any Countenance or Authority from the Congress of the thirteen United States of America.

Resolved that no number or body of people within any part of these Unites States can be Justified in Attempting to form and Establish any new Independant States within any part of these United States without the Consent of the State or States in which they are and were Included at the time the Congress were at first Elected and Convened for the Safety and defence of these United States; and the approbation of Congress." And it is recommended in the Strongest terms to the people aforementioned and all other the good people of these United States and any particular State Interested or Claiming to be Interested in the premises to refrain from all Acts of violence and coersive measures as they regard the peace and welfare of these United States.*

428. THE NEW YORK DELEGATES, PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS.1

2

[July, 1778.] The Committee who brought in this report were: Mr. Huntington, of Connecticut, Mr. J. B. Smith, of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Francis Lightfoot Lee, of Virginia.

Amendments intended to be proposed to the Report:

Resolved, that no man or body of men can of right on any territory within North America form or establish any State, (other than those which were called the British Colonies, Provinces, or Plantations in North America,) without the Special consent of that State within which such territory shall lie, and the approbation of Congress.

Resolved, that Congress do highly reprobate all attempts to set up, form, or establish any new State or government, as tending to break the Union of the States they represent, to produce civil wars, and to destroy the peace, freedon, and happiness of America.

Resolved, that Congress have not given and will not give any countenance or authority to the discontented subjects of the State of New York, Styling themselves the inhabitants of Vermont, but do disapprove of their proceedings.

Resolved, that it be most earnestly recommended to the persons aforesaid, forthwith to submit peaceably and quietly to the jurisdiction, government, and authority of the said State of New York, and that they represent unto the said government any grievances they may labor under.

Resolved, that the State of New York be requested to forbear, for the present, all coercive measures to compel the submission of their discon

In the Huntington copy (Duane Papers) the following resolution is found,

although erased:

Resolved that a Copy of these Resolutions be forthwith Transmitted to the people Stiling themselves Inhabitants of Vermont and that they be directed to lay before Congress the Causes and reasons of their proceedings in attempting to Establish a new Government to the end that such proceedings may be had thereon as to Right and Justice shall be found to appertain."

Endorsed, in the writing of James Duane, "draft of Resolutions for a decision". [428]1 Clinton Papers, III. 569.

2 No. 427, ante.

tented subjects, and also, on a proper representation, to redress the grievances they labor under, if any there be.3

My dear Hetty

429. JOSEPH REED TO MRS. REED.1

PHILAD. July 21 [1778.]

I send you inclosed all the News Papers published since I wrote you last by Capt. Mercers 2 Harry. You will in the last Paper find Govr. Johnstones Letter to me published by Order of Congress. I had some Difficulty to prevent the Extracts from your Brothers Letter [from being] published in the same Paper. You will perhaps wonder at this as supposing it contains nothing disadvantageous to him, but I assure you a very different Idea was entertained of it in Congress and I only got it withdrawn on the Plea of personal Favour.3

430. JOHN PENN TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA
(RICHARD CASWELL).1

Dear Sir:

PHILADELPHIA July 21st 1778.

I wrote to you the 15th Inst. by an express informing you that by the Commission Col. Williams obtained it would require three Delegates to be present before the State could have a vote, and then indeed we must be all of one opinion. As there are several gentlemen here that represent the State they belong to singly, and as I proposed to our Assembly that they would choose four Delegates confining two to be here at a time, which was not done, the Members saying they would proceed the old way, I am induced to wish that your Excellency would send a Commission giving all or either of us a right to vote until November,' when I think the Confederation directs two. I mention this again lest some accident should happen to the express.3

Monsr Gerard the French Minister is here, he is a very polite and well bred man, Mr. Deane says he has been our first friend in France. We had a curious letter from the Commissioners lately, calling upon us to know, by what authority we presume to make treaties with the King of France, or any other foreign power, declaring we had no authority delegated to us, for that purpose by the Assembly's of the different States, before or since the supposed confederation; the answer was short," that

3 Cf. the Journals, May 22, 1779, and a letter of the New York delegates to Governor Clinton, June 1, 1779, in vol. IV. [429] N. Y. Hist. Soc., MSS. of Joseph Reed, IV.

2 Probably John Francis Mercer of Virginia, who had, however, been made a major June 8, 1778, and was aide-de-camp to General Lee. There was a Captain John Mercer of New Jersey, who had, however, since February, 1777, been a prisoner of the British. See Heitman, Hist. Reg.

3 See nos. 357, 373, 422, ante, 442, 443, 467, post. Mrs. Reed's brother was Dennis Deberdt. Cf. vol. II., no. 25.

[430] N. C. State Recs., XIII. 198, XXII. 975.

2 The other text has "November 3". According to the Articles of Confederation Congress was to meet the first Monday in November, which, in 1778, would have been November 2.

3 Cf. no. 413, ante, and see the Journals, July 24.

the British Fleet and Army not being sent away, nor the Independence of America acknowledged, no answer be given". Enclosed is a Newspaper. I hope Sir you will forward a Commission by the first opportunity as desired unless you find some express resolution to the contrary, of the Assembly. Indeed I am perfectly satisfied from what I heard when at New Bern, that no alteration was intended. I feel myself in an awkward situation not having a right to vote, matters of importance will soon be debated.

Sir

431. ANDREW ADAMS TO OLIVER WOLCOTT.1

PHILADELPHIA 22d July 1778

The Arrival of the French fleet added to the Battle of Monmouth seams to put our affairs upon a respectable Footing and Defuses a general Joy among the friendly Inhabitants of this City: however I must freely own I dont feel myself so compleatly flush'd upon this Occation as many do: I cant say but it may be attended with the happy Consiquences expected; but when I view the Matter upon a larger Scale sundry Questions suggest themselves for our Consideration; I was fully of Oppinion that the War was drawing to a speedy issue: I look'd upon the present Campaign as the last, and that we had before us every prospect of Success, and our Independ[enc]e as fix'd-upon this View of the Case I would quere whither the arival of this Fleet will not be a Means of lengthining out the War, and also ley us under an Obligation of affording France an arm'd force in Case they Need it which as the Case may be circumstanced as to time place etc. may be very disagreable to our Northern people: besides would it not be much to our Advantage had we settled the present Controversy in our favour without a foreign Aid.

Under such Idears I have never been fond of the Assistance of any foreign Power: However I am no Adept in Politicks, nor do I pretend to determin those Questions either Way. I only hint some things that have ever been upon my Mind and leave the Decision to abler Politi [ci]ans or future Time-should be glad of your Sentiments upon those Matters. The Seiur Gerard with Mr. Dean arrived in this City (if I mistake not) the 12th instant; he has not as yet been admitted to an Audience: The Cerimonials for that purpose are fix'd and that will now be done in a very few Days: he is not to be recd. as Ambasador but as Minister Plenipotentiary.2

432. HENRY LAURENS TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1

Sir:

PHILADELPHIA 23d July, 1778.

As I have nothing public in charge for your Excellency I must request you sir to indulge me in this private, for the cover of six marine commissions, instructions and bonds, and of a letter to Captain Cottineau.

4 See the Journals, July 18. Cf. nos. 419-422, 424, 429, ante, 432, 442, 443, post. [431]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, I. 43.

2 Cf. nos. 411, 422, 424, ante, 438, 443, 449, post.

[432]1 N. C. St. Recs., XXII. 976, XIII. 199; S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, Mar.-Sept., 1778, p. 225 (dated July 22).

The Captain applied to me in York town, for a commission for his own ship, and for one or two which he said he intended to equip and to form a little squadron. Congress is not inclined to grant commissions for vessels in distant States unless special descriptions are previously laid before them. Your Excellency will be capable of judging of the propriety of Captain Cottineau's pretensions and will act as you shall think for the benefit of the public. At this critical moment 'tis highly probable demands will be made on your Excellency for all that remains after Captain Cottineau shall be supplied. . . . .

I take the liberty of enclosing to your Excellency two of the latest newspapers.

I am anxious that Congress should resolve to hold no conference with men who have dared to tempt them with bribes of gold, and I trust that through the endeavors of some diligent patriots in the House, those men will be compelled to return the bearers of their own impeachment, will be held up to the severe resentments of their much injured countrymen, and their names transmitted to posterity in characters which will render their memory infamous.3

D'r Brother

433. JONATHAN ELMER TO EBENEZER ELMER.1

PHILADA. 23d: July 1778

The complaints of the Officers of the Army which you mention I acknowledge are in general but too well founded. But when you reflect upon the rapid progress of our political affairs, the multiplicity of business Congress have had to transact, and the many difficulties they have had to surmount; I am convinced you will readily perceive that Congress is often unjustly complained of. The depreciation of our paper Currency is irremediable at present, as it arises in a great measure from the superabundency of it in circulation. But as our affairs now begin to wear a smiling aspect, and as we are beginning to sink our bills of credit by Taxes, the value of our money will indubitably soon begin to appreciate. This in my opinion ought to afford some satisfaction to those who are at present sufferers in the Service of their Country. ...

I have very little reason to believe that any new regulations respecting the medical department in the Army will take place this Campaign, Congress having too much business on hand of a more general and important nature, to attend to that matter.

Dr. E: Elmer 2

2 See N. C. State Recs., XII. 593, 599, 614, 700, 734, 738.

3 See no. 430, ante, and nos. 442, 443, post.

[433]1 Collection of the late Garrett D. W. Vroom, Trenton, N. J.

2 Dr. Ebenezer Elmer was surgeon of a New Jersey regiment. Sketches of him and his brother, Dr. Jonathan Elmer, are in Appleton, Cyclo. Am. Biog.

Sir

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

24th July [1778.]

I have to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's several favors of the 4th, 8th and 16th Instant, which have been in due course presented to Congress, but hitherto I have received no commands in return. supposing Your Excellency's Messenger, who will be the bearer of this may have been employed for the special purpose of bringing your favor of the 20th and that expences are consequently increasing every day; I have judged it best to dispatch him without further delay. I have Men here employed as Messengers in constant pay. one of these shall conduct to your Excellency such Resolves as Congress shall form on the last mentioned Letter immediately after the Act shall be sent to me. That Letter had been committed to the Board of War on Monday last a Report was made yesterday, and after some Debate re-committed. If I dare judge of opinions not yet delivered Congress will coincide with your Excellency's respecting the intended expedition against Detroit, and the further raising troops of horse."

435. SAMUEL HOLTEN, DIARY.1

[July 23-26, 1778.]

23. I removed from the Wid° Robbinson's to board at the house of Miss Dolley and Clark in 2d street. I dined and drank tea at Doctr. Shippin's, director Genl. of the continental Hospital.

24. I dined with the President, and went and viewed the Hospital, workhouse and City goal, they are very elegant and great Buildings. 25. Two months this day since I left home. Col. Partridge3 spent the afternoon with us.

26. Sabbath day. I went to St. Peter's Church in the forenoon and in the afternoon to the College where I heard the best sermon since I left Boston. Dr. Weatherspoon and Colo. Partridge dined with us.

[434]1 Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, II. 32.

2 See the Journals, July 13, 20, 22, 25. There were actually four letters from Governor Henry, July 4, 8, 10, and 16, and the dates have been somewhat confused in the entries in the Journals (cf. no. 436, post). They are in Henry, Life of Henry, III. 178, 180, 183, 185. The letter of Patrick Lockhart July 3, enclosed with Henry's letter of July 10, is ibid., p. 184. The originals are in Papers Cont. Cong., no. 71, vol. I., ff. 161, 165, 169, 173, 179. The letter of July 8 is endorsed by Laurens: Govr. Henry 8th July 1778 Read late P. M. 18th "; by Secretary Thomson: "Read 20 Referred ", etc. [43511 Essex Inst. Hist. Colls., LV. 167.

66

2 See no. 388, ante. Samuel Adams speaks, in the letter to his wife Dec. 13 (no. 671, post), of Mrs. Clark and her sister, Miss Daily, in whose house the Massachusetts delegates resided. William Whipple refers to it (see no. 615, note 4, post) as "Liberty Hall". The name which appears in Holten's Diary as Dolley" and in Adams's Writings as "Daily" was probably Dally or Dalley. Gifford Dally was the keeper of the City Tavern. See no. 449, note 2, post. It may therefore have been at the City Tavern that Holten took tea on New Year's Day, 1779, for he records under that date, "I drank tea at Mr. Dolley's ".

3 See no. 425, ante.