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780. JONATHAN BAYARD SMITH TO THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF
PENNSYLVANIA (GEORGE BRYAN).1

Dr Sir,

YORK TOWN, Decr. 19th, 1777

This day the memorial from our State concerning the cantonment a the regular army was taken into consideration. Congress had some time ago, by a Committee, recommended to Genl Washington, if he determine. to take winter quarters, to dispose of his army in such manner as wouk most effectually cover the Country, etc. They have now ordered the memorial of our State to be transmitted to the Genl, and have desired bi to inform Congress whether he is about to canton his troops, and where and what provision he has made for securing the East side of Schuyl and the State of N. Jersey. This you will be pleased to communicate t the Gentlemen of both houses for their present satisfaction. A copy of the resolution I have not time by this opportunity to forward, but suppose it will be sent more formally by our delegates by the next opportunity that may offer.2

We hear that the army are about putting in the Gulph valley. The is the wish of Congress as far as I can judge.

I am, Dr Sir,

Yr afft and v. h. st,

J. B. SMITH.

Sir,

781. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO
PHILIP SCHUYLER.1

YORK 20th. Decmr. 1777

. I reserve the honour of presenting your Letter to Congress when I shall be able to attend the House. at present I am closely confined by the Gout in both feet, but hope to get abroad before Christmas day. I mean Sir, by this delay to quicken the business which you press, by intimating to Congress from the retiring of Mr. Adams and Mr. Lee, the necessity for nominating a new Comme for enquiring into the cause of the loss of Tyconderoga etc. and at the same time producing all the papers which in the course of our past enquiry have been lodged in my hands these by a very few hours attention may be properly digested and if Gentlemen are of my opinion that there is no ground for expecting further important information a Report may presently follow."

[780]1 Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 109.

2 See no. 777, note 4, ante, nos. 782, 783, 785, post. [781]1 Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 79.

2 Schuyler's letter of Nov. 28 was read in Congress Dec. 26, the day on which Laurens returned to Congress (see no. 793, post), and three additional members appointed on the committee. See the Journals, July 29, Aug. 1, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 28, Oct. 9, Nov. 14 | Dec. 26, 1777, Jan. 20, 26, 27, Feb. 5, Mar. 10, Apr. 29, June 12, 20, 1778. See nos, 669 note 2, 677, ante; also Laurens to Washington, Apr. 4, 1778, in the next volume of these Letters.

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Dear Sir

782. JAMES LOVELL TO SAMUEL ADAMS.1

YORK Decr. 20th. [1777.]

The Returns which had been made to us of Artillery etc. taken from the Enemy had induced us to make several Queries to Genl. Gates respecting the Standards, Cartouch Boxes Bayonetts etc. which appeared to have been destroyed. Genl. Gates tells us that upon Burgoyne's word of Honor the Standards were left in Canada; and that the other suspicious Appearances sprang from the Conduct of our own People and certain Necessities, but not from any Breach of the Convention by the Will of Genl. Burgoyne or his Officers. . . . .

You have doubtless e'er this been made acquainted with G: Burgoyne's critical Disposition in regard to the descriptive List of his men which was to have been taken by Genl. Heath's order. For this and other similar Pride it was thought proper to take hold of Mr. Bourgoyne's manner of asking a Favour of Congress thro one of its Officers: In consequence, the following Resolve was passed the 17th. Resolved that Genl. Washington be directed to inform Genl. Burgoyne the Congress will not receive nor consider any Proposition for Indulgence or altering the terms of the Convention of Saratoga unless immediately directed to their own Body.

With a Degree of the Arts of our Enemies this Resolve is penned to I lead Burgoyne into direct Petition to Congress, tho it does not give an absolute Promise to grant his Petition."

You will find in some of my attendant slovenly scrawls so much encouragement to expect from me Intelligence about our grand Army upon the Return of the Committee, that I do not know how to avoid saying something about it, now, though 'tis a Subject very sickening to even a strong Stomach.

The Majority of the Officers were fixt and determined against a Winter-Campaign; and the Nakedness of the Soldiers furnished such abundant Argument to their Leaders that the Committee could not recommend any thing better than a Cantonment which would best tend to cover the Countrey and accomodate the army.

It was evident, among Friends I say it, that our Army was not inclined to fight Howe when he gave them 4 days opportunity. The Committee therefore could not give it as their Opinion to the General that he ought, with that same Army, to force the Lines of the Enemy, or attempt the City by the Schuylkill. In short, unless we secure Half pay to Officers and Pensions to their Widows and make their Commissions vendible, severe Discipline in respect to Officers cannot be introduced, and consequently none at all in respect to Soldiers. But the General does swear that, if the Commissions are made desirable, he will cashier without favour or affection till the Army becomes vigorous: In this hope we breathe this day; but verily my own Share of Hope is not great enough

[782]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers.

2 See nos. 752, 779, ante, and the Journals, Dec. 1, 12, 17, 18, 23, 26, 27; also nos. 786, 791, post.

on this Promise as to make me relinquish the Idea of an annual Choic of all officers."

The Report of Genl. W's Intention to canton near Willmington has brought a Remonstrance from this State to us, and I momentarily expec another from the Jersies:*

My Lord,

783. ABRAHAM CLARK TO LORD STIRLING.1

YORY TOWN, Decr. 20, 1777

We have been much alarmed by a report that the Army was going in Winter quarters in or about Wilmington, thereby leaving New Jersey and a great part of Pennsa intirely open to the Enemy. This Supposed measure produced several Resolutions of Congress, which, with a Rei monstrance on that Subject from the Legislature of Penns are forwarded to the Commander in Chief, requesting his particular Attention to the Security of New Jersey etc. We had before Congress the Opinions of the General officers respecting proper places for Cantoning the Army, and with great pleasure find you in favour of the Valley near Schuylki which in the judgment of all or most I have met with is the only plac for defending the Country and preventing Supplies to the Enemy, as the Army at Wilmington would leave great part of Penns and Jersey greatly exposed to the Enemys Ravages, the Shiping up Delaware would be lost, and all the extensive Salt works in Jersey destroyed, and not unlikely a general defection take place in this State, and many parts of Jersey, and Supplies for the Army from the Eastern States greatly Obstructed....

Dear Sir

784. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO ROBERT MORRIS.1

YORK, Decr. 21. 1777.

I am favoured with yours of the 28th[?] with the inclosure and fully agree with you, in the Necessity of introducing " A Spirit of Enterprize to our Army ", and in order thereto, of encouraging every Instance of such a Disposition that we meet with. Colo. Barton proposed sending to Congress, a Petition expressing his Desires as set forth in General Green's Letter; I shall therefore wait a few Days in Expectation of an Oppor

2

8 A committee to consult with General Washington was appointed Nov. 28. See nos. 766, 774, ante; also the Journals, Dec. 16, 18, 19, 24, 30, 31, and nos. 784, 785, 790, post. See also Lovell to Adams, Jan. 13, 1778, in the next volume of these Letters. See the Journals, Dec. 17-19, 22, 24, and no. 779, note 4, ante. Cf. nos. 783, 785 post. [783] Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Coll.; Pa. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., XXIX. 193. 2 Cf. nos. 779, 780, 782, ante, no. 785, post.

[784] Copied from the original, then in possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia; Henkels, Catalogue, no. 1183, item 4.

2 Gerry and Morris were members of a committee appointed Nov. 28 to consult with General Washington in regard to the condition of the army. See no. 774, ante. Morris's letter was probably dated Dec. 18.

tunity of supporting the Petition with the Letter. Nothing new at Congress excepting the arrival of a Vessel from Marseilles with a valuable Cargo, which is published in the papers. . . . .

785. JONATHAN BAYARD SMITH TO THE PRESIDENT OF PENNSYLVANIA (THOMAS WHARTON, JR.).1

2

LANCASTER Decr. 22 1777

- Sir, Inclosed you have a resolution of Congress on the subject of the memorial from your State with which I was charged. I am happy to inform you that the army has taken quarters in a position which I presume will be agreeable to the State. Congress have now before them a number of resolutions concerning the army which will probably be transmitted in a day or two to the assembly. On the other leaf you have a copy of an act passed by the State of Virginia which your delegates thought it their duty to transmit to you."

I have the honor to be with great regard your Excellencys counsel and the humble army's most humble servant

His Excellency the President Honble the Counsel and Honble the Assembly

Sir,

JONA B. SMITH

786. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO WILLIAM HEATH.1 YORK TOWN 23d. Decem. 1777.

My last trouble was under the 1st. Inst: by Messenger Tais, since which your dispatch of the 27th. Novem. came to hand and I believe another of your favours. this or these were immediately sent to Congress and I presume committed to the Board of War. I have been closely confined by a severe attack of the Gout for 15 days past, and therefore am not so intimately acquainted with the steps of Congress as I should have been if my health had not failed, nor enabled to write to you with that accuracy which I should do if your Letters were before me.

The Commands which I have this Evening received from Congress to be transmitted to you are as follows.3. . .

A memorial of Col. William Barton was presented to Congress Dec. 24. Cf. the Journals, July 19, 25.

[785] From the collection of the late Adrian H. Joline, New York; Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 124.

2 See nos. 779, 780, 782, ante.

The Virginia act (Oct. 28, 1777)) is in Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 125. Cf. the Journals, Dec. 20.

[786] Mass. Hist. Soc., Heath Papers, XII. 84, III. 34 (duplicate); Library of Congress, Presidents Letter-Book, I. 71.

2 Heath's letter of Nov. 27 was read in Congress Dec. 12, and a letter of Dec. 7 was read in Congress Dec. 18. A letter of Nov. 24, to the board of treasury, was laid before Congress Dec. 15.

3 The resolves of Dec. 19, 22.

I am further charged by a Member to inform you as a Message fro Congress that it is expected you will see that all Accounts with Gener Burgoyne are Settled and fully paid agreeable to the above mentione Resolves before the embarkation of himself or other Officers and Troop included in the Convention of Saratoga.*

A Committee are now preparing proper Instructions for your procee ing with respect to the demanded description of Soldiers and other persons comprehended in that agreement. Mr. Burgoyne's memory ha deceived him in the Account which he gives of Sir Guy Carleton's re leasing many hundred Continental Troops upon their bare parol. Mr. Boudinot has shewn me a much more accurate state of which you will be fully and very soon informed. these articles are however mere baggatelle compared with his complaint that the public faith with respect to the Covention is infracted, in a Letter to Major Gen. Gates. it will be impo sible to part with him before an eclaircissement is had on this important charge. I have the honour to be

With very great Esteem Sir Your most obedient Servant

Dear Sir

HENRY LAURENS
President of Congress

787. WILLIAM ELLERY TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1

[December, 1777.]'

.. Among the prisoners we have made in that quarter is Mr James Delancey who was taken in Maurisania and who went over to the enemy since the Declaration of Independency. Congress have ordered him to be delivered over to the Executive Order of New York to be dealt with as to Law shall appertain.3 . . . .

I read the paragraph of your letter relating to Marine matters to the Marine Committee. They liked the hint: but you know that Committee I wish you were here. that Committee particularly wants your services.

Sir,

788. DANIEL ROBERDEAU TO THE PRESIDENT OF PENNSYLVANIA (THOMAS WHARTON, JR.).1

YORK TOWN, Decr 24th, 1777

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The Delegates of this State are honored with your favor of the 20th, which shall forthwith be laid before Congress, to obtain a further regula-¡

* See the Journals, Dec. 19 (p. 1037).

5 See the Journals, Dec. 1, 12, 17, 18, 23, 26, 27; also nos. 752, 756, 779, 782, ante,

no. 791, post.
[787] Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 445.

2 Some passages of this letter, not here printed, indicate that it was probably written about Dec. 23.

3 There is no record in the Journals of the order concerning James De Lancey. See a letter from John Jay to De Lancey, Jan. 2, 1778, and De Lancey's reply, Jan. 14, in Correspondence of Jay, I. 171, 172. Morrisania was a village in Westchester County, N. Y., now included within the city of New York.

[788]1 Pa. State Lib., P. P., XLIV. 39; Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 131.

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