617. HENRY LAURENS, HEADS OF INQUIRY AS TO THE STATE OF THE ARMY.1 Resolved and etc.2 IN CONGRESS 27 August 1777. By corresponding with pub: Bodies or private persons by Letter or otherwise in this and the neighboring States Ist. To collect the fullest and clearest evidence of the state of the Army in the Northern department. Agreed. to apply to the Board of War for all Letters from General Schuyler and Gen. St. Clair from 1st. May last to 31st July and to the Board of War and Treasury for all the Returns 2d The state of the Troops, military Stores and provision at Ticonderoga and Mount Independance. Agreed-see Returns for state of the Troops-for Military Stores, enq. of Commissy M S [?] for Provision of the Commissy of P. What provisions were there the 1st May and sent afterwards up to the time of abandoning the post. 3d To call for and examine the minutes of the Council of War what orders were given from time to time by the Commander in Chief of that department. 4th Were the Barracks and Stores destroyed? 5th Enquire of the Quarter Master and Commissary Gen-the quantity of Provision laid up at Ticonderoga or near it. what measures were taken or taking for throwing in further supplies. see 2d. [617]1 Univ. Va. Lib., Lee Papers (in the writing of Henry Laurens). 2 See the Journals, Aug. 27, 28; cf. ibid., July 29, Aug. 1, 19, 20, 23, 25. See also no. 602, note 2, ante, and nos. 619, 625, post. Laurens was chairman of the committee appointed Aug. I to report the mode of conducting the inquiry into the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and drew the report which was the basis of the resolutions of Aug. 27. He was also chairman of the committee appointed Aug. 28 to collect the evidence and facts relative to the evacuation. He has here set down in order, but more minutely subdivided, the points of inquiry found in the report of Aug. 27, followed by memoranda of agreements in the proceedings of the committee of Aug. 28 as to certain lines of inquiry. The fact that Richard Henry Lee was a member of this committee will explain why this document is found among the Lee Papers. The other member of the committee was John Adams. Laurens has given to these heads of inquiry the date Aug. 27, the date on which the mode of inquiry was determined, but the minutes of committee proceedings evidently belong to some subsequent day, as the committee was not appointed until Aug. 28. Dec. 26, 1777, three members were added to the committee, namely, Francis Dana, John Witherspoon, and William Ellery. Jan. 20, 1778, James Lovell was put in place of Dana. Jan. 27 James Smith was added to the committee. Feb. 5 the committee reported that it had collected the evidence, and was ordered to transmit it to General Washington, who was directed to order a court-martial. Apr. 29 a committee was appointed to examine the evidence and state the charges against the general officers who were in the Northern department when Ticonderoga and Mount Independence were evacuated. This committee reported June 12. 8 This reference in the original is to "Returns" in item 1. Laurens has placed a cross against the word "Returns" in each instance. 4 It is conjectured that the note is to be read: "for Military Stores, enq[uire] of Commissary [of] Military] S[tores]." In the 5th paragraph, which essentially duplicates the second inquiry, the phrase is "enquire of the quarter-master and commissary Gen." "Commissy of P." is Commissary of Purchases. 6th The number appointment and movements of the Enemy from the time of their Landing to the time of Evacuating the Fort. 7th. And also the number quality and condition of the Garrison. see the 2. 8th. What measures were taken to gain Intelligence of the strength of the Enemy by the Comm. in Chief or the Commanding Officer of the Garrison. Agreed to enquire of Officers who were in Garrison. 9th. To Enquire of the Clothier general-what Clothing had been issued from time to time for use of the Northern department and from other public Officers into the expenditure of such issues. Agreed to enquire at the War Office for returns by Mr. Measom." of Mr. Maese and his deputies and of proper persons for the expenditure. 10th. The number equipment and behaviour of the Militia, the terms for their service, at and before the time of the evacuation. 11th. The situation and condition of the Lines [at Ticonderoga]' and the Fortifications upon Mount Independence. Agreed to inquire of Colonel Putman, Engineers. 12th. What works thrown up by the Enemy at what distance and what posts they had taken. Agreed to enquire of Engineers and other proper Officers. 13th. What Orders by the Commands Officer directing and regulating the manner in which the Retreat was conducted, what care taken of the Sick. Agreed to enquire of Field Officers and others. 14th. Where any Continental Troops and what number at Albany or in the Neighborhood how long they had been there and why not ordered to Ticonderoga. Agreed-Enquire of the Adjutant general, his deputy also of General Officers. 15th. The number and size of the Cannon-Were any removed before evacuating the Posts? The qnty and pieces of Military Stores? were the Troops furnished with Bayonets? were there Pikes and Spears and what number proper for defending Lines? Agreed-Enquire of Engineers, of Officers of Artillery, Commissary of Military Stores, Colonels and others. Agreed to send Copies of the Resolve to the Governor of Connecticut Councils of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and to Governor Clinton of N. York. 5 George Measam, commissary of clothing for the Northern army. 6 James Mease, clothier-general. "There is a defect here in the manuscript. The missing words are supplied from the Journals (p. 685). Dear Sir 618. HENRY LAURENS TO LACHLAN MCINTOSH.1 Ist. Septem. 1777 Congress is now engaged in ways and means for filling an almost exhausted Treasury without repeating an Emission of paper Dollars the favorite Scheme is that of borrowing from France, which I esteem [the most] destructive step we can take, so far as for all internal demands, and will be to all intents and purposes a further emission of paper Money infinitely more detrimental in its consequences than the evil which is dreaded from a further Issue of Dollars. it may deprive us too of the use of so much Money as we shall want in France for the most important occasions to which paper Dollars are inadequate. I have endeavoured to point out ways and means by which our Treasury might be filled without either of the modes above mentioned. make the Conditions of your Loan more favorable I might say more equitable to Lenders, and practice that frugality and oeconomy in public and private affairs which was our boast in 1774 and from which particularly in public Oeconomy we have departed as widely as prodigality lies from discretion and virtue.2 619. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE Delegates to THE PRESIDENT of NEW HAMPSHIRE.1 PHILADELPHIA, Sept 2d, 1777. Dear Sir, The Congress has chosen a Committee to collect what evidence they can for the trial of officers at Ticonderoga, as you'll see more at large by the newspapers, and how far the State of New Hampshire is concerned in that collection.2 There has been lately a discovery as is supposed a plot by the Quakers in this place against the States, by furnishing our Enemies with intelligence etc. (I fear we shall fail of that proof that is expected) which has in some degree laid the censure on all those people in the United States; and the Congress has passed some Resolves to be sent to the United States in order to apprehend some of those people. I trust our Court will act with their own prudence and caution in that affair. The Treasury board has not made any report on our request for money, but are daily promising to do it; am still in doubt whether we shall suc " [618]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, p. 144. 2 See no. 591, note 2, ante, nos. 620, 627, post. Congress are deeply engaged in financiering, in contriving ways and means. All agree in taxing largely, but that will not afford us immediate supplies." Eliphalet Dyer to Governor Trumbull, Sept. 1, 1777, Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., II. 137. [619]1 N. H. State Papers, VIII, 673. 2 See the Journals, Aug. 28, and nos. 602, 617, ante. 8 See the Journals, Aug. 28 (p. 688, note 2, and p. 694), Sept. 3, 5, 6, 8; also Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 554, 574, 580, 582, 584, 586, 589, 590, 591, 593, 596, 597, 600, 604, 607, 610, 612, 632. Cf. no. 586, notes 10, 13, ante, nos. 627, 630, 633, 634, post. See, further, the Journals, Jan. 29, Mar. 10, 16, May 15, 1778. ceed, as the Congress is in want of all our money for the public use: It is greatly wished by Congress that the monied men would supply the loan office faster, and that all the States would go largely into taxation. There is no Commissioners appointed as yet in the Eastern Department to settle the accts. of those States, except what is relating to the army, but suppose there will be some appointed soon; as we have requested of Congress to appoint such to examine the State of New Hampshire's acct, it would be no small advantage to your Delegates if we could be honor'd with the Acts or Resolves of our Honorbl. Court, so far as relates with our duty we owe the State and Court in Congress; we were left to guess the Reasons the State had in giving Genl Stark his orders as it is said he had, and trust we have given the Congress sufficient reason to justify the State therein, and to prevent any censure on the State in supposing they had any desire in acting in a separate or distinct line, but in conjunction and steady union with the whole United States and for the general welfare of the same; ".. Your most obedt and most Humbl servts NATHL FOLSOM GEO. FROST. The Honbl Meshech Weare, Esq. 620. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1 Dr Sir: PHILADELPHIA, Septr. 2d, 1777. The inclosed paper will give you all the public intelligence since my last. The complexion of affairs is not yet become so determined that I can set off for home; but I am in daily expectations of some events which may determine my resolutions to that purpose. Our finances have long engaged our attention in Congress, but we have not yet come to any conclusive Resolutions thereon. The subject is of the greatest importance, and truly too great for our talents. One thing every one seems clear in, that Taxation in a very liberal degree must take place. This, Sir, is so necessary that it must at all events be attempted every where. The quantity of money in circulation, and its consequent depreciation, and the accumulating debt of the public makes it inevitably necessary. I fear the system under consideration will not be so far matured before my departure that I can carry it with me, or know how to apply my endeavours at home towards the perfection of it. I shall however make myself as much master as possible of the prevailing opinions thereon. You will find by the intelligence that our affairs every where bear a promising aspect. I 4 See the Journals, Sept. 12, 15. 5 Cf. the Journals, Nov. 5, 1776, Jan. 24, Feb. 13, Mar. 13, 25, Apr. 9, 19, 29, May 3, 1777, Jan. 3, 5, 10, Feb. 6, 1778. Cf. no. 627, post. See nos. 599, 609, 615, ante. [620]1 N. C. State Recs., XI. 604. 2 Cf. nos. 591, 596, 597, ante, no. 627, post. have the most sanguine hopes that this campaign will give a severe blow to the British arms; and I even look forward to an end of the war, much sooner than has hitherto appeared probable. I have, Sir, troubled you too long in this letter, and shall only add that, I have the honor to be with the greatest respect and regard your very obed't hum. S't., THOS. BURKE. 621. THE COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 PHILADELPHIA 2d. Septr. 1777 Sir, We have the honor to send your Excellency herewith a number of hand bills published by order of Congress, in that form, for the more easy dispersion thro the army, that the troops may be made acquainted with, and emulate the conduct of their brave northern and eastern brethren.2 Wishing you health and success we are with much esteem and regard your Excellencies most obedient humble Servants Committee of Intelligence RICHARD HENRY LEE 622. JAMES DUANE TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.1 My dear Sir, . . . . [September 3(?), 1777.]2 It is difficult to fix a reward for Herkimer. He does not want a Continental command nor money. The thanks of Congress and a sword will be readily granted. Can you think of any thing more suitable.3 Gansvoort and Willett are in the highest degree of fame. we have had [621] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XC. 304. 2 These were handbills announcing Stark's victory at Bennington. See nos. 606, 612, ante. An extract of Washington's reply, Sept. 3, is printed in Writings (ed. Ford), VI. 65. The Journals do not record the order of Congress for printing the handbills. See however the Bibliographical Notes under Aug. 22, in the Journals (ed. Ford), IX. 1086. [622] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Livingston Papers, I. 299 (copy). 2 With regard to the conjectural date of this letter, see note 3, below. 3 The question of reward for Herkimer, Gansevoort, Willet, and Stark came before Congress Sept. 3; accordingly this letter was probably written on that day. Duane had evidently not yet learned of Herkimer's death, which had occurred Aug. 16 (see Appleton, Cyclo. Am. Biog.), but he must presently have read the following notice, printed in the Pennsylvania Journal Sept. 3: Kingston (New York) August 25. We hear that the brave Gen. HARKEMAN is dead of the wounds he received at the battle near Oneyda Creek." Arnold wrote to Gates, Aug. 21: "General Herkimer died yesterday" (Letters to Washington, ed. Sparks, II. 518), but there is no record that this letter was read in Congress, although Arnold's letters to Gates of Aug. 23 and 24 were read Sept. 1. Governor Clinton announced Herkimer's death to the council of safety Aug. 22 (Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., I. 1048), and a copy of his letter was sent to President Hancock by the council Aug. 26. Its receipt by Congress is not, however, recorded in the Journals. John Adams speaks of Herkimer in his letters to his wife of Sept. 2 and 8 (Familiar Letters, pp. 304, 305), but does not mention his death. It is not certain therefore when Congress learned it. See the Journals, Oct. 4, and no. 669, post. With regard to Stark, see nos. 609, 615, ante. |