Army. By permission of the Generals Schuyler and Washington, he (General Sullivan) has left the Army, and is now here, and has petitioned Congress for leave to resign his commission. What will be done in the case I cannot say, but hope it will be settled without his dismission. Brother Whipple is here yet, and will not set out for home till the Confederation is settled, which may possibly take a week or ten days' time, as there is a great deal of other business to be done in the mean time, and the sentiments of the members of Congress very different on many of the articles. I should be glad he might hear the whole of the debates here, and be present in our Colony when it is laid before our Legislature for their concurrence, to answer any questions and remarks that may be made upon it. It is a matter of the greatest importance, but the interests and opinions of the several members are so various that I see it will not be settled agreeable to my mind.2 It is a very still time as to news here. The fleet and Armies at New York and Staten Island remain in statu quo. The Army in the Jerseys is increasing very fast, so that there will soon be a powerful body of men there. July 31st. I can now inform you that the affair with General Sullivan is settled, and he is to return to New York, to be employed by General Washington in that department; so hope you will not make many words about it.. 48. THE NORTH CAROLINA DELEGATES TO THE NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1 Dear Sir, This morning in consequence of a letter from Governor Rutlege informing the Congress that the Cherokee nation had begun Hostilities, a Resolve has passed recommending to the Provinces of Virginia North Carolina and Georgia to assist and co-operate with South Carolina in carrying on a War with all possible vigor against those savages.2 This however is by no means intended to alter the plan of military operations which you have begun or to draw off the Strength of our back Country to a distant part merely for the sake of acting in the same place with the South Carolinians, if the Opposition can be made as effectually in any manner devised by yourselves and from a part of your province from whence hostilities may successfully be carried into the bosom of the Cherokee Country. In fact nothing is meant but to subdue the Cherokees. We have taken advantage of a moment's leisure from the Business of New York to call the attention of the Congress to the State of North 2 Cf. no. 33, ante. See also no. 72, note 3, post. 3 Cf. nos. 40, 44, ante, 51, post. [48] N. C. Hist. Comm. (in Hooper's writing); N. C. Col. Recs., X. 679. 2 The resolve is in the Journals, July 30, and this letter should doubtless bear that date. Cf. Hancock to the North Carolina council of safety, July 30, in N. C. Col. Recs., X. 681. See, further, the Journals, Aug. 5, and Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 95, 481, 488, 568, 610-613, 749; also N. C. Col. Recs., X. 650, 651, 657-661, 662, 665, 669, 671, 726, 729, 745, 748, 751, 758. Carolina. This Evening they meet and from the disposition of the congress We flatter ourselves the very reasonable requisitions signified in your Letter and some other matters which have occurred to us since as necessary for the safety of our Colony will be duely attended to." Pray make our best respects to your honourable Board and believe us to be with great Regard, Your most obedt Hum Servts WM HOOPER JOHN PENN. PHILADELPHIA July 29 1776. Dear Page, 49. THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JOHN PAGE.1 PHILADELPHIA, July 20 [30?], 1776.2 I would not advise that the French gentlemen should come here. We have so many of that country, and have been so much imposed on, that the Congress begins to be sore on that head. Besides there is no prospect of raising horse this way. But if you approve of the Chevalier de St. Aubin, why not appoint him yourselves, as your troops of horse are Colonial not Continental? The 8th battalion will no doubt be taken into Continental pay from the date you mention. So also will be the two written for lately to come to the Jersies. The 7th should have been moved in Congress long e'er now, but the muster roll sent us by Mr. Yates was so miserably defective that it would not have been received, and would have exposed him. We therefore desired him to send one more full, still giving it the same date, and I enclosed him a proper form.. Having declined serving here the next year, I shall be with you at the first session of our assembly. I purpose to leave this place the 11th of August, having so advised Mrs. Jefferson by last post, and every letter brings me such an account of the state of her health, that it is with great 8 See the Journals, July 30, 31, and no. 55, post. This letter was written by Hooper originally in the first person singular and afterward changed to the plural, we" being substituted for "I", and "ourselves" for myself". In a letter to Samuel Johnston, July 24, Hewes says: "Mr. Hooper came to town last evening" (Pa. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., XLIII. 263). He probably took his seat in Congress the 24th, as the letter of the North Carolina council was presented on that day. [49] Writings (ed. Ford), II. 69; Works (Memorial ed.), IV. 266; N. E. Hist. and Geneal. Register, XX. 68. 1 2 There are several evidences that the date of this letter as found in the printed texts is incorrect: First, Page's letter to Jefferson (Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, second ser., LXV. 8), to which this is a reply, is clearly dated July 20; second, the statement in the letter concerning the two Virginia battalions "written for lately to come to the Jersies" refers to a resolution of Congress July 20; third, a paragraph, omitted here, evidently was written in the light of Washington's letter of July 27, read in Congress July 29. The date of the letter should probably therefore be July 30. 3 Cf. Washington to Nathaniel Shaw, jr., of New London, Aug. 5, in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 770. See also nos. 136, 360A, post. 4 See the Journals, July 20. 5 See the Journals, Aug. 13. pain I can stay here till then. But Braxton purposing to leave us the day after tomorrow, the colony would be unrepresented were I to go, before the 11th. I hope to see Col. Lee and Mr. Wythe here.. 50. SAMUEL CHASE TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.1 My dear Sir: PHILADELPHIA, July 30, 1776. Your letter of the 14th instant followed me to this city, and your other favour, of the 21st, was delivered by yesterday's post. I hurried to Congress, to give my little assistance to the framing a Confederacy, and a plan for a foreign alliance-both of them subjects of the utmost importance, and which, in my judgment, demand immediate despatch. The Confederacy has engaged our close attention for a week. Three great difficulties occur: Representation, the mode of voting, and the claims to the South Sea. The whole might, in my opinion, be settled, if candour, justice, and the real interests of America were attended to. We do not all see the importance, nay, the necessity, of a Confederacy. We shall remain weak, distracted, and divided in our councils; our strength will decrease; we shall be open to all the arts of the insidious Court of Britain, and no foreign Court will attend to our applications for assistance before we are confederated. What contract will a foreign State make with us, when we cannot agree among ourselves? 2. 51. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADELPHIA July 31 1776. Sir, ... P. S. Upon conversing with Genl. Sullivan, and stating to him the Reasons of Congress promoting Genl. Gates over him, he desired Me to move for Leave to withdraw his Application to resign, in which the Congress have acquiesced. He has now Orders to repair to New York, where you will please to assign him such Post of Duty as you shall think proper.2. . Dear Sir, 52. ABRAHAM CLARK TO JAMES CALDWELL.1 PHILA. August 1, 1776. Our Congress have now under Consideration a Confederation of the States. Two Articles give great trouble, the one for fixing the Quotas of the States towards the Public expence, and the other whether 6 Cf. no 44, ante, and no. 60, post. [50]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 672; R. H. Lee, Life of Richard Henry Lee, II. 180. 2 See no. 43, note 2, ante, and no. 68, note 2, post. [51] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, LXXXIX. 262; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 690. 2 See nos. 40, 44, 47, ante, 75, post. [52]1 Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 49, vol. II., p. 168 (original). Each State shall have a Single Vote or in proportion to the Sums they! raise or the Num of Inhabitants they contain. I assure you the diffi- i culties attending these Powers at Times appear very Alarming. Nothing but Present danger will ever make us all Agree, and I sometimes even fear that will be insufficient.2. . . . I Notice what you say About the want of Cash. The Post that brought your Letter, brought one from Genl. Schuyler directed to Genl. Washington and by him sent forward making the same Complaint, which was referred to the board of War. your wants in that respect I hope will soon be Supplied. There hath been no complaint on that head from your Quarter before that I have heard of. Money is not such a trifling Article with the "States General" as to make them thoughtless about it, tho' in some respects the value of it seems trifling, as it is no uncommon case to order five hundred thousand [dollars] sent of [sic] at a Time notwithstanding "our daily feasting in the City". As to your Regts. inlisting for 3 years upon Condition of leaving that Country before Winter, I must Observe your Campain is but beginning, and the issue very uncertain. it is impossible to foresee the State of affairs with you next fall. Necessity may require your comeing away by thať Time, and may also require your staying there, but this you may rest assured of that any service within my Scanty powers, and wh[ich] you desire, so far as the Public service will admit you may most assuredly rely upon, but at present I think it a Subject improper to mention in public but shall nevertheless, communicate the matter to particular friends, as opportunity offers.5. . . . I am Dear Sir your and Colo. Daytons Sincere and affectionate Friend and Hum. Servt. P. S. Doctor Witherspoon sends you his compliments ABRA: CLARK 2 Cf. nos. 18, 26, 43, 44, 45, 47, 50, ante, 68, 73, 85, post. See especially John Adams's Notes of Debates, July 25-Aug. 2, in the Journals, VI. 1076-1083, and Jefferson's Notes of Debates, ibid., pp. 1098-1106. Among those recorded by both Adams and Jefferson as taking part in the debate on the Confederation Aug. 1, was Benjamin Rush. Rush himself records in his Memorial (p. 92): “In the debates upon the Confederation of the States I took part with those gentlemen who objected to the small States having an equal vote with the large ones, and urged the necessity of the States being represented according to numbers, in order to render liberty equal and durable in our country." The letter of Schuyler referred to is to Washington, July 24, enclosed by Washington in his letter of July 30. These letters, laid before Congress Aug. 1, are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 559, 675, respectively. See also Schuyler's letter to Washington, July 20, ibid., I. 473; also the Journals, Aug. 2, 15. In a letter to Col. Elias Dayton, Aug. 6, Clark says: “General Schuyler makes the same complaint as you do for want of cash. His letter came to Congress the same day with yours and Mr. Caldwell's from the German-Flats. Two hundred thousand dollars were immediately sent to the Paymaster-General, being part of five hundred thousand dollars ordered to be sent. The Congress, or rather some of the Members, tell me, that if your regiment is near three months in arrear of pay, it is not a neglect of Congress, but a neglect somewhere else, as they have sent seasonable supplies." Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 785-786. See also Clark to Caldwell, Aug. 7, ibid., I. 811. Cf. nos. 63, 64, 80, post. See Clark to Caldwell, Aug. 7, cited in note 3, above. 5 "What you say respecting your regiment returning in the fall, will be attended to in a proper time." Clark to Dayton, Aug. 6, cited in note 3 above. "Remember, sir, (what I frequently mention,) that when I write to you or Mr. Caldwell, I mean always to address you both." Clark to Dayton, Aug. 6. Sir, 53. ABRAHAM CLARK TO JAMES CALDWELL.1 At my coming to Congress, I moved for a Chaplain to Attend Prayers every morning which was carried, and some of my Starch breathren will scarcely forgive me for Naming Mr Duche. This I did knowing without such a one many would not Attend. he hath Composed a form of Prayer Unexceptionable to all parties.3 [Addressed :] Sir To the Revd. James Caldwell Chaplain of the Army at Fort Stanwix 54. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADELPHIA 2d. August 1776 I am particularly instructed by Congress to answer that part of your letter of 29th. Ulto. directed to the Board of War, which Relates to the filling up Vacancies in the Army. The Congress are Concern'd to find that an opinion is Entertain'd that greater Confidence has been plac'd in, and larger powers given to other Commanders in that respect, than to yourself. They have in no instance except in the late Appointment of General Gates to the Command in Canada, parted with the power of filling up Vacancies. The great Confusion and many Disorders prevalent in that Army and its Distance, induc'd Congress to lodge such a power in that General, for the limited space of three months, and only during his Continuance in Canada. Should Congress ever empower its Generals to fill up the Vacancies in the Army, they know of no one in whom they would so soon Repose a Trust of such Importance as in yourself; but future Generals may make a bad use of it. The Danger of the Precedent, not any suspicion of their present Commander in Chief, prompts them to Retain a Power, that, by you, Sir, might be exercised with the greatest public Advantage.2. [P. S.] Your fav. of 5 Inst. just Come to hand will be Replied to by to-morrow's Post.3 [53] Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 49, vol. II., p. 170 (original). 2 This letter was probably a postscript to the letter of Aug. 1, no. 52, ante. In Clark's letter to Dayton, Aug. 6, and that to Caldwell, Aug. 7 (see ante, no. 52, notes 3, 4, 6), the two letters are spoken of as one. 3 See the Journals, July 9. See also vol. I. of these Letters, no. 12, note 8. [54]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, LXXXIX., 264; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 725; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 267. 2 This part of Hancock's letter was drafted by the board of war in reply to Washington's letter to the board, July 29. See the Journals, July 30 (p. 621) and Aug. 1. The letter-book copy of Washington's letter is in the Washington MSS. in the Library of Congress. It is printed in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 641. Concerning the powers given to Gates, see the Journals, June 17; cf. John Adams to Gates, June 18, in vol. I. of these Letters, no. 718; also ibid., nos. 692, 702. Action upon one part of Washington's letter was taken Aug. 10 (see the Journals, p. 644). Cf. no 75, post. 3 This postscript was probably appended in the evening of Aug. 5. See the Journals, Aug. 6. One of the omitted paragraphs also refers to a resolve recorded in the Journals, Aug. 5. Washington's letter is in Writings (ed. Ford), IV. 317; the letter and enclosures are in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 762-767. |