299. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 YORK TOWN 21st May 1778. D'r Genl, We are going on with the regimental Arrangements as fast as possible and I think the Day begins to appear with Respect to this Business. Had our Saviour addressed a Chapter to the Rulers of Mankind as he did many to the Subjects I am persuaded his Good Sense would have dictated this Text. Be not wise overmuch. Had the several Members which compose our multifarious Body been only wise enough Our Business would long since have been compleated. But our superior Abilities or the Desire of appearing to possess them lead us to such exquisite Tediousness of Debate that the most precious Moments pass unheeded away like vulgar Things. . . . . As to your Friend who hath thought proper to demand of you a Command, I did beleive from the first that his Resignation was like some former ones from the same Quarter meerly calculated to gain other Promotion or Favor or Revenge. I was therefore lead to expect that his Merits and our Misfortune in loosing him would become the Topick of Declamation and took the earliest Opportunity to express in the very strongest Terms my Satisfaction my Joy at the Receipt of the Letter from him and of Consequence to assign the Reasons why this Event gave me so much Pleasure. This gave a very different turn to Affairs. Panegyrick dwindled to Apology and no Opposition was made to the main Point of accepting his Resignation. The next Day I was informed that he did not intend to resign that his Letter was quite misunderstood etc. The Gentleman however had been so unlucky as to use the most pointed Terms and therefore his Aid from whom the Information came was told that the Observations he made came too late. I am persuaded that he will attempt to get reinstated if the least Probability of success appears but I am equally persuaded that his Attempts will fail. I believe his Friends are hitherto of the same Opinion and therefore we have as yet had no attempts made in Congress and possibly we never shall 3 3 No specific resolve to this effect is recorded, but in determining (May 19) the form of bills of exchange to be drawn on the commissioners in Paris that designation was adopted. However, on July 11 it was resolved to omit the word "North" from these bills of exchange (see no. 399, post). The reversion to the original style was probably due to the recollection that the name used in the Declaration of Independence and definitely incorporated in the Articles of Confederation was "The United States of America". A note by this editor on "The Name United States of America"" may be found in Am. Hist. Rev., vol. XXXI. 79 (Oct., 1925). A related study, by Mr. John C. Fitzpatrick, is The United States of America' and the U. S. A.'", in Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, LIV. 17, and in his volume of essays, The Spirit of the Revolution. [299] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XXIII. 178; Sparks, Life of Gouverneur Morris, I. 167. 2 The arrangement was completed May 27. Cf. nos. 287, 288, 292, 293, 298, ante, 307, 314, post. 3 The allusion is to Conway. See the Journals, Apr. 28, and no. 242, ante. Cf. nos. 317, 319, 320, post. Morris is replying to a letter from Washington May 18 (Writings, ed. Ford, VII. 16, ed. Sparks, V. 370; Sparks, Life of Gouverneur Morris, I. 166). I wish you would contrive to get the necessary Returns from Maryland Troops and others who have not made them so as that the arrangement may take Place as soon as possible 300. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 YORK TOWN Saturday Morning 23d May [1778.] Dear General, Congress having determined on the Affair of the Prisoners, and (in my opinion wisely) dropt for the present all Mention of Citizens; you will probably be enabled to negotiate a Cartel.2 Sir, 301. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY Laurens) YORK TOWN 25 May 1778. My last to Your Excellency was under the 21st by Wilkinson. Doctor Scudder on his return to New Jersey is so obliging as to take charge of this, and also of a Packet containing 100 Copies of an Act of Congress, half of these in En[g]lish and the other half in German, Recommending to the several States to exempt from Militia duty and to disqualify for acting as Substitutes all Prisoners and Deserters from the British Army and Navy during the present War. Congress apprehend that a proper dispersion of these Acts in the Neighborhood of the Camp and even in the Enemy's Garrison if practicable, will produce good effects. more of these shall be sent upon the first intimation from Your Excellency.2 302. JAMES LOVELL TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1 YORK TOWN May 25th, 1778 Dear Sir .. General Folsom and Commodore Frost 2 are I hope safely arrived. They can tell you a long story about an half pay establishment [300]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XXIII. 195; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 52, vol. III., f. 252. 2 See the Journals, May 21. Cf. nos. 139, 188, 202, 233, 235, ante. [301] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XCII. 58; ibid., President's Letter-Book, I. 335. 2 See the Journals, May 22; also the Bibliographical Notes, ibid., XII. 1286. Cf. ibid., Feb. 26, Mar. 13, 26, Apr. 23, 29. Laurens had sent the act on the day of its passage, May 22, to Francis Bailey, at Lancaster, asking him to print 500 copies "in hand Bills in pure German". Copies both in English and in German were sent to most of the governors (also to General Heath) within the next two or three days, accompanied by similar comment on the act. Those to Governor Clinton were enclosed with a letter dated May 23 (President's Letter-Book, I. 332). On the question of the enlistment of deserters and prisoners, see Washington's letter to Jeremiah Powell, president of the Massachusetts council, May 19 (Writings, ed. Sparks, V. 375); also nos. 311, 324, 325, post. [302] Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 489. 2 George Frost had followed the sea for some twenty years and had been captain of a merchant vessel. The title "Commodore" here applied to him was doubtless one of courtesy only. it's origin, progress and impediments till they left this place. After being carried, barely, for life, it was by an effort made redeemable at six year's purchase and after a while, made absolute by a sort of common consent, for 7 years. II States were unanimous. Only Genl W of Connecticut and myself were nay, of individuals. I hope as it has passed that the people will be reconciled to it. None out of Congress can sufficiently know the necessity though they may judge as well as we about the justice and feel the impropriety. Dear Sir, 303. HENRY LAURENS TO BARON STEUBEN.1 YORK TOWN 25th May 1778. I had the honor of writing to you the 11th Inst. by Colo. Gimad which remains unacknowledged although I have since received your favors of the 16th and 21st. the former I presented to Congress the latter lies before me. 2 There is so great a reluctance in Congress to listen to applications for New Commissions, until the arrangement of the Army is completed, I had judged it best to wait that event before I introduced the name of Monsr. L'Enfant, but seeing you so pressingly desire it, I will apply to morrow Morning. If we succeed, you will have gained a preferrence to Marquis de la fayette and to Your humble Servant. the Marquis has long since applied in favour of Colo. Armand and Officers in his intended Corps, and I, for a Brigadier's Commission which has been due to my own State upward of three Months. both have been postponed. you shall hear from me on this head after to morrow's adjournment.3 I shall prevail on some of my friends to move for ordering two good Horses to be purchased for Baron Stüben; in this attempt, I flatter myself we shall not fail. every Gentleman appears possessed of a proper sense Sir, of your Merit, and I am persuaded Congress are disposed to testify their acknowledgements. Sir 304. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) 25 May [1778.] Your favor of the 20th April did not reach me till the 12th Inst. when I immediately presented it to Congress, and received directions to inform 8 The reference is to the vote of May 15, in which the only nays were Lovell and Wolcott. See nos. 287, 288, 292, 293, 298, 299, ante, 307, 314, post. [303] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Steuben Papers, I.; S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, Mar.-Sept., 1778, p. 139; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., XV. 76. 2 See the Journals, May 20. 3 In regard to L'Enfant, see no. 309, post. Concerning Armand, see no. 288, note 2, ante, and the Journals, June 25; also Duane to Washington Jan. 29, 1779, in the next volume of these Letters. 4 See the Journals, May 26, and no. 309, post. [304]1 Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 336. Addressed to BrigadierGeneral Stark, Fish Kill. you that it has not been the practice of Congress to grant Commissions to Brigade Majors, that therefore the further consideration of your application requesting a Commission for your Son Majr. Caleb Stark must be suspended until the arrangement of the Army which is now a subject of deliberation before the House be completed; if it shall be determined to grant such Commissions Mr. Stark will undoubtedly receive one. hitherto Brigade Major has been appointed by the Commander in Chief or the Commander in a seperate department. I apprehend therefore an appointment or confirmation of appointment by the Honble. Major Genl. Gates will entitle Major Starke to the usual Rank and emoluments.2 My dear Sir, 305. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAmes Warren.1 YORK TOWN May 25, 1778. Your favor by Capt. Colter 2 overtook me on the Road; agreably to your Request I immediately on my Arrival here mentiond to a Gentleman of the Marine Committee the Necessity and Importance of keeping your Board duly supplyd with Cash to enable you effectually to do the Duty of your Department, and was told that 50 m Dollars had been lately remitted to you. I will not fail to do what in me lies to forward that Service, as our Navy has always lain near my Heart. I recollect that your Election of Councillors will come on the Day after tomorrow. Has Mr. * waited for the Event of that important Day? or is he on his Journey to this Place? It is a Matter of so much uncertainty here, that Nothing, I suppose prevents many Wagers being laid upon it, but its being not of so much Moment as some others. Was he present here, he might, if he pleased, vindicate me against a Report which has given Occasion to my Friends to rally me, that I have been called to Account and severely reprehended at a Boston Town Meeting for being 2 See the Journals, May 13, 19 (p. 509). [305]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Warren MSS., vol. 3, p. 209; Warren-Adams Letters, II. II. 2 Doubtless Capt. Harmon Courter. See no. 287, note 6, ante. The letter brought by Courter was probably that dated May 8, in Warren-Adams Letters, II. 8. 3 An order for $50,000 for the use of the navy board at Boston is recorded in the Journals as having been passed May 23, two days after Adams's arrival in Congress, and at a time when Adams appears to have been present. The only other recent appropriation for that board was $100,000, Apr. 4. As this sum was in three separate warrants of $40,000, $30,000, and $30,000, it is not likely that the remittance referred to was a part of the latter appropriation. Hancock. In a postscript to the letter of May 8 (see note 2, above) Warren wrote, "Mr. Hancock talks of going in a day or two". May 31 he wrote: "Doctr Holton is waiting for General Hancock, who I hear took a pompous Leave of the House Yesterday by going up and shakeing Hands with the Speaker, etc., after moving for leave to return soon if his health would not admit of his Tarrying long. I suppose a Cavelcade will attend him, Subscriptions for that purpose haveing been Circulated for a week. I believe he will go Tomorrow. you will provide for his reception as you think fit" (Warren-Adams Letters, II. 13). To John Adams he wrote, June 7: "The Great Man Tarried here till after Election, and then went off with the Pomp and retinue of an Eastern Prince" (ibid., p. 20). Cf. nos. 362, 396, 409, 410, 518, post. in a Conspiracy against a very great Man." You know how little I care for such Rumours. It is easy for me to conjecture by what Means it extended it self from Manheim, where I first heard it, to York Town; and it may not be difficult to guess how it came from Boston to that Place. Manheim is about 12 Miles East of the Susquehanna; there lives Mr. R. M., a very intimate Acquaintance of my excellent Friend. Mr. H. is said to be on the Road, but no one makes it certain. When he arrives Messrs. Gerry and Dana propose to set off for N. England. I shall be mortified at their leaving us, for I verily think that the Accession even of that Gentleman will not make up for the Absence of the other two. 6 I am happy to find C' in perfect good humour and attentive to Business, though so hard put to it in this place, as hardly to have a Room a peice, in which to write a Letter to a Friend. It brings to my Mind the Circumstances and Temper of the old Deputies who sat down under a Tree to eat their Bread and Cheese. This is the Kind of Men who are the Terror of Tyrants. I hope I shall shortly be able to write you something of Importance, from the Army at least. In the meantime Vale at me ama. 306. JOSIAH Bartlett to tHE PRESIDENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (MESHECH Weare).1 Hond. Sir YORK TOWN May the 27th, 1778. .. The Confederacy is not yet ratified, North Carolina being unrepresented and two or three of the other States not having impowered their Delegates to Confirm it; It is the opinion here that it will be Universally agreed to.2 307. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 Dear General. IN CONGRESS 27th May 1778. I have a Word to say to you upon the Subject of Promotion which we have just now finished or rather unfinished at least if that Matter was before in an unfinished Situation. That famous incomprehensible Baltimore Resolution (unluckily perhaps) introduced a very tedious Debate which terminated at Length by rejecting the whole of what the Committee 5 Evidently Washington is meant. Adams wrote to an unknown correspondent Oct. 26, "I have heard that my Enmity to G. W. was objected agt me on a late Occasion" (Writings, IV. 83); and Mar. 23, 1779, he wrote to Warren: "Last year, as you observe, I was an Enemy to General Washington. This was said to render me odious to the People. The Man who fabricated the Charge did not believe it himself " (ibid., IV. 140). See also nos. 602, 635, post. 6 Robert Morris. 7 Congress. [306]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., C 81A 32; Library of Congress, Force Trans., Weare, p. 108. 2 Cf. nos. 243, 292, 293, ante, and nos. 336, 339, 367, post. [307]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XXIII. 239; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 129; Sparks, Life of Gouverneur Morris, I. 170 (except the addition of May 28). |