In obedience to the Commands of Congress, I have enclosed you two Copies of sundry Resolves they have passed, relative to the Treatment of our Prisoners by Captain Foster in Canada. I am to request you will take the proper Steps to send one of them to General Howe, and the other to Genl. Burgoyne. I transmit also a third copy for your own use.3 Should the United States of America give their Sanction to the Jesuitical and villanous Distinction which Captain Foster adopts to justify his Conduct, there would be no End to butchering our Prisoners. They have therefore very properly reprobated it, and in the genuine Spirit of Freedom, resolved, that such Cruelty as shall be inflicted on Prisoners in their Possession, by Savages or Foreigners taken into Pay by the King of Great Britain, shall be considered as done by his Orders, and Recourse be immediately had to Retaliation. It is to be hoped this Determination will have the desired Effect; and that for the future, such barbarous Scenes will never be acted under the Eye and Approbation of a British. Officer. I say, under the Approbation of a British Officer: For there is the greatest Reason to believe, that Captain Foster engaged the Indians to join him, on the express Condition of giving up to them all such Prisoners as might fall into his Hands. His subsequent Conduct indeed renders this Conjecture more than probable.

I o'clock P. M. This Moment your Favour per Post of the 11th Inst. came to Hand. I shall lay it before Congress on Monday Morning.*

17. ABRAHAM CLARK TO ELIAS DAYTON.1

My Dear friend,

ELIZA. TOWN July 14th. 1776.

I continued at Phila. till thursday last when I returned homeward, We having first Obtained of Congress all the Assistance they could afford for our Province. Near half the Militia of Pennsyla. Chearfully offered to March to the Aid of this Province and indeed, their Ardour was such Congress was Obliged to stop part of the Militia of Phila. or the City would have been left wholly defenceless.2. . .

Our Declaration of Independance I dare say you have seen. a few weeks will probably determine our fate-perfect freedom, or Absolute Slavery— to some of us freedom or a halter.3. . .

See the Journals, July 10. The original report of the committee on the cartel entered into between General Arnold and Capt. George Forster is in the Journals (ed. Ford), June 17. See also ibid., June 6, 16, 20, 24. Concerning the affair at the Cedars, see Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., VI. 576, 587, 589-592, 598-600, fifth ser., I. 158-169, 398, 1103, 1167-1168.

4 Subsequently Washington's letter of July 12 arrived, in consequence of which Congress was called together on Sunday, and both letters were laid before them. The letters are in Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 237, 242, and, with enclosures, in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 188, 223. See also note 2, above.

[17] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 1590, Declaration of Independence. Addressed, "To Elias Dayton Esquire, Colonel of a battalion of Jersey Troops, at the German Flatts".

2 See the Journals, July 3, 6, 11, the letter from the New Jersey congress, July 9, in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 138, sundry letters, July 6, ibid., I. 37-38, and Hancock to the New Jersey convention, July 15, ibid., I. 346 (original in N. Y. Pub. Lib., Myers Coll., Distinguished Americans, p. 801).

3

8 Cf. Clark to Dayton, July 4, vol. I. of these Letters, no. 757.

18. SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.1

My dear Sir

PHILADA July 15 1776

The Truth is, I hardly know how to write without saying something of our Canadian Affairs; and this is a Subject so thoroughly mortifying to me, that I could wish totally to forget all that has past in that Country. Let me however just mention to you that Schuyler and Gates are to command the Troops to be employ'd there; the former, while they are without, and the latter, while they are within the Bounds of Canada.2 Admitting both these Generals to have the military Accomplishments of Marlborough and Eugene, I cannot conceive that such a Disposition of them can be attended with any happy Effects, unless Harmony subsists between them. Alass! I fear this is not the Case-Already Disputes have arisen, which they have referrd to Congress! And though they appear to treat each other with a Politeness becoming their Rank, in my Mind, Altercations between Commanders who have Pretensions so nearly equal, I mean in Point of Command, forebode a Repetition of Misfortunes. I sincerely wish my Apprehensions may prove to be groundless.

8

Our Declaration of Independency has given Vigor to the Spirits of the People. Had this decisive Measure been taken Nine Months ago, it is my opinion that Canada would at this time have been in our hands. But what does it avail to find fault with what is past. Let us do better for the future. We were more fortunate than expected in having 12 of the 13 Colonies in favor of the all important Question. The Delegates of N. York were not impowered to give their Voice on either Side. Their Convention has since acceeded to the Declaration and publishd it even before they received it from Congress.

A Plan for Confederation has been brot into Congress wch I hope will be speedily digested and made ready to be laid before the several States for their approbation. A Committee has now under Consideration the Business of foreign Alliance.

It is high time for us to have Ambassadors in foreign Courts. I fear we have already suffered too much by Delay. You know upon whom our Thoughts were turnd when you was with us."

[18]1 Writings of Samuel Adams (ed. Cushing), III. 296; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 347. 2 See no. 6, ante.

3 Cf. John Adams to Mrs. Adams, July 3, vol. I. of these Letters, no. 755.

4 See nos. 2, 7, 10, ante, and no. 21, post. "Our Declaration of Independence has already been attended with good Effects. It is fortunate beyond our Expectation to have the Voice of every Colony in favor of so important a Question." Samuel Adams to James Warren, July 16, Writings (ed. Cushing), III. 299.

5 See Richard Henry Lee's resolutions, the Journals, June 7. The resolutions to appoint committees on the confederation and treaties with foreign powers were passed June 11, the committees appointed June 12. Francis Hopkinson was added to the confederation committee June 28. The draft of the Articles of Confederation was reported July 12. Cf. the Journals, July 21, 1775, and see John Adams's Notes of Debates, July 25, 26, 30, Aug. 1, 2, in the Journals, VI. 1076-1083, and Jefferson's Notes, ibid., VI. 1098-1106.

• See the Journals, June 7, II, 12. A plan of treaties was brought in July 18. Cf. vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 687, 690, 727, 744, and no. 12, ante; see no. 26, note 2, post.

My dear Sir:

19. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1 PHILADELPHIA, July 15, 1776.

Yours of the Ist instant is now before me, and I am obliged to you for your intelligence. The affair of the agency you have heard is settled, and in your favour, and I hope another Delegate will be appointed to attend. Congress, as you have resigned.2.

Major Rogers was taken up by order of General Washington, and having your letters of recommendation to us, the General ordered him to Congress to be examined; and though no absolute proof was made of his ill designs, his conduct appeared so very suspicious that he was ordered to be sent to New Hampshire, to be disposed of by our Legislature; but before he was sent off, he found means to make his escape, and has not been retaken yet.

The Colony of New York have fully acceded to the Declaration of Independence, so that it now has the sanction of the Thirteen United States. The unparalleled conduct of our enemies have united the Colonies more firmly than ever.*. .

Dear Sr.

20. ROBERT TREAT PAINE TO HENRY KNOX.1

PHILADA, July 16th 1776

the Approach of the Enemy has rendered it necessary to find some other place to cast brass Cannon than yr Air Furnace; this Colony are about Setting up an Air Furnace for that Purpose, but the Congress I believe will employ Mr Byers if it be found practicable, and he will make a reasonable bargain.2.

21. JOHN ALSOP TO THE NEW YORK. CONVENTION.1

Honourable Gentlemen:

PHILADELPHIA, July 16, 1776.

Yesterday our President read in Congress a resolve of your honourable body, dated the 9th instant, in which you declare New York a free and

[19]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 348.

2 See vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 729, 738.

3 See no. 9, ante.

4 See the Journals, July 15; cf. no. 18, note 4, ante.

[20] Mass. Hist. Soc., Knox Papers, II. 161. Addressed to "Henry Knox, Esq. Col of Artillery at New York".

2 Paine was a member of the cannon committee, appointed Jan. 15. Cf. the Journals, June 17 (p. 453), July 19 (p. 593), 22; also vol. I. of these Letters, no. 483, and no. 35, post. The succeeding part of this letter relates to Byers and the casting of cannon. A previous letter from Paine to Knox, June 20, on the same subject, is in the Knox Papers, II. 103, and one from Gerry to Knox, July 23, is ibid., II. 169. Concerning the contract with James Byers, see no. 310, post. About the same time Daniel Hughes of Maryland was seeking a contract for the casting of cannon. See Arch. of Md., XII. 40; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 219.

[21]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 1428, 368; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 536; N. Y. State Lib., Minutes of the Committee of Safety, VI. 117 (copy).

independent State.2 I can't help saying that I was much surprised to find it come through that channel. The usual method hitherto practised has been for the Convention of each Colony to give their Delegates instructions to act and vote upon all and any important questions. And from the last letter we were favoured with from your body, you told us that you were not competent or authorized to give us instructions on that grand question; nor have you been pleased to answer our letter of the 2d instant, any otherwise than by your said resolve transmitted to the President. I think we were entitled to an answer.

I am compelled, therefore, to declare, that it is against my judgment and inclination. As long as a door was left open for a reconciliation with Great Britain upon honourable and just terms, I was willing and ready to render my country all the service in my power, and for which purpose I was appointed and sent to this Congress; but as you have, I presume, by that declaration, closed the door of reconciliation, I must beg leave to resign my seat as a Delegate from New York, and that I may be favoured with an answer and my dismission.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant, JOHN ALSOP.

22. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.1

Honble Gentlemen,

PHILADELPHIA July 16th 1776.

Since I had the Honour of addressing you, on the fourth of June, at which Time I transmitted sundry Resolves of Congress requesting you to call forth your Militia, our Affairs have assumed a much more serious Complexion. If we turn our Attention towards the Northern Department, we behold an Army reduced by Sickness, and obliged to flee before an Enemy of vastly superior Force. If we cast our Eyes to HeadQuarters, we see the British Army reinforced under Lord Howe, and ready to strike a Blow, which may be attended with the most fatal Consequences, if not timely resisted. The Situation of our Country at this Season, calls therefore for all the Vigour and Wisdom among us; and if we do not mean to desert her at this alarming Crisis, it is high Time to rouse every Spark of Virtue; and forgetting all inferior Considerations, to exert ourselves in a Manner becoming Freemen.

The Intelligence received this Day from General Washington, points out the absolute, the indispensible Necessity of sending forward all the

2 See the letter of the New York delegates, July 2, vol. I. of these Letters, no. 752, and note 2; also nos. 2, 7, 10, 18, ante, and the Journals, July 15. The proceedings of the New York convention on this letter, July 22, are in Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 536, 537, and Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 1429, 1431. See also nos. 61, 79, post.

The letter referred to, dated June 11, is in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., VI. 814; cf. Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 490. See vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 688, 714. [22]1 Mass. Arch. CXCV. 111; Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, IV. 239; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 367; id. to New Jersey, Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll., Signers, I. 12; Smith, Am. Hist. and Lit. Curiosities, second ser., pl. Ix.

2 See vol. I. of these Letters, no. 682.

Troops that can possibly be collected, to strengthen both the Army in New York, and that on this Side of Canada. I do therefore, once more, in the Name and by the Authority of Congress, request and beseech you, as you regard the Liberties of your Country, and the Happiness of Posterity; and as you stand engaged, by the most solemn Ties of Honour, to support the Common Cause, to strain every Nerve to send forward your Militia, agreeably to the former Requisitions of Congress. This is a Step of such infinite Moment, that, in all Human Probability, it will be the Salvation of America, and, as it is the only effectual Step, that can possibly be taken, at this Juncture, you will suffer me again, most ardently to entreat your speedy Compliance with it. In short, the Critical Period is arrived, that will seal the Fate not only of ourselves, but of Posterity. Whether they shall arise the generous Heirs of Freedom, or the dastardly Slaves of imperious Task-Masters, it is in your Power now to determine; and I am sure, as freemen, you will not hesitate a moment about the Choice.

Honble Assembly of Massachusetts Bay.*

Sir

23. THOMAS JEFFERSON TO PATRICK HENRY.1

PHILADA July 16, 1776.

Several vacancies having happened in our battalions, we are unable to have them filled for want of a list of the officers stating their seniority. We must beg the favor of you to furnish us with one. We received from Colo R. H. Lee a resolution of Convention recommending us to endeavor that the promotions of the officers be according to seniority without regard to regiments or companies this is the standing rule of promotion.2 in one instance indeed the Congress have reserved to themselves a right of departing from seniority; that is where a person either out of the line of command, or in an inferior part of it has displayed eminent talents. most of the general officers have been promoted in this way. without this reservation the whole continent must have been supplied with general officers from the Eastern colonies where a large army was formed and officered before any other colony had occasion to raise troops at all and a number of experienced, able and valuable officers must have been lost to the public merely from the locality of their situation.

3 The letter of Washington which was read July 16 is that of July 14, Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 247; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 329. But see his letters of July II and 12, ibid., I. 188, 223; Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 237, 242; see also the Journals, July 14, 16, and no. 27, post.

* Identical letters were sent also to Connecticut and New Jersey.

[23] Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, fifth ser., IX. 72 (draft); Works (Memorial ed.), IV. 263.

2 The resolve of the Virginia convention, July 5, is in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., VI. 1613. Cf. no. 59, post.