upon a large Scale. I am going to Virginia in a few days, and expect our brother Frank here to take my place. 591. SAMUEL HOLTEN, DIARY.1 farewell R. H. L. [October 28, 1778.] 28. Congress spent some time this day considering the State of our money and finances, which I find is very difficult to put upon a Just and respectable footing. Sir: 1 592. THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO WILLIAM LEE.1 PHILADELPHIA, 28 Octr. 1778. The enclosed Resolve it is hoped will be productive of singular advantage so far as relates to you, who must depend greatly for American intelligence on your connexions in Paris. Congress have been and are exceedingly loaded with Business; and, of late, have met with some singular interruptions in the intended general arrangement of their foreign affairs; so that they have yet only decided in respect to Doctor Franklin their Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of France. Our first and most pressing Business is the appreciation of our currency. This point accomplished our Enemies themselves will acknowledge their hopes of conquering us at an end. The British Commissioners sent on a foolish and wicked Errand to America are returning home completely disappointed; and there is reason, from appearances, to think that the land forces of Britain are gradually withdrawing from these States. It is probable that the Marquis de la Fayette, by whom this Letter goes, will obtain in Boston further knowledge than we now have of the destination of a fleet lately departed from New York amounting to about one hundred and fifty Sail. We shall desire Mr. Adams to give you all possible information on the arrival of this packet; and shall soon dispatch other Letters from this port. With hearty prayers for your welfare, we are, sir, your affectionate friends, [591]1 Essex Inst. Hist. Colls., LV. 174. RICH'D HENRY Lee. [592] Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 79, vol. I., p. III (letter-book copy); Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 815. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 22, and cf. the letters to Franklin, Adams, and Izard, Oct. 28, in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 814-816. In the letter to Franklin the committee says, Enclosed with other papers is a resolve of Congress of the 22d, which we have officially sent to all the commissioners". The letters appear to have been delivered to Franklin and Adams by an aide-de-camp of Lafayette Feb. 12, other letters by Lafayette himself on the following day. See Franklin to Jonathan Williams Feb. 13, to Vergennes Feb. 14, Adams to the committee Feb. 13, to Samuel Adams Feb. 14, to Vergennes Feb. 16, to Lovell Feb. 20, to the President of Congress Feb. 27, Izard to the committee Mar. 4, and Arthur Lee to the committee Mar. 7, ibid., III. 44, 47, 50, 52, 69, 73, 74. Cf. no. 585, ante, and nos. 594, 602, 632, 661, post. Sir 593. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO 1 PHILADELPHIA 29th October 1778. Your favor of the 13th Inst. inclosing Letters from Lord Balcarras reach'd me the 27th and was immediately presented to Congress. the House had formerly heard with much concern that Officers of the Convention Troops had, contrary to orders, been permitted to go within the Enemy's Lines, and had ordered an enquiry respecting the Case. indeed it has been repeatedly said, that Gold had been given by several of those Officers in purchase of furloghs, particularly that Lord Balcarras paid to somebody One Thousand Guineas for the indulgence granted to him. however groundless or otherwise this information may be, it is alarming at present, and therefore a further and more particular investigation is ordered. The inclosed Act of Congress of the 27th Inst. and the Act of the 21st which is referred to will shew, in answer to Lord Balcarras's application the determination of the House.2 Sir, 594. THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO ARTHUR LEE.1 PHILADELPHIA Octг. 29, 1778. 2 Supposing it might import you to see the inclosed, it was proposed to, and agreed by Congress that the papers should be sent you. If you think it expedient you will furnish Mr. Izard with a copy of them. The News papers contain all the intelligence of this place. We are Sir your most humble servants, RICHARD HENRY LEE P.S. We add two Resolves to the Papers before alluded to. Mr. Wm. Lee and Mr. Izard will greatly depend on you for American and other Intelligence. Honble Arthur Lee Esqr. [593] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XIII.; Library of Congress, President's LetterBook, II. 139. The letter is addressed to Gates at Danbury. 2 See no. 563, ante, and the Journals, Oct. 21, 27. The letter from Lord Balcarres to Gates, Sept. 30, is in Papers Cont. Cong., no. 154, vol. II., f. 19. Another letter to Gates, Dec. 23, relative to his exchange is in the Gates Papers, vol. XIII. For his history, see Dict. Nat. Biog. (Lindsay, Alexander, sixth earl of Balcarres). [594]1 Univ. Va. Lib., Lee Papers; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 79, vol. I., p. 112 (letter-book copy). The body of the original is in the writing of Richard Henry Lee, the postscript in that of James Lovell. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 14. Cf. no. 592, ante. Arthur Lee's reply, Mar. 7, is in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., III. 74. My dear Sir 595. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO JOHN ADAMS.1 PHILADELPHIA Oct. 29 1778 It may soon happen that you be desired to visit Holland, where I believe they yet retain much of that simplicity of manners which first raised that people to greatness. Our finances want the support of a Loan in Europe. 81,500,000 of dollars with increasing demands as depreciation advances with emission, cannot be cured by the slow working of Taxes. The latter is I believe deeply gone into by all the States. Never did Men cut a more ridiculous figure than the British Commissioners have done here. Their last effort is a formal application to each State, and to all the people in each, by a Manifesto sent in Flags of Truce. We consider this as a prostitution of the Flag, and have recommended the seizure and imprisonment of the people, and the publication of their Manifesto. In some instances the Sea has saved us the trouble by previously swallowing up these silly Missives.2 . . 596. SAMUEL HOLTEN, DIARY.1 [October 30, 31, 1778.] 30. This day Congress published a manifesto and ordered it to be sent to our enemies.2 Sir 31. Congress received a packet of letters from France. 597. ROGER SHERMAN TO ELISHA PAINE.1 PHILADELPHIA Octг. 31, 1778 I take the liberty to address you on a Subject which to me appears to be of a very dangerous and alarming nature. I am informed that the Inhabitants of a number of Towns in the State of New Hampshire on the East side of Connecticut River, have with drawn from the Jurisdiction of that State, and joined with the people of the Grants, on the west Side of the River in forming a distinct State. The Strength of the united States lies in their union; they by their joint efforts under the Smiles of Divine Providence, have made a Successful resistance to the power of Great [595]1 Letters (ed. Ballagh), I. 447. 2 See nos. 568, note 2, 576, 588, ante, 599, 643, post. [596]1 Essex Inst. Hist. Colls., LV. 174. 2 The manifesto is in the Journals under Oct. 30. Concerning its authorship and its probable history, see no. 469, note 6, ante. It was printed in the Pennsylvania Packet Oct. 31, and is found in Almon's Remembrancer, 1778-1779, p. 132, followed by a response to the commissioners' manifesto of Oct. 3, taken from the Virginia Gazette. Cf. no. 568, note 2, ante. The manifesto of Congress was reprinted in the Royal Gazette Nov. 14, accompanied by a long letter concerning it, addressed to Henry Laurens and signed "Modestus". It was again printed in the issue of Nov. 18, accompanied by remarks from still another pen. In the issue of Nov. 21 appears "The Congress MANIFESTO translated into TRUTH.... Done in Congress by order of Monsieur Gerard". See nos. 600, 602, post. [597] Dartmouth College Lib., Bartlett Correspondence, vol. I., 1774-1778 (copy); Boutell, Life of Sherman, p. 109. Britain Aided by foreign mercenaries: but if Intestine divisions and contentions take place among them, will they not become an easy prey to a formidable enemy? Whether the State of New Hampshire or New York have a right of Jurisdiction over the New Hampshire Grants on the west Side of Connecticut River or whether by the neglect of the former to Claim and Support its Jurisdiction against the latter, the people have a right to form themselves into a distinct State, I Shall not give any opinion, those questions will I suppose at a proper time be judicially decided: But for the people Inhabiting within the known and acknowledged boundaries of any of the united States, to Seperate without the consent of the State to which they belong, appears to me a very unjustifiable violation of the Social Compact, and pregnant with the most ruinous consequences. Sir I dont know whether you live in one of the revolted Towns, but as You are in that vicinity, I trust from my acquaintance with your love of Order, and regard for the welfare of Your Country, you will use Your influence to discourage every thing that in Your opinion may be injurious to the true interest of these States. If the present Constitutions of any of the States is not So perfect as could be wished, they may and probably will by common consent be amended; but in the mean time and under present circumstances, it appears to me indispensibly necessary that civil Government Should be vigorously Supported. I hope you will excuse the freedom I have taken on this occasion, as my Sole motive is the public good.2 I am with Esteem and regard Your humble Servant,3 598. CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, RESOLUTION.1 [October 31, 1778.] Resolution, containing the unanimous desire of Congress that the President continue in the Chair for some time longer.2 The president having reminded the house that one year is elapsed since he had the honour of being elected to fill the chair and expressed a strong desire to be relieved and that another be elected in his place; the house 2 See nos. 507, 543, ante, and nos. 644, 646, 660, 673, post. 3 3 An endorsement on the back of the letter, in the writing of Josiah Bartlett, reads: "Copy of a letter from the Honble Roger Sherman of Connecticut to Col. Payne in N Hampshe." [598]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Papers, Congressional Letters, 1779. 2 In his resignation, Dec. 9, Laurens speaks of such a resolution having been adopted Oct. 31, but it is not recorded in the Journals. The copy of the resolution found in the Laurens Papers is in the writing of Charles Thomson, with the exception of one clause, as indicated in note 4, below. See nos. 663, 664, post. 3 As first written the reading after the word "place" was, "and whereas the thinness of the house as well as sundry other considerations render it inconvenient to go into a new choice". This sentence was erased and for it was substituted the phrase, the house took the same into consideration and thereupon", and subsequently the word "thereupon" was erased. 66 took the same into consideration and the House being satisfied with the whole conduct of the President Resolved that it is the unanimous desire Esqr continue for some time longer of this house that H Sir L 599. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO THE PRESIDENT OF DELAWARE (CAESAR RODNEY).1 1st November [1778.] I am just now honored with your favor of the 27th Inst. which shall be presented to Congress at their meeting tomorrow.2 A Budget of Manifestos, said to be from the British Commissioners was lately thrown up by the Sea on the Jersey shore it contained one Package mark'd Delaware supposed to have been intended for that State. Another marked Pennsylvania the whole number were brought to my house and by me laid before Congress. Congress would take no cognizance of the waif; the President of this State declined touching the Bundle marked Pennsylvania. if Your Excellency believes that which was possibly intended for Delaware worth Carriage it shall be immediately transmitted.3 I am directed by Congress to recommend to the State of Delaware to supply immediately a proper number of Representatives in Congress. for some considerable time past the State has been almost wholly unrepresented. The Honorable Mr. Vandyke having retired on Account of the bad state of his health, and the Honorable Mr. Chief Justice McKean detained by unavoidable attendance on the duties of his Office:* also to 4 The clause “and the house being satisfied with the whole conduct of the President" is in the writing of Laurens, and was evidently inserted by him after the document had left Thomson's hand. [599] Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, II. 144. 2 See the Journals, Nov. 2. 8 See nos. 568, note 2, 576, 595, ante. Cf. no. 643, post. In his reply, Nov. 4 (read in Congress Nov. 6), Rodney declared that he would not be at the trouble of opening the package for its contents. Governor Livingston of New Jersey had evidently received his assignment of the proclamations some time before. For his reactions see his letter to Laurens, Oct. 9, in Sedgwick, Life of Livingston, p. 308. The Pennsylvania Packet of Nov. 3 contained the following item: "LIST of packets sent by Lieutenant Hale on board the Hotham tender, addressed as follows: "To the Assembly of such [each] of the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware, instruments signed and sealed on vellum... "To his Excellency the Governor for the time being, in each of the States of Delaware and Pennsylvania.... ... "To the Honourable the President for the time being. "To the Delegates of each State in Congress.. "No. of packets. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. I. 13." There is no record in the Journals of the call upon Delaware for representation. Van Dyke is last recorded as voting Sept. 16. He returned to Congress Nov. 24. McKean, who was also chief justice of Pennsylvania, appears to have been absent from Sept. 14 to Oct. 12. He was placed on a committee Oct. 13, appears to have been present Oct. 31 (see the Journals, p. 1086), and is recorded as voting Nov. 2. |