were read Sept. 1. Governor Clinton announced Herkimer's death to the council of safety Aug. 22 (Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 1048), and a copy of his letter was sent to President Hancock by the council Aug. 26. Its receipt by Congress is not, however, recorded in the Journals. John Adams speaks of Herkimer in his letters to his wife of Sept. 2 and 8 (Familiar Letters, pp. 304, 305), but does not mention his death. It is not certain therefore when Congress learned it. See the Journals, Oct. 4, and no. 669, post. With regard to Stark, see nos. 609, 615, ante. such a train of disgrace at all our forts, and lost them so unexpectedly-Let me except Sullivan's Island that the brave defence of Fort Schuyler has made the deepest impression. The reward due to these gentlemen is not yet determined: but it is generally talked to raise Gansevoort to the rank of Brigadier General, and Willett to that of Colonel. Stark will also be provided for, though he is something under the clouds for refusing to serve under General Lincoln to whom he refused the command of the troops, assigning as a reason that Congress had done him injustice in not promoting him. Sir, 623. THE PREsident of ConGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADA. Septr 3d. 1777. Your Favour of the 27th Ulto I have been duely honored with, and immediately laid it before Congress. From the enclosed Resolves you will percieve that Provision has been made for Major Generals, while they act in a seperate Department, and as Congress consider you as acting in that Line for the present, the same Pay is to be extended to you from the Time you took the Command at PeeksKill, until it shall cease." The Congress have been induced from your Recommendation of Rose and Ackerly, to consent that you should pardon them both. The Manner in which you propose to employ them appears to be extremely proper. The Honble Major Genl Putnam Peeks-Kill. Dear Sir 624. ROBERT MORRIS TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1 PHILADA. Septr. 4th. 1777 I have seen letters from Cap McNeil to the Marine Committee wherein he blames Manly for some part of his Conduct. it was a great pity they did not push into some port with their Prize where the whole might have been manned and gone out fresh again they wou'd have formed a stern little squadron. however as that cannot be, we must attend to what is in our power and if Thompson, Hinman [,] Jones and McNeill are not gone they will now receive orders to cross the Ocean. this point I carried yesterday in Committee and the orders will be sent immediately." [623]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 262; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., p. 255. 2 See the Journals, Sept. 2. The extra pay and allowance to a major-general acting in a separate department rests on the resolve of June 16, 1775. See no. 512, ante. [624] Md. Hist. Soc., Gilmor Papers, III. 5. 2 The officers mentioned are Captains Thomas Thompson, Elisha Hinman, John Paul Jones, and Hector McNeill (see the Journals, Oct. 10, 1776). The marine committee's letter to Capt. Thompson, dated Sept. 6, ordering him to get ready and sail to France, is in Paullin, Out-Letters of the Continental Marine Committee and Board of Admiralty, I. 155. In regard to the controversy between McNeill and Manley, see G. W. Allen. Naval Hist. Am. Rev., I. 202, et seq; and I. J. Greenwood, Captain John Manley, ch. IV. Cf. no. 427, ante. I am much engaged in winding up the Accounts of the Secret Committee and it will be a Herculean labour, and in order to do it compleatly I moved for a New Committee which was appointed and is stiled the Commercial Committee who are to carry on the business in future they have chosen me Chairman but I am very averse to engaging deeply in this new business untill the old is closed, and indeed I now wish to be released from public business totally. I have had a long spell, my own affairs suffering amazingly the whole time and having no Ambition to gratify I wish to Resign my honors and powers to somebody that may be better pleased with them. Whether I shall be permitted to retire or not I dont yet know, but the meeting of our assembly is at hand and I hope they will leave me out of the new appointments. The Commercial Committee agreed at their last meeting that it was better to lay by awhile as the Enemies Cruizers are too numerous on our Coasts for any thing to escape in the Summer Months, but I suppose they will Commence some operations soon as hard Winds begin to blow. . Sir 625. COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.' The Resolve of Congress which you will receive under this Cover will show you that we are appointed a Committee and for what purposes.2 We request you to transmit to us by the earliest good opportunity the fullest intelligence in your late department of Commissary General and you will further oblige us by adding any further information properly authenticated relative to the enquiries which we are ordered to make. We are with great regard Sir, State House Your most obedient Servant [s] PHILADELPHIA 5 September 1777 Joseph Trumbull Esquire Connecticut. 626. THE PRESident of Congress to the Governor of New JERSEY.1 Sir, PHILADELPHIA, September 5th, 1777. In the present exigency of public affairs, the Congress have come to the enclosed resolve, which I have the honor to transmit, and which I am to request you will comply with as soon as possible.2 3 See the Journals, July 5, and no. 539, ante. See also Morris's statement, Jan. 7, 1779, in the next volume of these Letters. [625]1 Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 506 (in the writing of Henry Laurens). 2 The committee appointed to collect evidence relative to the evacuation of Ticonderoga. See nos. 602, note 2, 617, 619, ante, nos. 669, 671, 677, 781, post. [626]1 N. J. Rev. Corr., p. 98. 2 See the Journals, Sept. 4, and nos. 627, 629, post. Cf. nos. 635, 639, post, and the Journals, Sept. 17. The militia of the state of New Jersey by their late conduct against our cruel enemies, have distinguished themselves in a manner that does them the greatest honor; and I am persuaded they will continue to merit on all occasions, when called upon, the reputation they have so justly acquired. Those which the Congress now request you will order out, it is their desire you will order to rendezvou at Bristol. It will be highly agreeable to Congress to give the command to Gen. Dickinson, should the appointment fall in with your judgment, and I have reason to believe he will cheerfully accept of it, if you should think proper to put them under his direction." I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, sir, your most obed't and very h❜ble serv't, His Excellency, Governor Livingston. JOHN HANCOCK, Presid't. ✓ 627. HENRY Laurens to John Lewis Gervais.1 Dear Sir, 5th. Septem. 1777 Congress is not the respectable body which I expected to have found. to be particular on this point would be improper, but I mention so much from that feeling which is irrisistible. I see my own private affairs going to Wreck. I am helping forward the heavy loss by most amazing expences here. I am adding to the load of trouble which my friends must have from attending to their own concerns, and am rendering my Country no intrinsic services. this latter consideration grieves me most. I think I have been instrumental in averting two pernicious schemes and except these my time 8 or 10 hours every day has been squandered. the most necessary work we have to do at present is that of Confederating, and that of making a state of past expences, to be fully informed of the application of those Millions already Issued to govern our future proceedings by wiser measures and to fill our exhausted Treasury by means least likely to involve us in difficulties. my attempts to accomplish these great purposes have hitherto proved fruitless and I have too much reason to fear, from a discovery of the cause, will ever prove so, unless very particular Instructions from some of the States should be charged upon their Delegates to demand of Congress an adjustment of accounts.2 I wish we were half an hour together I would say many things to you, as an Assembly Man, in favour of our little honest State. what I have said you may think of in that Character but as being said to your self only. . here I left off at past 10 oClock (the 6th.) and went to Congress am this moment returned pt. 3-five hours debating one silly point whether certain persons chiefly Quakers who have given the Strongest proofs which in these times can be expected of their avowed attachment to the 3 Maj.-Gen. Philemon Dickinson. Cf. the Journals, Sept. 12, 14, 16, 17. [627]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, p. 149. 2 See no. 619, note 5, ante. |