the Northern Department. After all that has been said, I conceive of him, as I have for a long time, excellently well qualified for a Commissary or Quartermaster. The N. E. Delegates were (perhaps one excepted) to a Man against his having the Command of that Army. But of this I will write particularly in another Letter. I am not willing to prejudge, but I must say, it is difficult to reconcile the sudden Evacuation of Ty. with the previous flattering Letters of General St. Clare. In one of his Letters written but a few days before he says "My People are in the best Disposition possible and I have no Doubt about giving a good Account of the Enemy if they shall think proper to attack us." He has been esteemed here a good officer and in his Letter he bespeaks the Candor of the Publick till he can be heard. Pains will be taken to lay the Blame upon the N. E. States, for not furnishing their Quota of Men. I wish therefore you would procure for me an authentick Account of the Number of Men, both regular and Militia sent to the Northward from our State, and how they were cloathd and armd. You may remember that Congress recommended to the Eastern States, some time I think in December last, to send a Reinforcement of Militia to Ticonderoga, to remain there till they could be replacd by Continental Troops then raising. I have never been informd of the Effect of that Recommendation-or if I have I do not recollect it. Pray put it in our Power to state Facts precisely as far as they regard our State. It is agreed on all Sides that a Fault lies some where. I hope the Truth will be thoroughly investigated, and to use the homely Proverb, the Saddle laid on the right Horse.. Dear Sir, 569. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN.1 Congress have orderd that an Enquiry be made into the Reasons of the Evacuation of Tyconderoga and Mount Independence and into the Conduct of the General officers who were in the Northn. Departmt. at the time of the Evacuation.2. It appears to me difficult to account for the Evacuation of those Posts even upon the Principle of Cowardice. The whole Conduct seems to carry 7 St. Clair's letters to Schuyler, June 25, July 8, are in Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 510, 513. 8 Cf. nos. 556, 564, 565, 566, ante. The resolution referred to is in the Journals, Dec. 24, 1776. See also the resolves of Apr. 29, 1777. 9 See the Journals, July 29, 30, Aug. 1, 3, 4; also nos. 569-572, 574, 578-580, 585, 587, 597, 598, 609, 611, post. Cf. no. 553, note 3, ante. In the Pennsylvania Evening Post, July 24, is "A Card" concerning the evacuation of Ticonderoga, the tone of which suggests that Samuel Adams may have been its author. [569]1 Warren-Adams Letters, I. 346; Writings (ed. Cushing), III. 398. 2 See no. 568, ante. A letter to General Washington, Aug. 2, written by Samuel Adams and signed also by John Adams, Nathaniel Folsom, Henry Marchant, Elbridge Gerry, Eliphalet Dyer, and William Williams, bespeaking the appointment of General Gates to the northern command, is found in the Writings of Washington (ed. Ford), VI. 4, (ed. Sparks), V. 14; Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, II. 487. Washington_asked (letter to Congress Aug. 3) to be excused from making the appointment. Cf. no. 579, post. the evident Marks of Deliberation and Design. My utmost Endeavors shall not be wanting to have the Matter searched to the Bottom.3. PHILADA., Augt. 1, '77 570. JAMES LOVELL TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1 (In confidence) My Dear Sir, Friday August 1st. 1777. You will easily guess that some of your friends here have had a task indeed to get so much justice done to the public as to call Schuyler and St. Clair, Poor, Patterson and Fermoy to Head Quarters, and direct General W- to send a proper officer to command in the Northern Department. hot work from last Saturday.2 Sr. 571. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT.1 Since sealing my Letters 2 and [coming]3 4 ] to Congress I found an oppertu[nity to] Your most dutiful and obedt. Son and Servt. his Excellency W [WILLIAMS] Gov. Trumbull. 2. Aug. [1777.] 3 Cf. sundry letters of Adams, Aug. 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, in Writings (ed. Cushing), III. 400-408. The letter of Aug. 12 (to James Warren) is also in Warren-Adams Letters, I. 351. [570]1 Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 385; N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Langdon-Elwyn Papers (copy). 2 See nos. 565, 568, 569, ante; cf. nos. 571, 572, 574, 578, 579, post. [571] Conn. Hist. Soc., Jonathan Trumbull Papers. 2 No earlier letter of Aug. 2 has been found. For a letter written in the evening of the same day, marked "3d Letter ", see no. 572, post. A part of the right-hand margin of this letter has been torn away. The conjectural words may not in every instance fill the entire gap. 4 On the first sheet of this letter are copies of resolves of July 29, 31, Aug. 1. 579, post. 572. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO THE Governor of ConnectiCUT (JONATHAN TRUMBULL).1 Hond Sir PH. 2d Aug. pm 1777 Congress have this Day recd. a number and very large Letters from Dr Franklin Mr Lee and Dean, with a great variety of Papers, the Letters from 12 Mar. to abt the 26 May. tis vain for me to attempt any particular acco. of their Contents.2 Schuyler I dare say is removed forever." You will improve these broken hints, to the greatest advantage. have wrote so much, I must Cease once more. Your most affecte. Dutiful Son and Servt W WILLIAMS Sir, 573. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO WILLIAM HEATH.1 PHILADA. Aug 2d, 1777. You will perceive from the enclosed Resolve, that your Letter of the 27 [17] of May, ulto., was duly received, and laid before Congress; and that they have directed you to make Enquiry into the Fact set forth by the Committee of Salem, with Respect to Fry's Insanity, not because Congress have any doubt, of their having represented the Matter as it appeared to the Committee, but because the Crime is the most atrocious and detestable, and should never on any Account or Pretence whatever, pass with Impunity, where the Person committing it has the proper Exercise of his Faculties.2 I beg leave to refer your Attention to the Resolve as the Rule of your Conduct, and have the Honour to be, Sir Your most obdt and Very hble Serv't JOHN HANCOCK Presid. Honble Major Genl. Heath. [572] Conn. Hist. Soc., William Williams Papers. On the wrapper of the letter is found the following notation: "Pr Mr Hunt 3d Letter 2d inclosed". 2 Williams nevertheless summarizes the more important matters in the letters of the commissioners. (The letters are in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 283-327.) See the Journals, Aug. 1, 2, 3, 5. Cf. nos. 576, 586, post; also Samuel Adams to Samuel Freeman, Aug. 5, and to John Langdon, Aug. 7, Writings, III. 400, 401. 3 See no. 571, ante. [573] Mass. Hist. Soc., Heath Papers, VI.; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., p. 236. 2 In regard to the case of Peter Pickman Frye, see the Journals, June 2, 9, 20; also Heath to Washington, May 19, Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., IV. 98. No explanation has been discovered why a resolution of June 20 should not be reported to General Heath until Aug. 2. A few weeks later Frye was reprieved. See the Diary of William Pynchon (ed. F. E. Oliver), pp. 38, 39; The Holyoke Diaries, pp. 96, 99; and the Boston Gazette, Sept. 15, 1777. Dear Sir, 574. JAMES LOVELL TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1 August 4th. 1777. The paper of Dunlap will show you how we go on both as to Ty and Europe. New York pushed for a reference to General W as to 8 the successor of Schuyler, intending and attempting to prevent Gfrom being sent; but it was referred back to us and we were II to I which is far from 5 to 4, and 2 divided.*. 575. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CAswell).1 PHILADELPHIA August 5th 1777. D. Sir The Business relative to Colo. Shepherds Battalion, and the Artilary Company underwent no delay except what was absolutely Necessary for the several references and reports Incident to the War Department. The result on Both was, the Battalion was taken into continental pay as one of the 16. (the Stipulations of the Assembly being observed) the Company also taken into pay (but not annexed to any Battalion) and both are ordered to Join the Grand army without delay.2 the resolutions relative to these were transmitted to you both by the Board of War and by me, and Inclosed Duplicates of that relative to the Battalion.. 1574] Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 387; N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Langdon-Elwyn Papers (copy). 2 In the Pennsylvania Packet (published by William Dunlap), July 22, was printed St. Clair's letter to Congress, July 14, together with the council of war of July 5, relative to the evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence (see no. 556, ante). In the issue of July 29 is a discussion of this letter, and also other items pertaining to the Ticonderoga affair. In the issue of Aug. 5 is a letter from St. Clair to John Jay, July 25; also extracts from the Journals, July 29 to Aug. 3. 66 Touching the European situation, in the issue of July 22 is an extract of a letter from Bordeaux, May 17: The news is, that Messrs. Franklin and Deane are well, and always well received at Court, both by Princes and Lords." Another extract of a letter from Bordeaux, May 15, is found in the issue of July 29: "Everything is in favor of the Americans; and if war is not declared between France and England, there is every appearance of very considerable assistance of necessaries." 3 General Gates. Cf. nos. 565, 570, 571, ante, and no. 579, post. 4 See the Journals, Aug. 4. The words "5 to 4 and 2 divided" refer to the vote, May 22, for placing Schuyler in command in the Northern department. Cf. nos. 502, 568, ante, and nos. 579, 585, post. [575] N. C. Hist. Comm. (copy); N. C. State Recs., XI. 558. 2 Burke is replying particularly to Caswell's letter of July 15 (N. C. State Recs., XI. 737). Concerning Col. Abraham Sheppard's battalion, see the Journals, June 10 (p. 450), 17; also Hancock to Washington, June 13, in Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 381. Correspondence concerning the battalion is in N. C. State Recs., XI. 430, 456, 465, 467, 470, 494, 496, 500, 501, 507, 587, 602, 603, 614, 616, 679, 737. Concerning the artillery company, see ibid., XI. 500, 602, 603, 614, 616, and the Journals, July 10, 19. 3 The resolve of June 17 was sent to Caswell by Burke in a letter of June 18 (N. C. State Recs., XI. 501), and duplicates in a letter of June 27_(ibid., XI. 507). The resolution relative to the artillery company is not mentioned in Burke's letters of July 22 and 30, N. C. State Recs., XI. 529, 549. Dr Sir, 576. HENRY LAURENS TO JOHN LEWIS GERVAIS.1 PHILADA. 5th August 1777 . the repeated Instances of British Cruelty exercised upon American Prisoners particularly those produced in Doctor Franklins Letter to Lord Stormont and others this very day by a Master of a Vessel escaped from N. York have raised a spirit which will soon appear with the Label of Retaliation. when the Question is brought I will oppose it in part. I abhor the practice of Cruelty and will never in our circumstances consent to make Returns except in cases where good effects may be expected. Circumstanced as we are a general and rigid Retaliation wd be impolitic. the common people of England are our Friends. I believe their infamous Leaders have strove to extort Cruelty to prisoners on our part in order to enrage and unite them against us. nothing less will make them our Enemies. to imprison closely and if occasion require to hang a Prescot and a Barrington for Injuries done to a Lee will not displease but rather be applauded by those common people. such Strokes I have no objection to. with the lower Class of Soldiers and Seamen I would contrast American humanity against British Ferocity, but if a Douglas or a Jordan could be handled some Atonement should be made for the Blood of Burke and others who have suffered under their Barbarian Hands. The late flood of French Men rushed in upon us under agreements with Mr. Deane has reduced Congress to a painful dilemma if we comply [576]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, pp. 109, III, 112. 2 See the Journals, Aug. 1, 2, 3, 5; cf. no. 572, ante. The letter from Franklin and Deane to Lord Stormont, dated Apr. 2, together with the depositions of Eliphalet Downer and Seth Clark, was printed in the Pennsylvania Evening Post, Aug. 5, the Pennsylvania Gazette, Aug. 6, and the Pennsylvania Journal, Aug. 6. The letter is found in Franklin's Writings (ed. Smyth), VII. 36. In the letter of Franklin and Deane to the committee of secret correspondence, Mar. 12-Apr. 9 (Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 283), it is stated that copies of the letter and depositions were enclosed. The master of a vessel was John Barret, first lieutenant of the Raleigh (see the Journals, Aug. 5). For earlier action by Congress of the nature of retaliation, see the Journals, Jan. 2, July 10, 1776; Feb. 20, June 9, 10, 1777. Cf. nos. 367, 403, 404, 407, ante. July 19 Congress ordered the report of the committee on the conduct of the enemy (see the Journals, Apr. 18) to be published in a pamphlet (see Bibliographical Notes, the Journals, IX. 1085). The report and accompanying affidavits were published in the Philadelphia papers in the latter part of April and early May, e. g., in the Pennsylvania Evening Post, April 24 to May 3. See, further, the Journals, Aug. 9, Nov. 19, Dec. 6, 16, 18. 3 Brig.-Gen. Richard Prescott, the object of severe denunciation by Americans for his harsh treatment of Ethan Allen and other American prisoners. When he was taken prisoner himself in Canada in November, 1775, Washington proposed to retaliate upon him whatever treatment Ethan Allen might be subjected to. See Washington to Howe, Dec. 18, Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., IV. 310, and Washington to Schuyler, the same date, ibid., IV. 314, and passim, also ibid., fifth ser., I. and II., passim. Prescott was exchanged for General Sullivan in September, 1776. He was again taken prisoner, together with his aid-de-camp, Maj. William Barrington, in Rhode Island in July, 1777 (see the Journals, July 25), and although Washington proposed, July 25, an exchange of him for General Lee, the exchange was not effected until April, 1778. See the Journals, July 19, 22, 25, 26, Aug. 7, Dec. 24, 1777; Mar. 30, Apr. 10, 1778. An interesting account of the negotiation for this exchange is related by Elias Boudinot, commissary-general of prisoners (Boudinot, Life of Elias Boudinot, I. 142-148). 4 See the Journals, Aug. 5, Sept. 5, 8; cf. nos. 559, 561, 565, ante, 581, 586, 632, 648, post. |