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come within the intention of Congress. In increasing the Regts. begun to their proper number the new Recruits will be entitled to the 10 dollars bounty in case of the proposed extension of time in the enlistment. We imagine that this will operate to produce a very happy alteration in the State of our Carolina army especially as the Soldiers will in a short time receive decent and comfortable Cloathing.

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70. JAMES WILSON TO JASPER YEATES AND JOHN MONTGOMERY.1 Dear Gentlemen

2

In my letter to you and the other Commissioners I have enclosed a Resolution of Congress mentioning a Matter to be enquired into by you and them. I enclose to you Major Blaine's Proposals upon the Subject. You know, as well as I do, his peculiar Activity and Fitness for an Employment of this Kind. He is now at the Camp in New Jersey, where I expect to be in a few Days. . . . . Colonel St Clair was yesterday made a General Officer. His Character stands deservedly high.

It will give me Pleasure to hear from you.

PHILADA 10th Augt 1776

Jasper Yeates and

John Montgomery Esqr.

Dear Sir

71. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1

PHILADELPHIA Augt. 10th. 1776

On the repeated Request of Genll Washington, for an additional number of Major and Brigadier Generals, and representing the necessity of

[70]1 Haverford College, Roberts Coll., 720.

2 See the Journals, Aug. 6. The letter referred to has not been found. Yeates and Montgomery were commissioners for Indian affairs in the Middle department, elected July 4 (Journals, V. 517). Cf. nos. 29, 60, ante.

In the Literary Diary of Ezra Stiles (vol. II., p. 47), under date of Aug. 30, appears the following entry: A Letter from Mr. Ellery in Congress dated Philada. Aug 11, 1776. The Congress lately had an Interview with some of the Seneca Chiefs-The Name by which the oldest Sachem said the President would hereafter be known amongst them. It was Karanduawn, the Meaning of which is the Great Tree.' Quere, did the Trees of Liberty suggest this Idea to the Indians?" The interview referred to may have been that of May 27.

[71]1 Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 564.

3

Them to assist in Command in a day of Action, which He is daily expecting, Congress yesterday took up the matter and have appointed a number of each sufficiently large viz Maj Generals Heath, Spencer, Sullivan and Green, and Brigadier Generals Reed of N. H. Nixon of Mass: St Clair of Pena: McDougall, Parsons, whom you know, and Clinton, N. Y.2 poor Wooster a worthy Officer is neglected. boundless Efforts have been used to blast his Character in Congress by one of the Canada Commissioners he has been represented by him as a most worthless contemptible Fellow and the most illiberal Abuse thrown out against him in Congress, such as I think totally inconsistent with their Honor and Justice to suffer but so it is; nor has the author escaped severe Remarks by the Friends of Wooster but the former undauntedly persisted in his Reflections, and has fixed a deep Prejudice against him in a majority; tho not a single Charge can be supported against him, and he has been honorably acquitted by a Comte, whose Report by address etc. has been yet kept of [f] and recomitted however on the Tryal for Maj Gs. he carried six votes twice agst. the same No. for Heath, and one for Sullivan with much opposition a 3d ballot was had and Heath carried it by 7 vs 6. the other Majr Genlls were all unanimously chosen. there was no intention to make more than three, but as it was thot necessary to take Them in succession, Green was so worthy and high in Esteem, that on motion He was added with an eager unanimity. Reed carried 10 votes, Nixon 8, St Clair 8, McDougal 7, Parsons II, and Clinton 7. thus a Door is opened [for?] a fine parcel of Promotions. I know not whether any thing will be done about Them at present. nothing yet moved. I hope in God, They and all will accquit Themselves like Men and be Strong in the Day of approaching Conflict, and may the Lord of Hosts be on our Side and vindicate our righteous Cause agt our most unjust and more than Savage Foes.

I am Dear Sir your affecte Friend and Brother

W WILLIAMS Northern Army.

Genl Gates has wrote a more favorable Acc° of our
It is talked out of Doors of adjourning to the Jerseys. please to let me

2 See the Journals, Aug. 8, 9, also Washington's letters of July 29, Aug. 5, 7, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 641, 762, 814. Cf. no. 67, ante, and nos. 72, 85, post.

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3 Evidently Samuel Chase. Cf. a letter of Chase and Carroll, the commissioners in Canada, to Congress, May 27: General Wooster is, in our opinion, unfit, totally unfit, to command your Army and conduct the war; we have hitherto prevailed on him to remain in Montreal. His stay in this Colony is unnecessary and even prejudicial to our affairs; we would therefore humbly advise his recall." Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., VI. 589. It was doubtless in one of the debates at this time on the miscarriages in Canada (see the Journals, July 19, 30, 31, Aug. 3, 5, 10) that the incident occurred which Benjamin Rush relates in his Memorial (p. 104): "In a debate in which Mr. criminated the New England troops as the principal cause of the failure of the expedition into Canada in 1775, he [John Adams] said, 'the cause of the failure of that expedition was chiefly to be ascribed to the imprudence of the gentleman from Maryland who had fomented jealousies and quarrels between the troops from the New England and Southern States, in his visit to Canada, and (said Mr. Adams) if he were now penetrated, as he ought to be, with a sense of his improper and wicked conduct, he would fall down upon his knees, on this floor, and ask our forgiveness. He would afterwards retire with shame, and spend the remainder of his life in sackcloth and ashes, deploring the mischief he had done his country.' "Mr. " could scarcely be any other than

Samuel Chase. Cf. no. 64, ante.

know Cap: Dyers best arguments, for a majority, his present Rank etc. I wod gladly serve him.*

Dear Sir:

72. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1

PHILADELPHIA, August II, 1776.

By the publick prints you will see there is a new emission of Brigadier-Generals, and four of the former Brigadiers promoted to Major-Generals. We find some difficulty to give satisfaction in the appointment of officers; and, on the whole, it was thought the appointing the first Continental Colonel in the respective States to the rank of Brigadiers was the least liable to objection.2.

August 13. Colonel Whipple left us for New Hampshire yesterday at two o'clock.3

73. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO OLIVER WOLCOTT.1

Hond, and dear Sir

PHILADELA. Augt. 12th. 17762

with great Reluctance I set out for this place and reached it near the last of July, after the most sultry and fatigueing Journey that I ever performed, by much.3. . .

* Capt. Thomas Dyer, son of Eliphalet Dyer, delegate in Congress from Connecticut. He was assigned by Washington to duty as brigade-major in General Parson's brigade, Aug. 15, and was appointed major by Congress Aug. 19. Cf. nos. 78, 86, 87, post. [72]1 Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 893.

2 See no. 71, ante, and no. 85, post.

3 Samuel Adams also left Congress Aug. 12. "Mr. A. sets off to-day, if the rain should not prevent him, with Colonel Whipple of Portsmouth, a brother of the celebrated Miss Hannah Whipple, a sensible and worthy man." John Adams to his wife, Aug. 12, Familiar Letters, p. 208; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 907. In a letter to James Warren, Feb. 11, 1777 (Warren-Adams Letters, I. 290), Samuel Adams gives a statement of his services in Congress in 1775 and 1776.

Under date of Aug. 14 Ezra Stiles records in his Diary (II. 198): “Dined with Col Whipple. He shewed me the Articles of Confederation of the United States, first drafted by a Committee, and then received by a Committee of the whole Congress but not passed, but printed only for every Member to have a Copy for his own Considera. He might shew it but suffer no Copies. Two or 3 Articles had been considered in Congress as Congress and acted upon. And they were proceeding upon the rest when Col Whipple came away." There follows a brief analysis of the Confederation as it then stood. [73] Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, vol. I., no. 2.

2" Monday, August 12..... Commodore Hopkins had his hearing, as in the Journal. On this occasion I had a very laborious task against all the prejudices of the gentlemen from the Southern and Middle States, and of many from New England. I thought, however, that Hopkins had done great service, and made an important beginning of naval operations.

It appeared to me that the Commodore was pursued and persecuted by that anti-NewEngland spirit which haunted Congress in many other of their proceedings, as well as in this case and that of General Wooster. I saw nothing in the conduct of Hopkins, which indicated corruption or want of integrity. Experience and skill might have been deficient in several particulars; but where could we find greater experience or skill? I knew of none to be found. The other captains had not so much, and it was afterwards found they had not more success. I therefore entered into a full and candid investigation of the whole subject; considered all the charges and all the evidence, as well as his answers and proofs; and exerted all the talents and eloquence I had, in justifying him where he was justifiable, and excusing him where he was excusable ", etc. John Adams, Autobiography, in Works, III. 65. See vol. I. of these Letters, no. 630, also nos. 81, 83, 84, 89, post.

3 See no. 56, note 2, ante. Cf. no. 222, post.

I cannot give you any acceptable News. Congress are yet bussie at all Intervals of crouding Business, in Setling a Confederation. it seems to labour hard, and I fear a permanent one will never be settled; tho the most material articles are I think got thro', so as to give great offence to some, but to my Satisfaction. the bold and sonorous Chase (and some or all his Colleagues) solemnly protest against the Taxation Article etc. and declare that they consider Maryland as having no further Concern in it, and that his Colony never will nor never shall agree to it. They are all gone home, except Mr Stone, to attend (they say) their Convention which sits this Day. most of the Southern Colonies are as uneasie as they, but dont scold quite so hard.*

What will be the event of Things God only knows. If we were to view only the rage and Strength of our Enemies, our Divisions and the wickedness of the People, We might well despair, but they are wicked also. their cause is certainly most unjust. the Judge of all the Earth will do right. He has done great Things for Us. He will not yet forsake Us I believe, tho most of Us have forsaken him, but I trust many many thousands, have not bowed the Knee to Baal.

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74. THOMAS JEFFERSON TO EDMUND PENDLETON.1

Dear Sir,

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 13. 1776.

The idea of Congress selling our unlocated lands has been sometimes dropped, but we have alwais met the hint with such determined opposition that I believe it will never be proposed.—I am against selling the lands at all.2.

Dear Madam

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75. FRANCIS LEWIS TO [MRS. GATES?].1

I perceive by your letter that you are alarmed at my son Morgan's comming down Express to Congress. The principal reason for Morgans comming down was, briefly this, Genl. Gates when appointed to the Command of the Army in Cannada was impowered to appoint such officers as He thought proper 2 in consequence thereof he nominated Morgan Depy. Qr. Masr. Genl. when Genl. Gates got to Albany the Troops under Sulivan had evacuated Cannada therefor Genf Schuyler claimed the Command of that Army whilest in the Colony of

4 See no. 68, note 2, ante.

[74]1 Writings (ed. Ford), II. 78; Works (Memorial ed.), IV. 275. The letter is unquestionably to Edmund Pendleton, for Jefferson is replying to a letter from Pendleton, dated Aug. 3, in the Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers.

2 Jefferson proceeds to give his reasons. See an extract from a letter of Pendleton to Madison, Sept. 25, 1780, quoted in a foot-note in the Journals, VI. 505 (July 1, 1776). Cf. no. 86, post, and see the Journals, Sept. 16, Oct. 30, Nov. 12. 13.

The printed texts of this letter have, in the first line above," selling out "; but Pendleton was speaking of Virginia's unlocated lands, therefore "out" is doubtless an erroneous reading of our.

[75] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, VI.; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 945.

2 See the Journals, June 17. Cf. no. 54, ante.

Nw. York as Senior Officer, and of course Genl. Gates's appointments for Cannada were Nul this brot. Morgan down to sollissit redress from the Congress as he had been put to a considerable expence in equiping himself for the appointment. General Sulivan was also disgusted at Gl. Gates's being appointed to that Command the [n] he requested to resigne however that he has withdrawn."

4

PHILA. 13 Augt. 76.

Sir:

76. THE SECRET COMMITTEE TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

PHILADA August 14, 1776

You have annexed an extract of a letter, we have just recd from Messr. Clarke and Nightingale Merchts in Providence Rhode Island, this letter was laid before Congress who ordered this Committee to inform your Excellency of the powder therein mentioned and to desire you would take possession of it granting a Receipt for the same to those who have it in Keeping in order that we may Account hereafter for the Value of such part as may be adjudged to the privateer that retook it.2

By order and on behalf of the Secret Committee I have the honour to be

Your Excellencys most obedt Servant,

ROBT. MORRIS, Chairman

His Excelly Genl. Washington

77. JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS.1

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PHILADELPHIA, 14 August, 1776.

I am put upon a committee, to prepare a device for a golden medal, to commemorate the surrender of Boston to the American arms,2 and upon another, to prepare devices for a great seal, for the confederated States. There is a gentleman here of French extraction, whose name is Du Simitiere, a painter by profession, whose designs are very ingenious, and his drawings well executed. He has been applied to for his advice. I waited on him yesterday, and saw his sketches. For the

3 See the Journals, July 8, and no. 6, ante.

4 Cf. Gates to the President of Congress, July 16, and to Washington, same date, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 375, 376. Lewis received the appointment from Congress Sept. 12. Cf. the general orders, Aug. 25, ibid., I. 1270.

5 See nos. 40, 44, 47, 51, ante.

[76]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XI. 136; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 943.

2 The extract of Clarke and Nightingale's letter is in Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 943. It relates to the cargo of the sloop Nancy, retaken by the privateer Schuyler. No mention of the letter is found in the Journals.

[77]1 Familiar Letters, p. 210; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 943.

2 See the Journals, Mar. 25, Nov. 29; also vol. I. of these Letters, nos. 576, 586. * See the Journals, July 4, Aug. 20 (pp. 689-691); also Jan. 23, 1777, Mar. 25, May 11, 17, Oct. 27 (p. 985 n.), 1780, June 20, 1782. Cf. no. 12, ante. A History of the Seal of the United States, by Gaillard Hunt, was published by the Department of State in 1909.

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