31. Elbridge GERRY TO SAMUEL ADAMS AND JOHN ADAMS.1 KINGS BRIDGE July 21, 1776

Dear Sirs

Pray subscribe for me the Declaration of Independence if the same is to be signed as proposed. I think We ought to have the privilege when necessarily absent of voting and signing by proxy.2. . .

Sir:

32. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

PHILADELPHIA, July 22, 1776.

The bearer, Mr. Joseph Belton, some time since petitioned the Congress for encouragement to destroy the enemy's ships of war by some contrivances of his invention. They came to no resolution on his petition; and, as they appear to have no great opinion of such proposals, it is not easy, in the multiplicity of business before them, to get them to bestow any part of their attention on his request. He is now desirous of trying his hand on the ships that are gone up the North River; and, as he proposes to work entirely at his own expense, and only desires your countenance and permission, I could not refuse his desire of a line of introduction to you, the trouble of which I beg you to excuse. As he appears to be a very ingenious man, I hope his project may be attended with success.2

With the sincerest esteem and respect, I have the honour to be, etc. B. FRANKLIN.

My Friend:

33. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1

PHILADELPHIA, July 22, 1776.

Lord Howe's Proclamation has now convinced everybody that no offers are to be made us but absolute submission. I think it very happy for America that Britain has insisted on those terms; for had she proposed a treaty, and offered some concessions, there would have been

[31]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers.

2 Cf. the query of Samuel Chase, no. 12, note 4, ante, and see the Journals, July 19, Aug. 2; see also vol. I. of these Letters, p. 530.

[32] Works (ed. Smyth), VI. 450; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 496; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 263.

2 In September, 1775, and earlier, Belton had proposed to the Pennsylvania committee of safety to destroy British ships by means of a submarine vessel. See Pa. Arch., first ser., IV. 650, 654. It was only a short time after Belton went to New York on this mission that David Bushnell put his submarine, the American Turtle, to the test in an attempt to destroy the British fleet. An account of this affair is related by David Humphreys in his Life of General Israel Putnam, pp. 123-129. See also Am. Jour. of Science, II. 94; Abbot, The Beginning of Submarine Warfare under Captain-Lieutenant David Bushnell; Fyfe, Submarine Warfare, Past, Present, and Future; and Burgoyne, Submarine Navigation, Past and Present. Cf. no. 64, note 7, post. Nothing further has been learned concerning the outcome of Belton's application to Washington, but it is not improbable that the superiority of Bushnell's scheme effectually forestalled the consideration of that proposed by Belton. Cf. Washington to Jefferson, Sept. 26, 1785, in Writings (ed. Ford), X. 501. Concerning Ephraim Anderson's plans for the destruction of the British fleet by means of fire-ships, see no. 13, ante. See also vol. I. of these Letters, no. 340, note 2.

[33] Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 496.

danger of divisions, or at least of our not acting with unanimity and spirit, as I think will now be the case.2

The Convention here have taken on them the government of this Colony, and have appointed Delegates for Congress, men who will forward, and not hinder, spirited measures. In short, there is a far greater harmony in carrying on spirited measures in Congress than heretofore. The Conventions even of Maryland and New York seem now to be in earnest.

By

The Confederation is now before a Committee of the Whole. reason of so much other business, it goes on but slowly. When it is laid before our Legislature, brother Whipple expects to be at home, and can inform them of some things they may want to be informed of concerning it. Our Court, I hear, is to sit again the Ist of September.

Dear Sir:

34. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.1

PHILADELPHIA, July 22, 1776.

I have your favour of the 6th instant. In answer to the part of it respecting the commissions, I can only say, I am perpetually dunning the President to send them. If any alteration in the wages of the commission officers, they will be higher; so there can be no difficulty with them. If any are lowered, it will be the mates, midshipmen, coopers, sailmakers, and perhaps some other of the petty officers, and perhaps boatswain, carpenter, and gunner. If the three last are altered, it will be but a trifle say one dollar.2. . .

I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you so soon as I hoped, as some very important matters are now on the tapis, which I want to hear debated; besides, I would fain have the marine matters settled before I leave this. I therefore think it will be the latter end of August before I shall be able to enjoy that satisfaction which I have flattered myself would be much earlier.

I have Mr. Hancock's promise that the commission and blank warrants shall go off in a day or two by express. The gentlemen are appointed agreeable to your recommendations. There can be no difficulty in their acting, though they have not their commissions, as they will soon have them.

P. S. The order the Officers stand appointed: Peter Shores First Lieutenant, John Wheelright Second Lieutenant, Josiah Shackford Third

2 See no. 25, ante. "I will likewise send you by this post, Lord Howe's letter and proclamation, which has let the cat out of the bag. These tricks deceive no longer. Gentlemen here, who either were or pretended to be deceived heretofore, now see or pretend to see through such artifices. I apprehend his Lordship is afraid of being attacked upon Staten Island, and is throwing out his barrels to amuse Leviathan, until his reinforcements shall arrive." John Adams to Mrs. Adams, July 20, Familiar Letters, p. 202. See the Journals, July 12, 22, and passim (index, Confederation). Cf. nos. 9, 18, 26, ante, 43, 44, 45, 47, 50, 52, 68, 73, 83-85, 94, post.

4 Cf. nos. 34, 83, 94, post.

[34]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser.,

I. 497.

2 Cf. the Journals, Dec. 9, 1775, and Nov. 15, 1776.

3 See no. 33, ante.

4 See the Journals, July 22.

Lieutenant; George Jerry Osborne Captain Marines, Stephen Meads First Lieutenant, Nathaniel Thuing [Thwing] Second Lieutenant. Warrants will be filled up with the names you sent.

Dear Sir

35. JOSEPH HEWES TO SAMUEL PURVIANCE, JR.'

PHILADELPHIA 23d. July 1776.

2

I received your favour per Mr. Hughes and immediately went with him to a Member of Committee for the Cannon Contracts. they have agreed with him for a large quantity of Cannon. My ill state of health has prevented me from attending much to business lately and has obliged me for some time past to make an excursion or two into the Country. I propose to return to North Carolina shortly where I mean to retire from public business for a month or two. I have laid your accounts before the Marine Committee and shall see that they are properly setled.

Dear Sir,

36. THOMAS JEFFERSON TO FRANCIS EPPES.1

PHILADELPHIA, July 23, 1776.

When I wrote you last, we were deceived in General Washington's numbers. By a return which came to hand a day or two after, he then had but 15,000 effective men. His reinforcements have come in pretty well since. The flying camp in the Jerseys under General Mercer begins to form, but not as fast as exigencies require. The Congress have, therefore, been obliged to send for two of our battalions from Virginia.2

37. [BENJAMIN RUSH?] TO CHARLES LEE.1

Dear General:

Philadelphia, July 23, 1776.

It would take a volume to tell you how many clever things were said of you and the brave troops under your command, after hearing of your late victory. It has given a wonderful turn to our affairs. The loss of Canada had struck the spirits of many people, who now begin to think our cause is not abandoned, and that we shall yet triumph over our enemies.2

The Declaration of Independence has produced a new era in this part of America.

[35]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Portfolio, VIII. (1); Purviance, Baltimore in the Revolution, p. 202.

2 Cf. no. 20, ante, and the Journals, July 22.

[36] Works (Memorial ed.), IV. 269.

2 See the Journals, July 20 (p. 597).

[37]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 532.

2 A letter from General Lee, dated July 2 (see the Journals, July 19, 20), had announced a victory over the British at Sullivan's Island June 28. The letter and its enclosures are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 435-440. They were enclosed in a letter of Hancock to Washington, July 19, ibid., I. 434. See also ibid., fourth ser., VI. 1205-1208.

The papers will inform you that I have been thrust into Congress. I find there is a great deal of difference between sporting a sentiment in a letter, or over a glass of wine upon politicks, and discharging properly the duty of a Senator. I feel myself unequal to every part of my new situation, except where plain integrity is required.

My former letters to you may pass hereafter for a leaf of the Sibyls. They are full of predictions; and what is still more uncommon, some of them have proved true. I shall go on, and add, that I think the Declaration of Independence will produce union and new exertions in England in the same ratio that they have done in this country. The present campaign, I believe, is only designed to train us for the duties of next summer. Adieu; yours sincerely,

AN OLD FRIEND.

To Major-General Lee.

Sir:

38. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE President of SOUTH CAROLINA (JOHN RUTLEDGE).1 PHILADA. July 24th. 1776.

The Congress being of Opinion, that the Service of the United States will be promoted by taking into Pay a Number of Troops, in the State of South Carolina, who are to act either as Infantry or light Horse, as Occasion may require, have come to the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting in Obedience to their Commands.

In Consideration that these Troops will go through more than ordinary Duty, and be put to greater Expence than others, the Congress have augmented their Pay in Proportion.

I have delivered blank Commissions to the Delegates of your State.2

3 The writer of this letter was probably Benjamin Rush. That it was one of the new delegates of Pennsylvania is evidenced by a reference (in a passage omitted here) to Pennsylvania as "our State". The style of the letter definitely suggests Rush. The election of the delegates by the Pennsylvania convention took place July 20, and the credentials were presented to Congress the same day (see the Journals). Rush himself says: "On the 20th of July I took my seat in Congress in consequence of an appointment received from the Convention that met to form a constitution for Pennsylvania. A few days afterwards I subscribed a copy upon parchment of the declaration of independence." (Memorial, p. 92). Strangely enough the Journals record the appointment of Rush on a committee July 17. An examination of the "Rough Journal" shows that the names of the committee are entered in a different ink from that used in recording the resolution, and that the resolution itself has been altered by erasures (chiefly with a knife) and by emendations in the same ink with which the names are written. The original entry appears to have been "that it be referred to the committee appointed [on the miscarriages in Canada?]". It would appear therefore that on a subsequent day, after Rush had taken his seat, Congress revised its action and appointed a new committee, and that this revision was recorded only by an alteration in the original resolution. In this way Rush is made to appear to have been in Congress three days prior to his election. [38] Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 4; MS. Journal of the South Carolina General Assembly, 1776, p. 133 (copy); Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 555,

III. 16.

July 24.

2 An identical letter was sent to the convention of Georgia. Cf. the Journals,

Sir

39. THE SOUTH CAROLINA Delegates to THE PRESIDENT OF
SOUTH CAROLINA (JOHN RUTLEDGE).1

PHILADELPHIA 25th July 1776

Immediately upon the Receipt of your Letter we applied to Congress for Permission to order the East India Tea now in your stores to be sold and to direct the Produce thereof to be carried into the Colony Treasury to be appropriated in such manner as your Assembly should judge right. In Consequence of this Application a Debate of some Length ensued in which the House indicated a strong Inclination to lay their Hands upon the Profits which should arise from the Sale either for the Use of the Continent at large or to be carried into a Fund to reimburse those Colonies whose Property should be seized in England There appeared neither Reason nor Justice in these Measures and we endeavoured to obviate the objections which were made to the Application and to answer the Arguments which had been advanced against it.

We observed That this Property should be looked upon as belonging to the King of Great-Britain and not to the East-India Company as the latter had been divested of it both by the Seizure which the CustomHouse officers had made of it and by the indemnification of the Parliament, that the Congress had therefore no more Right to apply this Tea to the use of the Continent at large than they had to dispose of the Cannon in our Forts or the Crown Lands within the Limits of the Colony—But that if it was the East-India Company's Property they had occasioned such an Expence to the State of Carolina as to justify them fully in the Seizures. That it would be repugnent [sic] to the Principles of Justice to insist that this Tea should be sold for the Benefit of those whose Property had been or might be seized in England in Exclusion of those whose Property had been seized in America and that it would be impracticable to bring every species of Loss into one common Account That the Seizure of Property had been a common misfortune of which as well as of public Expences we have had our full Proportion and that therefore it would be injurious to our State not to be permitted to make use of the Advantage in this Instance which the Possession of the Tea had given. It was confessed that we had a Right to sell it if we chose and apply the Profits as we pleased But as we had asked the opinion of the House upon the Subject we should now be governed by the Disposition which they should think proper to make and that they should take Time to consider of it. The Delegates being by this Time fully convinced that there were many in the House who wished to dispose of it in a Manner injurious to the Interest and the Right of our State agreed to withdraw the Motion for which they obtained the Leave of Congress and we now with one Voice advise you to recommend to your assembly immediately to sell the same and apply the Profits thereof to Colonial Purposes. Indeed we were not a little surprised at your requesting us to lay the same before

[39]1 MS. Journal of the South Carolina General Assembly, 1776, p. 131 (copy); Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 36, p. 74 (copy); Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 16.