725. THOMAS BURKE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1 Dear Sir: TYAGUIN, November 4th, 1777. I left York town, in Pennsylvania, on the 13th ulto., and arrived at home on the 26th, after our retreat from Philadelphia. . . . . While I was at Reading happened the battle of Chestnut Hill and Germantown, wherein we unfortunately lost General Nash, one of the best, the most respected and regretted officers in the Continental army. The particulars of this battle Mr. Harnett informed me he wrote you before my arrival at York, and I will not trouble you with a repetition. Upon the whole, it appears our miscarriage sprung from the usual source-want of abilities in our superior officers and want of order and discipline in our army. This, sir, is an evil of most dangerous tendency, and to remedy it has been long the object of my thoughts and endeavors. Indeed, I saw very little propect of success until very lately. But just before I left Congress I had the pleasure to find that every gentleman was equally sensible of the necessity of applying a proper remedy. The great difficulty will be to get over particular connections and personal regards, but it must be effectually remedied or all our efforts are in vain.2. Very little of consequence has been lately determined in Congress. The Confederation was the subject of daily consideration when I came away. But as I consider the plan now in embryo as what can never be suited to the States, I think nothing decided on it is of consequence. I fear I differ very widely on this subject with a majority in Congress. I deem a time of peace and tranquilty the proper time for agitating so important a concern; but some, and not a few, are of opinion that advantage should be taken of the present circumstances of the States, which are supposed favorable for pressing them to a very close connection. But more, sir, of this when we meet.". Dear Sir: 726. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 I have not time to say any thing of Politics or News, if We had any. Congress seem'd surprized that you shod be at a Loss about delivering over Stores, as it is most explicitly mentioned in the new, (Confounding) Comissa. Plan, that all stores shall be delivered over to the Comis: of Issues his Deputy, or Assistants etc. and there seems no doubt by any thing you or any Body writes, but that there is such officer in the eastern [725] N. C. State Recs., XX. 973; XI. 668. 2 See Burke's letter to General Sullivan, Oct. 12 (no. 686, ante). 3 See Burke's Notes on the Confederation under Nov. 15 (nos. 739, 740, post). Cf. nos. 488, 503, ante, nos. 733, 747, post. [726]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. Department. A Gent. whisper'd me in Congress (not knowing I suppose of my Connections) that He wish'd some body wod write Mr. Trumbull, that it was the opinion of all unprejudiced Persons, that He was so angry and chaafed, at being out of the office tho voluntary, that He was contriving by every way and mean in his power to thwart and hinder the Success and progress of the Business and disconcert their Affairs etc. it will make you mad, as it did me while I utterly disbelieve it, and think you incapable of such baseness. Congress some time since made some alteration in the plan, to ease Colt's objections etc. which will be sent by the Presidt. They have also impowered the Gov and Council to appoint a D. Comy: Gen of Issues, lest there shod not be any to receive etc.*. 2 The proceedings in Congress to which Williams alludes were probably those of Nov. 3 on Governor Trumbull's letter of Oct. 20. See also the regulations of the commissary department, in the Journals, June 10. Cf. no. 664, ante, and nos. 748, 757, 759, post. 3 See nos. 773, 776, post. See the Journals, Oct. 4, Nov. 3. Cf. nos. 727, 773, post. The following letter from Jeremiah Wadsworth to William Williams (Conn. Hist. Soc., Jeremiah Wadsworth Papers) elucidates the matter adverted to by Williams: Hartford Nov 26th 1777 "I am informed that some members of Congress and many other Persons are made to believe that the Late Commissy. General has not been ready to deliver over the Stores in his Possession to the Persons who have been authorised to receive them and that the Publick service has been injured by his delay. I have from his first being in Office been acting for him and as Many of the Stores were in my hands at the time he left the Army I waited on him at Danbury on his way home when he was dismissed and recd his Orders to deliver over all the Stores in my hands to the Issuing Commsy. Generals Order agreeable to the Resolves of Congress and after waiting an unreasonable time for some Person to apply for them I was informed the Army woud be distressed if I did not forward the Salted Provisions and I sent forward a quantity after which Sam Grey Esq'r. DCG of Issues came to me at this place and Asked my Advise and Assistance finding himself much embarrassed for want of Particular instructions and not knowing the extent of his district. I advised him to Appoint some Person to receive the Stores from me and to Issue Provisions here. He replied he was at a loss for a Proper Person and desired me to let one of my People undertake it. I agreed that Mr Hall then in my business and very necessary to me-should undertake it. Mr. Gray gave him a Warrant-and orders to rec[e]ive the Salted Provisions and flower only-which I immediately delivered and supplied teams to transport-and before any orders came to him to receive the other stores Rum was call'd for of which I sent a moderate supply-and then informed Mr Gray that no more wou'd be sent unless it was first delivered over according to the resolutions of Congress-this produced his Order to Mr Hall to receive all the Stores in my possession which I imediately began to deliver and have now very near compleated the delivery of the whole-if after this there is the least doubt in the Minds of any Members of Congress or other Person who has a right to be satisfied I can produce the fullest proof that from the time Col Trumbull resigned to this hour the Stores have been ready to be delivered and that constant Attention has been given, where the Stores were lodged for that_purpose. I cou'd add and verify that had Col Trumbulls Assistants done only their Duty and waited for Application, the Stores would yet have been in the Magazines where they were deposited. Peter Colt Esqr DCG of Purchases will at any time do us the justice to say this and the Variety of difficulties he has to encounter will make him more acquainted with the disposition of Col Trumbull and his late Assistants-without whose Assistance he will not be able to proceed in his business-Tho he really is as well qualified for the Office he holds as any Man [in] this State-but the business has been so long delayed, that untill he has the Power to create he cannot make ample if tollerable supplies." Dear Sir 727. ELIPHALET DYER TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 Your favour of the 20th Ultmo. came safe to hand by an Express sent by Govr Trumbull. . . . . We never had full and Official Accounts of the Interesting Event at the Northward till the arrival of Coll Wilkison on fryday last we had almost began to despair, but at length our joy was full on recieving a Confirmation of the whole. I hope the most sincere Gratitude may arise to Heaven from every Quarter on this most Signal Interposition of Providence in our favour. I find our Assembly are Alarmd at the Neglect in the Commisy. Department. the plan you know I reprobate as do more than half of Congress and many more now see their Error they have mended and mended in several Instances, but it cannot wholly relieve. as I before wrote you such alterations were made, as were the principal Objections pointed out by Mr Colt to Congress, of which they advised him long agoe and supposed he was in full action and exertion in the business. but now fear the Express has fallen into the hands of the Enemy. Congress Cannot concieve how you and Mr Gray should be of Opinion that you had no Authority to Deliver or he or his Assistants to recieve the provisions and stores in your hands when it is expressly provided in the 6th Article for you or your Deputies to Deliver over to the Commissy. Genll. or his Deputies or Assists. all and every kind of Provision etc. in the Commissy. department etc. Gray is much blamed for not recieving them as he has authority Independt. of the Commisy. Genll and has a right to Appoint what Subs or Assistants he pleases, but that there be no further delay Govr Trumbull and his Council of Safety are Impowerd to appoint Commissys. of purchases or Issues as they find Necessary it will be a Jumble when all is done but we must make the best of it we are about appointing a board of C over the Commissy. and Quartr Master Department to super Intend and regulate from time etc. you are in Nomination for one of the three I suppose they will have good Salaries perhaps 2000 dolls pr annum. my regards to Coll Wyllys tell him I will let him hear from me the moment Congress arrive at my favorite Wyoming but at present we think we are tolerably safe while we are beyond that Capital River respects to all friends affectionate regards to family and dear Amelia and am as usual Yours 5 ELIPHT DYER [P. S.] Congress calls cannot review my letter you must take it as it comes, have heard nothing fm Coll Thos. for some time. ED [727]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 31; cf. no. 719, ante, and no. 728, post. 3 The plan of the commissary department was adopted June 10. See also the Journals, June 11, 16, 18. For criticisms and amendments, see ibid., July 11, Aug. 4-6, Oct. 4, Nov. 3. * Samuel Gray, appointed a deputy commissary of issues for the Eastern department Aug. 6, 1777. See also Wadsworth to Williams, Nov. 26 (no. 726, note 4, ante), and no. 773, post. 5 See the Journals, Oct. 4, Nov. 3, and cf. no. 726, ante. See the Journals, Oct. 22, Nov. 24, 27. The "board of C" doubtless means board of Commissioners. Sir 728. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO YORK TOWN PENNSYLVANIA 5th Novem: 1777 On the Ist. Inst: Colonel Wilkinson delivered your several dispatches to Congress and at their request briefly added a recital of circumstances attending the Convention of Saratoga. he has since laid before the House all the Papers relative to that Contract and the returns of both Armies. these have afforded satisfaction not only to the Representative body, but universally to the good people here. the glorious Intelligence is now extending from City to City diffusing Joy in the heart of every Loyal American to the remotest State in the Union. . . . . I am with the Most perfect Esteem and Regard Sir HENRY LAURENS, Major General Gates [728] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XI.; Library of Congress, President's LetterBook, I. 4. 2 According to the Journals Wilkinson delivered Gates's letter and a copy of the convention of Saratoga Friday, Oct. 31, instead of Nov. 1, and on Monday, Nov. 3, he laid the articles of convention and other papers before Congress. Cf. nos. 719, 727, ante. John Penn and Cornelius Harnett wrote to Governor Caswell Nov. 2: Yesterday Col. Wilkinson arrived here" (N. C. State Recs., XI. 667), but there is probably an error either in the date of the letter or in the "yesterday Thomas McKean wrote to John Adams, Nov. 20, 1815: 'With respect to General Wilkinson I recollect an Anecdote: he was in 1777 an Aid to General Gates, and by him sent to Congress at York-town in Pennsylvania with the dispatches, giving an account of the surrender of Sir John Burgoyne and the British army to the Americans at Saratoga; on the way he spent a day at Reading, about fifty miles from Yorktown, with a young lady from Philadelphia, whom he afterwards married. When the dispatches were read in Congress, propositions were made for paying a proper compliment to the Favorite of General Gates, who brought us such pleasing news. Governor Samuel Adams, with a grave and solemn face, moved Congress, that the young Gentleman should be presented with a pair of spurs' (Hist. Soc. of Pa., McKean Papers, IV. 48.) To this Adams replied, Nov. 26: "I remember a jocular suggestion thrown out in a private Conversation in which Mr Samuel Adams and Mr Hancock were present on the morning after Wilkinson's Arrival, and before Congress met: that it would be proper to present the Courier with a horsewhip and a pair of Spurrs: but I never before heard that a Motion was actually made in Congress, in jest or in earnest to that purpose. I must have been absent at that moment upon some Committee." Ibid., IV. 49. For Wilkinson's promotion see the Journals, Nov. 6. In his letter of Oct. 18, delivered to Congress by Wilkinson, Gates warmly recommended Wilkinson for promotion: "I desire to be permitted to recommend this gallant officer in the warmest manner to Congress, and intreat that he may be continued in his present place with the Brivet of a Brigadier General. The Honble Congress will believe me when I assure them that from the beginning of this war, I have not met with a more promising Military Genius than Colonel Wilkinson, and whose services have been of the greatest benefit to the Army." Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 687. For Wilkinson's own account of his journey with the despatches and his audience with Congress, see his Memoirs, I. 323 et seq. This mode of official designation was adopted by Laurens immediately upon his election to the presidency. See, for instance, the circular letter of Nov. 1, in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 735. He did not, however, persevere therein. Sir 729. ELIPHALET DYER TO HORATIO GATES.1 I most sincerely Congratulate you on the glorious Success with which the Almighty has Crowned your most faithfull Indeavours in the cause of your Country, against a late triumphant Enemy; and that He hath made you the happy Instrument in bringing down the lofty pride and haughty Insolence of a vain glorious Burgoyne, who had spread terror and Consternation through our Northern Country, Untill Providence over ruled, (against a Violent Opposition) to replace you in the chief Command over our Northern Department.. Have no doubt but all the true and virtuous Friends of their Country are Impressed with a grateful sense of the goodness and favour of Almighty God, for this singular and most Interesting Event, at the same time your friends sincerely rejoice that you have more than Answered their sanguine expectations, yet you will not be surprised if it should raise the Envie of your Enemies and those who had with Violence opposed your Command in that Quarter, but the success which has attended your Conduct, and followed your plans of Operation, now forces some Acknowledgement even from those, of the Prudence of the measure in restoring you to your proper Command. I have the pleasure to Inform you that Congress are not only happy in the Event, but entirely satisfied in your Closing the Convention, at the time, and in the manner you did, and dare say the Impartial world will not only Justifye but Applaud you therein.2 Dear Sir 730. JAMES LOVELL TO HORATIO GATES.1 Novr. 5th from YORK TOWN [1777.] I wish good old Putt may not think hard of the proposals of congress sent you at this Time. He is really wanted in the neighbourhood of Philada.2. If you are not sincerely regarded here in general, yet there is at least a modesty as to any appearance of the old Opposition. You would have been pleased at an Incog Survey of Faces for Weeks back. Tho we were 12 Days without a Confirmation of Intelligence given by the Committee of Albany, yet I did not find any disposition to bite as was usual formerly at yr. Reputation. Sir, 731. WILLIAM DUER TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK (GEORGE CLINTON).1 Notwithstanding I have had for some time Leave of Absence to return to New York, I have forbore availing myself of it, till such time as I was [729] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XI. 2 Cf. nos. 719, 727, 728, ante, and no. 730, post. [730] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XI. 2 The orders to General Putnam are in the Journals, Nov. 5. 3 Cf. nos. 699, 700, 703, 704, 708, 711, 713, 714, 719, 727, 728, 729, ante. [731]1 Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll.; Pa. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., XXIX. 192. |