In a Letter which I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 5th Instant as President of Congress is contained a late Act for continuing the present Embargo, and for preventing engrossing Provision. I shall not trouble you Sir with my opinions on the several branches of this Act but barely remark that when the power of Congress to lay an Embargo was made a question and the voices of each Member called upon, there appeared fourteen in the negative, twelve affirmative-six States affirmative five negative; Of those six affirmative, there were three States represented by Units. I am persuaded my Countrymen will Act on this great occasion as shall appear to be for the general good of these United States. If I may offer my sentiments Congress is not vested with sufficient power to lay a general Embargo and it would be dangerous to vest them with such power in our present system. the recent Act I humbly conceive marks incompetency, nevertheless I think it will promote the public good to restrain the exportation of Provision until January, and therefore I wish there could be a general restraint excepting of such quantities as should be found sufficient for re-equipping the fleet of Count d'Estaing, and a necessary supply to our fellow Citizens in the Eastern States under these indulgences and thro the artifices of cunning Men I fear the honest Citizen and fair trader will bear a heavy burthen. So far as respects my own interest altho' I am persuaded the intended prohibition will in several States be evaded, and have doubts whether any regard will be paid to it in Pennsylvania and Deleware I am willing to submit articles of which the Enemy stand more in need than of either flour or Rice. I mean Tar, Pitch and Turpentine remain unrestrained. I offer'd on this head as many intimations as my situation in the Chair would permit, but without effect. 557. HENRY LAURENS, MEMORANDUM.1 [Note of Gérard:] It is reported that the State of South Carolina in sending some Gentlemen to France has instructed them 1st to purchase a certain number of Vessels, 2nd to raise a certain number of troops to be in the pay and immediate service of that State. It is apprehended that this step executed by a single State in contradiction with the plan of Confederation, could hurt in Europe the Idea of the uniformity of the Governments to rely on Congress for the exertion and application of the common forces and it might be misunderstood or misrepresented to the prejudice of the confidence and the consideration Congress has so justly acquired. If the concern for all what is conducible to the honor and Credit of the United States may apologize for a reflection offered on that subject, I should venture to say that the best method to prevent any inconveniences is perhaps to send immediate Orders to the Minister of the United States in France, to countenance the demands of South Carolina.* 8 See the Journals, Oct. 2; cf. nos. 462, 492, 511, 517, 520, 521, 534, 547, 552, 553, ante. [557]1 S. C. Hist. Soc., Laurens Papers, vol. XXVI. 2 This note of Gérard was evidently designed for the attention of the South Carolina delegates only, and it does not appear from the Journals whether Laurens ever Monsr. Girard having received information as above communicated his sentiments. I think it improper to apply to Congress before I am informed of the facts from authority in South Carolina. I shall nevertheless consult my Colleagues, and Act by their advice. Monsr. Girard treats the subject with great seriousness. Philada. 6th October 1778 Sir HENRY LAURENS 558. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY LAURENS) TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY (WILLIAM LIVINGSTON).1 6th October [1778.] . . Inclosed is a Resolve of Congress requesting Your Excellency to obtain information of the Enemy's treatment of the late Lieutenant Colonel Baylor and his Party, who were cut off in New Jersey. It has been represented that the unhappy Colonel, several of his Officers, and many of his Troops were Bayonetted in cold blood, should this be proved, I apprehend suitable retalliation will immediately follow a refusal of satisfaction." Sir, 559. ROGER SHERMAN TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT PHILADELPHIA, Octo. 6, 1778. I have been absent about six weeks on the business of arranging the army, which, so far as it is accompished, has occasioned less dissatisfaction than I feared it would. Some good officers are excluded for want of room which are recommended to Congress for such notice and provision as shall be thought reasonable. Major Wells did not apply untill the arrangement of the Connecticut officers was made, so that he could not be admitted. It is customary in other States not to fill the places of officers in captivity, but to promote them according to their rank as if present.3 I brought the matter before Congress. It probably pertained to the mission of Alexander Gillon. See the Journals, Mar. 30, 31; also Lowndes to Franklin, July 18, Franklin's Works (ed. Sparks), VIII. 287; D. E. Huger Smith, "Commodore Gillon and the Frigate South Carolina", in S. C. Hist. and Geneal. Mag., IX. 189; and McCrady, South Carolina in the Revolution, 1775-1780, pp. 217-219. [558] Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, II. 99. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 6, 8, 26, and no. 577, post. The repeal, Oct. 8, of that part of the resolution of Oct. 6 relative to the exchange of the survivors of Baylor's party, appears to have been in consequence of a letter from Washington, Oct. 3, read in Congress Oct. 7 (Writings, ed. Ford, VII. 203, ed. Sparks, VI. 75). In transmitting this act of repeal to Col. John Beatty, commissary-general of prisoners, at Princeton, Laurens wrote: Congress having received further information respecting the number of survivors of the late Colonel Baylor's Party have judged it necessary to repeal their Act of the 6th Instant for an immediate exchange" (President's Letter-Book, II. 102). An account of the affair was given to Washington by Col. Otho H. Williams in a letter of Sept. 28 (Letters to Washington, ed. Sparks, II. 211, with the date Sept. 26), and Colonel Baylor himself, who was only wounded, wrote Washington an account of it Oct. 19 (ibid., p. 222). Col. John Beatty was the bearer of this letter. [559] Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., II. 284. 2 Cf. nos. 565, 586, post. 3 Cf. no. 631, post. shall take the first opportunity to transmit to your Excellency a copy of the arrangement of the Connecticut officers. I returned here last Wednesday evening, and Majr. Adams being unwell set out to go home last Saturday. Colo. Dyer and Mr. Elsworth are not yet arrived; I hope they are on their way, for it is of importance to have a full representation. Business goes on slow. The important matters of the currency, cloathing department, and treasury arrangement are not yet finished, though believe the last is compleated, except appointing the officers. Cloathing the army will doubtless be referred to the particular States to supply their own troops. The Continental cloathing on hand, and what may hereafter arrive, will be distributed in some just proportion." There is a report lately made on the subject of finance, not acted upon, which I think will not be an adequate remedy for the evils. I think a reasonable time ought to be fixed for sinking all the outstanding bills, and sufficient funds by annual taxes provided for bringing them in. That would fix their credit by letting the possessors know when and how they are to be redeemed, and would in some good measure do justice to the public, as the bills would be collected in at about the same value they were issued out. The first part of the time the people would obtain them at a cheap rate to pay their taxes, and they would gradually appreciate till restored to their original value. But some provision ought to be immediately made for doing justice to creditors in payment of old debts and salaries stated in lawful money. The law making the bills a tender when the same nominal sum was of equal value to lawful money was reasonable and necessary, but now is become the source of great injustice. I think lawful money should be the standard, but an equivalent in bills should be accepted in payment. The committee of commerce do make a discount in payment of sterling debts. I hope public faith will be inviolably observed in the redemption of the bills at their full value, at the period fixed for that purpose, but that will not prevent their depreciation in currency in the mean time while so great a quantity is in circulation." 560. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO THE PRESIDENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (MESHECH WEARE).1 Sir PHILADELPHIA October 6th 1778 By the vote of the Legislature of our State of the 19th of August last, I find it will Require two Delegates to Represent the state after the first of November next. The reason of which I suppose was that the [y] Expected (as I Did) that the Confideration would be Ratified by all the 4 See the Journals, Sept. 26, Oct. 13, 29, 31, Nov. 3. Cf. nos. 567, 589, 617, post. See the committee's report in the Journals, Oct. 9. An ordinance for regulating the clothing department was passed Mar. 23, 1779. Cf. the Journals, Jan. 1, Aug. 19, 1778. 6 Cf. Sherman's remarks on the subject of finance in a letter to Benjamin Trumbull, Aug. 18, an extract of which is found in Boutell, Life of Sherman, p. 106. The report at this time under consideration is found in the Journals under Sept. 19. [560] Copied from the original, then in possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia. states so as to take place at that time. But as neither Jersey, Deleware nor Maryland have yet agreed to it, and as we have been informed within a few Days that the Legislature of Maryland is adjourned to December, it is now Certain it Cannot take place so soon as was Expected and there is a probability at least that it may not take place for a Considerable time to Come; I would therefore Earnestly Recommend it to the General Court as soon as they meet, to pass a vote authorising any one of their Delegates to Represent the state in Congress until the Confideration is Ratified by all the States; and that the vote may be forwarded to your Delegates here as soon as possible The utillity (if not necessity) of such a vote is so obvious that I need not say anything in favor of it, and only Request that it may be attended to." Your Letter to the President of the Congress of the 18th of September, was handed me by Colo Samuel Folsom who arrived here the 4th Inst: and was yesterday Read in Congress. I have obtained a Grant for the State of one Hundred and fifty Thousand Dollars to be sent you out of the Treasury here, also an order on the Loan office in New Hampshire for fifty Thousand Dollars and am in hopes I shall procure the money so as to Dispatch Colo Folsom in a few Days* Your letter to me by Col: Folsom I have also Receivd You will find in the inclosed newspaper an additional act of Congress Relative to wounded and Disabled officers and soldiers 5 I am Sir with the greatest Respect your most obedient Servant JOSIAH BARTLETT 561. CYRUS GRIFFIN TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.1 You will be good enough my dear Sir, to excuse this Letter. There are but few Men indeed with whom I could wish to be thus candid. It appears to me that Congress will shortly be dissolved. If the large Emissions of Money, and visionary Expeditions do not bring forth our destruction, I greatly fear that Party will complete the matter. Congress exhibit not more than two or three Members actuated by Patriotism. Great questions are carried every day in favor of the Eastward, and to the prejudice of the southern states. Great questions are now upon the Carpet and if determined in the affirmative will do excessive damage to Virginia and Maryland particularly at present we are under secrecy-perhaps in a little time I shall think myself obliged to quit Congress. I will not sit in a house whose proceedings I cannot assent to with honor, nor is it 2 Cf. nos. 424, note 4, 456, ante, 567, 599, 630, 638, post. 4 See the Journals, Oct. 5. Cf. no. 507, ante. In a letter of Oct. 10 Bartlett mentions sending the money by Colonel Folsom. A draft or autograph copy of the letter is in Dartmouth College, Bartlett Corr., and another, with variations, is in Mass. Hist. Soc., C 81 A 45. See the Journals, Sept. 25. [561]1 Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers. 2 The principal question at this time on the carpet was that of finance. The report of a committee on the subject is found in the Journals under Sept. 19, and some parts of it were agreed to the day this letter was written. See no. 559, ante. in my abilities to oppose them with success. I value most what our great Politicians value least. Congress are at present a Government of Men. It would astonish you to think how all affairs proceed upon the interested Principle: Members prostituting their votes in expectation of mutual assistance upon favorite Points. I am apprehensive that in get[t]ing free from oppression in one quarter we are likely to establish it in another; by avoiding one set of Plunderers we are certain to fall into the clutches of a still more dangerous set. I am sorry our good Friend Harvey is about to leave Congress; he is a valuable man in times like the present, a man of great Virtue and boldness of Spirit. If the Land office should be established, put him at the head of it; his abilities and honesty will be highly necessary in that Employment. As yet Spain have taken no part to our advantage, indeed Arthur Lee still remains at Paris. The court of Berlin have refused William Lee, the Commissioner of Congress to that quarter: He is now gone to Vienna, the most accomplished Metropolis in the World. We are plagued to death with quarrels and recriminations relative to our Commissioners abroad; these men will involve the Continent in perdition. It is absolutely necessary that Deane should be sent over to Europe for the most valuable purpose in the world, but some Gentlemen are determined to ruin an innocent Character, notwithstanding he alone has the great merit of concluding that valuable Treaty with the Minister of France.* PHILADELPHIA Octo. 6th 78 562. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (HENRY Laurens) Sir 9th Octr. [1778.] I have communicated the Extract from Count d'Estaing's letter, to Monsr. Girard. Congress have no objection to granting leave of absence to the Marquis of Vienne. Sir, 563. HENRY LAURENS TO WILLIAM HEATH.1 10th October [1778.] Captain Gilbert of Massachusetts and Captain Holmes of New Hampshire, having inform'd me that during their late captivity at New York several Officers of the Convention troops had come into that City 3 See no. 522, ante. 4 Cf. no. 564, post. [562]1 Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, II. 103. 2 See the Journals, Aug. 28. 8 The Journals contain no record of such action at this time, but Congress did vote the leave Oct. 27, on request of Lafayette. Laurens wrote to Washington Oct. 13, "My last trouble to Your Excellency was dated the 9th by Messenger Dodd who was detained by bad weather and a little management of his own until yesterday" (President's Letter-Book, II. 108). [563] President's Letter-Book, IÌ. 103; Mass. Hist. Soc., Heath Papers, XI. 161. |
