vision is made for the sick. They have good Houses fresh provisions etc and only wanted Straw. The Army were Healthy and in Expectation of an Engagement. The Sutlers have by all Accounts been exceedingly extortionate and Congress are now making provision for rectifying this Matter. a Resolve has lately passed Congress for preventing Monopolies and if the States do not make effectual provission the people should call on them for this purpose." The Currency is a most important object, but if provission is made to pay all Interest on the Loan Office Certificates in Specie and the possessor is at Liberty to receive continental Currency for the princepal when his Certificate becomes due or continue it on Interest untill the Continent shall redeem it in specie, I think It must immediately appreciate to its Original Value; and this is now under the Consideration of Congress. . . . .

6

General Howe's sudden Retreat occasions much Speculation. he undoubtedly intends to land on the Jersey Shore and if he comes this Way I hope you will hear a good Account of him; Time must convince the Continent of the true Character of the people of each State but I cannot think they will any where be backward in Defence. On the whole our Difficulties are great, but the State is never to be dispaired of. Had the southern States been in the politics of the eastern, We should have declared Independance last Winter and received a great advantage therefrom, but this being omitted We must make the best of it.

204. GEORGE WYTHE TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.1

The resolutions describing treasons are inclosed." the report for ascertaining the value of coins, etc. remains in the same state of repose as you left it in, among several others that are, as the president says, not acted upon.R

II Nov. 1776

205. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE
COMMISSIONERS FROM MARYLAND.1

Gentlemen,

PHILADELPHIA Nov. 13th 1776.

In consequence of a letter to congress this day received from the Honble convention of Maryland inclosing sundry resolutions of that Body rela

4 See the Journals, Nov. 8, 9. Cf. nos. 215, 261, post. "A Plan is now in Agitation to prevent the Soldiers being abusd by the Extortion of Sutlers." Samuel Adams to James Warren, Nov. 16, Warren-Adams Letters, I. 277.

5 See the Journals, Oct. 28, 31, Nov. 26.

• A committee to devise ways and means of supplying the treasury was appointed Oct. 14. See the Journals, Oct. 3, 7, Nov. 1, 2, 13, 15, Dec. 5, 6, and the Journals for 1777, passim (index, Loan Office Certificates; Loans). Cf. no. 215, post.

[204]1 Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, second ser., LXXXİV. 2.

2 The resolutions were passed June 24.

* See the Journals, Apr. 19, May 22, July 24, Sept. 2. Under the latter date will be found a report, drawn by Jefferson, on the value of gold and silver coins. The matter was reported as unfinished business Jan. 23, 1777.

[205]1 Arch. of Md., XII. 441; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 673.

tive to the raising their Quota of the new Levies,2 I have it in charge to furnish you with the Resolutions of Congress pass'd yesterday admitting the new Levies to enlist for three years, and at the same time to inform you, that if the Inhabitants of the State of Maryland will inlist to serve during the continuance of the present war, they already have the Faith of the United States of America pledged for the land to be granted to such soldiers.

The Resolutions referred to you have inclosed, and contain the sense of Congress as to the mode of the new Inlistment.

Sir,

3

206. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

PHILADA. Novr. 14th. 1776.

The enclosed Letter from Mr. Searle, a Gentleman of Honour and a Friend to the Cause of America, I am commanded by Congress to forward to you with the utmost Expedition. The uncertain Destination of the Fleet therein mentioned, makes it absolutely necessary that you should be informed of the Intelligence as soon as possible, that you may make

2 The letter from the convention of Maryland, dated Nov. 10, together with the resolutions of Nov. 9, are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 627. See the Journals, Nov. 12, 13; also no. 191, note 3, ante, and nos. 216, 219-221, 226, 248, post.

3 Two letters from the Maryland commissioners are appropriate here. One of them, dated at Philadelphia, Nov. 13, is from Benjamin Rumsey and is addressed to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer. The pertinent part is as follows:

"Congress have this day given an Answer to the Resolutions of our State which being an intire new One We have dispatched to the proper place to be considered they resolve that the Troops may be inlisted for three Years and a Bounty of twenty Dollars only be given or during the War and One hundred Acres of Land be added to the Bounty they will not specify where the Land lies belonging to the united States.

"Our Instructions run that they are to be inlisted during the War of Course when our State accedes to it we can proceed. Congress has got rid of the Difficulty with Respect to the Land and has not closed in with either of the Propositions made by our State nor receded intirely from their own Resolution.

"But if they have escaped they embarrass Us. What can We do with our Regulars? they are inlisted during the War: Must we inlist them again in the Service of the State for three Years? I imagine our State will not incline to do so if they do we ought to have Instructions on that Head." (Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 46; Arch. of Md., XII. 442; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 660.)

The other letter, dated Nov. 14, is signed by James Lloyd Chamberlaine, Thomas Contee, Benjamin Rumsey, and John Hanson, jr., and is addressed to "The Honorable Mathew Tilghman Esqr., President of the Convention of Maryland":

On receipt of yours of the 10 Instant We waited on the Honorable Congress. This morning received a Letter and Resolutions of Congress, the inclosed are Copies. To us new difficulties arise, among others a grand one, Whether, our Regular Troops, (who are already engaged during the war) shoud now be inlisted for three years. As we conceive the subject matter of those Resolves to be new, we wait for further directions from the honourable Convention of our State. As time grows Short we have sent off the express with the utmost despatch." (Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 49, in the writing of Rumsey; Arch. of Md., XII. 452; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 673.) The reply to this letter, Nov. 17, is in Arch. of Md., XII. 454.

[206]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 18; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 669.

such Dispositions of the Troops under your Command as you shall judge proper.2

I have the honour to be, with every sentiment of Esteem and Respect, Sir your most obed. and very hble Servt

His Excellency Genl Washington.3

Sir

JOHN HANCOCK Presidt.

207. JOHN WITHERSPOON TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY
(WILLIAM LIVINGSTON).1

PHILADELPHIA Nov. 14, 1776

The inclosed Letter delivered to me this morning in Congress has been so long on its Way that perhaps Mr Stockton is himself at home by this time yet I thought it necessary that you should receive it by Express and lay it before the Assembly who will do upon it what appears to them

necessary

I also take leave to inform you and by you the Council and Assembly that this Moment Congress have received an Express that ships are turning out from the Hook and steering southward. The former Intelligence which you can inform them of will enable them to determine what use they should make of this. Expresses are sent to the southern Governments and every means is using in this City to prepare for its Defence in Case the Enemy should intend here. The ships come out slowly but 100 were seen two of them large yesterday afternoon when the Express left Long branch. It is the opinion of intelligent Persons that you should immediately send a Body of Militia to the fort at Willingsport on Delaware lest they should send a detachment against it. As soon as further Intelligence comes the Assembly shall be made acquainted with it and I doubt not the most vigorous Exertions will be made as most here seem to think the Design is against this important Place.3 I am Sir your most obedt humble servant

JNO WITHERSPOON

2 The letters of Searle, written from Long Branch, N. J., Nov. 13, are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 669-670. One of them is in N. C. Col. Recs., X. 908. The Pennsylvania council of safety also sent out an urgent call for assistance. See their letters to the Lancaster committee and to the several battalion commanders in Lancaster County, Nov. 14, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 672-673; also a letter of William Hooper to the North Carolina congress, Nov. 14, in N. C. Col. Recs., X. 902 (the original is in the office of the North Carolina Historical Commission), and Samuel Adams to James Warren, Nov. 16, in Warren-Adams Letters, I. 277. William Ellery (Nov. 16, no. 212, post) mentions that on Nov. 15 Searle brought to Congress further information. This proved to be a false alarm. See nos. 207, 208, 211, 212, post.

Appended to the text in the Am. Arch. is the statement (from the Hancock Letter-Book): "The same to the Commanding Officer in New Jersey, and to his Excellency Governor Livingston." Similar letters were also written to the Southern states, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 669, 670). The original of the letter to North Carolina is in the office of the North Carolina Historical Commission. It is printed in N. C. Col. Recs., X. 908.

[207] N. J. State Lib., Stryker Coll.

2 Probably such a letter as that from Stockton to Abraham Clark, Oct. 28, in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 1274.

8 See no. 206, ante.

208. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO THE NORTH CAROLINA
CONVENTION.1

Gentlemen,

PHILADA, Novr 15th, 1776.

Since dispatching the Express yesterday 2 with Intelligence that a Fleet of above and [sic] Hundred Vessels had left New York, the Congress have received a Letter from General Green containing further Accounts; a Copy of which, in Obedience to their Commands, I now enclose.❜

It appears from this Information, that Lord Dunmore is to take the Command of a Fleet bound for the Southward, and said to be for South Carolina. But as it is by no Means certain against which of the Southern States, the Expedition is designed, it is highly necessary you should be on your Guard. I shall not detain the Express, only to add that you will make such Use of this Intelligence, as the Importance of it requires. I have the Honour to be, Gentlemen,

Your most Obedt and Very Hble Servt

JOHN HANCOCK, Presidt.

[P. S.] Since the foregoing, Congress have pass'd a Resolve, respect the Troops in your State, and the necessity of the Exertion of a part of your Militia, which I inclose you and to which I beg Leave to Refer you as also to the Resolve respects the Inlistments.

Please to forward the Dispatches to South Carolina by a fresh Express. Honble Convention of the State of North Carolina *

Sir,

209. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO
GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

PHILADA. Novr. 16th. 1776.

Since my last Nothing material has occurred here, nor have I any Thing in Charge from Congress, except to request you will negotiate an Exchange of the Hessian Prisoners at Elizabeth Town under the Care of Mr. Ludwick as soon as possible. They have been treated in such a Manner during their Stay in this City, that it is apprehended, their going back among their Countrymen, will be attended with some good Consequences.2

[208]1 N. C. Hist. Comm.; id. to Maryland, Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, VI. 41; Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 68; N. C. Col. Recs., X. 909; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 697 (to Maryland).

2 See no. 206, ante.

3 Greene's letter, dated Nov. 12, is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 652; also in N. C. Col. Recs., X. 909. A letter from Greene to Washington, Nov. 11 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 638), is of similar purport. See the Journals, Nov. 15. Cf. a letter of William Hooper to the North Carolina provincial congress, Nov. 15, in N. C. Col. Recs., X. 903 (the original is in the office of the North Carolina Historical Commission); also Ellery to Cooke, Nov. 16, in Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 99.

The same letter, with a variation in the postscript, was despatched to Virginia, South Carolina, and Maryland. The resolve applied only to North Carolina. Cf. no. 210, post.

[209]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 21; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 705.

2 Cf. the Journals, Nov. 15 (p. 955).

Your Favour of the 11th Novr. came duly to Hand, and was laid before Congress.3

210. WILLIAM HOOPER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONVENTION (Richard Caswell).1

Sir

PHILADELPHIA November 16 1776.

When I closed my letters last evening, I did not imagine that it would be necessary for me to write anything further upon the motives which induced the Congress to send the Express who is the bearer of this. The Representation of the delegates of South Carolina, stating the weakness of that colony and its incompetency to its own defence, if attacked by a formidable force of the Enemy, its reliance upon North Carolina for that succour which it had little reason to expect from any other source, their Apprehensions that an attack was immediately intended by General Howe upon Charlestown, have induced Congress to pass a resolve which this incloses, and have detained the express to give an opportunity to communicate it to your honourable body.

The Continental Congress have therefore thought proper to recommend that the Continental Troops under Genl Moore should be stationed where they may be in a capacity to be suddenly and most effectually useful to South Carolina, and at the same time not at such a distance from ourselves as to be incapable of rendering No. Carolina Assistance in case the Enemy should be infatuated enough to attenpt to penetrate it. This measure recommended by Congress will I doubt not obtain your approbation, yet as the full and perfect security of North Carolina is a first and important object to me the representative of it, I did not think myself at liberty to consent to any arrangement which might weaken our internal resources without a competent substitute in lieu of them. This induced my application that the Militia which we might have occasion to call forth should be at the Continental Expence which from the justice of it obtained their assent. . . . .

Inclosed you have another Resolve which the necessity of recruiting an army immediately to the Eastward has rendered proper. Congress, tho well convinced of the utility of enlisting men during the War, as it would tend to prevent the frequent calls for bounty upon new enlistments, and obviate the difficulties which result from troops leaving Camp when their services are most essential, and when perhaps the fate of America might depend upon their stay, that we might have an army enured to service and discipline, thought proper to direct them to be raised during

3 Washington's letter of Nov. II is in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 19, and Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 638 (see no. 197, note 4, ante). [210]1 N. C. Hist. Comm.; N. C. Col. Recs., X. 904. The letter was addressed to "The Honourable the President and Members of the Convention of the State of North Carolina". That body (which was, however, called the "Provincial Congress") met at Halifax, Nov. 12 to Dec. 23, 1776. See ibid., X. 913-1013.

2 Hooper's letters of Nov. 15 are in N. C. Col. Recs., X. 903-904. One of them is, in fact, a postscript to his letter of Nov. 14 (see no. 206, note 2, ante).

3 See the Journals, Nov. 16.