doubtful of the success of his petition-for a publick body to break their own general rules may be attended with evil consequences; however, I shall do all in my power to have this matter determined as speedily as possible, and shall use my endeavours to serve Captain Bowden, so far as (in my opinion) is consistent with the publick good.2.

Enclosed you have some late resolutions of Congress respecting the Navy. Some further proposals are before Congress, which I expect will be soon taken up.3 . .

197. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOSIAH BARTLETT.'

My Dear Sir

PHILA^ 8th. Novr. 1776

Our Colleage arriv'd the 3d inst he cross'd the River several miles. above Dobb's ferry by which means I suppose you Miss'd him he complains much of the Roads and I believe justly. he was Inoculated Yesterday, but attends Congress. Nothing meterial has happen'd since your departure. some private Letters from Genl Lee of Yesterdays date are very incouraging. If you pass'd through the Army, you must be sensible of the want of Cloathing and as you know what was done in Congress respecting that matter no doubt You'll use your influence to draw the attention of the Executive Power of Our state to that Subject. I find the Genl. Court of the Massachusetts have increas'd the pay of their Soldiers and have sent a Committee to Camp to inlist the men, but Genl. Washington wod not consent to their giving out Orders till the matter was lay'd before Congress one of the Gentn. arriv'd Yesterday what will be done in the affair I know not. we really have a Choice of Difficulties which I [am] in no doubt we shall get over but the thing is to make advantages of those difficulties The Massachus. have increas'd the pay of their Soldiers to 10 dols. pr Month for the new army if that shod be come into, the charge of the Army will be so great that it will discourage many and undoubtedly will cause some heart burnings in a certain Assembly; on the other hand, if the matter has taken air among the Soldiers and shod not be agree'd to there is greater danger that we shall have no Army this affair is referr'd to a Committee who I suppose will report tomorrow shall be able to give you a more perticular accot. of the matter in my next. in the mean time I hope every measure is and will be taken to raise our Proportion and as many more as possible.*. . . .

2 See Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 307, 595; also letters from Commodore Esek Hopkins to Capt. Abraham Whipple, Nov. 12, ibid., III. 658, to John Langdon, Nov. 21, Dec. 28, ibid., III. 799, 1470, and to John Bradford, Dec. 28, ibid., III. 1470. The memorial of Capt. Lawrence Bowden, presented to Congress Nov. 9, has not been found. Cf. no. 203, post. Concerning Capt. John Plance (or Plants) see a letter from Hopkins to Bradford, Nov. 12, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 659.

See the Journals, Oct. 10, 11, 30, Nov. 6, 7, 13, 18, 20, and no. 214, post.

[197]1 Dartmouth College Lib., Bartlett Corr., vol. I., 1774-1778.

2 Matthew Thornton. See the Journals, Nov. 4, and cf. Thornton to Weare,

Nov. 12, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 652.

3 George Partridge. See no. 194. ante, and no. 201, post.

4 Washington's letter, dated Nov. 6, is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 541. He is more explicit in a letter of Nov. 11 (read in Congress Nov. 15), ibid., III. 638. See

198. THE BOARD OF WAR TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 WAR OFFICE Novr 8th 1776.

Honourable Gentlemen:

General Schuyler is very desirous of having an answer to his Letters respecting the Nanticoke Indians. The Six Nations repeatedly complain that those of that Nation who were left in Maryland are detained there contrary to their Inclinations. This idea, tho' not founded in Truth creates much uneasiness, and is constantly held up by the Indians in their conferences with the General. Congress have before written to your State on the Subject on which I have now the honour of addressing you by order of the Board of War, but have not been favoured with an Answer, which I have it in command to request you will now be pleased to give that it may be transmitted to General Schuyler, and he may thereby be enabled to satisfy the minds of the Indians on this subject.2

With the greatest respect I have the Honour to be your most obedt hble Servt

P. S...

....

RICHARD PETERS Sec'y.

Dear Hewes

199. WILLIAM HOOPER TO JOSEPH HEWES.1

[November 8(?), 1776.]

In your letter to your Brother you ask "what is become of Hooper?[”] I answer, Here he is the Packhorse of North Carolina, carrying his burden in congress all day, and varying it only by taking it up in Comalso his letter of Nov. 6, to the Massachusetts assembly, ibid., III. 547, that of Nov. 10, to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, ibid., III. 632, Gates to Hancock, Nov. 6, ibid., III. 549, Gates to Stockton and Clymer, Nov. 7, ibid., III. 592, and Stockton and Clymer to Congress, Nov. 10 (printed 20), ibid., III. 784. The matter came before Congress Nov. 9, in a letter of Timothy Danielson, one of the Massachusetts commissioners. See also the Journals, Nov. 11, 12. The letter of Danielson, dated Nov. 3, together with a letter from Danielson to James Warren of the same date, and the Massachusetts resolves of Oct. 19, are ibid., III. 494-496. See also a letter from Danielson to the Massachusetts assembly, Nov. 5, ibid., III. 521, and one to Tristram Dalton, Nov. 16, with_sundry enclosures, ibid., III. 711-713, and a letter from the President of Congress to the Eastern States, Nov. 15, ibid., III. 697. The report of the commissioners to the assembly, dated Dec. 7, is ibid., III. 713. Cf. no. 194, ante, and nos. 199, 201, 210-213, 215, post. [198] Arch. of Md., XII. 429; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 598.

2 See, further, the Journals, Aug. 19, Nov. 7; Schuyler's letters to Congress, Aug. 18 (read in Congress Aug. 26) and Sept. 14, and his letter of Nov. 6 to the committee sent to the Northern army, in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 1030, II. 333, and III. 1585, respectively. Hancock wrote to Schuyler Nov. 9:

Although Congress have repeatedly applied to Maryland on the subject of the Nanticoke Indians without effect, yet are they determined to make another application, the result of which shall be immediately transmitted to you." Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 614.

The reply to this letter from the board of war is in Arch. of Md., XII. 447, dated Nov. 15. See no. 228, post. On Dec. 6, 1775, John Bull presented a memorial to Congress on behalf of the Six Nations, for the removal of the Nanticoke Indians from Maryland. A time was set for consideration of the memorial, but it seems never to have been taken up. The memorial is in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., IV. 202.

[199]1 Furnished by the courtesy of Mr. James H. Manning of Albany.

2 Cf. Hooper's letter of Oct. 26 to the North Carolina provincial congress, N. C. Col. Recs., X. 862.

mittees all the Evening. In a word I am fatigued almost to death. 9 Colonies you know are required to compose a Congress. Neither Georgia Maryland Delaware or New York have been for some time past represented so that your humble Servant is compelled to a constant unremitting attendance. I never in my life felt myself so perfectly exculpated from the Sin of Omission. I am at a loss to conceive how I have found time to write so many publick and private letters. amongst the latter before this you are convinced that I have not been unmindful of you.

From the many difficulties which attend the raising an Army here and to the Eastward I cannot too earnestly press upon you the necessity of forwarding by every possible method the recruiting Service. the Bounty and pay are both enormous and I hope will secure us success in recruiting to the Southd. tho the Eastern Gentry are not yet satisfied, and wish to screw us up a few pegs higher, but they will be disappointed for in my opinion matters are now come to this, Give way to the extortion of the Army and you part with the property of the Continent to them and become Slaves to their Avarice and Caprice. Disband your Army and you are Slaves to a British Tyrant. Your Slavery differs only in the name of the Superiour. if I am a Slave let me have one rather than 60,000 Masters. However these Gentry will soon I hope be brought to reason and we shall have a formidable force on reasonable Terms. . .

Pray request the Convention to write me fully of what they wish to have accomplished here within the compass of my abilities, and not leave me to guess at a meaning. If it can be prevented I wish you could avoid a demand for a large sum on the Contl. Treasury for a while at least. It runs a little low just now but will soon I hope by Lottery and Loan Office both of which are established by Congress will be up again. As to settling the publick Accounts Gentlemen in Carolina are employed to adjust those in Virginia so vice versa. Adieu I am at the bottom of my Sheet Love to Penn

Sir

Yours Affectionately

WM HOOPER

200. THE BOARD OF WAR TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

WAR OFFICE Novr 8th: 1776

Mr. Lewis (a Brother Delegate) has given Congress Information that Application had been made to your Excellency by a Flag from Genl. Howe to permit Mrs. Watts and Mrs: Barrow, the Pay Masters Wife to go to their Husbands in New York and at same Time requested Congress to assist him with their Authority to obtain the Release of his Lady whom the Enemy would not permit to come out. The House having refer'd the Matter to the Board of War, we beg leave to represent to your Excellency

3 See nos. 194, 197, ante, and nos. 201, 210-213, 215, post.

[200]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XCV. 325; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 597.

the Propriety of obtaining Mrs: Lewis and Mrs. Robinson her Daughter with her Children in exchange for Mrs. Watts and Mrs. Barrow: and, if you have not already permitted these ladies to go into York or given Genl. Howe a promise to that effect, that you will make the Release of our Ladies, if we may be allowed the expression, a necessary requisite. Indeed should you have complied with Genl. Howe's Request, we submit it to your Excellency whether Mrs: Lewis and Mrs Robinson may not be asked for in Return. We do not imagine that you will be refused, but should you, we must recur to the unhappy Expedient of with-holding in future every similar Indulgence to those Ladies in our Power, who may desire to visit their Connections in the Army.

We are very sorry that our Enemies have compelled us to resolve upon any Thing which looks like severity, or indeed to lay any Restraint upon the fair sex, but tho' we cannot approve the Practice, we shall be obliged to follow the Example of his Britannic Majesty's Commanders. We have the Honour to be with the most perfect Esteem your very obedt Servants

2

BENJN HARRISON
JAMES WILSON
EDWARD RUTLEDGE

P. S. Should Mrs. Watts and Mrs. Barrow carry in their Baggage Mrs. Lewis and Mrs Robinson must have the same indulgence. Perhaps if the Ladies cannot be exchanged upon the above Terms Mrs. Lewis may be exchanged for Mrs. Kempe.

B. H. J. W. E. R.

Sir,

201. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO

GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

PHILADA. NOVr. 9th. 1776.

The enclosed Letter from Colo. Miles to Mr. Wister of this City, I am directed by Congress to transmit to you, that you may take such Steps relative to the Exchange of the Gentlemen therein mentioned, as you may judge proper.2

Mr. Partridge, one of the Committee from the State of Massachusetts Bay, having laid before Congress, sundry Resolves of that State encreasing the Pay of their Troops beyond what the Congress had given, they

2 See the Journals, Nov. 8. Washington's reply, Nov. 15, is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 699. [201] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 12; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 614.

2 See the Journals, Nov. 7, 30. The letter of Col. Samuel Miles to William Wister, dated "November, 1776", is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 619. A letter from Col. Samuel J. Atlee to Washington, dated Nov. 9, is on the same page. The further correspondence of Washington relative to the case is ibid., III. 629, 764, 791, 838, 871. In regard to the case of Thomas Irving, for whom Atlee hoped to be exchanged, see no. 272, post.

have come to a Resolution disapproving of that Measure; and have agreed, that the Troops in the American Army may be enlisted for three years, or during the War, as shall be most agreeable to them, subject to the Terms mentioned in the enclosed Resolves."

202. FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE TO LANDON CARTER.1

My dear Colonel,

PHILADELPHIA Novr. 9th. 1776

You was in the right not to be alarm'd, all is well in Congress; only the members grow weary, go off, and leave us too thin; which obliged us to call for them. There are some, my dear Col. who wish the Congress to be divided and contemptible; as that cant be accomplished, the next thing is, to make the world think it is so. Those endeavors affect me only as the public good is concern'd. . . . . Congress made no observations on the report of the Comtee to L° Howe, thinking it better to leave the plain facts to the judgement of the people. This was not my opinion, and allways hoped some private hand wou'd have done it, but alass! Constitutions employ every pen..

Dear Sir

1

203. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOHN WENDELL.1

PHILADELPHIA 11th Novr 1776

I recd your Favours of the 20th and 27th Octr. and have layed before Congress Capt Bodens 2 petition, in Consequence of which it [is] committed to the marine Committee. Colo Whipple being a Member of that Comme and well acquainted with the Circumstances will undoubtedly take proper Measures for rightly conducting the Matter; I have likewise shewn to him and Mr. Ellery your Letter on the Subject.

The Soldiers thro'out America have not been so well provided for, as every Friend to the Army could wish, owing partly to a Scarcity of some articles and partly to a Multiplicity of Business; but I believe that every State as well as Congress are fully convinced of the Necessity of paying a particular Regard to this part of their Concerns. Medicines are sent in sufficient Quantities for the Army at Ticonderoga, and by a late Letter from the Commissioners' We are informed that comfortable pro

* This paragraph was evidently added to the letter subsequent to the resolves of Nov. 12, to which it refers. A similar statement, dated Nov. 13, is appended to Hancock's letter to Schuyler, Nov. 9 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 614). See also Hancock's letter to the Eastern states, Nov. 15, ibid., p. 697, and no. 197, note 4, ante.

[202]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 1638, Declaration of Independence; Va. Hist. Soc., Lee Transcripts, II.

2 See the Journals, Oct. 1, and no. 154, ante.

* See the Journals, Sept. 17.

[203] Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll., Signers, vol. I., no. 27. Addressed, "John Wendell Esqr at Portsmouth".

2 Capt. Lawrence Bowden. See the Journals, Nov. 9, and no. 196, ante. Stockton and Clymer, the committee sent to the Northern army (see the Journals, Sept. 26, and no. 145, ante). The letter referred to, dated Oct. 26, is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 1256. The committee's report to Congress, Nov. 27, is printed ibid., III. 1584-1592, together with reports (Nov. 28, 29) of the committee to which this report was referred.