My dear Hetty

467. JOSEPH REED TO MRS. REED.1

PHILAD. Augt. 16. 1778.
Sunday.

As I expected to have spent this Day with you I feel no small Disappointment in being obliged to substitute Pen and Ink in Place of the more substantial Pleasure of a personal Interview, but the Weather has turnd out so bad and some Events have happened in Congress that would have deprived one of the Satisfaction of meeting you if the Weather and other Circumstances had been favourable. .

About 8 Days ago the Committee of Arrangement was ordered to proceed to Camp. at that Time I was confined and immediately afterward the Business of Congress led to Inquiry into the Conduct of our Commissioner abroad when mutual Recrimination brought out the Charge made by Dr. Lee against Mr. Langdon and myself as holding a treacherous Correspondence with the British Ministry. It seems Dr. Lee transmitted it to Paris to be forwarded to America somehow concealed in the blank Leaves of Entick's Dictionary-The Gentlemen at Paris on examining it fearing it would have fatal Effects on our Characters kept it back. after a little Time Mr. Lee having joined them as a Fellow Commissioner and soon falling out with them he endeavoured to get the Dictionary from them which was refused, and last spring it was sent over to Mr. R. Morris who seeing only a Dictionary and no Explanation could not tell what to make of it but laid it by and it being at Manheim we have not yet seen the Contents. The story having now taken Wind and a strong Party formed in Congress against the Lee Connection they are resolved to avail themselves of this indiscreet and imprudent Measure to turn him out of Employ if they can-or at least that it shall be a Make Weight in the Scale.3 For my own Part, my Opinion of Dr. Lee is not altered by the Transaction-I shall vote just in the same Manner as I should have done if another Person had been the Object of this Charge, and am really sorry that the Talent he unquestionably possesses should be useless to himself

2

[467] N. Y. Hist. Soc., MSS. of Joseph Reed, IV.; Library of Congress, Force Trans., Reed (extract).

2 The letter of Arthur Lee here referred to is that of June 3, 1776, in Force, Am. Arch., fourth ser., VI. 685; Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 95. It was written on the blank leaves of a copy of Entick's New Spelling Dictionary, and two of the leaves, containing the latter part of the letter, still exist. They are in the Library of Congress (Papers Cont. Cong., no. 83, vol. I, f. 21). On the back of the last of these leaves is a memorandum by James Lovell: 1778 Sepr. 4 Recd. in Congress from Mr. Morris Decr. 7 delivered to the Com'tee of foreign affairs Attest James Lovell." A copy of part of the letter, found at the same place, bears this memorandum by Lovell: Copy of A. Lee's Letter to the Com'tee of Secret Correspondence date June 3d and taken from the Original in the Cover of a Dictionary wch was delivered to the Secretary of Congress by Mr. Robt. Morris on the 4th Sepr. 1778 and delivered to the Com'tee of foreign affairs Decr. 7th following Attest James Lovell." Following this is a further memorandum, "with Feb. 13, 13, 14, Mar. 19, Apr. 15, 1776." Cf. no. 635, post. The dictionary was intended as a basis of cipher correspondence between Lee and the committee of secret correspondence, and copies of it were actually used for that purpose in the correspondence between the Lees. See no. 268, ante.

3 With regard to the Deane controversy, see no. 401, note 2, ante, and nos. 468, 472, 487, 524, post.

and dangerous to others for Want of a little Portion of Candour and common ordinary Sense to mingle with them. And at all Events we ought to be thankful that while Rocks and Precipices were all round me, Providence so ordered Matters that I have not only not fallen but possess a greater share of publick Confidence than I ever did."

Dear Jay

468. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO JOHN JAY.1

PHILADELPHIA 16 Augt: 1778

We are at length fairly setting about our finances and our foreign affairs. For the latter particularly, I much wish you were here. Many persons whom you know are very liberal of illiberality. Your friend Deane who hath rendered the most essential services, stands as one accused. The Storm increases, and I think some one of the tall trees, must be torn up by the roots."

469. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO ROBERT R. Livingston.'

PHILADELPHIA 17th Augt. 1778.

A variety of those little incidents which postpone great affairs especially in a body so constituted as the Congress, together with a want of that providence and arrangment of business which I have labored to inoculate and establish ever since I have been here have produced the evil you complain of in your loan offices. It is now in a train for speedy redress.2

4

The Vermont business doth indeed press and daily with additional weight. Let our situation be considered. The attention of the members of Congress to this affair must be entreated not forced. At present three days in the week are set apart for the treasury and finances, two more for the consideration of foreign affairs add to this that Congress is also an executive body. I do not mean to apologize. I know I shall be charged by my enemies. Let not my friends pretend to excuse. If the State have not a confidence that their delegates are willing and able to serve them it is time they were recalled. Justice shall be done to us. I am sorry that the unavoidable delays render it almost injustice.

You tell me that I must be with you at the opening of the Session but you do not let me know when the session is. Let me paint my situation. I am on a Committee to arrange the Treasury and Finances. I am of the medical committee and have to prepare the arrangments of that depart

4 See the Journals, Aug. 11, and nos. 373, 429, ante.

[468]1 Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 49, vol. III., p. 22 (extract).

2 Deane was called into Congress Aug. 15 for examination. Cf. no. 467, ante, and nos. 472, 487, 498, 502, 524, post.

[469]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Livingston Papers, II. 137 (copy of part).

2 Morris probably alludes to the plan for the reorganization of the treasury department, which appears to have been, in the main, prepared by him. It is found in the Journals under Aug. 13. Cf. nos. 470, 471, 533, 567, post.

8 Concerning Vermont, see nos. 237, 381, 426-428, ante, 507, 543, 544, 597, post. 4 See the Journals, Aug. 12, 13, and no. 470, post.

5

ment. I have the same thing to go through with relative to the Commissary's Quarter Master and Clothier General's departments. I am to prepare a Manifesto on the cruelties of the British. I have drawn and expect to draw, almost if not all the publications of Congress of any importance. These are leading things; but the every day minutia are infinite. From Sunday morning to Saturday night I have no exercise unless to walk from where I now sit about fifty yards to Congress and to return. My constitution sinks under this and the heat of this pestiferous Climate. Duer talks daily of going hence. we have nobody else here so that, if I quit, the state will be unrepresented.

Dr: Sir

8

470. ANDREW ADAMS TO SAMUEL LYMAN.1

PHILADELPHIA: 17th: August 1778

I have this Day the happiness of receiveing your Favr: of the 14th: ulto trust you have before this recd. a Line from me

46

5 The Bancroft transcript has "relation ", but it seems more probable that Morris wrote "relative", the preceding verbal phrase being go through with ", not "go through 6 The Journals do not record the appointment of a committee at this time to prepare a manifesto on British cruelties, but there is a reference to such a committee Sept. 12, in language identical with that of the resolve of Jan. 21. See nos. 41, 44, 47, 56, 83, ante. Apparently therefore the idea of issuing this manifesto had been allowed to sleep during all these months and was only stirred to life again, probably, by the remonstrance of the British commissioners Aug. 7, relative to the detention of the convention prisoners (see no. 462, ante), receiving, no doubt, an additional stimulus from the declarations of Aug. 26 (see the Journals, Aug. 31, Sept. 3, 4, 10, and nos. 491, 514, post). Probably also the recent representations concerning the conditions of prisoners in the hands of the enemy contributed largely to that end. Gouverneur Morris was a member of the committee of Jan. 21, and he was also a member of the committee of Aug. 12 on the British remonstrance. No specific report from the latter committee is found in the Journals, and it may very well be that Congress presently accepted the view expressed by Laurens in his letter to Lowndes (no. 462, ante), that the remonstrance did not merit a special committee, particularly after the adoption of the somewhat belated Declaration of Aug. 11 (see Laurens's letter above mentioned). At all events, the idea of sending forth a manifesto on the subject was brought to fruition by the appearance of the British manifesto of Oct. 3 (see the Journals, Oct. 15, 16, and no. 562, note 2, post). Morris was chairman of the committee appointed upon that document, which after making a report Oct. 16 had leave to sit again. It seems unquestionable therefore that the long-contemplated manifesto is that which is found in the Journals under Oct. 30, without any explanation of its origin, and it would seem altogether probable that Gouverneur Morris was its author. See no. 596, post.

7 The Journals contain a good deal of evidence to show that this is not quite such an exaggeration as it might at first blush seem to be. A statement made by Morris in later years concerning his services in Congress is pertinent here: "Not to mention the attendance from II to 4 in the house, which was common to all, and the appointments to committees, of which I had a full share, I was at the same time Chairman, and of course did the business, of the Standing Committees; viz., on the commissary's, quartermaster's, and medical Departments. You must not imagine that the members of these committees took apy share or burden of the affairs. Necessity, preserving the democratical forms, assumed the monarchical substance of business. The Chairman received and answered all letters and other applications, took every step which he deemed essential, prepared reports, gave orders, and the like, and merely took the members of a committee into a chamber and for form's sake made the needful communications, and received their approbation which was given of course" (Diary and Letters, I. 12).

The New York delegation included at this time Francis Lewis as well as Morris and Duer.

[470] Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 49, vol. III., p. 38 (original); Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 196 n. (extract).

I have as you observed taken a Seat in Congress, and mixd among the great States-Men of America among whose shining Talents you may well imagine my feable Genious is lost in Obscurity. . .

You Reason perfectly Just in my Oppinion in regard to our Currency. so far as I can Judge there is not the least Idea in Congress to let the Money die as to one particular Member we had some Conversation about I beleave Nothing is further from his thoughts, he is extreamly urgent to have something effectual done to appretiate the Currency; this indeed seems to be the full Determination of Congress and accordingly three days in each Week (except some necessary Business such as attending to the Publick Letter [s] etc.) are now sett apart to attend to our Finances.* this subject is very extensive and will take up much time. The Money in my Oppinion can and must be appretiated, tis of infinite Importance, but this must not be done suddenly, as that would greatly injure the poor and Virtuous Part of the Community and throw a prodigious Advantage into the hands of the present Money holders, a great part of whom are some of the greatest Rascals that ever disgraced humanity and deserve infinitly greater punishment than is in the Power of any State to inflict.

All the News we have here comes from the eastward which you have before it reaches us. I dont know that I can better gratify your Curiosity at present than by giveing a general Account of the Proceedings of Congress: according to order we should meet at Nine and adjourn at two: but in fact we Meet about ten and sit till three four and five before we adjourn; this you will say is very inconvenient but leaves us much leasure; but you will consider that much of the Business is transacted by special Committees in the Recess of Congress. besides these there is a Marine Board, a Navy Board, a Treasury Board, a Commercial Board and Com'tee of foreign Affairs who have no other time to do their Business but in the Recess of Congress. these Boards are at present almost wholly composed of Members of Congress. some of them meet at six in the Morning and sit till eight constantly every day others meet at five in the afternoon or immediately after they Dine and sit till Night and some times till late. I beleave there are but very few Members but what are employed in some of these Ways, so that those who do their duty have not much Leasure to spare. The Debates in the House are similar to those in the british House of Commons. there are here as in most other Assemblys some very Sensable Speakers, and some very loud Talkers. you may make one Exception and then conceive a house composed of very able and sensable Gentlemen: but belonging to different states, whose Laws, Manners, Genious and Inhabitants and indeed almost every thing else very different. . . . .

I have now Just returnd from a Visit to the french Minister which every Member of Congress is obliged to receive and give in a formal Manner. he appears to be very Sensable and a Man of Business. Mr: Dean has Just began to give us a full Acct: of all Matters relative to his Business:

2 See the Journals, Aug. 12, 13, and no. 469, ante.

etc. this you would esteam entertaining, more I may not say at present upon this head."

My dear Sir,

471. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1

PHILADELPHIA August 18th. 1778.

Your favor of the 2d inst. is come to hand and I have communicated to the Commercial Committee what you wrote me concerning the French Ship Duchess of Grammont and find they have rec'd your letter to them on that subject. I have urged their immediately taking up the matter and sending you directions as soon as possible. I am sorry to say our Treasury, Marine and Commercial Affairs are in a very bad situation owing to their being conducted by members of Congress who can spare but little of their time to transact them, and are so constantly changing that before they get acquainted with the business they leave Congress and new members totally ignorant of the past transactions are appointed in their stead. This gives me great uneasiness and I wish I could see any prospect of a speedy remedy, but the multiplicity of business that is daily crowding on Congress and the time it takes to transact matters in so large an Assembly filled with lawyers and other gentlemen who love to talk as much as they will not allow me to hope that our affairs will be very soon properly arranged. . . . .

Dear Sir,

472. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.1

PHILADELPHIA, August 18, 1778.

While affairs remain as they are at present I believe it will be difficult to obtain from Congress a permission to load vessels with provisions for New Hampshire, least they should supply the enemy instead of the Inhabitants of New Hampshire. I am very sorry to hear bread is so scarce with you, and am persuaded it is not owing to the natural scarcity but to other causes among which the fluctuating state of our money is the principal. The Congress are this day to take up that matter and try to provide a remedy. But the affair is so embarrassed, I have but little faith, and fear we shall not be able to effect much during the war, such amazing sums being necessary for the supply of the Army and Navy.2

3"

Congress sit late, hearing Mr. Deane" (Samuel Holten, Diary, Essex Inst. Hist. Colls., LV. 170). [471] Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 533; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 52, vol. II., f. 2152; N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Langdon-Elwyn Papers (copy of part).

2 Cf. nos. 533, 602, 603, post. The question of placing the executive business of Congress in the hands of others than members had long been agitated, but had only to a minor extent been effected. See vol. II., pp. x-xii, 196, 210 n.

[472] Library of Congress, Force Trans., Whipple, p. 535; Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., no. 52, vol. II., p. 216.

2 See the Journals, Aug. 19. Cf. no. 462, note 12, ante.