which we shall insist on in complyance with your repeated requisitions on this head. We are Your Excellencys Most obedt hble Servts ROBT MORRIS, GEO. CLYMER 387. THOMAS BURKE, ABSTRACT OF Debates.1 1 [February] 27. the Question for adjournment came on again and Virginia South Carolina and Maryland strenuously opposed it as exceedingly impolitic and Improper. their arguments were very conclusive but entirely ineffectual. North Carolina only observed that he would give his dessent in such Terms as might make an Impression on the memory of the Gentlemen present that he would spare this could he enter it on the Journal but since he could not he must provide by this means for his Defence, in case he should be Impeached hereafter for any thing passing in Congress, he must expect to call on the Gentlemen as Witnesses how he voted, since he could not produce the Testimony of the Journals—that he was sorry to perceive that a predetermined Majority was as much a ratio ultima in Congress as in the British Parliament-that he was no way anxious for the personal safety of Congress, he believed if they were all killed or Captivated public Business wou[ld] suffer no other Injury except the delay until other members could be chozen, that he knew his country' had much better men than himself, and he believed every state has as good as any in Congress, but he would give his Negative for the plain reason that it was very Imprudent to put a certain stop to Important Business, and run a very precarious hazard of resuming it agai[n] even after an Interval of some Weeks which would be an Inevitable delay. the adjournment was carried. for it M: B: R: I: Connecticut N: J: Pennsylvania, Georgia again [st] it New Hampshire Maryland Virginia, N: Carolina, S: Carol[ina] The same day Mr Chase from Maryland offered a resolution for entering all the Proceedings whether passing in the negative or affirmative on the Journals, and the yeas and no's if any state required it, also that the Congress doors should be opened, except on particular Occasions and all Debates held in public-he was seconded by North Carolina who observed it was very proper the Congress should have the public check on them, and that as every member was liab [le] to be impeached by the state he represented, it was a Justice to him and to the state that his votes should be entered on the Journals, that the state might be furnished with Testimony to prosecute, and the Delegate with Testimony to defend himself-postponed. 3 See no. 377, ante. [387]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib.., Emmet Coll., no. 1162. 2 See no. 384, ante. 3 Chase's motion is given in a foot-note in the Journals (ed. Ford), VII. 164, although as there given it is not quite so inclusive as here represented. A resolve of this character was passed Aug. 2, 1777. Cf. a resolve of Aug. 28. See also nos. 400, 585, post. My Dear Sir. 388. JOHN HANCOCK TO ROBERT MORRIS.1 I enclose you the Resolves of Congress, respecting the Augmentation of the Interest, I hope will now have the Effect of Taking off all the Certifficates at the Loan Offices. I think if Monied Men will not give in their Money it will argue a want of Patriotism at least.2 My Dr Friend, you have Reduced me to a most distress'd Scituation as I find by a Letter this moment Rec'd from Mr. Tailor my Sec'y that you had Counterorder'd my Waggons; what I shall do, I know not. I can't get away here. Congress is Adjourned to Philada and I must be there on Wednesday next 10 O'clock A. M. and I cannot Remove my Papers, and by this Stoppage of the Waggons am oblig'd to leave the whole of my Family behind. For God's Sake, hurry the Waggons along. I know you did it for the best, but it has distress'd me immensely, let me intreat you to order the Waggons on instantaneously. Thompson is oblig'd to stay behind for want of those Waggons. I shall set off on Saturday alone to my great Mortification and hope to meet the Waggons on the Road. Aid me all you can, pray hurry the Waggons, or Business will suffer amazingly." God Bless you I am Yours Sincerely You will print the Resolves as to the Interest Dear Sir JOHN HANCOCK 389. JAMES WILSON TO ROBERT MORRIS.1 BALTIMORE 28th Feby 1777 The adjournment to Philada was not carried without some Difficulty and some Warmth. The Measure, I am persuaded will have an happy Effect upon public Affairs. The Encrease of Interest will, I hope, give a Spring to the Sinews of War.2 390. FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE TO LANDON CARTER.1 My dear Colonel. BALTIMORE Febry 28, 1777 Genl. Lee lately wrote to Congress desiring a comtee to confer with him on his and public affairs. It was considered as a sneaking trick [388] Copied from the original then in the possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia; Henkels, Catalogue, no. 1183, item 13 (extract). 2 See nos. 382, 384, 385, ante, 392, 394, post. 8 See no. 377, note 2, ante. [389] Copied from the original then in the possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia; Henkels, Catalogue, no. 1183, item 101 (extract). 2 See nos. 377, 382, 383, 384, 387, 388, ante, 392, 393, post. [390]1 Va. Hist. Soc., Lee Transcripts, II. 4. of Howe's to hold out the delusive idea of treaty and reconciliation and thereby throw a languor upon our preparations; and therefore instantly and unanimously, rejected, but the tories are making their use of it by asserting that honorable terms of peace have been offer'd us. But surely our people will not always continue to be the dupes of these infamous. wretches.2 Sir: 391. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA.1 BALTIMORE March 2nd 1777. The bearer has permission to go to your State to solicit the discharge of the prisoners taken after the defeat at Moores' Creek. He being a simple unobnoxious creature, I consented to his going, at their request, tho their endeavour was to get some more knowing one. I believe his embassy will not be very successful; for I told them they must not expect ever to live in North Carolina on any other terms than swearing allegiance to the State and giving security for their good behavior: but this they do not relish. They are desirous of knowing whether their families and property will be reserved for them, if they are exchanged. Farquhard Campbell speaks with much resentment and hautiness; he seems to think the State ought to court him to become her subject. I found they were not at all secure in close confinement, and the guarding them was exceedingly expensive. I therefore consented to their being on parole in Frederick Town in this State. They are incessant importuners, and I believe every Delegate is glad they are removed from the residence of Congress. Angus McDonald, the bearer, is to return to them if you think proper.2 I am, Sir, with due respect and esteem, Governor Caswell. Your Excellency's most obed't. serv't. THOS. BURKE. 392. ROGER SHERMAN TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT Honored Sir, PHILADELPHIA, March 4th, 1777. The Congress adjourned from Baltimore last Thursday to meet in this city yesterday, but a sufficient number of members did not come in to proceed to business. It was found very inconvenient to set at so great a 2 See no. 366, note 3, ante. [391] N. C. State Recs., XI. 401. 2 See the Journals, Feb. 17, 25; also Mar. 27, June 10, 18; cf. ibid., Feb. 5, 22, Mar. 22, and no. 190, ante. A letter from Farquhard Campbell to Governor Caswell, Mar. 3, is in N. C. State Recs., XI. 403. See also a letter from the board of war (by Richard Peters, secretary) to Governor Johnson of Maryland, Apr. 15, in Arch. of Md., XVI. 213. [392] Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., II. 25; Library of Congress, Force Trans., Trumbull, VI. 56. distance from the seat of war, especially at a time when a new army is forming.2. . . . Congress never gave any orders at any time not to risque a general battel, as was reported last fall, but always left that matter to the discretion of the commanding officers. . . . . It seems to be the present opinion of the Congress that there be no further emission of bills than what is already ordered, if it can possibly be avoided, and that the most effectual measures be taken to support the credit of those already emited. Accordingly a tax is recommended to the several States, and as the rule to determine the quotas is not yet established by the legislatures of the several States (which is to be done by the Confederation) each State is called upon to raise as large a sum as circumstances will admit, with an engagement to allow interest at 6 per cent for what any State may raise more than its just quota of the whole sum that shall be raised.3. . Your Honr has doubtless been informed of the promotions lately made of general officers in the army; previous to the choice the Congress resolved, "That in the appointment of general officers due regard shall be had to the line of succession, personal merit, and the number of troops raised or to be raised by the several States." We mentioned Brigadiers Wooster and Arnold as candidates for Major Generals on the two first principles, and Brigadier Wadsworth and Colo Huntington, who were both recommended by General Washington, as fit persons for Brigadiers; but the last principle prevailed to pass them all by-viz, That Connecticut had more general officers than in proportion to the number of troops furnished by that State.*. . . . Dear Sir: 393. MANN PAGE, JR., TO GEORGE WEEDON.1 We have nothing worth telling you of in this place, except that Congress has been so mad as to return to Philadelphia. BALTIMORE, March 5, 1777. Brigadier General George Weedon. 2 See nos. 344, note 2, 377, note 2, ante. Cf. no. 400, post. 66 3 In the Mass. Hist. Soc. (C 81 A 4) is a draft of this letter which varies greatly from the letter printed in the Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, which was the letter sent. In this draft is the following paragraph: Congress has increased the interest of money borrowed and to be borrowed in the loan offices to 6 pr cent, having Information from Boston and Philadelphia that money could not be procured at a lower interest. Men who live on the interest of their money are unwilling to lessen their income when their expenses are increasing by the rise of every necessary. Congress has recommended to the Legislatures of the States to raise as large a Sum by a Tax the current year as their circumstances will admit. It is hoped that each State will raise its Quota of 3 million Dollars at least, [if] they be allowed six per cent pr. annum for what any of them raise more than their Quota." See the resolves relative to the proceedings of the New England committee, Feb. 15; also Burke's abstract, Feb. 26 (no. 384, ante). Cf. the Journals, Feb. 20, 22, 26, and 27 (p. 167, note 3). See the Journals, Feb. 19-21, and nos. 363-365, 372, 376, ante; also no. 419, post. [393]1 Seventy-six Society, Publications: Maryland Papers, p. 77. 394. WILLIAM ELLERY TO THE Governor OF RHODE ISLAND Sir: (NICHOLAS COoke).1 PHILADELPHIA, March 6th, 1777. As a State Lottery is one of the Measures that Congress hath taken to put a Stop to the Torrent of Depreciation, I hope it will be countenanced and encouraged by the State of Rhode Island and that the Loan-Office too will be patronised and promoted. The Interest on the Loan-Office-Certificates was lately raised to Six per Centum, which I should think would be a sufficient Inducement to Money Lenders to lend their Money; especially when it is considered that if large Sums of Money can be borrowed it will tend greatly to check the sinking Credit of Continental Money, and thereby benefit them as well as others. Congress have Resolved that the Paper Bills issued by the States might be received at the Loan-Office and exchanged for Certificates; and that the Bills so received should remain there, and go as far as they might toward the Payment of the continental Debt due to the respective States; and accordingly Letters to this purpose have been transmitted to the Keepers of the Loan-Offices in the Several States. I mention this the more particularly; because it will probably prevent Congress from ordering the Commit of the Loan Office in our State to issue Notes for the Payment of the Debt due to it; which is a Mode pointed out by you in Case it should be impracticable to supply Messrs. Greene and Howell with the Money asked for. I returned here the Day before Yesterday. The Weather hath been so bad as to prevent Members enough from coming up to make a Congress. As soon as they meet I shall use my Influence to procure an Order on the Treasury for the Money; but not with any Hopes of Success at present; for there is not more than a Million Dollars in the Treasury, and that Sum is already mortgaged." [394]1 R. I. Arch., Letters to the Governors, 1777, p. 25; Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 120. 2 See the Journals, Nov. 1, 1776, and passim (index, Lottery). 3 Cf. nos. 382, note 2, 384, 385, 388, 392, ante. 4 See the Journals, Jan. 14. 5 See Cooke to Ellery, Feb. 18, in Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 118, and the Journals, Mar. 12; also no. 405, post. Concerning the mission of Jacob Greene and David Howell, see Cooke's letter of Feb. 18, the Journals, Mar. 12 (p. 171, note 3), and no. 420, post. In the same letter Ellery adds: "I wish I had been notified of the intention of the State to send persons here for money, before they had sent them. In that case I would have advised to postpone the matter until the five millions of dollars which are ordered to be struck should have been completed. However, I will do all I can in this, as well as every matter directed by the State of Rhode Island, etc., and hope I shall be able to get some money, although I utterly despair of obtaining a quarter part of what is now due. The President will, I presume, transmit to you the resolves recommending it to the States not to emit more money; nor borrow at a higher rate of interest than six per cent., etc.” |