Sir, 775. WILLIAM ELLERY TO THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND YORK-TOWN STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Congress have determined upon the mode of Inquiry into the causes of the failure of the Rhode-Island Expedition, and have appointed Genl. Whipple, of N Hampshire, Robert Treat Paine, Esq. of Massachusetts-Bay, H. Marchant, Esq., of Rhode-Island, Oliver Elsworth, Esq., of Connecticut, and Egbert Benson, Esq., of New-York Commissioners for that purpose: the Time of their meeting to be the first monday in february, and the place Providence.2 The Question hath been asked side ways, who is to pay the Expense of that Expedition; but it hath not yet been serious asked and I hope it will not. If the Expedition had succeeded we should never have heard about the Expense, and perhaps if the Authors of its failure are brought to Light, their Punishment may appease the Resentment of Congress, and obliterate the Idea of an enormous useless Expense. We have no late news from France or the W. Indies. When anything occurs of Consequence, I shall write to your Excellency, in the mean Time give me leave to subscribe myself, with great Regard, Yr Excellency's 8 most obedt humble Servant, WILLIAM ELLERY Decr. 17th. [P. S.]. . . . Since I wrote the foregoing, Genl. Washington transmitted to Congress a letter from Genl. Heath to him, in which he informed G. W. that Application had been made to him by the Offi[ce]rs concerned in the Rhode Island expedition for their pay, and desired to know whether the Continent or the States who fu[r]nished the Troops were to pay the expence. This brot in the question which I hoped would never have been started, and after a slight agitation, in which I perceived it was the Sense of Congress that the Continent ought to bear the Expence, it was referred to a Committee to examine the Journals in this Regard, and to report to Congress. . . . . Sir 1 776. ELIPHALET DYER TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 in which I find you are still I received yours by Brown of the Complaining that you cannot get rid of the publick stores on hand in any [775]1 R. I. Arch., Letters to the Governors, 1777-1778, p. 108; Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 158. 2 See no. 764, note 3, ante; also Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., pp. 155-166 (passim), 174, 193, 195. See the postscript to this letter, and the Journals, Dec. 15. The committee of Nov. 28 was to inquire into the causes of the failure of the Rhode Island expedition, that of Dec. 15 into its rise. See, further, Ellery to Cooke, Jan. 4, in the next volume of these Letters. [776]1 Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Collection, no. 52. Regular way Congress have done every thing in their power to relieve you, the fault has lain entirely with Coll Stewart in not taking care of his Department they have repeatedly wrote him or directed Mr. Buchanan to Inform him of the dificulties which lie in his department where he is and what is become of him we know not, we have heard that he had set out for the Eastern world some time agoe but to prevent every dificulty for the future they have Impowered Govr. Trumbull to supply every defect in both the purchasing and Issuing Department in that part of the world. Orders have been long Given to Mr. Buchanan for 2 hund thousand dollars on the loan office in Boston for the Eastern Department to be paid in preference to any other (as by the return made from that office they were good for more than that sum) and to be Immediately sent to Mr. Colt. and to save and Indemnifye you the Treasury Board have rendered Valid, and to pass to your account all the stores any Genll officer shall either take or that you may deliver to their Order. I hope before this you are in a great measure relieved of your dificulties You Inform me that you were about to set out for Boston and Salem to purchase Cloathing for the Colony and had it not been for Coll. Williams' letter Informing you of the jealousies and Suspicions Congress had entertained of your Integrity etc you was about to undertake to supply with provisions from Connecticut but on his Information you declined having anything to do with it and was so advised by the Govr and his Council I should have thot that both the Govr and you had been long enough acquainted with Coll. Williams I mean the suddeness of his Temper the warmth of his Imagination, the strong Impression sometimes a little matter makes on his mind, (tho' of an honest good heart) to lay so great a Stress upon his painting. I found he had wrote and feard as for some other of his letters They were unguarded and would have no good effect but the Contrary. he informed me the ground of his letter was when some affairs touching the Commissy department were agitated in Congress a Certain Member he would not tell me who not knowing as he supposes of his Connection with you whispered him that he feard you was so put out and Chagrined at the New Regulations that you had in some measure embarrassed and discouraged others in undertaking I have no doubt but somebody might throw out such a hint to him, and possibly some might have such fears or suspicion; but is that enough to lay so great a Stress upon, when you have been repeatedly assured that Čongress in general and believe may say now Universally entertain a high opinion of your Abilities and Integrity in your whole Conduct in that Department. they have given you the Strongest Evidence of it by a Unanimous unsolicited Vote even of every Individual in appointing you one of a Board, the most honourable as well as Interesting to your Country.' We had formerly 2 or 3 heady mischief making Gentn. in Congress they are gone and believe will be here no more the party is broke up all is 2 See the Journals, Nov. 3; cf. nos. 761, 773, ante. * See the Journals, Nov. 12, cf. ibid., Sept. 16, Dec. 20. * See Williams to Trumbull, Nov. 4 (no. 726, ante). Cf. no. 773, ante. 5 The board of war. See the Journals, Nov. 27, and nos. 757-761, 773, ante. harmony and Union. Schuyler is no more! I was rather sorry to hear your long defence and Exculpation in your letter to Congress against Charges they had never heard nor believe suspected and was equally sorry to hear the Governors letter Complaining of the Treatment his sons had received especially at this time, when I can assure him and you that both you and your brother the Paymaster Stand in a fairer point of light with Congress than any two Gentn. ever employ'd by them. yet I am Sensible that at a time, to serve some friend or particular purpose your brother was Superseded and you have had now and then a Squib thrown at you but without making any impression prejudicial to your Carracter. your brother John was ill treated I believe but all would have been put right had he been a little more soft in his letter old Doctor Witherspoon of high Scotch feeling was nettled and without any prejudice against the family principally opposed its being rectified." You say it is a little wonderd at my and Coll Williams Recommendation of a Certain Gentn.' I did it from political motives, which can explain to you when I may have the pleasure of seeing you again, which hope will be soon. Congress have great hopes and expectations from this New Constituted Board of Warr. the Army in every Department wants a total reform and regulation both Internal and External we are determined by the blessing of Heaven to have it Effected, our appointment meets with universal applause, great Expectations are from it. We have also appointed Inspectors Genll. of the Army in every department, who will be Executors and assist. agts to the board of Warr. will Inspect make their returns and reports to you. they are Gentn. of great knowledge abilities and Integrity and believe will be Intent to reform abuses regulate disorders establish discipline in the Army. since the above received yours from Boston of the 7th. what is past cannot be helpd. we must make the best of what is to come, it is unaccountable what is become of Mr. Colts order for 2 hund thousand dollars, a duplicate is now sent and a large sum in Cash, the order on New York reversed and an order to Govr and Council of Safety on Connecticut Loan office in Lieu of it, which we find now to be good for a Considerable sum. Congress have had every department to attend to, hope it is in a good way at last the Gov. and Council may Employe Coll Champion and whom they please, assist Mr. Colt Cooperate one with another as much as possible I know they dont want the trouble, but the Mistakes in past will require greater Exertions in the future Our Army have done so much fighting this summer they seem much Inclined to go into winter quarters and prepare for spring. if so How will have free plunder possibly disturb them in their proposed quiet. My affectionate regard to family and am sincerely Mr Jos Trumbull Yours • See no. 759, note 5, ante; also Henry Laurens to Governor Trumbull, Jan. 5, 1778, in the next volume of these Letters. The allusion is to one of the members of the board of war, but it is not certain which one is meant. 8 See the Journals, Oct. 10, Nov. 3. Cf. ibid., Dec. 20. Sir 777. JAMES DUANE TO HORATIO GATES.1 MANOUR LIVINGSTON 16th. Decemr 1777 Congress have been pleased to appoint Brigr General Stark to th Command of an Enterprize which they have much at Heart. It's Success under Providence depending entirely upon Secrecy: For fear of a mis carriage of the Dispatches, I am directed in a personal Conference a Albany to explain their Views and deliver to him his Commission and: Instructions. where that General is employd at present Congress is uniformed and have therefore directed me to trouble you with forwarding the enclosed Letter: One from you might quicken his Journey to Albany, and as no Time shoud be lost I must request that Favour, as well as that you will be so obliging as to employ in this Business an Express on whose Diligence you can rely, and to order him to proceed to this place with General Stark's Answer as soon as possible: If you can form any prob able Conjecture when it may be expected your Opinion will regulate my Conduct. . . . . I hope to have the Pleasure of an Interview with you before you proceed to Congress. From what I learn it woud ease your mind on a Subject which, without any Reason, has given you Pain. you may be assurd that you hold a high Place in the Esteem and Confidence of Congress. Governour Clinton three days ago removd to Pocepesy where he proposes to meet our Legislature. I flatter myself that you will confer with him on the Defences of Hudson's River before your Departure: as Congress depends on your advice, and considers the Security of the Comm nication between the Northern and Southern States as an object of infinite Importance.". Dear General. 778. JAMES DUANE TO PHILIP SCHUYLER.1 MANOUR LIVINGSTON 16th. Decemr. 1777. I am charged with Dispatches from Congress which I left the 5th. Instant to the Commissioners of Indian Affairs for the Northern Department; and directed to hold with them a personal Conference on Subjects which Congress have warmly at Heart. For this purpose I intend soon to visit Albany. In the mean Time it will be necessary to convene the Commissioners. When that can be effected I can form no Conjecture; but must wait for your Information. I am obliged to see Genl. Stark at Albany, and General Gates is desired to send for him. you will Judge from Circumstances, how long it may be [777]1 N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XI. 2 See the Journals, Dec. 3; cf. no. 766, ante, and no. 778, post. See also the Journals, Jan. 21, 22, 23, Feb. 1, 2, Mar. 28, May 4, 1778; On the "irruption into Canada" cf. ibid. (index). 3 Cf. no. 750, ante. [778]1 Copied from the original, then in possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia. 2 See the Journals, Dec. 3; cf. nos. 766, 777, ante. before an Express can reach him, return to me, and he repair to Albany; From your Opinion on this Point I shall regulate my Journey, for which I shall therefore be obliged to you: as well as for fixing the meeting of the Commissrs. accordingly, that I may be eased of the Trouble of a Double Attendance at this inclement Season. Before I shall have the pleasure of seeing you Congress will forward an Eagle's Tail and Rattletrap sent them by the Creeks as a Token of Peace and Friendship. The use of it will appear from a Talk to the Six Nations with which I am charged, but need not now forward; as I am entrusted to make any alterations which, on Conference with you, Circumstances may appear to require; and I believe some will be found necessary. 779. JONATHAN BAYARD SMITH TO THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF Dr. Sir YORK TOWN, Decr. 19 1777 Congress yesterday recd. acct. of the arrival of a ship from France in 75 days with 46 Cannon 19 mortars 9 Inch 61,000 wt. of Brimstone near 4000 small arms some powder etc. we have no papers by this Vessell. Genl. Gates has answered some queries proposed by Congress respectg. Burgoynes conduct in the Convention. He says the military chest and standards were left in Canada. He accounts for the arms beg. unfit for service in the return and the want of scabbards for bayonets and of Cartouch boxes etc. and concludes that things have been conducted tolerably well.2 I wish to have the result of Colo. Bayard and Mr. Youngs business at Camp. I have not a copy of the resolution of the house on the quorum of their delegates. The memorial of the house and Council was laid before Congress the Even I arrived here and read. It was again read yesterday, and will probably be considered this da[y.] I believe Congress will not wish our army to be at any considerable distance from Pha.* But have been very unwell yesterday I could only crawl to Congress, and have not been able to visit many of the members. I expect to write to you again in a day or two. Yrs. etc. [P. S.] Yesterday rec'd a exact return of Burgoynes army at the time of surrenders. You'l see it in the next paper. 3 See no. 789, post. [779]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 909; Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 108. 2 See no. 782, post. 3 See Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 61, 75. This relates to the " remonstrance" from the Pennsylvania council and assembly concerning the cantonment of the army. See the Journals, Dec. 17-19, 22, 25. Cf. no. 774, ante. See also no. 780, post. The Pennsylvania remonstrance is in Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 307. A resolution passed at a conference between the council and assembly to present the remonstrance to Congress, together with four reasons to be urged against the proposed cantonment, is ibid., VI. 104 (see the Journals, p. 1033, note 1). |