443. BENJAMIN RUMSEY TO THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND Dear Sir (THOMAS JOHNSON, JR.).1 Mr. Morris to Day put into my Hands your Lre. to him of the Ist. of April in which You express the general Sense that prevailed in the State of Maryland respecting the leaving a Battallion in Somersett County, that it would conduce much to the general Interest would keep the three Counties inclined to Toryism in Order and eventually save the Effusion of much Blood as well as a heavy Expence. I moved in Consequence thereof that Genl. Smallwood should be ordered to station a Battallion there to be under the Direction of the Executive Power of the State of Maryland untill removed or otherwise ordered by Congress. On Debate the Sense of the House seemed to be that None of the Troops already raised could be spared but that a new Battallion might be raised on continental Pay and Expence for that Purpose and have directed a Comittee to bring in a Report on the Subject composed of Colo Duer Colo Wilson Mr. S. Adams and myself, when a Report is made and any Step taken in Consequence thereof I shall do myself the Honour to write to you on the Subject.2 I have the Honour to be, Dr. Sir your most hu. Servt. BENJAMIN RUMSEY 17th April, 1777 PHILADA. My Dear Sir, 444. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN.' 1 PHILA., April 17, 1777 I have been always of Opinion, that we must depend upon our own Efforts under God for the Establishment of our Liberties. When it suits the interest of foreign Powers they will aid us substantially. That some of them will find it their Interest to aid us I can hardly doubt but there seems not to be Virtue enough left in the world from generous and disinterested Motives to interpose in Support of the Common Rights of Mankind... I wish the Nest of Hornets on Rhode Island had been before now destroyd. I expected it would have been done. I have been informd of the Reason why it was not done. The Congress have now recommended it to the States of M[assachusetts] B[ay], C[onnecticut] and R[hode] I[sland], to call forth their Militia for that Purpose and have directed Genl. Washington to send a suitable Officer to take the Com [443]1 Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 71; Arch. of Md., XVI. 217. 2 See the Journals, Apr. 17, 19; cf. ibid., Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 4, 6, 10, 12, 17, Mar. 24, and nos. 335, 341, 347, ante. See also nos. 463, 469, post, and Arch. of Md., XI. 221, 222, 225, 227, 228, 242, and passim (index, Somerset County, Worcester County). [444]1 Warren-Adams Letters, I. 314. mand. I hope it will now be done. It is certainly wise to conquer our Enemies in Detail before their Reinforcements can arrive. I fear N.E. will be chargd with the Loss of her former military Pride if it is not done. I have been sanguine in urging it here and have almost pawnd my Reputation on the Success of the Undertaking as well as the Valor of my Countrymen. I wish for more of an enterprizing Spirit and shall feel myself happy in the Revival of such a Spirit in New England. . . Sir 445. WILLIAM DUER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CONVENTION (ABRAHAM TEN BROECK).1 PHILADELPHIA April 17th 1777 The Letter from the Convention relative to the Insurgents in the North Eastern Parts of the State, transmitted to Mr. Lewis Morris before my arrival has been read in Congress; but as I expected daily the arrival of Mr. Duane and Mr. Livingston I thought it most prudent to get the Consideration postponed, to which Congress acceded. The Deputies from New Connecticut are now in Town, and have presented to Congress a Memorial, a Copy of which I shall do myself the Honor to transmit you in a Day or two. I can by no Means think that this Attempt to dismember our State will be countenanced by Congress, tho', I am sorry to say that, I can very easily perceive that Individuals from the Eastern States mean to support Messrs. Allens in their extravagant Pretensions. I flatter myself however that with the Assistance of my Colleagues, I shall procure such Resolutions passed as will reprobate their Proceedings and oblige the revolted Subjects to render a due obedience to the Laws of the State.2 I am extremely sorry to inform you that notwithstanding the Invasion which threatens this City, a Langour prevails amongst the Inhabitants of almost all Ranks. The Disputes about their Constitution, and a Want of vigilance and Vigour in detecting and defeating the Designs of the disaffected have given the Malignants a dangerous ascendancy. The Depreciation of the Continental Money is astonishingly rapid, and I see with Concern that no attempts are made to check so fatal a Measure. You will observe by the inclosed Resolution of Congress of the 14th and 15th April, that they have been under the necessity of supplying an executive authority in this State. By the Recess of the Supreme Executive Council, there was an absolute Interregnum, and if Congress had not interposed, this State would have fallen an easy prey to a very small Body of the Enemy's army. It is to be hoped however that the authority now established will exert itself with Vigour, and that a little Quackery will save a 2 Cf. nos. 437, 438, 442, ante. [445] N. Y. State Lib., Revolutionary Papers, X. 51; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., II. 418. 2 See nos. 428, 431, ante, and no. 453, post. powerful State which must have fallen a Sacrifice to a speculative System of politicks. The slow progress made in the Recruiting Business, notwithstanding the favorable Accounts which were at first circulated, has at length roused Congress, and they have entered into sundry Resolutions, for compleating the Battalions, which I have the Honor to transmit. It is with pleasure that I consider that the State, to which I have the Honor to belong, has pointed out to Congress the most eligible and effectual Mode of completing the army. Would to Heaven that the Spirit and activity, which has of late animated the Councils of the State of New York would diffuse itself throughout the other States! A portion of their Electrical Fire is certainly wanting. Without it, should the Enemy receive a timely Reinforcement and shew the least Spirit of Enterprize, our affairs must inevitably suffer. . . Mr. Duane and Mr. Livingston, who arrived here yesterday, desire me to tender their respects to the Convention. 3 A committee was appointed Apr. 9 to consider the steps necessary to be taken to oppose the enemy, and it was instructed to confer with the executive powers of Pennsylvania. This committee made its report Apr. 10. Apr. 11 a committee was appointed to take measures, in conjunction with the board of war of Pennsylvania, to prevent the provisions in Philadelphia from falling into the hands of the enemy. This committee, consisting of William Duer, Samuel Adams, and Abraham Clark, made a report, Apr. 14, which relates, not to provisions in Philadelphia, but to executive authority in the state. In accordance with the recommendation of this committee another committee was appointed to confer on the subject with the supreme executive council of the state. The latter committee consisted of Samuel Adams, William Duer, and Richard Henry Lee; that is, the membership was the same as that of the preceding committee, except that Richard Henry Lee took the place of Clark and that Samuel Adams was chairman instead of Duer. This committee held the conference Apr. 15 and made its report to Congress the same day. An extract from the minutes of Apr. 15, printed in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 311, contains, besides a few minor variations from the journal record, the following minutes not found in the Journals: That a Conference agreeable to the order of Congress, has been held, when the following Gentlemen were present: "His Excellency Thomas Wharton, jun. Esquire, President of the Supreme Executive Council. “Board of War. Owen Biddle, Esq., Chairman, Joseph Dean, Richard Bache, John Shee. "Delegates for the State of Pennsylvania in Congress. Robert Morris, James Wilson, Daniel Roberdeau, George Clymer, Esquires. Committee of Congress. Mr. Samuel Adams, Mr. Richard H. Lee, Mr. Duer." In the first paragraph of the committee's report as printed in the Journals (Apr. 15, p. 268) an "and" is erroneously bracketed in the clause: at the particular instance and request of the president [and] of the supreme executive council". The meaning is that the request came from the president of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania. The committee appointed (Apr. 9) to confer with the board of war of Pennsylvania speaks, in the preamble of its report (Apr. 14, p. 263), of "the adjournment of the legislative and executive authority of the commonwealth and the committee which was appointed Apr. 14 and reported Apr. 15 was "to confer with the president of the supreme executive council, with such other members of the said council as can be convened", etc. The record of the conference quoted above shows that of the council only the president attended the conference. What appears to be a draft of a letter from President Wharton to some members of the council requesting their attendance at the conference is in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 312. Cf. nos. 432, 433, 440, ante, 453, 455, 464, post. See also Duer's statement, Mar. 9, 1779, in vol. III. of these Letters. * See the Journals, Apr. 12, 14, and cf. no. 436, ante. The reply to this letter, dated Apr. 25, is in Col. N. Y. Hist. MSS.: Rev. Papers, II. 96. 5 Cf. no. 451, post. 446. GEORGE WALTON TO LACHLAN MCINTOSH.1 [April 18, 1777.] In Congress your name has never been mentioned but as their Officer in general terms with others. Your enemys have not dared to impeach you before that August Assembly yet; and I believe never will. They meant to ruin you indirectly. In my judgment it was intended to teaze you into a resignation as they have done your brother. If I had not come to Congress last summer your present Alexander would have been in your place; but I sounded the alarm when I discovered the deep laid design. Sir, 8 2 447. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADA. April 18th, 1777. The enclosed Proceedings of Congress will convey to you such Information as may be necessary for your future conduct in the Department immediately under your Care. I am however particularly to request your Attention to the Resolve founded upon Intelligence the Congress have recd of a Design to destroy the Ferry Boats about Saratoga, with a View of obstructing the Movements of our Army at the Time the Enemy may arrive from Canada.2 The internal Foes of American Freedom have been lately making Attempts to accomplish our Destruction in this Place. Since the Execution of Molesworth a Gang of Conspirators has been detected, and seven or eight were yesterday and today committed to Goal for carrying on a traitorous Correspondence with our Enemies or conniving at it. How far their Guilt will be made to appear, I am not able to determine. But Vigilance and Vigour in the Administration of our Affairs, will I trust defeat their deep laid Schemes, and enable us finally to triumph over the dark and wicked Machinations of our secret Foes, and the Designs of our open, tho not less cruel and implacable, Enemies.3 [446]1 Library of Congress, Force Trans., Georgia Records, Misc., 1732-1796. 2 George McIntosh. See no. 296, ante. 3" Your present Alexander " was probably Button Gwinnett, who is roundly denounced by Walton in this letter and also in a subsequent one of May I (Library of Congress, Force Trans.). In his reply to these two letters, July 14, 1777, McIntosh says: "My conduct in the attack upon Savannah in March 1776 for which I was cried up far above my merit and suit an Alexander or a Caesar.... is now brought against me." Ibid. See the Journals, Aug. 1, 6. For an account of the trouble between McIntosh and Gwinnett, see Stevens, History of Georgia, and Jones, History of Georgia. [447]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 186; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., f. 182. 2 See the Journals, Apr. 16. 3 Concerning James Molesworth and his accomplices, see the Journals, Mar. 31, Apr. 3 (cf. ibid., May 15, p. 361 n.), and Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 270-282, 290, 315, 336-340. Cf. the Journals, May 21, 23 (the case of John Brown, alias John Lee). 448. THE SECRET COMMITTEE TO SAMUEL AND ROBERT PURVIANCE.1 PHILADA. April 19th, 1777 Messrs Saml and Robt Purviance Gentn Your favours of the 12th and 15th. Inst. came duely to hand the first advising your purchase of flour and enclosing Inventories of the Two Prize Vessells. We think the flour was bought very reasonably and mentioned it in Congress as proper to be delivered to the Commissary at Baltimore for the use of the army which was agreed to and he must settle with you for it. We entered into the consideration of purchasing the Prize Vessells immediately and for several reasons that need not be repeated, thought it best at present to decline a purchase however we shall be glad to know who buys them and the prices they sell for, as it may probably suit to charter shou'd the purchasers want Freight. We have seen the owner of the Brimstone here and he has our offer under consideration. Respecting the Cloathing you have purchased or have in view to purchase we refer you entirely to the Cloathier General James Mease Esqr. whose department it is to manage these affairs. It wou'd give us pleasure to hear that the Virginia Capt Nicholson was Sailed and your Bay clear of the Enemies Ships. there are several of them at Cape Henlopen where they have done much mischief. We are Gentn. Your obedt hble Servts. By order of the Secret Commee. ROBT MORRIS, Chair Man 449. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON." My Dear Sir, PHILADELPHIA 19th. April 1777. The establishment of a Navy Board in the Eastern Department is now in contemplation and I imagine will soon be done. this is a necessary measure and ought to have been adopted some time ago. I am much at a loss for proper men to compose this Board. Boston, I suppose will be the place of their sitting.". My dear Sir 450. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 PHILADELPHIA April 19, 1777 If the affairs of your Department will any ways admit of your coming to this place it appears to me necessary at this Time, as well on account of yourself as the publick. Congress are about adopting new Regulations for supplying the Troops with Vegetables and vinegar in sufficient Quanti [448]1 George C. Thomas Collection, Philadelphia, Signers; Thomas, Autograph Letters; Purviance, Baltimore in the Revolution, p. 213 (part). [449]1 Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 333. 2 See the Journals, Apr. 19, May 3, 6; also no. 427, ante, and nos. 457, 459, 480, 485, post. [450]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. |