489. JAMES LOVELL TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 Honored dear Sir PHILADA. May 12th. 1777 By the singular manner in which General Lee gives out his characterizing opinions Monsr. Malmedy was exalted to a colonial rank in Rhode Island which will be a source of pain to him; contrary to the intention of his mentioned zealous friend: Congress has aimed by passing over one continental gradation, from Major to Colonel, to lessen that pain to this Gentlemen, who is high in his professions of ambition to give signal testimony, in the field, of his attachment to our cause.2. Sir. 490. ROGER SHERMAN TO OLIVER WOLCOTT.1 PHILADELPHIA May 13. 1777 Nothing very material has been done in Congress since you left it. The quarter master general's department has been regulated2 and Col. Jedediah Huntington and Col. Joseph Read were yesterday promoted to the rank of brigadiers. The confederation has been twice entered upon; but not much progress made in it. The Commissary general is here. he has displaced his deputy Wharton. Regulations are prepared to put that department on a good footing, but not passed Congress. I hope you will soon return with some other of the delegates I want very much to return home. I am not very well cannot endure so close attention to business as is necessary when but one delegate from the state is attending. Mr Ellery's time expired last week and he has no account of being reappointed. Neither that state nor Deleware are now represented. 491. ROGER SHERMAN TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT Honored Sir, PHILADELPHIA, May 14th, 1777. Your letter to Congress was received and read, and then committed to the Board of War.2. . . . Congress has lately been employed in regulat [489]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XV. 168. 2 See the Journals, Apr. 22, May 10; cf. ibid., Sept. 19, 1776. See also nos. 501, 508, post. Gen. Charles Lee's recommendation of Malmedy for a brigadier-generalship in Rhode Island, dated Dec. 7, 1776, is in R. I. Recs., VIII. 111. Letters of Malmedy are ibid., pp. 160, 162, 163, 259. Cf. ibid., pp. 64, 67, 186. The letters are also in N. Y. Hist. Soc., Collections: Lee Papers, II. 331, 342, 350, 354. See also Washington to Malmedy, May 16, to Congress, May 16, to R. H. Lee, May 17, in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 363, 367, 369, (ed. Sparks), IV. 419, 421, 423; cf. Washington to Major Colerus, May 19, ibid., IV. 429. [490] Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, vol. I., no. 9 (copy). 2 See the Journals, Mar. 21, Apr. 16, 23, May 14. See nos. 450, 457, 458, ante. Joseph Trumbull wrote to Governor Trumbull from Philadelphia, May 14: "I am yet detained here, on some Regulations proposed in the Commissary Department. An entire new plan is now preparing, and I hope will be thro' in all this Week in which it is proposed to have a Purchasing and Issuing Commissary General, wholly Separate and Independant on each other, and each a Check on the other." (Mass. Hist. Soc., C51, VI. 107; Library of Congress, Force Trans., Trumbull, VI. 107.) See no. 495, note 2, post. 4 See no. 482, ante. [491]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., II. 46. 2 Trumbull's letter, dated May 5, was referred to the board of war May 12. See no. 492, post. ing the several departments of the army, that the business may be properly conducted and frauds and abuse prevented. The Articles of Confederation have several times come under consideration, but not much progress made therein. Rhode Island is not represented, Mr. Ellery's time expired last week and he has no information of being reappointed. Letters as late as the 15th of April received from our agent in Martineco inform that our trade receives all the protection that could be desired from the Govt of the French Islands, but no certain accounts whether a war will soon take place between France and Britain." The Gentleman who gave information of Governor Franklin's misbehaviour, and the inattention of our Government to prevent it, seemed displeased that any part of the information was contradicted by your Hon's letter. I have no doubt but his information was good as to Governor Franklin's misconduct. As to our Government being informed of it, he says that he told Genll Parsons of it, and that Mr Burr of Fairfield was also informed of it. Mr. Duer is zealously engaged to suppress Tories.* The Congress promoted Colonels Huntington and Read to the rank of Brigadiers General on the 12th instant, the first on General Washington's request. Sir, 492. ROGER SHERMAN TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT PHILADELPHIA, May 16th, 1777. The President detained the express 'till to day, waiting for the Board of War to report on your Honrs letters.2 The Board took it into con The agent at Martinique was William Bingham. Letters from him at this time are not mentioned in the Journals. Cf. no. 501, post. The proceedings in Congress relative to Governor Franklin were Apr. 22. See also Washington to Trumbull, Mar. 23, Trumbull to Washington, Apr. 14, Washington to Trumbull, Apr. 21, Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, fifth ser., X. 50, 56, 58. Washington's letter of Mar. 23 is also in Writings (ed. Ford), V. 294. Cf. the Journals, Dec. 3, 1776, July 28, Oct. 22, 1777. A letter of Titus Hosmer to William Williams, June 27, 1777, throws light upon some phases of the matter: "Tho' I believe you remember the Affair, yet least it may have slipped from you the Case stands thus-last Winter Colo. Duer informed Genl Parsons that Govr. Franklin was dispersing the Howes proclamations and protections in this state, that a Number of the Members of the General Assembly received Protections of him at Middletown, and that he would furnish him with Evidence to prove the Charge against the particular Members that were guilty. "This Story Genl. Parsons published, chance fixed the Censure upon Three Gentlemen wc. you know. Genl Parsons was called upon for Evidence to support the facts and direct a prosecution against those so namd. He promised to procure it, and alledges that he wrote several Letters to Colo. Duer requesting him to furnish requisite proofs to which he had no answer. in the Meantime Colo. Duer reports at Congress that Govr. Franklin was circulating Protections in Connecticut, that this was publicly known here, and no Notice was taken of it. . . . . "I for my self yet earnestly wish to know the Truth, and bring to Condign punishment any Persons especially any Members of Assembly concerned in so villainous a Transaction, and shall esteem it a very particular favour in you to wait upon Colo. Duer and request him to give Directions how we may come at proof or any Clue to unravel this Transaction and bring it to light and expose and punish those Concerned." (Conn. Hist. Soc., William Williams Papers.) It is evident from Hosmer's statements that "the gentleman who gave information ", etc., was Mr. Duer. [492] Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., II. 48. 2 See no. 491, ante. The prior resolution referred to was Dec. 10, 1776. sideration this morning, but did not think it necessary to make any report to Congress on the contents, as the resolution of Congress, passed last December, authorizing your Honr to retain two regiments for the defence of the State until further order, has not been superceded. . . . . Letters were this day received from France as late as the 25th of March, but no material news; they related chiefly to commerce.3. . . . P. S. I should think it advisable to represent to General Washington the necessity of having the battalions stationed in Connecticut. When the Board of War had the matter under consideration the resolution of Congress was not before them, but they supposed it was at General Washington's option to call for the troops when he might think proper. 493. THOMAS NELSON, JR., TO THE Speaker of the VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES (GEORGE WYTHE).1 Sir OFFLEY HOE 2 May 16th 1777 A total inability to attend to business, having oblig'd me to quit the Congress, I beg leave, thro' you, to acquaint the Assembly with it, that they may appoint another Delegate; and I will take the liberty to advise, that this be immediately done, because the Congress are now engag'd in forming the Confederation, in which Virginia is deeply interested. Nothing but necessity could have induced me to leave Congress at this critical time, and I hope I shall stand excus'd." I have the honour to be Sir Your obedt Servt THOS NELSON JR.* 494. JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS.1 PHILADELPHIA, 17 May, 1777. Mr. Gorham and Mr. Russel are here with a petition from Charlestown. It grieves me that they are to return without success. I feel, most exquisitely, for the unhappy people of that town. Their agents have done every thing in their power or in the power of men to do, and the Massachusetts delegates have seconded their efforts to the utmost of their power, but all in vain. The distress of the States, arising from the quantity of money abroad, and the monstrous demands that would be made from Virginia, New Jersey, New York and elsewhere, if a precedent should be once set, has determined the Congress, almost with tears in their eyes, to withstand this application at present. Every man expressed the utmost tenderness and humanity upon the occasion: but at the same time, 3 The Journals do not record the receipt of letters from France. [493]1 Va. State Library. 2 Offley House, Hanover County, Virginia, the home of Thomas Nelson, jr. 3 Nelson obtained leave of absence May 8. The original signature has been clipped and supplied at the side. [494]1 Familiar Letters, p. 273. every man, except the Massachusetts delegates, expressed his full conviction of the ill policy of granting any thing at present.2 Dear Sir 495. PHILIP SCHUYLER TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 PHILADELPHIA 18th May 1777 .. The Board of War have reported to Congress, that I ought again to be invested with the Command in the Northern Department, and that General Gates should continue to serve under me, or join your Excellency. This occasioned a warm Debate which will be renewed to Morrow.2 2 The Charlestown petition was presented to Congress May 14, and the resolution relative to it is in the Journals, May 16. See nos. 500, 512, post. Cf. the case of Falmouth, the Journals, Mar. 1, 1776. [495]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XV. 244. 2 See the Journals, May 15, 22; also nos. 472, 483, ante, 502, 511, 515, post. The following extract of a letter from Joseph Trumbull, then in Philadelphia, to Jeremiah Wadsworth throws light on some of the proceedings of Congress upon the Schuyler affair as well as upon the proceedings concerning the commissary department. The letter, dated May 17 (the latter part of the postscript was written May 19), is in the Maine Historical Society, Revolution, no. 7: "(P. S.) Are not some of our Delegates coming on here? Mr. Sherman is left alone, and he wishes a little rest. "As to Bror. Jack-on Mr Lovell's rect. of his last letter to him which you saw, it was moved in Congress; that Genl Gates should have power to fill his place. On which Dr Witherspoon rose and said he had no Objection, so that he was restrained from appointing Mr Trumbull. On this he was Replied to and told that, the Young Gentleman dispized the Idea of asking a Commission of the first date, as a Favr. and it could not be supposed that he would be mean eno' to take one of a whole Year's later date. But to remove that Gentleman's fears, he would move in behalf of the Young Gentleman, that his Resignation might be Accepted and if he pleased that he might never be able to hold another Commission as he was sure he never would accept one, after the Treatment he had recd. however his Resignation was Accepted. So that he is quite out of the Army, and I hope will never be in it again. I have since applied to Colo Hancock several Times in person and by Writing to know when the Commission was senthe has not, and will not do it. I intend to apply once more, if he don't give it, I will ask Congress for it. I am Convinced [he neve]r Sent it, and I fancy he never intended to. [Hancock?] is going on to Boston. I have noticed this matter to Govr. Trumbull, that he may treat him accordingly as he passes. Every Act is Using here to get Genl Gates recalled. the Event, I can't yet give you. perhaps I may before I close this. Genl Schuyler is here, with his mirmedon's. 6 oClock P M. My Department is dividing into two-Purchasing and Issuing. the Regulations are nearly finished I like them very well. this will make both Places new, as mine is superceded. whether they'll offer me either I know not yet. if they give me the purchases, I shall accept it, if the allowance is what I think it ought to be. they have not got to that part yet. I gave them the Terms,pr. Ct. to myself, and 24 to the purchasers. this they Choak at, but I am determined to have my own Terms or have nothing. I am to appoint one Deputy Commissary Genl of Purchases in Each Department, and he to have such others under him, of my appointment, as may be best, but to reduce the Numbers. I never will ask any appointment of them. A large Party will be glad to be rid of me. I shall not be disappointed if they don't give the offer. Or if they do, if they should set the allowances so low that I shall despise them. therefore you may esteem it an Even Chance, whether I do anything in it or not. if I do, you shall be Deputy in the Eastern Department, but be assured, I will have it on a proper footing or not at all. I should be perfectly accursed was I dependent, as well as Attendant here. I have given In my Proposals 3 Weeks to morrow. I have seen nothing of them untill this Morning, and now they are very little [ad]vanced, and yet three weeks elapsed. not one Word have I heard from Lebanon or Windham since I left them are they all Dead? [May 19] Monday Morning, 6 oClock. As to Genl Gates, I fear he will be recalled. Rhode Island Sir, 496. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO PHILADA. May 20th. 1777. This will be delivered to you by Mrs. Graydon of this City, a very worthy Lady, whose anxiety to see her Son Captain Graydon, now a Prisoner with the Enemy, is so great, that Congress have been induced to consent to her having an Interview with him. I am therefore to request your Attention to the enclosed Resolve on the Subject, and that you will give Directions for having it carried into Execution in such Manner as you may think proper.2 Dear Sir, 497. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.1 PHILA. May 20, 1777 One plan now in frequent use, is, to assassinate the Characters of the friends of America in every place, and by every means.2 At this moment they are now reading in Congress, an audacious attempt of this kind against the brave General Arnold.3. . . . 498. THE VIRGINIA DELEGATES TO THE SPEAKER OF THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES (GEORGE WYTHE).1 Sir. PHILADELPHIA May 20th 1777 We are favored with yours covering a resolve of Assembly to which we shall pay due attention. The first Volume of the last edition of the is not represented, etc. I wish our Delegates some of them would come on there is so much Business and so many Committee's that a full representation is necessary. I expect the Regulations of the Commissary Department will get thro' by Wensday. at least I hope so. Genl Mifflin's thro he is left at large, about paying his purchasers If I am ap[pointed I sha]ll have a New Agreement. Time will show us w[hat is t]o be done. I am your's as before J. T." Concerning the commissary department see nos. 450, 457, 458, 490, ante. The new regulations for the organization and conduct of the department were adopted June 10; the compensation was established June 16. See nos. 517-520, 522, 529, post. The regu lations for the quartermaster-general's department were adopted May 14. [496]1 Library of Congress, Washington Papers. 2 See the Journals, May 19. Capt. Alexander Graydon, of the third Pennsylvania battalion, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington Nov. 16, 1776. He was paroled July 7, 1777, and exchanged Apr. 15, 1778. His Memoirs (Harrisburg, 1811; Philadelphia, 1846, ed. J. S. Littell) is one of the best-known sources of the Revolutionary period. An account of his mother's visit to him at Flatbush and her efforts to obtain his release is found at pp. 260-270 (ed. 1846). He remarks concerning President Hancock: "He had been one of the opposers of her scheme of going into New York, but was sufficiently a man of the world, to put on an appearance of being pleased with its success" (p. 283). [497]1 Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, second ser., LI. 15. Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 292. 2 See no. 506, post. See the Journals, May 20, 23; cf. nos. 419, note 2, 476, ante. See also I. N. Arnold, Life of Benedict Arnold, pp. 102, 134. [498]1 Va. State Lib. (in the writing of Richard Henry Lee); Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 291. |