Congress and we hope that you will determine for yourselves in future in all cases where the concern is of a Provincial and not of a Continental Nature we are with Regard 2 Your Excellency's most obedt. huml. Servts. EDWARD RUTLEDGE ARTHUR MIDDLETON Sir THOMAS HEYWARD JUNIOR 39A. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOHN BRADFORD.1 PHILADELPHIA July 25th 1776 Your letters to 15th Inst. inclusive, I have duly receiv'd. Matters of very great moment, in which the Interest of the United States is involv'd, having been for sometime under the Consideration of Congress, have prevented my regularly Replying to your Letters, and forwarding your Commission. I am greatly surpriz'd at what you relate of the Conduct of the late Agents, and at their insisting on Acting, untill your Commission should arrive; Sir, the very moment you recd my first letter under the Sanction of Congress, informing you of your Appointment as Agent, that very moment they were Superceeded, and were Accountable to you for all monies then in their hands belonging to the United States, in Consequence of any Captures, and Sales of Continental Property. However as I am always dispos'd to Accommodate matters, and to put things on a stable footing, I now enclose your Commission, and now not only Authorise, but Direct, you to call upon the Gentlemen, who have hitherto Acted as Agents, to render their Acco[u]nts to you, and to pay what monies they may have in their hands belonging to the Public to you, and to cease all further proceedings in that Department, the sd. Accts. with the vouchers to be Transmitted to me, to be laid before the Marine Committee, for their Examination and Approbation, you to render an Accott. of such monies recd, and to be accountable therefor. And the former Agents are hereby directed immediately on your Application to Render their Accotts. and pay the monies they may have in their hands to you; I wish to settle this matter as early as possible, for altho' their Conduct is highly Reprehensible yet I would gladly pass it over without a public mention, but with respect to the Arms, order'd by Congress to be sent to Genl. Washington, and which Mr. Glover mentions he without Consulting you had dispos'd of among the Troops, in his Brothers Regiment, I must insist that you immediately carry that Resolution into Execution, and that the Arms be forwarded to the Genl. as at first order'd by Congress, 2 See vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 424, 441, 444, 477, 484, 486, 488, 490, 500, 595; also the Journals, Feb. 13, Apr. 6, 13. The letter from Rutledge has not been found. [39 A] Copied from the original, then in possession of Mr. Charles E. Goodspeed of Boston. it being my Duty to see every Resolve of Congress executed, [about 60 words torn out here] now in the hands of the former Agents, you will have sufficient to answer present demands, and to pay for the Vessell bought by order of Mr. Morris, if a deficiency yet should happen you must draw on me. You will please keep me duly advis'd of all matters. I inclose you the papers to which I refer you. Do give me all the news. I wish you and Family well, and happy, and am with Sentiments of Esteem Sir Your very Hume Servt. JOHN HANCOCK Presidt. John Bradford Esqr.' Sir: 40. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 Friday July 26th. 4 oClock, P. M. Congress being adjourned, I have to acknowledge the Rect. of yr. favr. of 25th this moment come to hand. The Subject of it is so just that I will venture to say that it will be Complied with in its fullest lattitude.2 The Preamble to the Resolutions for Confiscating the Property of the Subjects of the King of Great Britain, having been this day expung'd, and the Resolution alterd, agreable to the one now Inclos'd you, I am to request you will please to Erase that from the Resolves, I enclos'd you a few days past, and substitute the one I now transmit in its place. With every wish in yr. favr. and every Sentiment of Esteem, I am, Sr., yr. very Hble Servt J. H. PREST. [P. S.] Brigadr. Genl. Sullivan this day sent me a letter of Resignation, wch. is order'd to lie on the Table untill Monday. I have not yet seen him.* Genl. Washington 2 John Bradford was elected agent for prizes for Massachusetts Apr. 23 (see the Journals). His letters to which Hancock here refers have not been found, but the controversy with Jonathan Glover is set forth, from the point of view of the latter, in a letter from Glover to Washington, July 20 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 478, 817), which Washington transmitted to Congress in a letter of Aug. 7 (ibid., p. 814), read in Congress Aug. 8. See also ibid., pp. 34, 209, 625, 662, 670. Letters from Bradford to Robert Morris July 14, Aug. 8, Sept. 5 (Library of Congress, Morris Papers, Accession 1805) relate in part to this controversy. The affair appears to have been handled by the marine committee, for there is no reference to it in the Journals. [40]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 5; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 594; Henkels, Catalogue, no. 738, item 76. 2 Washington's letter of July 25 is in Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 297, and Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 575. See no. 46, post, and the Journals, July 29. 3 See the Journals, July 17, 19, 24. A resolution for confiscating West India property has been some time prepared; but Congress has been so extremely engaged, they have not yet passed it." William Whipple to Joshua Brackett, July 23, 1776, Mass. Hist. Soc., Proceedings, first ser., V. 5. 4 See the Journals, July 26, 29 (erased entries). Cf. nos. 44, 47, 51, 75, post. Gent. 41. THE MARYland DelegateS TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 PHILA. 27th July 1776. The Congress has allowed a regimental paymaster to each battalion in the flying Camp, the appointment of which officer is left to the Several States from which those battalions come. In the Recess of our Convention the appointment is in you, and we beg you will appoint one as soon as may be.2. We are informed that there are large quantities of flint stones at the landings on Wye and Choptank rivers: these were brought by the ships as ballast and thrown out on the banks. The Congress has desired us to write to you on the subject and to procure some person, who understands flints, to look after them and report to Congress whether they are good or not. Sir, We are with regard Gentlemen yr. most hum. Servants SAML. CHASE CH. CARROLL OF CARROLLTON 42. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.' PHILADELPHIA July 27th. 1776. Inclosed you have a Resolution of Congress for the Supply of Provisions to the Frigates in the Eastern Department, out of the Stock of Provisions in that Quarter: And I am to request, you will, by the next Post, issue your Orders to your Deputy there, to furnish such Quantities as shall be applied for by Mr. Cushing and others who have the Care of the Ships. I have paid all your Bills that have been presented. Money will soon be sent to the Paymaster. I wish you happy, and am Joseph Trumbull Esqr. Com3. Genl. New York. [41] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, XV. 20; Arch. of Md., XII. 129; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 618; Rowland, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, I. 184; Taggart, Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Patriots. 2 See the Journals, June 5 (p. 418). There is no record of this in the Journals, but cf. entries of July 4 (pp. 509, 516, 517). See also Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 34, 139, 410, 533, 633, 807. [42]1 Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 127; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 618. 2 The resolution referred to is probably that of May 25 (Journals, p. 393), passed in consequence of a letter of Charles Miller, the deputy commissary in Boston, to Joseph Trumbull, May 8. The letter is in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., V. 1238. Trumbull's reply to this letter of Hancock, dated July 29, is ibid., fifth ser., I. 643. Mr. Cushing is probably Thomas Cushing. Dear Sir 43. JOSEPH HEWES TO SAMUEL JOHNSTON.1 PHILADELPHIA 28th July 1776 Much of our time is taken up in forming and debating a Confederation for the united States. what we shall make of it God only knows. I am inclined to think we shall never modell it so as to be agreed to by all the Colonies. a plan for foreign Alliances is also formed and I expect will be the subject of much debate before it is agreed to. these two Capital points ought to have been setled before our declaration of Independance went forth to the world. this was my opinion long ago and every days experience serves to confirm me in that opinion. I think it probable that we may Split on these great points, if so our mighty Colossus falls to pieces when (as our old friend Mr Gordon used to say) we shall be in a whimsical Situation.2 Dear Sir . 1 44. THOMAS JEFFERSON TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.1 PHILADELPHIA July 29, 1776. our army from Canada is now at Tyconderoga but in a shattered condition. Gen. Sullivan left it and came here to resign on Gate's appointment. his letter of resignation was just in on Friday. it was referred to this morning that a proper rap of the knuckles might be prepared, but on the advice of his friends he asked leave to withdraw it and repair to his duty." The minutiae of the Confederation have hitherto engaged us; the great points of representation, boundaries, taxation, etc. being left open.3 for god's sake, for your country's sake, and for my sake, come. I receive by every post such accounts of the state of Mrs. Jefferson's health that it will be impossible for me to disappoint her expectation of seeing me at the time I have promised, which supposed my leaving this place on the 11th. of next month.* the plan of [treaties] " is yet untouched. after being read it was privately printed for the consideration of the members, and will come on when we shall have got through the confederation. [P.S.] I pray you to come. I am under a sacred obligation to go home. 45. JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS.1 PHILADELPHIA, 29 July, 1776. We have no news. It is very hard that half a dozen or half a score armies can't supply us with news. We have a famine, a perfect dearth of this necessary article. I am, at this present writing, perplexed [43]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 1644, Declaration of Independence. 2 See vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 674, 687, 690, 727, 744, and nos. 18, 26, ante, nos. 44, 45, 47, 50, 52, 68, 73, 85, post. See especially John Adams's Notes of Debates, July 25, 26, 30, Aug. 1, 2, in the Journals, VI. 1076-1083, and Jefferson's Notes, ibid., VI. 1098-1106. [44]1 Va. Hist. Soc., Lee Papers, I. 46 (original); ibid., Lee Transcripts, IV. 99, V. 55. 2 Cf. no. 40, ante, and nos. 47, 51, 75, post. See the Journals, July 12, July 22-Aug. 9, 20; also Adams's and Jefferson's Notes of Debates, July 25-Aug. 2, Journals, VI. 1076-1083, 1098-1106. Cf. no. 43, note 2, ante. 4 See no. 49, post. 5 See the Journals, July 18, 20, and no. 26, note 2, ante. [45]1 Familiar Letters, p. 205; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 637 (extract). and plagued with two knotty problems in politics. You love to pick a political bone. So I will even throw it to you. If a confederation should take place, one great question is, how we shall vote. Whether each colony shall count one? or whether each shall have a weight in proportion to its number, or wealth, or exports and imports, or a compound ratio of all? Another is, whether Congress shall have authority to limit the dimensions of each colony, to prevent those, which claim by charter, or proclamation, or commission to the south sea, from growing too great and powerful, so as to be dangerous to the rest? Shall I write you a sheet upon each of these questions? When you are well enough to read, and I can find leisure enough to write, perhaps I may.2. . Sir: 46. THE PRESIDENT of CongreSS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADA. July 29th. 1776 I have been honour'd with your favrs of 22d. 25th and 27th Inst. I hope by to morrow's Post to Transmitt you Answers to the whole of your Letters which are yet unanswer'd. The exceeding warm Season, and the constant Attention of Congress to Business the last week, induc'd Congress to Adjourn from Friday Eveng. to this morning. I shall directly lay your Letters before them, and request their immediate Attention to them.2 Congress having indulg'd me to make a Demand of Money from Mr. Brimer who I Judge to be with Mr. Howe on Staten Island, I have Sent the Bill to Mr. Palfrey and desir'd him to apply to you, and I Request you will please to suffer him to Conduct this matter for me. My Friend: 47. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1 3 PHILADELPHIA, July 29, 1776. Our friend General Sullivan is disgusted at the appointment of General Gates to be a Major-General, and being sent to the Northern 2 See no. 43, note 2, ante. Two letters of Adams at this time are of interest as regards the Massachusetts delegation. One of them, dated July 25, requests the general court for leave to return home; the other is to James Warren, and is dated July 27. In the letter he says: "You must be very speedy in appointing other delegates, or you will not be represented here. Go home I will, if I leave the Massachusetts without a member here." Works, IX. 426, 427. Cf. his letter to Mrs. Adams, Aug. 14, Familiar Letters, p. 210. See also no. 167, post. ser., [46] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XI. 17; Force, Am. Arch., fifth I. 636. 2 See the Journals, July 29; also no. 40, ante. Washington's letters are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 499, 575, 620. Those of July 25 and 27 are in Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 297, 301. Later the same day Hancock wrote to Washington: Since I sent off my letter of this morning the Congress has met, before whom I laid your letter, and I have the pleasure to inform you the Congress readily agreed to your having another aid de camp." Library of Congress, Letters to Washington; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 636. 66 3 There is no reference to this matter in the Journals. The claim was probably a private one. Cf. Washington to Hancock, July 30, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 675. [47]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 637. |