missary falls short in his purches which there is grate reason to fear. their is very grate complaints of his department from every quarter Congress have had noe accounts from Europe since I have been here. Ten States only, are represented in Congress, and one half of them, by one member only Masechusits, New York and Virginia have noe representation. I shall doe my self the honour of writing you when any thing offers worth communicating and am very respectfully Sir Sir 94. JOHN HENRY, JR., TO THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND YORK TOWN Febry 14th 1778. Congress a Day or two ago, took up the appointment of commercial Agents, and concluded to refer the same to the commissioners in France. Mr. Ross and your Brother were in nomination. If you have an opportunity it would be well to write to Mr. Johnson. I do not at present know in what part of France he resides, possibly upon inquiry, I may be informed. At this time I do not know of an opportunity, but as soon as there is one I shall write to him myself." The state of our Army is critical. Four Month pay, if not more are due them, and no Money in the Treasury to satisfy their just and reasonable Demands. The press is at work, and attended with all vigilance and care, and has been for some time past; near a million a week is now made, and yet our Demands are greater then we can answer. They come in from all parts of the Continent. The Avarice of our people and the extravagant prices of all commodities, joined with the imperfect management of our Affairs, would expend the mines of Chili and Peru. 8 For the want of pay, of Cloths, and provisions our Army is decreasing every hour, not by one or two at a time, but from seven to twelve. By a Letter from Col. Smith he tells me some of the troops have been eight Days at different Times without meat, and only a bare allowance of flour. The State of Pennsylvania has passed a Law appointing certain commissioners in every county of the State, with full power to purchase or to seize at stated prices all provisions necessary for the Army. These men are subject to the orders of Congress as to the quantity of each article of provisions to be purchased or seized. Besides this the Board of War have Authority from Congress to purchase twenty thousand Barrels of flour and other provisions necessary for the Army. From these resources I expect fifty thousand Barrels of flour, and quantities of other provisions, but to what amount is uncertain. Our commissary Genl. does not at this [94] Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, V. 60; Arch. of Md., XVI. 499; Scharf, Hist. of Md., II. 343 (extract). 2 See no. 93, ante. Lieut.-Col. Samuel Smith. Cf. Washington to Governor Clinton Feb. 16, Writings (ed. Sparks), V. 238, and to Robert L. Hooper, jr., Jonathan Mifflin, jr., and Nathaniel Falconer, Feb. 15, in Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 263; also no. 108, post. 4 See no. 93, ante. time as I am informed, know that he has five thousand Barrels of pork or Beef. Upon such foundations the existance of our Army depends. At whose door this prospect of ruin lies, time will discover. The Committee at camp I understand will recommend measures for filling the Army, which I expect will not be very agreeable to our people. N. Carolina has agreed only to part of the Confederation the other States I believe have done nothing with it as yet. Virginia New York and Massachusetts Bay is unrepresented. 95. THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE, MINUTES.1 [February 14, 16, 1778.] 14. Wrote to Gov. Livingston respect [ing] Waggons to transport Provisions and the mode of obtaining Horses to remount the Cavalry (No. 20.)-sent them forward 9 o'clock 2 Conferred with Genl. Woodford and others and Stated their Case (No. 21)3 Wrote to Congress abt. Genl. Varnum.* 16. Wrote to Govr. Johnson on the Article of Provisions a similar Letter to that sent to Govr. Livingston 5 Conferred with Colo. Bayard 96. THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE TO THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND (THOMAS JOHNSON, JR.).1 Sir CAMP AT THE VALLEY FORGE 16th Febry 1778. We have the Honor to compose a Committee of Congress appointed to confer with the General upon the Affairs of the Army and with him to concert measures for opening the Campaign with Vigor and Activity. During the Progress of this important Business the critical situation of the Army on the score of Provisions hath filled our minds with Apprehension and Alarm. fed by daily supplies and even those uncertain we have to fear a total Want. Some Brigades have not tasted Flesh in four Days and the Evil great as it is seems rather to increase than diminish. The Commissaries inform us that they have not only met with great Difficulties in purchasing Provisions in your State but that they cannot even transport what they have purchased for the want of Waggons and [95]1 See no. 62, note 1, ante. 2 The letter to Governor Livingston has not been found. See note 5, below. A letter of Feb. 14 was read in Congress Feb. 19. It discussed in particular the distresses of the army, but also mentioned the want of a general officer in Rhode Island and recommended General Varnum for the post. In Writings of Washington (ed. Ford), VI. 381 n., (ed. Sparks), V. 240 n., is an extract of a letter from Varnum to General Greene, Feb. 12, portraying the conditions in the army. 5 The letter is no. 96, post. See also a letter from Dana to Gerry, Feb. 16, on conditions in the army (Life of Gerry, I. 245). Presumably Col. John Bayard. The conference was probably on the subject of clothing. Cf. Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 61, 75, 189. [96]1 Arch. of Md., XVÍ. 503; Md. Hist. Soc., Red Book, I. II. the like. Whether these apologies are justly founded we will not presume to say but this is certain that upon an early Transportation of large Quantities of Provisions to this Camp from the State you preside over the very Existence of our Army depends. Let us then intreat you Sir to exert the full Influence of your Abilities to forward such supplies as may have been already bought up and also to obtain by such measures as you may think most adequate to that Purpose as much as can be spared by the Inhabitants from their own particular Consumption Sir, 2 97. DANIEL ROBERDEAU TO THE PRESIDENT OF PENNSYLVANIA (THOMAS WHARTON, JR.).1 YORK TOWN, Feb'y 17th, 1778. My Colleague, Mr. James Smith, obtained a warrant for 300,000 Dollars, to be remitted to you for the purchase of Provisions, reserving, as he informs me 52,000, which he has put into the hands of Commissioners for this County and Cumberland. The low state of the Treasury has occasioned since a division of the 300,000 D'rs, one half to the Board of War and Ordinance and the other half for this State, both being for the same purposes. the Bal'e of your moiety, viz., 98,000 will I expect, be ready this day, to go under the care of some one of the members of Assembly who may be passing thro. As Mr. Smith undertook this business in my absence, being at the Treasury, when the Grant obtained, I shall leave the whole to his management. I shall urge forward the supplies of Cash as you shall from time to time advise to be necessary; and I beseech Council not to put too much confidence in any Servant under them, lest some wheel in the machine should rust or clog, to the injury of the cause, which now labours in the article of provisions. The exuberant care of the late board of war in providing Superintendants over the Commissioners in the respective Counties, and the delegecy of their choice, has occasioned a good deal of perplexity. Last evening a modest request came before Congress to indemnify the Superintendants in violation of the provision act, in having given more than the stipulated prices, this is refered with the depositions concerning Mr. Hooper to a Committee. You will see by the resolve of last Saturday that a new System has been contrived 2 This letter accompanied a letter of the same date from General Washington to Governor Johnson, on the same subject (ibid., p. 501). Similar letters were sent to Governor Clinton of New York: from Washington Feb. 16 (Writings, ed. Ford, VI. 379, ed. Sparks, V. 238), from the committee Feb. 17 (Clinton Papers, II. 766). See also Washington's address to the inhabitants of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Feb. 18 (Writings, ed. Ford, VI. 382). The address is also in Arch. of Md., XVI. 513, together with an explanatory letter, Feb. 19 (ibid., p. 512). Cf. nos. 95, ante, 99, post. This letter was signed by Dana, Folsom, Harvie, and Morris. [97] Pa. State Lib., P. P. XLV. 64; Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 273. 2 See the Journals, Feb. 12, and Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 269, 270. The original of the letter of James Smith at p. 269 (Feb. 16) is in the John Carter Brown Library. The letter of R. L. Hooper presented by the board of war Feb. 16. See, further, the Journals, Feb. 17, 21, 25, Mar. 10, 20, Apr. 17; also Pa. Arch., first ser., VI. 177, 178, 234, 240, 241, 256, 269, 270, 272, 276, 278, 279, 281, 284, 289, 292, 296, 303-315, 329, 333, 338, 377. Cf. no. 94, note 3, ante, and nos. 99, 108, 111, 115, post. to accommodate the appointment of Superintendants to the late law of the State, and to prevent any interference. Mr. Smith informs me he will transmit the System which prevents me.* Dear Sir, 98. ELIPHALET DYER TO WILLIAM WILLIAMS.1 YORK TOWN Feby 17, 1778 .. I hope the Governor before this time is somewhat pacified and his jealousies removed, as all was mere accident without design or the least intention of so much as neglect. I am very anxious for Mr. Trumbull on account of his ill state of health tho I am glad to find his resentments in some measure abated and that if his health permits he will attend the board. His presence there is much desired but it seems Providence denies us his help when to appearance it is most wanted. The Commissary and Qtr Master department is in a most ruinous state, but on report of board of War the qtr master department is divided up into three or four branches which is agreed to there is now the military part which requires a person of skill and abilities in that way, a forrage master, part to procure forrage another for waggons and another to collect Tent[s] warlike stores and the like and we are now looking out for persons proper to head each. Congress are quite sick and discouraged on their late plan in the Commissary Department and of the person employed in the execution and we have lately received a letter from the Genll. and other Genll. Officers recommending Coll. Wadsworth as the only Gentn. they can think of whose abilities and exertions can under Providence relieve us, and tho Congress have not yet dismissed Buc-n yet they have unanimously sent off an express to Coll. Wadsworth to come forward immediately to Congress; and dare say if he comes he may have almost his own plan and terms if he will only undertake as they entertain the highest opinion of his abilities and think him the only person next to Mr. Trumbull who can effect their purpose I hope he will not fail to come forward soon he will be well rewarded I trust for his trouble even if he should not undertake but hope he will as I know he loves his country and is zealous in her cause. Why in the name of common sense could you the most averse to Frenchmen after we had been plagued beyond measure to send one the most insignificant of all upon us and recommend him to me who could not speak a word of French nor he of English. I received the letter and that was all and sent him to Mr. Lovell but he can have no birth and seems to have no claims or any thing or quality to recommend him. You doubtless before this will have various rumor [s] of a Canada expedition 5 4 The measures adopted Feb. 14 in place of those of Feb. 12. Cf. no. 93, ante. [98]1 Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., LVII. 359. 2 See nos. 53, 84, 85, ante; cf. nos. 148, 291, post. 8 See nos. 14, 53, ante, and no. 101, post. * See the Journals, Jan. 30, Feb. 5, 20, 21, Mar. 2; cf. nos. 50, 51, 83, 84, ante, and nos. 99, 108, 110, post. 5 See the Journals, Feb. 9, and no. 84, ante. Jeremiah Wadsworth was elected commissary-general of purchases in place of William Buchanan Apr. 9. Cf. nos. 123, 141, 142, 175, post. and may wonder among our many wants we should undertake this wild plan. The truth is Genll. Gates had laid the plan and made every preparation for Genll. Starks with a party under him at the proper season to make an irruption into Canada as his accounts were the garrisons at St. Johns and Chamblee were very weak, the Canadians highly disaffected to the Britons, large stores for the Indians in Montreal and that by a sudden push they might soon fall into our hands and if not we might burn or destroy their navigation on the lake, which would entirely prevent the enemy from annoying us from that quarter for a year or two beside the report of our forming a descent on Canada again would reach the Court in Great Britain and must perplex their counsels in carrying on the war for the ensuing year and would divide their forces as they would undoubtedly send a considerable part to Canada. We imagine it will have that effect even if we do not succeed and we expect our forces to return again before the lake breaks up and will be ready to give their assistance on the North River. There is it is true a considerable number of French Officers gone that way viz Marq: Fiatte,' Genll. Conway I believe Baron Kalb Young Fleury and several others of spirit to convince the French in Canada that France is really engaged on the side of America which may prevent their joining or giving any assistance to the few British troops now in Canada. 99. THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE, MINUTES.1 [February 17, 18, 1778.] 17. Submitted State of the Case of Genls. Muhlenbirgh, Weedon, Woodford and Scott relating to Rank to a Board of Genl. Officers.2 Wrote to Gov. Clinton for aid in procur'g or transport'g Provision.3 Recd. from the Genl. Copies of the Instruct. to certain Superintendants for the purchasing Flour, and other papers relative to that business. Referred for Consideration.* 6 See no. 46, note 5, ante. 7 The Marquis de Lafayette. [99]1 See no. 62, note 1, ante. 2 See nos. 70, 95, ante, 104, post. The committee's "State of the Case of Brigr. Genls. Mulenbergh, Weedon, Woodford and Scott, with their Claims of Rank", with the date Mar. 2, is in Papers Cont. Cong., no. 33, f. 213. Cf. Fitzpatrick, Calendar of the Washington Papers, II. 561. In a letter to the committee, Mar. 1, Washington discussed the cases of Woodford, Weedon, and Scott, particularly (Papers Cont. Cong., no. 33, f. 209; draft in Washington Papers); and the board of general officers made their report on the question Mar. 4 (Papers Cont. Cong., no. 152, vol. V., f. 369). Washington transmitted this report to Congress Mar. 12, and took action upon the matter Mar. 19 (see the Journals). Meanwhile (Feb. 19) Woodford had offered to Washington his resignation (Washington Papers). On Mar. 30 Weedon indicated his purpose to resign and sent his resignation to Washington Apr. 13 (ibid.). On Apr. 10 Muhlenberg also spoke of resigning (ibid.). He had made a statement of his case to the committee of conference Mar. 7 (Papers Cont. Cong., no. 33, f. 217). See also Washington to the President of Congress Apr. 10 (Writings, ed. Ford, VI. 461, ed. Sparks, V. 311). There were numerous other letters between Washington and these officers, which may readily be found by means of Fitzpatrick, Calendar of the Correspondence of Washington with the Officers. Cf. nos. 178, 495, post. 3 See no. 96, note 2, ante. * See the minute of Feb. 18, and note 5, below. |
