Dear Sir 164. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 PHILADELPHIA 8th Octr. 1776 I have just recd your Favours of 3d and 7th Instt and am at a Loss to know what is meant by " supplying the army by Contract". I have never heard a proposal of the Kind made in Congress; if such a plan has been agitated It was in my absence.2 the Comme. exerted themselves to return to Congress and make their report. It has now been under Consideration four Days and the part that respects your powers contains sufficient provision for your purposes, but has not yet been considered. I suppose the Congress will have no objection to making you a generous Allowance for your services when the Matter can be properly agitated, but a Multiplicity of Business and not an apprehension that the Measure cannot be carryed, has prevented a Determination of it before this. It will be proposed when several Important Matters are finished, and I hope to your Satisfaction, if not and You resign, It is probable to me that Congress will supply the Army by Contract. For my own part I have sacrificed Ease and Interest to the Liberties of America, and am fully convinced that unless a general Determination prevails to establish it at every Expense and Hazard, Slavery and inevitable Ruin must be the Consequence. I could wish therefore that a Determination had taken place in your Mind to have sustained the office of Commissary General without annexing the Conditions mentioned, since Congress must exercise an unbiassed Judgment in determining the Quantum meruit of all their officers or surrender the purse strings of the Continent to those who are employed in its Servicesa Measure that would soon end in the ruin of all. I am the more desirous of this as your Friends would not be the less attentive to your Merits, and as Your present plan may end in the Introduction of an officer to succeed you who may dissatisfy the Army, yea cause it to be disbanded and risk the loosing America. These are my Sentiments on the Matter but shall nevertheless endeavour to have the Affair properly regulated and the most generous Allowances made for your services. my Complimts. and ease and security of the inhabitants he is willing to accept of their submission, and promise them protection, on the King's Colonels and other inferiors of the militia respectively, making and causing the men through the county, to lay down their arms, take the oath of allegiance, and sign the said roll of submission, disclaiming and rejecting the orders of Congress and Committees, and totally refusing obedience to them, and to obey the legal authority of government, and in all places of worship in future, pray for the King and Royal Family, as was usual before the present unprovoked rebellion. OLIVER DE LANCEY, Colonel Concklin Major-General of the Militia in the Southern Directed also to Col. Phineas Fanning or next commanding officer, Southold." [164]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. 2 Cf. nos. 124, 145, 162, ante, 165, 172, 175, 239, post. 3 The committee appointed, Sept. 25, 26, to inquire into the state of the army made a report Oct. 3 (see the Journals, Oct. 8). 4 Cf. no. 162, note 3, ante, and nos. 166, 175, post; also the Journals, Oct. 21. A revision of the commissary's department was effected June 10, 1777, and the compensation of the officers was determined June 16. to Colo. Cortland and the Ladies and believe me to be Sir your very hum. Sert E. GERRY P. S. The Officers pay is raised 50 per Ct. but this to be communicated but to a few Friends untill the report relative to the Men is considered." General Lee is arrived. the Cherokees have had a severe drubbing, abt 300 killed, 75 of wch. are scalped and great Numbers put to flight leaving their Towns to be burnt and Corn Fields destroyed." I am just informed that while We were at N York the Ticon. Comm. had power to supply the army by Contract, and inclose a Letter Which pray examine and forward 1st Opper. Dear Sir, 165. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO HORATIO GATES.1 PHILADELPHIA Octr. 9th. 1776 I wrote you about 10 days ago from the Camp at Harlem, and since my return to this City, find that the Committee of Congress to enquire into the state of your affairs at Tyconderoga are empowered to make Contracts for supplying your Army. What gave rise to this matter I have not yet learnt, but it counteracts a measure of having it supplied by the Commissary General, which has alone proved salutary in that department. I suspect it originates from Tory influence, and that if any alteration is made, the Committee not knowing or being intimately acquainted with the characters of the persons who are desirous of the place, will introduce a person that will put the Northern Army in the same ruinous situation heretofore experienced. For God's sake then use your influence to prevent new schemes at this critical juncture, if no great inconveniences are felt from the present mode of supplies.. Dear Sir 166. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 PHILADELPHIA Octo. 10 1776 I inclose you a Resolution, brot. in among others, by the New York Comte, and yesterday pasd, not without opposition. I suppose however 5 See the Journals, Oct. 7; cf. ibid., July 29, Nov. 4, 1775. See also no. 160, ante, and no. 166, post. Cf. a letter of William Ellery to Governor Cooke, Oct. 11, in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 990. For the first intimation to Congress of the project to arouse the Cherokees, see Gerry to Trumbull, June 18, vol. I. of these Letters, no. 719. Concerning the Cherokee campaign, see N. C. Col. Recs., X. 650-652, 657-661, 662, 665, 669, 671, 726, 729, 745-747, 751, 758, 763-785, 788, 837, 842, 844-847, 881; also Ramsey, Hist. of Tenn., pp. 162 et seg. [165] Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., XXII. 58 (copy). 2 Sept. 27, no. 147, ante. 3 Cf. nos. 124, 145, 162, 164, ante, 166, 172, 175, post. [166]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. 2 That is, the committee "who went to the camp". The resolution referred to is no doubt that pertaining to the purchase of salt. See the third paragraph of this letter; also nos. 113, 145, 162, ante, no. 172, post. the President has sent it, but not being certain, and knowing it of importance, think it my Duty to inform you of it, lest it shod escape Him. there was also a Resolve pasd same Time, that for the preservation of the Health etc. of the Army, the Comissa. Genl be directed to purchase and have sufficient Quantitys of Indian Meal and Vegetables, or to that purpose. it was a good deal urged, that the Words Pease, Beans, etc. shod be inserted, but it was said, they were included in vegetables, and it pasd. as drawn. I shod suppose you cannot employ a better Person to import Salt than Colo. Jaz Huntington, and perhaps He alone is quite sufficient The affair you mention is not yet moved and our Club meets this Even. I intend to sound them, and prepare the Matter as well and soon may be." You have doubtless heard of a addition of 50 per Cent made to the Wages of the officers from Colo. to Ens" Adj. Quar. Mas'. Adjut. stand [s] as established a little before, viz the Pay and Rations of a Capt and rank of Ist Lieut." since that, on an exceeding, most laborious and warmly spirited Debate that ever I was Witness to, They have added, an annual Suit of Cloaths to the non Com: Officers and Soldiers to the value and amount of twenty Dollars, and the man procuring a Certificate from his Capt. that He is provided with the enumerated Articles will be entitled to the 20 Dols in Cash. This is the very utmost that can possibly be obtained and certainly is as much as can be reasonably wishd or desired, and I am sure it is a very large and sufficient Encouragemt., and as much as it is possible for the Continent to support. New England pressed it to the utmost of their Power and were but just able to carry it, but They wod not wish to add another farthing. to save great Delay and Inconvenience, a Resolve is also pasd recomending it to all the States from this to N. H. inclusive forthwith to send a Comte. or Deputies to each of the Camps, and appoint all the Officers, etc. and to consult the Genl officers abt. it and promote and appoint such as have recomended them selves by their good Conduct and especially their Attention and Discipline etc. the Express with these Resolves goes eastward this Day. The additional Bounty to the Soldiers cod never have been carried but by a Letter, from Genl Washing" recomend and enforcing the reasonableness and absolute Necessity of it in Terms moving pathatic, rational and nervous, exceed1y. so, which came in not an hour before the same question wod have been irreversibly negatived.'. . . . 3 See the Journals, Oct. 9; cf. nos. 145, 162, ante, 266, post. 4 See no. 162, ante, and cf. no. 175, post. 5 See the Journals, Oct. 7. The writer's meaning is evidently this: an addition of fifty per cent. has been made to the wages of officers from colonel down to ensign, and also to those of adjutant and quartermaster. The adjutant stands as established a little before, viz., with the pay and rations of a captain and rank of first lieutenant. A wage schedule was established July 29, 1775, and modified for certain officers Nov. 4, 1775. The recent change in the adjutant's pay and rank was Sept. 19, 1776. See the Journals, Oct. 8; cf. nos. 160, 164, ante. See the Journals, Oct. 8. "Washington's letter, dated Oct. 4, and read in Congress Oct. 8, is in Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 466. and in Force. Am Ärch.. fifth ser., II. 867. 167. JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS.1 PHILADELPHIA, II October, 1776. I yesterday, asked and obtained leave of absence. It will take me till next Monday to get ready, to finish off a few remnants of public business, and to put my private affairs in proper order. On the 14th day of October I shall get away perhaps.2. 168. BENJAMIN RUSH TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF SAFETY (THOMAS WHARTON, JR.).1 Sir Friday [October 11, 1776.]2 The congress have ordered the board of war to confer with a committee of the council of Safety of Pennsylvania (agreeable to their request) upon the propriety of having a few battallions stationed in or near this city. The board of War will set this morning at 9: °Clock at the War Office at which time and place they expect the pleasure of meeting your committee." I beg leave to inform the council that such information was given yesterday in Congress respecting the designs of our enemies against this city, as makes the delay of a single day, or even an hour dangerous. [167] Letters of John Adams Addressed to his Wife (Boston, 1841), I. 172. 2" October 13. Sunday. Set out from Philadelphia towards Boston." Adams's Diary, Works, II. 433. See also Adams's Autobiography, ibid., III. 88. Cf. no. 45 (note 2), ante. [168] Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll., Signers, II. 11; Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 38. 2 The letter is endorsed: "Letter from Dr. Rush Friday Oct. 11. 1776." 3 See the Journals, Oct. 10 (p. 863, and foot-note). The application from the council of safety to Congress, dated Oct. 8, is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 939. See also the proceedings of the council of safety, Oct. 8, 14-16, ibid., II. 83, 86-88. Richard Peters, secretary of the board of war, wrote to Washington, Oct. 24, as follows: "By Order of the Board of War, I have the Honour to inform your Excellency that the Congress have this Day given them Direction to order the two Virginia Regiments now at Chester, immediately to Trentown, there to wait your Excellencys commands; and at the same time to acquaint you of the Situation of the People of this State, that having as comprehensive a View of the State of Affairs as possible you may make such Disposition as the good of the Service may require. "The Council of Safety of this State requested some days since a Conference with this Board in order to lay before it a Representation of their Situation, and Expectations. In the course of this Conference it appeared very clearly, that they were in a most defenceless Condition, that they had no works upon the River except one Fort unfinished, that the Militia of this City are inactive and languid to the last Degree and to close their distress a number of the People of this Place were disaffected. Indeed they went so far as to say that in their Judgement a large party might be found to espouse openly the Cause of the Enemy should our Affairs run retrograde at New York. As your Excellency, however, must know more of your own Strength and your own intended Operations then [sic] Congress possibly can, and as it is of the greatest importance that you should be Supported at all Events General Stephens with the Virginia forces will take post at Trentown in order to obey such Commands as you may be pleased to give him." Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XCV. 306; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 1211. Cf. a letter from Henry Fisher to the Pennsylvania council of safety dated at Lewes, Oct. 25, in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 83. See also no. 189, post. 169. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO SAMUEL PURVIANCE, JR.1 PHILADELPHIA 11th October 1776 Dear Sir, 2 Among the inconveniences of this busy scene, I esteem it not the least to be so often prevented from acknowledging the favors of my friends sooner than I do. It has been owing to much business that your letter of the 27th. has not received an answer before now. I have the pleasure to acquaint you that in ranking the Captains of our Continental Ships, the Congress have placed Captain Nicholson at the head, he being the first Captain. I wish it were in my power to give you a satisfactory answer about the building another Frigate. Hitherto nothing has been determined on this subject, the Committee having been prevented by an infinite multiplicity of other business; and to the same cause has it been owing that no orders have been sent concerning the Frigate Virginia. I have no doubt but that another Frigate will soon be directed, and that the Builder of greatest merit will be prefer'd. It would give me the greatest pleasure to hear that the Virginia was ready for Sea, and I am happy in being satisfied that the Managers of this business in Baltimore will not loose a moment in effecting so salutary a work. I suppose a want of Anchors will be the greatest obstruction, as I take it for granted no time will be lost in getting the guns down from Mr. Hughes's works, and having the Carriages made. I shall be glad to have an exact state of the Frigate and what she wants to complete her. I refer you to the papers for news and am Sir Your most obedient servant RICHARD HENRY LEE 170. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE MARYLAND CONVENTION.1 Gentlemen PHILADA. Octr. 12th. 1776. The Congress for very obvious Reasons, are extremely anxious to keep the Army together. The dangerous Consequences of their breaking up, and the Difficulty of forming a new one, are inconceiveable. Were this Barrier once removed, military Power would quickly spread Desolation and Ruin over the Face of our Country. The Importance, and indeed the absolute Necessity of filling up the Army, of providing for the Troops, and engaging them to serve during the War, is so apparent, and has been so frequently urged, that I shall only request your Attention to the Resolves of Congress on this Subject; and beseech you, by that Love you have for your Country, her Rights, and Liberties, to exert yourselves to [169]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Portfolio No. 8 (1); Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 219; Purviance, Baltimore in the Revolution, p. 204; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 989. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 10. Nicholson was assigned to the Virginia, mentioned below. Cf. no. 171, post. [170]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, VI. 48. |