289. THE COMMITTEE IN PHILADELPHIA TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 PHILADA. Jany 5th. 1777 Sir, The uncertain rumours of your Excellency's success between Trenton and Prince Town and at the latter place, leave us in a most anxious state of suspence, hoping every moment to be relieved therefrom by an express with dispatches from you We informed Congress of your situation on Thursday Evening at Trenton and prepared them to expect some important event consequently they will have an anxious interval of suspence as we now have 2. We remain Your Excellencys Obed Servants GEO WALTON Your Favour of the 3d. inst. I recd. yesterday at two O'Clock in the Afternoon, and this Morning laid it before Congress, who approve highly of your sending the Information it contains, and are infinitely anxious to hear the Event. It is now one O'Clock, P. M. and no Express as yet arrived; a Circumstance, which, in my Opinion, augurs well. I have the Honour to be, with Sentiments of Esteem, Sir, your most obed. and very hble Sevt. Robt. Morris Esqr. and others of the Come. JOHN HANCOCK Presidt The Resolution sent you some time ago respects the Magazine at York, is superceeded by the subsequent Resolve ordering one at Carlile. Sir, 291. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 BALTIMORE 6th Jany. 1777. The enclosed Resolves, which I have the Honour of transmitting, call for your immediate Attention; and I am to request, you will take [289]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XIII. 18. 2 A part of the committee's letter to Congress, Jan. 2, 3, is printed ante (no. 286). See the Journals, Jan. 6, and no. 290, post. A letter from the committee to Congress, Jan. 5, read Jan. 8, is in Arch. of Md., XVI. 28. See also nos. 294, 295, post. [290]1 Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, f. 15. 2 The Journals (Jan. 6) mention the letter as dated the 2d and 3d. Cf. nos. 291, 297, post. See the Journals, Dec. 21, 27 (pp. 1033, 1044), Washington to Congress, Dec. 20 (Writings, ed. Ford, V. 112, ed. Sparks, IV. 232), and nos. 300, 321, 374, 435, post. [291] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XIII. 20; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 323. Measures in Pursuance thereof as soon as possible. Genl. Lee's Situation seems to be extremely dangerous and critical; and from Genl. Howe's Behaviour to him, it is highly probable, he will be brought to a Trial for Desertion. Genl. Lee, it is said, by Mr. Eustace, his Aid de Camp, having addressed two Letters to Genl. Howe, received them both back again unopened, and enclosed under a Cover directed to Lieutenant Colo Lee. I hope the Flag, which Congress ordered to be sent to make Inquiry into the Manner in which he is treated, has been dispatched; and a Remonstrance in Consequence of it, should the Information you have received of his Treatment, have rendered that Step necessary. You will please to propose an Exchange of the six Hessian Field Officers for him, and at the same Time, make Inquiry whether the Report which Congress have heard of Mr. Stockton's being confined in a Common Jail by the Enemy, has any Truth in it, or not.3 3 By a Letter which Congress yesterday received from Mr. Morris' we are informed, that Genl. Cadwalader, with the Troops under him, had joined your Army-that the Enemy were at Trenton-that the two Armies were divided only by a Creek, and that a General Engagement was hourly expected. In the mean Time, Congress are infinitely anxious to hear the Event; and humbly hope, that Victory has declared in Favor of those, whose sacred Cause should inspire them with Ardor, on every solemn Appeal to that Being, who hateth all Injustice, Tyranny, and Oppression. I have the honor to be, with every Sentiment of Esteem and Respect, Sir, your most obed. and very hble Servt. JOHN HANCOCK Presidt. P. S. If the Desire of Congress to procure Genl. Lee's Exchange cannot be effected, and the Enemy, preferring the Gratification of Revenge to the Civility they owe their Hessian Auxiliaries, determine to keep or to abuse him, it will be very agreeable to Congress that their Determination, with the enclosed Resolve be made known to the Hessians as fully as possible. To secure Genl. Lee as effectually as may be from personal Insult and Injury, Congress have come to the present Resolution; which you, Sir, are desired to convey to Genl. Howe, with all convenient Dispatch. It will be very agreeable to Congress that the Hessian Field Officer intended to be exchanged for Colo. Ethan Allen be sent to notify it to Genl. Howe, taking his Parole to return in a fixt Time, if Colo. Allen is not returned in his Place. It will fall within the Wish of Congress if Colo. Rahl, or one of the Hessian Officers, should be also sent with the 2 Maj. John Eustace. 3 A part of Hancock's letter to Robert Morris on the same day (no. 290, ante) is almost identical with these passages. Cf. nos. 297-299, 360, post; also Richard Henry Lee to Patrick Henry, Jan. 9, in Letters (ed. Ballagh), I. 246, and Henry, Patrick Henry, III. 36. See also the Journals, Feb. 20, and nos. 366, 367, 371, post. In regard to Richard Stockton, see Benjamin Rush to Richard Henry Lee, Dec. 30, 1776, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1487; also no. 347, note 6, post. 4 See no. 290, ante, and no. 297, post. Flag proposing the Exchange of Genl Lee; but the Propriety of it is submitted to you." Jany 7th. We have an imperfect Acct. of the Engagement at Trenton, and anxiously wait for further Particulars. It was in Hopes of receiving them, that I detained the Express till this Morning. 292. FRANCIS LEWIS TO THE NEW YORK COMMITTEE OF Safety.1 [January 7, 1777.]2 I lately wrote you by an Express, wherein I informed you that the State of New York was not represented in Congress, nor indeed has it been for several months past, except at some small intervals. I am at present the only Delegate for New York at this place, and the Members are continually urging me to request you would compleat your representation in Congress, as business is now multiplying upon their hands, and so many Members detached upon Committees etc. that the business in Congress is retarded, add to this that our state sometimes suffers for the want of a Vote in Congress, which I beg you would speedily remmedy.* Sir. 293. WILLIAM ELLERY TO THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND BALTIMORE, January 7, 1777. I received your Letter Yesterday by an Express from Philadelphia. Your Express was so fatigued that he could not proceed immediately on, and therefore another was sent forward with it. I laid your Letter and the Resolve before Congress this Morning. They are disposed to do every Thing in their Power for the Benefit of the States, and have taken such Measures as they thought might be effectual to secure the Assistance you wish for. The Measures that have been taken to prevent the Enemy from penetrating the Country, and for expelling them from our State give Me vast Satisfaction. . See the Journals, Dec. 20, 1776, Jan. 3, 6, 1777. There is no mention of Colonel Rahl. [292]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 1577, Declaration of Independence; Cal. N. Y. Hist. MSS.: Revolutionary Papers, I. 605. 2 The letter as printed in Cal. N. Y. Hist. MSS. has the date line "Baltimore 7 Janry 1777" at the top. The letter in the Emmet Collection has at the bottom Baltimore Jan. 7. 1777", but apparently inserted by another hand at some later time. 8 The letter of Dec. 27, no. 268, ante. The report (Jan. 22) of a committee of the New York committee of safety on this letter is in Cal. N. Y. Hist. MSS.; Revolutionary Papers, I. 605-606. See Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 776, 779, 782. Cf. nos. 312, 329, 330, 363, 402, post. [293]1 R. I. Arch., Letters to the Governors, 1776-1777, p. 113; Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 115; R. I. Recs., VIII. 171. 2 The letter of Governor Cooke referred to is probably that of Dec. 22, in Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 108. Staples quotes (p. 110) a resolve of the Rhode Island assembly, empowering the governor to grant commissions for privateers and letters of marque and reprisal to foreigners, as probably the resolve enclosed in the governor's letter. Congress passed a resolve relative to the matter Apr. 5. Cooke's letter to Ellery chiefly relates to the British invasion of Rhode Island, and measures taken for defense. See no. 243, ante. 294. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 Wednesday Morning [January 8(?), 1777.] Gentlemen. We remain in the most anxious suspense, Some important event has taken place, but we are unable to inform the particulars. The enclosed is a copy of a letter from the Committee of Congress to Mr Hancock. I have no leave to make it public. I send it to give you all the intelligence in my power, it may be shewn but not printed. Our State is still unrepresented and every day matters of the greatest importance are debated and determined in congress. . . . . Dear Sir 295. BENJAMIN HARRISON TO ROBERT MORRIS.1 1 BALTO Jany 8th 1777 I wish Congress may remove back with all my Heart for I am most horridly vex'd with this Place, indeed I had like to have been with Philada; nothing but the little circle of acquaintance I had there prevented it, but this Tryal of Baltimore will make me (if possible) set a much greater Value on them, but on the Town most Certainly however I am told the Yankeys are against it, if so we go not, they Rule as absolutely as the Grand Turk dos in his own Dominions. I could give you an instance of it, but it must not be committed to paper. Your letter to the President wh came to hand yesterday3 relieved us from great anxiety, there were such number of P- and R- Lies circulated that we knew not what to think particularly as we had not a word from you, we are now in high Spirits waiting for a Confirmation of what you write, with Glorious additions, but know, my Dear Sir, I have my moments of Fear; dispell them quickley I beg of you. . . . . the Colony [Pennsylvania] has never yet been represented. . My compliments to Walton. . . . . I have a wish that his Country was represented, but alas it is not.. Sir, 296. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA (ARCHIBALD BULLOCH).1 BALTIMORE, Jany 8th. 1777 I have the Honour to enclose you the Copy of an intercepted Letter from the Governor of East Florida to Lord George Germain, containing, [194] Arch of M3, XVI, 27; Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, III. 32. See no 28a, note 2, ante, no. 205, Pa [295] Copied from the original then in possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia, N. Y. Hist. Soc, Collections: Revolutionary Pazers, I. 407. Ct. nos 200 202 182, sute, 304, 332, note 2, 340, 344, note 2, post. * The letter was read in Congress Jan. 8. See nos Na 204, miz. Walton was serving as one of the committee in Philadelphia See nos. 245, 255, (298) Mass. Hist. Soc., Hanok Letter-Book. VI. 100: Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong, no. 585 pt. 11, f. 102... Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 58, pt. II., to which frequent reference is made in this volume, are Force Transcripts (bound in two among others, the most convincing proof of the treasonable Conduct of Mr George McIntosh of your State. This Gentleman it seems is a Member of the Congress in Georgia, and under that Character is secretly supporting by every Art in his Power, the Designs of the British King and Parliament agt us.2. My dear Sir 297. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN.1 BALTIMORE Jany 8th 1777 2 This Express will carry to the Council a Resolution which I presume will of course be communicated to you. In my next I will give you a very particular and good reason why it is not communicated to you in this Letter. We understand that by the Enemies Treatment of General Lee there appears to be a Design to consider him as a deserter and take away his Life. Congress have directed General Washington to acquaint Howe that if this is his Intention five of the Hessian field officers now in our hands together with Lt. Coll. Campbell shall be detained and sacrificd as an Atonement for his Blood should the Matter be carried to that Extremity; and this Resolution will most undoubtedly in my opinion be executed in full tale.* My dear Sir 298. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS.1 BALTIMORE, 9 January 1777. I have given our friend Warren, in one of my letters to him,2 the best reason I could for the sudden removal of Congress to this place. Possibly he may have communicated it to you. I confess it was not agreeable to my mind; but I have since altered my opinion, because we have done more important business in three weeks than we had done, and I believe should have done, at Philadelphia, in six months. As you are volumes) of letters in the Letter-Book of President Hancock in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The two volumes of Force Transcripts (no. 58, pts. I., II.) are not to be confused with Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, referred to under nos. 255, 269, 290, ante, 308, 316, 321, post. 2 See the Journals, Jan. 1; cf. ibid., Oct. 4, 9, 10. The letter (July 19, 1776) from the governor of East Florida (Patrick Tonyn) has not been found. For an account of the origin and outcome of the charge against George McIntosh, see McCall, Hist. of Georgia (1816), II. 112-118, (ed. 1909), pp. 333-339; Jones, Hist. of Georgia, II. 278-280. See also an article in the Ga. Hist. Quar., III. 131. Cf. no. 446, post. [297]1 Writings of Samuel Adams (ed. Cushing), IV. 340; N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers. 2 The resolution referred to is probably that of Jan. 8, relative to Nova Scotia. A letter from the Massachusetts council Dec. 30 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 1501), recommending an expedition to Nova Scotia, appears not to have been received by Congress until Jan. 23. Adams's reason for not enclosing the resolution of Congress in his letter was probably the fear that it might be intercepted. See no. 298, post. 3 Archibald Campbell. See no. 367, note 3, post. * See nos. 290, 291, ante, 298, note 4, 299, 360, 366, 367, 371, post; also a letter of Tench Tilghman to Robert Morris, Mar. 2, N. Y. Hist. Soc., Collections: Revolutionary Papers, I. 422. [298]1 J. Adams, Works, IX. 448; Writings of Samuel Adams (ed. Cushing), III. 342. 2 Dec. 25, no. 263, ante. |