thing more which you hint at. you will let me hear what you can get Time for etc. Col Trumbull I am dear Sir your most sincere and affece. Friend and Servt 11 Complimts of Mr Sherman etc. Sat. 28. I have unluckily lost 2 days, in the conveyance of this, by a misinformation, about the Posts, going out on Thursday. I said Gen: Schuys: Resigna wod probably be accepted, but I trust I was mistaken. I did not forsee what maneuvre wod take place; the N. York Convention have sent a warm and Spirited Remonstrance agst. accepts it represents the Consequences of it as fatal and total destruction etc. etc. etc. in the most pressing Terms and unanimous they say it is possible some body wrote to them to procure this. his Friends here blaze away on the same side, and have got a Comte. to consider the remonstrance and to report, and no doubt what the report will be his Friends are so many and fierce, that I doubt not those who wod willingly accept it, must give away to such a Torrent in his Favr. for the sake of Peace here.12 Dear Sir, 146. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.1 PHILADELPHIA 27th. Septr. 1776 The plan of foreign treaty2 is just finished, and yourself, with Doctor Franklin, and Mr. Deane now in France, are the Trustees to execute this all important business. . The idea of Congress is, that yourself and Dr. Franklin should go in different ships. The Doctor, I suppose will sail from hence, and if it is your pleasure, one of our Armed Vessels will meet you in any River in Virginia that you choose. My dear Sir 3 147. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO HORATIO GATES.1 Kingsbridge, 27th Sepr. 1776. Being here wth. a Committee of Congress for enquiring into the state of the Army, I take the opportunity of informing you by Mr. Trumbull 3 11 This letter is not signed, but is in the unmistakable writing of William Williams. 12 See no. 149, note 2, post; also nos. 155, note 8, 162, 163, post. [146] Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, second ser., LI. 30; Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 218. 2 The committee to prepare a plan of treaties was appointed June 11. The plan as reported by the committee is in the Journals, July 18; as adopted, it is found under Sept. 17. See nos. 26, note 2, 94, 101, ante. The election of commissioners to France was on Sept. 26. Jefferson declined, and on Oct. 22 Arthur Lee was chosen in his stead. See nos. 179, 180, post. [147] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, VII.; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 572. 2 See the Journals, Sept. 23. Joseph Trumbull, commissary-general. Letters from him to Congress, written from King's Bridge, Sept. 19, 23 (read in Congress, Sept. 23, 27), are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 372, 453. that we are endeavo. to new model the Army in every respect where necessary. Congress have resolved to establish eighty eight full Batalions for the war and the Assemblies are to appoint the Regimental Officers, in doing which if some extra Measures are not adopted we shall have such a Corps of Officers as the Army have been hitherto incumber'd wth. I have desired General Washington to furnish the Committee wth. a List of such officers in the Army here as he is desirous of having again engaged in the Service, wth. the States to wch. they belong and the General thinks it will be necessary to obtain the same from the northern Army. The use we intend to make of this is, to send it wth. a Member of Congress to the Assembly of each respective State who is to be ordered to impress the Necessity of appointing Gentlemen of Education to military offices as a Measure absolutely necessary for saving the Country and to urge the Assemblies to apportion the Men on the Towns and raise them by recruiting or draughting, in Readiness for reinforcing or forming the Camps by the Ist. Decr. next. We have obtained Colo. Moylan's Resignation and General Miflin comes again into the office of Q. M. G. Many other Measures will be reported wch. I think will put things on a good Footing. [P. S.] Pray direct the List to me at Philadelphia without delay. The Men are to have a Bounty of twenty Dollars and 100 Acres Land each at the end of the war-the Officers Land in proportion. Sir: 148. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO PHILIP SCHUYLER.1 PHILADELPHIA, September 27, 1776. I have the honour to enclose you sundry resolves, which are so explicit that I need only request your attention to them. You will perceive that Congress have come to a determination to augment our army to eighty-eight battalions, and to engage the troops to serve during the continuance of the war, being thoroughly convinced by repeated instances that the short and limited inlistment of troops has been the source of much mischief to the service.2 In order that these troops may be better disciplined, the Congress have abolished the system of rules and articles for the government of the army which they at first instituted, and have adopted a new one, sundry copies of which I enclose you. 4 See the Journals, Sept. 16; also no. 148, post, and Washington's letter to Congress, Sept. 24 (read Sept. 27), in Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 438, and Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 495. 5 See the Journals, Oct. 3, 4, 8, 9. Cf. nos. 148, 150, 152, 159, 160, 164, 165, 166, 170, post. 6 See the Journals, Oct. 1. Moylan's letter of resignation, dated Sept. 27, was read in Congress Oct. 2. It is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 570. See also ibid., II. 605, and no. 156, post. [148] Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 560, III. 235; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 668, II. 347; N. Y. State Lib., Revolutionary Papers, VIII. 275 (copy); id., Min. Com. of Safety, VI. 712 (copy); Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., XXIX. 407 (copy). 2 See no. 139, ante. * See the Journals, Sept. 19, 20, and no. 142, ante. It is also their determination that the strictest discipline should be kept up in the army, that the soldiers should be daily trained and practised in their different manoeuvres. An attention to these things, you will observe by the enclosed resolves, will be the likeliest way to obtain promotion, and will be the surest recommendation to their notice. The Committee of Congress to confer with you on the state of the army, etc., will set out to-morrow or next day for Tyconderoga.* To them I beg leave to refer you; and am, with every sentiment of esteem and regard, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, To General Schuyler, Albany. JOHN HANCOCK, President. P. S. The attention of Congress has been so much taken up by our affairs at New York, that I have not time to reply to your several letters, but hope I shall have leisure to do it by the next conveyance, and that Congress will soon determine on the subject of them. They are now in the hands of a special committee.5 149. PHILIP LIVINGSTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CONVENTION (Abraham Yates, JR.).1 Gentlemen: PHILADELPHIA, 28th September, 1776. Your resolutions respecting General Schuyler we have laid before Congress, and they have appointed a Committee to consider them, who have promised us to report on Monday next. The Committee is to our wishes, viz: Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Hooper, and Mr. McKean. As soon as this report is agreed to, it shall be forwarded for your information. It will, without question, be satisfactory." * See the Journals, Sept. 25, 26. Cf. no. 147, note 5, ante. Most of Schuyler's letters for more than a month past had not been acted upon, and in a letter to President Hancock, Oct. 3 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 857), he complains bitterly at the neglect. For instance, his letter of Aug. 16 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 983) had been referred (Aug. 22) to the committee on the miscarriages in Canada (appointed June 24). Schuyler was so informed Sept. 14, and the committee reported Oct. 7, and then its report was laid on the table. Sept. 14, Schuyler sent in his resignation (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 333). This letter, read Sept. 23, was acted on Oct. 2. Cf. no. 149, post. See Schuyler's reply to this letter, Oct. 6 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 921), and his letter to the New York convention, Oct. 7 (ibid., p. 932). [149]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 216. 2 See the Journals, Sept. 27, Oct. 2; cf. nos. 138, 144, 145, 148, ante, and nos. 155, 162, 163, post. The resolutions of the New York convention, Sept. 20, concerning Schuyler's resignation, are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 707; the letter to the New York delegates relative thereto, Sept. 21, is ibid., II. 418. See R. R. Livingston's information to the New York convention relative to a conference with Schuyler, ibid., III. 216. The items are also in Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 634, 635, 656, 657. In a letter of Oct. 27 (N. Y. Pub. Lib., Schuyler Papers, no. 1250), Livingston endeavors to dissuade Schuyler from resigning at this juncture, expressing confidence that the resolution of Congress was intended by Rutledge and other friends as an ample justification of Schuyler's conduct. See also Tuckerman, Life of Schuyler, ch. v.; Lossing, Life of Schuyler, chs. v., VI., passim. Dear Sir 150. BENJAMIN RUSH TO ANTHONY WAYNE.1 . . The late resolution of congress for increasing our army to 60,000 men will necessarily call for a number of new Brigadiers, and the proportion which Pennsylvania will send into the field will give her a right to demand one or two more for her Share. Merit like yours will weigh heavily with the congress but it must be held up in a pointed light to their view. Col. Magaw tho' a younger Officer than you being near the congress, and having one or two eloquent friends in the house may perhaps be held up in colours that may injure your more just pretensions to promotion. Upon this acct I beg leave to suggest to you that your friends in congress (among whom I desire to be classed) will derive great support from a few words in your favor from General Gates. You must not omit improving this hint to your advantage. And in everything relative to this matter I beg you will command my services. I should not have suggested these ideas to you, had I not more than once seen the most eminent military merit neglected in our promotions, from ignorance in the congress, or from the want of proper recommendations. 151. JOHN ADAMS TO HENRY KNOX.1 [September 30 (?), 1776.] I wish we had a military academy, and should be obliged to you for a plan of such an institution. The expense would be a trifleno object at all with me. October I. This day I had the honor of making a motion for the appointment of a committee to consider of a plan for the establishment of a military. academy in the army. The committee was appointed, and your servant was one. Write me your sentiments upon the subject.2 [150]1 Pa. Mag. Hist. and Biog., XLIII. 265. 2 Col. Robert Magaw, of the fifth Pennsylvania battalion, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington Nov. 16, 1776, and was not exchanged until Oct. 25, 1780. He did not return to the service. Wayne was made a brigadier-general Feb. 21, 1777. See the Journals, Feb. 22. [151]1 Works, I. 257 (extract). 2 See the Journals, Oct. 1. Cf. Adams to Knox, June 2, 1776, in Works, IX. 384. In his Autobiography (ibid., III. 85) Adams quotes this postscript of Oct. 1, and dilates at some length upon the need of such an institution. It does not appear that this committee ever made a report. However, on Oct. 3, a committee which had been sent to inquire into the state of the army at New York made a report, in which was offered a resolution for the establishment of a military academy. The resolution was not adopted. See the Journals, Oct. 3, 8, 9. For a history of the establishment of a military academy at West Point, see Boynton, History of West Point. ... and the Origin and Progress of the United States Military Academy (New York, 1871). 152. THE SECRET COMMITTEE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL Of Safety.1 IN SECRET COMMITTEE, PHILADA Octr 1st 1776. Gentn Publick Bodys shou'd be equaly cautious of taking offence as of giving it, because mischiefs are very apt to arise therefrom and generally before a remedy can be applyed. You have taken amiss the refusal of fourteen ps canvass wanted for your Colonial Vessells and had information that 2000 ps had been imported in one Vessell here. These are your premises and the Facts are as follow. It was not this Committee that refused you the canvass for we had agreable to orders of Congress delivered the whole to the Marine Committee and that whole consisted of about 600 ps instead of 2000, but it was not possible the Marine Committee cou'd spare you a single Bolt, because the Congress had but a day or two before your application ordered all the light Duck and other Stuff, then in the Publick stores or that could be bought in the City to be made up into Tents and sent immediately to Genl. Washington. the Marine Committee remonstrated against this measure alledging that none of the Continental Vessells cou'd be sent out if this canvass was taken from them. No matter they were told the soldiers should have Tents if they stripped the Yards of those Continental Frigates and Cruizers that had sails made up, and in Consequence of this measure which nothing but the extream necessity of our Army cou'd justify, We have now a parcell of fine vessells lying here useless at a time they might have been most advantageously employed. Therefore Judge you, whether that Committee or the Congress itself cou'd have justifyed sparing you the Canvass you wanted. You may depend Gentn. that no just grounds are ever meant to be given by Congress or any of its Committees for Complaints like yours. We are all embarked in a Cause that requires our utmost united exertions to carry us through, and be assured you can always command our utmost aid and assistance when it can possibly be extended, consistent with the general Welfare.2 For and on behalf of the Secret Committee I have the honor to be, Gentn., Your most Obedt and very hble Servant To the Honble the Council of Safety Maryland. [152]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 43; Arch. of Md., XII. 314; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 823. 2 See a letter of the secret committee to the Maryland council of safety, Sept. 13, and the council's reply, Sept. 25, in Arch. of Md., XII. 290, 305; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 310, 510. See also the Journals, Aug. 15, 30, Sept. 4. |