5 leave to suggest the propriety of speedily employing some able Lawyer to collect materials and make himself Master of the subject. New-York are very solicitous for a settlement, that State has sent a Delegate extraordinary to Congress for that purpose, and I have reason to think Congress will be hard pressed to do something in the matter. I therefore wish to know the minds of my constitutents as soon as possible. Whether they will send another Delegate who may be well acquainted with the business, or will Instruct their Delegates now in Congress, must be left to their decision. I must confess I most heartily wish that the former method may be adopted. I cannot suppose the expence will be an objection when the Magnitude of object is considered, which is nothing less than doubling the Territory of a Sovereign Independent State." 674. SAMUEL HOLTEN, DIARY.1 [December 14, 1778.] 14. There was a grand ball at the city Tavern this evening, given by a number of French Gentlemen of distinction. I had a card sent me but declined attending. I think it is not a proper time to attend balls when our country is in such great distress. 675. JOHN FELL, DIARY.1 [December 14, 15, 1778.] 14th. Monday. Letter from Count Polaska Read referrd to the Board of Warr. 15th. Tuesday. Dr. Wetherspoon came to Congress 676. JAMES DUANE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK (GEORGE CLINTON).1 PHILADELPHIA, 15th. Decr. 1778. Dear Sir, You will see by our papers a ridiculous squabble getween Deane and the Lees. It may amuse a leisure hour. Our late honorable President was exceedingly wounded that Deane was not called to account by Congress and resigned. I was not present; but from what I can discover his zeal transported him a little too far. Congress ought certainly to be careful how they attempt to stop the channel of communication in a free country; it may give rise to dangerous suspicions: if their conduct is irreprehensible, they can suffer no diminution of dignity; if exceptionable, it is right it should be known. Misrepresentation is only to be guarded against and condemned." 5 The "Delegate extraordinary was John Jay. See no. 668, ante. 6 Cf. nos. 597, 672, ante, and Whipple to Bartlett, Jan. 3, 1779, in vol. IV. [674]1 Essex Inst. Hist. Colls., LV. 176. [675] Library of Congress, Journals and Diaries. [676]1 Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., XII. 54. 2 See no. 668, ante. 677. FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE TO ARTHUR Lee.1 PHILADELPHIA Decr. 15, 1778. My dear Bro'r. ... We have had nothing from the party since my last, only that Mr. Wm. Lee's name is in the list of Aldermen, in the Calendar for 1778. I expect an attack in this days paper, upon S. Deane, by Common Sense. he knows a good deal of the transactions, and if in earnest, can do a great deal of good. Congress has yet done nothing in finance or foreign affairs. I fear there is a design in some that nothing shall be done, that things may get into such disorder, as to make the people wish for the old Governmt. Congress has no power, and every Villain whome they want to call to account, insults them." The inclosed Letter from Mr. Laurence, will give you an Account of his resignation and his reasons. he is really an honest Man, and I hope will do a great deal of good. Jay, is President. . . Dear General 678. JAMES LOVELL TO HORATIO GATES.1 15 Decr. 1778 . . . . I am only able to give you the reading of Dunlap's Papers through Mr. Hancock as I am stinted to a small Number. From that reading and conversation with my very honest Cousin the Bearer2 you will have an insight into some droll Management here and be able to form a tollerable conjecture which of the two are rendering best Services to Gr Britain, the wicked Mr. Temple 3 or the good Mr. Deane. I do not think that the Public will be any Losers by the Time they spend in view'g a late Commissioner at the Court of France and the present Secretary to the Committee for foreign Affairs tie and untie a few Knots, since the former has been pleased to call up that Species of Diversion. 679. JOHN FELL, DIARY.1 [December 16, 1778.] 16th. Wednesday.2 Motion from one of the Treasury to take out of Circulation all the Emissions of May 20. 1777 and April 1778—41 Million [677] Univ. Va. Lib., Lee Papers. 2 The reply of "Common Sense" (Thomas Paine) to Silas Deane appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet Dec. 15. It is in N. Y. Hist. Soc., Collections: Deane Papers, III. 86. Cf. nos. 658, 669, 671, ante, and nos. 678, 680, 683, 687, 691, 697, post. 3 An allusion probably to the case of Brig.-Gen. William Thompson. See no. 662, ante, and nos. 680, 695, post. This letter has not been found. See the reply, Dec. 26, in Letters of Richard Henry Lee, I. 462. [678]1 N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XIII. 2 This "honest cousin" has not been identified, though it may have been Temple himself. Temple did not, however, leave Philadelphia until the 20th (see no. 689, post). 3 Concerning John Temple, see no. 671, ante, and nos. 685, 689, 698, 699, post. 4 The allusion is to Deane's address to the people and the reply of "Common Sense (Thomas Paine, secretary to the committee of foreign affairs). See nos. 658, 669, 677, ante, 687, 691, 697, post. [679] Library of Congress, Journals and Diaries. 2 The entry in Samuel Holten's Diary for this day is: "16. I was taken in Congress in the evening very ill and for about 10 hours was in the utmost distress, my life much despaired of." See no. 690, note 2, post. 500 [000]3 30 Million on Loan and 15 Million by Taxes for the Year 1779. Genl. St. Clairs acquital confirm'd New Jersey divided Dr. Weatherspoon No. 680. HENRY LAURENS TO THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA (RAWLINS LOWNDES).1 Dear Sir 16th December, [1778.] The last Letter I had the honor of writing to you is dated the 7th Instant, and went by Sea, therefore I trouble Your Excellency with a duplicate in company with this. The Gentleman by whom I then had intended to write in a day or two, has turned his face another way. the present is a chance opportunity which affords me but a few minutes for paying my Respects. I must observe brevity and confine myself almost to one subject, and that a bad one, myself. The Motion which I had the honor of making on the day above mentioned Respecting S. Deane's publication will appear in my Act of Resignation transmitted with this; I had antecedently to the appearance of Mr. Deane's insult been exceedingly Chagrined by the tame submission of the great Representatives of the United States to the most gross affronts. four or five weeks have passed since proof by the Oathes of four Persons were laid before Congress, that Brigadier General Thomson* had, in the open Coffee House called Congress a Rascally set and a Set of Rascals, and particularly applying the approbrious term to the Chief Justice of this State then present, on Account of a determination in Congress to exchange Governor McKinley for Governor Franklin at the particular request of Deleware, by which Act Mr. Thomson was pleased to think himself injured. he afterwards insulted Congress by an Apologetic Letter, denying that he had called them Rascals, but acknowledging the application of the term Rascal to the Honorable Mr. McKean, wantonly adds Villain, and twice repeats that he had said that Gentleman was a Rascal and a Villain, this Letter stands recorded at full length on the Journals. Thomson is voted to be guilty of a breach of Privilege, and there the subject rests. he is in favor with a party who seem determined to support 3 The emissions of the series of May 20, 1777, were: May 20, $5,000,000; Aug. 15, $1,000,000; Nov. 7, $1,000,000; Dec. 3, $1,000,000; Jan. 8, 1778, $1,000,000; Jan. 22, $2,000,000; Feb. 16, $2,000,000; Mar. 5, $2,000,000; Apr. 4, $1,000,000; those of the series of Apr. 11, 1778, were: Apr. 11, $5,000,000; Apr. 18, $500,000; May 22, $5,000,000; June 20, $5,000,000; July 30, $5,000,000; Sept. 5, $5,000,000; total of the two emissions, $41,500,000. Cf. the committee report in the Journals, Oct. 28; also nos. 589, 672, ante, 687, 688, 693, post. [680] S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, 1777-1782, p. 238. 2 Laurens's resignation is in the Journals, Dec. 9. See also his notes thereon, no. 663, ante. The motion referred to was for the appointment of a committee to report specially upon the contents of Deane's address (see the resignation). Cf. no. 658, ante. 3" See appendix No. 1, relative to Gen. Thomson" [note by Laurens]. This is not, however, mentioned in the list of enclosures at close of this letter. Concerning the case of Brigadier-General Thompson, see nos. 662, 677, ante, and no. 695, post. Concerning the exchange of President McKinly of Delaware, see also nos. 90, 180, 462, ante. him at the expence of the honor of Congress. Mr Deane's mischievous publication alarmed me. the House would take no other notice of it, but such as Mr. Deane has very improperly display'd to the World in the light of concession. failing in my attempt to rouse Congress to the vindication of their honor, I felt for my own, and Resolved to descend from the Chair to the floor where I could be of the most real service to my Country. The Act of Resignation must speak for its self. I felt it to be right, and there fore I believe it to be so, but the party of Deanites were pleased to catch at the concluding sentence, which I would not for any consideration have omitted, because I was persuaded good consequences would follow the strong reproof, and perhaps continue at least a fortnight. A friend of mine unsolicited moved the House on the 10th Instant for thanks to the late President. he was Jockey'd by "the manner in which business is transacted here" and this repeated daily until Yesterday, when I in modest terms demanded a testimonial of my Conduct, intimating the honor and interests of Congress and the States were as nearly concerned as my own. If I had merited censure I would kiss the Rod, but I could no longer bear to be kept in a state of implied censure, that I held my act of Resignation to be the best Act of my Life, that if any Gentleman had taken offence at the concluding words, I had to say in Apology, that I did not mean to give the occasion etc. etc. the particulars of which shall be laid before Your Excellency by the next or some early opportunity. I then retired from the House, and after some debate it was resolved without a division" That the thanks of this House be given to the Honorable Henry Laurens Esquire, late President, for his conduct in the Chair and in the execution of Public Business" this comprehends an acknowledgement of propriety of conduct within doors and without, and an approbation of the late Presidents "sundry reasons as it is entered on the Journals, for resigning. From this brief Sketch Your Excellency will be further impressed with a knowledge of " the manner in which Business is transacted here" and see that my repeated complaints have been well grounded. I hope my Countrymen will approve of my conduct. now I am releas'd from the Chair, my attention shall be bent to the investigation of the Secret and Commercial Committees Accounts, and to such other Business as comes within the compass of my abilities forsaking all thoughts of my private Affairs for some time longer." Mr Deane, not withstanding his groundless assertions that the ears of Congress were shut against him, and that he had prepared to return to France and such stuff, is not ready now, at the end of twelve days with his Narrative, and 'tis not impossible that Common Sense has thrown him twelve days further back. I intreat Your Excellency will not believe that I have any improper attachment to the Lees. I am a little of the opinion that upon the whole information we shall see an explication of an old Proverb, although I am persuaded we shall not "come by our Right." See the Journals, Dec. 15, 16. Laurens's reply, Dec. 16, to the vote of thanks is in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 858. 5 See Wallace, Life of Laurens, pp. 313-315. I am distressed for want of time to inform Your Excellency more minutely on this and other subjects of importance. I would wish that until I shall be enabled to do so, there may be no publication of what I have now the honor of transmitting. I am With the highest Respect and Esteem etc. H. L. Papers inclosed with this Resignation of the President of Congress Duplicate of the Letter of the 17th Inst. Copy of a Letter from His Excellency J. J. Esq. President of Congress 5 Newspapers from the 5th Instant. Sir 681. THE CONNECTICUT DELEGATES TO THE GOVERNOR OF PHILADELPHIA Decembr. 16th 1778 We take the first Oppertunity by Mr. Sherman now on his return to Acquaint Your Excellency of Our Arrival at this City after a long and Tedious Journey Occasioned partly by bad Weather frequent Storms and extreme bad roads and some delay by the enemys Shipping being up the North River as far as Kings Ferry as Mr. Sherman will be able fully to Acquaint you with the late material resolutions of Congress and our not being here time Sufficient to Acquaint our selves with them will excuse our Omission for the present. The letter from your son who was appointed Comptroller General was delivered and read and Committed, there has not yet been time for an Answer have no doubt they will excuse his attendance as requested at least till January I understand his appointment was very Unanimous Are with most Sincere respect and Esteem 2 Your Excellencies most Obedt. H'le Servts P. S.. ELIPHT. DYER 682. JOHN FELL, DIARY.1 1778, Dec. 17th. Thursday. Sieur Gerrard requested to Ship 6000 Cask of Rice, Reccomended to the State of So. Carolina to allow it; 2 Letter read from Genl. Washington at Middle Brook, Relating to the disappointment of the Commissioners, who went to Amboy to meet the British Commissioners to setle an Exchange of Prisoners. Committee appointed to answer the General, Mr. Laurens, Burk, Smith and Morris.3 [681] Conn. State Lib., Trumbull Papers (M. H._S.), X. 284 (in the writing of Eliphalet Dyer); Library of Congress, Force Trans., Trumbull, X. 284. 2 Jonathan Trumbull, jr. See the Journals, Oct. 31, Nov. 3, Dec. 15. [682]1 Library of Congress, Journals and Diaries. 2 This is recorded under Dec. 16 in the Journals. 8 Fell omits the name of Samuel Adams. |