Sir. 353. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) YORK TOWN 17th June 1778. Three days ago I had the honor of presenting to Congress your favor of the 10th with several other papers put into my hands by Colo. Malcomb2 these were committed to the Board of War with orders to act upon them without Report and I believe what appeared to be necessary has been done by the Board from whence Colo. Malcomb intimates he has received his dispatches. Dear Sir, 354. HENRY LAURENS TO HORATIO GATES.1 (Private) YORK TOWN 17th June 1778 I troubled you with a few private Lines on the 13th by Crugier.2 Congress have not determined their answer to the British Commissioners Address, although I foresee it will be a very short one. when that is finished the whole will probably be published. in the meantime I consider 'Sir your situation and distance from the Center of intelligence and conclude that the following brief account of the Address will not be unacceptable. There is rather a repletion in the direction of the Paper leaving no room for caret on that score.* The Commissioners after the necessary preface observe-"That in the present state of our affairs tho' fraught with subjects of mutual regret all parties may draw some consolation and even auspicious hope from recollecting that cordial reconciliation and affection have in our own and other Empires succeeded to contention and temporary division not less violent than those we now experience. they wish not to recall subjects now no longer in controversy. observe that the Acts of Parliament which they transmit and refer to, passed with singular Unanimity. they are willing to consent to a cessation of hostilities by Sea and Land. to extend every freedom of Trade that our respective Interests can require. (who is to adjust this point) to agree that no Military forces shall be kept up in the States without our Consent. to concur in measures calculated to discharge the debts of America and to raise the [353]1 N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XII.; Library of Congress, President's LetterBook, I. 369. 2 Col. William Malcom of New York. See the Journals, June 2, 6, 19. Laurens wrote to Washington June 17 "Yesterday I signed a Commission to William Malcom Esquire to Rank Colonel, by order of Congress, from the 11th March 1776" (Washington Papers). [354] N. Y. Hist. Soc., Gates Papers, XII. 2 The postscript of the letter of June 13, no. 340, ante. Congress reached a determination later in the same day. Cf. nos. 350-352, ante, 355-360, 370-373, 378, post. The proceedings were printed in the Pennsylvaniı Gazette of June 20. See no. 331, note 2, ante. Credit and Value of the Paper circulation. to perpetuate our Union by a reciprocal Deputation in Parliament and in the several General Assemblies. In short to establish the Power of the Respective Legislatures in each particular State, to settle its revenues its Civil and Military establishment and exercise a perfect freedom of Legislation and internal Government so that the British States throughout North America acting with us in Peace and War under one common Sovereign may have the irrevocable enjoyment of every privelege that is short of a total separation of Interests or consistent with that Union of force on which the safety of our common Religion and Liberty depends." The French Court are illiberally charged with insidious practices. this gives much offence. If all the fine things now offered had been tendered some time ago, admitting their solidity, there can be no doubt but that the People of America would joyfully have embraced the proposition, but now what answer can be given but that which was returned to the foolish Virgins-" the Door is shut " more especially when we reflect that there is no solidity, because all is to be transmitted to Parliament for Ratification "And until such Ratification no such regulation matter or thing shall have any other force or effect or be carried further into Execution than is hereafter mentioned" here's a Boy's Card House tumbled down by a Breath. "If," say Lord Carlisle, Will'm Eden and Geo. Johnstone Esquires, "after the time that may be necessary to consider this communication and transmit your answer the horrors and devastations of War should continue We call God and the World to Witness that the Evils which must follow are not to be imputed to Great Britain". to whom are the past to be imputed? but are they not now in the very moment of pretended attempts to establish Peace burning ravaging and murdering? they seem to mistake our understanding as once they did our Resolution. Colonel Malcom waits I must stop short and assure you I am with great Esteem Dear Sir Your obliged and hum, servt. Major Gen. Gates. My Dear Son, HENRY LAURENS 355. HENRY LAURENS TO JOHN LAURENS.1 17th June [1778.] I will endeavor to discharge my debt to your favour of the 14th and 15th both received yesterday.2 you will know sometime to morrow the part which Congress will act respecting the late Address from the Commissioners. it is my duty to subscribe not to Comment when a Letter undergoes for two or three days the consideration and correction of a House of 31, but it is very admissible to say the long delay has given me much anxiety." [355]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, Mar.-Sept., 1778, p. 188. 2 These letters are in Army Correspondence, pp. 185, 187. The reply of Congress to the commissioners is in the Journals, June 17. Cf. nos. 351, 352, ante. 4 I wished to have returned Govr. Johnston Mr. Oswald and Mr. Mannings answers, but did not think the correspondence Lawfull without leave of Congress, or, say judged it best to apply for leave it was not unanimously granted and I preferred withdrawing my petition to a denial, because this might have ruffl'd me you will smile with some contempt when I explain this matter fully. if this refusal would be productive of the expected benefits I should be content, even rejoice. it would be a politic measure. in the present case, all the weak and wicked, with whom Govr. Johnstone has corresponded and will correspond, will make him flattering returns. those Gentlemen who would attempt to open his Eyes and persuade him to undeceive himself will not be heard. honor will command Silence to the latter-the former will laugh at Proclamations. however I will endeavor to send you the Speeches which were intended to have been Spoken, as well as the Letters received from Philadelph'a possibly the General may Spare time to peruse that from Mr. Oswald who, if I do not misconstrue him, only wishes for our Dependence, but does not expect it and hence I conclude the commissioners are now or soon will be in possession of full powers, to acknowledge the Soveignty of these States. 356. THOMAS MCKEAN TO THE PRESIDENT OF DELAWARE Dear Sir, I have lived to see the day when, instead of "Americans licking the dust from the feet of a British Minister," the tables are turned. The Commissioners are, Frederick Earl of Carlisle, Richd. Viscount Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, Wm. Eden Esquire (one of the Lords for trade and plantations and brother to the late Governor of Maryland) and Captain George Johnstone, commonly called Governor Johnstone. The last Gentl sent me a Letter from an old Correspondent in London, warmly recommending him as a Commissioner of peace, and begging that I would receive him among my friends, as he most ardently desired it etc. Several Members of Congress have received such Letters; but no Answers will be given by Individuals, it being treason to correspond with Enemies by the laws of Pennsylvania. The Commissioners have sent us again the three Acts of Parliament, their Commissions from their Sovereign, and their Propositions; w'ch in brief are, to suspend hostilities by Sea and Land immediately, to join in supporting our Paper money, to agree that we shall govern ourselves in all cases, excepting matters of trade, and for the equal adjustment of that, the British Nation shall have Agents in 4 Richard Oswald subsequently had an important part in the peace negotiations. For Laurens's prior relations with him, see Wallace, Laurens, passim. William Manning was the father-in-law of John Laurens. See ibid., p. 299. Cf. no. 346, ante, and no. 358, post. 5 See the Journals, June 17. The "intended" letter of Laurens to Johnstone is found under June 14, no. 346, ante. See especially no. 358, post. Cf. nos. 356, 360, 373, post. [356] Hist. Soc. of Pa., Dreer Collection, Signers, II. 40. 2 Dennis Deberdt. See no. 357, post. 3 Cf. the Journals, June 17, and see nos. 340, 346, 354, ante, and nos. 360, 373, post. Congress to have a voice there, and Congress or the several States, to appoint Agents in Parliament, who are to have a voice there; and in fine seem willing to any thing but a total seperation; they desire we should have the same King, the same wars and the same peace. In my opinion their propositions cannot be fully supported by the Acts of Parliament. Be that as it may, Congress will again repeat; acknowledge our Independence or withdraw your fleets and armies, and we will enter into treaty with you. This answer will be sent off to day, and as soon as it is received you may expect to hear the Enemy have evacuated Philad'ia, if that should not be done sooner. Be upon your guard with regard to Letters from the Enemy; they intend to seduce, corrupt and bribe by every method possible. Keep the whole militia under marching orders, if you have the power. Warn the people to double their vigilance, and not be lulled with these pleasing prospects, lest they meet with some terrible stroke, when they do not expect it. No other Delegate but myself from Delaware, nor likely to be for some time. The Commissioners from Great Britain are, Frederick Earl of Carlisle, Richard Viscount Howe, Sir Henry Clinton Knight of the Bath, William Eden Esquire, one of the Lords for trade and plantations, and George Johnstone, Esquire, Captain of a man of war, commonly called Governor Johnstone. They have sent a copy of their commission from their King to Congress, with a Letter directed to "His Excellency Henry Laurens President and the other members of Congress at York-Town," and call us States (not Colonies or Provinces) throughout. My old correspondent Dennys De Bert 2 Esquire of London has written to me a Letter of recommendation of Governor Johnstone, in very flattering terms, as he desired an intimate acquaintance with a Gentleman of such abilities etc. as myself; which Letter the Governor sent with the dispatches from the Commissioners.... To these they have received an answer "Acknowledge our Independence or withdraw your fleets and armies, and we will treat with you for peace and commerce ["] etc. This answer was agreed to unanimously, by 31 members, the whole number in York-Town.. YORK-TOWN June 17th 1778. * See the Journals, June 11-17. Cf. no. 354, ante. [357]1 Hist. Soc. of Pa., McKean Papers, VI. 18. 2 See nos. 356, ante, 373, 422, 429, post. 3 Here follows a summary of the propositions of the commissioners, varying but little from that given in the letter to Rodney, no. 356, ante. Dear Sir 358. HENRY LAURENS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 It has not been in my power with any convenience to make an earlier acknowledgement of Your Excellency's favor of the 11th.2 There were Letters in the Commissioners Packet only for Congress and particular Members then present in the House, one for Mr. E. Rutledge unsealed and several also unsealed were brought as being taken from the Express-the utmost caution is necessary in the present conjuncture of our affairs and therefore had any suspicious directions turned up, such should have passed under the Eye of Congress. The Idea of opening other people's Letters is exceedingly abhorrent to me, but I think Congress have a power over Letters equal at least to that which necessity obliges them sometimes to exercise over persons; but Governor Johnstone is too well hackney'd in the ways of Men to trust his deep schemes within our reach. 3 His private Letter to me, by the bye, is notwithstanding all his good sense, no proof of an infallible judgement. I am sure it is one of his having mistaken his Man. I take the liberty of transmitting it, together with my intended answer and the letters from Mr. Oswald and Mr. Manning under this Cover for Your Excellency's perusal. There are some traits in Mr. Oswald's which strongly imply a determination on the part of Great Britain, but reserved as the ultimatum, to submit to our Independence. I am much inclined to believe those Commissioners now are or soon will be vested with powers for that purpose. Mr. Oswald is a Gentleman of solid understanding and quick perception, of a very large Independent fortune much exceeding a quarter of a Million Sterling, often consulted by Administration; for the goodness of his heart I refer you to this particular part of his Character. he is no place Man, but much Esteemed by the first Men of each of the political parties." great reliance may be placed on what he writes or even hints. 6 Yesterday there was an extraordinary Motion on our floor for calling upon Members to lay before Congress such Letters as they had received from the Commissioners or other persons, meaning persons in Great Britain on Political subjects I could not forbear offering some objections; it appeared to be a dangerous attempt to stretch the power of Congress, my letters had been read by many Members and were at the service of every Gentleman who should request a perusal, but I could never consent to have my property taken from me by an Order from my [358]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XXIV. 52; S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Letter-Book, Mar.-Sept., 1778, p. 186; Letters to Washington (ed. Sparks), II. 140. 2 Washington's letter of June II is in Writings (ed. Ford), VII. 57, (ed. Sparks), V. 400. 8 See no. 346, ante. 4 See no. 355, note 4, ante. 5 Cf. no. 340, ante. While the action of Congress June 17 took a somewhat modified form, a motion of this character did prevail July 9. See also the Journals, July 16, 18, Aug. 11, 12. Cf. nos. 360, 422, 429, 462, 499, post. Cf. Wallace, Laurens, pp. 295-299. |