of confusion and considered and reconsidered 4 times, and what was then determined I believe by a reconsideration is now undoing I came out of the House to forward barely two lines to you and I find I have scribled above twenty-the effect of being at leisure in mind (though hurried by the party who is to be bearer). my baggage is a head, my Horse is ready, before the enemy can cross Schuylkill, which I hope he will never do in any character but prisoner, I may be 15 or 20 miles on Bristol Road and Strike off into the interior country. Wherever I am I shall endeavor to let you hear from me and will always be wishing the happiness of you and yours. this moment I got here, a friend comes in to dine with me tispast three, and in a burst of Laugh tells me we are to meet at 6 oClock this evening and to morrow to enter upon the weighty business of the Confederation. fright sometimes works Lunacy. this does not imply that Congress is frighted or Lunatic but there may be some men between this and Schuylkill who may be much one and a little of the other. Dinner and the messenger for this waits.

650. JOHN ADAMS, DIARY.1

[September 19, 1777.]

2

19. Friday. At three, this morning, was waked by Mr. Lovel, and told that the members of Congress were gone, some of them, a little after midnight; that there was a letter from Mr. Hamilton, aid-de-camp to the General, informing that the enemy were in possession of the ford and the boats, and had it in their power to be in Philadelphia before morning, and that, if Congress was not removed, they had not a moment to lose. Mr. Marchant and myself arose, sent for our horses, and, after collecting our things, rode off after the others. Breakfasted at Bristol, where were many members determined to go the Newtown road to Reading. We rode to Trenton, where we dined. Colonel Harrison, Dr. Witherspoon, all the delegates from New York and New England, except Gerry and Lovel. Drank tea at Mr. Spencer's; lodged at Mr. S. Tucker's, at his kind invitation.R

651. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA.1 BURLINGTON Sepr. 20th. 1777

Dr Sir The Question for adjournment from Philadelphia was dayly agitated in Congress, but always overruled. On the Night before last it received a compleat decision. Intelligence was received from the General

The allusion is probably to the question of the removal of the sick and wounded and the hospital stores from Trenton. See the Journals, Sept. 16, 17, 18. Cf. Carroll to Washington, Sept. 22, post.

See no. 631, ante, and no. 659, post.

[650]1 Works, II. 438.

2 See the Journals, Sept. 18, and no. 649, note 2, ante. Cf. no. 661, post.
See Adam's Diary, Sept. 20-25, in Works, II. 438-440.

[651]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Myers Coll., Burke; N. C. State Recs., XI. 631.

Officer Commanding on Schuylkill that the Enemy were then attempting to cross and that they could not be prevented, and a[d]vising the Congress immediately to remove from the City. the movement was made not by a Vote but by universal Consent, for every Member Consulted his own particular Safety. I was wakened by a Servant about two o'clock, and tho' I lost no time in preparing to depart, yet I did not chuse to retreat with precipitation. I was not indeed fully persuaded of the Necessity of the Measure, and not very Apprehensive for my personal Safety. about Sunrise I crossed the Deleware and made my retreat hither where I shall wait the Issue of a Battle. It is now well known that the Alarm was groundless. no Enemy has yet passed, nor does it appear that they will be able to pass.* I have the Honor to be

Governor Caswell

Sir your very obet Servt

THOS BURKE

652. CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 POTT'S GROVES 22d. Septr. 1777.2

Dear Sir,

I would just suggest the propriety of sending Some active persons to Bristol and Trenton to impress Wagons to remove what continental stores are at those places and may be carried thither from Pha. in consequence of your orders to Colo. Hamilton. This measure is the more necessary as the order of Congress for removing these Stores is suspended till their meeting at Lancaster wh may not be for some days. Mr. Smith one of our Delegates being returned home I must proceed to Congress to keep up a representation from our State. I desire my compliments to the gentlemen in your family and wish your Excellency health and success against our common enemy. I am with great esteem

2 Cf. nos. 649, note 2, 650, ante.

Yr. most obdt. hume Servt.

CH. CARROLL OF CARROLLTON.

3 Cf. John Adams's Diary, Sept. 21, Works, II. 439; also no. 653, post. [652] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XVIII. 160; Rowland, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, I. 217.

2 On this day a number of the delegates arrived at Bethlehem, in their progress toward Lancaster. See the Diary of John Adams, Sept. 22-25, Works, II. 439-440. The following document, in the writing of Richard Henry Lee, with the signatures of himself and fifteen other delegates, is preserved among the archives of the Moravian Congregation at Bethlehem. It is printed in Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 324.

"Bethlehem September the 22d. 1777.

"Having here observed a humane and diligent attention to the sick and wounded, and a benevolent desire to make the necessary provision for the relief of the distressed, as far as the powers of the Bretheren enable them. We desire that all Continental Officers may refrain from disturbing the persons or property of the Moravians in Bethlehem, and particularly that they do not disturb or molest the Houses where the women are assembled. Given under our hands at the time and place above mentioned."

See the Journals, Sept. 16, 17, 18. Cf. no. 649, note 3, ante. Carroll was in attendance at Lancaster Sept. 27. See his letter to Washington, Rowland, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, I. 217.

My dear Sir

653. JAMES LOVELL TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1
PHILADA. 23d Sepr. [1777.]

You will have heard before this reaches you that Congress left this City at 3 0Clock in the Morning of the 19th in Consequence of Advice by Express from Coll. A. Hamilton Gen. Washington's Aid de Camp whose Horse was shot as he was passing the Schuylkill and one also of his Oarsmen was killed. I know not which Way Coll. Dyer and Co. steered after they crossed into the Jersies. I was averse to going at first and after breakfasting at Bristol, Curiosity and some Interest brought me back here to dine the same day. It is said that 4,000 of the Enemy have now actually crossed at the Sweeds Ford. I shall know the Truth before the Post goes off Tomorrow...

Sir

654. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

2

LANCASTER, Sepr. 24th. 1777

In Consequence of your Letter of the 22d directed to the President or any Member of Congress, I have conferred with William Henry Esqr. of this Place upon the most expeditious Method of collecting the arms and accoutrements in the Hands of the Inhabitants here, and he is of Opinion that it may be accomplished by your Warrant to him grounded on the late Resolution of Congress for that and other Purposes. As there is not a prospect of having a Congress or Board of War for several

[653] Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers.

2 See nos. 649, note 2, 650-652, ante, nos. 656-659, 661, post. Lovell paid dearly for his curiosity, or his rashness. He relates in this letter to Trumbull: "I was robbed of my Pocket Book in the twinkling of an Eye last fryday Evens, at the Coffea-House, containing 260 Dollrs with 15 or more Lottery Tickets belonging to Col. Whipple, and some Papers of my own.' Sept. 24, Lovell wrote to Elbridge Gerry from Philadelphia (besides relating the loss of his pocket-book): By all I can find you will be so sick of Lancaster as to determine upon York speedily..... Mr. S. A. was little inclined to go to Lancaster; but I do not think he will quit before the Confedn. is gone through." This letter was among the Gerry papers at one time in the possession of W. R. Benjamin of New York.

66

[654] Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 49, vol. II., p. 319; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 435.

2 Such a letter of this date from Washington has not been found, neither is there mention of it in the Journals. A letter of Sept. 23, containing a passage relative to the collection of shoes and blankets in Lancaster, was read in Congress at their meeting in Lancaster, Sept. 27 (see nos. 657, 660, post). This letter was addressed to "Honble Jno. Hancock Esq.; or any Member of Congress, Lancaster ", and the opening sentence says: "I have not had the honor of addressing you since your adjournment to Lancaster"; nevertheless, Gerry's letter of Sept. 25 (no. 655, post), as also Washington's letters to Gerry, Sept. 26 and 27 (see below, and no. 655, post), are evidence that the letter of Sept. 22 is not identical with that of Sept. 23. Replying to Gerry, Sept. 26, Washington says: "When I wrote Congress, I was informed, that there were several arms in Lancaster belonging to the public. These with their accoutrements, I wished to be collected and put into the Hands of the Militia coming from Virginia. But I did not mean that any the property of Individuals, should be taken, because I did not conceive myself authorised, nor do I at this time to order such a measure. . . . . The Army is much distressed for blankets and shoes, and I wish the most vigorous exertions could be pursued to make a collection, the speediest possible, in the neighborhood where you are." (Library of Congress, Washington Papers.)

Days to give him authority, and the Articles are immediately wanted, he has consented to proceed on the Business without Delay, in Expectation that on the Receipt of this you will give him full Powers to justify his Conduct and date them the 22d, that the Time of his Transaction may comport with his Commission. With wishes of Success to your Excellency and the Cause in which you are engaged I remain Sir very respectfully your most hum. Serv.

Sir

3

E. GERRY.

655. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

1

LANCASTER Sepr 25th 1777 3 0Clock P M

I wrote You a Line Yesterday, desiring You to impower Mr. Henry of this place to collect the Fire Arms wanted for the Virginia Troops on their March to the Camp, since wch. Your Letter of the 23d is received, desiring that a Number of Blankets and Shoes may be also collected."

Colo R H Lee is present, and has just directed a Letter to the Command Officer of the Militia at Frederick Town in Maryland ordering on all the Militia that are arrived and 500 of those that are unarmed to be supplyed in this Place.

Dr Sir

656. CORNELIUS HARNETT TO WILLIAM WILKINSON.1

LANCASTER 25 Sepr. 1777

Congress have been Obliged to leave Philadelphia and it is supposed Genl. Howe is now in possession of it, altho' every effort in Genl. Washingtons Power has been made use of to prevent it. . . . . The Congress are not yet met here several of the Members not being arrived, as soon as they do meet, and an oppertunity offers I shall write you again more fully.2.

3 The resolution referred to is probably that of Sept. 17 (p. 752). Cf. the resolutions of Sept. 14, 16, embodying recommendations to the Pennsylvania council, the council's letters to Congress, Sept. 15, 17, in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 626, 630, and Hancock's letter to the council, Sept. 16, ibid., V. 627. The original of Hancock's letter is in Haverford College, Roberts Coll., 722. William Henry was one of the justices of Lancaster County. See Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 634, 635. The authority conferred on Washington, Sept. 17, to impress articles needed for the army (see also the resolves of Oct. 8), was extended Nov. 14, and still further amplified Dec. 10. See the Journals, Sept. 27, Oct. 13 (orders to the board of war), and Oct. 16; also Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 675, 681, 683, 686, 691, 738, 751.

[65511 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XVIII. 163.

2 See no. 654, note 2, ante. Cf. Washington to Hamilton, Sept. 22, Writings (ed. Ford), VI. 78. Washington replied to Gerry Sept. 27: "I am favd. with yours of the 25th. I yesterday wrote you that I did not think myself authorised to seize upon any Arms the property of private persons but if they can be collected and the owners satisfied for them it would be of very essential Service as great Numbers of Militia would join the Army could they be furnished with Arms.” (Library of Congress, Washington Papers.)

[656] Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll., Members of the Old Congress, II. 67.

2 Cf. nos. 658, 659, post. Samuel Chase wrote to Governor Johnson Sept. 25: "I expect we shall make up a Congress before Sunday and then I expect a regular Conveyance will be established weekly to Baltimore." (Hist. Soc. of Pa., Etting Coll.)