and every necessary article for defence or attack, as Genl. Gates conquered Genl. Burgoyne, under every disadvantage of situation and reduced to the last extremity? answers are easily given to such silly remarks, when one is disposed to reply. In a word Sir, be not alarmed I think it is not in the power of any junto to lessen our friend without his own consent. I trust his good sense and his knowledge of the World, will guard against so fatal an error. If you desire it sir Mr. John Laurens will communicate what I have written in confidence to him, I say in confidence not because I am afraid of having my sentiments known, I speak them honestly and unreservedly upon every proper occasion but I very much dislike correspondencies which may be misconstrued and charged with design to foment dissentions. it is my constant endeavor to reconcile and make peace. I am not insensible that Genl. Washington has been in several Instances extremely Ill used by the neglect of those who ought to be his grand support and to prevent every cause of complaint on his part, but if I were with him half an hour and would persuade myself he wanted information, it would be very easy to convince him there has not any thing been designedly done or omitted to affront him—I speak of so large a majority as 9 in 10. the General very well knows what we are, and will continue to make suitable allowances for all defects seeming or real. we are in a State of Infancy, yet thank God, we are not quite so foolish nor so wicked as our Parent. Men whisper and very harmless things too of Genl. Washington. loud bellowing scandal appears in every Newspaper upon the name of his Antagonist Sir William-but I will dwell no longer upon this matter. A large Committee appointed by Congress of four of its own Members and three from the New Board of War 5 will shortly be in Camp in order to concert measures with the Commander in Chief for the reformation of the Army. God grant every good purpose may be answered by their consultations. to these Gentlemen Sir you are particularly referred for an answer to your last favor without date relative to Monsr. du pin de Montauban, and also for the desired promotion of Monsr. Gemaut. the powers of this deputation are very ample I will not say unlimited. 6 the Clothing which you had been informed of, Colo. Lee assures me is little more than a collection of old wearing apparel of all shapes and sizes and that the whole is appropreated. You will learn by the dispatches now sent to Genl. Washington, that Mr. Burgoyne is destined to pass the present Winter in Massachusetts Bay and the reasons which urged Congress to a determination which must undergo the Criticism of all the Politicians in the Civilized World. I shall be happy to have the approbation of those in our own Country. 4 The letter of Jan. 8, no. 22, ante. 5 Concerning this committee, see no. 62, note 2, post. Cf. nos. 28, 37, 40, 44, 46, post. This was the Marquis de la Tour du Pin de Montauban. See no. 104, post. In the text of Lafayette's letter in S. C. Hist, and Geneal. Mag., VII. 120, the name appears as "de La torèd du pin de montauban ". 7 Lieutenant-Colonel Gimat was aide-de-camp to Lafayette. See the Journals, Feb. 2, 3. If I had not honestly thought the measure justifiable as well as necessary I would not have been a strenuous advocate in favor of it. I think he will appear to have been the dupe of his own policy. the intimation which he gave to Gen Gates who was at Albany of a breach of Public faith was artfully enough insinuated calculated for a particular purpose but not intended for the view of Congress. If in this we have acted wisely, it will be set to our Credit in opposition to some of our supposed errors. Dear Sir 28. JAMES LOVELL TO SAMUEL ADAMS.1 8 Jan'ry 13th 1777 [1778.] I prevented Congress sometime ago from inserting Massachusetts among those states to whom pressing recommendation has been sent to afford more members to transact the business which is great and various here at this period; but I find reason to repent my interposition, tho', otherwise, you would have been summoned back immediately upon getting out of your Saddle in Boston.2 5 When 5 were actually at York, 2 Delegates were a Representation; now only 3 are here, 3 are essential in Congress. This, at the worst season of the year, to 3 shabby constitutions is irksome; more especially as each is on 2 standing committees, and according to the usual fate of eastern members are seldom forgot upon perplexing transient calls. Mr. Dana goes to Camp, with three others of Congress, and 3 of the new Board of War, upon the great Business of introducing Discipline and Oeconomy into the army. Poor Geary will get a double portion of Treasury-toil by this; which, upon the back of a great deal of System-Patching lately, will go near to put him past the salutary power of Vegetables. We have wanted 2 of our Colleagues lately, as Mentors; tho' we should not, even with them, have been quite unanimous. Just cause, ground or reason to fear that a contract made will be violated warrants a suspension of the agreement, till that fear is done away; but, that just cause must be something consequent to the Convention; and the degree of fear arising 6 8 See nos. 10, 12, 13, 21, 22, ante. [28]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers. 2 See the Journals, Dec. 9, 1777. 7 See the resolution of the Massachusetts legislature, Dec. 12, 1777, in the Journals, Jan. 7. Cf. nos. 44, 161, 164, 174, 203, post. In Austin, Life of Gerry, I. 274, is an extract of a letter from Gerry (to James Warren?), Jan. 14: Mr. Dana has been ordered by Congress on a committee to camp. He will probably be absent a month. I am alone of our delegation, and the state will lose its vote. . . I am worn down with fatigue, and have been waiting with some impatience to return to Massachusetts; but I have wished to see certain measures accomplished before I left Congress; when those were finished, others presented themselves equally important and I waited for them, and so on; but this mode of travelling will never get me home. I must therefore determine at all events to leave this place in the spring." Similar laments were voiced in letters of Apr. 24 and May 26 (ibid., I. 275). 4" Gates, Mifflin, and Pickering". [Marginal note by Lovell.] 5 See no. 27, note 5, ante, and nos. 29, 31, post. 6 Gerry and Dana were both on the board of treasury, the former since Feb. 17, 1776, the latter since Dec. 3, 1777. 7 The allusion is to the convention of Saratoga and the action of Congress Dec. 27, 1777, and Jan. 8, 1778. See nos. 10, 12, 13, 20, 21, 27, ante. from the same word or deed will operate variously according [to] the characters of persons and circumstances of things. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, if a great variety of Judgements should be formed in the world upon the late decission of Congress. Those who have been chiefly theoretic students will shake their heads and cry nay. These will be joined by some timorous christians, who are always doubting even when they say they have sure hope. On the other hand practical Politicians, joined by all such good Folk as, supposing themselves past the days of miraculous Exhibition, look upon natural vigorous exertions as somewhat connected with the essence of Hope, these, I suppose, will cry aloud aye. G- and I are in the latter Classes. Brother D- tho not fully with us was honestly and judgematically differing, as far as he did differ. I suspect the two Mentors if here would not have been quite in Unison. But there has been another particular Case in which I think I should have had you both on my part, tho I have stood single against two worthy patriotic Brethren. You must have observed in some of my past Scrawls that there was an appearance of a wish or design to put our military officers upon the footing of european. "To put them on Half pay after the end of this War either for Life or 20 or 10 or 5 years, to secure Pensions to their Widows, and to make their Commissions vendible ".10 In my rage against Extortioners I have thrown out these things in the Course of my Correspondence, but not so much to frighten them into an amendment of manners, as to draw reproof to myself from old veterans, as Clark " calls one of my Friends, and from any others who have not forgotten that this was in its beginning a patriotic war. 11 Are we not in a young Country where a living is easily gotten by labour and where it is not a disgrace to work? so that Officers after the War may with ease and without shame maintain themselves upon land, which is to be given to them as well as to soldiers. Are not our soldiers, many of them, married Men as well as their Commanders? In Europe they are single, or if married, they have Wives like themselves without any home. Let this equallity in America be considered, and say whether the soldier's Widow shall not have a Pension, and the soldier surviving the War be put on Half-pay. Are not Militia Officers almost as much in the Field as our Continental Gentlemen? Must we not enlarge the half pay Scheme or disgust the Militia? a Case of the Kind not happening in Europe. There, this mode of introducing into Society a set of haughty idle imperious Scandalizers of industrious Citizens and Farmers may be practiced. I have no reason to look for a Half pay majority in Congress; as there is really no argument for it but a fear of all our best officers leaving the army. . . I must go back to my first Subject as an apology for not writing the history of York Town at large. 8 G. and D. are Gerry and Dana. 9 Presumably the two Adamses. 10 See the Journals, Jan. 5, 9, 10; cf. vol. II., nos. 774, 782, and no. 67, post. Fulsom, Dana, Reed, Harvey go to Camp Pen to the Hospitals." Therefore the 13 States have their Business managed by a snug set indeed. With frozen Fingers but much warmth of friendly attachment to you at heart I am Dear Sir Your Servant JL Dear Sir 29. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 YORK 13th of Jany 1778 I have waited some time, in expectation of informing You with the Sense of Congress on the several Subjects mentioned in your agreable Favour of the 25th Decr.; but am not yet fully able to answer my Purpose.2 The Resolutions for allowing hereafter to Officers, the Cost of their retained Rations, and for enabling your Excellency to increase the number of your Aids, I find by your letters to Congress are at Hand. And the proposals of allowing to Officers who shall continue in the Service to the End of the War, and whose Regiments shall then be reduced, half pay for a limited Time; of enabling Officers after the War to Sell their Commissions under proper Regulations; and of giving to the Widows of such Officers as shall hereafter loose their lives in the service, pensions while 12 See the Journals, Jan. 6, 10, 12. Cf. nos. 40, 44, post. 18 Cf. no. 31, post. [29] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XXI. 88; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 66. 2 The letter to Gerry Dec. 25 has not been found. It would appear to have been similar in tone and substance to the letters to Congress Dec. 22 and 23, in Writings (ed. Ford), VI. 252, 257, (ed. Sparks), V. 192, 197. Gerry was a member of the recent committee of conference (see these Letters, vol. II., no. 774). The passage here omitted relates to the constitution of the committee of conference appointed Jan. 10 and 12. See no. 27, ante. See the Journals, Dec. 30, 1777, and Jan. 3, 1778. they remain in a State of Widowhood are now before Congress. The first has been largely debated, and I am apprehensive that it will meet with a negative; there are many weighty Arguments against it, Such as the Infant State of the Country, its Aversion to placemen and pensioners whereby G Britain is likely to lose her liberty, the Equality of the officers and soldiers of some States before the War, and the bad Effect that Such provision would have on the Minds of the latter; but I must confess that none of these weigh so much in my Mind, as the Necessity of making a Commission so valuable that a Dismission will not only be disgraceful to an Officer, but injurious to his Interest. This will introduce That Subordination to civil Authority which is Necessary to produce an internal Security to Liberty; and to the high Officers of the Military Department such authority as to enable them to establish discipline, without which an Army can be neither vigorous, nor Successful.* Colo. Wilkinson is appointed Secretary to the Board of War, which, I hope, he will accept, that the just Causes of Complaint arising from his hasty promotion may be removed: should he refuse I think Congress will be justified in taking effectual Measures to remedy the evils resulting therefrom." 6 General Heath is directed to procure and send to your Excellency one thousand bell tents, to prevent in future the Danger arising from heavy Rains at the critical Moment of an Engagement with the Enemy. Is it not necessary that Measures Should be taken by Congress or your Excellency for further providing against this Evil, by appropriating a Drummer, fifer, or some other Officer in each Company to carry a Bell tent for the Same, in Times of Action when the Baggage Waggons are ordered to leave the Army; that whether advancing or retreating, the Soldiers may never be in danger of having their Muskets and ammunition rendered useless from the Want of this Article? Sir 30. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO WILLIAM HEATH.1 14th Jany 1778. You will likewise receive two Copies of an Act of Congress dated the 8th Inst., for suspending the embarkation of Lieutt. Gen. Burgoyne and his troops until the Convention of Saratoga shall be explicitly ratified by the Court of Great Britain and notified to Congress. One Copy of which you are directed by another Act, dated the 12th, which will accompany the abovementioned, to deliver to Lieutt. Gen. Burgoyne; by the same Act you are injoined to order such transports if arrived, or when they shall arrive, to quit the port of Boston immediately. Congress have directed Gen. Washington to renew his demand on Gen. Sir Wm. Howe for passports for vessels to transport provision and 4 Cf. no. 28, ante, no. 67, post. 5 See the Journals, Jan. 5, 6. Cf. no. 5, ante, and nos. 36, 64, post. 6 See the Journals, Jan. 5. [30] Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh_ser., IV._202; Mass. Hist. Soc., Heath Papers, VIII. 55, 73 (duplicate); Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 133. |