Our enemies, and our friends too, know that America can only be conquered by disunion. The former, by unremitting art had endeavored to create jealousy and discord between the Southern and Eastern Colonies, and in truth Sir, they had so far prevailed, that it required constant attention, and a firmness not to be shaken, to prevent the malicious act [art?] of our enemies from succeeding. I am persuaded as I am of my existence, that had it not been for Virginia and Jersey, with Georgia sometimes, that our union would e'er now have been by this means broken, like a potter's vessel dashed against a rock; and I heartily wish that this greatest of all political evils may not yet take place, before a safe and honourable peace is established. I am sure it will not be the fault of many men that I know, if this event does not happen. I defy the poisonous tongue of slander to produce a single instance, in which I have preferred the interest of New England to that of Virginia. Indeed I am at a loss to know wherein their interests clash. The guilt of New England is that of a fixed determination against British Tyranny, and such I believe is the crime of Virginia in the eye of their common enemies. Most of the rest have entitled themselves to some hopes of pardon from the tyrant, by weak, dividing, irresolute, and pernicious conduct. One thing is certain, that among the Middle and Southern states Virginia has many enemies; arising from jealousy and envy of her wisdom, vigor, and extent of Territory. But I have ever discovered upon every question, respect and love for Virginia among the Eastern delegates. . The enclosed resolve of Congress is intended to prevent injury to the recruiting business and other public service, in the absence of a General officer from Virginia. I beg your pardon Sir, for the trouble I have given you, and wish to be considered as affectionately yours, His Excellency, Patrick Henry, Esq. My dear Sir RICHARD HENRY LEE. 507. JOHN ADAMS TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.1 PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 1777 The great Work of Confederation, draggs heavily on. but I dont despair of it. The great and Small States must be brought as near together as possible; and I am not without Hopes, that this may be done to the tolerable satisfaction of both. Your Suggestion, Sir, that any Proposition may be negatived, by the Representatives of a Majority of the People, or of a Majority of States, shall be attended to, and I will endeavor to get it introduced, if We cannot Succeed in our Wishes for a Representation and a Rule of voting, perfectly equitable, which has no equal, in my Mind.2 The resolution referred to is that of May 22 (the Journals, VIII. 377). [507] Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, second ser., II. 36; Works (ed. Adams), IX. 466. There are some verbal variations between the two texts. 2 Adams is replying to a letter of Jefferson, May 16, in Writings (ed. Ford), II. 129; also in Adams's Works, IX. 465. See also nos. 465, 488, 503, ante, no. 528, post. 8 Nothing gives me more constant Anxiety than the Delays in publishing the Journals. Yet I hope Gentlemen will have a little Patience with us. We have had a Committee constantly attending to this very Thing, for a long Time. But We have too many Irons in the Fire, you know for Twenty Hands, which is nearly the whole Number We have had upon an average since last fall. The Committee are now busy every day in correcting Proof sheets, So that I hope We shall soon do better. A Committee on the Post office too have found a thousand difficulties.* The Post is now very regular, from the North and South, altho it comes but once a week. It is not easy to get faithfull Riders to go oftener. The expense is very high, and the Profits, (so dear is every thing, and so little Correspondence is carried on, except in frankd Letters), will not Support the office. Mr. Hazard is now gone Southward, in the Character of surveyor of the Postoffice, and I hope will have as good success, as he lately had eastward, where he has put the office into good order. No poor Mortals were ever more perplexed than We have been, with three Misfortunes at once, any one of which would have been alone sufficient to have distressed Us. a Redundancy of the Medium of Exchange. a dimunition of the Quantity at markett of the Luxuries, the Conveniences and even the Necessaries of Life, and an Increase of the demand for all these, occasioned by two large Armies in the Country. I am, Sir your Friend Thomas Jefferson Esqr. JOHN ADAMS. 508. JAMES LOVELL TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 Sir PHILADA. May 26th. 1777 The trouble which your Excellency receives from Foreigners commissioned by Congress has made the Committee, appointed to examine their pretensions, averse to offering any resolutions for places above the rank of subalterns.2. The promotion of Monsr. Armand by Congress to the rank of Colonel was a surprize to the Committee who had considered his pretensions, and rashly enough in all conscience had proposed a majority for him.3 * See the Journals, July 1, Aug. 27, Sept. 26, 1776, Feb. 7, Mar. 31, June 2, 17 (p. 474, note), 1777. See the Journals, Jan. 11, Feb. 17, 25, Apr. 12, May 12; cf. ibid., Oct. 17, Nov. 13. The resolution of May 12 was sent to the several states by Ebenezer Hazard, surveyor-general of the post office, to be laid before the legislatures. See N. C. State Recs., XI. 471. [508]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XV. 307. 2 See no. 501, ante. Cf. the reports of the committee on foreign applications, May 22, 23, 26 (Journals). See the Journals, May 10. As printed the resolution shows the alteration in Congress of the committee's recommendation. For a sketch of Armand, see Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., I. 399. 509. DANIEL ROBERDEAU TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 My dear General PHILADA. May 26th. 1777 Congress has this day made a new arrangemt. of the Chaplain's department, by reducing that part of the Staff to one for each Brigade to be recommended by the Bragadiers and appointed by Congress, with the pay rations and Forrage allowed to Colonels. This new and honorable Establishment is designed to suppress the horrid sins of Cursing swearing and other Vices with which, I am sorry to say, our Army Vies with the most abandoned of the English Troops; to strengthen the Officers hands by publick and private exortations to obedience of General and Regimental Orders; to discourage Disertions by recommending the Service; to encourage Enlistments; to recommend cleenlyness as a virtue conducive to health, and to reprehend the neglect of it. These and other valuable Ends with the Countenance and concurrence of General Officers by the blessing of heaven I doubt not may be answered by a careful choice and recommendation of pious Clergymen zealously attached to our glorious Cause, who will not begrudge the exertion of every nerve in the Service; but if Drones induced by the loaves and Fishes should creep into the Army the designs of Congress will be entirely defeated; to prevent which I frankly confess has induced me to step out of my line on this occasion, and I beg you will not look upon it as an impertinent intrusion on you, when I assure you the honor of God my Countries welfare your Comfort and that of every sober Officer and man in the Army are my only motives. Sir, 510. THE PRESIdent of CongRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 PHILADA. May 27th. 1777. The Regulations respecting Chaplains in the Army are highly necessary. By increasing their Pay, and enlarging the Bounds of their Duty, the Congress are in Hopes of engaging Gentlemen of superior Learning and Virtue to fill those Stations.2. 511. WILLIAM DUER TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.1 My dear Friend 28 May 1777 Like an old sinner who has deferred repentance, I should almost be afraid to write to you after so long a silence, if I did not trust that your [509]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XV. 303. 2 See the Journals, May 27. This letter should probably have been dated May 27. Cf. no. 510, post. For a resolution directed primarily against profanity in the army, see the Journals, Feb. 25. [510]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 196. 2 See the Journals, May 27, and no. 509, ante. [511]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Livingston Papers, I. 403 (copy). lenity would be a powerful advocate in my favour-more particularly when I can with truth assure you that my attention has been so engross'd in defeating the designs of a mischevious combination, and in cultivating the friendship of the members from the Southern States that I have had little or no time to write to you as fully as I have wished. I have now the pleasure to inform you that in spite of all the arts and influence made use of by the Eastern Delegates in conjunction with Members from New Jersey, we have got General Schuyler's conduct fully justified, and himself reinstated in the Command in the Northern Department in as extensive a manner as before. There was never I believe a more difficult card to play; -Genl. Gates had the address whilst at the place to insinuate himself into the good graces of even the honest part of the House, and the wretchedness to poison the minds of most with prejudices against Genl. Schuyler, which operated so strongly that nothing but time, and great temper and address could have dispelled the mist of error which had clouded the eyes even of those who were friends to the great cause, and to the State of New York. His own merit however which they have had an opportunity of seeing, and the all powerful influence of truth assisted with management at length effected all our wishes, and we carried the question upon his being reinstated in his command in the Northern Department in the following manner. Dissentient from Virginia Richard Henry Lee2 This division will give you a pretty good general idea of the political complexion of the different States, but I must inform you that the vote of Virginia is rather a phenomenon, and that the Division of Jersey was owing to the absence of Mr Clark and Mr. Sargent whose political line of conduct lies to the Eastward of Biram's River Genl. Schuyler will inform you more fully on this subject.*. . . 2 In a letter to Jay, May 28 (Correspondence of Jay, I. 137), Duer says: "Col. Lee will I am credibly inform'd be left out of the next delegation for Virginia which is now in agitation. The mere contemplation of this event gives me pleasure; my mind is full, and I wish to unburthen it, but prudence forbids me." Cf. nos. 539, 547, post. 3 Byram River is near the boundary between Connecticut and New York. Duer means therefore to say that Sergeant inclines to line up with the New Englanders. Cf. no. 539, post. 4 See 504, note 2, ante. For a subsequent episode in which Gates figured, see nos. 517, 519, 520, post. Dear Sir . . . 512. JOHN ADAMS TO JOHN SULLIVAN.1 PHILADELPHIA June 3. 1777 I am extremely sorry to learn that you have been so great a sufferer in the Loss of your Baggage etc. upon Several Occasions. But in answer to your first Question I can only say, that Congress have hitherto refused to grant any Compensation to Sufferers of any kind. Falmouth and Charlestown have both petitioned and been civilly refused. Several Officers Widows, in deplorable Circumstances, have petitioned and been refused. Several other Officers have applied and been refused, particularly Lord Sterling. So that I can give you but cold comfort respecting your Losses. As to your Second Question, I can give no possitive Answer, how Congress consider your Post. The Resolve of Congress in Words, extends only to a Major General commanding in a Separate Department: But I believe General Gates was allowed for his Table under it, and I see no Reason, why you should not. . . . . 513. THE BOARD OF WAR TO HORATIO GATES.1 Dear General WAR OFFICE June 4th. 1777 Congress have received your Letters of the 29th. April May 2d and 24th. The several Matters have been attended to and what was thought immediately necessary was done. The Paragraph relating to Light Horse mentioned in yours of the 29th. April and your Reasons enclosed for your Opinion that the Enemy's Plan will be to go up the North River and endeavour to effect the old Scheme of a Junction with Carlton, were sent to General Washington for his Consideration and Directions were given that he should send the Horse if he could spare them. The Part of your Letter relative to Money is referred to the Treasury Board who will no Doubt report a Supply. Your Request as to Capt. Whitcombe's Corps being indulged with a Bounty equal to that given by the Eastern States cannot be complied with on Account of the Precedent.* I have the Honour to be with the greatest Regard Hon: Genl. Gates your very obedt Servt RICHARD PETERS Secy [512]1 Library of Congress, U. S. Revolution, III. 2 For the case of Falmouth, see the Journals, Mar. 1, 1776; for that of Charles town, see ibid., May 14, 16, and nos. 494, 500, ante. 8 See the Journals, Mar. 19. 4 See the Journals, June 16, 1775. Cf. no. 623, post. [513] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, IX. 2 See the Journals, May 6, 10, June 2. 3 This refers to a letter of May 30. See the Journals, June 5. Such a decision does not appear in the Journals at this time; but cf. the Journals, July 17. |