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June last, (but lately discovered to Congress) as were not expected; I am not at Liberty to say more on this Matter at present.2.

Sir,

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

PHILADA. Novr. 26th. 1776.

The Congress have ordered General Mifflin to stay in this City, until you shall require his Attendance at Head Quarters, being well convinced that his Influence, which is very considerable over the Associators of this Place, will be employed to spirit them on to the most vigorous Measures.2

226. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 PHILADELPHIA. Nov. 26th. 1776 Tuesday Morning

Gentlemen. In my last I expressed some Hopes of prevailing on Congress to give our State some Satisfaction as to the back Lands, and the Mode by which

2 The favorable disposition of the court of France had for some time been known to the committee of secret correspondence (see, for instance, the committee's memorandum of Oct. 1, no. 153, ante), but precisely when their information was disclosed to Congress is not evident. Some such disclosure was made the latter part of August, probably through a letter of William Bingham, agent at Martinique (see nos. 97, 136, ante). Doubtless even prior to this the committee had received the letters of Dumas and Arthur Lee, together with their correspondence with Beaumarchais, written in April, May, and June (see Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 85, 90, 95 et seq.). The first of Deane's letters of which the Journals make definite record is that of Oct. 1 (ibid., II. 153), which was read in Congress Dec. 21; but earlier letters, not only of Deane, but also of Dumas, Arthur Lee, and Beaumarchais, had been received by the committee. It is not, however, apparent just when Deane's letter of Aug. 18 (ibid., II. 112) was received, but it was after Oct. 1 (see the committee to Deane, Oct. 1, ibid., II. 157). [225] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 31; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 852.

2 See the Journals, Nov. 25. Mifflin wrote to Washington, Nov. 26:

I came into this town at eight o'clock Sunday evening, and waited on Mr. Hancock with your letter immediately after my arrival. Yesterday morning I was admitted to Congress, in general committee, and went as far in my relation of the wretched appointments of the Army, the dangerous and critical situation of the Jerseys and Pennsylvania, and the necessity of immediate vigorous exertions to oppose Mr. Howe, as their sensibility and my own delicacy would justify. After some debate, a requisition was made to the Assembly now sitting, and Council of Safety of Pennsylvania, of their whole Militia; and resolutions formed for the purpose of establishing wholesome and necessary regulations for this and the next campaign.

"I received orders from Congress to remain in this town until your Excellency judged it necessary for me to join the Army. Those orders were in consequence of the divided and lethargic state of my countrymen, who appeared to be slumbering under the shade of peace, and in the full enjoyment of the sweets of commerce.

"In the afternoon I waited on the Committee of Safety, and with much success addressed their passions. The Assembly are to meet this morning. Their lesson is prepared by the Committee of Safety and some of their leading members, who say matters will now go on well.

"It is proposed to call on every man in the State to turn out. Such as refuse are to be fined five pounds per month, the fines to be distributed among those who inlist.

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"To-morrow the city Militia is to be reviewed. If they appear in such numbers as we expect, I am to give them a talk well seasoned. "Mifflin's letter is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 852. What purports to be his address to the Pennsylvania associators is ibid., III. 890.

[226]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 55; Arch. of Md., XII. 481; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 853.

the Proportion of the Expenses of the War was to be paid by each State. In this expectation I was delayed and disappointed for two Days, by Mr. Jenifers mentioning that our Commissioners had your orders to proceed. by an obstinate perseverance the enclosed Resolve was obtained last Saturday; on Sunday afternoon our Commissioners left this City. on yesterday the Commissioners from Congress, of which Mr. Paca is one, also sett off for the camps. much depends on their Success.2

In this State it is proposed to call out all the Militia of four Countys and this city immediately for six weeks. Chester, Bucks, Northampton and Philadelphia counties are the nearest to the Jerseys, and it is also proposed to call out a Company of volunteers from each Battalion in this State to enroll 'till 10th March next.

The preservation of this State and the Jerseys, and in great measure, the common Safety will depend on the success of this Requisition.3

New Jersey is also called on for aid, and Delaware is solicited, and if our State could afford any assistance in time, an application would also be made to her.*

If the present cloud should be happily dispersed, the new Levies will be the first object of your attention. We can neither prosecute the war nor obtain honorable Terms of peace without an Army. The inlistment will be only for three years, on the bounty of 20 dollars, and the annual clothing, or the 20 dollars in lieu thereof, by the resolves of Congress." I am informed, that the recruiting officers are entitled to 10/ for each man inlisted and passed, and 10/ per week for provisions, till the Recruits arrive at some place where they can be furnished by the Continental Commissaries..

Sir,

227. OLIVER WOLCOTT TO TIMOTHY EDWARDS.1

PHELEDELPHIA 29th. Novr 1776

I should probably have Attended with you at the Indian Conferance in July had my Health permitted. . .

2

Congress does not allow the Commissioners any Thing more than their Expences. for my Service I intend to Apply to our Assembly for pay, which I hope they will allow, for as the Commissioners are almost from every State I do not know why they may not be paid by them; Any

2 See nos. 191, 205, 216, 219-221, ante, 248, post.

3 See the resolutions in the Journals, Nov. 25, and cf. the resolutions of the committee (of which_Chase was a member), appointed Nov. 23, in the Journals, under Nov. 23 (p. 975 n.). See also no. 218, note 3, ante.

A letter from the committee mentioned in note 3, above, to George Read, Nov. 25, asking assistance from Delaware, is in Read, Life of Read, p. 216; also in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 837. See also McKinley to Read, Dec. 4 (two letters), Life of Read, pp. 217, 218. Cf. the Journals, Dec. 3, 5, 9.

5 The particular resolves alluded to are of Sept. 16, Oct. 8, and Nov. 21. Cf. no. 219, ante.

6 See the Journals, Oct. 12, 1775, Jan. 17, 1776; cf. ibid., Feb. 6, May 10, Oct. 16, Dec. 27. See also no. 228, note 2, post.

[227] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll, no. 1570, Declaration of Independence.

2 Wolcott and Edwards were two of the five commissioners of Indian affairs in the Northern department. Wolcott was chosen July 13, Edwards Nov. 24, 1775.

Monies which may be Wanted for the Northern Department will be sent upon Application of the Commissioners. perhaps the Ten Thousand Dollars sent last summer may have answered the Necessary Expenditures. Last April I was directed by Congress to Conferr with Col Francis respecting some Indians then in this City. I Waited upon him the first Time I had seen him the three pr[e]ceeding Months I had been here tho I Went every Day by his House. he was Very Complesant and said he knew I had been Appointed to attend Congress but had never heard that I had been in the City. after the Business was over, I tho't it best to Mention to him the bringing the Susquehannah Affair into the late Treaty so that he might not be able to say that I had been with him, but had not Honor enough to say a Word to him upon the subject. I told him that he had douptless been informed, that an Enquiry had been made, how the Susquehannah Business had been introduced into the late Indian Conferance. he said he had never been informed of it, which to me after all my Acquaintance with this Gentleman was surprizing. I then told him the affair particularly. he became Very angry recriminated with great Severety upon the Commissioners upon Genl. Schyler in particular, called it an ex Parte Affair etc. I let him know that the Matter had been conducted with great Honor and Propriety, and that as I might be suspected of some Partiality as belonging to Connecticut, I had declined going into the Examination myself, but left the Matter to those whose Impartiality and Integrity could not be suspected. This was the Substance of every Thing that passed between him and me at that Time. I did not imagine I had been guilty of any Disrespect to the Commissioners or had with Impropriety mentioned the affair. Nothing but a mere Point of Honor induced Me to say a Word to him upon the Subject. Sometime after he delivered an Open Letter to Me, the Copy of which I enclose. I felt much Chagrined at it, and told Francis that I never had blamed the Commissioners for what they had done and that I would now inform him, if he could be under any Misapprehension that in my Opinion if they had neglected an Enquiry they would have been guilty of a Criminal Omission and that I never Signified a Lisp to him more than that I did not take the Examination, but that I did most cordially approve of what they had done, and that he never had the least Reason from any Thing I ever said to him to doupt of it. This was the Substance of what pasd. at this Time. sometime after he put a Memorial to Congress, setting forth as tho' I had been guilty of Maltreating him and the Commissioners and moved for an Enquiry, which I most heartily seconded. a Committee was appointed of such Gentlemen as he certainly could have no objection against. Fulmer and one of the Onondagas, who was with

6

5

3 Wolcott was chosen, Apr. 30, a member of the committee of Congress on Indian affairs, but this instruction to confer with Francis is not recorded in the Journals.

The Indian treaty at Albany, August, 1775. The proceedings at the treaty, Aug. 15-Sept. 3, are in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., III. 473-496. Concerning the incident here referred to, see a letter from the commissioners to Congress, Dec. 14, 1775, ibid., IV. 259; also vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 464, 715, note 2.

5 The memorial was presented to Congress June 4.

Thomas Fulmer was one of the interpreters at the treaty of Albany. See the Journals, June 11, 26.

Col Francis the Evening referred to in the Report, when this Matter was first agitated by Col Francis was then in Town. Fulmer reaserted his former Testimony. the Onondago was Examined, who said that a White Man was the Occasion of the Matter being Mentioned. he was askd. who he was he said he did not come there to talk about Lands and declined giving any further Acc°. Col Francis was present during the Enquiry. I desired the Committee to fully Investigate the subject of Col Frances Memorial, but contrary to my Expectation they never proceeded farther with it, but made Report that they did not find the Facts stated in the memorial. I have as short as I could given you the Hystory of this Affair which you may probably have heard something of from another Qua[r]ter. So concious as I am myself of my own Innocency, I could not but Wonder that Col Francis Letter should make so much Impression upon Genl. Schyler Mind as it appeared to have done. I meant before now to have Wrote him upon the Subject, but for the general Reasons which have prevented me from answered [sic] your Favour earlier has hindered me I cannot think it a Crime to have mentioned the affair to Col Francis as I have no Apprehension that the Commissioners meant to keep the matter secret. if they did, I have been ignorantly faulty.

228. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 PHILADELPHIA, Novr. 30th. 1776 Saturday Morning

Gentlemen, .2 I am desired by Congress to call your immediate attention to their Request some Time ago to our Convention, to make Enquiry of some Nanticoak Indians, which the Six Nations alledge came into our State, and have not since been heard of, and they express fears for their safety. be pleased to enquire of Mr. Duvall for the Letter from Congress on this Subject, and take effectual Measures for a speedy Enquiry. I should imagine the Committee for Dorset County could make the proper Enquiry.R

Sir,

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

PHILADA. Decr. Ist. 1776.

Your Favour of the 30th. Novr. was duely received; in Consequence of which, as the Contents were of the utmost Importance, I thought proper

Cf. the report as recorded in the Journals, June 17.

[228]1 Hist. Soc. of Pa., Etting Coll., Signers, p. 12; Arch. of Md., XII. 496; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 916.

2 Chase quotes here the resolution of Congress of Oct. 12, 1775, relative to the allowance for recruiting. See no. 226, note 6, ante.

3 See no. 198, ante. The council's reply to this letter, Dec. 6, is in Arch. of Md., XII. 509. See also the council's letter to Brig.-Gen. Henry Hooper, Dec. 3, ibid., XII. 502. [229]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 34; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1026.

to call the Congress together; whose Resolutions of this Day, I now do myself the honour to enclose.2

Dear Sir,

230. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO PATRICK HENRY.1

PHILADELPHIA 3rd Dec., 1776

Col Charles Harrison leaves this place to-day with 250,000 dollars under his care for the use of our forces in Virginia, and for paying the bounties. Your recommendation of this Gentleman, seconded by his real merit, has procured him the command of a regiment of artillery, to be raised in Virginia,2 Congress having resolved to keep the artillery and engineer's departments under immediate continental inspection.

Sir,

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

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PHILADA. Decr. 4th. 1776.

The Congress apprehending that, in the present State of the Army, and Situation of our Affairs, an Exchange of Governor Franklin might be prejudicial, and attended with some bad Consequences, have been induced to come to the above Resolution, which I transmit by their Directions."

232. THE NEW YORK DELEGATES TO THE NEW YORK CONVENTION.1 PHILADELPHIA, December 4, 1776.

Gentlemen:

We received Mr. McKesson's letter, dated the 25th November. We have, according to your request, applied to Congress for leave to our State to raise another battalion, to be commanded by Colonel Dubois, which is agreed to, and a resolve to that purpose is enclosed for employing five Aid-Majors at the expense of our State.2. . . . The accounts of the officers of the five battalions is with you to settle. The Congress

2 The Journals record that “Congress, on a summons, met Sunday, December 1, 1776". Two letters of Washington, dated Nov. 30, were read Dec. 1. One of them was addressed to the board of war. The letters are in Washington's Writings (ed. Ford), V. 54, 58, and Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 919, 920.

[230] Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 227; Henry, Life of Patrick Henry, III. 31.

2 See the Journals, Nov. 26, 27, 30; cf. ibid., Mar. 19, May 18. [231]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 38; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1069.

2 See the Journals, Nov. 23, Dec. 3.

[232]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 366, 1069; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 747, II. 254; N. Y. State Lib., Minutes of the Committee of Safety, VI. 1099 (copy).

2 See the proceedings of the New York committee of safety, Nov. 23 (including drafts of letters to Congress and to Washington), Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 317320; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Čong., I. 715-716. See also no. 141, note 2, ante, and the Journals, Nov. 30.

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