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May 2d, 1777.

roing to Charlestown, ice was opened in Cono the cover. I doubt not

of one of the Continental excited great indignation in ordered in five days to make Council shall accept or, failing, to ntleman, (a few only excepted) this insult, and they are determined

e vessel a colonel and 24 officers of the train." ertiser, Thursday, Apr. 24.

Port, a large ship, from France, with the following nel, and 24 Officers of Artillery came Passengers in ronicle, Apr. 24.

ohn Adams, Apr. 23 (Warren-Adams Letters, I. 316), ship, cargo, and passengers in similar terms, and closes page arrived last Sunday.' See the Journals, May 8. The Lists of the French officers who came with him are found pt. 2, Nov. 7. In the Amphitrite came also the notorious arren to Adams, Apr. 27, Warren-Adams Letters, I. 318; also May 9, in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 353, (ed. Sparks), IV. 411. rtinique, but was afterward captured. See the letter of the airs, May 30, Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 327. make no mention of Marshal Maillebois's work. tais, Apr. 28, 29, and nos. 466, 472, ante, 502, post. Recs., XI. 463.

dated Apr. 30, is in N. C. State Recs., XI. 463. The intelligence the affair at Danbury, Apr. 25, received by Congress, Apr. 30 (see A letter from Washington, dated Apr. 28. See also Washington to 28, Writings (ed. Ford), V. 343. A further account, sent by Washas received by Congress May I. See no. 476, post.

468, 469, 470, ante, 505, post.

against a single Rock. And, if you are not so confined you intirely destroy the idea of their Chief to whom they profess devotion unbounded. [How] this matter will be untangled I cannot now exactly determine but I suspect not intirely agreable to yr. sentiments: I wish to have these explicitly and minutely by the first opportunity after the receipt of this.*.

In every condition I wish you health prosperity and honor, being sincerely yr. friend and humb Servt.

J. LOVELL

473. THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE
COMMISSIONERS AT PARIS.1

Gentlemen:

PHILADELPHIA, May 2, 1777.

Your dispatches, dated February 6 and 8, were safely received by us about the middle of April.2.

The Congress highly approve your dividing yourselves to foreign courts, and have sent commissions for that purpose, and likewise commissions for fitting out privateers in France.*

The Mercury, from Nantes, is safely arrived in New Hampshire. The Amphitrite and Seine we are yet in hopes of." We shall notice the conduct

4 Cf. nos. 453, 461, ante, and see the Journals, May 15, 22. See also nos. 483, 495, 502, 511, 515, post. [473]1 Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 313.

2 A letter of Feb. 6, signed by all three commissioners, Franklin, Deane, and Lee, to the committee of secret correspondence, is in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 261; one of the same date from Deane is on the same page; and one of the same date by Franklin and Deane is ibid., II. 265. No letter dated Feb. 8 has been found. It is evident from Rumsey's letter of May 1, ante, that Arthur Lee's letters of Feb. II and 18, and presumably his letter of Feb. 14 (ibid., II. 266, 270, 272), had also been received. Cf. nos. 423, 436, 439, 470, ante. "We can assure our readers, that some late arrivals from France, bring the most agreeable and interesting intelligence." Continental Journal and Weekly Advertiser (Boston), Mar. 20.

8 See the commissioners' letter of Feb. 6, cited above. Cf. no. 452, ante.

* See the Journals, May 1, 8. Since Oct. 1, 1776, Silas Deane had been suggesting

that such commissions be sent.

5 The vessels mentioned were laden with arms, etc. See Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 276. The Mercury arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., Mar. 17:

"Portsmouth, March 21.

"On Monday the 17th instant arrived here a French ship of about 350 tons, called the Mercury, commanded by Capt. John Heraud [Herand], in forty days from Nantz, having the following very valuable cargo on board, viz.

"The captain and passengers (among whom is a brigadier general, and a captain of artillery) gives us the following most agreeable account of the situation of affairs there. ." Continental Journal and Weekly Advertiser (Boston), Mar. 27.

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A somewhat less circumstantial account is found in the Independent Chronicle (Boston) of the same date: "A vessel, of 14 Guns, lately arrived in a safe Port, of one of the United States of America has the following Cargo, viz.... The brigadiergeneral and captain were the Chevalier Prudhomme de Borré and the Chevalier Mauduit Du Plessis. Their arrival in Boston Sunday, Mar. 23, is mentioned in the same issues. See James Warren to Mercy Warren, Mar. 21, and to John Adams, Mar. 23 (WarrenAdams Letters, I. 301, 303); also the Journals, Mar. 31, and no. 421, ante.

The Amphitrite arrived at Portsmouth Apr. 20 or 21:

66

Sunday last arrived a French ship of 20 guns from Burdeaux, laden'd with dry goods, hardware, wine, etc. etc. etc. . . .

"Same day arrived in a safe port at the Eastward, after a passage of three months, a vessel from Nantz, in France, with a valuable cargo; among which are the following,

of Nicholas Davis. We have presented Marshal Maillebois's sentiments on the mode of war to Congress, who are greatly pleased therewith, and entertain a high respect for the author. . . .

The Congress have it in contemplation to remove the garrison from the present fort, in the district of Ticonderoga, to Fort Independence, in the same district, which they judge will command that pass with greater advantage, and is a much healthier situation. We mention this, as the enemy will probably give an air of triumph to the evacuation, should it be done. The distance between the two is about a quarter of a mile.. . . . We are, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servants,

Sir:

BENJAMIN HARRISON.
ROBERT MORRIS.
THOMAS HEYWARD.
JAMES LOVELL.

474. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1

PHILADELPHIA, May 2d, 1777.

I wrote you day before yesterday by an express going to Charlestown, and after I had sealed up the letter, some intelligence was opened in Congress, which I wrote on a slip of paper and put into the cover. I doubt not you will receive it.2.

An insulting letter written by the Captain of one of the Continental Frigates to the Governor of Maryland has excited great indignation in Congress. The officer is suspended, and ordered in five days to make such satisfaction as the Governor and Council shall accept or, failing, to be dismissed the service. Every gentleman, (a few only excepted) seem to feel his own State injured in this insult, and they are determined

viz... .. Came passenger in the above vessel a colonel and 24 officers of the train." Continental Journal and Weekly Advertiser, Thursday, Apr. 24.

'Last Monday arrived at a safe Port, a large ship, from France, with the following valuable Cargo, viz. . . . . A Colonel, and 24 Officers of Artillery came Passengers in the above ship." Independent Chronicle, Apr. 24.

In a postscript to a letter to John Adams, Apr. 23 (Warren-Adams Letters, I. 316), James Warren mentions the ship, cargo, and passengers in similar terms, and closes with this line: "3 Mo. passage arrived last Sunday." See the Journals, May 8. The colonel was Du Coudray. Lists of the French officers who came with him are found in the Journals, Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Nov. 7. In the Amphitrite came also the notorious Thomas Conway. See Warren to Adams, Apr. 27, Warren-Adams Letters, I. 318; also Washington to Congress, May 9, in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 353, (ed. Sparks), IV. 411. The Seine reached Martinique, but was afterward captured. See the letter of the committee of foreign affairs, May 30, Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 327.

• The Journals make no mention of Marshal Maillebois's work.
7 See the Journals, Apr. 28, 29, and nos. 466, 472, ante, 502, post.

[474] N. C. State Recs., XI. 463.

2 The "slip", dated Apr. 30, is in N. C. State Recs., XI. 463. The intelligence was an account of the affair at Danbury, Apr. 25, received by Congress, Apr. 30 (see the Journals), in a letter from Washington, dated Apr. 28. See also Washington to McDougall, Apr. 28, Writings (ed. Ford), V. 343. A further account, sent by Washington Apr. 30, was received by Congress May 1. See no. 476, post.

8 See nos. 468, 469, 470, ante, 505, post.

that nothing less should do, than what would satisfy Maryland, and convince officers that they were very inferior to the Magistrates of States, and must treat them with the most profound respect. I never had more hopes of Congress than I have now. All seem sensible that the honour and dignity of the Magistrates of the States ought to be preserved sacred and inviolable; whether for applying the force of the State, or restraining abuses, and suppressing ambition. Your Excellency knows enough of my political creed to believe that this disposition is exceedingly pleasing to me. I have not time to add more, but that I have the honor to be,

My dear Sir,

475. JOHN ADAMS to James WARREN.1

1

PHILADELPHIA, April [May,] 3, 1777

Yours of April 3d I recd.2 I must confess, that I am at a Loss to determine whether it is good Policy in Us to wish for a War between France and Britain, unless We could be sure that no other Powers would engage in it: But if France engages Spain will, and then all Europe will arrange themselves on one side and the other and what Consequences to Us might be involved in it I don't know. If We could have a free Trade with Europe I should rather run the Risque of fighting it out with George and his present Allies, provided he should get no other. I don't love to be intangled in the Quarrels of Europe. I don't wish to be under Obligations to any of them, and I am very unwilling they should rob Us of the Glory of vindicating our own Liberties.

It is a Cowardly Spirit in our Countrymen, which makes them pant with so much longing Expectation, after a French War. I have very often been ashamed to hear so many Whiggs groaning and Sighing with Despondency and whining out their Fears that We must be subdued unless France should step in. Are We to be beholden to France for our Liberties? France has done so much already that the Honour and Dignity and Reputation of Great Britain is concerned to resent it, and if she does not, France will trifle with her forever hereafter. She has recd. our Ambassadors, protected our Merchant Men, Privateers, Men of War and Prizes, admitted Us freely to trade, lent Us Money, and supplied Us with Arms, Ammunition and Warlike Stores of every Kind. This is notorious all over Europe, and she will do more, presently, if our dastardly Despondency, in the midst of the finest Prospects imaginable, does not discourage her. The surest and the only Way to secure her Arms in this Cause is for Us to exert our own. For God's sake then don't fail of a single Man of your Quota. Get them at any Rate, and by any Means rather than not have them.

I am more concerned about our Revenue than the Aid of France. Pray let the Loan Offices do their Part, that We may not be compelled to make Paper Money as plenty and of Course as cheap as Oak Leaves. There is so much Injustice in carrying on a War with a depreciating Currency that We can hardly pray with Confidence for success.

[475]1 Warren-Adams Letters, I. 321; Works, IX. 462 (dated Apr. 27). 2 Warren's letter of Apr. 3 is in Warren-Adams Letters, I. 309.

The Confederation has been delayed because the States were not fully represented. Congress is now full, and We are in the Midst of it. It will soon be passed.3. . .

Sir,

476. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO

GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

PHILADA. May 3d. 1777.

The Conduct of Genl. Arnold on the late Expedition of the Enemy against the Town of Danbury being highly approved of by Congress, they have promoted him to the Rank of Major General.2.

477. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.1

My Dear Sir,

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PHILADELPHIA 3d May 1777

I most heartily lament with you the situation of our paper currency and am sometimes almost ready to think with you that "all nature will not support it". However another project is now on the tapis and if that should fail, after a thorough trial we must endeavor to support the war without for the war must be supported at all events till an honorable peace can be obtained. in this I know you will agree with me fully.". 478. THE PREsident of CongGRESS TO THE THIRTEEN STATES.1 PHILADA. May 5th 1777.

(Circular)

Gentlemen,

I have it in Charge from Congress to transmit the enclosed Resolves, relative to sundry important Subjects and to urge your Compliance therewith.

The Mode therein recommended in order that Congress may be informed what Sums of Money have been advanced by the respective States, for recruiting their Continental Battalions, and of the Expenditure of the same by the Officers, as it is the only effectual one that can be pursued, and the Measure is of the utmost Consequence to the United States, I make no Doubt you will immediately adopt both. I beg Leave to refer your Attention to the Resolves and have the Honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedt. and very hble Servt.

To the Thirteen States.

3 Cf. no. 465, ante.

[476]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 179.

J. H. Presidt

2 See the Journals, May 2, and nos. 419, 474, ante. See also Washington to the President of Congress, May 5, 12, in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 350, 352, (ed. Sparks), IV. 408, 416. Cf. no. 497, post; see also nos. 582, 583, 585, 607, post.

[477]1 Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 341; N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Langdon-Elwyn Papers (copy of part).

2 The project on the tapis was a foreign loan. Cf. no. 479, post, and see the Journals, June 11, Dec. 2, 3.

[478] Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 200; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., p. 196.

2 See the Journals, Apr. 29.

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