Sir

341. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA (PATRICK HENRY).1

13th June [1778.]

I had the honor of writing to you the 9th by Barry. In the Act for laying an Embargo then transmitted, there should have been an addition of a clause wh. I apprehend was omitted, and therefore I trouble Your Excellency with a Copy inclosed and beg leave to refer to it.2 . . . .

Your Excellency will also find inclosed two other Acts of Congress viz. 10th June Requesting Your Excellency to purchase under a limitation certain articles for the use of these United States from on board the French ship Le Fier Roderique.

And I am ordered to intimate to Your Excellency to take the opinion of persons properly skilled, respecting the prime cost and a comparative quality of the Goods, particularly that of shoes.*

Sir

342. THE MASSACHUSETTS Delegates to THE PRESIDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL (JEREMIAH POWELL)."

YORK TOWN June 13th 1778

The Intelligence which Congress has very lately received of the Enemies reputed Depredations in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations gave Occasion to the passing of the inclosed Resolution; But, such has been the Attention of the Massachusetts Bay to the safety of these united States as renders it needless for us to enlarge upon the Necessity of their turning an immediate Attention to the relief of one of their own Neighborhood which now bears a large share in the calamities of War.2

[341] Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 365.

66

2 A similar letter to Governor Johnson of Maryland is found in Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, VII. 139. The enclosure to Governor Johnson (ibid., VII. 138) was, however, that paragraph which was to be added to the circular letter of June 10 as transmitted to Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina (see nos. 333, 335, note 2, ante). It bears the heading, Resolve of Congress of the 8 June 1778", and is signed, "Certified Henry Laurens President". If therefore the record in the Journals is correct, Laurens was in error in characterizing this paragraph as an addition to the embargo act of June 8. The letter to Governor Johnson is also found in the President's Letter-Book, I. 366, and a similar letter to Governor Caswell is ibid., p. 367, dated June 14.

3 The other act enclosed was that of "11th June for raising troops ", etc.

4 The instruction indicated in this paragraph is not found in the Journals. On the other hand, the President did not include in his letter an explanation of “the principles of such limitation ", as instructed in the resolution of June 10.

[342] Mass. Arch., CXCIX. 208 (in Lovell's writing; autograph signatures); Library of Congress, Force Trans., Massachusetts Records, Letters, 1778, p. 208.

2 See the Journals, June 13, 25. Cf. no. 329, ante, and nos. 372, 385, post.

My dear Sir,

343. SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN.1

YORK TOWN, June 13, 1778.

. By the inclosd News Paper you will see that the Scene begins to open. You may depend upon it that Congress will not attend to any Propositions until Independence is acknowledgd. The Day before yesterday, we were informd by a Letter from General Washington that Sr. H. Clinton had requested a Passport for Dr. Ferguson, Secretary to the British King's Commissioners, who was chargd with a Letter from them to Congress; and that he had acquainted Sr. Harry that he could not grant the Request till he should receive the Directions of Congress. In the Midst of a Debate on the Report of a Committee on this Subject, the Letters were brought in, having been receivd by our General and forwarded. This Mode of Conveyance suited the Inclination of the House, they being, as I thought, at that Juncture ready to assent to a Proposition approving of the General's Conduct in refusing to grant a Passport to the Messenger, and expressing themselves content that he should receive the Message and send it by a Messenger of his own.

The Contents of the Letter, as far as they were read appeard extraordinary indeed, and show'd plainly that their Design was to draw us back to a Subjection to their King. Some Expressions in the Letter gave particular Disgust to all the Members. The House adjournd till Monday when I think I may assure you the Subject will be treated with becoming Spirit and Propriety.2

My dear Son

344. HENRY LAURENS TO JOHN LAURENS.1

1

13 June [1778.]

I thank you for your very sensible Letter of the 11th wh. came with the General's dispatches at past I o'clock just as Congress were about to adjourn. How came those important papers to travel so very tardily? Congress I think determined properly to reflect a little and I have no doubt but that on Monday their Resolutions will be equally proper. . . .

345. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS)
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1

YORK TOWN 14th June 1778

Sir,
Between one and two oClock yesterday the Packet which Your
Excellency sent to Congress accompanied by Your Excellency's favor of

[343]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Warren MSS., vol. 3, p. 212; Warren-Adams Letters, II. 21. 2 Cf. nos. 323, 326-328, 330, 331, 334, 335, 339, ante, and nos. 344-346, 348-352, 354-360, 362, 370-374, 378, 381, post.

[34411 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, Mar.-Sept., 1778, p. 180.

2 John Laurens's letter of June 11 is in Army Correspondence, p. 183. Two letters of June 9 (ibid., pp. 178, 181) also pertain especially to the British peace commission. See nos. 343, ante, 345, 355, post.

[345] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XCII. 12; ibid., President's Letter-Book, I. 367.

the 11th was brot into the House. among other Papers it contained an Address from the British Commissioners to Congress. at that minute Congress were determining on a proper reply to be given to Sir H Clinton's application for a Passport for Doctor Ferguson. I was ordered to read the Address. when I had advanced to the second Page, the House directed me to Seal up all the Papers and adjourned to Monday Morning."

346. HENRY LAURENS, PROPOSed Letter to GEORGE JOHNSTONE.1 YORK TOWN 14th June 1778

Dear Sir

Yesterday I was honored with your favor of the 10th and thank you for the transmission of those from my Dear and worthy friends Mr. Oswald and Mr. Manning. had Doctor Ferguson been the bearer of these papers, I should have shown that Gentleman every degree of respect and attention, that times and circumstances admit of.

It is Sir, for Great Britain to determine whether her Commissioners shall return unheard by the Representatives of these United States, or revive a friendship with the Citizens at large, and remain among us as long as they please.

You are undoubtedly acquainted with the only terms upon which Congress can treat for accomplishing this good end; terms from which, although writing in a private character, I may venture to assert with great assurance, they never will recede, even admitting the continuance of hostile attempts and that from the rage of War the good people of these States shall be driven to commence a Treaty westward of yonder Mountains; and permit me to add Sir, as my humble opinion, the true Interest of Great Britain in the present advance of the Contest will be found in confirming our Independence.

2 See the Journals, June 13; also nos. 340, 343, 344, ante, and nos. 346, 355, 358, 360, 373, post. Johnstone's letter to Washington dated June 10 is in Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 136. Washington's reply, June 12, is in Writings (ed. Sparks), V. 402; his reply of the same date to Eden's letter dated June 9 is ibid., p. 401. Besides the public letter transmitting the address, etc., of the British commissioners, Washington also wrote a private letter to President Laurens June 11, in which he said: "I must take the freedom to hint to you, that if in the packets transmitted by this conveyance there are any letters for persons, with whom you are not acquainted, or in whose firmness and attachment you have not an entire confidence, it may not be improper to open them. This I am persuaded would be the case. However I am the more induced to mention it, as the obvious nay almost sole design of several letters which have come to my hands is to give the Commissioners the most favourable characters for candor and integrity and to establish a belief that they have the most competent and extensive powers. The letters coming sealed was sufficient to awaken my suspicions and I shall not transmit a single one of this complexion. You and I, I am convinced move on the same principle, and therefore I am certain, I hazard nothing in taking this liberty" (Writings, ed. Ford, VII. 57, ed. Sparks, V. 400). See also Washington to Laurens June 18, "six o'clock, P. M." (Writings, ed. Ford, VII. 68, ed. Sparks, V. 411).

[346]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XXIV. 61; S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, Mar.-Sept., 1778, p. 183; ibid., Laurens Papers, vol. 28 (copy); N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XII. (copy in the writing of Laurens's secretary, Moses Young); Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 136 n.

Congress in no hour have been haughty, but to suppose that their minds are less firm in the present than they were, when, destitute of all foreign aid, even without expectation of an Alliance, when, upon a day of general public fasting and humiliation, in their House of Worship and in the presence of God, they Resolved, "to hold no conference or Treaty with. any Commissioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they shall as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their Fleets and Armies or in positive and express terms acknowledge the Independence of these States," would be irrational.

At a proper time Sir, I shall think myself highly honored, by a personal attention and by contributing to render every part of these States agreeable to you, but until the Basis of mutual confidence shall be established, I believe Sir, neither former private friendships nor any other consideration, can influence Congress to consent, that even Governor Johnston, a Gentleman who has been so deservedly esteemed in America shall see the Country. I have but one voice and that shall be against it. But let me intreat you my Dear Sir do not hence conclude that I am deficient in affection to my old friends, through whose kindness I have obtained the honor of the present correspondence, or that I am not with very great personal Respect and Esteem, Sir

Your most Obedient and most Humble Servant

The Honorable George Johnston Esquire
Philadelphia 2

HENRY LAURENS

347. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DELEGATES TO THE PRESIDENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.1

Hon'd Sir.

YORK TOWN PENNSYLVANIA June 15th 1778.

Congress having received advice by Letters from General Sullivan of the late Ravages of the British Troops in his Department; and of his present inability to prevent the like in future should they come out with any considerable force-have directed the Delegates of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay and Connecticutt to address the Legislatures of their respective States, requesting them forthwith to send forward their Quotas of Troops destined for the defence of the State of Rhode-Island.2 Tho' we think there is no reason to doubt but that the Quota of our State will be raised and marched, before this reaches you yet in Obedience to the Orders of Congress, we cannot do less than solicit your attention to a Matter so important in its Consequences-that if, by any means our State should be wanting in that respect, your immediate Care might supply the Deficiency.

2 See nos. 340, 345, ante, and nos, 355, 358, 360, 373, post. In the N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, vol. XII., are also copies of Johnstone's letter to Laurens June 10, and his letter to Robert Morris June 16. See the Journals, July 9, 18, Aug. 11.

[347]1 Mass. Hist. Soc., C 81 A 24; Library of Congress, Force Trans., Weare, f. 114. 2 See the Journals, June 13.

We have only to add our hearty wishes that this and every other Exertion of the State in defence of every thing valuable may be attended with the best success.

We are with great Esteem

Sir, your Obedt. very hum'le Servants
JOSIAH BARTLETT

Honble M. Weare Esqr.

President of New-Hampshire.

JOHN WENTWORTH JUNR.

348. ROBERT MORRIS TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.1

VALLEY FORGE, June 16th, 1778.

I came down here about ten days ago, expecting to go into Philadelphia immediately, and should certainly have done so, had not the Commissioners arrived at the critical time they did. Since then I have been prevailed on to stay, day after day, until Congress give them their answer, which, it is expected here, will be such, as will send them off immediately. After that answer is given, I should like to hold an hour or two's conversation with my friend, Governor Johnstone, but have not yet determined on doing so. I think he will be much mortified at his disappointed embassy, and I could wish to convince him, that Great Britain may still be happy and continue rich, by forming a commercial alliance with us, on the same broad basis that other nations do. It will be no difficult matter to convince any reasonable man, that Great Britain would still enjoy under such treaties the greatest share and most valuable parts of our trade; but the best and most liberal of the British subjects feel themselves humbled, in the idea of quitting their sovereignty over us; and this with many will preclude all reasoning on the subject. Whether Governor Johnstone is of this number or not, I cannot tell; but we know he is strongly opposed to our independence, although unbounded in offers of everything else. No offers must tempt us; they ought not to have a hearing of one moment, unless preceded by acknowledgment of our independence, because we can never be happy people under their domination.

I have frequently ventured to assert here, that Congress will not give up one of their former resolves on this subject, nor do a thing in the least degree inconsistent with their public faith, plighted in the ratification of the treaty with France. I am sure you will make my words good." 349. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.1

Dear Sir,

YORK IN PENNSYLVA. 16 June 1778

The enemy have made many insidious attempts upon us lately, not in the military way, they seem tired of that, but in the way of negoti

[348]1 Sparks, Life of Gouverneur Morris, I. 186 (extract).

2 See nos. 340, 343, ante, 356, 370, 373, post. It was on the very day on which this letter was written that Johnstone wrote to Robert Morris his famous letter offering honors and emoluments to those who might steer the vessel safely to port. See the Journals, July 9, Aug. 11; cf. nos. 419-422, 462, post.

[349] Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, second ser., LI. 21; Letters (ed. Ballagh), I. 412.