some

with all his unwarrented Contracts, many of our best Generals will be greatly affronted. if we do not, the United States will be exposed to the reproach and probable resentment of Men who have been deceived and ill used. some of these have been very clamorous and we shall be obliged to make pecuniary satisfaction for their disappointment of Rank. of them by the by prove to be rank Cheats, nevertheless they have Credentials from our Agent Deane and must be provided for in some way. Holzendorf hung a long time upon hand. I interposed on his behalf and obtained his Commission of Lt. Colonel according to agreement but he is not employed. this so far looks well as it shews these people we are not altogether dependent upon Frenchmen. the Chevalier Faliet" who in his passage from Charles Town to Virginia had been taken by the Daphne arrived here a few days ago. the recommendation of Doctor Franklin seconded by that of Monsr. de Coudrie has ensured him a Majority, a Commission only but no employment at present.

Sir,

577. GEORGE WALTON TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

2

PHILADELPHIA, August 5, 1777.

I moved Congress a few days ago, to order Brigadier-General McIntosh from his Station in Georgia to join the grand Army; and it was objected to, because it was feared it might derange the Army, or that you would have no command for him. The cause of my having made this proposition was, that he had lately fought a Duel with Governor Gwinnett, in which the latter had fallen; and I was afraid the friends of the deceased, made sore by the loss of their principal, would again blow up the embers of party and dissention, and disturb the harmony and vigour of the Civil and military authorities.

I have since received a letter from Georgia, proving that my conjectures were too well founded. I therefore take the liberty of requesting to know, whether it will be convenient and agreeable to you that he should be ordered to join the grand Army.3

He is a man of sense and judgment, with a great experience of the world; and, in point of bravery, he is fit to fight under the banners of General Washington.

5 Holtzendorff was one of the officers included in the agreement, Dec. 1, 1776, with Baron de Kalb. See no. 565, note 5, ante. It would appear from the Journals, July 17, that he also had a separate agreement with Deane. See Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr. II. 261. As Laurens did not attend Congress until July 22, it is not clear wherein his interposition could have been helpful in obtaining for Holtzendorff a commission already authorized by Congress. But see the Journals, July 30.

The Chevalier de Failly. In the agreement with Deane (Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 219) he was to have the rank of lieutenant-colonel. See the Journals, Aug. 5; cf. ibid., Aug. 13, 21, 25. See also Laurens to Lafayette, Feb. 7, Mar. 6, 1778, in the next volume of these Letters.

[577]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XVII. 182.

2 See the Journals, Aug. 1 (erased entry, p. 597).

3 The resolve was passed Aug. 6. Washington's reply to Walton, dated Aug. 6, is in the Library of Congress, Washington Papers. Cf. no. 446, ante. See also no. 584, post.

I have the happiness to be, Sir, your Excellency's most Obedient Servant,

GEO WALTON.

NB. As I intend to send off an Express to Georgia tomorrow I should be obliged by an answer today.

His Excellency
General Washington.

Sir

578. NATHANIEL FOLSOM TO JOSIAH BARTLETT.'

PHILADELPHIA agust 5th. 1777.

I arrived here in good Health the 20th. of July on my joining the Congress I found them worried with Petitions from a great Number of French gentlemen for Commissions to Serve in our army and Continnue to Plague us to this day.2

Saturday mr. Bass Came to Congress from Portsmouth and brought Letters from ouer agents in france up to the 26th. of may. . . . . the Loss of Ticonderoga hes given grate uneseyness: Generall Schyler and Sant C[1]aire aire orderd to head Quarters in order for an inquirey into thaire Condukt: the other Generals that Sat in Counsel aire to Stay at thaire Departments till General Washington thinks they Can be Recald without hurting the Service: General Gates is orderd to take the Comemand in the northen Department Congress have Past a Resolve that Newhampshier, Massachusetts Conneticut new jersey and new york and Pennsylvania Raise and march as many of the militia to Serve in the northen Department till the fifteenth of november as General Gates Shall think Suffishent for the Defence of that Part of the Cuntrey. . . . . you will See by the Paper Inclosed that the Enemys fleets have been hovering abought the Capes of the Delleware amounteing to 228 Saile Till fryday Last and have Since Disapeaird it is Prity Generely thought thay aire bound up the north River or to Rhode island.*.

579. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT.1 PHILADELPHIA Aug. 6, 1777

Hond Sir

Genl Washington yesterday sent in a Letter beging Congress to excuse him from appointing the Officer to the Comand of the Northern Army, assigning plausible Reasons, upon which Congress took it up, and appointed Genl Gates. He was strenuously opposed by N York, and supported by N. England and was carried by almost every Vote. The truth

[578]1 Dartmouth College Lib., Bartlett Corr., vol. I., 1774-1778.

2 Cf. nos. 559, 565, 576, ante.

2

3 See the Journals, July 29, 30, Aug. 1, 3, 4; also nos. 564-566, 568, 572, 574, ante, nos. 579, 580, 587, 597, 598, 600, 609, 611, post.

4 See no. 561, ante, no. 587, post.

[579] Hist. Soc. of Pa., Etting Coll., Signers.

2 Washington's letter, dated Aug. 3, was read in Congress Aug. 4, and the election of Gates took place the same day. Williams may therefore have written on the 5th. See nos. 568-572, 574, 578, ante.

is Duane etc, had earnestly remonstrated agst. him to the Genl and told him it wod greatly disgust their Convention etc. (the fact is Schuyler hates him) and N. Engld. Delegates had written to the Genl in favr. of his appointmt. and so I conclude He was embarrasd and chose to get rid of it, and it has turned out Well.

I hope N England will take their own measures to drive Burgoyne into the Lakes, without waiting for Congress no not a moment their resolves you will see in the Paper. can it be that N E. will be long driven and distresd by 6000 men. surely we can eat them up at a Meal. O That They wod rouse in earnest the work wod be short and easy. I trust they will, and the more for the late shamefull Conduct to say no more, of St. Clair etc

I cannot add but my best Regards to my dear Friends and that I am with the greatest Respect and dutiful Regard

Your most Obed: and most H Servt

His Excellency Govr. Trumbull

W. WILLIAMS

580. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO THE NEW YORK ASSEMBLY.1

Gentlemen,

PHILA. August 6th. 1777

The Congress having ordered generals Schuyler and St. Clair to headquarters that an enquiry may be made into their conduct and the reasons of the evacuation of Ticonderoga, they have directed general Gates to take the command in that department, and to repair thither with the utmost expedition.2

In the present critical state of our affairs in that quarter it is absolutely necessary, that some vigorous and decisive measures should be taken, to stop the progress of the enemy. These steps should be taken as early as possible; as the consequences of delay may be extremely disagreeable. From the great advantage our enemies have over us in the facility with which their troops may be transported by sea to any port of America, they will always have it in their power to make a descent before the continental army can possibly arrive to oppose them.

The militia therefore whenever this happens must be depended upon, and their exertions, I trust will never be wanting when called on, either to defend their own country, or to join with the army of the united states to oppose the common enemy. I am therefore most earnestly to entreat you will order such part of your militia to reinforce the army under general

3 In regard to this letter, see no. 569, note 2, ante.

4 Cf. the letters of Samuel Adams_mentioned under no. 569, note 3, ante. [580]1 N. Y. State Lib., Revolutionary Papers, XI. 235; Library of Congress, Force Trans., Mass. Recs., Letters, 1777-1778; Mass. Arch., CXCVIII. 5; Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., II. 495. This was a circular letter to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

2 See the Journals, July 29, 30, Aug. 1, 3, 4. Cf. nos. 560A, 562a, 563, 564, 565, 568-572, 578, 579, ante.

Gates as he may judge sufficient and that you will exert yourselves to comply with the enclosed requisition of Congress without the least delay.3 The Honble. The Assembly

of the state of New York

Dear Sir

581. JAMES LOVELL TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1

August 7th. 1777.

Mr Du Coudray has put in a memorial and petition wherein he requests that I may be dismissed from any Committee relative to his affairs and that no attention may be paid to any thing I may have said relative to his treaty with Mr Deane. Even his most enamored advocates did not think proper to support his petition. It was dismissed."

Sir,

582. JAMES LOVELL TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1

August 8th. 1777

[P.S.] Walton wrote Arnold that he was not likely to have his old date of rank as the Eastern States were particularly against it. But he "excused" Rhode Island and Connecticut. Upon a new motion to restore his rank, two days have been spent, and finally it was carried in the negative when poor Mass: was the only New England State faulty. We put the Yeas and Nays of each member in the Journals if any Delegate desires it. N H. Con: R. I. Georgia Yea. Mass. York Jersey: Penn: Del: Mar: N. C. Nay. It was really a question between Monarchical and Republican principles put at a most critical time."

Dear General,

583. HENRY LAURENS TO ROBERT Howe.'

PHILADELPHIA 7th August 1777.

About the 22d. July 2 I had the honour of delivering Severally your Letters to Congress and to the New England Delegates. the former was

See the Journals, Aug. 3, 5, 6. In the New York Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, II. 57, is a copy, in the writing of Charles Thomson, of the resolve, Aug. 6 (Journals, p. 616, second paragraph from top), giving directions to Gates in regard to calling out the militia, wherein the word "impossible" is used instead of the word "imprudent", found in the Journals.

[581] Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 52, vol. II., p. 191 (copy); Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 391.

2 See the Journals, Aug. 6; also no. 559, note 3, ante, nos. 586, 632, 648, post. [582]1 Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 393; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 52, vol. II., p. 190 (copy); N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., LangdonElwyn Papers (copy of part).

2 See the Journals, Aug. 8. Cf. nos. 419, 476, 497, ante, and nos. 583, 585, 586, 607, post. See also the Journals, Nov. 29, 1777.

[583]1S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, p. 118. The letter is addressed to General Howe at "Charles Town".

2 Laurens took his seat July 22. See his letters of Aug. 11, 12 (nos. 584, 586, post). John Adams wrote to his wife Aug. 19: "They have sent us a new delegate whom I greatly admire, Mr. Laurens, their Lieutenant-Governor, a gentleman of great fortune, great abilities, modesty and integrity, and great experience too. If all the States would send us such men, it would be a pleasure to be here." Familiar Letters, p. 292.

instantly committed to the Board of War and their Report followed by a confirmation of your appointment to Cols. Eveleigh and Mr. Purcel, but for your fine polite Commercial Story which must have cost you some labour to learn and given you much pleasure to relate no more notice was taken than of the particular kind of paper upon which the tale was told.* I am sure I thought it a very clever thing when I read it at Mepkin and sealed it up so nicely. What deal of writing in this World goes for nothing. in that class your other Letter touching Rank may possibly be found, and it will, if one may judge from our determination two days ago upon an application from an old and valuable Servant Mr Gen Arnold whose prayer to be restored to his rank was rejected notwithstanding the acquiesence of Officers whose dates are, as they admit, improperly, prior to his, but good General draw no hasty conclusions another unexpected vote may turn up and be in your favour. when I am a little older in Congress I'll try hard at a reformation in that article of Rank persevering in the present mode which is arbitrary and often Subject to Caprice will not promote the welfare of our Army.

Dear Sir,

584. HENRY LAURENS TO LACHLAN MCINTOSH.1

PHILADELPHIA IIth August 1777.

Some where on my journey hither your favour of the 30th. May over took me, at my arrival I put it into the hands of Colonel Walton. the very Morning after I reached this City I took my Seat in Congress where I had intended to have remained a silent auditor at least until I should have perused the Journals for some Months back, gained a clue to business and an acquaintance with Members and their manners, but I was soon provoked to break through the proscribed bounds and to oppose a random scheme for a Western enterprize which had been proposed to the House as equally practicable and advantageous and which to my amazement the whole House appeared to have adopted; 2 nothing remained to do on their

* See the Journals, July 22, 23. If Laurens means to say that Congress had confirmed Howe's appointments of Nicholas Eveleigh and Henry Purcell, his statement is incorrect. The board of war so reported, but the report was postponed July 23, and for some unaccountable reason was not adopted until Feb. 17, 1778.*

Howe's letter containing the "fine polite Commercial Story" is in the Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 160, f. 360. It is dated June 8, but endorsed by Secretary Thomson as July 8. The letter discusses the commercial situation of Charleston.

5 See no. 582, ante, nos. 585, 586, 607, post.

[584] Mass. Hist. Soc., Washburn Autographs, Statesmen and Orators, p. 11; S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776–1778, p. 116. The letter was addressed to General McIntosh at Savannah.

2 This was the expedition against West Florida, proposed by the board of war in a report of July 10, taken up in Congress July 19, 24, and definitely "postponed July 25, no doubt in consequence of Laurens's representations. (See the Journals, July 19, pp. 566, 567 n., and nos. 559A, 559B, ante.) A fuller discussion of this affair is given by Laurens in his letter to Rutledge, Aug. 12, no. 586, post. Concerning a proposed expedition against East Florida, see Laurens to Rutledge, June 3, 1778, and Laurens to Houstoun, Aug. 27, 1778, in the next volume of these Letters.