18. Took into cons. the above papers and reported agt. the Contract as unnecessary and unreasonable and exorbitant-Genl. not present." My Dear, 100. OLIVER WOLCOTT TO MRS. WOLCOTT.1 YORK TOWN 18th Febry 1778 I Arrived here the 15th Well after having been detained about Two Days by the Susqhennah . . . . I am now with Mr. Huntington at a publick House well and in comfortable Circumstances. We hope soon to get into private Lodgings, but We do not know where and find that they are not to be had but with the greatest Dificulty and Expence the latter is so great that I understand that a single Man exclusive of Horskeeping cannot probably live under at least ten pounds per Week. Every thing here bears an enormous price. The Town is much more pleasant than Baltimore but publick and private Virtue I suppose is much the same here as there. Govr. Clinton is impowered to secure the North River which has been totally neglected. Genl. Putnam 2 will douptless be soon ordered to join the Main Army and Genl. McDougall will probably Command on that Station. An Order has gone to the States requesting them to fill up their Battalions-Measures taken to support a large Force in the spring... Sir, IOI. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO 1 YORK TOWN 19th Febry. 1778. I am directed by Congress to inform you that in expectation of your recovering health and strength and being enabled thereby to attend the Duties of your appointment at the Board of War in a short time, no other appointment will be made on account of the delay which shall be unavoidable on your part. 5 This probably refers to the instructions and proceedings in pursuance of the resolve of Congress Jan. 15, relative to laying up magazines of flour. A principal group of papers pertaining to the matter are in Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 303-314. The instructions from the board of war Jan. 31 to the superintendents are ibid., p. 307. Because of confusion in carrying out this measure in conjunction with the agents of Pennsylvania, Congress reconsidered the question Feb. 12, and on Feb. 14 passed additional resolutions. Cf. the letter of the board of war to President Wharton Feb. 20 (ibid., p. 281). The contract referred to is probably the terms set forth in letters of the superintendents (Hooper, Falconer, and Mifflin) Feb. 11, 12, 14 (ibid., pp. 310-313). This matter had already been brought before Congress Feb. 16, through a letter from the board of war, and the action of the superintendents condemned in a resolution of Feb. 17. Cf. no. 97, ante, and nos. 104, 108, post. [100]1 Conn. Hist. Soc., Oliver Wolcott Papers, vol. II., no. 47. 2 Cf. nos. 102, 126, post. 8 See the Journals, Feb. 26. [101]1 Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 190. 2 See the Journals, Feb. 16. Cf. no. 98, ante, and no. 196, post. 102. JOHN PENN TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.1 YORKTOWN Feby 19th 1778. Your Govt is invested with all the powers that General Gates had for securing the pass on the North River, and is requested by Congress, to take effectual means to have that important service done as soon as possible. General Putnam will be removed from the command he now holds. Will not General Parsons do under General Clinton for some time: 3 2 103. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 19th Febry 1778. Sir, This will be delivered to Your Excellency by the Baron Stüben who proceeds to the Army with the Rank of Captain, granted by a Brevet Commission at the Barrons special Instance in order to guard against inconveniences which might attend him, if he should without any Commission in his pocket be made a prisoner. Upon the arrival of this illustrious stranger at York Town, Congress ordered a Committee consisting of Mr. Wetherspoon Mr. McKean Mr. F. L. Lee and Mr. Henry to wait upon and confer with him to pay the necessary Compliments on his appearance in America and to learn explicitly his expectations from Congress, and the Committee were directed to deliver me the substance of their conference in writing, to be transmitted for Your Excellency's information. All that I have received or know on this head will be seen on an Inclosed paper marked Committees conference with Baron Stüben to which I beg leave to refer your Excellency. [P. S.] The Baron declines the Commission above mentioned or any other for the present 2 104. THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE, MINUTES.1 19. Mr. Harvey left the Committee 2 1 [February 19, 20, 1778.] [102]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Bancroft Coll., Livingston Papers, II. 99 (copy of part). 2 See the Journals, Feb. 18. 8 Cf. no. 100, ante, and no. 126, post. [103]1 Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 190. 2 See the Journals, Jan. 13, 14, Feb. 18, and nos. 30, note 3, 83, ante; also Washington's remarks, Feb. 27, upon Steuben's arrival in camp (Writings, ed. Ford, VI. 385), and John Laurens's letters of Feb. 28 and Mar. 9 (Army Correspondence, pp. 131, 134). Steuben was appointed inspector-general May 5. See Washington's letter to Congress, Apr. 30 (Writings, ed. Ford, VI. 504). Washington's letters are also in Writings (ed. Sparks), V. 243, 347. [104]1 See no. 62, note 1, ante. 2 Harvie probably returned forthwith to Congress. He had, at all events, resumed his seat by Feb. 26. Whether he returned for the purpose of furthering the measures advocated by the committee or for some other reason is nowhere intimated. Apparently on the very day on which he left camp a letter was addressed to him by Gouverneur Morris on behalf of the committee, an extract of which was read in Congress Mar. 3. See also the Journals, Mar. 9, 11. The letter is in Papers Cont. Cong., no. 78, vol. XV. Settled the order of promotion as follows Promotion shall be regimental to the rank of Captain inclusively. From that rank to that of Brigadiers inclusively, to be in the line of the State. Promotion from that rank, in the line of the army, at large. 4 The Genl. laid before the Committee, Duportail recommendation of Capt. de Murman for an Engineer with the Rank of Major—referr❜d. Colonels power of granting Furloes The Article of War touching Capital Offences, weak or [as?] 100 Lashes only insufficient." Mr. Lawrence Judge Advocate's letter laid by the Genl. before the Committee, on the subject of the articles of war. Consid❜n of Marquis Fayette's Proposition respect'g the Marquis de la Tour de pin and agreed to write a civil [letter] declining his Offers and Service.' 9 20. Recd. Letters from Col. Mifflin, and Young Waggon Master Genl. to Col. Lutterlogh on Waggons -Also from Capt. Selin Command [ing] Officer of Armands Corps requesting Directions respect [ing] it.—Referr'd to the General. Wrote Blane D'y Com'y Genl. of Purchs. respecting the purchase of Fish in Maryland-and Lettr. to Govr. Johnson, introduc'g him. (No. 22.) 10 Sir, 105. THE PRESident of CongrESS (HENRY Laurens) to 20th Febry 1778 I had the honour of addressing you on a subject of high importance the 7th Inst. by Messenger Barry, who returned without a Line from 3 See the Journals, May 27 (including the report found in an appendix, p. 1269), Nov. 24, 1778. Cf. the cases of Woodford, Muhlenberg, Scott, and Weedon, no. 99, note 2, ante; also those of Lincoln and others, no. 70, ante. See also no. 178, note 2, post. 4 Jean Bernard de Murnand. Duportail's recommendation of him is in the Washington Papers (under the date Feb. 23). See the minute of Mar. 2 (no. 121, post); also the Journals, Jan. 13, 1779, Sept. 15, 1783, Feb. 3, 1784. Other facts may be gleaned from the Washington Papers (see Calendar). A brief record of his service is in Heitman, Hist. Reg. ("Murnan, John Barnard de "). 5 The entry as first written read, "weak or [as?] nothing-Corporal Punish ment to be introduced such as whipping". The letter of John Laurance, dated Feb. 5, is in the Washington Papers. 7 The Marquis de la Tour du Pin de Montauban. See no. 27, ante. 8 Col. Jonathan Mifflin was one of the superintendents appointed by the board of war in pursuance of the resolution of Congress Jan. 15. See no. 99, note 5, ante, and Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 235, 240. James Young was wagonmaster-general of Pennsylvania. See especially ibid., pp. 276, 282, 289, 298. A letter from Lutterloh to Washington Feb. 17 (Washington Papers) mentions a conference with Blaine on the subject of wagons, and the consequent directions to Young. 9 Capt. Antoni Selin. See Heitman, Hist. Reg. A return of the commissioned officers of Armand's corps Aug. 28, 1778, made by Selin, is in the Washington Papers. The signature there is Antoni"; but in a document of May 29, 1783 (ibid.), it is Anthony". 66 10 A draft of the letter to Blaine is in Papers Cont. Cong., no. 33, f. 159. Two letters from Blaine to Dana Feb. 20, one on the subject of wheat and flour, the other concerning meat, etc., are ibid., pp. 161, 167. The committee also wrote to Congress Feb. 20, by the hand of Gouverneur Morris, suggesting the employment of Indians in the army. The letter is in Reed, Life of Reed, I. 418. See the Journals, Feb. 26, Mar. 4; also no. 121, note 3, post. [105]1 Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 193. you nor have you touched on the Quarter Masters department in your favor of the 14th hence several Members of Congress entertained suspicions of the miscarriage of my Letter and therefore moved the House to the Act of this date which you will receive inclosed in this, desiring you will by the return of the present Messenger nominate proper persons to fill the Quarter Masters department, conformable to the plan adopted.2 106. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO D'r Sir YORK TOWN 20th Febry 1778 The Inclosed piece of Paper which I writ in Congress this Evening and slipped into the hand of a Member of the Treasury Board will shew you Sir, that I have not been unmindful of your Calls for Money. the subjoined answer is all I am authorized to say on that head." I shall persevere in applications and I hope you will find means for subsistence until you receive the promised supply. Sir, 107. JONATHAN BAYARD SMITH TO JOSEPH REED.1 LANCASTER Feb: 21st 1778. Yours of 8th met me at this place where I have been very much indisposed with a severe cold. In conformity to your request, I wrote to York town concerning any letters for you, and directed them to be sent down. Tomorrow, I expect, I shall go over myself. 2 It gave me real pleasure to find your sentiments on some important subjects so perfectly coincide with my own. In many instances I have dreaded the effects of measures, tho' at the same time a principle of charity, and a confidence in the zealous attachment of those who favored them, almost forbid any suspicions of undue motives. The Generals conduct on occasions truely affecting to a man['s] honor, evinces how much more infinitely he prefers the good of his country to any personal considerations. If in any instances Congress has seemed to favor an adverse party, it ought not to be resolved into a design of injuring him; a concur 2 See the Journals, Feb. 7, 20. Dana was chairman of the committee then at Washington's headquarters (see no. 62, note 2, ante), and this letter was addressed to him at Valley Forge. For the plan of the quartermaster-general's department see the Journals, Jan. 30, Feb. 5, Mar. 2; cf. no. 110, post. Concerning the committee's letter of Feb. 14, see no. 95, ante. [106] Mass. Hist. Soc., Heath Papers, VIII. 145; Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, I. 194. 2 Accompanying this letter, in the Heath Papers, is a note in the writing of Laurens, entreating gentlemen of the treasury what he shall advise General Heath. On the same sheet is a reply in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, stating that the money will be sent next week unless accident prevents. See no. 42, ante, Heath replied to this letter Mar. 10. See no. 171, post. [107] N. Y. Hist. Soc., MSS. of Joseph Reed, IV. 2 Reed's letter of Feb. 8, to which Smith is replying, has not been found. There is, however (Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 218; Reed, Life of Reed, I. 358), a letter from Reed to President Wharton, Feb. 1, concerning conditions in the army, and one on the same subject from the committee at camp, Feb. 12, (read in Congress Feb. 16), which was written by Reed (ibid., p. 360; cf. no. 91, ante). See no. 115, post. rence of untoward circumstances have impelled to those steps which appear most exceptionable, and the tendency of which I foresaw and dreaded. If an individual or two are unhappily under the influence of an undue impression, the effects, it is to be hoped, will be very circumscribed, and the evil will carry in itself its own remedy. At the same time, something should be done to prevent the body of the people, especially of this state, losing their confidence in the Commander in chief. Rectifying the conduct of the different departments; and putting an end to the impositions, and irregularities of some of the agents, would do much towards accomplishing this important end. If it were possible to avoid seizures and acts of force except in particular cases many disaffected persons, more of the indetermined, and all real whigs would be with us. By the present system of conduct, we suffer a fearful encrease of dissaffection. You have much to do, and however anxiously I wish to have your aid and council in Congress, yet I cannot wish you from your present post 'till the important business shall be well done. This will require time and patience; nor is it improbable that new business will present itself every day. 3 As I rise from my bed to embrace an opportunity by Colo. Bayards boy; and now feel myself worse, I must refer myself to another opportunity of being more full on several subjects. In general you may depend on my conduct being such in Congress, as considering my abilities, such sentiments as yours ought to produce. Inclosed you have a copy of Abingdons pamphlet which perhaps you have not seen.* I am D'r Sir with great respect Yr. v h st. 108. DANIEL Roberdeau TO THE SPEAKER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (JAMES MCLENE).1 Sir, YORK TOWN, Feb'y 21st, 1778. I have the honor to address my Constituants the Representatives of this State now assembled, on Subjects the most distressing and alarming, the deficiencies in the Commissaries and Quartermasters departments, which threaten the dispersion of our army and all the horrid train of Evils consequent to this State more immediately, and to the common cause more general in its baneful influence. The Letters and resolves of Congress ordered to be forwarded, makes a particular discant on the distresses of our army unnecessary from me. I have only to assure the Hon'ble House that under God the Salvation of our Cause now depends on you, as from your Situation timely supplies of provisions, especially meat, of forage and Waggons, and immediate conveyance can only be expected, 3 Presumably Col. John Bayard. See no. 95, ante. 4 See nos. 330, 335, note 3, post. [108]1 Pa. State Lib., P. P. XLVI. 5; Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 295. |