We have no news. Let me then tell you what has the Merit of Truth if not the Charms of Novelty. That I am Dear General Very sincerely yours, GOUVR MORRIS. [P.S.] General Lee's Affair hangs by the Eye Lids. We spent one Day upon it without even touching on the Merits.5 The Debate was in what Manner to proceed to a Decision. Some contended for the Propriety of resolving simply to approve or disapprove of the Sentence, others for entering into the Consideration of the Charges and the Evidence on them seperately without however making any Entry on the Minutes. A third for doing this and making the Entries. This as the most systematic Method I supported for truly I know not how to determine in the Lump. Granting him guilty of all the Charges it is too light a Punishment. And if he is not guilty, in the Opinion of Congress of any one there would be an Injustice in not declaring their Opinion. Conway has again applied for a Certificate of his good Services and I have again opposed the Grant of it. His Letter lies on the Table. Again, my friend, adieu. Pray Excuse me to Generals Greene and Schuyler for not writing by this Opportunity. Upon my Honor I have so many Things to do that I am much distrait. Tell Genl. Schuyler however that I shall build if possible the Decision of his Business on that of Genl. Lee. . . . . Sir 587. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO THE GOVERNOR AND PHILADELPHIA 27th October 1778 Your Excellency's Letter of the 11th March last address'd to Congress in favor of Don Juan De Miralles, I had the honor of presenting to the House 2-the particular Affection which you were pleased to express See the Journals, Oct. 20, 23. Joseph Hewes wrote to Governor Caswell from Edenton Nov. 24: "I returned home a few days ago from Philadelphia I left Genl. Lee at Philadelphia soliciting Congress to reverse the sentence of the Court Martial respecting his behavior at the Battle of Monmouth. . . . . I was told a large majority of Congress were for confirming it, but just as I was setting out, I was told the numbers were nearly equal, and I have no doubt by this time that General and his fast friend Rich'd H. Lee have prevailed on a majority to reverse it" (N. C. St. Recs., XIII. 299). Cf. nos. 574, ante, 656, post. See the Journals, Oct. 17; also an extract of a letter from Conway to Gates, Oct. 28, in Sparks, Life of Morris, I. 178. [587] Archives of the Indies, Papeles procedentes de la Isla de Cuba, leg. 1301; Library of Congress, President's Letter-Book, II. 135. 2 The letter was read in Congress July 23. The original has not been found among the Papers of the Continental Congress, but a translation is in no. 78, vol. XVII., f. 47. It is addressed "To the Most Illustrious the Congress of Philadelphia", and states that "Disagreeable contrarieties obliged Dn. Juan de Miralles to put into your Continent, where he informs me he was most gratiously and in the most Polite manner received and treated by the Governor of Charlestown and that he had " resolved to wait some time in that Country". A letter of the same date and purport was written to General Washington, of which the original, a triplicate, and a translation are in the Washington Papers, under their date, March 11, 1778. Drafts both of the letter to Congress and of that to Washington are in Papeles procedentes de la Isla de Cuba, legajo 1301. Cf. no. 475, ante. therein for Don Juan has been justified by his Honorable Deportment during his residence in these States. It cannot but be pleasing to your friendship to be told that the influence which Your Excellency's Recommendation naturally conveys, has, in this instance, been rendered little necessary by the Claims of the personal merit of Don Juan. The United States of North America desire Peace and harmony with other Nations and they particularly consider the prospect of a friendly intercourse between the Subjects of His Catholic Majesty and their own Inhabitants as a great Branch of their future felicity. The kind Prayer which you have made for our preservation we beg leave to retort in sentiments of the utmost cordiality." I have the honor to be with the highest Esteem and Respect Sir Your Excellency's Obedient and Most humble Servant HENRY LAURENS. President of Congress. His Excellency Don D. J. Navarro, Governor and Captain General of Cuba, etc. etc. etc. Havanna. Dear Sir 588. JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.1 PHILADELPHIA October 27th 1778 In Reading the Several letters and other Publications of the Brittish Commis'rs, you will observe that they are Constantly Endeavouring to make people on both Sides the water, Believe, That Congress Have Exceeded their powers in Rejecting their (the Commision'rs) offers of Reconcilliation and Entering into an alliance with France; and that in both of these instances The Congress had acted Contrary to the Sentiments of their Constituents." Whither they are really Deceived by the Tory accounts they Receive from the Several States, Or whither they mean to Deceive others, I am not Certain; But of this I am Certain, that so long as Brittain has the smallest hope Remaining of these States submitting again to her Domination, she will never Recognize our Independance and Consequently the war must Continue. It is therefore our interest to Convince Brittain and Every Body else, that the French Alliance and the Rejection of the Brittish Commis'rs offers of Reconcilliation are universally approved of by these States. For this purpose I should think it would be proper for the Legislatures of the Several States in this union (as of their own motion without 3 The committee of foreign affairs was instructed Oct. 26 to prepare an answer to Governor Navarro's letter, and on Oct. 27 brought in a draft which was agreed to but was not spread upon the Journals. This is presumably the letter prepared by the committee. [588] Copied from the original, then in possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia, now in possession of the N. H. Historical Society, Weare Papers, V. 131; Hist. Mag., VI. 277 (with variations). 2 Expressions to that effect are found in the letter from the commissioners July 11 (see nos. 419-421, ante), and were definitely reiterated in the manifesto of Oct. 3 (see no. 568, ante). the advice of Congress) to pass Resolves signifying their approbation of Those Measures: And in order effectually to Cut off all their pretences for applying to individual States or persons, To Resolve that the Congress of the united States are solely vested with power on our part for Contracting foreign Alliances, for making and Conducting war and for Restoring peace, and that They and They only have full power for making peace with Brittain on the principles of our absolute Independence and not otherwise; and that these States Repose Entire Confidence in them for those purposes. If the several states would carefully Draw up and unanimously pass such Resolves, publish them to the world in the public newspapers and send attested Copies to their Delegates in Congress to be made use of as occasion might Require, I am perswaded that it would effectually cut off all the hopes our Enemies may still Entertain of their being able to Devide and flatter us into Submission. And as they are now Convinced that they are not able to Conquer us by force, I Doubt not such Resolves would greatly facillitate their acknowledging our Independance and offering us reasonable terms of peace. I Believe Such Resolves will be passed by several of the Legislatures, and as our assembly will likely be seting when you Receive this, I thought proper just to Hint the matter to you for your Consideration. In the Enclosed papers you will find the Remarks of Common sense on the Commision'rs Manifesto, also a Geneuine petition of the Refugees in New York to the Commis'rs. The petition appears so ridiculous that I should not have believed it Geneuine had we not had the best proof of its authenticity. 4 You have heard I Doubt not that Mr. Simpson has the Command of the Ranger and that she together with the Boston and Providence may be hourly Expected at Boston. As my power of Representing the State will Expire next Saturday, I Expect to set out for Newhampshire the Begining of next week and hope proper Care will be taken to Keep up a Represen[ta]tion here." I am Sir with great Respect Your most obedient Servant JOSIAH BARTLETT The paper was the Pennsylvania Packet of Oct. 24. Concerning the "Refugee Petition", see no. 581, ante; with regard to the manifesto of the British commissioners, see nos. 568, 574, 576, ante, 595, 599, 618, 643, post. Lieut. Thomas Simpson. Cf. the Journals, Sept. 17, 1779. Bartlett's account of his expenses during his period of service from May 25 to Nov. 3 is of especial interest as one type of accounts rendered by delegates against their states. This account, which is found among the Bartlett Correspondence in the Dartmouth College Library, follows: 589. ROGER SHERMAN TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT PHILADELPHIA, Octo 27th, 1778. Sir, The great affairs of finance and the cloathing department are yet unfinished. The delay of these important matters gives me great anxiety. I have used my utmost endeavours to forward them. I wish another Delegate might be immediately sent from Connecticut; was in hopes Colo. Dyer would have come before now. The committee appointed to consider your Excellency's letter respecting the late Commissary Trumbull's affairs have not yet made report, tho' I understand they are ready when Congress can receive it. I don't know what their report will be.3 The affair of the currency is to be further considered today. The members in general seem to be at a loss what can be done to restore its credit. The plan that appears to me most probable to be adopted is to recommend to the legislatures of the several States immediately to pass acts to raise by taxes about five or six million dollars annually for eighteen or twenty years, as a sinking fund sufficient for the redemption of all the bills and Loan Office certificates, to take out of currency about fifty million dollars by loan, to lay a tax of about twelve or thirteen million dollars for the expence of the next year; and if further emissions are necessary that additional funds be provided for sinking them within the time limited for Expences at Philadelphia from the 4th of July to the 3d of Novembr inclusive paid at the George Tavern for 4 Days board.... paid for nursing my waiter while Sick in Philada. paid his Doctors bill and for medicines.... paid for his Expences in the Country to Recover his health. paid my washer womans bill.. paid for Horse Keeping in Philadelphia etc. paid for Shoeing horses... paid Mrs. Peart for victuals and Lodging. paid for Drink at Mrs. Pearts... 10: 8: 0 II: 12: 0 5:19: 0 14: 14: 0 7:19: 0 64: 10: 0 3:18: 0 .145: 4:0 16:18: 0 3:14: 0 I: 14: 0 for paper, pens, Ink, Sealing wax etc. paid for fruit bought for the table when I had company to Dine etc at Sundry times for a waiter when Mine was Sick etc.... to Expences which My waiter was at in the Country more than his board would have been in the City..... Expenses to York Town... Do. from York Town to Philadelphia. Do. from Philadelphia Home.. Do. at York Town..... Do. at Philadelphia. Waiters wages Hire of Horses allowd. [589] Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh ser., II. 298. 2 See nos. 559, 567, ante, and no. 617, post. 3 See no. 567, note 2, ante. 295:16: 6 37:14: 8 8: 0:11 48: 4: 3 60: 16: 3 .295:16: 3 48: 6: 0 75: 0: 0 573:18: 4 sinking those that are now outstanding, so that the possessors of the bills and lenders of money be able to make a just estimate of the value of their securities... 590. RICHARD HENRY LEE TO ARTHUR LEE.1 My dear Brother 3 PHILADELPHIA Octr. 27th 1778. The Marquis Fayette left us today for Boston where he is to embark. This letter will follow him with our dispatches. I wish that a true friendship may take place between you and the Marquis because I discern in this young Nobleman those principles that I think cannot fail to render him a great Man. And his virtue is such as will make him superior to all those mean and selfish considerations which mark too many. The [disgusting artifice] of our [enemies] is such as [requires] on our [part] the greatest [circumspection]. Even [virtue] will not do alone, the strictest [appearance?] must accompany this; where enemies are numerous, wicked, and inquisitive, and where the most laudable actions may be misinterpreted, and by the artful mixture of innocent truth with much falsehood, can impose on weak minds and such as are more than half willing to be imposed on, infinite care is necessary. I am much mistaken if your honest zeal in your Countries cause concerning the [unexecuted articles] of the [treaty] will not be diligently both from [hence] and with [you] used to [ruin] you with the [court] of Fe. Will it not be well besides taking other wise precautions, to speak to the [minister] with the candor, firmness, and sincerity, on this subject that becomes a Man concerned in the welfare of his Country. The whole tribe of wicked ones at Passy and all the Co-adjutors will be employed in this nefarious business. But a sensible and virtuous Minister will esteem the integrity of a Man who faithfully discharges his trust by seeing and pursuing the interest of his Country, in the Station you have been in. The wickedness of Deane and his party exceeds all belief, and must in the end fail them notwithstanding the Art with which they clothe themselves. The wicked and some weak can alone support them. P. S. I hope our affairs in Spain have ere this taken so favorable a turn that you will be presently repairing to that Court. The affairs of finance have with other adventitious business, so engrossed us, that we have not yet been able to take up our foreign affairs, which will presently be done * See the Journals, Oct. 28 (committee report); also nos. 672, 679, 687, 688, 693, post. [590]1 Copied from the original, then in possession of Mr. Stan. V. Henkels of Philadelphia; Va. Hist. Soc. (transcript); Letters (ed. Ballagh), I. 445 (with omissions). 2 The principal of these despatches, dated Oct. 28, are in Wharton, Rev. Dipl. Corr., II. 812-816. A letter from the marine committee to Franklin Oct. 27, relative to the vessel which had been ordered to carry the despatches and also Lafayette and his suite, is in Paullin, Out-Letters, II. 22. See also no. 585, ante, and nos. 592, 594, post. 3 The words in square brackets in this letter are written in cipher. See nos. 268, 295, 439, 524, ante. |
