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55. THE NORTH CAROLINA Delegates to thE NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL OF SAFETY.1

Honoured Sir,

Permit us, thro' you, to address the honourable body in which you preside, and inform them that we were favoured with their two last letters by Mr Hooper, and have seized the earliest, and most probable method to carry the contents of them into execution. We have stated to the continental congress, with all the energy we are capable of, the present distress and necessitous State of our Province, and the means which may tend most effectually to relieve it. We have been as fortunate as your most Sanguine expectations, and the inclosed Resolve will convince you, that North Carolina bears no inconsiderable weight in the favour of the Continental Congress. The readiness which they discover upon all occasions to comply with the just requisitions of our State, evince that they entertain a grateful sense of our patriotick exertions, and wish to furnish to us every inducement to persist in a conduct from which we have to expect liberty, peace, and happiness.2

With great respect

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Sir Your most obedt Humble Servts

PHILADELPHIA August 2 1776

My dear Sir

WILL. HOOPER
JOSEPH HEWES
JOHN PENN

1

56. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1
PHILADE Augt 3 1776

Our Friend Coll. W-2 (not Mr Lewis) brought and delivered to us your Letter of the 25th of July directed to Mr J A and my self. The Inclosures clearly show the deplorable State of our Affairs in the Northern Department, and it is easy to trace the Source of them. I am fully of Opinion that one Man must be removd to some other Department to put an end to our Misfortunes there. This has been attempted and urgd, but has hitherto been impracticable. A little Time may perhaps unravel Mysteries and convince Gentlemen that they have been under certain Prejudices to which the wisest Men are lyable. It appears to me very extraordinary that Mr L should insist upon acting after being apprizd of the Resolve of Congress, and it is still more surprising that he is supported by in this Conduct. I am very sure that our Affairs must

4

[55]1 N. C. Hist. Comm.; N. C. Col. Recs., X. 718.

2 See the Journals, July 30, 31. Cf. no. 48, ante.

[56] Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 1.

2 Doubtless William Williams, who had come to Congress a few days before. Cf. nos. 63, 73, post. Mr. Lewis was probably Morgan Lewis, who was sent to Congress in July by General Gates. See Gates to Congress, July 16, and to Washington, same date, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 375, 376; also no. 75, post.

3 Walter Livingston. See vol. I. of the Letters, nos. 689, 719, 720, and nos. 123, 124, 145, 162, 164, post.

Doubtless Schuyler.

suffer greatly if he is allowd to persist in so doing. You are the best Judge of the Part proper for you to take on this Occasion in your own Department; but as your own Reputation in your office as well as the publick Service is at Stake would it be amiss for you to State the Matter to the General? By this Means it might come before Congress. I shall certainly do all in my Power to have the Evils you mention corrected. I have communicated your Letter to several Gentlemen who will joyn with me in every practicable Method for this Purpose. Congress have this day passed several Resolutions which I hope will be attended with a good Effect."

These Resolutions perhaps may not please every Body, but if they are duly executed they may detect Mistakes, or Frauds if any should happen. As to what has passd in Canada and near it, some Person has in my opinion been most egregiously to blame, and, to use a homely Proverb, the Saddle has been laid, or attempted to be laid on the wrong horse. I hope by strict Scrutiny the Causes will be found out and the guilty Man be made to suffer. My Regards to General Mifflin and all Friends. I am very respectfully

Jos Trumbull Esqr

Yours

SA

Since writing the foregoing I have turnd to the printed Journals of Congress and find that on the 17 July 1775 Walter Livingston Esqr was appointed "Commissary of Stores and Provisions for the New York Department during the present Campaign." Upon what Grounds then does he speak of himself as vested by Congress with full Powers to act till revoked. The last Campaign which limitted his power to act, is finishd. Under what Pretence can he be supported by his Patron, especially since by the Resolution of Congress of the 8th of July last, you have "full Power to supply both Armies, that upon the Lakes as well as that at New York, and also to appoint and employ such Persons under you and to remove any Deputy Commissary as you shall think proper and expedient," and for this express Reason "it being absolutely necessary that the supply of both Armies should be under one Direction. Has not General S seen this Resolution? or, if he has seen it, Does he judge that the supply of the two Armies should be under different Directions, and undertake to order the Matter accordingly. If the Persons whom you send to act under you in the Northern Army, are confined and limited by any other Person after they arrive there, unless by order of Congress, and without giving you Notice in Case such order should be made, We must expect a Repetition of the most mortifying Disappointment. Upon my Word, I think it your Duty to remonstrate this either to the Commander in Chief or the Congress. The former I should suppose you wd prefer.

The resolutions which Adams here summarizes are in the Journals under Aug. 2.
Cf. vol. I. of these Letters, no. 720, note 3.

Sir

57. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOHN HASLET.1

PHILADA. 3d Augst. 1776.

You are hereby Directed to order the Company of your Battalion posted at Lewis Town as soon as possible to march to Philada. and Join their Battalion now Station'd at the Barracks in this City."

I am Sir

Your very hume set

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Officer Commdg the Battalion of Continental
Troops now in this City Colonel Haslet's Battalion.3

Sir

58. CAESAR RODNEY TO THOMAS RODNEY.1

PHILADA. August 3d 1776.

Since I finished my other Letter have been up at Congress where we rec'd Intelligence by letter from Captn. Weeks 2 in the Congress Ship the Reprisal that he has at sea on the 13th of July taken two prizes, a ship and a Schooner bound for Liverpool Loaded with Cotton, Sugar, Rum, etc.

The Letters came by the Prize Schooner which arrived at an Inlet near Egg Harbour, and the Ship Prize has been seen off the Capes of Delaware and Supposed by this time got in. This days post is not yet Come in from New-York. It is past his Usual time of Coming, and therefore Imagined there will be something important, which delayed him. I wish it may be Good. The Delaware [battalion] came to town this Morning and there passed an Order of Congress Yesterday Morning for Captain Darby and his Company now at Lewis, to Come up and join the Battalion, or at least to follow them, for as Congress have now Got Arms, I imagine they will not stay long here. Let not the Contents of my other letter be seen by any, Unless a friend in whom you can confide.

[57]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Hancock Letter-Book, VI. 14; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 739. 2 Haslet's battalion had been ordered to Philadelphia, July 20 (see the Journals). Troops were stationed in Lewes, Del., in consequence of a resolve of Apr. 3 (cf. Apr. 12). See no. 58. post.

The words " Colonel Haslet's Battalion" were added by Hancock's secretary. The letter is otherwise in Hancock's writing. The conclusion therefore is that Hancock did not, when he wrote the letter, know the name of the commanding officer. [58]1 Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll., Signers, II. 36; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 741. 2 The letter of Capt. Lambert Wickes is not mentioned in the Journals, but see Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 706, 741, 759. Rodney's "other letter ", also dated Aug. 3, is ibid., I. 740.

The order is not recorded in the Journals Aug. 2. See however no. 57, ante, also the Journals, Aug. 5, 8. In a letter to Thomas Rodney, Aug. 8, Caesar Rodney says: "The Delaware battalion is under marching orders for Amboy, subject to General Washington's further orders. .. Mr. McKean is still in the Jerseys, and not likely soon to return. The terms of Confederation now before the Congress, and our Colony not represented without Read and me both, therefore cannot expect to see you in Kent very soon." Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 833. See no. 90, note 2, post.

Dear Sir:

59. JOHN ADAMS TO WILLIAM HEATH.1 PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 3, 1776.

Yours of the 20th ult. is before me.

Congress has not determined to have no regard to the line of succession in promotions, but only that this line shall not be an invariable rule; caeteris paribus, the line will be pursued, but they mean to reserve a right of distinguishing extraordinary merit, or demerit. This rule may be abused. But is it not necessary? all good things are liable to abuse. I am afraid, nay I know it will be abused in particular instances. But if we make the succession an invariable rule, will not the abuse be greater? Is it not common in the British Army to promote junior officers over the heads of their superiours? nay even officers in the same regiment, and on the same command? I have been told of several instances. This however is wrong. .

By some expressions in the close of your letter, I conclude you were not perfectly satisfied with a late promotion. Be assured, Sir, if that was raising a junior officer, over the head of any superiour, it was not considered in that light by the gentlemen who did it; the person promoted was thought to be the oldest Brigadier, and intituled to advancement by the line of succession. And it is my opinion he would have been made a Major General much sooner if his experience had not been thought indispensible in the Adjutant General's Department.3

Dear Page,

60. THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JOHN PAGE.1

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5, 1776.

The Congress having had reason to suspect the Six nations intended war, instructed their commissioners to declare to them peremptorily that if they chose to go to war with us, they should be at liberty to remove their families out of our settlements, but to remember that they should not only never more return to their dwellings on any terms but that we would never cease pursuing them with war while one remained on the face of the earth; and moreover, to avoid equivocation, to let them know they must recall their young men from Canada, or we should consider them as acting against us nationally. This decisive declaration produced an equally decisive act on their part; they have recalled their young men, and are stirring themselves with anxiety to keep their people

[59]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Heath Papers, I. 142; Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., IV. 14; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I 739.

2 Cf. no. 23, ante. Heath's letter of July 20, to which Adams is replying, is in Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., IV. 11.

8 The allusion is to Gates, who was made adjutant-general with the rank of brigadier-general June 17, 1775, and was made major-general May 16, 1776. Cf. vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 620, 643, 644. Heath was elected major-general Aug. 9.

[60]1 Writings (ed. Ford), II. 73; Works (Memorial ed.), IV. 270; Va. Hist. Soc., Lee Transcripts, IV. (copy).

quiet, so that the storm we apprehended to be brewing there it is hoped is blown over. Colo. Lee being unable to attend here till the 20th inst I am under the painful necessity of putting off my departure, notwithstanding the unfavorable situation of Mrs. Jefferson's health. .

I enclose you (to amuse your curiosity) the form of the prayer substituted in the room of the prayer for the King by Mr. Duche, chaplain to the Congress. I think by making it so general as to take in Conventions, assemblies, etc., it might be used instead of that for the parliament. Adieu.

Sir:

61. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1

PHILADELPHIA, August 5, 1776.

Since the Declaration of Independence, your friend John Alsop has written to the Convention of New-York to resign his seat in Congress, and made some reflections on the Convention for their agreeing so unanimously to that Declaration. The Convention, in return, voted cheerfully and unanimously to accept of his resignation, with some severe and cutting reflections on him for his conduct; which were all sent to Congress. I believe his boarding with our friend Wharton has been no advantage to him; possibly, he was obliged to resign his seat as a previous condition to his taking full possession of the lady. . .

2

62. THE Board of War tO THE MARYLAND CONVENTION OR
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.1

Gentlemen

WAR OFFICE 6th Augst. 1776 PHILADA.

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By a Resolve of Congress on the Subject of Prisoners, it is determined "That a list of the prisoners in each Colony be made out by the Committees of the Counties Towns or Districts where they reside and transmitted to the Assembly, Convention or Council or Committee of Safety of such Colony respectively who shall send a Copy thereof to Congress. The Board of War who have by Direction of Congress, the Care of all Prisoners, are much obstructed in that Business by the Resolution before quoted not having been Complied with. I am therefore to press you by all Means to Prevail on the several Committees in your State to enable you immediately to transmitt an accurate List of all prisoners of war now

2 See the Journals, June 14, Aug. 6, 19, 26. Cf. ibid., Apr. 10, 15, May 6, 11, 25, June 17; also no. 29, ante, and no. 70, post. See especially Schuyler to Congress, June 8, with enclosure from Samuel Kirkland, Force, Am: Arch., fourth ser., VI. 762-764, Washington to Congress, July 13, ibid., VI. 837, to Schuyler, June 13, ibid., VI. 837. Cf. ibid., VI. 795, 796, 819, 914, 926, 976-977, 992, fifth ser., I. 36, 137-138, 394, 395, 396, 480, 856, 867, 983, 1030-1049.

[61]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 758.

2 See Alsop's letter, July 16, no. 21, ante, and cf. no. 79, post.

[62] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, IV. 41; Arch. of Md., XII. 178; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 784; id. to Massachusetts, Mass. Arch., CXCV. 174; id. to North Carolina, N. C. Col. Recs., X. 726.

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