"In short 4th. our Army is under no regulations nor discipline" etc etc etc. You know I abhor telltales but sounds hurt me exceedingly. I know the effects of loose Tongues, I know the cruelty of tongues speaking the feelings of designing hearts, nevertheless I am afraid there may be some ground for some of these remarks. a good Heart may be too diffident, too apprehensive of doing right rightious proper Acts, lest such should be interpreted arbitrary-but good God, shall we [save?] five Hundred and destroy five Millions. . . (JOHN RUTLEDGE).1 YORK 16th. October 1777. I In Obedience to the Order of Congress and in absence of other Members of the Committee of Commerce, I take the Liberty of inclosing a Resolution of Yesterday which is thought to be of importance. request Your Excellency will order the publication to be made in the Gazettes at Charles Town to be continued at least Six Months and Copies to be sent to France and the French West Indies and as many as possible to be distributed among the Seamen belonging to England which may be done by means of our Friends in France.2 Dear Sir, 691. HENRY LAURENS TO JOHN LEWIS GERVAIS.1 YORK 16. October 1777. . . Our President gave notice yesterday of his purpose to quit the Chair and Congress next Week I moved the House to intreat and solicit his continuance, to my surprise I was seconded and no more2 The manuscript is torn here. [690]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776–1778, p. 188. 2 The resolution referred to is that of Oct. 14 relative to making prize of British vessels. The order to publish was passed Oct. 15. See no. 789, post. It is convenient to note here that the resolutions of Oct. 6 relative to prisoners from British merchant vessels, and also that relative to the destruction of magazines of provisions, etc., were in like manner ordered to be published, although the Journais make no record of the order. Appended to a copy of these resolutions in the Maryland Historical Society (Red Book, VI. 39) is the following statement by Charles Thomson: "All printers are desired to insert and continue the foregoing resolutions in their public newspapers at least six months. C. T." Thomson's note is also appended to a copy of the resolutions found in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 647. [691] S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, p. 187; Moore, Materials for History, p. 55. 2 The Journals contain no mention of the notice given by Hancock, or of the motion of Laurens, recording only the appointment of a committee to report upon the President's allowance for extraordinary expenses. See, further, the Journals, Oct. 29, 31. Cf. nos. 693-695, 709, 710, 715, 716, post. Several other Members are about leaving us. I regret the apparent defection. our House will be reduced in a few days to barely twenty or twenty one Members. 692. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO HALL AND SELLERS.1 Messrs Hall and Sellers 2 Gentlemen Oct 17th 1777. Congress having authorized their Committee of intelligence to get a Press fixed in this Town, I am, as Chairman of that Committee, to propose to you that your Press be immediately brought here and sett up that the expence of bringing the Press shall be defrayed by Congress, that you shall be employ'd in publishing for Congress, and paid a liberal price for so doing. The Committee hope this will be a sufficient inducement, when you consider that a Newspaper published by you here, containing Congress intelligence, will be of extensive sale and very profitable, at all events, you will be pleased to give me an immediate answer, and deliver your Letter to General Mifflin, or the Quarter Master who may be in Reading in order that an express may bring it without delay to this place. I am Gentlemen Your Most Obedient Servant, Sir, RICHARD HENRY LEE. 693. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO YORK TOWN October 17th 1777.2 It is now above Two years since I have had the Honour of Presiding in Congress, and I should Esteem myself happy to have it in my Power to render further Service to my Country in that Department; but the decline of Health occasion'd by so long and unremitting an Application [692]1 Univ. Va. Lib., Lee Papers (copy, L. S.); Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh), I. 333. 2 A firm of printers in Philadelphia. David Hall, the senior member, had been associated in the printing business with Franklin, and when that partnership was dissolved, in 1766, he formed a partnership with William Sellers. In the sketch of Hall in Appleton, Cyclo. Am. Biog., the latter name appears as Sellen", and the same error recurs in Letters of Richard Henry Lee (ed. Ballagh). 3 See the Journals, Oct. 17. Lee wrote to George Wythe, Oct. 19: "The want of a Press here obliges us to furnish manuscript accounts of military events, and this is attended with great difficulty amidst pressure of much business." (Letters, I. 334.) More than a month later (Nov. 19) Cornelius Harnett wrote to William Wilkinson: "We have neither Post, or Press here." (N. C. State Recs. XI. 807.) See no. 772, post. [693] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XIX. 11; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 8. 2 Another letter of Hancock, bearing the same date (Library of Congress, Washington Papers), contains the following postscript: "I have this moment Rec'd your favr. of 16th which I shall lay before Congress on Monday." This letter of Washington enclosed to Congress the famous letter of the Rev. Jacob Duché. Washington's letter must have arrived Saturday evening, after the adjournment of Congress, or on Sunday. The letter was read in Congress Monday, Oct. 20 (see nos. 698, 699, 708, 718, post). to the Duties of my Office, both in Congress and out of Congress, join'd to the Scituation of my own private Affairs, have at length taught me to think of Retiring for two or three Months, and I have determined to take my Leave the ensuing week, and set out immediately for Boston after this Express returns.3 694. JOHN HARVIE TO THOMAS Jefferson.1 Thos. Jefferson Esqr Dear Sir YORK Septr [October] 17th. 1777 This morning the Inclosed Interesting Intelligence was received by Congress from General Gates. . . . . Our Worthy president withdraws from Congress in abt. 10 days. will you be Surprized if F. L. Lee Esqr. Succeeds him that he will is the Genl. Opinion at present I wish in a publick Assembly no Gent. was found [fond] of high Offices. . 695. JOHN HANCOCK TO MRS. HANCOCK.1 My Dear Dolly: YORK TOWN, October 18, 1777. I am now to inform you that I have come to a fixed Determination to Return to Boston for a short time and I have notified Congress in form of my Intentions. . My present Intention is to leave Congress in eight days, but more particulars in my next.. 696. HENRY LAURENS TO JOHN LEWIS GERVAIS.1 YORK 18th. October 1777. Dear Sir, I will say nothing about public faith and public Credit in observation upon the intended Lottery, save this-Congress finding the Tickets 3 Cf. no. 691, ante, and nos. 694, 695, 709, 710, 715, 716, 724, post. Hancock took his leave Oct. 29, and his speech on the occasion is in the Journals, Oct. 31. The remainder of this letter is an expression concerning his conduct of the chair, and a request for an escort of horse. On the same day he wrote to the Massachusetts assembly: "I hope in a few days after this Reaches you to pay my respects to you in person; having notified Congress in form of my Intentions of Setting out for Boston in the course of next week." (Mass. Arch., CXCVIII. 230; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., f. 295.) [694] Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, second ser., XL. 84. 2 This presumably refers to Gates's letter of October 12, read in Congress Oct. 18. John Penn wrote to Governor Caswell Oct. 16: "We are this minute informed of a victory obtained by Genl Gates over Genl Burgoyne." N. C. State Recs., XI. 654. In the letter of Penn and Harnett, Oct. 20 (no. 699), it is said: "The account we had from Col Trumble several days ago differed a little from Genl Gates' letter." A letter from Jonathan Trumbull, jr., dated Oct. 10, read in Congress Oct. 16, has not been found; but in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 657, is an account of the action (Oct. 7), stated to have been written by Jonathan Trumbull, jr., to a member of Congress. It is dated Oct. 9, with a postscript of Oct. 10. 3 See no. 693, note 3, ante, and no. 695, post. [695]1 Sears, John Hancock, p. 223; New Eng. Hist. and Geneal. Reg., XII. 106. 2 See nos. 691, 693, 694, ante, nos. 709, 710, 715, 716, post. [696]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book 1776-1778, p. 177. had not sold equal to their expectations had given orders some time before the evacuation of Philadelphia for drawing, but that circumstance is and must for a time continue to be a further obstruction.2. . . 697 HENRY LAURENS TO THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA (JOHN RUTLEDGE).1 Dear Sir YORK 19th. October 1777 the Board of War have entered into Resolves by which 'tis intended to take General Howe out of the Brigadiers List and to call him to Genl. Washington's head Quarters. this arrangement will probably afford Satisfaction to the General and at the same time remove from our State a bone of contention. every body here as far as I have been able to learn are surprised his Command in South Carolina has given offence to any one. In the Same paper your Excellency will see that Mr. Massey is recommended for Dep: Muster Master General for So Carolina and Georgia. The Resolves are to be reported to Congress to morrow and I have no doubt of their being confirmed without debate.2. Dear General 698. HENRY LAURENS TO ROBERT HOWE.1 YORK 20th. October 1777. Your favour of the 28th. August reached me the very Evening of the people's flight from Philadelphia 2-I fled not, having foreseen from amazing remissness where there ought to have been the utmost attention and vigilance I had sent forward my Baggage followed it that Evening and next Morning after many thousands had passed by me I made my breakfast filled my Pipe and Soberly entered my Carriage drove gently on to Bristol took in the wounded Marquis delafayette and proceeded to Bethleham, thence to Reading and Lancaster. here Congress were soon convened but hearts were still fluttering in some bosoms and a motion made for adjourning to this Town. we have been here about twenty days within this time frequent opportunities have offered but I chose to defer paying my respects to you till I could say something to the purpose and fortune has now thrown much in my way. I refer you to the papers which will accompany this. 3 As I have no doubt the report of the Board of War will be this Morning confirmed I will take it for granted, and with great pleasure congratulate with you on your promotion. 2 See the Journals, Aug. 6, Oct. 6. [697]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, pp. 179, 184. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 20; also no. 698, post. [698]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1776-1778, p. 185; ibid., Letters, 17761779, no. 20. 2 Five letters of Howe to Congress, which doubtless came by the same conveyance, were read in Congress, Oct. 1. See also the Journals, Oct. 2. 3 Cf. nos. 649-653, 656-661, ante. I am writing in Congress. this moment came to hand a Letter from Gen. Washington inclosing a very long apologetic expostulatory Censorious, Rascally epistle from the Ir-Revd. Jacob Duche take what follows from memory.*. This Moment is reading the Report of the Board of War if I do not contradict it, depend upon it you are Major General. depend upon it also I am with great esteem and respect, P. S. I saw good Reasons while the Report was in debate for altering my opinion and therefore combated my own Recommendation to call you from So Carolina" your promotion and the Resolution of Congress I sent to you by Mr. Middleton will remove all jealousy of your Command. I hope you will approve of this Stay among us continue to live a Life of temperance and Chastity and acquire greater Glory. the Commanding Officer of So Carolina and Georgia is moving in a Sphere preferable to Major General without a particular Command. Sir: 699. THE NORTH CAROLINA DELEGATES TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1 PENNSYLVANIA YORK Oct. 20th 1777. . . . . We congratulate your Excellency on the great and important success of the army under the command of Genl Gates. The account we had from Col Trumble several days ago differed a little from Genl Gates' letter, that with others from him, and Genl Burgoyne's we enclose for your amusement.2 Yesterday we were informed by a letter from the Chairman of the Committee at Albany directed to a friend of his in New York, that Burgoyne and his whole army had surrendered themselves prisoners of war. It is generally believed here, indeed it is nothing more than what we expected, as that army had very little provision, and were few in number, compared to ours.3 Washington's letter (Oct. 16) transmitting the Duché letter is in Writings (ed. Ford), VI. 114, (ed. Sparks), V. 93. The letter probably reached President Hancock's hands Saturday or Sunday, Oct. 18 or 19. See no. 693, note 2, ante. Duché's letter is in Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), I. 448. Cf. nos. 699, 708, 718, post. See the Journals, Oct. 20. Cf. no. 697, ante. • Probably the resolution of Aug. 5, ordering General McIntosh to headquarters. See nos. 583, 584, ante. [699] N. C. State Recs, XI. 659. 2 See no. 694, note 2, ante. 8 "I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency an account of the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne and his whole army on the 14th Instant, the particulars are not yet come to hand, but this account is so well authenticated, that Gen. Washington on receiving the intelligence ordered 13 Cannon to be fired, and the Bells in this Town rang for hours." Harnett to Caswell, Oct. 20, N. C. State Recs., XI. 657. The letter of the chairman of the committee of Albany to the president of the New York council of safety, Oct. 15, announcing the capitulation, was despatched by Clinton, on the night of the 15th, to General Putnam, by Putnam to Washington, Oct. 16, and by Washington to Congress, Oct. 18. (Writings, ed. Ford, VI. 125.) Although these letters were received by Congress Sunday, Oct. 19 (see also John Adams to his wife, Oct. 24, no. 703, post), they are not mentioned in the Journals until Tuesday, Oct. 21. Clinton's |