to wait on him, to know whether he had power to treat with Congress upon terms of peace, and to hear any propositions that his lordship may think proper to make."

When the committee came to be balloted for, Dr. Franklin and your humble servant were unanimously chosen. Colonel R. H. Lee and Mr. Rutledge had an equal number; but, upon a second vote, Mr. Rutledge was chosen. I requested to be excused, but was desired to consider of it until to-morrow. My friends here advise me to go. All the stanch and intrepid are very earnest with me to go, and the timid and wavering, if any such there are, agree in the request. So I believe I shall undertake the journey. I doubt whether his lordship will see us, but the same committee will be directed to inquire into the state of the army at New York, so that there will be business enough, if his lordship makes none. It would fill this letter-book to give you all the arguments, for and against this measure, if I had liberty to attempt it. His lordship seems to have been playing off a number of Machiavelian manoeuvres, in order to throw upon us the odium of continuing this war. Those who have been advocates for the appointment of this committee are for opposing manoeuvre to manoeuvre, and are confident that the consequence will be, that the odium will fall upon him. However this may be, my lesson is plain, to ask a few questions and take his answers.2

I can think of but one reason for their putting me upon this embassy, and that is this. An idea has crept into many minds here, that his lordship is such another as Mr. Hutchinson, and they may possibly think that a man who has been accustomed to penetrate into the mazy windings of Hutchinson's heart, and the serpentine wiles of his head, may be tolerably qualified to converse with his lordship.

110. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOHN Wendell.1

1

[September 6, 1776.]

Our affairs in Canada wear a favorable Appearance, or rather at Ticonderoga and Crown Point; where by the last returns the Army were ab't thirteen thousand strong of w'ch about 3000 were unfit for Duty. in addition to these six other Regiments were on their March from Connecticut and Massachusetts, and about four Regiments at other different posts. at New York things for the present are a little shattered by Means of the Retreat, but the Skirmish on long Island has served to convince our Army that they are now able with the Regiments that are disciplined, to meet the Enemy on equal Terms. General Lee is ordered to reinforce them with several Regiments from the Southward and one from Rhode Island and with firm Conduct our Generals may yet baffle the Enemy. There is reason to imagine that the Enemy have suffered more than our

2 Cf. no. 107, ante, and no. 117, post. See also no. 102, note 2, ante. The committee made a verbal report Sept. 13, and a written report Sept. 17. See the Journals; also nos. 129, 132, post. [110] Henkels, Catalogue, no. 731, item 198 (extract).

2 See the Journals, Sept. 3. Cf. nos. 114, 127, post.

Army including the captives, and Lord Howe has sent to Congress by General Sullivan a Desire of conferring w'th some Members of its Body in a private Capacity, not doubting that he can afford such Terms of peace as will be acceptable and proposing to treat w'th the Congress when the same are acceded to, but the whole is considered as an artifice to divide, by leading the people to suppose that his Lordship has used every Method for obtaining Peace while on our Part they have been rejected. to turn the Stratagem upon him Congress have resolved that being the Representatives of the independent States of America, they cannot send a Committee but in their public Capacity, and that being ever ready to listen to Terms of peace they will send a Committee to know his Lordship's Powers and proposals and to enquire what the Terms are which he has to offer to the Continent. The Committee are appointed, altho' against the Mind of every Member from the State which I represent, as well as Rhode Island and Georgia who are apprehensive that the Appointment previous to his Lordship's assurance that he will receive them will wear the Appearance of an over great Desire for Peace which is neither consistent with Dignity or true Policy and be construed as an Act of Timidity very discouraging to the States and animating to the Enemy, but the Gentlemen on the other Side are very desirous of drawing out his Lordship's proposals that if good they may be accepted and if bad exposed, which is a good Design if accomplished in a way that will not disagreeably effect the Continent. It is expected that the Committee will not be received, and if they are, any proposals w'ch his Lordship may offer that do not allow the States to be independent, will be without Hesitation rejected.3

III. SAMUEL HUNTINGTON TO MATTHEW GRISWOLD, ELIPHALET DYER, AND WILLIAM PITKIN.1

Gentlemen

PHILADELPHIA 7th Septemr 1776

Lord Howe hath manifested Repeatedly a desire to confer with some members of Congress which has not been regarded, until he sent General Sullivan with a Message to Congress Intimating his dilicate Situation, and desiring that he might confer with them tho' at the same time saying he could not do it in that Capacity but that he had large powers to enable him to settle the Controversy etc. The Congress rather suppose this a finness to Create a belief in the people that he is desirous for peace and we desire to protract the war. however after mature consideration, Congress resolved as the Representatives of the United Independant States of America, to appoint a Committee to meet his Lordship if he pleases to know what Authority he has to Settle peace and hear his proposals that on the one hand if he has any Authority and proposals that are Serious they may know; and on the other if it be a finness the world make know it this matter is not fully made public as yet but have tho't

8 See no. 102, note 2, ante.

[111] Furnished by the courtesy of Mr. Wolcott G. Lane, of New York.

proper to Communicate it to you thus early. the same is Communicated to Govr Trumbull.

The Committee appointed are Docr Franklin Mr John Adams and Edd Rutlidge.2

Honbl M. Griswold, E. Dyer and Wm Pitkins Esqrs

Sir,

3

112. CAESAR RODNEY TO GEORGE READ.1

PHILADELPHIA, September 7th. 1776.

In my last letter 2 to you I gave you the substance of Sullivan's message and what I then thought would be the determination of Congress thereon, however, the matter after three days debate, has in some measure received a different determination. The Congress have refused sending any of their members to confer, as private gentlemen, but with a view to satisfy some disturbed minds out of doors, rather than expectation of its bringing about peace, they have appointed a Committee of Congress to repair to New York, with powers to confer with Lord Howe, to know the extent of his powers, and the terms he shall propose. General Sullivan was furnished with a copy of this Resolution, certified, and returned to Lord Howe yesterday. You will see by this that if Lord Howe receives the Committee thus sent he acknowledges the Congress, and of course the independence of the States, which I am convinced he will not do. Yet it may tend to convince the people at large that we are desirous of peace, whenever it can be had upon those principles.

3

113. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 PHILADEL. 7 Sepr 1776

my dear Sir

to the Grief of Congress the Genl. has wrote several (they think) too gloomy Letters. some speak with great Resolution.2

after a most serious and long Debate Congress have orderd three Members, in their proper Character only, to wait on Ld Howe, in Consequence of his Message by Gen. Sullivan to know if He has power to treat of Peace, what his Power is, and to hear his Propositions, if he please to receive Them as such. if not the World will be satisfied there is no sincerity in his Professions. We are already. the Measure is an Object of great Speculation and A[n]xiety I hope no Ill can arise from it. Congress are greatly on their Guard You may rely. the whole will

2 See the Journals, Sept. 2-6, and no. 102, note 2, ante.

Matthew Griswold was deputy governor of Connecticut, and Eliphalet Dyer and William Pitkin were assistants. Samuel Huntington was also assistant. See Conn. Colony Recs., XV. 272.

[112] N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Revolutionary Papers, I. 207 (copy); Read, Life of George Read, p. 189.

2 Sept. 4, no. 105, ante.

See the Journals, Sept. 2-6, and no. 102, note 2, ante.

[113] Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 566.

2 Washington's letters after the affair on Long Island were naturally not cheerful (see particularly his letter of Sept. 2, read in Congress Sept. 3); but other evidence is lacking that Congress as a whole was disposed to criticize the tone of the letters.

be published on Monday, and every one will be better able to Judge of the Expediency of the Measure.

Howe wanted Them only as private Gent. but Congress wod only send as a Deputation of their Body, and He will act his Pleasure about receiving Them."

I am dear Sir your affectionate Friend and Brother

4

W WILLIAMS

[P. S.] have You heard any thing fr Bro' Jona etc. I hoped for a Letter eer now. there has been great Compla: to Congress of Letters in that Departmt being played fury with they have given orders for better Regulations etc.

5

I mentioned the affair of Salt to the Presidt. he says he has laid all yr and other letters before Congress, and can give no Orders which They dont give, but thinks as you must find Provisions you most certainly may and ought to find the means to preserve it, etc. the Comte are Franklin, J. Adams, and Rutledge."

Col Jos Trumbull

114. WILLIAM ELLERY TO THE Governor of RHODE ISLAND (NICHOLAS

Sir:

COOKE).1

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 7, 1776.

Mr. Hopkins tells me, that he doth not propose to return to Congress until spring if ever. it is therefore necessary that an Additional Delegate Should be immediately appointed; for otherwise the State of Rhode-Island, etc. may be unrepresented, which might be attended with pernicious Consequences to Us. I may fall sick and not be able to attend Congress when some Matter may be brought upon the Carpet which will immediately relate to our State; not to mention that if two delegates were here they might have an Opportunity to relax now and then from that constant Attention which if One Delegate only should be continued here, he would be obliged to give, unless he should leave the State unrepresented in Congress, which I am determined not to do let what will be the Consequence; and a constant Attendance on Congress for nine Months without any Relaxation is too much even for a robust Constitution. Beside it is necessary that Motions should be made and supported, in which Case the Advantage of having Two on the Same Side is manifest. In Causes of no great Importance it is common to engage Two Lawyers, and the vulgar Observation that Two Heads are better than One is just. Can then the State of Rhode-Island hesitate about immediately appointing an Addi

3 Cf. nos. 102, 103, 105, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, ante. See also no. 125, post. Jonathan Trumbull, jr., deputy paymaster-general of the Northern department. William Williams married his sister.

5 The reference is presumably to the regulations of the post-office adopted Aug. 30. 6 See Trumbull's letter to Congress, Sept. 19, Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II.

372; also nos. 145, 162, 166, 172, post.

7 The committee to confer with Lord Howe.

[114] R. I. Arch., Letters to the Governors, 1776, p. 50; Staples, R. I. in Cont. Cong., p. 83; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 210.

tional Delegate? I am sure it cannot. I should be exceedingly glad that Gov Hopkins might return; for he is well acquainted with the Mode of conducting Business, and is well esteemed in Congress, and I have Reason to think from what hath passed, that we should act in Concert and Harmony; but if he should conclude not to return it would be best that Two Should be immediately appointed; for Matters of great Consequence will be on the Carpet. in the Multitude of Council is Safety; and in that Case the Delegates might alternately visit Home, brace up their relaxed Minds and Bodies by a journey and enjoying their native Air, and thereby be better able to discharge the Duties of their Office.

There is nothing against our States appointing Three Delegates but the Expenses, and if the Amount of the Allowance to the two Delegates, and their Expenses for one year be summed up and compared with what would be the Amount of the Expense to the State of those delegates, at five dollars per Day, I believe the Difference will be found to be but trifling; but if it should be something considerable I am sure the Benefits resulting to the State therefrom would compensate for any such additional expense. If a confederacy should hereafter take Place, a Council of State 2 would doubtless be appointed, in which Case our State would have only One Delegate to support constantly, the other Two, if three should be appointed, would be present only a small Part of a year, when the Congress should sit. . . . . Congress have ordered One of our battals to N. York, and its Place to be supplied with a Battalion of Militia from Massachusetts. It was moved at first that both the Battalions should be ordered thither. I opposed the Motion to the best of my Abilities, and think We have come off pretty well. I expect that if our Affairs at New York. should take an ill Turn, that the other Battalion will be ordered from our State; for it is the Sentiment of Congress that the Continental battals should be drawn together for that greater Reliance is to be placed in them than a Militia unaccustomed to Discipline and the Hardships of a Camp: And indeed the liberties of this Country in my Opinion cannot be established but by a large standing Army. Heartily wishing Success to our Cause, and to you, Sir, and your Family, Health and Prosperity, I continue to be, with great Respect

Dear Sir.

115. SAMUEL CHASE TO HORATIO GATES.1

ANNAPOLIS, Septr. 8th. 1776

. The same good opinion of Colonel Saint Clair which induced me to recommend him to your notice, compelled me to urge his promotion, and for which I stayed in Congress beyond my Time limited for my Return here.2.

2 See the Articles of Confederation as reported July 12 and Aug. 20; also Edmund C. Burnett, "The Committee of the States", in Am. Hist. Assoc., Annual Report, 1913, vol. I., p. 139.

3 Cf. no. 127, post.

[115] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, VII.; Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 232.

2 See the Journals, Aug. 8.