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betray us into a negociation. It will suspend our military Operations, and injure us in the court of France where our commissioners are now soliciting an Alliance for us. The last conference wth Lord Howe had this effect. Let us suppose that he means only to confer with us about his private affairs, and let us pass a resolution declaring our determination to support him and our willingness to hear and transact any thing that related to his safety or interest.

This resolution was unanimously agreed to.3

367. THOMAS BURKE, ABSTRACT OF DebateS.1

Feb'y. 20th A Committee on a letter from General Howe to General Washington reported, that five Hessian Field Officers, and a Col. Campbell should be confined in order for retaliation, and that they should have copies of the resolutions and letters relative to this matter, in order to manifest the reluctance of Congress to this severity; which became necessary, being the only means whereby they could teach their enemies to regard the Law of Nations and the rights of humanity. Some severe epithets were prefixed to enemies in the report, and they were objected to as unbecoming the dignity of Congress. A debate ensued in which some Gentlemen pointed out the impropriety of a bold figurative style in public Instruments, and the beauty and propriety of simplicity. R. H. Lee, of Virginia (as usual) insisted strongly on retaining the epithets, because they expressed only what our enemies really are, and urged that the best writers always used such terms on the like occassions. The Delegate from North Carolina observed that simplicity of style was true beauty, and dignity, in the language of public bodies. Embellishments of splendid epithets and figures, if proper at all, were only for rhetoricians and such. as write for amusement, that he could wish our Energy might appear in our Actions, and that our Language might be simple and unadorned. he said he admired the Peasants of Switzerland who in their Struggles for

2 See, for instance, Deane to the committee of secret correspondence, Nov. 28, 1776, Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 196.

3 See the Journals, Feb. 20, 21, and nos. 367, 371, 375, 376, 386, 390, 395, 403, 404, 407, 428, post, also nos. 290, 291, 297-299, ante. Lee's letter to Washington, Feb. 9, and that to the President of Congress, Feb. 10, are in New York Hist. Soc., Collections: Lee Papers, II. 357, 358; the latter is also found in Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 350 n.; Washington's Writings (ed. Ford), V. 239 n., (ed. Sparks), IV. 324 n. For an extensive study of the whole episode, see G. H. Moore, The Treason of Charles Lee, reprinted in N. Y. Hist. Soc., Collections: Lee Papers, IV. 335-427.

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[367] N. Y. Pub. Library, Emmet Collection, no. 1162; N. C. State Recs., XI. 380. The Emmet copy begins with the words for amusement' near the middle of this abstract for Feb. 20. Up to that point the text is that of N. C. State Recs., thereafter it follows the Emmet copy. See no. 343, note I, ante.

2 Howe's letter was enclosed in a letter of Washington, Feb. 5. See the Journals, Feb. 14, 15, 20; cf. ibid., Jan. 2, 6, and no. 291, ante. See also no. 366,

note 3, ante.

8 Lt.-Col. Archibald Campbell. See the Journals, Jan. 6, Feb. 29, Mar. 14, June 2, 6, July 22, Aug. 7, 19; also nos. 291, 297, 299, 360, ante; see also Washington to the Massachusetts council, Feb. 28, to Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, Mar. 1, to the President of Congress, Mar. 1, 6, in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 254, 257, 257_n., 274, (ed. Sparks), IV. 330, 333, 334, 349. A letter from Campbell to General Howe, Feb. 1, setting forth his situation, is in the Remembrancer, V. 138. Cf. nos. 403, 407, post.

Freedom were as remarkable for Modesty in their Language, as for Vigor in their Exertions, that he wished the Congress would Imitate them in both. on the Question the Exceptionable passage was expunged. the Debate now turned on the Question whether the Law of Nations was proper to be mentioned. Some Gentlemen Argued that it was improper to apply it to the proceedings against General Lee because they proposed trying him by the Laws of his own Country, but others Insisted that they had no power to try him more than any other Prisoner by those Laws. many Distinctions were attempted which I did not understand. at length the North Carolina Delegate declared he thought all Laws were to be laid aside but what both Parties were subject to in Common, these were only the Laws of Nature and Nations. the Municipal Laws of all Countries at War were silent with respect to the mere Transaction that relates to, or were the Consequence of War. That it was the proper Policy of Britain still to regard the Americans as subjects and to Insist on the Execution of the Municipal Laws, but it was the proper policy of America to maintai[n] that the American States stand in no other relat[ion] [to] Britain than as an Independant Empire at War with her, and therefore that the Law of Nations alone ought to be observed between them, that retalliation is the only Instrument whereby Nations can Compell the observance of that Law, and America ought therefore firmly to retalliate when the Law of Nations was Violated. the Question was carried in favor of the Insertion of the Law of Nations.

368. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO THE MARYLAND ASSEMBLY.1 BALTIMORE Feby 20th. 1777.

Gentlemen,

In Consequence of the Proceedings of the several Committees from the States of Massachusetts Bay Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island being laid before Congress, they have come to the enclosed Resolves, which I am commanded to transmit to you, together with those Parts of the Minutes that relate to the Price of Labour and other articles.

Altho Congress approve the Measures adopted by the Body to prevent the Depreciation of their Currency, (except striking Bills to bear Interest) yet they have referred to the Consideration of the other States the Propriety of regulating the Prices of Goods, and at the same Time recommend to them to devise such Expedients as they may think will be most likely. to remedy the Evils occasioned by the exorbitant Prices of Manufactures and all other Articles of Trade. I am therefore to request you will appoint Commissioners to meet at York Town in Pennsylvania on the third Monday in March next then and there to confer with other Com

The word "State" first written was erased and "empire" substituted. [368]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, VI. 24; id. to Massachusetts, Mass. Arch., CXCVI. 246, Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 145; id. to New York, N. Y. State Lib., Revolutionary Papers, IX. 2, and Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., II. 301; id. to New Jersey, Votes of Assem. of N. J., 1776-1781, p. 84; to North Carolina, N. C. State Recs., XI. 394.

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missioners from the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia, on the Subject of adopting such a System of Regulation as may be most suitable to those States. I beg Leave to request your Attention to the whole of the enclosed Resolves and have the Honour to be,

Gentlemen,

Your most obed. and very hble. Serv.
JOHN HANCOCK, Presidt.

Honble Assembly of the State of Maryland.

369. SAMUEL CHASE TO THE MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 BALTIMORE TOWN Febry 20th. 1777.

Gentlemen.

I am sorry to inform you that the Report of the Engagement on Fryday Week is without any other Foundation than a little Skirmish, which the General barely mentions in his Letter to our Committee in Philadelphia.2 Congress are anxiously expecting a Reinforcement to our brave and worthy General from the new Levies. above Six weeks ago Congress directed General Smallwood to take a tour thro the State, and exert his Influence in raising our Quota, and they called on all our public Bodies, and every Friend to America, to yield him their Assistance. I mention this because Congress flattered themselves with great Success from this Measure and it is said it has been neglected.

A little attention to our public Affairs, and the State of our Army will convince any Man that the most vigorous Exertions are necessary and must be adopted to procure our Quota. I shall not enlarge on this important subject. I beg leave to call your immediate attention to it, and if a Moment's delay can be granted, be pleased to consider the following Extract of a letter from Genl. Washington to his friend Colo. Harrison, of 12 Instant. "with great Truth I can add, that Heaven alone knows upon what principle they (the enemy) act, or by what means, they are kept quiet. That we are not able to make the least stand, if they move, is as clear as the Sun in its Meridian Brightness. Whilst you are at an expence equal to the maintenance of a large army and expect that we are very strong, we have scarce men enough to mount the Common Guard "

2 The letter to North Carolina reads: "to meet at Charlestown in South Carolina, on the first Monday in May next then and there to confer with other Commissioners from the States of South Carolina and Georgia". A variant form was sent to the New England States. See nos. 323, 326, 334, 336, 340, 347, 353, 355, 356, 357, 359, 360, ante, 370, post.

note:

3 To the Massachusetts copy of the circular letter is appended the following

"Your favr. of 30th Jany and 1 Feby have been Just Rec'd.

"I have Rec'd Directions from Congress on Tuesday next to Adjourn Congress to Philada. and shall set off for that Place on Wednesday morng." See nos. 377, 378, 383, post.

[369]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 88; Arch. of Md., XVI. 147.

2 See no. 359, note 8, ante.

8 See the Journals, Dec. 21, 31, 1776.

I thought this Intelligence necessary for your Information, but the Communication of it to our General Assembly must be made with every Caution of Secrecy. The knowledge of it may bring Destruction on our Country.

I wish it was in my power to advise in the present Crisis. The Mode in the Resolve of Congress to Genl Smallwood may be of some Service. The Gentlemen of this County have not as yet assisted, by public meetings and associations, to carry any public Measures into Execution. I beg leave to submit the enclosed proposal to your Consideration, if adopted it ought to be late in the Session, and after all other Exertions have been made. I am, Gent. with Regard and Respect,

Dr Sir

.

Your Obedient Servant,

SAML. CHASE.

370. JOHN ADAMS TO JOSEPH Palmer.1

BALTIMORE Feb. 20, 1777

Congress have been upon the subject of regulating the Prices of Labour and Provisions. I shall inclose you, what they have done. Are not these mere temporary Expedients, and palliation Remedies. We must aim at a radical Cure. The success of our Camp appears to me to depend intirely, (under God,) on our Supporting the Credit of our Currency. This must be done at all Events but cannot be done long by regulating Prices. We must cease emitting. We must borrow, and We must import if possible a Fund of Gold and Silver to redeem the Bills as they become payable.2.

371. THOMAS BURKE, ABSTRACT OF DEBATES.1

Feby 21 A Letter from General Lee requesting a Committee of Congress to be sent to New York to whom he might, with Permission of Lord and General How, impart something of great Consequence to himself and of no less, in his opinion to the public. his letter was in very pressing Terms. It was the General Sense of Congress that no Conference ought to be held with any but Embassadors properly authorised by the Court of Britain to treat of Peace That Lord and General How could have no Powers on such a subject by Virtue of their Commissions which was particularly Limitted by Parliament to other Purposes. That any Conference with them would be Impolitic and degrading. degrading because beneath the Dignity of Congress to Tr[e]at with persons whose very Powers supposed them objects of their Dominion, and even of their Mercy. Impol

2

[370] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Myers Coll., Distinguished Americans, p. 554. Addressed to "The Hon. Joseph Palmer Esqr. Braintree Massa. Bay".

2 See no. 323, note 2, ante.

[371] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 1162; N. C. State Recs., XI. 382; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 36, p. 458 (copy).

2 In the N. C. State Records the reading is: "degrading, because their powers supposed Congress objects of their dominion".

itic because it would give an Opportunity of circulating Stories in the Courts of Europe that the Congress were on Treaty of reconciliation with. Britain and by this means suspend for sometime their Intention of befriending us. but it was also agreed that the C[ong]ress ought to give every possible attention to Genera [1] Lee's personal Safety. the Difficulty was in the mode, Some being of opinion it ought to be by permitting any person he pleased to go and Confer with him on any matter relative to his private Business, others that it ought to be by ordering the General to send an Officer for that purpose.* at length the Congress came to a resolution to Direct General Washington to Inform General Lee of the Measures they were taking for his safety, and to request him to inform them of any thing which they could farther do, but that they could not think it Consistant with the Dignity of Congress to send a Committee to Treat with him on any public Business."

372. JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS.1

BALTIMORE, 21 February, 1777.

. . We have made General Lincoln a continental Major General. We shall make Colonel Glover a Brigadier. I sincerely wish we could hear more from General Heath. Many persons are extremely dissatisfied with numbers of the general officers of the highest rank. I don't mean the Commander-in-chief, his character is justly very high, but Schuyler, Putnam, Spencer, Heath, are thought by very few to be capable of the great commands they hold. We hear of none of their heroic deeds of arms. I wish they would all resign. For my part I will vote upon the genuine principles of a republic for a new election of general officers annually, and every man shall have my consent to be left out, who does not give sufficient proof of his qualifications.2. . .

Sir

373. THE BOARD OF WAR TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

WAR OFFICE Feby 21st 1777

I am directed by the Board of War to inform you that it is the Opinion of Congress that the Men of the Corps of Virginia Light Horse under the Command of Major Bland 2 receive the usual Bounty on their reinlisting for three Years or during the War into the Continental Service..

The text in N. C. State Records is: "impolitic, because it would give opportunity for representing ".

4"The Difficulty .. purpose" is not in N. C. State Records, and there is a variation in the beginning of the next sentence.

5 See no. 366, note 3, ante; also a letter of Tench Tilghman to Robert Morris, Mar. 2, in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Collections: Revolutionary Papers, I, 422.

[372]1 Familiar Letters, p. 248.

2 See no. 363, note 3, ante.

[373]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XCIV. 203.

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