Sir,

319. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY
(WILLIAM LIVINGSTON).1

BALTIMORE TOWN, Jany. 23d. 1777

The Committee appointed by the enclosed Resolution of Congress, request your Excellency to appoint some Gentleman of the State of New Jersey to enquire into, and take the Depositions of credible Witnesses on, the several Matters contained in the Resolve, and to direct them to transmit the Testimony, as taken, to the Committee that they may report to Congress as soon as possible."

The Committee have been informed that some of the Prisoners of the 17th or 55th Regiment, taken at Princeton, have said that their Major had given them Orders" to stand till they were cut to pieces and to take no Prisoners."-It is reported here that several of our Officers were shot or stabbed with the Bayonet, after they had surrendered. Genl. Mercer and Lieut. Yeates are mentioned among that Number. It is also said that several Bodies have been found in the Jersies hanging on Trees. I am, with great Respect, Your Excys most obedt. Servt. SAML. CHASE.

320. THOMAS NELSON, JR., TO ROBERT MORRIS.1

My Dear Sir

1

BALTIMORE Jany 25th 17772

The great demand for Money from every quarter has kept our Treasury so low that I have not had it in my power to send you any; There will however be 200,000 dollars sent in two or three days at farthest, and Loan Office certificates to Mr. Smith to the amount of 300,000 Dollars. Indeed my dear friend the state of our Treasury is such that I hate to think of it. When I could give satisfactory answers to Congress upon a requisition being made for a Sum of Money I took the greatest pleasure in transacting the business of the Treasury Board, but of late we have been so circumstanced that I had almost as live go to a Jail as go near the Treasury. The Period is not far distant, when the last five millions of Dollars will be exhausted, and by your accounts the Loan Office in your State, will not do much for us unless the Interest be raised, which I fear Congress will not do, and what is to be done then I know not to pay the innumerable claimants against the Continent. Some of our Members have great dependance upon the Lottery, at best it is but a game and

[319] Harvard Univ. Library, Sparks MSS., no. 49, II. 203 (original).

2 The resolution referred to is in the Journals, Jan. 16. See also ibid., Jan. 18, Feb. 15, Apr. 18, July 19, and the Bibliographical Notes, ibid., XI. 1085.

3 See no. 411, post.

[320] Copied from the original then in possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia; Henkels, Catalogue, no. 1183, item 86.

2 This letter may have been written as late as Feb. 5, for the statement is made at the close that Hooper has leave of absence, and this was not granted until Feb. 4 On the other hand, Hooper says in his letter of Feb. 1 (no. 332, post): "Nelson by advice of a Physician goes to morrow."

when I consider that the Tickets are equal in number to any State Lottery in Great Britain and that they have all Europe to vend their Tickets in and we are confin'd to America, where we are not much acquainted with these things, I confess I have no great expectation of it being drawn; perhaps an experiment of half the Ticketts might have succeeded. We are greatly in want of able Financiers to supply our Treasury.

Harrison and Hooper have taken to their Horses. The former when mounted looks like a Commander in chief. The latter would make a good Aid de Camp to him; He has Leave of absence on account of his health.

Sir,

321. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO

GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

BALTIMORE Jany. 29th. 1777.

[P. S.] As some Steps have been Taken with Respect to the Magazines at Brookfield and Carlile the Congress judge it best they should be erected there in preference to the other places mention'd by Genl Knox.2

322. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE Maryland COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 Gentlemen

I am directed by Congress to lay the enclosed copy of a letter from Mr. Bingham before our General Assembly.2

The privates of capt Smiths Company petitioned the Congress and I am ordered to enclose the papers to your Board.3

The Time of Congress, since my last, hath been principally taken up in devising Ways to prevent the Depreciation of the Continental Money,

[321] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 83; ibid., Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., f. 39.

2 On the same day Hancock wrote to the committee in Philadelphia: "You will please to proceed to Erect the Magazine etc. at Carlisle, Congress not judging it proper to fix on any other place in preference." Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., f. 39. See nos. 290, 300, ante, 374, 435. post. See also Washington to Knox, Feb. 11, and to Congress, Feb. 14, Writings (ed. Ford), V. 230, 236, (ed. Sparks), IV. 316, 322.

[322]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 85; Arch. of Md., XVI. 102.

2 See the Journals, Jan. 28, and nos. 333, 338, post.

3 A remonstrance of the men of Capt. Nathaniel Smith's company, Jan. 24, containing a threat to take their grievances to Congress, is in Arch. of Md., XVI. 73. Cf. ibid., XVI. 25.

132311 R. I. Arch., Letters to the Governors, 1776-1777, p. 142; Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 116.

and to provide for the future army. The Resolves ordered to be transmitted to the Several States must have reached you before this, which renders it unnecessary to give the Substance or transmit copies of them.

Governor Trumbull hath transmitted the doings of the Commee, of the New-England States to Congress. They will be taken up tomorrow, and I dont doubt approved.2

3

A Letter sent by Mr. Jarvis to the Secret Committee reopening his furnishing our State and the Massachusetts with Arms taken out of the Hancock and Adams, and desiring to know whether they approved his conduct or not, and how in future he was to act in Similar Instances, was by them laid before Congress a few Days ago. This brought on a severe Inquiry into the Propriety of Rhode-Island's asking for those Arms, a Review of her former Conduct respecting the Cannon etc. as well as into the Propriety of the Conduct of Agent Jarvis. After a smart Storm, the Conduct of the Agent was approbated. I hope our State will take special Care that the Arms be returned as soon as the Necessity for taking them shall cease.

Sir

324. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 BALTIMORE, Jany. 30th. 1777

Some Complaints against your Deputy Mr. Carpenter Wharton having reached Congress, I am directed to give you this Information of it, with a View that you may make Enquiry into the Matter, and take proper Measures, in due time, to prevent any Inconvenience or Loss, either to yourself, or the Public. Your Prudence and Discretion in the Conduct of this Affair, I can rely upon with the utmost Confidence. Wishing you the Compliments of the Season, and every Prosperity, I am, with Esteem, Sir,

Jos: Trumbull Esqr.
Commissy. General.

Your most obed. and very hble Servt.

JOHN HANCOCK Presidt.

2 See the Journals, Jan. 28, 31, Feb. 4-6, 12-15. Cf. nos. 326, 334, 336, 340, 347, 353, 355-357, 359, 360, 368, 370, post. The Convention of the four New England States was held in Providence, Dec. 25, 1776, to Jan. 2, 1777, to consider the questions of currency, prices, etc. Its proceedings are printed in Hoadly, Records of the State of Connecticut, I. 585-599.

* See the Journals, Jan. 23; also ibid., Nov. 12, 13, 15, 1776, and a letter from the board of war to Washington, Nov. 18, 1776, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 746. * For the episode respecting the cannon, see vol. I. of these Letters, no. 630, note 2. [324]1 Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 140.

2 See the Journals, Jan. 29. Cf. no. 423, post.

325. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE MARYLAND ASSEMBLY.1

(Circular) Gentlemen,

BALTIMORE Jany 31st 1777.

As there is not a more distinguished Event in the History of America, than the Declaration of her Independence-nor any, that, in all probability, will so much excite the Attention of future Ages, it is highly proper, that the Memory of that Transaction, together with the Causes that gave Rise to it, should be preserved in the most careful Manner that can be devised.

I am therefore commanded by Congress to transmit you the enclosed Copy of the Act of Independence, with the List of the several Members of Congress subscribed thereto—and to request that you will cause the same to be put upon Record, that it may henceforth form a Part of the Archives of your State, and remain a lasting Testimony of your Approbation of that necessary and important Measure.2

326. THE MASsachusetts Delegates to the President of the MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.1

Sir,

BALTIMORE, 31st Jany 1777

The Removal of Congress to this Place and the Interruption Occasioned thereby in the affairs of the Treasury, have prevented an early Reimbursement of the Money applyed for by the State of Massachusetts Bay. an Order was obtained at Philadelphia for £50,000 lawful, which with 300,000 Dollars for supplying the military Chest of the eastern Department and payment of the Bounties to the new Levies of your State, will be sent from hence in about ten Days. We have obtained an Order on the Loan Office at Boston for £50,000 in addition to the Sums already mentioned, which will be sent by the president and compleats the £100,000 required by the State. We are concerned to find that the Interest on the [Loan Office] Certificates must continue at the Rate of 4 per Cent. being fully persuaded that this unreasonable Oeconomy will impede the Success of the Loan, and burthen the Continent with a greater Expence by the Depreciation that will result from further Emissions."

[325]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, VI. 69; id. to Massachusetts, Mass. Arch., CXLII. 21; to New York, N. Y. State Lib., Revolutionary Papers, IX. 52, Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., II. 379; to North Carolina, N. C. State Recs., XI. 371; to New Jersey, Votes of Assem. of N. J., 1776-1781, p. 80.

2 See the Journals, Jan. 18.

[326] Mass. Arch. CXCVI. 183 (in the writing of Gerry); Hist. Soc. Pa., Conarroe Coll., I. 7 (copy with autograph signatures, dated Jan. 30).

2 See the Journals, Nov. 22, 1776. The order was for 166,666 dollars.

3 The money ordered to Ebenezer Hancock, deputy paymaster-general in the

Eastern department, Jan. 10. Cf. no. 348, post.

* See the Journals, Jan. 30.

See below, note 8.

The Measures wisely adopted by the Convention of the New England States, are transmitted to Congress by Governor Trumbull, and a Day is appointed for considering the same, when a similar Mode for giving Stability to the Currency will probably be recommended to the Southern and middle Departments of the Continent."

We think it necessary to suggest to the honorable assembly, that in consequence of the commission with which they have lately honored us, providing that "any three or more" of their Delegates shall be present to make a representation, the state has been several Days unrepresented and Congress has once been obliged to adjourn.' The Inconvenience from the first cannot be better stated than by mentioning, that the Question on raising the Interest of the Certificates was lost by the Indisposition of one of the Mass members, and the want of a Vote in consequence thereof. When anything material to the State occurs We shall pay due attention thereto being

Sir with great Respect

Yours' and the General Assembly's most hum. Servts

8

Hon James Bowdoin, Esqr.

SAMUEL ADAMS

ELBRIDGE GERRY

President of the Council of Massachusetts Bay

327. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 BALTIMORE TOWN. Jany. 31st. 1777

Gentlemen.

I sent you yesterday by Mr John Gassaway nineteen thousand dollars.2 I must again press you to solicit a Representation for our State. The order of this Day is to appoint a Number of General Officers.* Are we uninterested in the Choice of Generals? I shall endeavor to put off this Business for a few Days. Three of the middle States, N. York, Deleware and Maryland, unrepresented. N. Carolina will be so in a day or two. Complaints are so loud in Congress on this Subject, that Expresses are sent to N. York and Delaware, and I expect our Assembly will be intreated to send their delegates. It is not only necessary to be represented, but be

6 See no. 323, note 2, ante.

Probably Monday, Jan. 27, when Congress only met and adjourned. Cf. no. 311, ante, and nos. 327, 329, 343, post.

8 This was probably Jan. 14. See, further, the Journals, Feb. 8, 20, 26, and nos.

332, 340, 344-346, 349, 350, 352, 357, 375, 382, 384, 385, post.

[327] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, III. 34; Arch. of Md. XVI. 104.

2 Presumably a part of the 60,000 dollars appropriated Jan. 10. See the council's letter to Chase, Jan. 27, Arch. of Md., XVI. 82.

8"We observe what you say about Delegates to Congress, and shall use our endeavours to have it complied with when the General Assembly get together." Council to Chase, Jan. 27, Arch. of Md., XVI. 82. The reference is to a letter of Chase, Jan. 26, which has not been found. Cf. no. 338, post.

4 The Journals do not record such an order of the day for Jan. 31, but on Feb. 7 the election of general officers was set for Monday, Feb. 17. See, further, the Journals, Feb. 18, 19, 20, 21. Cf. nos. 364, 365, post.