I did not think it necessary to move that the Committee should be filie: up on such a petty occasion, and therefore I spread a small Plaister for: large wound myself, by the following "Sir "By accident I find myself called upon singly to execute the duty of the Committee for foreign affairs, in communicating to you an order of Corgress of this day respecting your return to America. "The order stands in need of no comment from the Committee to eluci date it; and, being drawn in terms complimentary to your abilities of serving these United States upon your arrival here, I take pleasure it conveying it, being Sir, your very humb. Servt." I hope, Dear Sir, you will consider this proceeding as giving some sort of definition to the Recall, and in moderate language; as it stood before. he was to be recalled, but the time when was not in any measure marked out. . . . . Dear Sir 769. JAMES LOVELL TO JOHN ADAMS.1 Decr. 8th. [1777.] ... Having opposed several attempts of Jemmy to do away the resolve of Recall, I found a necessity to offer something this day myself, as no limited time had been fixed to Dean's powers. I send a letter for you to seal. I think I have spread as small a Plaister as possible for a great Sore. Mr. Dana is a most thorough and active member; has been put into the Board of War, marine Committee, and afterward put at the head of the Treasury by the sollicitation of the members of that Board at Duanes Departure; upon which Mr. Dana was excused from the Board of War. Mr. Geary is yet at Head Quarters. we hope there was a general Engagemt. last friday. Mr. Read has refused to go a Commissioner to the western Frontiers' He is greatly chagrined at not being put upon the new Board of war, after his name had been mentioned to Genl. Washington.' If you should refuse to go over the water, which I pray you may not, He or Livingston would be chosen." This letter to Silas Deane, dated Dec. 8, is in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 444 [769]1 Adams MSS., Boston. 2 James Duane. The "resolve of Recall was that of Nov. 21, for the recall of Silas Deane from France. * See the Journals, Dec. 8, and no. 768, ante. ♦ Dana was also chosen on the committee of appeals. See the Journals, Nov. 17: Dec. 3. Elbridge Gerry. See the Journals, Nov. 28, and no. 774, post. Joseph Reed. See no. 746, note 7, ante, and the Journals, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, 10, II. 7 See nos. 700, 757, 759, 761, ante. 8 The memorandum of Henry Laurens, Nov. 21 (see no. 753, note 6, ante), includes Reed among the nominees for the French mission, but does not mention Robert R Livingston. Elbridge Gerry stated, however, in a letter to John Adams, Sept. 29, 1779 (Adams's Works, IX. 491; also in vol. IV. of these Letters), that Livingston was nominated by the delegates of New York. Excuse me to Mr. S. Adams. I am obliged to sit steadily in Congress to make up 9 Colonies, and I have a deal of drudgerey to go through from a deficiency of Clerks. Dear Sir 770. JAMES LOVELL TO SAMUEL ADAMS.1 Decr. 8th. [1777.] I send you a Maryland Paper in which by the great indiscretion of somebody in Congress parts of Bingham's letter are printed which ought not to have seen the light.2 Among friends, we have received a most impudent letter from Mauroy. tis impossible to take any notice of it to him without putting him in Jail. We could not confirm Deane's contracts without deranging our Army; but, we could take up Individuals without the same Effect. What is there grossly inconsistent in this? I am rejoyced we did not employ him.3 Dear Sir: 771. CORNELIUS HARNETT TO THOMAS BURKE,1 1 YORK, PENNSILVANIA Dec. 8th 1777. The several resolutions of Congress sent to the Governors of the States will require particular attention. That of taxation, is essential above all. The credit of our Continental Currency depends upon it. The opening the Courts of Law, for the recovery of Debts, surely ought to be attended to. The calling in your paper Currency, especially that issued under the Authority of the British Government (as a distinction is made by the Tories and sordid Whigs already of at least 100 per cent. which in its consequences must ruin our public Credit) ought to command the attention of our Legislature.2. We are daily entertained by Members of Congress, with paragraphs of Letters, giving an account of the surprising exertions of their Constituents. I beg that you will inform me what has been done by our General Assembly in this way. We have often been before them, I hope we shall never be behind them. 772. CORNELIUS HARNETT TO WILLIAM WILKINSON." Dear Sir, YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, Dec. 8th, 1777. Inclosed is a Hand Bill printed by order of Congress relative to the late Convention at Saratoga.2 this only came to Congress three days [770]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers. 2 This is presumably the letter of Bingham read in Congress Oct. 18. See no. 722, ante. Cf., however, Richard Henry Lee to Adams, Nov. 23, in Letters, I. 353. See the Journals, Dec. 8. Cf. no. 632, ante. See also nos. 734, 741, ante. [771]1 N. C. State Recs., XI. 693. 2 Cf. the letter to Wilkinson, Dec. 8 (no. 772, post); also his letter to Burke, Dec. 16, in N. C. State Recs., XI. 695. [772]1 N. C. State Recs., XI. 818. 2 The order to publish the convention was given to the committee of intelligence Oct. 31. Harnett also enclosed one of the handbills in his letter to Burke, Dec. 8 (no. 771, ante). See the Bibliographical Notes, in the Journals, IX. 1089. ago, as we have had no press here until within these few days and no Gazette as yet published. I shall send you the first. . . . . You will be pleased first to observe that Congress knows no more of the intentions of the Army than you do, until some event or other takes place. Congress have very wisely determined to put it in Genl Washington's power to keep his own secrets. . . . I hope the Assembly will open your Courts for the recovery of Debts. That you will immediately begin to lay Taxes as other states have done. that you will call in all the Currency emitted under the authority of the King of G. Britain etc. these are matters of the utmost Consequence, and Strenuously recommended by Congress to the several states. Our very Existence as a free People depends on Vigorous measures immediately to be adopted.* . Your sincere friend and obedt. Servt. CORN. HARNETT. Dear Sir 773. ELIPHALET DYER TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.' YORK TOWN Decembr 8th 1777 recievd yours from Boston of the 20th Ultmo. I hope before this comes to hand you will recieve my last 2 (by Express to Govr Trumbull) which as I depend you will recieve shall not repeat what I so fully wrote you at that time on the Subject of a Board of Warr of which you are unanimously chose one and hope Nothing will prevent your attending at least two or 3 months. you mentione often as in your last the ill Treatment you have recieved you know it was effected only by a small faction, who had art enough by specious pretences of publick Utility to Impose upon others just enough to make a Majority (Rhode-Island not represented) that faction is now no more the greatest Union and Harmony subsists in Congress. I hope before this time Mr Gray has recieved the assignment of his District and appointed such Deputies as may recieve the remaining Stores on hand. beside Govr Trumbull has power to appoint both Issuing and purchasing Commiss3. so far as he thinks Necessary. the Treasury Board have rendred Valid all yr receipts in Consequence of orders from the Genlls. as to what Coll. Williams hinted to you is but of little Consequence, it is not Improbable but some might Imagine that you had some Influence on those whom you had employed to prevent their 3 See no. 692, ante; cf. Harnett to Wilkinson, Nov. 19, 20, in N. C. State Recs, XI. 806, 808. 4 Cf. no. 771, ante. See also nos. 753, note 3, 760, ante. [773]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. 2 Nov. 28, no. 761, ante. 3 See nos. 726, 727, ante. * See the Journals, Nov. 3, no. 761, ante, no. 776, post. accepting, but it is not worth minding. . . . . As I have an appointment for next year conclude to tarry till Spring to prevent my being Obligd to leave home next summer my regards and affection to Family and friends [P. S.] . Sir am Yours ELIPHT DYER 774. COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.' WHITE MARSH Decr. 10th. 1777 In Consequence of the conferences we have had with your Excellency, and knowing yours and your General Officers opinions on the subject of our Mission, we have come to the resolution's contained in the enclosed paper, finding them as far as we can judge most consistant with the Public good. Among the many reasons offered against a Winters Campaigne we were sorry to observe one of the most prevalent was a general discontent in the Army and especially among the Officers. These discontents are ascribed to various causes and we doubt not many of them are well founded and deserve particular attention, and in the course of the present Winter, will be taken into consideration by Congress, and we hope effectually remedied. That a reform may take place in the Army, and proper discipline be introduced, We wish to see the Military placed on such a footing as may make a Commission a desirable object to the Officer, and his Rank preserved from degradation and contempt; for these purposes we intend to recommend to Congress That an half pay establishment be formed and adopted in the Amer- That a pensionary establishment take place in favour of Officers That a new regulation of Rank confining it as far as possible to the That an equitable mode of paying for back ration be ordered. Should these several regulations be approved and established by Congress (and we have reason to suppose they will) We trust the prevailing discontents will subside and a spirit of emulation take place among the Gentlemen of the Army to promote the Public Service and introduce that order and discipline amongst the Troops so essential to the Military character. As a further inducement the Committee have it also in contemplation to propose in Congress that the Officers be permitted to dispose of their The allusion is probably to the rather broad hints in Williams's letter of Nov. 4 (no. 726, ante). See also no. 776, post. 1774]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XCI. 110. Commissions under such regulations as may render the measure eligible' We are Your Excellencys Most Obedt hble Servants ROBT MORRIS, Jos: JONES. Το His Excellency George Washington Esqr General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America 774A. HENRY LAURENS TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.1 Gentlemen In the Character of a Delegate in Congress give me leave to address you. Your President has been confined to his Chamber and in Bed for three days and Nights past during which time he has not had three hours Sleep. the Malady under which he labours has made such a progress as to convince him by reflecting upon former attacks that he will not be able to move out of the House nor to attend his duty in Congress for some Weeks to come. When he accepted the Honour which you were pleased to confer on him it was with a single Eye to your service in the most comprehensive meaning. Now he finds himself incapable of performing his duty he is anxious to Resign that Honour, which he accepted only in obedience to your Vote.2 These, you may depend upon it Gentlemen, are the genuine sentiments of his mind. There already lies upon his Table much business which with pain he thinks of, because it is not in his power to give proper dispatch to it every day unless you are pleased to prevent it, will accumulate the heap public business will be impeded and some branches will run into Confusion. I therefore humbly move you Gentlemen to proceed to the choice of a President as an act of propriety and necessity. be assured I should have continued to serve you with diligence and fidelity if my health had permitted. I trust I shall not only be seconded in this Motion but that there will not be a dissenting voice in Congress. YORK TOWN I am Gentlemen 12 Decem, 1777 Your faithful Coadjutor and humble Servant The Honble Congress 2 This committee was appointed Nov. 28. A letter from it, dated Dec. 6, was read in Congress Dec. 8. Its report to Congress is in the Journals, Dec. 16, and the enclosure here referred to constitutes the last four paragraphs of that report. Cf. ibid.... Dec. 18, 19, 24, 30, 31; also Jan. 5, 1778 and passim (index, Army, Half Pay). See also no. 766, ante, nos. 779, 780, 782-785, 790, post. [774A]1 Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 78, vol. XIV., f. 185. 2 See no. 793, post. |