our Quota have given a copy of a Resolve, relative to the Massachusetts Bay, who it [sic] I am informed, offered 30/s a Month extra for the privates, in which Congress agree to give 20 Dollars bounty to each soldier, who will enlist for three Years. Our Commissioners are much distressed.2

217. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY.1

Gentlemen,

PHILADA. Novr. 20th. 1776.

I have it in Charge from Congress to forward the enclosed Resolve,2 and to request your Attention to it. From the great Importance of it in carrying on the War against our Enemies, I am persuaded, you will take immediate Measures for complying with it in the most effectual Manner.

You will percieve, from the vote of Congress, herewith transmitted, the Sense of that Body with Regard to the Necessity of furnishing the Troops for the new Army as soon as possible.

As our Ennemies will no doubt take the Field early in the Spring, it becomes us to be prepared to meet them; and for this End, to exert ourselves the approaching Winter, to compleat, the Army, agreeable to the new Establishment."

218. THE BOard of War tO THE PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1

Gentlemen

WAR OFFICE 2 o'clock P: M: Thursday [November 21, 1776].2

I did myself the Honour of writing you about two Hours since informing your honourable Body that the Members of this Board were very ready to confer and co-operate with you in any Measures you should think necessary for the Defence of this State. The Congress having vested us

2 See nos. 191, 205, ante, 219-221, 226, 248, post.

[217]1 Copied from the original then in the possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia. Identical letters were written to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. This letter is printed in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 776. The original to Maryland is in the Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, VI. 60. A similar letter was written to New York and New Jersey (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 776). The first paragraph was sent also to the Pennsylvania council of safety (ibid.).

2 The particular resolve referred to is evidently that of Nov. 19 (Journals, p. 966) concerning magazines of military stores. This letter was to be sent to all the states from Pennsylvania southward. In some of the letters the plural was apparently used (see the text in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 776). The second paragraph refers to the resolution of the same date in regard to recruiting, which applied to all the states. It would seem that the further resolution in regard to recruiting, passed Nov. 21, was also included (see ibid., p. 777).

This letter bears the following endorsements:

"Referr'd to a Comm. of the whole upon the State of the Country Decr. the 6, 1776.” "The contents, taken into consideration in a Committee of the whole House on the state of the Country, Decr. th 6 but no resolution come to thereon." [218]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 4039; Hist. Mag., XIII. 18.

2 This letter bears an endorsement: War Office, 21 Novr. 1776.”

3

with all their Powers we beg Leave to repeat that we are and shall be ready at all Times to meet a Committee from your Board to consult upon such Steps as may require our joint Exertions. Should you be inclined to hold a Conference you will be pleased to signify the same to

Gentlemen, Your most obedt. Servts.

By order of the Board of War

E: RUTLEDGE

219. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 PHILADA. Novr. 21st. 1776. Thursday Evening.

Gentlemen.

I have seen your opinion to our Commissioners that they should proceed and inlist our Troops for three years. I am apprehensive you do not see the opinion and object of Congress in its fullest Extent. The Congress will agree that Maryland may raise her Troops for three years, but have declared, and now hold, our State bound to contribute her proportion of the Expense attending the procuring of lands for the officers and soldiers furnished by other States for the war. We have proposed and urged on Congress that the question as to the procuring Lands at the expense of the united States, and our claim that the back Lands acquired from the Crown of G. B. in the present war should be a common stock for the benefit of the united States, and should remain open for the determination of some future Congress. We have proposed that any State which may raise its Quota for the War and give a bounty in Lieu of Land shod. indemnify the united States from any Claim from their officers and Soldiers who received an allowance in Lieu of Land, and that such State should not be chargeable to the united States for any part of the Expense attending the procuring of Lands for the officers and Soldiers of the other States who shall furnish Troops for the War. Both these propositions have been rejected. This day a Resolve passed, that each State be at Liberty to inlist for the War or three Years.3 what our

8 See the Journals, Nov. 14; cf. ibid., Nov. 11. No record of such a conference at this time has been found. See however a resolution of Nov. 23, in consequence of which a committee of Congress had a conference with the council and members of the assembly. Some resolutions taken by the committee are printed in a foot-note in the Journals (ed. Ford), under Nov. 23. They are also found in the proceedings of the council of safety of Pennsylvania, preceded by this entry: A Committee of Congress requested an interview with as many Members of the House of Assembly as are in Town, and this Council: Whereupon a Number of the Members of Assembly attended, and the following Resolutions of Congress were laid before them." Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 195, 828. Cf. no. 226, post.

66

[219]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 51; Arch. of Md., XII. 469; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 787.

2 The opinion referred to is in a letter from the council of safety to the commissioners, dated Nov. 17, in Arch. of Md., XII. 454. See also the Maryland council of safety to the commissioners, Nov. 9, ibid., XII. 434, and the Maryland convention to the commissioners, Nov. 10, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 627, followed by the convention resolutions of Nov. 9; also the proceedings of the convention, Nov. 8, 9, 10, ibid., III. 174, 177, 179, and the council of safety to the delegates, Nov. 29, Arch. of Md., XII. 490. Cf. nos. 191, 205, 216, ante, 220, 221, 226, post. See also no. 68, ante.

* See the Journals, Nov. 21; cf. ibid., Nov. 12, 13.

Commissioners will do I know not, nor can I advise them. I am amazed at the Obstinacy of Congress.

The Paper for our Money is shipped this Day. Mr. Paca arrived this Morning, so that we are now represented, but if Mr. Rumsey shod. go to Camp, We shall soon be without a Representation.*

220. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 PHILAD. NOV. 23rd. 1776 Saturday.

Gentlemen

.... The Congress have resolved to encrease their Navy. Two frigates of 36 Guns are to be built in our State.

Many of the Congress, some true Friends, are uneasy at the Powers to the Delegates of Maryland. they are apprehensive, if made known they will reach Lord Howe, and encourage him, and if the Courts of Europe should see them, it would prevent a foreign alliance. some Reasons are given to countenance this Opinion. I do not see why they should not be published in the Journall. the powers relate to Peace and War, and can be of no Service to the publick. I wish You would consider This Subject.2 In eight Days the Enlistment of the far greater part of our Army expires. I greatly doubt if we shall be able to prevail on the Troops to enter into the Service. I have some Hopes of obtaining our wish from Congress. Our Commissioners will proceed on tomorrow I believe. however whether they do or not is a secret.3

221. BENJAMIN RUMSEY TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.1

Sir,

We have continued in this Place untill this Day in wch. We shall set off for the Camp not being able to proceed before neither under the Letter nor Spirit of our Commission.

Our Convention had certainly two capital Objects in View that as the Congress had engaged the Faith of the United States to furnish the Soldiery with the Bounty of Lands which they were to purchase, it followed by Implication that the United States had None belonging to them in Common but must purchase of particular States who claimed a Monopoly in them and of Course might ruin those States who had None. Her View then was to have these Lands declared a common Stock as being purchased (if ever purchased) by the joint Blood and Treasure of the Confederacy or find no Land to her Ruin.

The first Satisfaction She received on this Head was that She might inlist for three Years and give the 20 Doll. Bounty, but must give the

4 See no. 221, note 3, post.

[220] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 53; Arch. of Md., XII. 475; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 819.

2 See the credentials, in the Journals, Nov. 19.

3 See nos. 191, 205, 216, 219, ante, 221, 226, 248, post.

[221] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 54; Arch. of Md., XII. 476; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 827.

Soldiers the Alternative to inlist during the War on the first Conditions, Opening two Rolls for the Purpose.

This not pleasing they Resolve again that the Commissioners may proceed to inlist for three Years upon one Roll alone keeping it always in View that it was better to inlist during the War, if it did not retard the Service

This Resolution keeping up the first Bone of Contention the Land and by Implication that the States had none still not answering expectation The Congress further resolved that any Resolutions that had passed should neither operate to weaken or strengthen the Claim of the United States or any of them to any Back Land by which this point that has given such uneasiness in our Province will be saved and be discussed hereafter in our future Confederacy.

The Second point they had in View was the point of Taxation which they thought unequal being rated on Slaves as well as Whites. This has been expressly named as the Mode as to 6 Millions of Dollars. As to 14. more the same Declaration is made as in the Article of Land, that the proportion of sinking it shall be adjusted hereafter on each State and that nothing heretofore done shall strengthen or weaken such Enquiry or Question.

Our Province having in some Measure obtained a Satisfaction on those two Heads Nothing now remains but to consider whether the Convention having impowered Us to proceed and inlist for and during the War on the 20. Dollars we can go on the Terms of three Years and the same Bounty being for a less Term and in this Point we are pretty generally agreed to depart from the Letter to preserve the Spirit.2.

24. Novr. 1776 PHILADA. wrote in the Midst of Company

My Dear

222. Oliver WOLCOTT TO MRS. WOLCOTT.1

PHELIDELPA. 24th. Novr. 1776

I have been alone in the Connecticut Delegation since Col Williams went home. Mr Sherman is dayly expected, but I suppose he finds a good deal of Dificullty in Executing his Business which he was employed in by the Colony, with the Army.

Unless Col Williams tho't the present times less dificult, than when his Presence here was first tho't to be so Very essential I can assign No Reason why he went off, except what he himself gave, which was that he did not know whether he should do any good if he Staid-a most puzzling Question, and which probably will be a Matter of everlasting Doupt-but the true Reason of his Return was that he did not know of

2 See the Journals, Nov. 21, 23, and nos. 191, 205, 216, 219, 220, ante, 226, 248,

post. 3 Rumsey was chosen a delegate to Congress by the convention of Maryland Nov. 10 (see the Journals, Nov. 19), but did not take his seat until Dec. 12 (see his letter of Dec. 19, no. 248, post). He had however been in Philadelphia for more than a month (see no. 191, note 3, ante), in intimate conference with members of Congress. This letter is therefore essentially, even if not technically, that of a member of Congress. [222]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, vol. II., no. 22.

any particular personal or Family Interest to induce him to tarry longer.'

223. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO SAMUEL PURVIANCE, JR.1 PHILADELPHIA, 24th Novr. 1776

Dear Sir,

Very long before your recommendation of Mr. Plunket came to hand, a Capt. Disney had been appointed Capt. of Marines on board the Virginia, upon the recommendation of Mr. Stone.

The Congress have determined to build in Maryland two frigates of 36 guns each, and I make no doubt but that one at least of these will be built at Baltimore. I suppose, when the committee meets on next Tuesday that directions concerning the building the new ships will issue to the respective States. Not a word has been yet said in Congress touching a quarrel with Portugal, nor will any such thing happen, I imagine, unless they should confiscate any of our Vessels.*.

If the Tories do not mend their manners, be more modest, and less noisy, they will shortly be haled over the coals in such a manner as will make the country too hot to hold them. . . .

224. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO [JOSEPH TRUMBULL?].1

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 26, 1776

The late Events at New York relative to Forts Washington and Lee must be known before this reaches you; I wish they may be forgot, as there appeared to me Want of Generalship. I have the pleasure to alleviate this by informing you that the Disposition of the Court of France is exceedingly favorable; such proofs were given of this so long ago as

2 In his letter to Wolcott, Aug. 12 (no. 73, ante; paragraph omitted there), Williams expresses the wish that there had been no call for his attendance, "at such a Season especially", and requests Wolcott to relieve him by the end of September or earlier. Wolcott wrote to his wife, Oct. 8: "Mr. Sherman goes home for a short visit upon his Return Mr. Williams will probably go home. I shall likely continue here till the Expiration of my Delegation." (Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, II. 20.) Nov. 12, he wrote: This goes by Col. Williams who is returning home. Mr. Huntington and Mr. Sherman have been absent some time the latter is dayly expected back." (Ibid., II. 24.) Cf. no. 162, ante. Dec. 5, he wrote: "No Delegates are yet come from Connecticut tho I am informed Mr. Huntington will soon return." (Wolcott Papers, II. 26.) Cf. no. 215, ante, 244, 260, post.

[223] Md. Hist. Soc., Portfolio No. 8 (1); Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 225; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 826; Purviance, Baltimore in the Revolution, p. 206.

2 Presumably David Plunkett, lieutenant in Smallwood's Maryland regiment. 3 James Disney was made captain, July 13, in the 3d Maryland battalion of the flying camp. See Arch. of Md., XII. 170, and passim; also Heitman, Hist. Reg. * See no. 211, note 9, ante.

[224] Copied from the original then in the possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia. The contents of the letter point to Joseph Trumbull as the person to whom it was written. Moreover, Gerry speaks, in his letter of Dec. 7 (no. 239, post), of a letter of Nov. 26 to Trumbull.