ties to preserve the Health of the army, and also intend regulating the purchases and Issues, together with other Matters of Moment wherein You can greatly serve the Continent by being present.2 Great abuses have taken place in the Commissary's Department in the middle States, which have engaged the Attention not only of Congress but of the public at large. I have not heard any person lisp Complaints against the Commissary General, but am informed plans are on Foot relative to Contracts wch. do not yet openly appear. I am Sir in Haste Yours sincerly 451. JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS.1 E GERRY PHILADELPHIA, 19 April, 1777. We have now an ample representation from New York. It consists of six delegates, and they are to all appearance as high, as decisive, and as determined as any men ever were or can be. There is a new hand, a Mr. Duer, who is a very fine fellow, a man of sense, spirit and activity, and is exceeded by no man in zeal. Mr. Duane and Mr. Philip Livingston are apparently as determined as any men in Congress. You will see, by the enclosed newspapers, that Duane and Jay have arrived at the honor of being ranked with the two Adamses. I hope they will be duly sensible of the illustrious distinction and be sure to behave in a manner becoming it. . . 452. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO ARTHUR LEE.1 My dear Brother, PHILADELPHIA April 20th 1777. . . Before this reaches you, the former dispatches will be arrived, by which you will see that Congress had proposed Doctor Franklin to attend the Court of Spain whilst you remained at Paris, but I suppose you have jointly considered that it may do as well for you to be at Madrid, and perhaps the Doctors age might render it inconvenient for him to travel so far. However, proper powers have long since been sent to Doctor Franklin appointing him to the Court of Spain altho he is not deprived of right still to represent these States at the Court of France.2. . . May 31st. . . . By this opportunity Congress sends you a particular Commission as their Representative at the Court of Spain. In my judge 2 See the Journals, Apr. 14, 18, 19, 23. In regard to the deficiency of vegetables, etc., cf. the remarks of Gerry and Williams, nos. 145, 162, 166, 266, 419, ante. Concerning the investigation of the commissary's department and the new regulations, consult the index to the Journals, Commissaries. Cf. nos. 450, 457, 458, ante, 490, 495, note 2, post. [451]1 Familiar Letters, p. 260. 1452]1 Univ. Va. Lib., Lee Papers; Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 277. 2 See the Journals, Jan. 1, and Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 242. In the Journals (ed. Ford) Franklin's commission is found under July 1 (p. 521, note). 3 See the Journals, May 1. Cf. ibid., May 31, June 5. In the Journals (ed. Ford) Lee's commission of June 5 is found under July 1 (p. 522, note). Cf. no. 473, post. ment, and it is an opinion founded on the most accurate information, the Independence, and security of N. America, cannot be said to be certain. until an Alliance with Spain and France is procured, and in consequence, the British Arms, and Arts not solely employed for our ruin. You may be assured that this is of infinite consequence to your Country and therefore you will conduct yourself accordingly. And for the assistance of our finance, an extensive loan is indispensable. 453. THE NEW YORK DELEGATES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CONVENTION (ABRAHAM TEN BROECK).1 Sir PHILADELPHIA April 21st. 1777. This We Yesterday moved for a Copy of the Representation from our revolted Subjects, to Congress. A Member from the Massachusetts would have made it a Condition that a Copy of your Remonstrance should be delivered to him, for the Use of the Revolters, insisting that we and they were perfectly on an equal Footing, stiling us the parties etc. brought on some altercation, not to the Advantage of this open and avowed Advocate for the Disturbers of the public peace and general Union. In the Conclusion, the paper we moved for was ordered to be delivered. On our parts we assured the House, that tho' we should not suffer the State of New York to be put on a Level with a small part of its disaffected Subjects, yet we had no Secret on this Occasion; that any Member had our free Consent to take a Copy, and make such Use of it as he might think proper. Here it ended.2 We have obtained and transmit a Copy of a printed address from Doctor Young to the Insurgents in our State, in which he positively asserts that he has taken the Minds of several of the leading Members of Congress and then proceeds to give them their advice. This paper, corresponding with the Hints we had from the Committee sent into Cumberland, renders it unnecessary to trouble you about further proof. Doctor Young is on the Spot, if he has injured his Friends they have the Means of ample Satisfaction, for they can call him before the House. However, we do not observe that the Imputation gives any Uneasiness to the suspected Members, tho' we are well assured, it has made strong Impressions to their Disadvantage on the Minds of other Gentlemen. What Notice Convention ought to take of this insolent Address does not lie with us to determine; nor have we yet concluded on the part we shall pursue in Congress.3 [453] N. Y. State Lib., Revolutionary Papers, XI. 119; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., II. 475. 66 2 The representation" referred to was the petition from the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants presented to Congress Apr. 8. See nos. 428, 431, 445, ante, 464, 465, post. The Journals make no record of this discussion. By yesterday" is probably meant Saturday Apr. 19. The letter of the delegates was read in the New York convention Apr. 30. See Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 906. 3 See the Journals, June 23, 25, 28, 30; also nos. 524, 526, 532, 533, post. It is our Business to move deliberately, as, from the Change of Members we find ourselves surrounded with Strangers. To cultivate their Esteem and good opinion is of Moment, considering the unfriendly views of some States and the Magnitude of the Business committed to our Charge. A Committee, consisting of a Member from each State, is appointed to examine into the Conduct of General Schuyler. It was not done without warm opposition. There was no Accuser no Complaint, no Charge against the General. Nothing had ever been said to his Disadvantage or Dishonor in that House: directing the Enquiry was an implied Censure, or at least an Indication of Suspicion, which should be avoided. These were the Arguments against the appointment of a Committee. a single Remark was sufficient to refute them. If the General had done his Duty faithfully, why was his authority pared away to Nothing and the Command of the Army, in Effect, transferred from him to General Gates, a Junior officer? We can entertain no Apprehension, but that the General will be honorably acquited, tho' it is obvious enough that pains have been taken to injure his Character.* The feeble inactive Condition of pennsylvania is a sad proof how little their new Constitution is calculated for Security or Defence in Time of Danger. Their executive Authority appear to be sensible of their Weakness and lean with their whole weight upon Congress, who have found it necessary to recommend a temporary System, to prevent the Ruin of the Cause, as far as it is connected with this State." to this will be added a Recommendation to revive the General Committees, for Nothing can be substituted in the place of this Institution equally salutary, or which can produce so much Union Energy and Vigour. The Spirit of the Legislature under the new Constitution here is strongly marked in their Militia Act which provides that if a Colonel or other officer shall strike a Soldier while upon Duty he shall forfeit a sum not less than five nor more than ten pounds, but if the Soldier shall strike or draw upon his Colonel or other officer while on Duty he shall be fined a Sum not exceeding £ 5! We beg leave to assure you Sir, that we shall exert our most zealous Endeavors for the Interest and Honor of our State on every Occasion: and it gives us singular pleasure that your honorable Body maintain a high Rank in the Estimation of Congress, as well as of the General and army, which cannot but greatly contribute to our Success in every just and reasonable Measure. We have the Honor to be with the utmost Regard Sir Your most obedient humble Servant. PHIL. LIVINGSTON Honble President of the Convention of the State of New York. * See the Journals, Apr. 18, and no. 461, post. 5 See no. 445, note 3, ante. Sir, 454. CHARLES THOMSON TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 Before I joined Congress after their adjournment from Baltimore,2 the following resolutions passed in Congress 14 March 1777 "That the list of officers and privates transmitted by the general as necessary to compose every regiment of cavalry to be raised for the defence of these united states be approved of." No copy was taken of these papers and the president informs me that he sent back the originals to you. As the journals will be incompleat without those papers I must beg the favour of you to send me the originals and I will transmit you a certified copy I am 3 Your obedient humble Servt CHAS THOMSON April 22 1777 My dear Sir 455. MANN PAGE, JR., TO GEORGE WEEDON.1 .. The Enemy have for some time threatened this City, and have made Preparations which induce our best Generals to think their principal Attack will be against this Place. On Sunday the 13th. nine of their Men of War came into this Bay, which confirmed in great Measure the Information we had before received. Some Days before that Congress had ordered a Camp to be formed under Genl. Schuyler upon the West Side of Delaware for three Reasons, That the Soldiers, of whom there were a considerable Number in the City, might be drawn togather so as to be ready to oppose any sudden Attempt upon the City 'til the main Army could come up; that they would be more healthy in Camp than in Town; that they would support the Militia which might come in; that they would be able to reach the North River, if the Attack of the Enemy should be made there, before the rest of the Army could cross; and that they could speedily join the General to execute any Plan which he [might] form in the Jersey. After all they were left to the General's Direction to order where he pleased. He in Part approves of the Measure, and has ordered the Camp to be formed at Bristol where all the troops that come from the Southward Stop. PHILADELPHIA April 22d. 1777 [454]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington. 2 It would appear that Thomson rejoined Congress Mar. 24, as he resumed the secretary's pen on that day. See the foot-notes in the Journals (ed. Ford), VII. 169, 176. At the close of the Journal for Feb. 27 (the last day at Baltimore) are found some entries made by President Hancock, recording action taken by him during the adjournment, and approved by Congress Mar. 24. Several other entries, Mar. 14-24, were made by Hancock. 3 See the Journals, Mar. 14 (p. 178). [455]1 Am. Phil. Soc., Weedon Papers, no. 4. 2 See nos. 432, 433, 440, ante. In a letter to his brother, John Page, Apr. 21, Mann Page says: 'We are now threatened with a visit from the Enemy which has 456. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA My dear Sir, PHILADELPHIA, 22nd April, 1777. The enclosed resolve is now sent, principally with a view of rectifying some Typhographic errors that the copy formerly sent you contained.2 I am again in the name of Congress to desire your Excellency will detain the flour in Virginia, until further directions, that Mr. Commissary Trumbul had sent Vessels from the eastward to remove. The reason you assign of danger from the enemy's cruisers, is conclusive with Congress for staying this provision awhile.3. My dear Sir 457. SAMUEL ADAMS TO SAMUEL COOPER.1 PHILADA. April 23d 1777 I heartily concur with you in regreting the abominable Practice of prophane Swearing in our Army. It is indeed alarming. Congress has repeatedly injoynd the General officers to discountenance this Practice by their Authority and Influence. you know my Abhorrence of it, and may depend upon my exerting the utmost of my Endeavors, if possible, to root it out of the Army.2. . . . The medical Department is now put upon a new footing and Rules are establishing in the Quarter Masters for keeping our Soldiers cleanly in their Encampments whereby their Health as well as Lives will be preservd. Congress a few Days ago determind to establish a Marine Board in the Eastern Department to consist of three Members who are to reside in or near Boston with the Power of adjourning to any other place. They are to be subject to the Directions of the Marine Committee of Congress. been the Case for some time; they have now nine Men of War in the Bay, and are making Preparations at N. York and Amboy, which most of us Generals think are intended against Philadelphia. I believe they are too weak to succeed, but if they do, I am of Ŏpinion they will ruin this Army, which is at this time very small and is mouldering away by Sickness. We are too weak to take advantage of their Situation. Ten thousand Men at this time would go near to finish the War. If the different Legislative and Executive Powers upon the Continent will enforce the late Resolutions of Congress, we may yet be free; we may collect a respectable Army, and upon that depends our Salvation as a People. Britain begins to totter, her Trade is cut off and her Merchants become Bankrupt. We attend Congress from ten to four, and meet in Com. at six." Library of Congress, Personal. [456]1 Henry, Patrick Henry, III. 66; Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 282. 2 It is not certain what resolve is here referred to. There is no record in the Journals which appears to correspond to this order of Congress. See however the instructions to Commissary Aylett, Mar. 29 and May 20. Cf. the report (Journals, Apr. 23) of the committee which conferred with Joseph Trumbull. See also Henry to Lee, Mar. 28, in Henry, Patrick Henry, I. 515, Lee to Henry, Apr. 15, ibid., III. 62, and in Letters (ed. Ballagh), I. 273. [457]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers (draft). 2 See the Journals, Feb. 25. 3 See the Journals, Mar. 21, Apr. 16, 23, May 14. Cf. no. 450, ante, and nos. 458, 490, 495, note 2, post. |