Samuel Adams to James Warren

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My dear sir, York Town June 1, 1778 I wrote to you a few Days ago by Mr Brailsford, since which I have receivd your Favors of the 10th & 13th of May. (1) The Arts you mention as being practiced by the Tories in Boston, to prejudice the People against our new Connection, are similar to those which I find on reading a late Philada Paper, are practiced there. The Danger of Popery is particularly held up by the Partizans of that King, who would wish to drain Ireland of its Catholicks to carry on his bloody Purposes in America. I do not wonder that a certain Gentleman, though of the Character you have describd, should joyn in such an objection. He may think it will give him Popularity among a particular Class of Men, & serve one Purpose which I beleive he has constantly in View; but I am satisfied that such a Suggestion will have a different Effect.(2) I have receivd several Letters from my Friend Dr Lee since my Arrival here. Those by the Way of Boston are Duplicates, and contain Nothing of Importance more than what we receivd by Mr Dean. I wish you would revive in the House of Representatives the Proposition which was made last Winter relating to that Gentleman. I have an additional Reason inclining me to urge this Matter, which I will communicate to you at another Time, and which I am very sure you will approve of. At present I beleive you are satisfied that it is both Policy & Justice that it should be done.(3) Congress has been pleasd to put me on the Marine Committee.(4) I mention this to you, in hopes that I shall have the Pleasure of receiving your Letters the oftener on that Account, & particularly on the Subject of the Navy, which I will use my utmost Endeavors to build up. The Committee have orderd a Letter to your Board by this Post.(5) Capt Burk is to have the Command of the Resistance which may be a Step to further Promotion hereafter.(6) The French Gentleman (7) who was fed with Promises at Boston and afterwards substantially releivd by you is highly esteemd by this Committee, and will be rewarded & employed & Capt Peck is not unnoticed. The new Frigate at Salisbury, though before christned by another Name, has that of the Alliance given to her by the Committee. This Letter I intended to have finishd & forwarded by the Post, this Morning (June 2), but was prevented. Capt Barry who is to take the Command of the Raughley will deliver it to you. I am apprehensive for our Friend Mr. J. A.(8) who if I mistake not had saild 7 Weeks when the last Vessel left Nantz. The Bearer is in Haste Adieu RC (MHi). In Adams' hand, though not signed.

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1 Warren' May 10 and 13 letters to Adams are in Warren-Adams Letters, 2:9-10. 2 Adams is referring to John Hancock, who, according to Warren, had failed to attend a reception for French officers. Warren also accused the "Tories" of using "the danger of Popery" to instill "prejudices into the minds of the people against our Connections with France." Ibid., 2:9. 3 Adams was seeking a grant of land from the Massachusetts government for Arthur Lee, but not until after Lee's 1780 return to America did the Massachusetts General Court grant him 600 acres of Maine land as compensation for his services as Massachusetts agent in England before the war. Shipton, Harvard Graduates, 18:257; and Warren-Adams Letters, 2:25, 168. 4 Adams was appointed to the Marine Committee on May 27, 1778. JCC, 11:537. 5 See Marine Committee to the Eastern Navy Board, May 30, 1778. 6 For the appointment of Capt. William Burke, see Marine Committee to John Bradford, April 28, 1778. 7 Pierre Landais. 8 John Adams.

Josiah Bartlett to Mary Bartlett

My Dear, York Town June first 1778 I send this inclosed in a letter to Colo Langdon of Portsmouth. Hope it will find you & the family well as it leaves me. I have wrote& sent 3 letters before this Just to let you know I am well.(1) I have heard nothing from you since I left home nor Do I Expect to, till next week. I want much to hear from you all, but especially from Rhoda. Last week it was very cold here for the time of year, and a frost was Expected: if it was as much Colder with you as you are further north, I fear great hurt has been Done by the frost in New Hampshire. The lottery finished last week, and by a list of the prizes of 500 Dollars & above published in the paper I find we have not Drawn any of the great prizes; whither we have Drawn any of the Smaller prizes I shall Know in a few Days. This place appears to be more healthy than Philadela But find great Diffficulty to procure good accomodations. I put up at present at a German House. Mr. Wentworth has arrived, has had the small pox favorable. Charles Chace is well. Yours &c, Josiah Bartlett RC (NhHi). 1 Bartlett's May 17 letter to his wife has not been found, but for those of May 21 and 26, see Bartlett to Mary Bartlett, May 21, 1778, note 3.

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Josiah Bartlett to John Langdon

My Dear Sir, York Town June Ist 1778. Before you receive this, I suppose you will have rec'd the Order of Congress for going on with your ship, which is to be changed to a two decker and to carry 56 guns-viz 28 of 24 Ibs & 28 of 18 lbs.(1) Mr Wentworth was innoculated at Fishkill, rode to Reading where he remained a week, is now here and attended Congress the day before yesterday. As to news I have nothing material to write you. The substance of the treaty with France you know. The Ship which arrived from Spain only brought a duplicate of that Treaty. Spain will not accede to the treaty till the arrival of her West India fleet, unless drove to it by England. It is then expected she will act as openly as France. Our Ambassadors inform us Spain and Portugal have settled their disputes & Portugal has acceded to the family compact. The extract of a letter in the enclosed paper dated February 28th 1778 is from Mr Lee one of our Commissioners.(2) The common opinion in the army is that the enemy are about to leave Philadelphia, while some suspect it to be only a political manoeuvre to draw our army into a disadvantageous situation and to attack them. The Tories are stealing out of the City and taking the Oaths to the State. We have no further account of the famous British Commissioners who are to restore peace to America. I believe before this time they are satisfied they will effect nothing unless they enlarge the powers given by their late act of Parliament. One of our Ambassadors tells us the British Ministry publicly gave out that they have sent half a million of guineas to pave the way to a reconciliation and that Lord North informed Count Maurepas that he was sure of a majority of Congress. To such vile shifts are they drove to prevent foreign powers from assisting or acknowledging us; but all will be in vain. Give my best regards to General Whipple and remember me to all friends. I shall hope to hear from you as often as convenient. I am your friend and most obt servant, Josiah Bartlett Tr (DLC) 1 Congress had approved these revised plans for the frigate being built at Portsmouth on May 29. JCC, 11:555. See also Marine Committee to Langdon, May 30; and William Ellery to William Whipple, May 31, 1778. 2 Arthur Lee's February 28 letter to the Committee for Foreign Affairs is in Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 2:509-10.

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to Charles Carroll, Sr.

Dear Papa, 1778 June 1st I wrote to you yesterday by Mr. Henry; Who was to have set off this day for Annapolis but has been detained by the rain. It gives me pleasure to hear Molly continues to grow better. A letter of the 28th past from Gen. Washington was read this morning in Congress. The General is of opinion the Enemy will leave Pha. soon, but notwithstanding all the appearances of an approaching departure, there is one circumstance agt. it; they are fortifying their redoubts. Inclosed you have a letter which I lately recd. from Fitzgerald. Wishing you all perfect health I remain, Yr. affectionate Son, Ch. Carroll of Carrollton RC (MdHi).

Committee of Congress Report

[June 1, 1778] The joint Committee to whom was referred the motion respecting foreign Treaties have agreed upon the Following Report. Resolved that the Commissioners of these United States at the Courts of Versailles, Vienna & Berlin, be directed to confer with the Ambassadors or Envoys at the above Courts respectively, from those of Portugal.*(2) Russia [St. Petersburg], (3) Sweeden,* Denmark,* and the States General of Holland,* upon the Inclination that these latter States may entertain of receiving in a friendly manner Commissioners from the United States of America,* assuring the sd. Ambassadors or Envoys of the desire of this Congress to enter into the most friendly commercial Engagements with their respective Courts.* And in Case the sd. Commissioners shall find the sd. Courts or any of them inclined to enter into such friendly commercial Engagements, that then, for the Purpose of concluding such Treaties, the Commissioners [appointed to represent the United States of No. America] at the Court of Madrid shall repair to the Court of Lisbon(4) and one of the [Commissioners appointed to represent these States] at the Court of Versailles, as shall be agreed by them, shall repair if necessary to the Hague,* & Copenhagen, and the Commissioners at the Courts of Vienna & Berlin shall repair to St. Petersburgh & Stockholm. That for these Purposes Commissions be sent blank to the Commissioners at the Court of France, to be filled up as Occasion may require. That the Commissioners be directed to correspond with each

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other, and, previous to any overtures of the Court of Petersburgh, the Commissioners at the Court of Versailles be directed to consult with that Court upon the propriety of making such Overtures; and govern themselves accordingly. That whatever Treaties may be entered into in consequence of these Instructions shall be in Terms of the most perfect equality & Reciprocity, and no way repugnant to the Treaty of Paris of the 6th of February last. MS (ScHi). Written by James Lovell and annotated by Henry Laurens. 1 This report is undoubtedly the work of the "joint committee" created on June I by the addition of William Henry Drayton, William Duer, and James Smith to the Committee for Foreign Affairs. This committee was appointed to report on "the instructions to the commissioners in Europe," and it brought in this report during the afternoon of the same day. The issue was debated that day and again on June 2, but without a final result. The questions of expanded diplomatic relations, commercial treaties, and the appointment of new commissioners had been before Congress since mid-April and continued to be a major area of disagreement in Congress throughout 1778. See JCC, 10:372, 411, 414, 11:473, 505, 546 47, 559, 563. See also Henry Laurens to John Rutledge, June 3; and James Lovell to Benjamin Franklin, June 20, 1778 (not in printed text). 2 The asterisks here and below indicate points in the document where Henry Laurens wrote above the line either "Agd" or "Ay," apparently to indicate that agreement had been reached on these passages during debate in Congress on the committee report. 3 Words in brackets here and below were inserted between the lines of Lovell's draft committee report by Laurens. 4 At this point in the MS Henry Laurens placed an "A" above the line to which he keyed the following note he penned at the bottom of this document: "if necessary, otherwise to conclude a Treaty with the Court of Lisbon, at Madrid or elsewhere as the case may require with any person properly authorized for that purpose by the Court of Lisbon. Ag."

Henry Laurens to John Houstoun

Honorable Sir, 1st June 1778 I had the honor of writing to you on the 14th Ulto.(1) by Messenger Sharp & of presenting to Congress on the 25th your Honor's dispatches of the 20th March which had reached me the preceeding Evening. These were referred to a select Committee, upon whose Report the Inclosed Act of Congress of the 29th is founded, to which I beg leave to refer as containing all the Commands I have received.(2) The Enemy within the circumjacent lines of Philadelphia have for a fortnight past shewn strong marks of a design to evacuate that City, the embarkation of their Cannon & Baggage, their Horses & forage & the flight of many hundreds called Tories who flock into our Camp & into Lancaster & York in order to make their peace are evidences of such an intention, nevertheless I have doubts, & will not

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beleive Mr. Clinton going, until he shall be fairly gone. If he can get rid of all the Citizens he will have fewer mouths to consume provision now become very scarce within his narrow confines. Philadelphia will become a complete Garrison subject altogether to Articles of War & his general Orders. There will be less danger from spies & fewer critics upon his general conduct-& if further, he can so far amuse us as to retard intended reinforcements for Valley forge until he shall be Strengthened by such as he himself expects. The debarkation of Cannon & Baggage will be an easy work & he will applaud himself upon the success of his Stratagem. I am happy in finding General Washington acts as if he had also his doubts, although in the last Letter received from him he writes- "The Enemy are Still (28th May) in Philadelphia but the intelligence from thence is so clear & so Strong, it is as certain as any event can be, that is contingent, that they mean to abandon it. Against the various measures they are pursuing which point to an evacuation I can learn but of a Single circumstance opposed. They are working at their Redoubts with great industry, but this fact tho' certainly true cannot be of Sufficient weight to raise a doubt upon the subject & must be considered as merely calculated to deceive us & mask their designs, we cannot by the most diligent searches discover whether their movement will be by Land or Sea." In this State of uncertainty the General has detached General Maxwell with a large detachment to join General Dickinson in Jersey with orders to annoy the Enemy if a March through that State Shall be attempted, & has called in General Smallwood from Wilmington & I am well assured the utmost vigilance is observed in Camp. Twenty Six days have passed over Since General Howe or General Clinton or both have propagated the Report of the intended evacuation. If the object requiring their removal is important, they have certainly lingered away time in a manner apparently inconsistent with an important demand, but I will not be further troublesome with conjectures-a few days more will produce demonstration. The bustle & shew in New York is nearly similer to this in Philadelphia. There they have about 2060 British, 1250 Hessians & 2893 American Levies, & 100 Anspachers-this account may be relied on-& tis thought they mean to ascend North River by Land or Sea. If these from Philadelphia should join, the whole will be Strong, but I hope not too Strong to be Burgoyned. I should observe the computed number in Philadelphia is 8 to 9 Thousand greatly diminished lately by death & Desertion. The papers which you will receive Sir within this inclosure will convey some intelligence, the Letter from the Reverend Mr. Kirkland 3 gives a pleasing prospect of peace with the Six Nations, we are endeavoring to cultivate their present disposition into friendship by every proper means. I have the honor to be &ca.

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LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 See Laurens to Rawlins Lowndes, May 14, 1778, note 2. 2 In his March 20 letter to Laurens, John Houstoun, the governor of Georgia, complained that Gen. Robert Howe, the commander of the southern military department, had shown a lack of respect for state authority by refusing to accede to a request by the Georgia Assembly that he undertake an expedition against East Florida and asked Congress to pass an act "expressive of the Subordinate Relation in which the Military stand to the Civil." PCC, item 73, fols. 181-85. In order to substantiate his allegation against Howe, Houstoun also sent Laurens substantial supporting evidence consisting of minutes of the assembly and letters of Howe for the period January-February 1778. Ibid., fols. 141-79. Congress referred all this material to the Committee at Camp, which had been involved almost from the beginning of the year in reforming the Continental Army, and on May 29 it approved a report by the committee which stated that Continental commanders- though "amenable to the laws of the State in which they reside in common with other citizens"-still had the final say in conducting military operations, that Howe had been duly respectful to Georgia state authorities, and that measures were being considered to relieve the state. See JCC, 11:530, 553-54. This day Laurens also transmitted Congress' May 29 resolves on this issue to Gen. Robert Howe under cover of the following note. "I have barely a moment for inclosing an Act of Congress of the 29th Ulto. for declaring the sense of Congress that all Military Officers & Soldiers ought to be amenable to the Laws of the State & on your particular conduct in the State of Georgia. "I will if possible in a seperate Letter give you the Current News-here I can only add repeated assurances of being with great Regard &ca." PCC, item 13, 1:349. 3 On May 26 Congress had read and referred to the Board of War a May 4 letter from Rev. Samuel Kirkland to Gen. Philip Schuyler that contained a message to Schuyler from some Senecas describing recent dealings of the Iroquois confederation with British Indian agent Col. John Butler. See PCC, item 153, 3:326 28; and JCC, 11:536. Kirkland was a Congregational minister from Connecticut who served as a missionary to the Iroquois and also acted as an unofficial Indian agent for Congress. See these Letters, 1 :592n.

Henry Laurens to Rawlins Lowndes

Dear Sir, 1st June 1778. My last to your Excellency of the 14th Ulto.1 went by Messenger Sharp. The Committee to whom Your Excellency's Letters of the 13th & 18th April had been referred having made their Report to Congress the inclosed Act of the 29th Ulto. was thereupon produced to which I beg leave to refer.(2) Congress are truly sensible of the necessity of marking a limit to the Military in every State, be this as it may, from the tenor of a Resolve in an Act which I am to transmit to Georgia (3) there appears to me an opening for disputes between the Executive of a State & the officer commanding the Troops in such State. Even in cases where the Salvation of the State may be at hazard, a capricious, or a sensible Officer, according to my interpretation may under sanction

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of this Resolve withdraw every Troop from a State whenever he shall judge it proper to do so, notwithstanding a former instruction.(4) At best it will encourage dispute. Being restrained within my now Sphere of Duty when this was offered I could do no more than intimate in private my now feelings to one of my Colleagues & to the Member who had framed the Act.(5) As these Gentlemen received no impressions from my remarks, I therefore doubt the force of them. Nevertheless as I cannot divest my mind of its original Ideas on the subject, I take the liberty of Submitting my opinion to your Excellency. The Resolve is general, concerns the whole Union & may particularly affect the State of South Carolina. I shall therefore subjoin a Copy for the information of your Excellency & the Executive of the State. "Resolved, (29th May 1778) that all Military Officers & Soldiers in the service of the United States are & of right ought to be amenable to the Laws of the State in which they reside in common with other Citizens, but as to the propriety of undertaking distant expeditions or enterprizes or other Military operations & the mode of conducting them the General or Commanding Officer must finally judge & determine at his peril." A Commanding Officer as a little reflexion will shew, may shield himself in almost every Case by unanimity of voices in a Council of War & by means which have sometimes been practiced & which may again bc adopted. Under this Resolution I conceive every Garrison may be Stripped if not of all, of the best Men by a Commander of Troops whenever he shall determine the propriety of a distant expedition. The want of access to a Military Chest may be some Check, but if there be danger in the power adventitious Checks I humbly apprehend cannot Safely be relied on for preventing the exercise. I acknowledge I have not time at this Instant for examining & comparing the former Resolve alluded to above*--as I remember the General or Commander cannot March out of our State more than l/3d of the Troops without order of Congress or consent of the president. If this be all he can do now, why this new & general Resolve Your Excellency will judge & you will be pleased to receive this from me as a private & pardon me for making it the vehicle of the public Act first mentioned. I shall do my self the honor of writing again by Capt Cochran such intelligence as the time affords but must at present conclude, which I beg leave to do with repeated assurances of being with great Regard & Respect, &ca. LB (ScHi). 1 Although Laurens' last official letter to South Carolina president Lowndes was dated May 14, he had also written to him privately on May 17, 1778.

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2 For the various resolves pertaining to South Carolina passed by Congress on May 29. see JCC, 11:551-53. Discussions of the provenance of these resolves can be found in the editorial notes to Laurens' May 14 and 17 letters to Lowndes and in his May 18, 1778, letter to William Moultrie. Laurens also enclosed a copy of one of these resolves-requesting an account of Continental stores in South Carolina-with a brief covering letter he wrote this day to Abraham Livingston, Continental agent in Charleston. PCC, item 13, 1:349. 3 See Laurens to John Houstoun, this date, note 2. 4 Laurens inserted an asterisk at this point to key his reference to "the former Resolve" in the next-to-last paragraph of this letter. The "former Instruction" mentioned by Laurens was a June 18, 1776, resolve whereby Congress decreed that not more than one-third of the Continental troops raised in South Carolina could be removed from there 'without the express order of Congress or the consent of the president of that colony." JCC, 5:462-63. 5 Francis Dana was the author of the May 25 resolve affirming the primacy of Continental Commanders over state officials in the conduct of military operations that Laurens is discussing here. See JCC, 11:554n.1.

Henry Laurens to William Moultrie

Dear General, 1st June 1778 I beg leave to refer to my last under the 18th May by Messenger Sharp. The Committee to whom were referred the Letters from President Lowndes & your Self having made their Report Congress there upon formed an Act on the 29th Inst. a Copy of which you will receive within the present Inclosure for your information and government.(1) General Clinton makes great shew of an intention to evacuate the City of Philadelphia & for aught I know he may be Sincere, but he has been so very long abou't the business, as to Strengthen the jealousies which I had entertained from his earliest pretence. If there be an absolute necessity for his going to New York, any part of the West Indies, Ireland or England, his dilatoriness is inconsistent with the necessity. If he can so far alarm all the Tory Citizens as to get rid of them either by sending them to England & by suffering Thousands to fly to Camp & into different parts of this State he will have fewer mouths to feed, the whole City will become a Garrison governed by articles of War & his general orders-he will be less exposed to danger from Spies, & less harrassed by Complaints & applications from Cits, in plain Coats & broad Hats. If he can by all his parade of departure, prevail upon us to believe him so far as to relax our endeavours to reinforce Valley forge until the reinforcements which he expects shall arrive, his Stratagem will have succeeded. 'Tis certain that within a few days past he has been hard at work on the Redoubts-no manifest proof of a design to quit them. All therefore is conjecture-it is most consistent with Safety to believe he is attempting to deceive & to act accordingly. If he goes, he will at least give us

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Credit for good Generalship, for he is informed of every Step we take. If he stay's he will find no encouragement to attempt us by Surprise . I have the honor to be LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). Addressed: "Brigdr. General Moultrie, Charles Town." 1 For further information on General Moultrie's dispute with Pres. Rawlins Lowndes of South Carolina over the accountability of a Continental deputy paymaster to state authority, see JCC, 11:552-53; and Laurens to Lowndes, May 17, and to Moultrie, May 18,1778.

Robert Morris to Lux & Bowley

Gentn. Manheim June 1st. 1778 Please to deliver to the order of Jona Potts Esqr Dy Director General of the Contl Hospitals Two Hogsheads marked VMC [&] EC, No. 25 & 26 Contg Salt Petre and which were Imported in the Schooner Rambler, Capt Jona Buffington, from Martinico, being Shipped by Wm Bingham Eqr to your address subject to my orders,(1) & your complyance will much oblige, sirs, Your Obedt hble servant, Robt Morris. RC (Mrs. Lawrence M.C. Smith, Germantown, Pa., 1976). Addressed: "To Messrs. Lux & Bowley, Merchts., Baltimore." 1 Another document related to Morris' activities in procuring medicines for the Continental service at this time is in the William A. Smith Collection, NN. It consists of an "Invoice of Medicines Sold Doctr. Wm Shippen for use of the States of America," dated April 5, 1778, on the verso of which Morris penned the following receipt dated Manheim, June 1, 1778. "Then Received of Jona Potts Esqr. Dy Director Genl. his draft of this date on Jos. Shippen junr Esqr. Secy & paymaster of the Genl Hospital for Twenty thousand four hundred & twenty four Dollars which when pd. is in full of the within bill of Medicines Recd by order & for Acct of Messrs. Lux & Bowley of Baltimore, Robt. Morris."

Oliver Wolcott to Laura Wolcott

My Dear, York Town lt June 1778 I believe my last Letter to you was by Brown, since which nothing Material has occurred. The Enemy are Undoubtedly preparing to leave Philedelphia and probably will do so within a Week. Whether G Britain will yeild the American Contest or rather than do so will engage in a War with France is yet unknown. If she has not already She must immediately take a decided Part in this Affair. I find that I shall not Return home so soon as I expected when I wrote some of my last Letters. Mr. Ellsworth has lately wrote Me a Letter that in case Mr. Adams shall not come forward he will do so

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by the latter End of this Month. I trust that it will not be long before that I am releived. By the Enclosed Paper you will find that None of us have made our Fortunes in the Lottery. I will take an early Oppertunity to know the Real Fate of the Tickets of which I have the Numbers. This Letter goes by the common Post but I hope it may come to your Hand. My best Regards to my Family and Friends. Yours affectionately, Oliver Wolcott P.S. I was just Sealing my Letter before I tho't to Acquaint you that I have been fully informed that the Affair which was apprehended might have essentially affected my Election, had no Effect.(1) From the Circumstance of my almost forgetting to mention it, you will justly Inferr it that my own Apprehensions were such as not to have the least Infiuence upon my Mind, which I assure you was truly the Case. RC (CtHi) 1 See Wolcott to Laura Wolcott, May 17, 1778, note 2.

Elbridge Gerry to John Avery

Sir York Town June 2d 1778 A few Days ago I received by the Hand of the Secretary, an order of the Hone. Council of Massachusetts Bay relative to an Account of General Arnold's, and having examined the Files of the Treasury, find that it is transmitted to the Commissioners of Accounts in the northern Department. To accomplish the Design of the order, I have transmitted it to the Commissioners & desired them to "forward to You a Copy of the Account" without Delay.(1) You'll please to communicate this with my respectful Compliments to the honorable Board & beleive me to be with much Esteem sir your hum sert, E Gerry FC (MHi). 1 At the bottom of this sheet of paper, Gerry drafted the following undated letter to the commissioners of accounts in the northern department: "Inclosed is an Order wch I have recd from the Council of Massa Bay, relative to an Account exhibited to the State by General Arnold; I find on examining the Files of the Treasury that the Account was deliverd to Mr. Milligan for the use of the Commissioners of the northern Department, & shall be glad to have a Copy of it without Delay transmitted to John Avery Esqr. Deputy Secry of the State at Boston."

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Henry Laurens to Rawlins Lowndes

Dear Sir, 2d June [1778] I beg leave to refer your Excellency to a Letter which I had the honor of writing yesterday dispatched by Capt. Cochran this Morning & to the Sundry Copies of Papers of intelligence which will accompany this. Not withstanding all appearances, I will not trust General Clinton. I beleive he is going somewhere, I would watch him everywhere, one of the Strongest marks of his determination to go & to go by Sea too, was shipping his light Horse. These were all relanded & shod the 31st May, possibly to morrow we shall hear they are all unshod & on Ship board again. Your Excellency will see what it is Said by General Gates (1) & will by comparing Notes be more competent to judge of designs by all this apparent bustle-the present is an important moment, every succeeding second promises accounts of some great event. Is it impossible, that immediately after the retiring of General Clinton the arrival of Commissioners may be announced? Whatever shall happen shall be communicated with all possible dispatch to your Excellency by, Sir, Your Excellys. most obdt. Servt .(2) LB (ScHi). 1 This day Congress read a May 21 letter from Gen. Horatio Gates to Washington, in which he reported that the British were apparently preparing to evacuate Forts Washington and Independence in New York, as well as a May 25 letter from Gates to Gov. Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut, in which he conjectured that the British army in Philadelphia might join with British Forces from New York City and launch an attack on either upstate New York or one of the New England states. See PCC, item 154, 1:340-42, 350-51; and JCC, 11:560. 2 Laurens also wrote the following brief letter to President Lowndes on June 3: "His Excellency President Lowndes is requested to cause Copies of the Inclosed Establishment of the Army of the United States of North America to be published in the Several Gazettes in Charles Town [and] to transmit to [two] of the Inclosed to Major General Howe, two to Brigadier General Moultrie." PCC, item 13, 1:351. For the May 27, May 29, and June 2 resolves on the Continental Army referred to by Laurens, see JCC, 11:538-43, 554 55, 560-61.

James Lovell to William Whipple

Sir,(1) June 2d 1778. I send you the only list of prizes which has been published. The remainder must be in a pamphlet as it would require 5 Gazettes complete to give out the whole. The managers are directed to make the publication immediately.(2) If the printers will not take the trouble of printing the list off in small portions till all is finished to

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oblige their customers the Loan and Post Offices must allow people to examine gratis at their several offices where Lists should be deposited. It is impossible to give you any thing determinate as to the motions of the Enemy. The last information of the General to us, made it appear very doubtful whether the enemy would go off by land or water. Every circumstance spoke the latter, except that a great number of boats were preparing at Staten Island. It is to day reported that the horses are again landed to be shod. I do not give this as certain, for there are a set of most infamous liars practising upon the public daily. My warmest regards to your dearest friends. J.L. Tr (DLC). Captioned by the transcriber: "James Lovell to (John Langdon). 1 Although the transcriber suggested that John Langdon was the recipient of this letter, it seems probable that it was actually directed to William Whipple. Lovell had long maintained a regular correspondence with Whipple, and the subject of his first paragraph, the Continental lottery, was a topic that is frequently found in their correspondence. 2 For Congress June 3 resolve ordering the dissemination of pamphlets containing the results of the recent drawing "in the first class of the lottery of the United States," see JCC, 11:564.

Robert Morris to John Brown

Dear Sir Manheim June 2d 1778 I received your favour of the 29th enclosing Doctr Craigies draft on Doctr Potts & have got an order on the paymaster of the Hospital for the Money. Mr. Mease paid your draft to Robt Gray & I thank You for sending the Money to Mr Hudson to pay Carter Braxtons draft on me, as well as for paying Colo. Banister part of his demand, be pleased to pay him the remainders, & also Mrs. Duncan for the balance due on the bills. I hope you have received the Money for Colo. Griffins draft & herein you will find John Bradfords bill dated Boston 13th May last on the Commercial Committee for 4000 Dollars in favour of Cap Patrick Brown with his blank endorsation, please to receive this Money & place it to my Credit. I expect to see you before long unless I go down to Philadelphia & am Dr sir, Your Obedt Hble servt. Robt Morris June 4th. I have now recd your letter of yesterday & herein send all the papers that are here relative to the Cargoes shipped by Messrs. Gardoqui & Sons. I wish I cou'd tell Mr Hill any fixed course of Exchange but there is no such thing at present. I wou'd not give more than 300 per Cent now if that. Please to cause the letters sent here

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with to be delivered. I hope to set out for Philada. in the morning & am Dr sir, Yours &c, RM. RC (NjP)

Samuel Adams to Baron Steuben

Sir, York Town June 3d 1778 I very gratefully acknowledge the Receipt of your Favor of the 28th of May by Mr Ternant, as well as another which was deliverd to me in Boston. It affords me great Satisfaction to find that Congress, sensible of your Merit, have put it in your Power to do eminent Service to our Country in the Army, and that your Services are so acceptable there.(1) This is the Fulfillment of my earnest Wishes when I had the Pleasure of conversing with you in Boston. May Heaven prosper you. Mr. Ternants Haste prevents my adding more than that I am with very cordial Esteem, Your affectionate very humble servt, Saml Adams RC (NN). Addressed by Elbridge Gerry: "Major General Baron de Steuben, at Head Quarters, Valley Forge, favd. per Monsr. Ternant," 1 Steuben had been appointed a major general and inspector general of the Continental Army on May 5, 1778. JCC, 11:465.

Samuel Huntington to Benjamin Huntington

Sir (1) York Town 3rd June 1778 Through the Smiles of Divine providence public affairs Seem to have taken a Surprising turn in favour of these United States. It Seems almost beyond a doubt from repeated Accounts the Enemy are about to leave Philadelphia. We expect every hour to hear the City is evacuated, but their rout or destination is unknown. The Tories are in great distress, Some in despair are taking passage to fly their Incensed Country, others coming out of the City & taking the Oaths to the Government here. We yesterday receivd advice by a Vessel arrivd at Baltimore in Sixteen days from Martinico that war was declared between France and England, but this I give you as Ship news that wants Confermation; however this may be, it is certain the favourable Sentiments of France, Spain & Other European powers with regard to these United States have Involved our Enemies in the greatest perplexity & Confusion. The State of our Currency Seems now the greatest difficulty with

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us & requires Immediate attention, tho, the Credit of Continental Bills is rising in these parts, Congress Seem to be Of Opinion that Regulating the prices of Articles by Law will be of no advantage in the present Situation of our affairs. I expect a Resolution will pass this day recommending the suspension of Such Act where it is passd and Some other measures be adopted as a more Suitable & raddical Cure of the Evil.(2) I hope Soon to be relieved by the arrival of Some one of the Delegates to take my Seat, my health requires Some relaxation from so close confinement & Fatigue in business. I am with Esteem, y our humble Servt, Samll Huntington RC (NRom). 1 Benjamin Huntington (1736-1800), a Norwich, Conn., attorney who had represented Connecticut at the New England Convention on price regulation in January 1778, was currently speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. Although Benjamin did not become involved in national politics as early as his second cousin Samuel, he served as a delegate to Congress in 1780, 1782-83, and 1788, and represented Connecticut in the first federal Congress. He subsequently served as judge of the superior court of Connecticut from 1793 to 1798. Franklin B. Dexter, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College, 6 vols. (New York: Henry Holt and Co, 1885-1919), 2:696 98. 2 On June 4 Congress approved the report of a committee, to which Samuel Huntington had been appointed on the third, which recommended to the states that laws regulating prices be repealed or suspended. See JCC, 11 :563, 569-70; and Henry Laurens to William Livingston, June 5, 1778, note 2. See also Henry Laurens to the States, June 10, 1778, note 1.

Henry Laurens to John Lewis Gervais

Dear Sir, 3d June 1778 My last to you was the 18th May by Messenger Sharp, Since which I have received none of your favors. The Extreme quantity of business in public duty which Commands my constant attention deprives me of that pleasure which I should receive in holding a long conversation with you. I must submit at present to the necessity of referring you to papers which will be inclosed with this for intelligence to His Excellency the president & to Mr. Wells. Communicate as much as possible & immediately to Mr. Williamson & Mr. Galphin especially the Indian Talks which will afford these friends much Satisfaction.(1) I have assisted the Chief Justice with materials & means in part & he has sketched a long Letter for general information.2 I shall very soon write to them, to Mr. Kershaw, Mr Warley, Mr. Zahn & to my Dear friend Mr. Manigault. I intreat you present me in the most affectionate & respectful terms to him & to Mrs. Manigault, I hope he

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will forgive my too long Silence. My Love, Compliments & kind salutations wherever due. I say nothing on my own affairs what can I say to the purpose. You will continue to write to me all that is needful-& now my respectful Compliments & best wishes to Mrs. Gervais & the Children concludes the present trouble from My Dear Sir Your very affectionate friend & Servant LB (ScHi). 1 This day Congress read Gen. Philip Schuyler's May 11 talk with the Oneidas and the Tuscaroras in which he informed them of the alliance between France and the United States. See PCC, item 153, 3:317-21; and JCC, 11:563. George Galphin was Continental Indian agent in South Carolina and Andrew Williamson was a South Carolina frontiersman and militia colonel. James H. O'Donnell, III, Southern Indians in the American Revolution (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1973), pp. 20-25. 2 This "long Letter" by Chief Justice William Henry Drayton has not been found, nor have any similar Drayton letters mentioned by Laurens in his subsequent correspondence with various South Carolinians.

Henry Laurens to John Rutledge

Dear Sir, 3d June 1778 I had the honor of writing to you on the 4th Ulto by Messenger Cross.(1) Every day since has been prolific of intelligence but the great event which has occupied almost every one's conversation & expectation is not yet come. The Enemy, in all the bustle of preparation for evacuating Philadelphia, remained in possession the Ist Inst. Within the present Inclosure you will find papers which will lay before you much of the Intelligence which I allude to, & from better hands. I trust Sir, you will collect from better hands such articles as are omitted in these. The Chief Justice, who has more time, is very Diligent in preparing a circular Letter full of matter, you will undoubtedly have the perusal of one of the Copies. We have before us in Congress a plan for extending Commissioners & friendly commercial Treaties at the Courts of Lisbon, Hague, Stockholm, Copenhagen & St. Petersburgh.(2) Two whole days the subject has been upon the Anvil & very laboriously hammered. I have had the presumption to wish myself on the floor once or twice, from an opinion that even the little commercial knowledge I am possessed of might have struck light. There is not a Merchant present, & not a Book in Town to assist a Speculatist, but there's another obstacle to dispatch in this point, which as a silent spectator & auditor I can see pretty clearly & half understand-a plurality of Officers partly established & further aimed at. One of the Ministers at Versailles (3) who is Minister at Madrid, is tendered as the proper person to treat with Lisbon. The Minister intended, if practicable, for Berlin & Vienna( 4) it is proposed should negotiate with the Northern

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Courts; hence those minds, disposed to assign a Minister to a Court & no more, are embarrassed. Here a kind of delicacy, mark'd in my plain vocabulary, "false," restrains them from Speaking out, hitherto therefore the contest has been confined to advanced guards & now & then upon the flanks. If it became me, I should be very apt to carry arguments home by the shortest in-offensive course-in my present situation, however important the point, I do not see my duty in interposition either within or out of Doors. The Subject which has cost already two very precious days, will probably be postponed the third & possibly a very necessary measure too long delayed because some of us are not inclined to conduct it properly. Captn. Landais a skilful Sea Officer has prevailed upon us to reduce in Stile the 74 Gun Ship which had been intended at Portsmouth. His plan which we have adopted, is to lay Decks only; to Mount on the lower 28 24 & on the upper 28 18-pounders. The building will be much less expensive-the Vessel sail faster-& be of equal force with 450 instead of 600 Men & now the workmen who had been taken off will be ordered to proceed.(5) I am thinking very seriously of an enterprize against the place where you & I Sir once sent John Burnet, we may if the British Troops should withdraw & not pay Charles Town too serious a visit obtain proper Officers & Men for beginning the operation the Ist November, the most proper Month in the twelve.(6) The Remark which I made on our Treaty of 6th Febry. respecting Bahama & the latent views of Spain, were not a little exploded here,(7) but since we have been told, that Court is desirous of repossessing Pensacola,(8) which might have been predicted without pretension to much depth in politics. Gentlemen begin to reflect our feelings however are generally porportioned to the distance from danger. New England's jealousies are excited by the proximity of Canada. Carolina sees the destruction of her Commerce, from Bahama & Florida in the hands of an Enemy, I say nothing of Georgia because she is not represented. I have the honour to be &ca. P.S. Major General Conway is just come to town in order to explain his meaning in a Letter of April, which Congress in his opinion had mistaken, and immediately notified him that his Resignation was accepted.(9) If he fails of success in that point he intimates to me his hopes of a Recommendatory Certificate of his behaviour-whether this alternative will be listned to, is doubtful. Gentlemen feel keen resentment for the unprovoked gross affronts which he offered in January last to our worthy Commander in Chief; besides, he has been strongly charged with malconduct in other respects which it seems incumbent on him to answer, before he can expect general countenance in Congress.

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P.M. The forepart of this day devoted to Selling the Bear's Skin, (l0) it might have diverted you Sir, to have heard the variety of sentiments delivered in each extreme upon this momentous Subject. The wrangling of two honest Lawyers who both mean the same thing is no novelty, but the manners of two Chief Justices (1l) in conducting their debates were curious enough, & if other people were right they were both wrong. People are anxious to know how we shall dispose of the goods, Wares & Merchandize which we shall find in the City. Some seemingly Wise, some very foolish many premature propositions must be expected in a three hours discussion of this nature. A new Report may reconcile all opinions to mine, delivered only here, & which for aught I know may be ranged in the second Class-"take especial care to guard against removal of any article after the Enemy shall have withdrawn. When the City is actually in your possession dispose of the Men & remaining property consistently with Justice, good Policy, & the Laws of the State."( l2) L.B (ScHi). 1 Laurens' last extant letter to former South Carolina president John Rutledge was actually written on May 19, 1778. 2 See Committee of Congress Report, June 1, 1778. 3 Laurens inserted an asterisk at this point in the text to key the following note at the bottom of the page: "A L"-that is, Arthur Lee. 4 Laurens inserted an "x" at this point in the text to key the following note at the bottom of the page: ' W L"-that is, William Lee. 5 See JCC, 11:555. 6 Laurens may be referring to an expedition against St. Augustine, although Congress had just sustained Gen. Robert Howe's refusal to participate in an attack on East Florida proposed by the government of Georgia. See Laurens to John Houstoun, June 1, 1778, note 2. On November 2, 1778, Congress did authorize Gen Benjamin Lincoln, Howe's successor as commander of the southern military department, to undertake an expedition against East Florida, but the British invasion of Georgia the following month thwarted the plan. JCC, 12:1091, 1116-21. 7 See Laurens to Rutledge, May 4, 1778. 8 Arthur Lee had reported this intelligence about Spanish intentions in his February 10, 1778, letter to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, which according to the endorsement was received on May 18. See Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 2:491-92; and PCC, item 83, fols. 127-34. 9 For a discussion of Congress' acceptance of Gen. Thomas Conway's resignation, see Laurens to Washington, April 28, 1778, note 3. 10 Laurens' allusion to the old adage "catch the bear before you sell his skin" was stimulated by the delegates' debate this day of a committee report on the purchase of "cloathing and other Articles" for the Continental Army that might be left behind after the British evacuated Philadelphia. JCC, 11:564 65. This report was prompted by Washington's request for guidance on the subject in his May 31-June 1 letter to Laurens. Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 11:498-500. 11William Henry Drayton and Thomas McKean. 12 The resolves on this issue that Congress approved on June 4 did not precisely correspond with Laurens' suggestions. See JCC, 11:571.

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Robert Morris to Jonathan Potts

Dear Sir Manheim June 3d. 1778 Since you left this I have received a letter [. . .] from Carter Braxton Esqr of Virginia telling me, that as all the British Ships of War have left Chesapeak Bay he had thoughts of sending the Nine Packages of Medicines under his care by Water to Mr. Jonathan Hudson at Baltimore, which I mention that you may write Mr Hudson what to do with them shou'd they come there, however as I gave Doctr Shippen an order on Mr Braxton for them long since, I shou'd think that order will stop their coming by Water if he sent it forward, but you can give directions both ways & one or other will take effect. I am Sir, Your Obed hble servt. Robt Morris RC (DLC). Addressed: "Jona. Potts Esqr, Depy Director Genl of the Hospitals, York Town."

Henry Laurens to Baron Steuben

Sir, York-Town, June 4th 1778 I had the honor of your Letter of 27th May by the hands of Mr. Ternant on Sunday last, which I laid before Congress, and had appointed an hour for waiting on that Gentleman, to the Board of War, but some other circumstances engaged his time.(1) It is a very extraordinary thing for me to be a whole hour from this Table unless I am in Congress, and I was the more concerned at the disappointment, because I had intended to have introduced Mr Ternant to several of the Delegates, but indeed we are in such a place, and fare so meanly, as to render it painful to have Gentlemen introduced, because it is not in our power to shew that respect which we would wish to do to Strangers. Mr. Ternant addressed himself to the Board of War, but as his departure was more sudden than I had expected, and no report concerning him having been yet sent to Congress, I am ignorant of his proceedings there, I have often heard of Mr Ternants merit, and shall be happy on that account, as well as from my respect for you Sir, to render him any service in my power, which I must candidly inform you is as limited and circumscribed as that of any other Member of Congress. I have the honor to be with very sincere esteem &c. yours &c. Henry Laurens Tr (MH-H). 1 A transcript of Steuben's May 27 letter to Laurens, in which he announced that he was sending Jean Baptiste Ternant to York to receive "several Instruc-

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tions" from the Board of War pertaining to the inspector general's department and recommended him to Congress' "peculiar Consideration," is in the Laurens Papers, ScHi. Ternant, who was serving under Steuben as sub-inspector of infantry without rank, was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army on September 25, 1778, and ordered to serve as 'inspector to the troops" in South Carolina and Georgia. JCC, 12:952.

Henry Laurens to George Washington

Sir. York Town 4th June 1778. Since my last under the 31st May, I have had the honor of presenting Your Excellency's sundry favours of the 21st, 28th, 28th & 31st Ulto. & Ist Inst.(1) These are dispersed in the hands of Committees and at present I have only to forward to Your Excellency, the undermentioned Papers. 1. Establishment of the American .Army by Acts of Congress of the 28th [27th] & 29 May & Ist [2d] June-about 200 Copies in two Bundles.(2) Your Excellency will be pleased to make the necessary distribution in the Army at Valley forge. 2. about 500 Copies of the Oath of Abjuration &c.(3) If Your Excellency shall find it necessary to call for more of these, be pleased to give me an early intimation, in order to set the press to work. Copies of the Establishment of the Army, I mean to transmit to morrow to General Gates, General Sullivan & General Heath, & have already sent a few to the President of South Carolina, to General Howe & General Moultrie. I have requested the president to order Copies in both Gazettes at Charles Town & I presume all the Printers in the several states will adopt them to fill up a part of their respective Publications. If any further step shall appear to be necessary I request Your Excellency will be pleased to direct me. I intend to morrow to send Copies to Maryland, Virginia & North Carolina & in due course to each of the United States, these, tho' in the line of my Duty may appear to be works of supererogation, since Your Excellency as Commander in Chief will I presume give them all the circulation that is necessary, & also that a Mode must still be adopted for carrying the arrangement into Execution. In the mean time these will serve at least for general information, & being without special direction from Congress I have done what appears to be inoffensive. I have the honour to be, With the highest Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your Excellency's Most obedient & humble servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress

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5th. Inclosed your Excellency will find an Act of Congress of yesterday for carrying the Establishment of the Army into Execution.(4) Your Excellency's favor of the 2d is come to hand & presented.(5) RC (DLC) 1 These letters are in PCC, item 152, 6:43, 47-48, 51, 55-57, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 11:429-30, 471-72, 498-500. The letter of the "1st Inst." was actually a postscript to Washington's May 31 letter. 2 For these resolves, see JCC, 11:538-43, 554-55, 560-61. For the John Dunlap broadside (Evans, Am. Bibliography, no. 16126) in which they were printed. For a discussion of their provenance, see ibid, p. 695n.2. 3 For the oath of allegiance that Congress decided on February 3, 1778, to require of "every officer who holds or shall hereafter hold a commission or office from Congress," see JCC, 10:114-15. 4 See JCC, 11:570. 5 Washington's June 2 letter to Laurens is in PCC, item 152, 6:59-60, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:8-9.

Daniel Roberdeau to George Washington

Sir, York June 4th, 1778 I am ever loath to intrude on your Excellency, as I well know the great embarrassments attending your important sphere do not admit of any unnecessary or fruitless Correspondence, but I am as sensible of your attention to the most minute Circumstance which has a tendancy to promote the common Cause, therefore permit me to inform your Excellency that the want of Smelters of lead is the only remora now in the way of supplying your Army in the most speedy & ample manner with that necessary Article, now transported from distant parts of the Continent, from a vein of Ore in this State, within nine miles of the navigation of a branch of Juniata. A large quantity of Ore is at the pits mouth, a mill for stamping constructed, & a Furnace will be finished, I expect within ten days from this time, but Artificers of the above Class are so scarce in this young Country, that having tryed to obtain them by advertising and from Deserters from the Brittish Army, I am at length constrained reluctantly to trouble you on the Subject. Colonel Scammell hints an expedient of sending into Philada, to bring out such, with a promise of a handsome reward. I would most cheerfully give such reward, but know not how to set about so hazardous an enterprize. My own mind has suggested the probability of such Characters being in your own Army, and whether they, only three wanted, can serve their Country equally in the capacity of Soldiers. One Edward Harris a Sergeant of the 15th Virginia Regiment has been mentioned to me as a man of sobriety, integrity and ingenuity in analyzing Metals, but does not profess to be compitent to

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the Business on a large scale, he has been spoke to in my behalf by Major Clark, and is willing to be enlarged on furlow to make a tryal. I will not trouble your Excellency by enlarging on these hints. Major Clark will proffer Encouragements if you should think proper, to issue your orders for obtaining these useful Artificers, without whom the prospect however flattering of a great internal resource of lead must fail.(1) To prevent the Evacuation of the frontier of Bedford county and for the general defence against Indian incursions I have built with Logs at the Mine in Sinking Spring Valley at the foot of Tushes Mountain, a Fort, Cabbin fashion, 50 yds. square with a Bastion at each Corner. The Fort consists of 48 Cabbins about twelve feet square exclusive of the Bastions. I left Major Robt. Clugage a discreet Officer in Command with about seventy men chiefly Mililitia, with a few Continental Troops raised to serve until the Ist Decr. next. I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency on the happy prospect of publick Affairs and am with unfeigned regard, Your Excellencys most obedient & very huml. Ser, Daniel Roberdeau RC (DLC). 1 Washingtons June 15 response, reporting that Sergeant Harris had been directed to join Roberdeau and that an inquiry was being conducted to locate two other experienced smelters, is in Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:65-66. For additional information on Roberdeaus activities in developing a lead mine in western Pennsylvania, see Roberdeau to George Bryan, May 30, 1778, note: and Darwin H. Stapleton, "Gcneral Daniel Roberdeau and the Lead Mine Expedition, 1778-1779," Pennsylvania History 38 (October 1971): 361-71.

Samuel Huntington to Jabez Huntington

Sir York Town 5th June 1778 As I have no Important Intelligence to Communicate more than is contained in my Letter to the Governor, & what you will otherways obtain, I do my self the pleasure to give you the following Annecdote. It Seems a Cowardly Tory of large Landed Estate in York County had fled to the enemy in Philadelphia the winter past, & when he discovered the movements of the enemy shiping their Stores, baggage &c of late; Indicating their departure he applied to their General to know what He should do, the General replied he was busy & sent him to an under Officer. The Tory with anxiety asked the Officer what he should do as he perceived they were going away. The officer told him He must do as they did when in difficulty make the best shift he could. The Tory Still dissatisfied told him all this was come upon him for being loyal & faithfull to the King & queried what shall I do, I expected protection. The officer replied go seek a

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passage on board some vessel &c. The Tory with vehement anxiety queried but what the Devil shall I do with my Estate, The Officer replied, Damn you! why did you not Stay at home & fight to defend it with your Country & so dismissd his applicant. Thus the Story goes; said to be reported by one who heard the Conversation, but I forbear to mention the Tories name at present. I am Sir with Esteem, your humble servant, Saml Huntington RC (CSmH).

Henry Laurens to Nathanael Greene

Dear Sir 5th June 1778 Yesterday I presented your favor of the Ist Inst. to Congress, thence it was committed to the Board of War & not yet Reported upon (1) I have therefore no Commands from the House & you will be so good as to receive this as private which I mean to convey you the Sentiments of Gentlemen who are your friends. I know you must be anxious for an answer, this is the best I can at present return. The moment Congress shall have determined on the Subject of your application you shall be properly informed. I have the honour to be LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 Quartermaster General Nathanael Greene's June I letter to Laurens-in which he requested a set of the regulations pertaining to his department and asked if he was authorized to supply Continental officers at public expense with valises and portmanteaus to store the excess baggage they had been ordered by Washington to leave behind at Valley Forge or to replace horses and riding equipment lost in the line of duty-is in PCC, item 192, fols. 5-7; and Greene, Papers (Showman), 2:420-22.

Henry Laurens to the Marquis de Lafayette

Dear Sir, 5th June 1778 (1) I have before me Your Excellency's favor of the 1st (2) which reached me late last Night & at the Same time one for General Conway which I delivered to him. Your Excellency put rather a hard task on me by desiring me Speak to Congress on behalf of General Conway after referring to Your Excellency's Sentiments of that Gentleman; nevertheless I had determined in the most proper & becoming manner to have presented the Marquis delafayette's message in his favor, had not the General himself put it out of my power.

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General Conway called on me this Morning & after some time spent in a manner which appeared to me very extraordinary he expressed his "Surprize that I had delivered to Congress his Letter of 22d April intimating his desire to resign his Commission"-said he "had intended it a private confidential Letter, that he had also written to the president of the Board of War & expected I would have conferred with him upon the Subject, instead of doing so, I had made a private Letter public."(3) All this & much more of the same specie, were expressed in manner & terms altogether dissonant from the General's former soft mode of address. I had thought that I had learned to be surprized at nothing, but in this instance I discovered my mistake, I was greatly surprized at the weakness & wickedness of the attempt. I replied to the General, "if I have erred it has been unwittingly, Your Letter appeared to me to have been intended for Congress, I never had the honor of a private Correspondence with General Conway, it would have been improper in me to have conferred with the President of the Board of War, if a conference had been expected why had not the president called upon me. You injure me exceedingly by the imputation of exposing in public what was intended to be private. I feel my self satisfied that this behaviour is unprovoked & unmeritted, but General, the Letter is at hand, let us appeal to that. I have really forgot the Contents." I then sent to the Secretary's Office for the Letter, the perusal of it Heightned my surprize. I shall take the Liberty of enclosing an exact Copy in order that you may judge Sir whether it had been designed to be private. The General has delivered me a Memorial directed to Congress,(4) I intimated that with his memorial, "I should deliver also his Letter of the 18th [22d] April & take the sense of Congress whether it was private or public, that if it should appear I had acted improperly, I would make every becoming concession." Accordingly I appealed to Congress, I could do no less under so gross a charge. The House were astonished & condescended to offer a Resolution in my favour, which I declined with thanks, adding "that their opinion was satisfactory to me without further trouble-the Letter would always Speak for itself." The General's Memorial was ordered to lie on the Table, & although I am sure there were Gentlemen present who had been disposed to speak in the General's favor, yet there was not a dissenting Voice.(5) Your Excellency as a Man of honor & feeling I am persuaded will be surprized too at this very extraordinary circumstance, but how much more when you are told that on the 18th May the General wrote to Congress & apologized for the former Letter by saying he was an Irishman & therefore hoped proper allowances would be made for his mode of expression, which had not been intended to

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give offence, or words to this effect for I have not the Letter before me.(6) The Letter in question of 22d April is undubitably public. On the 18th May the General acknowledges it to be so by apologizing for its tenor. On the 4th June he modestly avers upon his honor that it was intended to be private & in the face of the Letter maintains that position. Sir I am happy in a mind capable of forgiving the greatest injuries & incapable of Malice. I would now rather do General Conway a favor than requite his injustice but I desire never again to converse or correspond with him.(7) I request Your Excellency will be so obliging to shew this to Colonel John Laurens & also the inclosed Letter.(8) I have taken up so much of your Excellency's time & have also so many other Letters to write as renders it necessary for me to conclude. I shall have the honor of writing again in a day or two. Mean time I continue with the highest regard & Esteem. LB (ScHi). 1 Laurens may have drafted this letter on June 4, the day Congress tabled the memorial from Gen. Thomas Conway discussed in it. although he may have begun writing just after midnight the morning of the fifth. In either event, in his June 5 letter to his son John, Laurens referred to "my Letter of yesterday to the Marquis. " 2 Lafayette's June I letter to Laurens, urging him to assist General Conway in his quest for "some kind of certificate from Congress," is in Lafayette, Papers (Idzerda), 2:64-65. 3 See also Laurens to Washington, April 28, 1778, note 3. 4 Conway's June 4 memorial, in which he unconvincingly argued that Congress had misconstrued his April 22 letter to Laurens as an offer to resign from the army, is in PCC, item 41, 2:51-53. 5 See JCC, 11:567. 6 Conway's May 18 letter to Congress, which was read and tabled on May 26, is in PCC, item 159, fols. 477-79. 7 That Laurens was not the only delegate who was hostile to Conway's claims is evident from the general's own account of the reception he encountered at York at this time. "I never had a sufficient idea of Cabals," Conway explained in a letter to Horatio Gates on June 7, "untill I reach'd this place. My reception you may imagine was not a warm one. I must except Mr Sam Adams, Coll. Richard Henry Lee and a few others who are attached to you but who can not oppose the torrent. Before my arrival General Mifflin had joined general Washington's army Where he Commands a Division. One Mr Carroll from Maryland upon whose friendshipp I Depended is one of the hottest of the Cabal. He told me a few Days agoe almost Literally, that any Body that Displea'd or did not admire the Commander in chief ought not to be Kept in the army. Mr Carroll might be a good papist, but I am sure the Sentiments he expresses are neither roman nor catholick. I expect to Depart from this Court in a very few Days." Gates Papers, NHi. 8 The "inclosed Letter" was a copy of the April 22 letter from Conway to Laurens that had prompted Congress to accept the general's resignation. See Laurens to John Laurens, June 5, 1778.

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Henry Laurens to John Laurens

My Dear son, York Town 5th June 1778 I wrote you a few hasty lines this Morning, immediately after which I had occasion to wish that a little dash of hypocrisy had been thrown into my frame. In came General Conway with a Letter in his hand & in an obsequious address, different from that of yesterday, asked me if I were sending Letters to Camp. I decently replied in the affirmative, desiring him to put his Letter upon the Table, it should be forwarded with other dispatches immediately. So far duty in Office demanded good manners on my part. He then asked in a low & soft tone "did not the Marquis delafayette Mr President write you in my behalf" & was proceeding to further conversation, I felt the injury he had attempted, & instantly replied, I have really forgot General Conway & I must beg Sir you will excuse me.(1) I had informed him yesterday Morning so very explicitly that the Marquis had writ to me & he had extorted from me repetitions of the same so very often, I judged it necessary to intimate that my memory was as defective as his own, & by begging him to excuse me, I meant, from all future conversation or correspondence. If this honest & frank proceedure is censurable then I have cause to wish for a little dash of hypocrisy, but upon a fair estimate of my past life & a review of a multitude of extraordinary circumstances which have chequered it, I find a Balance largely in favor of honesty & therefore I cast out the wish. You will have seen my Letter of yesterday to the Marquis & General Conway's of the 22d April. A Copy of this shall be inclosed & also Copy of his Letter of the 18th May-lay these together & tell me if I could notwithstanding my general maxim resist against surprize at the audacity of a Man who should in rude language in my own House charge me in presence of one of my Secretaries with having made a confidential private Letter, public, to his prejudice-& repeating the same in a Memorial to Congress, charging me with the Memorial in order that I might exhibit & Read my own Indictment.(2) You will observe in this Letter of the 18th May he acknowledges the Receipt of mine the in which he had been informed that his former Letter of 18th [22d] April had been presented to Congress &c.(3) Can there be a stronger instance of effrontry than appears in his conduct by trumping up a pretence on the 4th June that his Letter was private, confidential & not intended for public view. Congress happened at the reading of his Memorial to be very full; every Member seemed struck with amazement & although there were several Gentlemen who I am sure would otherwise have pressed warmly for some kind of handsome dismission to him, there was not a dissenting voice to the Order for dismissing his Memorial

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without consideration. I' ll trouble you no longer about this compound of weakness & impudence. You will oblige me by transmitting if you can procure the Philadelphia account of the late Military excursion, particulars of General Grant &c. I am still of opinion that there is stratagem in Mr. Clinton's proceeding, possibly he may be preparing for withdrawing his Troops Upon the arrival of the expected Commissioners, from an opinion that we shall persist in our late Resolution.(4) Consider 'tis above a Month since he or his predecessor propagated the account of their intended removal, the object which required it, if any must be of importance-have his motives been consonant, certainly not. I therefore smile at the various opinions which I hear solemnly delivered, for the disposal of effects in the City & view them equally shrewd with his who sold the Bear Skin.(5) You must have another Ceremony, before he moves, for Exchange of Prisoners, he will find it very expensive to remove them by water & very troublesome & hazardous to take them a Land March through New Jersey where he must expect to be harrassed. In a word, 'tis impossible to trace minutely his designs-don't trust false fires-watch his motions & [be] double guarded. My Dear Son, I pray God to bless you. Henry Laurens [P.S.] Inclosed you will find a Dominica Gazette containing a Letter from Lancaster &c. When you have done with it I beg you will return it. Jacob Shubrick & Will Cattle, both Officers in the Carolina Regiments dead. Dick Shubrick died a few Months ago. RC (MHi: William Gilmore Simms Collection deposit, 1973). 1 See Laurens to Lafayette, this date. 2 See ibid., note 4. 3 Thomas Conway's May 18 letter to Laurens, in which he acknowledged receipt of the president's May 7 letter informing him of Congress' acceptance of his offer to resign from the army, is in PCC, item 159, fols. 477-79. 4 Laurens is referring to Congress' April 22, 1778, resolve not to enter into any negotiations with British peace commissioners unless they first agreed either to withdraw all British military and naval forces from the United States or recognize American independence. JCC, 10:374 80. 5 See Laurens to John Rutledge, June 3, 1778, note 10.

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Henry Laurens to William Livingston

Sir, 5th June 1778. I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 25th Ulto. by Doctr. Scudder, & since that time of presenting to Congress your Excellency's favors of the 20th & 26th of the same Month.(1) At present I have only in charge to transmit the inclosed Act of Congress of yesterday recommending a suspension or Repeal of Acts of Assembly for regulating prices of Goods in all the States where such Acts have been passed.(2) I have the honor to be [P.S.] Aside-late in the Evening. I am just now honored by Addresses from Lord Howe & Sir H. Clinton of which when matured your Excellency shall be further informed.(3) LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 In his May 20 and 26 letters to Laurens, Governor Livingston acknowledged receipt of Congress' May 6 resolves on the French alliance, May 8 address to the people of the United States, and May 11 proclamation on neutral rights and requested more "Commissions, Bonds & Instructions for Captains of Privateers." See JCC, item 67, fols. 367, 371; and JCC, 11:468-71, 474-81, 486. For Laurens' response to Livingston's request, see Laurens to Livingston, July 17, 1778. 2 See JCC, 11 :569-70. Congress passed this "Act" after reading Commissary General Jeremiah Wadsworth's May 27 letter to Laurens as well as his May 26 able to obtain beef for the army because of a state law which had set the price of memorial to the Connecticut Assembly in which he complained that he was unbeef too low. PCC, item 78, 23:499-503. See also James Lovell to Samuel Adams, April 18, 1778, note 11. 3 See William Henry Drayton's Draft Letter to Lord Howe, June 6, 1778.

Henry Laurens to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.

Sir 5th June [1778] I had the honor of the 3d Inst. of presenting your Excellency's favour of 28th Ulto. to Congress with the correspondence of Mr. Tryon inclosed.(1) Congress were well pleased with your Excellency's Reply & have ordered it to be printed. Within the present Inclosure your Excellency will receive an Act of Congress of yesterday recommending to the Several States to suspend or repeal Laws passed for regulating prices of Commodities.(2) I have the honor to be LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 Governor Trumbull's May 28 letter to Laurens is in PCC, item 66, fol. 394. Enclosed with it were copies of a May 21 letter from Gov. William Tryon to Trumbull, in which the Connecticut governor was asked to distribute copies of

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three parliamentary acts of reconciliation, and Trumbull's May 25 reply, in which the British official's request was emphatically denied. Ibid., fol. 398. For a discussion of an earlier exchange of correspondence between Trumbull and Tryon on the same issue, see Connecticut Delegates to Trumbull, May 18, 1778, note 3. 2 Laurens also transmitted a copy of this act with a brief covering letter he wrote this day to Commissary General Jeremiah Wadsworth, who was then in Connecticut trying to purchase beef for the army. John F. Reed Collection, King of Prussia, Pa.; and PCC, item 13, 1:352.

Henry Laurens to George Washington

Sir. York Town 5 June 1778. I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency under yesterdays date with a P.S. of this Morning by Saxton. A Report on Your Excellency's Letter of the Ist Inst. relative to measures necessary to be taken in Philadelphia in case the Enemy shall abandon that City had been considered in part yesterday & I had entertained hopes the whole would have been determined this Morning, but other business having interfered & occasioned delay I judge it necessary to transmit the inclosed Resolve, which, if it is ever to have operation, I apprehend cannot reach Your Excellency too soon.(1) I have the honor to be, With the highest Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your Excellency's Most Obedient servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress [P.S,] Your Excellency's favor of the 4th together with divers dispatches from Sr. H. Clinton & Lord Howe &c. came to hand late this Evening now 10 oClock, shall be laid before Congress to morrow.(2) RC (DLC). 1 See JCC, 11:571; and Laurens to John Rutledge, June 3, 1778, note 10. 2 See William Henry Drayton's Draft Letter to Lord Howe, June 6, 1778.

Thomas McKean to William A. Atlee

Dear Sir,(1) York-Town. June 5th. 1778. Upon receipt of your favour of the 26th Ulto. I applied to some of the members of the Board of war respecting the Instructions they had given to General Pulaski for inlisting Prisoners of war, and was told they had given such, and had wrote to you about it; this made me think it unnecessary to write to you, but upon examining the Acts of Congress on this head I found the Board were wrong, and that no prisoners of war can be inlisted in that Legion, or in any

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other Corps. Congress decided accordingly yesterday, of which you will be informed by the President.(2) Tho' we have a surplus of privates of the Enemy at present after exchanging our own, yet they have Citizens and may make more prisoners; besides from my knowledge of the human heart I am convinced that if these prisoners of war were to come to a close & hot engagement with the enemy, the fear of the latter in case of their being made prisoners would induce them to seek safety in flight. Your favour of yesterday is come to hand, and my opinion, respecting the propriety of admitting the persons proclaimed traitors by Council, is as follows. The Proclamation amounts to no more than a charge of treason, the not surrendering by the day prescribed is full conviction, and the Act of Assembly pronounces the judgment (if I may use the phraze) or attaints the party.(3) Now if the Evidence amounts to no more than common fame, or public notoriety, that the party named in the proclamation had left his usual place of abode and gone into the city of Philadelphia, without some proof of an Overt-Act, such as bearing arms, or annexing his person to the troops of the Enemy as a pioneer, labourer or soldier, or furnishing them with provisions, or intelligence &c and he surrenders himself within the time limited in the proclamation, I should think he ought to be bailed. The Justices of the Supream Court, in Termtime, or any one of them, in the vacation, have a discretionary power to bail in all cases whatsoever, even for murder or treason; but the general rule is, if it stands indifferent or doubtful in the opinion of the Judge, whether the party is innocent or guilty, he ought to be bailed; if the evidence of guilt preponderates it should be done with caution; if it is clear the party should be committed and no Bail taken, unless for the cause of sickness, or an infectious disease prevailing & spreading in the Goal &c. Agreeable to this opinion I have admitted James Bracken of this county (whose name is inserted in one of the proclamations) to Bail, and shall in all other cases conduct accordingly; but I am not satisfied that a Justice of the peace can take bail in these cases, I think he must either send the party to a Judge of the Supreme court for examination or commit him. After a sufficient time has elapsed for discriminating, the Sta[te may?] no doubt grant a general Pardon, excepting your cruel fellows & some men of property, whose estates really ought to be confiscated, tho' their lives are spared. Parricides should at least give some evidence of repentance before they are forgiven, and they deserve the punishment of suspence at any rate. The application and interest that will be made by the relatives & friends of the culprits for mercy will create respect to the Rulers, and their granting it on every reasonable occasion will reconcile & endear men to the

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Government: besides Pardoning is a God-like power, and a God-like virtue. I am, dear Sir, with my best respects to Mrs. Atlee, Your most obedient humble servant, Tho M:Kean RC (DLC). Addressed: "The Honoble William Augustus Atlee Esquire At Lancaster." 1 William A. Atlee (1735-93), a prominent leader of the revolutionary movement in Lancaster, Pa., during 1774-76, had been a deputy commissary of prisoners since his appointment by Elias Boudinot in August 1777. By virtue of his appointment as assistant judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in April 1777, he was also a judicial colleague of Chief Justice McKean. Pa. Archives 2d ser. 3:687. 2 The Board of War also instructed Deputy Commissary of Prisoners Atlee on this issue this day. "Your letter to Congress of the 2d instant," Col. Timothy Pickering wrote, ''has been referred to the board, with the sense of Congress intimated at the same thing, that prisoners of war should not be inlisted into any corps in the service of the United States. The licence given Genl. Pulaski to inlist prisoners, is to be considered as recalled. The licence was founded on a supposed intention of Congress to permit the inlistment of prisoners into that particular corps. Prisoners were in fact included in the resolve (as originally drawn up) as well as deserters; and tho' the former were finally struck out; yet the information given to the board led them to the determination mentioned in their former Ietter to you on the subject." Peter Force Collection, DLC. For a discussion of this issue, see Henry Laurens to Atlee, May 29, 1778, note 2. 3 The Pennsylvania Council's May 8 proclamation is in Pa. Council Minutes, 11 :483-85.

Oliver Wolcott to Laura Wolcott

My Dear, York Town 5 June 1778 My last to you was of the Ist instant which you probably will receive from the Post Office Hartford. Nothing Material has occurred since then. We do not hear that the Enemy have left Philadelpa, but they undoubtedly will do so in a Very few Days if they have not already done it. The most of their Ships it is said are gone down to N Castle. A most dreadfull Anxiety excercises the Philadelphian Torys. The capital ones go off with the Enemy. Others less guilty determin to trust to the Clemency of their Country. Steps are taken to Obviate some Mischief which might be apprehended upon the first Evacuation of the City-so that I hope the Disorders which might be otherwise expected, will be prevented. It is supposed the Enemy will in the first Instance go to N York-from thence it is not improbable Many will go to the West Indies. Indeed I should not think it Very Strange if the whole should leave the Continent in a short Time, for if G Britain enters into a War with France the Forces which she has here will be wanted to Defend her own Dominions. If she shall chuse to Avoid this War and shall admit our Independence, which I

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rather expect, her Troops will be unnecessary here. My own Opinion is that G Britain will not continue a Land War in this Country-and I am perswaded that the proud Spirit of that Nation is more humbled than it ever has been since it had an Existence. This great Variation in the Circumstances of our Affairs "is the Lord's Doings" and it is truly Wonderfull. May We ascribe it, to that Great Cause which produces all the Good which We Experience. I imagine that Congress will Return to Philadelphia within a forthnight or three Weeks as it is Very desirable to regain the Ground which has been lost. Altho for myself were I to continue in this Country during the summer I should much preferr being here than to be in the City. I have heard Nothing from you since Brown came down. I hope that a mercifull Providence takes care of you and the Family. I trust it will not be long before I shall see you. You will know sooner than I shall when it will be-as it will depend upon my being releived. I mentioned in my former Letter that I had been informed precisely of the Events of the last Election, by which it seems my Freind was greatly mistaken. Had it indeed been otherwise I should not have suffered but a Slight uneasiness. Oliver will attend to the objects of Peace. The War will have but a Very Short Duration in my Opinion. The Tickets of which I took the Numbers are all drawn, Blank, so that We must Venture again. I Wish as you have Opportunity that you would let me hear from you. By a Letter from Mr. Elsworth I suppose it is probable that he will not be here sooner than by the End of the present Month. A Recommendation of Congress goes by this Express to our assembly to suspend or Repeal the Regulating Act. My Love to my Children and Freinds. By the Blessing of God I do and have injoyed more Health than ever I did before on this Service. I am, Yours most affectionately, Oliver Wolcott RC (CtHi).

Draft Letter to Lord Howe

My Lord [June 6, 1778](1) I have had the honor to lay your lordships letter of the with the Acts of the British Parliament enclosed before Congress: and I am instructed to acquaint your Lordship that they have already expressed their sentiments upon (2) those Acts in a publication of the 22nd of April last.(3) Your Lordship may be assured, that when the King of Great Brit-

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ain shall be seriously disposed to put an end to the unprovoked & cruel war (that has been) waged against these United States, Congress will readily attend to such terms of Peace, as may consist with the Honor of Independent Nations, the Interest of their Constituents, & the sacred regard they mean to pay to Treaties. I have the honor to be, My Lord &c. MS (ScHi). In the hand of William Henry Drayton and amended by Henry Laurens. Endorsed by Laurens: "Draught to Ld Howe & Sir H. Clinton 6 June 1778." This is one of a number of congressional documents among Laurens' private papers that he failed to lodge with Secretary Thomson for inclusion in the PCC. 1 William Henry Drayton drafted this letter for President Laurens' signature in response to a May 27 letter from Lord Howe and a June 3 letter from Sir Henry Clinton-two members of the Carlisle peace commission. Both had forwarded to Congress two acts of Parliament embodying Lord North's latest peace proposals and a third repealing the Massachusetts Government Act of 1774. Howe's letter is in PCC, item 78, 11:299; Clinton's is in the Peter Force Collection, DLC. These letters and papers were transmitted to Congress by Washington with his June 4 letter to Laurens, which is in PCC, item 152, 6:63, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:18. Washington also sent Congress letters addressed to him by Howe dated May 27 and by Clinton, dated May 30 and June 3, all notifying him of the same three acts of Parliament. See PCC, item 152, 6:67, 71, 75. Congress read Howe's and Clinton's letters to Laurens this day and referred them to a committee made up of Drayton, Richard Henry Lee, Gouverneur Morris, John Witherspoon, and Samuel Adams, who were instructed to "retire into the next room and prepare an answer to Lord Howe and General Clinton's letters." After both Drayton and Lee had composed draft replies to Lord Howe, Congress this day approved Drayton's more moderate letter for transmittal to Howe under President Laurens' signature and directed that "a similar letter be sent to General Clinton." See JCC, 11:572-74; and Richard Henry Lee's Draft Letter to Lord Howe, this date. Laurens then sent a slightly modified version of Drayton's draft to Howe and Clinton. It is interesting to note that Laurens dated the RC's of his letters to Howe and Clinton "6th May" instead of "6th June 1778," although both letters are dated correctly in Laurens' presidential letterbook. See the copy Laurens made this date of his letter to Howe in the Washington Papers, DLC; the RC of his letter to Clinton in P.R.O. 30/55, 11:106; and PCC item 13, 1:355-56. Finally, it is also noteworthy that at least one delegate considered even Drayton's moderate draft letter to Howe and Clinton too harsh. See Charles Carroll of Carrollton to Charles Carroll, Sr., June 7, 1778. For further information on the work of the Carlisle commission, see Weldon A. Brown, Empire or Independence: A Study in the Failure of Reconciliation, 1774-1783 (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1941), chaps. 9-10; Alan S. Brown, "William Eden and the American Revolution" (Ph.D. diss., University of Michigan, 1953), chap. 5; and Alan S. Brown, "The British Peace Offer of 1778: A Study in Ministerial Confusion," Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters 40 (1955): 249-60. 2 At this point in Drayton's draft Laurens added the words "bills not essentially different from." 3 For Congress' earlier response to Lord North's conciliatory proposals when rumors of them reached America in April, see JCC, 10:374-80.

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Henry Laurens to George Washington

Sir York Town 6th May [i.e. June] 1778. Referring to my Letter of yesterday's date forwarded by the hands of Messenger Davis, I proceed to inform Your Excellency that having laid before Congress the Letters from Lord Viscount Howe & Sir H Clinton I have received instructions from the House to return the necessary replies. Accordingly, Your Excellency will find within this Inclosure a Packet directed to His Lordship & another to Sir Henry which Your Excellency will be pleased to send forward. I requested permission of Congress to transmit to Your Excellency Copies of these Addresses, which Your Excellency will find inclosed in one draught admitting the proper variations of Title. I have the honor to be, With the most perfect Regard & Respect, Sir, Your Excellency's Obedient & most humble servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress. RC (DLC)

Richard Henry Lee's Draft Letter to Lord Howe

My Lord [June 6, 1778](1) The unprovoked and cruel war that has been waged against these States, renders every idea inadmissible, that proposes a return to the domination of that Power which by its own Acts of devastation and slaughter, has forced a separation. The Acts of the British Parliament lately transmitted by your Lordship having this domination principally in view require no further comment. But the good people of N.A. my Lord not insensible of what belongs to humanity, can forgive their enemies, and wish to stop the effusion of human blood. When therefore the king of G.B. shall be seriously disposed to peace, Congress will readily attend to such terms as may consist with the honor of Independent nations, with the interest of their Constituents, and with the sacred regard they mean to pay to Treaties. By order of Congress (H. Laurens) MS (ViU). In the hand of Richard Henry Lee. 1 Richard Henry Lee wrote this intended letter to Lord Howe as a member of the committee appointed this day to formulate a response to recently received letters from Howe and Sir Henry Clinton forwarding three conciliatory acts of Par-

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Photographic Reproduction of President Laurens' June 6, 1778 letter to General Washington, enclosing Congress' response to Lord Howe and Gen. Henry Clinton

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liment to Congress. Since the delegates approved a more moderate reply to Howe drawn up by William Henry Drayton, one of Lee's colleagues on this committee, it is possible that Lee's draft was never presented to Congress for consideration. See JCC, 11:572-74.

Daniel Roberdeau to George Bryan

Sir, York June 6th. 1778 The Delegates of this State are honored with the commands of Council respecting a supply of money for paying of Clothing; and the State of the Frontiers, these together with the petition of some of the Inhabitant of Northumberland were duely laid before Congress, and without a word of debate, refered, the former to the Treasury, the latter to the board of War, with an order to confer with the Gentlemen who were Bearers of the Petition. I expect a favorable Issue to this Business on Monday.(1) Two Letters one from Lord Howe, the other from Genl. Clinton to Congress with the three Acts of Parliament, which are the Subjects of publick speculation, were under consideration this day, and a short answer given to the Letters.(2) A copy is prohibited, as indellicate until the Letters get to hand, in substance it refers to the resolves of Congress on two Bills circulated substantially the same as two of the above, that when the King shall be seriously disposed to peace, Congress will be ready to put an End to the cruel unprovoked war waged against America, on Terms honorable to our Nation, for the Interest of our Constituents and with a sacred regard to Treaties. My Accot. exhibited to the Assembly when last in Lancaster refers to a debit of which I was not then possessed paid Capt. Piper who guarded Wm. Todd to Lancaster for his Expences, which is now before me in a proper entry £6.11.3. If that Sum could be added, and the whole remitted by you on the order in the hands of Mrs. Smith, it would be of great service as my late engagement in the Lead works has proved a moth to my circulating Cash and oblige me make free with a friend in borrowing. I hope to congratulate you soon on regaining our Capital, some step will be taken by Congress for securing property until a deliberate discrimination can be made, in which a due regard to the prerogatives of the State will be attended to.(3) I am with respectful salutation to Council, Sir, Yr. most obt. & very huml. Servt. Daniel Roberdeau RC (PHi). Addressed: "The Honorable George Bryan Esquire, Vice President of the State of Pennsilvania. Lancaster." 1 Two letters of June 5 from the Pennsylvania Council to the state's delegates were laid before Congress this day, but only the message concerning Pennsylvania's frontiers survives. For the letter "respecting a supply of money" referred

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to the Board of Treasury, see JCC, 11:574; and Auditor General John Gibson's June 10 reply to Bryan in Pa. Archives, Ist ser. 6:591-92. The letter pertaining to Northumberland County's defense is in PCC, item 69, fols. 529-30, and was printed under the date June 4, 1778, in Pa. Archives, Ist ser. 6:577. The June I petition of the Northumberland inhabitants is in PCC, item 42, 6:190-92, and was endorsed by Secretary Thomson: "referred to the board of war. The board to confer with the person who brot. this Memorial." For the Board of War's and Congress' response to the council's plea for assistance in protecting the state's frontier inhabitants, see ibid., pp. 586 87; and JCC, 11:576-77. 2 See JCC, 11:572-75 3 Congress' June 4 resolution on the anticipated evacuation of Philadelphia was apparently copied and forwarded by Roberdeau to Bryan. It was printed in Pa. Archives under the date June 5, 1778, with the following note appended. "Dr Sir, I write at a publick Table, much embarrassed, to hand you the above Copy of a Resolution of Congress. I am, very respectfully, Dr Sir, yr most obt hum. Servt. Dan'l Roberdeau. P.S. My design is that you may cast about & be in readiness to appoint proper persons." Pa. Archives, 1st ser. 6:578-79.

Daniel Roberdeau to Timothy Matlack

Sir, York June 6th 1778 If your orders are positive for returning the Books borrowed they must be complied with, but if otherwise they will be retained, as they will be useful in a very little time in determining a point on the same subject they were called for,(1) therefore I shall wait your answer as these books cannot be procured, as I know, any where else at present. My Sisters acknowledge your polite notice and hope with me to congratulate you shortly on regaining our Capital. I am respectfully, Sir, Yr. most obt. huml. Sert. Daniel Roberdeau P.S. If possible let Books remain, of which care shall be taken. Desire Mr. Foulke to buy me a few quires of good paper. RC (PHi). Addressed: "Timothy Matlack, Esquire, Lancaster." Endorsed: "Reced 11 June 1778, TM." 1 Perhaps a reference to the books that were the subject of Elbridge Gerry's letter to Thomas Wharton of November 8, 1777, in these Letters, 8:242.

Josiah Bartlett to Mary Bartlett

My Dear York Town June 7th 1778 Last Wednesday the 3d Instant I Recd yours of the 16th of May, am very glad to hear you are well & that Rhoda is rather better. I am in good health as is Charles Chace, Mr Wentworth & his man. We have procured Lodgings at a German House about a Quarter of a mile from the Court house where the Congress Sets, his name is

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Andrus Hoffman. Their manner of Cooking their victuals is very Different from the English Manner, tho they Do what they can to accomodate us. They understand but little English, Just Enough to be understood. I have wrote to you Several times the last Dated the first Instant some of which I hope you have Recd before now. Yesterday Congress Receivd letters from Lord Howe & Genl. Clinton informing us that they were two of the Commissioners appointed by Parliament to Settle the Dispute with America. But as it appears by the act of Parliament which they sent us they are not authorised to acknowledge our lndependance I Suspect a peace will not soon take place tho I believe that the fighting Business is chiefly over. I have wrote major Philbrick more fully about it.(1) I informed my Children in my last that they had not Drawn any of the large prizes in the lottery. I cannot now tell them whither they have Drawn any of the smaller prizes for I have not been able to get a Sight of the list but make no doubt I shall be able to do it in my next. I hope you & my family are Still in health & that affairs go on well. Remember me to Mr Thurston, Dr Gale, Mr Thayer, Capt Calef & all friends. I am yours &c, Josiah Bartlett RC (NhHi). 1 Not found.

to Charles Carroll, Sr.

Dr. Papa, 7th June 1778. I think I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 27th past in my past letter. I imagine the vines, by the dying of the old wood, must have suffered principally from the wetness of the winter, and of the month of April & if So, this mischief must have been encreased by the flatness of the beds in which they are planted. The failure of apples in the home Orchard must proceed from the nature of the Soil, and its exposition; the soil is stiff, cold, & livery. Friday evening the Congress received letters from Ld. Howe, & Sir H. Clinton inclosing 3 acts of Parliat. two of them comformable to the drafts of bills, which you have seen, & the 3d An Act for repealing the Act for altering the Charter of the Massachusets Bay. Inclosed you have copies of the above letters;(1) they were directed to Henry Laurens Esqr. President of Congress. By the Acts it appears that 5 Commissioners are to be appointed to treat under the powers within the Acts; and from the Letters of Ld Howe & Clinton you will observe that Ld Howe is one of the Commissioners, but that Sir

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H. Clinton is not, from which circumstance I conclude that Sir Henry's command is to be but temporary, and that some person of distinction is coming out to be commander in chief, probably Lord Amherst.(2) Altho' it is mentioned by Ld. Howe, or Clinton that these Acts were just recd., we know the vessel which brought them, has been arrived upwards of 3 weeks. The answer of Congress, which was sent off yesterday is short, and to this effect. The President in the name of Congress acknowleges the receipt of their letters & the Acts of Parliat. and refers them to the Resolves of Congress of the 22d April upon the bills (from which the Acts do not materially differ) for the sense of Congress upon the acts. He then informs them, that when the King of G B shall be seriously disposed to peace and to put an end to the unprovoked & cruel war which he has waged against us, we shall chearfully consent to put a stop to its calamities by concluding a peace with his B. Majesty, on terms consistent with our Independance, the interest of our constituents, and the sacred regard due to our treaties. I could have wished the words "seriously disposed," {'unprovoked" & "cruel war" had not been thrust into this, otherwise unexceptionable, letter. Ld. Howe's & Clinton's letters are polite, they seem to have cautiously avoided any terms which might give offence; in this particular I wish we had imitated their example. It is certain most of the Enemy's shipping have fallen down the river below Newcastle; it is equally certain that they have embarked their sick, wounded, heavy baggage & artillery, great quantities of military stores & merchandize, yet notwithstanding all these appearances, it is my own opinion, that the Enemy will not abandon Pha. till the fall, or till they are constrained to leave it by the superiority of our arms. If they should not acknowledge our Independance, they will take the field with their army light and unencumbered, and endeavour to try the fortune of a battle. I do not think they will acknowlege our Independance before next winter, unless the King of Prussia, and other powers of Germany should have followed the example of France. If the British Marine should not be greatly superior to that of France & Spain, it is my opinion the British court will acknowlege our Independance, & thus avoid a war with France & Spain in conjunction with us, which would probably end in the entire expulsion of the British from this Continent. Our General thinks the Enemy intend to march thro' Jersey to South Amboy. They have got and it seems are getting many boats there with an intent as it is conjectured to pass their army over from thence to Staten Island. A few more weeks, or perhaps, days will ease us of the anxiety of all conjectures on this account. Gen. Schuyler writes to Governor Morris, a Delegate from New York, that he is informed the northern Indians are disposed to quit the British interest & to embrace ours. If So, this will put a stop the

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cruelties the middle Indians are committing on the frontiers of this State. But to restrain their ravages we shall not depend on that event: a force is preparing to march agt. them to carry the war into their country. Monday morning 8th June A 52 Gun Ship is arrived from France at Hampton in Virga. assigned by Mons. de Beaumarchais to his Agent here Mr. Francy; She has brought a most valuable cargo, the prime cost of which in France Mr. Francy assured me was a million of Livres.(3)er cargo consists of a great variety of articles, amongst others 8 thousand suits of regimentals. Mr. Francy informs me that he has letters from France of the 29th March acquainting him that the King of Prussia had marched 60 thousand men into Bavaria, that they had taken possession of 3 towns & a fort from which they drove the Austrian garrisons, that the Emperor had ordered 60 [thousand] men to the support of his troops already in Bavaria. That war was declared between Russia & the Porte; that the French had detained all the English vessels in their ports in consequence of a refusal from the court of London to deliver up an American vessel taken by an English privateer on the coast of France, and which had been demanded by the Court of Versailles. I wish the war between the Prussians & Austrians may not take off the attention of the French from their marine & approaching war with England. P.M. 8 o'clock I recd. yours of the 4th instant by the post this morning. If you petition the Assembly for a repeal of the tender Law, I hope you will avoid all indecent & waste expressions in it. You may urge very forcible reasons in decent & moderate language. You ask me whether I think the continental bills will be redeemed according to their tenor? If peace should be concluded in a year from this I make no doubt, our debts will be paid off. Consider what Sums will be collected by taxes, from the amount of our own; consider the growing population of this country, the variety of its products, its fitness for navigation & commerce, and the freedom of our different governments, and then I believe you will no longer doubt the Public faith. Too many are interested in the debt not to pay it off; it will be the work of time, and perhaps a part of our paper currency may circulate in Europe; if so, the remainder will rise to par in a year or two after peace. It gives me the greatest Satisfaction to hear you continue to enjoy yr. health. I am, yr. affectionate Son, Ch. Carroll of Carrollton P.S. I beg you will send Sam up so as to be here by the 20th instant;

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send by him a £100 in large bills chiefly; every thing here is inconceivably dear; altho' I have kept no horses here my allowance will hardly make me whole; indeed I believe it will not. Sam must bring with him 3 horses. Chase I expect will be up by that time, & I shall write to him by this post to come that I may return. RC (MdHi). 1 Carroll enclosed letters from Lord Howe to Washington, May 27; from Henry Clinton to Washington, May 30 and June 3; and from Washington to Clinton, May 30, and to President Laurens, June 4, 1778. See Carroll Papers, MdHi; and William Henry Drayton's Draft Letter to Lord Howe, June 6, 1778, note 1. 2 Carroll's conjectures on this point were in error, for Sir Henry Clinton was indeed one of the peace commissioners and he retained his command until 1782. 3 For Congress' response to the arrival of Le Fier Roderique carrying a large shipment from Beaumarchais, see Committee of Congress Report, June 10, 1778.

Henry Laurens to John Laurens

My Dear son, York Town 7th June 1778. I wrote to you the 5th & the same Evening late your favor of the 4th came to hand. Casting my Eye on my Copy Book just now I was startled at the dates prefixed there to Copies of Letters which I writ yesterday to the Commander in Chief, to Lord Howe & to Sir Henry Clinton all, May, instead of June. If the originals have carried the same blunder, I shall be much ashamed. 'Tis impossible to develop the secret from my Copyists memory because admitting the first error to have been mine, if his senses had been awake he would have pointed to the error immediately. If the Letter to the General is misdated I shall conclude both the others are. You asked me some time ago why I did not employ a Secretary, I'll tell you I don't know where to get a good one-& I can't bear any other. James (1) can Copy extremely well when he is attentive, but his constitution is not the strongest, he sometimes flags & some times nods. I do not wonder at it-but I do, how I hold it out. I have a sort of Secretary, a genteel decent Young Man but I get very little from him,(2) he has been spoiled in another office & has acquired habits which are to me very disagreeable. Congress meet twice a day, the consequence of which is delay of business there and intolerable confinement to the President. The Idea of the Enemy's intended abandonment of Philadelphia, pervades every mind, & I am very certain our Cause suffers greatly from the general belief of an event being at hand, which we ought to think depends wholly on our own exertions & to act accordingly. Thirteen days have elapsed since the Enemy's draught of three days provision & Canteens filled with Rum-Women & children embarked, Hospital utensils & Boxes of Arms shiped, notice given to the Police & honest Mr. Coombes's intelligence. I should think none

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but women & Children will rely upon any thing they [say] or trust to any thing they do-yet there is such confidence in their flimsey assurances. I was going on to write you a long Letter but an opportunity instantly presenting & being anxious to acquaint his Excellency the General with a recent act of humanity on the part the Enemy in the moment of treating with us I shall confine myself to the following extract from General Sullivan's Letter 26 May, just received.(3) The Chief Justice regrets we had not this intelligence before the Letters to Lord Howe & General Clinton were sent. "I beg leave to inform Congress that on the Night of the 24 Inst about 600 British & Hessian Troops at R Id embarked on board two Ships of War, two Tenders & about 30 flat bottoms, passed up the River & landed before day between Warren & Papasquash point, at daylight marched in two bodies for Warren & the head of Kukemull River where were about 70 flat bottom boats & one of the State Gallies, they burned all the Boats, 12 escaped & set fire to the Galley, this was afterward extinguished with much hurt to the Gally-then set fire to the meeting house at Warren & to seven dwelling Houses k retreated toward Bristol where the Ships had fallen down with the Hat Bottoms to receive them. They burned in Bristol 22 Houses among which was Govr Bradford's in their Tour every species of Cruelty was displayed, 20 of the Inhabitants were taken & carried off-almost every House was plundered without distinction between friend & foes. Some Women who had been long noted as their faithful friends were compelled by the Bayonet to stand while they were robbed of their Buckles, Rings, handkerchiefs &c &c. I received intelligence of the Landing about 8 oClock, the Country was immedy. alarmed, the Troops put in motion & lest an attempt might be intended upon this place or the Western Shore some part of the Militia were called in to guard them. The rest were Marched toward the Enemy, all the Massachusetts ordered to meet & oppose them, they assembled with great alacrity & marched with much expedition. Colo. Barton ordered to Muster what force he could on the Road to assist Colo. Crary's Regiment stationed at Bristol & had [got] into the Enemy's Rear. The Colo. with Crary's Regiment & such force as he had collected in all near 200, attacked their Retreat & I believe did them much injury-the Gallant Colonel dangerously wounded in the action. I arrived on the ground l/2 past 11 oClock. The Troops from this place & a large body of Militia were about 2 Miles in the Rear, many of them had marched near 20 Miles in less than four hours. When I arrived the Enemys Rear had embarked & gone near an hour. I know nothing of their loss-we had 2 or 3 killed, several wounded & 5 taken." The Chief Justice charges me not to conclude without presenting his Compliments. Adieu, H L

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[P.S.] If the General has not received the above it will be proper to communicate it. I am very full of bodily pain but supported by Spirits which are not worn out. You will receive 4 Letters inclosed-3 I believe from Harry,(4) he writes a fine hand.(5) I am almost determined upon sending for him. A third attempt has been made to finish the destruction of Charles Town by fire. Mr. Gervais's Compliments 8th May. RC (MHi: William Gilmore Simms Collection deposit, 1973). 1 James Custer. 2 Moses Young. 3 The full text of Gen. John Sullivan's May 26 letter to Laurens is in PCC, item 160, fols. 125-26. 4 Henry Laurens, Jr. (1763-1821), Laurens' youngest surviving son, was being educated in England. David D. Wallace, The Life of Henry Laurens (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1915), pp. 182, 188, 365n.3. 5 Laurens noted in his private letter book that he also sent John "I Packet containing a Letter from Madame Le Marchioness to Monsr. Le Marquis delafayette, I Packet containing 4 Letters for Baron Stuben [and] I small French Letter to Baron deKalb." Laurens Papers, ScHi.

Samuel Adams to Samuel P. Savage

My dear sir, York Town June 8 1778 I had the Pleasure of receiving a Letter from you while I was on my late Journey to this Place, which I do not recollect to have answerd. Last Saturday President Laurens recd a Letter from Ld Howe & another from Genl Clinton each inclosing Copy of an Act of the British Parliamt conformable to the Bills which have already been publishd. An Answer was returned to his Lordship & the General in which they are informd that "When the British King shall be seriously disposd to put an End to the unprovokd and cruel War waged against these united States, Congress will be ready to attend to such Terms of Peace as shall be consistent with the Honor of independent Nations, the Interest of their Constituents and the sacred Regard which they mean to show to Treaties."(1) Will you permit me to recommend to your Circle Mr. Doree the Bearer of this Letter. He is a French Gentleman and is mentiond to me by my Friends in this Town as very deserving of Notice. Be so kind as to call on my dear Mrs A and let her know that I am in health & have not Leisure to write to her at present. My Regards to Mrs Savage, Mr Scollay & his Family &c &c. Adieu my dear Sir, S A RC (MHi). 1 See William Henry Drayton's Draft Letter to Lord Howe, June 6, 1778.

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Henry Laurens to George Washington

Dear sir, York Town 8th June 1778 My Colleague Mr. Drayton having shewn me about a fortnight ago the draught of a Report which he had prepared, stating charges against the General Officers who lately abandoned Tyconderoga & flattering me with assurances that he would soon offer it to Congress I delayed replying to Your Excellency's favor of the 29th Ulto.(1) hoping for ground to intimate that, that business was ready to be dispatched to Your Excellency for the further necessary order. But to my great mortification it continues to be procrastinated, some of the Gentlemen of the Committee it seems are or have been desirous of new lights; in a word Sir, I am quite in opinion with those Gentlemen who say "the not proceeding in this matter is cruel & oppressive"-although I am as well convinced, the delay has not been calculated or intended to distress the parties affected-it has arisen from a vapid desultory habit, which if I am not mistaken, I have seen, squander Millions & endanger States. I speak with warmth & I believe with equal truth. On my Country's account as well as from a feeling for the Culprit Officers I am really ashamed of our conduct respecting the particular affair in question-however as I can always take a decent freedom with my Colleague, who is really a diligent Man, I will not let him pass a day unreminded of the necessity for bringing forward his report. I sent off a Messenger to day with a Letter to Lancaster (2) at his request for collecting somewhat relative to the business & I think he hinted that when that ingredient should be obtained the Report would be complete.(3) Frequent Items have been given in Public of the disagreements of our Commissioners-this day a private perusal of Papers treating on that subject gave me much pain. I fear an investigation upon the arrival of Mr. Deane who is every hour expected will spread the trouble wide. I have suppressed all that has been written to me & have sealed my Lips except to Your Excellency & one other Gentleman. I know all the Gentlemen yonder, some of them very intimately, know their tempers & habits & think I can mark out causes, but I can only deplore their impolitic & I was going to say School Boy jarrings & dread the consequences of a heated & injudicious discussion on this side. 9th. Late last Night Your Excellency's public Letter of the 7th was brought to me.(4) I shall lay it before Congress at 10 oClock. Lord Abingdon's protest does honor to Mr Morris of N. York,(5) the merit of our Resolves of 22d April is fairly to be ascribed to him.(6) I have lately much regretted that I had it not in my power to transmit to Your Excellency some of the English Papers which we had received & which indeed came originally into my own hands but

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judged it my Duty to present them to the House, where they were so, & so suddenly, dispersed as to deprive me of the reading even one of them, yet I dare not say, I'll take better care another time, my own duty will be to do, as I have done. In order to save time I have sent to the Secretary's Office a Young Man to Copy the Resolves of Congress required by Your Excellency, & which will be found here inclosed.(7) I am with the most sincere Regard & Esteem, Sir, Your Excellency's much obliged & most obedient servant, Henry Laurens [P.S.] Your Excellency will do me the honor to accept this as private. RC (DLC). 1 In a brief postscript to his May 29 letter to Laurens, Washington had expressed the wish that Congress "would lay the charge, and order tryal" of the officers involved in the loss of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence during the summer of 1777. Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 11:476. For discussions of the dilatory congressional investigation of this case, which had begun the previous August, see John Hancock to Arthur St. Clair and Philip Schuyler, August 5, 1777, note; Committee of Congress to Washington, February 7, note; and Laurens to Washington, April 4, 1778, note 2. 2 Not found. 3 William Henry Drayton's report specifying charges against Gens. Arthur St. Clair and Philip Schuyler in connection with the loss of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence was ordered to be sent to Washington on June 20. JCC, 11:593-603. The committee on whose behalf Drayton wrote this report had been appointed on April 29, 1778. JCC, 10:403. 4 Washington's June 7 letter to Laurens is in PCC, item 152, 6:83-84, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:27-28. 5 For the earl of Abingdon's March 9, 1778, protest in the House of Lords against Lord North's conciliatory bills, which argued that they did not go far enough in redressing basic American grievances, see Parliamentary History, 19:867-70. For the use Americans had previously made of Abingdon's pro-American views, see John Henry to Thomas Johnson, February 17, 1778, note 2. 6 Gouverneur Morris was the author of Congress' initial response to Lord North's February 1778 conciliatory proposals. See JCC, 10:374-80; and Morris to John Jay, May 3, 1778. 7 For the May 19, 1778, resolve on pay and rations for Continental officers, of which Washington had requested a copy, see JCC, 11:512.

James Lovell to John Adams

Dear Sir June 8th. 1778 I fear I omitted to send the Resolve of May 5th with 3 past Packets. I shall be vexed if it does not reach you with the Ratifications as, on the Timing of it depends much of its Propriety.(1) I was strangely betrayed by its having been dated the 4th in a mistaken alteration, when A.B.C. were sent Eastward.

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By Letters yesterday from Mr. Beaumarchais I find Mr. Deane is probably on this Continent so that we may know the exact State of our Account wth. Mr. Hortales.(2) The present Cargo in the fier Roderique is to be sold outright for Cash or Produce, Congress having the first Offer it belongs to Mr. Beaumarchais not to Hortales &c. I hope there is no mystery in this, for I really approve of the Thing. I am glad it does not belong to the Continent: but I wish to know whether any of those Vessels lately taken belong to Mr. B and whether this would not have belonged to H had it been lost. This may be an amusing Speculation for you. Mr. D's Recall I find is attributed very much to Plots of A L.(3) You know this to be unjust, and that Facts are as in my Letter to Dr. Franklin.(4) All things speak the Enemy's departure from Philada. Intending to pass across the Jersies to Staten Island they found the Militia to a Man ready to waylay them and that some Continentals were detached: They have therefore given an Air of Peace to their Motions, and asking for an immediate Exchange of Prisoners "because they are going away," they are levelling their Works, as we repeatedly hear tho the cautious Genl. has not yet told us the latter part but he was surprized that they "still" remained on the 1st. They meant however to celebrate the 4th there-the birthday of the foolish King. Mr. S A (5) has come forward, and Things go on very well here except that we want many Lessons on Finance. Give them to us-with a little Practicability, if you please, wrought into your nicest Systems. Affectionately, J L [P.S.] Let Mr. A.L. see the inclosed. RC (MHi). Endorsed by Adams: "Mr. Lovell, June 8 1778, ans. Sept. 25, 1778." 1 For further information on Congress' May 5 directive to the commissioners "to use their best endeavours to procure the abolition" of the 11th and 12th articles of the Franco-American treaty of amity and commerce dealing with the duty-free status of molasses imported from the French \\test Indies to America and all American merchandise exported to those islands, see Committee for Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners at Paris, May 14, 1778, note 2. This day Lovell also wrote the following note to Samuel and Robert Purviance at Baltimore requesting them to forward copies of this resolve and this letter to Adams: "I must intreat you to forward the enclosed to France, either directly, or by the Islands, giving critical instructions to keep them from falling into the hands of the Enemy. They are of great importance, and were unluckily omitted in three packets which are gone." PCC, item 79, fol. 233. 2 For further information on Congress' action on the accounts of Caron de Beaumarchais, see Committee of Congress Report, June 10, 1778. 3 That is, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee. 4 In his May 15 letter to Dr. Franklin, Lovell had explained that Deane was recalled because of congressional anger over excessive commissions issued to foreign officers, but that he was now needed to explain his transactions with Caron de Beaumarchais, Although Lovell thus shifted the responsibility for Deane's recall from Arthur Lee to himself and other dissatisfied members of Congress, the

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quarrel between the supporters of Deane and those of Arthur and William Lee had only begun to rumble through Congress. The serious nature of this coming storm can be seen in a letter written this day in Virginia by Benjamin Harrison, a former member of Congress, to Robert Morris, who with Harrison was a partisan supporter and business associate of Deane's. Concerning the Lee brothers, Harrison wrote: "You, who know them not, can form but an imperfect idea of those on that side of the water by what you have seen on this, they being much more designing, vindictive, and overbearing. Perhaps you may think this impossible, but be assured it is a fact, and that they are no more fit for the characters they bear than any man that can be thought on; however they are fixed, and I suppose America must suffer them for a season longer, as the cabal is at present too powerful to afford us the least prospect of their removal." Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 2:607-8. 5 That is, Samuel Adams.

Maryland Delegates to Thomas Johnson

Sir, 8th June 1778 York Your letter of the 2d instant was put into our hands this morning by Col. Smith, and referred to the board of war.(1) We sincerely wish the State of our cloathing at or near the army may be Such as to Suffer that Board to give the order in the extent you desire. Col. Smith will receive their answer tomorrow. We hope, and have the strongest reason to believe, our army will never again be exposed to the same inconveniences & distress they have hitherto suffered from the want of cloathing. We understand 8 or ten thousand suits are in the 50 gun Ship lately arrived in Virginia, and still larger supplies have arrived at the Eastward. By all accounts from Camp & Philadelphia the Enemy appear to be on the eve of evacuating that city: it is conjectured they will march thro' the Jersies to South Amboy, where it is said a number of boats are in readiness to carry them over to Staten Island. War between Prussia & Austria respecting the division of the late Elector of Bavaria's territories by the latest accounts from Europe is much to be apprehended: and Mr. Francy informed us that war was certainly declared between Russia & the Porte. The French court had detained all English vessels in their ports in a consequence of a refusal by the Court of London to deliver up an American vessel captured on the coast of France by an English Privateer. We inclose you copies of letters from Ld. Howe's & Sir Henry Clinton's letters to Gen. Washington & to Congress and our answer.(2) These may be printed if you think proper, and we beg the favor of you to lay them before the Assembly. We are with great respect, Your Excellency's Most obedt. hunble Servants, Ch. Carroll of Carrollton Geo. Plater

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RC (MdAA). Written by Carroll and signed by Carroll and Plater. 1 For the Maryland Council's June 2 letter to its delegates requesting clothing for the state's troops, see Md. Archives, 21:120-21; PCC, item 70, fols. 255-58; and JCC, 11:578. 2 These are copies of the same letters that Carroll sent to his father the preceding day. See Charles Carroll of Carrollton to Charles Carroll, Sr., June 7, 1778, note 1.

Rhode Island Delegates to William Greene

Sir, Pensylvania York Town June 8th, 1778 Mr. Marchant arrived at this Town the sixth Instant.(1) The Situation of Mr. Ellery's Family necessitates his Return in a few Days. Confederation, it is expected, will soon be taken up;(2) and if Congress should determine that, immediately upon the Completion of that Business, no State can be represented without two Members, the State we have the Honor to represent may not have that Share in the Common Counsells of the States, which Our Interests and Circumstances require. Solicitous this may not be the Case we hope One of Our Colleagues will soon give his attendance. We lament the Waste and Destruction made upon Our State by that more than Savage Barbarity peculiar to Britons; But we are utterly at a Loss to account for that cruel Desertion of Our Sister States, which has thus laid Our State bare to the Insults and Ravages of Our Enemies. This is a Subject we feel most pungently, and shall not fail to endeavour to excite in Congress a common Feeling with us, that if possible some Steps may be taken for our Relief. It is expected the Enemy will very soon leave Philadelphia, but for what Quarters is uncertain. We hope the New-England States will hold Themselves in watchful Readiness. The Enemy ought to be expected in every Quarter, that so let them come where they will, They may meet with a proper Reception. A large Ship from France of Upwards fifty Guns is arrived to the Southward, with large Supplies for Our Army. We inclose Your Excellency the last York Paper, and Are most respectfully, Your Excellency's most obedient and humble Servts. William Ellery Hy. Marchant RC (R-Ar). Written by Marchant and signed by Marchant and Ellery. 1 According to the journals, Marchant took his seat in Congress on Monday, June 8. JCC, 11:575. 2 Congress finally resumed consideration of the Articles of Confederation on June 20. JCC, 11:625, 628.

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Henry Laurens to Richard Caswell

Sir. York Town 9th June 1778. I had the honour of addressing Your Excellency the 26th Ulto. & since of presenting to Congress your Excellency's favour of 6th Inst. being the 2d of this date.(1) Within the present Inclosure will be found the following Acts of Congress. 1-27th May for an Establishment of the American Army.(2) 2-28th for reforming the North Carolina Battalions.(3) 3-4th June for suspending or repealing Acts of Assembly for regulating prices-this I believe Sir does not apply to North Carolina.(4) 4-6th June for extending subsistence Money to Officers of Militia.(5) 5-8th June for laying a General Embargo on Provisions.(6) To these & to the enclosed P.S.(7) & more particularly to a seperate Circular (8) which I shall deliver with this to Capt. Blount I beg leave to refer. Capt Blount has long been detained by the Treasury but the Afultiplicity of business there I presume has rendered an earlier dispatch impracticable .(9) I am with very great Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress. RC (DLC). 1 Governor Caswell's second May 6 letter to Laurens, recommending chevalier de Cambray "to the notice and protection of the Honorable Congress," was read by the delegates on June 4. See JCC, 11:567; and N.C. State Records, 13:123. Nine days later Congress decided to make Cambray-a French artillery and engineering officer who had arrived in North Carolina in February 1778 and had since been involved in constructing coastal fortifications for the state-a member of the "corps of engineers commanded by Brigadier du Portail, with the rank and pay of a lieutenant colonel." JCC, 11:604-5. Congress had read another May 6 letter from Caswell on May 25. JCC, 11:530. 2 See JCC, 11 :53943 3 These resolves were actually passed on May 29. JCC, 11:550-51. See also Laurens to Caswell, May 26, 1778, note. 4 See JCC, 11:569-70; and Laurens to William Livingston, June 5, 1778, note 2. 5 See JCC, 11:560-61, 573. 6 For an explanation of the passage of this embargo, see Laurens to the States, June 10, 1778. Laurens also transmitted copies of the resolves of May 27 and June 4, 6, and 8 listed here with brief covering letters he wrote this day to Govs. Thomas Johnson of Maryland, Patrick Henry of Virginia, and John Houstoun of Georgia. See PCC, item 13, 1:360-63; and Red Books, MdAA. In addition Laurens sent Henry a June 4 resolve "for appointing Commissioners for holding a Treaty with Indians at Fort Pitt on the 23d July." See JCC, 11:568. 7 See Laurens to Caswell, June 11, 1778. 8 See Laurens to the States, June 10, 1778.

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9 Capt. Reading Blount was in York to take custody of the $100,000 that Congress had agreed on May 29 to pay North Carolina to cover the cost of filling her Continental quota. JCC, 11:550-51.

Henry Laurens to George Clinton

Sir 9 June [1778] I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 23d Ulto. by Barkly. The present will be accompanied by the undermentioned Acts of Congress. 1. Of 27th May-for an Establishment of the American Army. 2. Of 6 June-for extending to officers of Militia subsistence Money in Iieu of extra Rations. 3. 8 June-Laying a general Embargo on certain Articles of provision (1)-this measure appears to be so absolutely necessary as leaves no doubt but that each State whence exportation might otherwise be made will immediately adopt and strictly observe the Act. Had this bar been laid to furnishing the enemy with provision twelve months ago, St. Augustine would probably have been abandoned, the West Indies driven to great necessity, and possibly our invaders from the Continent. I shall add a printed paper containing Lord Abingdon's Speech and protest in the British House of Lords (2) which does honor to Mr Morris of New York-to him may be fairly ascribed the merit of the Act of Congress 22nd April. (3) I am with the highest Esteem &c. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 Laurens also transmitted copies of these three "Acts" with brief covering letters he wrote this day to Govs. William Livingston of New Jersey and Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., of Connecticut. PCC, item 13, 1:358-60. 2 Laurens inserted an "xx" at this point in the text to key the following note he wrote at the end of the LB of this letter: "words omitted, introducing the Act of Congress of the 22d April on the British Conciliatory Bills." 3 The equivalent sentence in Laurens' letter of this date to Governor Trumbull states: "I shall add a printed paper which will shew Your Excellency that the opinions of Congress on the pretended conciliatory Acts of Parliament are not confined to this side of the Atlantic." PCC, item 13, 1:359.

Henry Laurens to William Greene

Sir. York Town 9th June 1778 I had the honour of presenting to Congress your notification of being appointed to the Government of the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations,(1) permit me Sir, to congratulate with you on

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this testimony of the Esteem of Your fellow Citizens & to wish you a happy administration. Within the present Inclosure will be found the undermentioned Acts of Congress. 1 . . . 27th May for Establishment of the American Army. 2 . . . 4 June for suspending or repealing Acts of Assembly for regulating prices of goods. 3 . . . 6 June for allowing subsistence in lieu of Rations to the Militia. 4 . . . 8 June for laying a general Embargo on certain articles of Provision, 2 the absolute necessity for this measure is so extremely apparent as leaves no room to doubt of its being carried into immediate execution & strictly observed. I have the honor to be, With very great Respect, Sir, Your Excellencys Obedient humble servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress RC (R-Ar). Addressed: "His Excellency William Green Esquire, Governor of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations." 1 See JCC, 11 :537 2 Laurens also transmitted copies of these four "Acts" this day to the Massachusetts Council, and to Vice President George Bryan of Pennsylvania he sent three of the four. See PCC, item 13, 1:357-58; and Revolutionary Letters, M-Ar. At the same time, he also sent Massachusetts a May 30 resolve on the maintenance of the Convention Army, and instead of the June 4 resolve on price regulation. he forwarded to Pennsylvania a June 4 resolve on an Indian conference at Fort Pitt and a June 8 resolve on the defense of Northumberland County. See JCC, 11:556, 568, 576-77.

Henry Laurens to John Laurens

My Dear Son very early 9th June [1778] Late last night your favor of the 7th obliged me very much, write on & make me as well acquainted with movements of all kinds as you can. Inclosed you will find the Resolution required.(1) My duty to the Marquis. I have delivered his Letters to Mr. Cambray, Mr. Lee &ca-will do as far as in my power all he desires & commands & will have the honor of paying my respects to him to morrow. I dont much like my old friends interviews with an old acquaintance (2) whom he had so lately seen. I wish I could see you for half an hour. I pray God protect you. LB (ScHi). 1 Although John Laurens' June 7 letter has not been found, it should be noted that in his June 9 letter to his father he asked for Congress' May 21 resolves on negotiations for a prisoner exchange between Generals Howe and Washington. See JCC, 11:520-21; and Simms, Laurens Army Correspondence, pp. 178-81.

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2 Laurens is referring respectively to Lafayette and Thomas Conway. See Laurens to Lafayette, June 5, 1778.

Henry Laurens to Rawlins Lowndes

Sir, 9th June 1778 On the 3d Inst. by the hands of Captn. Cochran I transmitted to your Excellency several Copies of an Establishment of the American Army & requested your Excellency to make a distribution of some of those papers to Major General Howe & Brigadier Moultrie.(1) Orders are given by Congress for carrying this Act into execution at Valley forge,(2) the Commander in Chief may from thence extend it to all the distant posts, unless I am wrong in my opinion that a farther order of Congress will be necessary for that purpose. Please to receive Sir, with the present Inclosure the undermentioned Acts of Congress, together with Copy of a circular Letter which will be dated the 10th written by order of Congress. The Acts 1. of 4th June recommending a suspension or repeal of Acts of Assembly for regulating prices-this 1 believe will not apply to So. Carolina. 2. 6th June, for extending subsistence Money to all officers of Militia &ca. in lieu of extra Rations. 3. 8th June, for a general Embargo on provisions for a limitted time. I have the honor to be &ca. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 See Laurens to Lowndes, June 2, 1778, note 2. 2 See JCC, 11:570

Henry Laurens to Casimir Pulaski

Dear General, 9th June 1778 Inclosed I have the honor of transmitting a Letter which I lately received for you from France. I likewise inclose a Petition lately preferred by John Griffith to Congress in which he Sets forth cruel treatment which he received from some of the Officers of your Legion at Lancaster.(1) This man will wait on you in two or three days. I have given him assurances of obtaining ample redress through your Love of Justice & determination to preserve good order in the Corps, especially in the article of Money which was taken from him. Permit me to add, Sir, that the affray at Stokes's has given much

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umbrage. If the Officers of the Legion indulge themselves in such irregular sallies as these which have been complained of, the Corps will soon fall into disrepute, I am confident Sir you will take the necessary measures for laying them under proper restraints for the future. Your Letter of the 1st Inst. I had the honour of presenting to Congress the 4th when it was committed to the Board of War for consideration.(2) I am with great regard LB (ScHi). 1 John Griffith's petition is not in JCC, and his case is not mentioned in the journals. For a discussion of some other problems that Pulaski's independent corps was creating for Congress at this time, see Laurens to William Atlee, May 29, 1778, note 2. 2 Pulaski's letter to Laurens, which is dated "Baltimore the Ist May-' but which according to Secretary Charles Thomson's endorsement "shd be June," is in PCC, item 164, fols. 9-10. In this letter Pulaski asked Congress to grant commissions to a number of officers he had appointed to serve in his corps, requested additional funds to cover the cost of raising this unit, and insisted that Congress insert in his commission the date he entered Continental service. No report by the Board of War on Pulaski's letter has been found.

Henry Laurens to Meshech Weare

Honorable Sir. York Town 9th June 1778 On the 27th May by Messenger Brailsford I transmitted you an Act of Congress Recommending an exemption from Militia service [for] Deserters & Prisoners from the British Army & Navy.(1) I still remain without any of your favors & althogether ignorant whether any of my Letters & the Acts of Congress which accompanied them for upwards of seven Months past have reached your hands. The Present is intended to forward an Act of Congress of the 8th Inst laying a General Embargo on the exportation of divers articles of Provision from these states for a limited term. The reasons which preface the Act are so cogent as leaves no room to doubt that each State will carry the Act into immediate effect. I remain with great Respect, Sir, Your obedient humble servant Henry Laurens, President of Congress. [P.S.] You will likewise receive herewith two other Acts of Congress. I of the 27 May for an establishment of the Army, 1 of 2d Inst for subsistence Money in lieu of Rations to the Militia,(2) & another of the 4th recommending a suspension or Repeal of Acts of Assembly for regulating prices. RC (Nh-Ar).

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1 See Laurens to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., May 27, 1778, note 3. 2 This resolve was actually approved on June 6. JCC, 11:573. James Lovell to Horatio Gates Dear General York Town June 9th. 1778 Here we are still the Sport of Lyars. One Day we are told the Enemy are filling their Ditches and preparing to leave Philada., en Ami; in the next we are informed of new Works & fresh arrived Troops. For my own Part, I think they will aim to give us a Drubbing on one Quarter or another. We have therefore laid an Embargo on all Provisions both with a View to our own Supply and the Enemy's Distres; (1) and we shall urge the States to instant Exertions for the compleat Number of Levies.(2) I did not expect Johnston wd. have come over with the Commissioners. I think he will return with a Load of Chagrin. However, we have told Lord Howe that when the King of Gr. Br. is seriously disposed to put an End to this unprovoked & cruel War we will readily negotiate Peace on Terms consistent with the Honour of Independent States, the Interest of our Constituents and the Faith of Alliances. This answer must be under Consideration of the Commissioners Carlisle, Johnstone & Eden now here in America. I have seen a Bulletin particulaire in which you are said to have made Advances towards Peace by your Letter, which is therein published, to Ld. Thanet. And tho' Mr. Bingham mentions the French are allarmed; net the Hand Bill does you the Credit to say that you have eased the Pride of England by making the first Overture, but you have wisely done it sans compromettre Les Colonies.(3) I supsect you will get a Letter from Johnstone or Earle Thanet thro' him. I wish you may get some hearty Lads from the Eastward if it is only to make an handsome Feu dejoye upon a Peace. Little will be lost in such a Case: But much is to be gained, if War is the View of Britain. You must not think me negligent as to using a Pen, tho' your Favour has lain long by me unacknowledged, for I assure you, I have almost continually been writing since I had the Pleasure of seeing you. This kind of Apology I have made lest your next Favour should have something of "Asperity" mixt with it. I wish you may be properly purblind to the Peccadillos of your Friends till this one Campaign more is over. And then we will settle who is jealous, fretfull, misled, waspish &c. and we will be sure not to condemn ourselves but as Swift says about Hell we will conclude upon Paris or Rome and think ourselves happy that all's well at Home.

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I wish you and yours Health & every Happiness, being your affectionate, humble Servant, James Lovell RC (NHi). 1 On June 8, Congress had ordered an embargo on provisions, to be in effect from June 10 to November 15, 1778, unless Congress revoked it sooner. JCC, 11:578. 2 Congress approved the draft of a circular letter on state levies on June 10. JCC, 11 :583. 3 Gates' undated letter to the earl of Thanet, appealing to Britain to recognize American independence, was printed in the April 29, 1778, issue of the Pennsylvania Evening Post, which also contained a report of the duke of Richmond's unsuccessful effort to have the House of Lords take this proposal into consideration.

Thomas McKean to Nathanael Greene

Sir, York-Town June 9th. 1778. I just now received your favour of the 3d instant, and am not a little surprized that the Sheriff of Northampton county should have permitted Colo. Robert L. Hooper, after he was arrested by virtue of my Precept, to wait upon you until he had appeared before me.(1) You say, Sir, "Colo. Hooper waited upon me to communicate his situation, & to know if the circumstances of the army would admit of his absence, but as the army is just upon the wing, and part of it will in all probability march through his district, I could not without great necessity consent to his being absent, as there is no other person that can give the necessary aid upon this occasion." I do not think, Sir, that the absence, sickness or even death of Mr. Hooper could be attended with such a consequence, that no other person could be found who could give the necessary aid upon this occasion; but what attracts my attention most is your observation, that you cannot without great necessity consent to his being absent. As to that, Sir, I shall not ask your consent, nor that of any person in or out of the army, whether my Precept shall be obeyed or not in Pennsylvania. The warrant for the arresting Mr. Hooper being special, no other magistrate can take cognizance thereof but myself. The mode you propose of giving bail cannot be adopted for many reasons. I should be very sorry to find, that the execution of criminal law should impede the operations of the army in any instance, but should be more so to find the latter impede the former. I am, Sir, with great respect, Your most obedient humble servant, M:K. FC (PHi). 1 Gen. Nathanael Greene's June 3 letter to McKean, which had been directed to the latter in his capacity as chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court,

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was an attempt to deflect the court away from Robert L. Hooper, Jr., a deputy quartermaster general who had been in trouble with the state of Pennsylvania since mid-1777. According to Greene, "Colo Robert L. Hooper of North Hampton County, one of my Deputies in the QMG's department informs me, he has lately been served with a warrant from under Your hand, charging him with having libeled the Magistrates of this State in a Letter to Gouverneur Morris Esqr. and directing the Sheriff to bring him before you at York Town." McKean Papers, PHi . State officials Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant and John Arndt had accused Hooper of misusing government funds and property, refusing to take the state oath of allegiance, and encouraging other residents of Northampton County to refuse to subscribe to the oath, but the charges went unsubstantiated because of Hooper's intimidation of the two men. Hooper had written to Gouverneur Morris in the aftermath of a violent episode in which Hooper had severely beaten one of his accusers, Attorney General Sergeant, and threatened the other, Justice of the Peace Arndt, both of whom were also members of the Pennsylvania Council of Safety. As President Thomas Wharton complained to McKean on February 15, 1778: "An incident at Reading some days past disturbs me. Mr. Sergeant being there, as Attorney General at the Quarter Sessions, was assaulted and beaten by Robert Lettis Hooper, Esquire, on account of some information the former gave in the late Council of Safety of this State." Wharton continued: "It happened that Mr. Sergeant left Town without finishing this affidavit. Another, drawn for Mr. Arndt, of Northampton, was left in the same state. When Mr. Arndt was traveling homewards he was threatened & insulted by Hooper, & threats were also liberally made openly by him, against Mr. Sergeant. I was told that if he went to the Decemr Court in Easton he would be threshed. This however, did not happen. That Mr. Hooper by these menaces intended to prevent Evidence being collected I will not say, but that they had such a tendency is obvious." Pa.Archives, 1st ser. 6:266-67. Relations between state and Continental officials were exacerbated after Hooper wrote an intemperate letter to Gouverneur Morris, whom Hooper believed would be sympathetic to him because of an ongoing conflict between Morris and the Pennsylvania authorities over the state price control law. Morris apparently showed the letter at army headquarters, where he was serving as a member of the Committee at Camp. When Joseph Reed, a staunch Pennsylvania supporter and also a member of the Committee at Camp, saw the letter, he probably reported Hooper's written attack on the state council to McKean, who then issued a writ for Hooper's arrest. Despite McKean's desire to have him tried, Hooper was probably not brought to trial. Hooper, however, did write the following apology on August 31, 1778, to Pennsylvania Vice President George Byran. "I cannot deny to you, honourable Sir, that I have a very great contempt for Mr. Sarjent and Mr. Arndt, as private Gentlemen. They have made several attempts to ruin my reputation as an Officer in the service of the States, and have induced the honourable Council to exhibit charges against me which Mr. Sarjent & Mr. Arndt could not support. This drew me into a personal Quarrell with them, but on my honour, Sir, I don't recollect, that at the time of these disputes I ever reflected on Council, but it is true, that very soon after a dispute which happened between Mr. Sarjent and me, and whilest I was warm with resentment against him, I wrote a Letter to the Hon'ble Governeur Morris, the particular Expressions in which Letter I don't well remember, but believe, from information, that they were generally ungentlemanly and indeasent. I hope, Sir, you will believe, and that the honourable Council will believe, that I have long had a great personal regard for the late worthy President and you, and that I have ever had reason to esteem those Gentlemen in Council with whom I have the honour to be acquainted as worthy Citizens and that I am sorry to find that the expressions in that Letter may be construed to

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extend to you or them. I hope you will believe that they were not my deliberate sentiments, and that I am incapable of treating so respectable a Body with the least disrespect. "I should not have taken the liberty to trouble your honour with this Letter if you was a stranger to my general character, which I am happy to say is the reverse of what has been represented to Council-permitt me then to request you will be pleased to assure Council that I never meant to reflect on their honour's honourable body. It is extremely disagreeable to me to know that they think I have, and as (since I entered into a parole agreement with Mr. Arndt, in June, 1777,) I have assisted the Magistrates in executing the laws of the State. I mean to continue so to do, and hope by a steady, firm and just behaviour to all men to take off the prejudices conceived against my General conduct as a Citizen & an officer in the service of the United States, and finally to merit the esteem of Council." Pa. Archives, 2nd ser. 3:236-37. When Joseph Reed later became President of Pennsylvania, he renewed his attack on Hooper in a lengthy April 15, 1779, memorial to Congress which led to subsequent efforts to court-martial him. In December 1779 a committee of Congress recommended charges against Hooper, but he apparently escaped a judicial test of his public actions when his position as deputy quartermaster general was abolished in a July 15, 1780, reorganization of the army commissary system. See JCC, 12:l245-46, 13:453-54; John M. Coleman, Thomas McKean, Forgotten Leader of the Revolution (Rockaway, N.J.: American Faculty Press, 1975), pp. 225-26; Robert L. Brunhouse, The Counter-Revolution in Pennsylvania, 1776-1790 (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical Commission, 1942), pp. 47-49; Max M. Mintz, Gouverneur Morris and the American Revolution (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1970), pp. 95-96; Charles Henry Hart, "Colonel Robert Lettis Hooper," PMHB 36 (January 1912): 60-91; Greene, Papers (Showman), 2:331n.2, 424 25, 429 30; Daniel Roberdeau to Thomas Wharton, January 16, note 2 and February 17, 1778, note 2; Henry Laurens' Notes of Debates, March 26, note 1;

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Thomas McKean to Sarah McKean

My dear Sally, York-Town. June 9th. 1778. Your favour of the 6th instant I received by Sam and am glad to hear you are well. As I expect to hear from the President of the Delaware State every day, & expect some money from thence; and as the boys are not equipped for their journey, I have thought it best to stay here a few days longer. When you are ready and the boys put in order for school, you will be so good as to send Sam immediately for me. It will be as convenient for us to go by the place where the boys are to stay, in our way to Newcastle county, as any rout we could take. I have tried to get you a maid, but in vain; I offered 20/ a week, but the Jades won't leave Town. Do get one for the time we shall stay in Paxton, let the price be what it may. In a very few days I expect Philada. will be evacuated by the Enemy, and on that event I must push there, and take a house, while rents are low. Lord Howe & General Clinton have at last found out the way of writing to Congress. We had a letter from each, directed to Henry

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Laurens Esquire President of Congress at York-Town, on Saturday morning; they let Congress know that they have it in command from His Majesty to lay their Acts of Parliament before Congress, and to communicate them to the Commander in chief of their Armies &c. Congress referred them to their determination on the 22d of April last, and let them know whenever their King is seriously disposed to put an end to the present unprovoked & cruel war, Congress will be ready to conclude a peace upon terms honorable to Independant Nations, and beneficial for their Constituents &c. As the answer will probably be received to day in Philadelphia I do not think they will stay three days longer. You have by Sam 1 Paper pins £ 0.15.0 2 doz shirt buttons @ 3/9 0. 0. 7.6 5 skenes of white thread @ 2/6 0.12.6 8 & 1/2 yards striped hollands @ 30/ 12.15.0 £14.10.0 No good Bohea tea at present, but shall get some soon. Coffee at Baltimore for 7/ and 6/6 a pound. There is a French ship, of 52 guns and 450 men, arrived in Virginia, with a cargo which cost one hundred & thirty five thousand pounds sterling on board. All is landed safe at Williamsburg, and many other arrivals to the Eastward. Give my love to the children, kiss Sall for me; I suppose she will walk and talk by the time I get home. Remember me to Miss Nelly Reed & Sammy Sterrett. Adieu. Your most affectionate, Tho M:Kean RC (PHi).

Gouverneur Morris to George Washington

Dear Genl. York Town 9th June 1778 I have sent to your Address three Bundles containing the several Materials collected by the Committee for arrang. the army.(1) This Business being now put under your Care I trust you will be enabled speedily to put your Army in the Situation you wish excepting always the Deficiency of Numbers which is upon the whole well enough since thereby it happens that less of the Resources of the Country are consumed and this is certainly a War of Resources. The Opinion of Congress relative to Phila. you have doubtless ere this received.(2) Mine did not arise from any Pleasure I take in the Distresses of my Fellow Creatures, still less from that horrid Love of Proscriptions which however dictated certainly disgraces human

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Nature. Simply I wished that our Enemies should be mulcted before they were received into our Bosom and that we might thereby possess ourselves of the Sinews of War.(3) Should there be still other Desiderata as to the Army which indeed I well know there are pray let me hear of them in a Letter to which I shall call the attention of the House who have now entangled themselves in such an Infinity of Matter that some Management is really necessary to lead them to the most serious and important Objects. The Committee had written to Govr. Clinton for his Assistance in Arranging the Regts not with you.(4) So much as I received in Answer to that Application you will find among the Bundles.(5) Whatever may come to Hand regarding Gansevoort's Regt. I shall do myself the Honor to transmit immediately. I am called away. Should Mrs. Washington be still in Camp which I confess is rather unlikely pray present my Respects to her. I have the Honor to be Dr General, Yours sincerely, Gouvr Morris RC (DLC). 1 See JCC, 11:570. 2 See JCC, 11:571. 3 See Morris to Washington, May 27, 1778. 4 See Committee at Camp to George Clinton, March 16, 1778. 5 See Governor Clinton's May 14 letter to Morris in Clinton, Papers (Hastings), 3:308-10.

Joseph Reed to Nathanael Greene

Dr. General Mr Henrys, June 9, 1778 By a Resolve of Congress the General, Mr. Dana & myself are appointed a Committee to arrange the Army & I have postponed my Return Home in Consequence. I suppose you will have some Direction to quarter us, but as you are pretty thick at Moore Hall I will relieve you from the Incumbrance of self & Servant for the present by remaining at Mr. Henry's. But in this Case I must beg you to send over some Oats or other Grain for my Horses as we are very destitute.(1) Your Compliance will oblige, Dr. Sir, Your Affect. & Obed, Hbble Serv, Jos. Reed RC (NHi). 1 On June 13 Reed wrote the following brief letter, from "Major Henry's," to commissary general of forage Clement Biddle on the same subject. "As I am detained here by being a Member of the Committee of Arrangement I must beg you would send by my servant some Grain for my Horses none being to be obtained on this Side the Schuykill. I wrote a day or two ago to Genl. Green on this Head not recollecting that I should have applied to you-but none being then in Camp I had only his Promise to supply me as soon as it arrived." American Manuscripts, MH-H.

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Joseph Reed to Esther Reed

My dear Hetty Mr. Henry's June 9. 1778 I got down here the Day after I left you & found a Number of Philadelphians hovering round the Camp in sure & certain Hope of soon entering the City-in which they have been much disappointed. There appeared on Friday every Reason to believe the Town would be evacuated in a few Hours, but that Evening the Commissioners arrivd, viz. Ld. Carlisle, Govr. Johnston & Mr. Eden-when an immediate Stop was put to all farther Embarkation, a great deal of Baggage was brought back & some Goods relanded. In short Appearances are now as much for their Stay as they were against it last Week. There has been no formal Annunciation as yet of the Arrival of the Commissioners but it is expected hourly. Most of those who have been mischievously active against us are going with them, but many of the Country Refugees have come out to sue for Grace & among them my Friend Lusely. Even Mr Galloway has made an Attempt for Favour, but Genl. Clinton would not permit him to go on with it, so that he is now going off with them, if they should go. On Saturday under the Protection of a Flag I went down as low as Vandering's to see what Mrs. Yard had done but found nothing. Jacob Baker has gone in to day & I have sent a Message by him to her. Mr. Pettit does not seem so well recovered as I had expected, his Hands are very much broke out, he sets out for York Town tomorrow both as a journey of Health & Business. The Army strengthens very fast & both Officers & Men make a much more reputable Appearance than they did formerly. There is the utmost Appearance of Harmony & that all Faction & Opposition of every kind has ceased. Mrs. Washington & the other Ladies except Mrs. Knox have left Camp. The Commissioners say positively that there is no French War & I am inclined to believe it. Many Persons are very sanguine that the Enemy must evacuate Philadelphia after having sent their Baggage &c. off but I doubt that Event is not so near as they wish but when the Operations of War will be & how soon the Campaign will open I am much at a Loss to determine. This Morning the current Opinion is that they will do what they should have done last Year, go up the North River & cut off our Communication with the New England States, but I do not see how they can leave this Army behind them with any Reputation, or what Success in that Quarter could ballance the Discredit of leaving Philada. & giving up the middle States. I came over from Camp on Sunday Evening with the full Intention of setting out early in the Morning for Fleming Town, when I received a Message from the General that I was appointed one of a Committee to arrange the Army with him & that the other Gentleman might be hourly expected. The next Morning I received a Copy of the Resolve & as it is a Business of much Importance & admitting of no

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Delay I concluded to stay rather than have it wait for me. I do not know how long it may take us but I should think it cannot exceed a Week-when I shall immediately return to you. By that Time some certain Judgment may be formed of the Enemy's Intentions of leaving Town on which my Journy to York Town will depend. I could wish to hear from my dear Hetty in the mean Time in which Case you will direct to me under Cover to Mr. Cox & Mr. Pettit in their publick Characters, so that it will be opened if they should happen to be absent. I have given you all the News & would have sent you a Lancaster Paper if I had one-tho I do not recollect that there is any Thing of Consequence in it. I am with Love to the Children & your Mamma, my dear Girls, ever faithful & affectionate, J Reed [P.S.] You will find in some part of the Desk in your Room some Papers wrappd in a News Paper, viz. the Establishment of the Army & others relating to the same Subject. I should be glad you would forward them by some safe Oppy-if none presents soon let them be sent to Mr. Furman to be forwarded with all Expedition. June 11 1778. I wrote the above & waited for an Oppy. to forward it which I have not met with. The other Gentleman is not yet arrived so that I am idling away my Time here. The Commissioners have formally announced their Arrival in a Letter directed to the General with all his Titles. The Congress too have all their Titles. Sr. Harry Clinton requested a safe Conduct for Dr. Ferguson Secretary to the Commission to go to Congress which has been refused. Nothing new from Philada. since I wrote the above. I am my dear Hetty's Affect. J Reed RC (NHi).

Le Fier Roderique

[June 10, 1778](1) Your Committee to whom were referred the Letter from Caron de Beau Marchais to the Committee of Commerce dated at Paris the twenty third of March last and the Letter from Chevallie to Congress dated at Hampton the 28th of May last beg Leave to report. That having considered the said Letters it is their Opinion that the Mistery in which the Transactions of the House of Roderigo Hortalez & Co. hath been hitherto involved cannot be fully cleared

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up at present and that it would be more prudent to wait the Arrival of Mr. Deane or at least of Mr. Carmichael who being more acquainted with those Affairs may throw Light upon them useful to Congress or those whom they may employ to investigate it. Your Committee are the more inclined to this from the Consideration 1. That the Continent being (upon every Principle) already much indebted to Monsr. Beau Marchais should the present Cargoe appear to be the Property of these States a proper Deduction from his Account may hereafter be made. & 2. That the Contracts entered into with his Agent Monsr. Franci will be amply sufficient for that Purpose should the Debt of these States not be so great as is above supposed.(2) Wherefore your Committee are of Opinion that without entering into an Inquiry where there is not suflicient Evidence to attain to any fixed Conclusion it will be proper to consider the Cargoe of the Ship Le Fier Roderique as the Property of the said Monsr. Beau Marchais And to purchase from his Agents such Articles as may be necessary for the Use of these States. In order to determine what Price may be given for such Articles your Committee beg Leave to observe that the Returns of the said Cargoe being to be made in Tobacco it will be necessary to estimate the same accordingly. That the Average Price of this Article formerly was about four Dollars per Ct. and at present about twelve, being three times the former Price. That if upon £100 Stg. in Commodities £100 be allowed for Charges, Freight, Insurance or Risque and Profit then calculating Dollars as high as five Shillings Sterling will be 800 Dollars which formerly would have purchased 20,000 Ibs of Tobacco and that Tobacco will now sell for 2,400 Dollars Wherefore there should be allowed from this State 2,400 Dollars for every £100 Stg. of Commodities. On the other Hand if he be allowed £300 Stg. per Ct. on the outward and the same on the homeward bound Voyage amounting to 900 Stg. or 20,000 Livres being the Price of 10,000 Ibs of Tobacco in France then Tobacco being here estimated at 12 DD the same would amount to 1200 Dollars on every £100 Stg. But further as it is the Interest of these States to state the Price of Tobacco low it may be proper to contract for it to be delivered at the Rate of 10 Dollars per Ct. in which Case the amount according to the above Calculations would be 1000 and 2000 DD per £100 Stg. Wherefore taking a Medium of 1500 may on the whole appear proper to limit the Price not to exceed the Rate 1500 D. or £450 Virginia Currency per 100 Stg. to be paid in Tobacco at a Price not less than 10 Dollars or £5 Of the same Currency. Your Committee further observe that in order to avoid all Competition between Purchasers it will be proper that as the Governour of Virginia is in Treaty for the Cargoe to apply to him to purchase

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for the united States such of the Articles as may be necessary for them under the Restrictions above mentioned. And your Committee beg Leave further to observe that the said Monsr. Beau Marchais having by his Agent offered to Congress a Contract in the Alternative either to pay in France for the Goods he shall transmit with all Costs and Charges, Freight, Insurance, Interest, Commissions &ca. or that he shall transmit the same at his Risque to be paid for in America at the current Price. And Congress having chosen the former have thereby in the Opinion of your Committee exposed themselves to great Fraud and also to the Loss of the Goods which will not probably be transported with such Care when at the Risque of these united States as when on the Account of the Individual shipping them. Besides as it is probable that Goods will become much plentier by an open Commerce with France they will probably come much cheaper purchased here than in Europe. Wherefore they conceive it would be proper to alter the Contract with Monsr. Franci if he shall incline thereto. All the above disagreed.(3) The Committee &c Report the following Resolutions (4) Whereas by the Letter (5) of Monsr. Beaumarchais it appears that (6) the Cargoe of the Ship Le Fier Rodrique is to be offered to Congress to be by them purchased or such Part thereof as they may think proper in Preference of all others: And whereas his Excellency Patrick Henry Esq Governor of Virginia is in treaty therefor with Monsr. Chevallie the Consignee of the said Cargoe (7) Resolved that Govr. Henry be requested to purchase [for] the united States the Articles contained in the List hereto annexed being part of the Cargo of the French Ship Lefier Roderiques (8) as cheap as he can not exceeding the Price following to wit £450 Virginia Money for every £100 Stg. to be paid in Tobacco at ten Dollars per Ct. And that a Letter be written to his Excellency explaining the Principles of such Limitation. Agd.(9) Resolved that the Commercial Committee be directed to confer with Monsr. Franci and if he shall incline thereto to alter the Cont[rac]t made with him on the Part of Monsr. Beau Marchais and these S[tates] so far as to adopt the Offer of the said Monsr. Beaumarchais to transport the Articles oft ordered by Congress to the Continent at his own Risque to be paid for here at the Price of such Articles when they shall arrive. List of Articles Boulets ronde de divers Calibres 33, 24, 16, 12, 8. Leaden Bullets of different Sizes Bas de Soie assortie de Laine ) aussi assortie Mens Silk and Woollen Stockings

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Burreta de Laine Woollen Caps. Boucles The different Kinds of Buckles Boutons Pour Habits complets de Msr les Officiers & Pour Uniform Buttons for Officers Habillement des Soldats and Soldiers Boutons de Manches Sleeve Buttons Cadix [... ] pour doublures Red Cadiz for the d'Habits uniformes Rouge Lining of Uniforms Chemise Garnies Fines et com- mune Coarse and fine Shirts Couvertes de Laine Fines et communes Woollen Blankets Chapeaux communes pour Soldats Soldiers Hats Draps Fins pour Habits Clothes fine for Officers Ditto d' Officers Ditto communs pour coarse for soldiers & light Do for Soldats Do Legers pour Soldats Soldiers Ecritoire de Cuivre Brass Ink Stands Flanelles de Laine Blanche White Flannell Fil assorti Sewing Thread Guetres pour Soldats Toiles Linnen spatterdashes for Soldiers Habits uniformes complets pour soldats Soldiers Cloathing ready made. Mouchoire de Soie de chollet & Facon de Beam An assortment of Handkerchiefs Poudre de Guerre Gun Powder Poignets de Chemise Wristbands for shirts Pierre a Fusils Pistolets &c Flints Sergettes pour Doublures habits d'officiers Ecarlatte, Bleu Ciel, Serget of different Colors Vertes, Brune et a la Piece viz Scarlett, sky blue, Brown & aussi pour [.... ] blanche White for Linings MS (DNA: RG 76, Beaumarchais Claims File). In the hand of Gouverneur Morris, with amendments by Henry Laurens. President Laurens undoubtedly made his amendments when this report was considered by Congress on June 10. 1 On June 8 Congress had appointed a committee consisting of Gouverneur Morris, John Banister, and Francis Dana to consider a March 23 letter to the Committee of Commerce from "Messrs. Beaumarchais & Co." and a May 28 letter from a certain "Mr. Chevallie," the supercargo of Beamarchais' ship Le Fier Roderique. Although neither of these letters is in PCC, a March 23 letter from Beaumarchais to Congress, describing his commercial dealings with Arthur Lee and Silas Deane, is in Beaumarchais, Correspondance (Morton and Spinelli),

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4:91-94. The report Morris drafted on behalf of the committee was taken up in Congress on June 10, at which time the delegates approved a considerably abbreviated version of it, which merely requested Gov. Patrick Henry of Virginia to purchase certain parts of the cargo of Le Fier Roderique at a price proposed by Morris in his report. See JCC, 11:576, 584. It seems virtually certain that Congress rejected or postponed consideration of the rest of Morris' report because of a reluctance to become further entangled at this time in the vexing question of whether it was obligated to pay for the military supplies Beaumarchais had shipped to the United States. 2 See JCC, 10:316-18. 3 Last four words added by Laurens. 4 Laurens added these words in place of Morris' original statement: "Your Committee on the whole Matter submit the following Resolutions." 5 Laurens inserted the last two words in place of "the Orders." 6 Last three words added by Laurens. 7 Laurens wrote "PPd [postponed]" between the lines above "Cargoe." 8 Last eleven words added by Laurens. 9 Word written by Laurens. See also Laurens to Patrick Henry, June 13, 1778.

Henry Laurens to the States

Sir 10 June 1778 (1) Authentic intelligence received by Congress from many quarters leave it no longer doubtful in what manner the Enemy mean to conduct their plan of Conciliation. Under delusive appearances of pacific Acts and Peace-making Commissioners, already their Military Reinforcements begin to arrive, and already they have commenced the Campaign in many places with Acts of cruelty and devastation. Indian irruptions and burning houses, in the moment of dispersing propositions for Peace, evince the insidious designs of the Enemy and demonstrate the necessity of wisdom in Council; of strength and vigour in the field. The former may be employed to distress the Enemy greatly, by withholding from them the provisions of America, and the latter by quickly collecting powerful Armies to take advantage of their present weakness.(2) The present moment unimproved may be productive of most pernicious consequences, and the public safety demands strong and united efforts. Experience hath shewn that the Marine force of our Enemies enables them to secure, for the support of their Armies, almost the whole of our exported provisions, and therefore Congress, impressed with the necessity of preventing the supplies derived to our foes from this source, and desirous of supplying the Armies of the United States, have, upon mature deliberation, laid an Embargo on provisions of all kinds, and they earnestly request the vigorous exercise of the powers of your State to carry into effectual execution this most necessary measure.

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The urgent necessity for the provisions with which your State is to furnish the Army, induces Congress to press upon you, Sir, immediate and constant attention to this important business, and the present absence of the Enemy's ships from the Bay of Chesapeak may be improved by seizing the opportunity of water conveyance to the Head of Elk.(3) LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). Endorsed: "Circular to the several States in Union including Delaware all forw[ar]d[e]d." It is significant that this letter appears in Laurens' presidential letterbook immediately after his June 14 letter to John Sullivan, for which see note 3 below. 1 This letter is based upon a draft that reflects the work of two committees of Congress. The first, which was appointed on June 3 to consider a May 27 letter from Commissary General Jeremiah Wadsworth dealing with his difficulties in procuring beef, submitted reports calling for the suspension or repeal of state laws regulating prices and for the imposition of a six-month embargo on provisions that were approved by Congress on June 4 and 8 respectively. See JCC, 11:563, 569-70, 572, 578-79; and Laurens to William Livingston, June 5, 1778, note 2. Although Congress resolved on the eighth that "it be earnestly recommended to the respective states, to take the most effective measures for carrying . . . [the embargo] into immediate execution," the task of embodying this recommendation in a circular letter to the states fell to another committee, which was appointed the following day to consider a June 3 letter from Gen. Horatio Gates, recently reappointed to the northern military department. It was this second committee that drafted the present circular letter, which won congressional approval this day, and that addressed itself not only to Gates' concerns but also to the first committee-s call for an embargo. See JCC, 11:579, 582-84; and PCC, item 154, 1:374-406. 2 At this point in the LB, Laurens inexplicably omitted a paragraph which, upon instruction from Congress, he was supposed to send to every state except North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia: "In duty, therefore, to their constituents, Congress earnestly call upon you, sir, and your State, to adopt the most effectual and vigorous measures for speedily reinforcing the continental army with your quota of troops." JCC, 11:583. An examination of some of the RC's of this letter reveals that Laurens was inconsistent in carrying out this order. For example, he left this paragraph out of the letter he sent to Pres. Caesar Rodney of Delaware but put it in the one he sent to Gov. Richard Caswell of North Carolina. See American Manuscripts, MH-H, and N.C. State Records, 13:156-58. This paragraph also does not appear in the copy of this letter in Laurens' private letterbook. Laurens Papers, ScHi. 3 Although Laurens was instructed to include the foregoing paragraph only in the letters he sent to the governors of Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, he inadvertently left it out of his letter to North Carolina, an oversight he corrected on June 14 when he wrote a brief covering letter to Governor Caswell enclosing a copy of the omitted paragraph. PCC, item 13, 1:367. As the document note makes clear, the marginal note that Laurens wrote next to this paragraph in his presidential letterbook-"this Paragraph to the Governors of Maryland, Virginia & North Carolina"-could not have been written before June 14.

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Marine Committee to the Commissioners at Paris

Marine Committee, York in Penna. Honorable Gentn June 10th 1778. There is wanted for A fifty Six Gun Ship now building at Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire, Twenty eight 24 pounders Cannon & Twenty eight 18 Pounders which we request you will order to be shipped for that Port or the Port of Boston by the first Opportunity. Should the Continental Frigates Boston and Providence be in France when this gets to hand they may take in those Cannon and in that case you will please to ship an equal number of each Size sufficient to Ballast Said Frigates, as we shall have occasion for more than will be wanted for the 56 Gun ship. We request your attention to this business and are Honorable Gentn, with great respect, Your very Obedt servants,(1) Richard Henry Lee. C. M. RC (PPAmP). In the hand of John Brown and signed by Chairman Lee. Endorsed by John Adams: "Letter Marine Comtee. June 10, 1778. for 28. 24-Pounders and 28. 18s." 1 The Marine Committee Letter Book contains the following postscript: P.S, We request you will order our ships of war to sail in company as it is the practice of the enemy so to do." Paullin, Marine Committee Letters, 1:255-56.

John Wentworth to John Langdon

Dear Sir, York Town Penna. June 10. 1778. I should have done myself the honor to have informed you of our arrival and of some other matters before this, but my worthy colleague on closing a letter a few days since acquainted me that he addressed it to you-and had given you such information respecting the ship and other affairs as he thought necessary.(1) I therefore hoped to be excused if I delayed writing for a short space. I trust the alteration in the vessel can by no means disconcert any plan of your's. How far it may benefit, or injure the public, I am incapable of Judging. The enemy at Philadelphia for three weeks past have been doing and undoing-one day extremely busy in fortifying and the next in demolishing-in short their manoeuvres are so various as to render it utterly impossible to guess what measures they mean finally to pursue. From every circumstance however their intention to evacuate the City is beyond doubt; how long that step may be retarded by the late arrival of Commissioners from England is altogether uncertain. The Commissioners have directed their General to apply to General Washington to obtain a passport for a Dr Ferguson, Secretary to

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their King's Commission, to wait on Congress. General Washington has submitted the matter, which is not yet determined upon.(2) I hardly think Congress will have the honor of seeing those gentlemen Commissioners very soon, unless they comply with measures which from the present conduct of the enemy we have little reason to expect. They have come out for the pretended purpose of settling the dispute to the mutual advantage of both parties and their army have very lately commenced another campaign with marks of cruelty peculiar to themselves. The barbarities committed on the defenceless inhabitants of the frontiers of this State and of Virginia by the savage Tories and a few of the British troops are almost incredible; means are now devising to put a stop to such tragical proceedings. I do not recollect any thing further worth communicating, but as any matters of that kind shall turn up you will doubtless have them from one or the other of us. I pursued my plan relative to the small pox and had the disorder very favorable. We had an agreeable journey enough for the times, though we were considerably hardshipped in passing through Connecticut being often pushed to find provender for our horses or entertainment for ourselves-occasioned partly by the multiplicity of travellers, but principally by the wisdom of partial regulations, that State you know having come fully into the mode of restricting prices. Before that happened I imagine a traveller must have met with most excellent fare; for we could scarcely ride a mile without reaching the sign of a sign. So powerful were the operations of the Act that nothing but the posts were left standing. I am too well acquainted with your generosity to attempt an apology for troubling you with the letter to Mrs Wentworth (3) and should she forward to your hands a letter for me, I must presume on your kindness so much further as to desire you to cover it in a line. I am Sir, with great esteem your much obliged and obt very hble servt, John Wentworth Jr Tr (DLC). 1 See Josiah Bartlett to John Langdon, June 1,1778. 2 For further information on the arrival of the British peace commissioners, see Joseph Reed to Esther Reed, June 9, 1778. Belatedly learning that the British army was preparing to evacuate Philadelphia, the commissioners hastily tried to communicate with Congress by using their secretary, Dr. Adam Ferguson, as a messenger, But General Washington refused to grant Ferguson a passport to York and sent the commissioners' request to Congress, which on June 17 approved Washington's handling of Ferguson's passport application, although the commissioners' dispatches had already reached Congress under a flag of truce on June 13. See Committee of Congress Proposed Report, June 11, 1778; and Weldon Brown, Empire or Independence: A Study in the Failure of Reconciliation (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1941), pp. 260-65. 3 Not found.

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to Charles Carroll, Sr.

Dr Papa, 11th June 1778 Mr. Stevenson going to Baltimore gives me an opportunity of informing you of the arrival of the British Commissioners Ld. Carlile, Governor Johnstone & Wm. Eden. They have demanded of Gen. Washington a pass for their Secretary a Mr Ferguson to come to Congress. The General refused the request untill the pleasure was known whether they would receive the Secretary. A committee of Congress is appointed to report on this matter. I believe Congress will not receive any message or officer from the Commissioners unless they withdraw their troops or acknowlege our Independance, at least I think they can not pursue a different conduct without being inconsistent. You have Ld. Abington's protest inclosed. My love to Molly & Mrs. Darnall & the little ones. I am, yr affectionate Son, Ch. Carroll of Carrollton RC (MdHi).

Committee of Congress Proposed Report

[June 11, 1778] The Committee to whom was referred General Washingtons letter of the 9th instant with its inclosure, beg leave to report as their opinion that Mr. President do transmit the following answer to the Generals letter.(1) Sir, York the 11th of June 1778 Your letter of the 9th instant with its inclosure from Sr. Henry Clinton notifying the arrival of Commissioners from Great Britain and desiring a passport for Doctor Ferguson has been laid before Congress. I am instructed to inform you that it is the direction of Congress you should acquaint Sr. Henry Clinton, that in letters of the sixth of this month to himself and Lord Howe, Congress have expressed their sentiments of the only admissible principles upon which they can attend to propositions for peace. If the Commissioners from the King of Great Britain, who best know their own powers, shall upon due consideration of them, be satisfied that they are adequate to the purpose of making peace upon the principles contained in the said letters, and thereupon request a Passport for Doctor Ferguson, you are at liberty to grant it. I have the honor to be &c.

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MS (ScHi). In the hand of Richard Henry Lee. 1 Washington's June 9 letter to Henry Laurens, and the copies he enclosed of Sir Henry Clinton's request for a passport for Adam Ferguson (to transmit a letter from the Carlisle peace commissioners to Congress) and of Washington's reply to Clinton (refusing the passport and explaining that the Tequest was being referred to Congress), are in PCC, item 152, 6:87-93, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:38-39. On June 11 Congress referred these letters to a committee composed of Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and Henry Marchant. The committee submitted a report on the 12th, which was then considered and postponed, and Congress had resumed debating this issue on the 13th when Washington's express arrived with a packet from the Carlisle commissioners that had been sent by Dr. Ferguson to Washington's headquarters. JCC, 11:585, 593, 6054. It is probable that this proposed report was the one read in Congress on June 12. Writing to William Heath and to Philip Schuyler on the morning of the 12th, Henry Laurens predicted that the decision on a passport for Ferguson would involve a demand to know his intended business, which was not explicitly required in this proposed report. But Laurens' comments do suggest that the question of granting a passport to Ferguson had not been decided without debate. And the fact that this report and Lee's proposed resolution on Dr. Ferguson are located among the Henry Laurens papers further supports the conjecture that both proposals were considered in Congress on the 12th. However, comments by Josiah Bartlett and by Samuel Adams on the 13th suggest that Congress was about to refuse a passport and order Washington to transmit the commissioners' letter by his own express when an express arrived at midday June 13 with the commissioner's packet, thus making the passport question moot. Nevertheless, once the proper response to the peace commissioners' letter had been determined, Congress on June 17 unanimously approved the conduct of Washington in refusing a passport to Dr. Ferguson. See JCC, 11:616; letters of June 12 from Josiah Bartlett to Nathaniel Folsom, and from Henry Laurens to William Heath, and to Philip Schuyler; Richard Henry Lee's Proposed Resolution, June 12; and Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778. For a discussion of Congress' response to the British peace commissioners, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778, note 3,

Francis Dana to George Washington

Dear Sir York June 11th 1778 I had the honor last evening of your favor of the 9th inst. requesting me to repair to camp to assist in the business of arranging the army as soon as possible.(1) Although I am impressed with the necessity of that business being finished without delay, yet I cannot in duty to the State I represent quit Congress till the Confederation is ratified, which I hope will be done in a few days. In the mean time the arrangement may go on as Genl. Reed (2) will doubtless be at hand to assist you. He has paid a particular attention to the battalions of this State; those of Maryland, on account of: their distance from your camp, the committee cou'd make no enquiry about, those also may be arranged without any assistance from me, and indeed I know nothing about either of them. Those to which I paid a particular attention were the battalions of New Hampshire, Massachusetts,

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Rhode Island, Jersey and Virginia; the last of which may be settled by conferring with the General Officers of that line, whose recommendation we followed. I will get the necessary papers from Mr. Morris and forward them to you. With the hope of taking some labour from off your hands, I should have been happy to have given my immediate attendance in camp. I trust by the time you, with the assistance of Genl. Reed, may have gone through the battalions of this State, Maryland and Virginia, to have the pleasure of affording you in this business all the assistance in my power. I am Dr. Sir, with much respect & esteem, your most obedt. & obliged hble Servant, Fra Dana [P.S.] Should Mrs. Washington be with you, you will be pleased to make my most respectful complements acceptable to her. RC (DLC). 1 On June 4 Congress had appointed Dana to the committee on arrangement of the army, and on June 9, after receiving a copy of this resolve, Washington had written to Dana urging him to come to camp "as soon as possible." See JCC, 11:570; and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:38. 2 Joseph Reed, who was already at army headquarters, had also been appointed to the committee on arrangement of the army. See JCC, 11:570; and Reed to Esther Reed, June 9, 1778.

Henry Laurens to Richard Caswell

P.S. private. 11 th June 1778 Your Excellency will find inclosed several Copies of Lord Abingdon's Speech & Protest in the British House of Lords upon the Acts of Parliament for Removing all doubts concerning Taxation &c. These as I endeavor to do all Papers proper for public information I shall disperse as extensively as possible. I shall add Copies of a late correspondence between Lord Howe, Sir H. Clinton, General Washington & Congress. Last Night late I received a Letter from General Washington. Sir H. Clinton had requested a Passport for Doct Ferguson Secretary to the Commissioners to attend Congress. General Washington demur'd until he should inform Congress-this will be subject of our consideration at 10 oClock. Doctor Ferguson was tutor to Lord Chesterfield at Geneva, where a Young Gentleman with whom I correspond in Camp knew him intimately-he says "the Doctor is known in the litterary World & whose profound knowledge makes him very respectable.''(1) "Preparations for abandoning the City still continue, the Enemy pretend 'tis impossible for them to continue there much longer, they are not to March through the Jerseys but on the Jersy side down the

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Delaware & embark at some convenient place." Very serious, pretty trifling-when they are gone, I will beleive them. I shall not be surprized if they March down & in one Weeks time return with all their Ships & a reinforcement-several Transports with 800 Troops are arrived at New York & more are daily expected. HL. RC (Nc-Ar). This is a special postscript Laurens added to the text of the June 10 circular letter to the states that was sent to Governor Caswell. 1 In this and the following paragraph Laurens is quoting from a June 9 letter written by his son John. Simms, Laurens Army Correspondence, pp. 181-83.

Henry Laurens to John Laurens

My Dear Son, 11th June 1778 I thank you much for your favor of the 9th.1 Your Sentiments are great & as I think they are just, these intelligences help me forward. Congress will send an answer & I trust, a proper answer to Sir Henry Clinton's application for a passport for your old acquaintance Doctor Ferguson. If you were here in this Room I could entertain you five minutes with description of an excellent attempt in favor of pivot which was not only ousted but brought on a proposition which, as a Man of honor he must have wished for, as a Man of politeness he must have wished for it, because all the World wished for it.(2) Your antagonists I find have not yet turned their backs, the more motions they make the more I suspect them. When they shall be fairly gone I will sing te deum, but 'till then my duty & my Interest dictate infidelity & command me to be watchful. The long continuance of repeated accounts marking their intended embarkation has injured our Cause more than you are aware of. Adieu. LB (ScHi). 1 See Simms, Laurens Army Correspondence, pp. 181-83. 2 Laurens is alluding to the call for an investigation of former quartermaster general Thomas Mifflin that Congress approved this day. JCC, 11:591-92. In previous correspondence with his son, Laurens had used the term pivot to designate Mifflin's role in the so-called Conway Cabal. That John Laurens understood the use of it in the present letter as a reference to Mifflin is indicated by this statement in his June 14 reply: "The inquiry into the conduct of the late quarter masters, must give pleasure to every man who wishes to see the betrayers of public trusts brought to condign punishment." See Simms, Laurens Army Correspondence, p. 185; and Laurens to John Laurens, January 8, 1778, note 6.

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Henry Laurens to George Washington

Sir, York Town 11 th June 1778. Late last Night I was honored with Your Excellency's favor of the 9th accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton's application for a passport for Doctor Ferguson & Your Excellency's reply-these I presented to Congress this Morning, & 'tis probable I shall receive from the House the necessary Commands to morrow. In the mean time I am ordered to transmit to Your Excellency an Act of Congress of the present date, directing an enquiry to be made into the conduct of the late Quarter Master general & other Officers in that department, which will be found within the present Inclosure.(1) I have the honor to be, With the greatest Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your Excellency's Most obedient servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress. RC (DLC). 1 The original motion on this issue offered in Congress this day called upon Washington to investigate the conduct of former quartermaster general Thomas Mifflin and his subordinates and provided that "if it shall appear that the extraordinary deficiencies thereof, and the consequent distresses of the army, were chargeable to the misconduct of the said quarter master general or any of the said officers that a court martial be forthwith held on the delinquents." Congress rejected the motion in this form by a vote of seven states to three with one divided, but then approved a slightly amended version of it, omitting the word forthwith, without a roll call vote. See JCC, 11:591-92. Congress' call for this inquiry nevertheless produced meager results, for Washington was too busy to conduct the investigation called for, and Congress refused to accede to Mifflin's request that it conduct one of its own. Consequently, Mifflin resigned from the army in August 1778 and began a newspaper campaign designed to force Congress to set up a special committee of inquiry. Although Mifflin's appeals to public opinion eventually led Congress on January 23, 1779, to renew its request to Washington to investigate the former quartermaster general, Washington demurred on the grounds that Mifflin was no longer a member of the army, and there the matter ended. For an account of this episode which concludes that Mifflin was guilty of no irregularities during his two terms as quartermaster general, from August 1775 to June 1776 and from September 1776 to November 1777, see Kenneth R. Rossman, Thomas Mifflin and the Politics of the American Revolution (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1952), chap. 12.

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Joseph Reed to Esther Reed

Qr. Master Generals Office My dear Hetty June 11, 1778, 2 oClock Upon coming over to Head Quarters this Morning I found two large Packets from England containing a very long Letter from your Brother, (1) one from Govr. Johnston (2) & several for you & your Mamma, the latter I now forward as I would do his to me but I have just received it & am anxious to forward yours to you which I do by Express. I have also some News Papers, Letters, Papers &c. all in the same Style of Penitence & Hope that we may again unite & be a happy People. Denny goes very far in his Letter. I have perused it but once & it is so long that I cannot read it again without detaining the Messenger which I do not care to do. But I beg you not to be so taken with what I send you as to forget to look for the Papers mentioned in my other Letter. I do not know when I shall be able to see you as my Colleague is not come but I will forward you all the News Papers & Papers as soon as I have perused them. I have one Peice of bad News. Johnny is alive it is true but behaves much amiss. He is idling his Time in France in very low Company instead of going to England as I expected & I fear spending me a great deal of Money. I shall write my dear Girl every few Days & oftner if any Thing occurs worth Notice. You will do the same by me as I have mentioned in my other Letter. I am my Dear Hettys very affect. J Reed RC (NHi). 1 Dennis De Berdt (ca. 1742-1817), London merchant and the last colonial agent of the New Jersey Assembly. See Roche, Joseph Reed, pp. 18-29; and these Letters, 4:489n.2. 2 For the letters of De Berdt and former West Florida governor George Johnstone, see Reed's letters to Johnstone, June 13, note 1 (not in printed text), and to De Berdt, July 19, 1778, note 1.

Josiah Bartlett to Nathaniel Folsom

Dear Sir York Town June 12th 1778 I arrived here the 21st ulto, & was obliged to put up at Stake's Tavern for several Days before I Could procure other Lodgings, I now put up at one Hoffmans on the west Side of the Bridge quite at the west end of the Town at a German House, where I am obliged to be a German in most Respects. We have been in hopes ever Since we arrived here that we should soon get back to Philadelphia, But the accounts from thence are so various & Contradictory and the arrival of the Brittish Commisrs at that place makes the Enemys Design of Removal Somewhat Problematical. If they mean to Evacuate the place, I Expect it will soon be Effected, as Genl Washington

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has Removed our army towards the City. The latter End of May Genl Clinton & Lord Howe Sent the late famous acts of the Brittish Parliament to G. Washington and Requested leave to Send out a person to him, which He Refused & informed them that if what they had to Communicate to him was what came under the military Department, He Desired it might be Sent him in writing, but if it was of any other nature their applications ought to be made to Congress; the Begining of this month they sent the same acts in a letter Signed by Ld Howe & G Clinton Directed to the President of Congress Signifying their being authentick Copies & saying they wished they might have the Desired Effect, the Congress Directed the President to inform them that when the King of England was seriously inclined to put an end to the cruel and unprovoked war he had waged against the United States they would readily concur in all proper measures Consistent with the Rights of Independant Nations, The Interest of their Constituents & the sacred Regard they owed to Treaties. The 9th Instant Genl Clinton sent a letter to G Washington informing him of the arrival of the Earl of Carlisle, Mr Eden & Governor Johnstone the Commisrs and Requesting him to grant passports to Dr. Ferguson their Secretary to repair the next morning with letters to Congress; G. Washington refused the passports till he Recd the order of Congress on that matter, the Congress have not yet Determined on it. I believe he will not be permitted to come to Congress But G Washington ordered to Receive the letters at the line & send them to us. A French Ship of 50 Guns is arrived at Virginia with Cloathing &c &c. The Congress have not yet Ratified the Confederation, two or 3 of the States not having signified their assent, I Expect it will not be long before it will be Confirmed. The Indians & some Tories have committed Depradations on the western parts of this State & Virginia, measure are taking to Chastize them I hope Effectually.(1) Give my sincere regards to the Council of Safety & accept the Same your self from him who is your sincere friend and Humble Servant, Josiah Bartlett RC (PHi). 1 On June 11 Congress had voted to send an expedition of 3,000 men against the British outpost at Detroit "and to compel to terms of peace such of the Indian nations now in arms against these states as lie on, or contiguous to, the route betwixt Fort Pitt and Detroit." See JCC, 11:587-90; and Henry Laurens to Horatio Gates, June 12, 1778, note 3.

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Henry Laurens to Benjamin Farrar

Sir 12 June [1778] Had it been in my power your Messenger should have begun his return within an hour of his arrival but it has occasioned me some messages and applications to get him away even so early as the present. I put both the letters which you favoured me with into the hands of Colonel Pickering at present first at the Board of War, said every thing I could in favor of the good intentions of Colo. Gaillard, yourself and Mr Torquand and obtained from him a promise of writing in such terms to General Hand as will take off all Embargo upon you,(1) I know he has written by the bearer and am persuaded has fulfilled his promise to me. I wish you all prosperity and continued friendship for these states & Remain Sir &c. LB (ScHi). Addressed: "Benjamin Farrar Esqr. Red Stone." 1 For information on Farrar's efforts to move from South Carolina to West Florida with his family, see these Letters, 9:235.

Henry Laurens to Horatio Gates

Sir York Town 12 June 1778 I have lately had the honor of presenting to Congress your several favors of the 27th May Committed to the Board of War (1) & 3d Inst committed to a special Committee but have not received any particular Commands.(2) I believe the Board of War have written on the former, I can detain the Messengers no longer. With this Sir, you will receive several Copies of the intended Establishment of the Army & of an Act for extending subsistence Money to Officers of Militia, to which I add Copies of Lord Abingdon's Speech & protest & to morrow I will forward the late correspondence between Lord Howe & Sir H Clinton with Congress through General Washington. I have the honor to be, With very sincere regard & Esteem, Sir, Your obedient & Most humble servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress (P.S.] Congress yesterday Voted 932,743l/3 Dollars for carrying the Indian War into their own Country-the Commanding Officer & I beleive Officers to be appointed by Major General Gates.(3) RC (NHi). 1 General Gates' May 27 letter to Laurens, which was referred to the Board of

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War on June 2, dealt with the state of supplies in the northern department, and the need for Congress to give some sign of favor to Thomas Comay, and the appointment of William Malcom as deputy adjutant general in place of Robert Troup. See PCC, item 154, 1:332-34; and JCC, 11:560. 2 For one step Congress had already taken in response to Gates' June 3 letter to Laurens, see Laurens to the States, June 10, 1778, note1. 3 See the report on countering "the cruelties lately exercised by the savages on the frontiers of New York, Pensylvania and Virginia" in JCC, 11:587-91. For accounts of the provenance of this report, see Laurens' letters to Philip Schuyler, April 8, note 1; to David Espy and Others, May 17, note; and to Philip Schuylel, May 28, 1778, note 1. Laurens' description of this report is not entirely accurate. Although the report called for expeditions to be mounted against the British garrison at Detroit and the Senecas in northern New York, Gates was only to be in charge of the latter. Neither of these expeditions was carried out in 1778.

Henry Laurens to William Heath

Dear sir, York Town 12 June 1778 Since my last of the 26th Ulto. (Public) I have not been honoured with any of your favors nor have I at present any Commands from Congress. The Treasury I hope have replenished the public Chest in your department, & advised of the arrival of the Money which General Burgoyne was so good as to leave for us. Inclosed with this will be found Copies of the intended Establishment of the Army & of News Papers containing Lord Abindon's Speech & Protest upon the mis-called Conciliatory Acts of Parliament. The Commissioners at Philadelphia are anxious to send a Messenger & Message to Congress if I guess right at opinions. The decision this Morning will be to demand an explanation of the business, as a preliminary. The Enemy still pretend to be moving from Philadelphia; when they shall be fairly gone, I shall beleive them. I am with great Regard, Sir, Your obedient & humble servant, Henry Laurens, Private [P.S.] 932,7431/3 Dollars Voted yesterday for carrying the Indian War into their own Country. RC (MHi)

Henry Laurens to Rawlins Lowndes

Dr sir 12 June [1778] I beg leave to refer your Excellency to my Letters by Capt. Cochran under the Ist and 2d Inst. and also to my Public Addresses

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by this conveyance under the 9 and 10 Inst. This is devoted to accompany News Papers printed and M. S. and certain Scraps below. My application to business for a few days past has been extremely intense, I dare not detain the present Messenger an hour, from these considerations I rely upon your Excellency's indulgence-and I must also rely upon the Chief Justice for giving to the Public in So. Carolina the present current interresting intelligence more copiously than my time and avocations will allow me to attempt. We have advice from Mr. Bingham Esquire agent at Martinico that many, I think he says, all American Prisoners had been discharged from confinement in the English Islands-many of them had arrived at Martinico. If I were to measure the humanity of the English Governments by the practices of British Commanders and Officers here, the conclusion would infallibly be, that scarcity of provision had produced this extraordinary mark of Clemency. The Indians Northward and Westward have taken their Lesson from the Savages at Philadelphia, New-York & R Island. In the very Act of negociating for Peace they are burning, murdering and Scalping. Congress yesterday voted 932,7431/3 Dollars for raising about 3000 men for carrying the war into the Indian Country-the proper Officers in the Northern department to be appointed by General Gates. General Mclntosh will command at Fort Pitt and against Detroit if we proceed. An Enquiry is ordered by Congress into the conduct of Major General Mifflin and the Officers in his late department of Quarter Master General. There was a violent opposition of near four hours. 'Tis amazing to me, who am persuaded as a Man of honor, the General must wish for an investigation in order to satisfy the public who at present clamor exceedingly upon the subjects of neglect, mis-application, peculation &c. An enquiry will remove every groundless imputation. The last authentic advices from Philada. are of the 9th Current. The Enemy continued their preparations for removal, at that time they pretended they were to cross Delaware, march down the Eastern shore and embark at some convenient place below, now to me this appears Childish. Why hazard the crossing a river, the fatigue of a long march in the heat of Summer, the desertions which will infallibly happen, when all might be avoided by an easy and safe embarkation at the City and march in one tide 60-and if favoured by wind 160 miles-yet people swallow this and tenfold more gross propositions. Indulging a belief of their intention to leave us wholly has much injured our recruiting service. I have the honor to be LB (ScHi). 1 See Laurens to Washington, June 11, 1778, note.

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Henry Laurens to Philip Schuyler

Sir 12 June [1778] In consequence of your favors of the 17 and 29 May which I have lately had the honor of presenting to Congress, I expect to receive commands to be transmitted to you tomorrow.(1) At present I must request you, Sir, to accept this as private, and with it a few Copies of Lord Abingdon's Speech upon the pretendedly conciliatory Acts of Parliament-the intended Establishment of the Army &c. The Commissioners at Philada. are anxious to send Doctor Ferguson their Secretary with a message to Congress. If I guess right at opinions the answer will be a demand or somewhat like one, to know his intended business. I moved Congress yesterday to call for the report on the Tyconderoga affair, it will be made this morning.(2) I Am &c. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 General Schuyler's May 17 letter to Laurens, in which he announced that he had informed the Iroquois of the French alliance, and his May 29 letter, in which he relayed intelligence about Seneca hostility to the United States and discussed the possibility of another invasion of Canada, are in PCC, item 153, 3:314-5, 330-33. 2 On this day Congress read a report by William Henry Drayton specifying charges against Schuyler and Arthur St. Clair for their role in the loss of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence during the summer of 1777, and eight days later ordered Washington to convene a court-martial to determine the validity of the allegations. See JCC, 11:593 603, 628. See also Laurens to Washington, June 8, 1778, note 1.

Richard Henry Lee's Proposed Resolution

[June 12? 1778](1) Resolved that as the enemy are daily practising insidious and delusive arts to impose upon the good people of these States, that whenever a Passport shall be granted for Dr. Ferguson to come to Congress, he be attended by an escort of Light Horse under the command of an Officer of politeness, discernment, and zeal, by whose vigilance improper communications may be prevented.(2) MS (ScHi). In the hand of Richard Henry Lee. 1 Lee probably offered this proposed resolution on June 12 while Congress was considering whether to grant Dr. Adam Ferguson a passport to transmit a letter from the Carlisle peace commissioners to Congress. Lee may have written this resolve on June 11 when he was drafting a proposed report for the committee appointed that day to consider this issue, and it could have been considered in

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Congress as late as the morning of June 13, but it seems likely that the resolve was penned during the debate on the 12th. 2 On the verso of the scrap of paper on which Lee drafted this resolve are two notes written by Henry Laurens and Charles Thomson. Their content and appearance suggest that the president and secretary of Congress exchanged these notes while debate on the passport request was in progress on June 12. At the top of the document Laurens penned the query: "If Doctr, Ferguson comes here will it not follow that some conference will be had & what is the conclusion?" To which Thomson replied: "I suppose he will bring a letter sealed and if sealed he should be confined to his room & an answer to the letter sent by him or by a special messenger of Congress but no conference ought or can with propriety be held with him. "Tho from curiosity I fancy conferences will be held with him by the members possibly not to any great purpose on our side."

Francis Lewis to John Langdon

Dear Sir York Town 12 June 1778 Don Juan d Miralles a Spanish Gentleman of fortune who lately arrived at Chs. Town So. Carolina from the Havanna, had at Chs. Town procured a ship laden with near 1200 Casks of Rice to be purchased for him and sent for Cadiz.(1) Don Miralles is now in this Town & yesterday receiv'd a letter from his Agent at Chs. Town advisg that his ship was taken by a British ship of War, retaken by a privateer belonging to one of the Eastern States on this Continent. The ship is called the Nuestra Senora Del Carmen, Don Francisco Pruna Masr., sail'd from Cha. Town 27th March last, she had a Spanish Register, and cleared as from the Havanna directly for Cadiz, for a covering, in case she was examined by a British armed Vessell. As it is probable this Vessell may be brought into some of the Eastern Ports, if within your district, I must desire you would enter a claim in behalf of said Don Juan D Miralles to both Vessell & Cargo, geting the salvage adjusted agreeable to the resolves of Congress. The expences shall be thankfully repaid you by, Sir, your very Huml Servt, Fra. Lewis RC (PHi). Endorsed: "Given to me by Mrs Elwyn daughter of Governor Langdon . . . R Gilmore, 1829." 1 Don Juan de Miralles, a Cuban landowner fluent in English and French, was an agent of the Spanish government who had been appointed in December 1777 by Diego Jose Navarro, the governor general of Cuba, and directed to proceed to the seat of Congress in the guise of a merchant so that he could there gather intelligence on "the present state of the war, the principal advantages gained by each party and the respective forces, the inclination of both or either to continue the war or to abandon it, and any design prejudicial to Spain and her American possessions which they may attempt." Navarro's December 17, 1777, instructions to Miralles are in Papeles Procedentes de Cuba, Legajo 1290. Archive General de

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Indias, Seville. It should be noted that Navarro launched Miralles' mission on instructions from Jose de Galvez, the minister of the Indies in Madrid, See Galvez to Navarro, August 26. 1777, ibid. For a detailed account of Miralles' career as a Spanish agent in York and Philadelphia, see Herminio Portell-Vila, Los "Otros Extranjeros" en La Revolucion Norteamericana (Miami, Fla.: Ediciones Universal, 1978), pp. 57-92. It is worth noting that Miralles was already acquainted with a few members of Congress before his arrival in York on June 9, though only two of them are mentioned by name in his correspondence with his superiors. The first was John Mathews, with whom Miralles had become acquainted during his stay in Charleston, S.C., from January to April; and the second was Francis Lewis, whom he had met in Edenton, N.C., in May while Lewis was transacting business for the Marine Committee in that state. Miralles' subsequent reports to Navarro and Galvez contain considerable information for the study of Congress and the relations of delegates with foreign agents. In his May 13, 1778, letter to Navarro, for example, written from Edenton N.C., where he arrived on May 10, Miralles explained his introduction to Lewis as follows. "The very day I arrived in this city I had an opportunity to speak to the Honourable Francis Lewis, one of the members of Congress who is commissioned by it to make certain contracts having to do with supplying the American Army. He has been very courteous to me and has introduced me to the leading citizens of the city [Edenton] . . . and he has offered to accompany me to the site of the Congress, where he is going to take his seat. I have become acquainted with more than six members of the Congress and I hope they will make possible my friendship with all the others, which will make my life in the provinces more pleasant." And he recounted another meeting with Lewis in his May 16 dispatch to Navarro. "As soon as notice of the treaty [of alliance with France] was received in this city [Edenton] the Municipal Council planned a great banquet for all citizens on the following day, which was yesterday. To it were invited the Frenchmen most conspicuous here, employees of the merchant ships of their nation come to trade here. I was invited also and they seated me on the right hand of the master of ceremonies, the Honourable Francis Lewis. It is impossible to exaggerate the universal pleasure which this news has given the inhabitants of this city, who hope that our Court will join in the treaty. After dinner there followed thirteen toasts, each one followed by thirteen cannon shots. The sixth was for the health of Louis WI, the Most Christian King of France, and the seventh for our Catholic Monarch Sire, Don Carlos 111. It did not escape notice that they had placed in the middle those worthy sovereigns with whom they should have begun." Writing from Baltimore on June 6 to Jose de Galvez, Miralles also explained an interesting conversation he had had, while passing through Williamsburg, with Gov. Patrick Henry, "who overwhelmed me with the most courteous expressions." "They all hope for war between Spain and England," Miralles reported, "and I believe that news of it would cause as much pleasure as did the alliance of France with these united provinces. "The Governor told me of having received on the 26th of last month a report that a party of men from Virginia authorized by him and another party of Americans sent by the Congress had gone down the Ohio river to the Mississippi and had captured the settlements and forts which the English had in Nachitoches and in the Illinois and had seized a 20-gun ship and other ships loaded with indigo worth 4,000 pounds sterling. Governor Henry suggested to me the ease with which the province of Mississippi or Movila, and Panzacola, which France and Spain ceded to England, could be captured by sending the Americans who are in Nachitoches and others as well if it seemed necessary down to join the garrison of Nueva Orleans, whose Governor could command the expedition. He said that the

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province of San Augustin de la Florida could be taken by part of the troops of the provinces of South Carolina and Georgia near Florida. He gave me this plan, written by his own hand, dated the 20th of last month and signed with his two initials, P.H., and told me that he would propose it to the Congress directly. I think that his plan is easy to carry out...." Miralles' letters from Edenton and Baltimore to Navarro and Galvez are in Papeles Procedentes de Cuba, Legajo 1281. For his first report to Navarro after leaching York on June 9, see Henry Laurens to Patrick Henry, June 27, 1778, note 4. Quotations from Miralles' correspondence quoted in this work have been taken from translations provided by Aileen Moore Topping, who has recently completed collecting the voluminous reports from America of Miralles and Francisco Rendon, who succeeded the former upon his death in Philadelphia in 1780.

Oliver Wolcott to Laura Wolcott

My Dear, York Town 12 June 1778 I Wrote to you about a Week ago by Skinner, informing of you that I was then well, a Favour which is still continued to me. I wish much to hear from you or rathar to Return home to my Family which I hope I may soon do. It is said that Mr. Hosmere is probably on his way, if so I suppose Mr. Elsworth or Adams is with him. Brown I suppose will be here in a few days by whom I hope to hear from you. The Schollars I see by the Hartford Paper are called upon to attend at N Haven. I imagine this Measure is an impracticable one. While Things are in their present Situation in our State I cannot believe that the Students can be Subsisted at N Haven. But you will either Send Oliver there or not as you shall judge expedient. Whatever has lately occurred here has been communicated in my Letter to Mr. Reeve.(1) The Enemy will endeavour if possible to divide the Americans, but I believe that it will not be in their Power. Congress are united and firm not to enter into any kind of Negotiation but upon the acknowledged Principles of our Independence. This is an interesting Period. But I beleive that the same Merciful Providence which has hitherto saved us will bring the present Controversy to a happy issue. My Love to my Children and Freinds. Your's Affectionately, Oliver Wolcott RC (CtHi). 1 Wolcott's letter to Tapping Reeve has not been found.

Samuel Adams to James Warren

My dear sir, York Town June I3 1778 Since my last I have seen a List of the new Councillors & Representatives of our State. I am sorry to find that your Name is

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not in the List. I presume you declind the Choice, which I still very much disapprove of, for Reasons you have before heard me mention.(1) By the inclosd News Paper you will see that the Scene begins to open. You may depend upon it that Congress will not attend to my Propositions until Independence is acknowledgd. The Day before yesterday, we were informd by a Letter from General Washington that Sr. H. Clinton had requested a Passport for Dr Ferguson Secretary to the British Kings Commissioners who was chargd with a Letter from them to Congress; and that he had acquainted Sr Henry that he could not grant the Request till he should receive the Directions of Congress. In the Midst of a Debate on the Report of a Committee on this Subject,(2) the Letters were brought in, having been receivd by our General & forwarded.(3) This Mode of Conveyance suited the Inclination of the House, they being, as I thought, at that Juncture ready to assent to a Proposition approving of the Generals Conduct in refusing to grant a Passport to the Messenger, and expressing themselves content that he should receive the Message & send it by a Messenger of his own. The Contents of the Letter, as far as they were read, appeard extraordinary indeed & showd plainly that their Design was to draw us back to a Subjection to their King. Some Expressions in the Letter gave particular Disgust to all the Members. The House adjournd till Monday when I think I may assure you the subject will be treated with becoming Spirit and Propriety. I wish you would speak to some leading Member in the House of Representatives relating to the Resolution which was offerd concerning Dr. Lee. I have a Reason which strongly influences me to wish that such a Resolution may now pass. Justice & Policy as well as Gratitude require it. There are a few bad Men, one of whom you are not unacquainted with, who, so far from desiring that Respect should be shown to that patriotick & highly deserving Gentleman would rejoyce to see him disgrac'd. My friendly Regards to your good Lady and all Friends. Adieu. RC (MHi). In Adams' hand, though not signed. 1 In a May 31 letter to Adams, which Adams obviously had not yet received, Warren suggested that John Hancock's "party" was responsible for keeping him out of the state government. "It may not satisfy you to carry it to the Account only of the versatility and Caprice of Mankind. They have had their Effects, but they would not do alone. Envy and the Ambition of some people has aided them, and the policy or rather what you will call the Cunning of a party here, who have set up an Idol they are determined to worship with or without reason has had the greatest. They have even made use of the Tories to prevent my being Chose by my Town, who made their Appearance on this Occasion for the first Time for seven Years. The partiality of you and the rest of my friends has made me an object of great Importance with this party, and every thing is done to get me out of sight. In short the plan is to Sacrifise you and me to the Shrine of

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their Idol, I hope for the sake of the Character and Interest of our Country they wont Succeed against you." Warren-Adams Letters, 2:13-14. Significantly, John Pickering, a political ally of John Hancock, replaced Warren as speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives when the general court assembled. William Fowler, The Baron of Beacon Hill. A Biography of John Hancock (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1980), p. 229. 2 See Committee of Congress Proposed Report, June 11, 1778, note. 3 Under the cover of his June 11 letter to President Laurens, Washington had enclosed a packet of letters and documents from the earl of Carlisle, William Eden and George Johnstone, the three British peace commissioners who had arrived in Philadelphia on June 6. These included a June 9 letter to Congress from the three commissioners describing the terms on which they hoped to negotiate a reconciliation and asking for a meeting with Congress "either collectively or by deputation"; a copy of their commission from the king; and texts of the three conciliatory acts recently passed by Parliament. See Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:46; and Davies, Documents of the American Revolution, 15:135-37. The RC of the commissioners' June 9 letter is in the Peter Force Collection, DLC, as are a number of other original documents pertaining to their mission. At first Congress was uncertain how to respond to the British overture. President Laurens began reading the commissioners' letter to the delegates on the same day it was received, but when he came to an insulting reference to the French alliance-"the insidious interposition of a power which has from the first settlement of these colonies been actuated with enmity to us both"-he was interrupted by Gouverneur Morris, who moved that no further action be taken on the letter "because of the offensive language against his most Christian majesty." After extended debate on this motion, however, Congress rejected it on June 16 and proceeded to read the letter from the commissioners as well as their royal commission and the three acts of Parliament. It then appointed a committee consisting of Samuel Adams, William Henry Drayton, Richard Henry Lee, Gouverneur Morris, and John Witherspoon to consider these documents. Lee and Witherspoon both produced draft replies to the commissioners, but the one Congress approved on June 17 for transmission as a presidential letter was the work of Morris and reiterated Congress' position that peace negotiations were impossible unless the British agreed to recognize American independence or withdrew their army and navy from the United States. See JCC, 11:605-6, 608-11, 614-15; Lee's and Witherspoon's Draft Letters to the Carlisle Commissioners, June 16; Laurens to the Carlisle Commissioners, June 17; and

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Drayton and Morris also replied unofficially to the commissioners in lengthy pseudonymous letters that originally appeared in the June 20 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette and that are printed in this volume under the dates June 17 and June 20 respectively.

Henry Laurens to Horatio Gates

Sir York Town 13th June 1778 I had the honor of writing to you Yesterday by Messenger Boldon. Within the present Inclosure you will receive an Act of Congress for repelling hostilities of the unfriendly Indians by carrying the War into their Towns & granting for that purpose 932,743 1/3 Dollars. The News Paper Inclosed will shew you a late correspondence between Philadelphia & Congress.(1)

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Congress will some time to day determine on a proper answer to Sir H. Clinton's late attempt to obtain a Passport for Doctor Ferguson Secretary to the Commissioners to attend them at York Town without previously announcing the subject of his errand.* I have the honor to be, With great Regard & Esteem, Sir, Your obedient & Most humble servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress [P.S.] This Messenger (2) having been long detained stands in need of Money. I have supplyed him with Sixty Dollars, please to inform the proper Officer. *While Congress were this Morning in debate on this subject a large Packet from Head Quarters was ushered into the House & delivered to me. I suggested that this, holding up the Packet, might prove an attempt to mend the whole, & so it happened. Doctor Ferguson had proceeded with a Flag to Radnor but finding he could not obtain a Passport left his dispatches which were under a superb direction & triple Seals, the device of the latter, a fond Mother embracing returning Children, both, no doubt, projected for the occasion-here honour & duty bid me stop. Congress having heard me read two Pages of the Commissioners address gave me direction to seal up the whole & adjourned to Monday Morning. I have a confidence in Congress that their future determination on this important subject will give the People satisfaction & do themselves honor on both sides the Atlantic. Governor Johnson is liberal in addresses to particular persons, under his single signature, among others he has honoured me with a Letter much too polite to be sincere-he has sent me Letters from my old & best freinds in London all tending to the same point to wheedle us into resubjection, but if I do not misinterpret the intimations of one, a Man of as good sense as any in G Britain, & high in Esteem with the first Men on both sides at Court, these same Commissioners now are, or very soon will be, possessed of such Powers as will be acceptable at the Court House of York Town. You will be pleased Sir to receive this P.S. as the private respects of Your obliged & obedient servant, Henry Laurens [P.S.] Lord Carlisle & Comp the Commissioners, adventured the 10th Inst under an escort of Light Troops to take an airing as far as German Town. I am in hopes if they repeat this frolic, which is certainly calculated for shewing themselves to the people, they will be introduced to an audience under an Escort of our own. RC (NHi), 1 This day's issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette contained Laurens' recent correspondence with Lord Howe and Sir Henry Clinton on the subject of the Carlisle

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peace commission, for which see William Henry Drayton's Draft Letter to Lord Howe, June 6, 1778, note 1. 2 Identified by Laurens in the presidential letterbook copy of this letter as "Simon Crugier," the messenger who apparently was also to carry Laurens' June 14 letter to Gen. John Sullivan. PCC, item 13, 1:366, 368.

Henry Laurens to Patrick Henry

Sir 13th June [1778] I had the honor of writing to you 'the 9th by Barry.(1) In the Act for laying an Embargo then transmitted, there should have been an addition of a clause which I apprehend was omitted, and therefore I trouble Your Excellency with a Copy inclosed and beg leave to refer to it.(2) Your Excellency will also find inclosed two other Acts of Congress viz. 10th June Requesting Your Excellency to purchase under a limitation certain articles for the use of these United States from on board the French ship Le feir Roderique.(3) And I am ordered to intimate to Your Excellency to take the opinion of persons properly skilled, respecting the prime cost and a comparative quality of the Goods, particularly that of shoes. Ilth June for raising troops to repel the hostilities of Indians by carrying the War into their Countries and for granting 932,743I/3 Dollars for that purpose.(4) I have the honor to be &c. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 See Laurens to Richard Caswell, June 9, 1778, note 6. 2 Laurens also enclosed a text of the omitted clause of the June 8 embargo resolve with a brief covering letter he wrote this day to Gov. Thomas Johnson of Maryland. Red Books, MdAA. The clause Laurens sent to Henry and Johnson has not been identified. See JCC, 11:578-79. 3 Governor Henry's July 4 response to Laurens on the subject of this congressional request is in Henry, Patrick Henry, 3:178-79. 4 Congress agreed to postpone this expedition on July 25 after reading Governor Henry's pessimistic assessment of it in his July 8 reply to Laurens' letter. See Laurens to David Espy and Others, May 17, 1778, note.

Henry Laurens to John Laurens

My Dear Son 13 June [1778] I thank you for your very sensible Letter of the 11th which came with the General's dispatches at past 1 o'clock just as Congress were about to adjourn.(1) How came those important papers to travel so very tardily?

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Congress I think determined properly to reflect a little, and I have no doubt but that on Monday their Resolutions will be equally proper. I must in the course of duty send a special Messenger to His Excellency the General tomorrow Morning, by him I shall write again, probably he will be with you before this. This is chiefly intended to recommend to your Civilities Mons. Du Cambray and Captain Cottineau, both these Gentlemen I believe have Letters of introduction to General Washington. If a certain Gentleman(2) should again venture to Germantown I wish he may be personally introduced at your Head Quarters by an Escort of Our Light Horse. He relies much upon the Letters which he has brought to private persons, many of which will not be so frankly and openly transmitted as those to you and me. I have no doubt of his circulating such by means of a few people now in Philada. among whom in my private opinion Mr. Thos. Willing is the most dangerous. There is a connection from that Quarter which I hold to be dangerous because not enough suspected. I Am &c.(3) LB (ScHi). 1 John Laurens' June 11 letter to his father is in Simms, Laurens Army Correspondence, pp. 183-85. 2 George Johnstone. 3 This day Laurens also wrote a brief letter to Col. Leonard Marbury of Georgia, acknowledging "the favor of your Letter of the 7th Inst. together with Sundry dispatches from Georgia which have been presented to Congress." Laurens Papers, ScHi. Marbury's letter has not been found, but for a list of the documents from Georgia that he transmitted to Congress, see JCC, 11:622, which indicates that they were not presented to Congress until June 19. See also Laurens to John Houstoun, June 22, 1778.

James Lovell to Abigail Adams

June 13th. 1778 York Town Amiable tho unjust Portia! doubly unjust!-to yourself, and to me. Must I only write to you in the Language of Gazettes, enumerating, on the Part of Britain, Acts of Deceit, Insolence and Cruelty; or, on the part of America, Instances of Patience under repeated Losses, Fortitude under uncommon Hardships, and Humanity under the grossest Provocations to Revenge? Must I suppress Opinion, Sentiment and just Encomium upon the Gracefullness of a lovely suffering Wife or Mother? It seems I must or be taxed as a Flatterer. Immured for many Months in a Prison, and, upon escape from thence, confined in a narrow Circle, with He-Creatures, drudging, plodding Politicians, for an equally tedious Period of Time, I did not suspect that my Pen could now run in such a Stile of social In-

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tercourse as to provoke a delicate Judge among the Polishers of the Manners of our Race to call me Adulator. After having called you unjust, I will not set so light by my Decission as to venture to make, to you, any Remarks upon the remaining Parts of your Letter now before me, whether original or quoted. I will content myself, as I have done for a Month back, with secret Admiration. Mr. Thaxter sending a Course of printed Papers,(1) it becomes unnecessary for me at this Time to try my Hand at paragraph Writing. But I cannot omit to say that I hardly conceive it possible that your Information of the Capture of the Boston can be good, as neither the Fishkill nor Pokipsie Gazettes mention it; and their Publishers are more in the Way than you to know what is the News in the City of New York. I do not mention this to cheat you with false Hope; for, be assured, I think you qualified to hear bad News. And I will prove that this is not Flattery; for I will give you whatever comes to my Knowledge in Regard to my worthy Friend, your dearest, be it good or bad. And I will continue to esteem you for many good Qualities, though you make your Slips now and then by calling Names and misconstruing the honest Sentiments of Your sincere humble Servant, James Lovell RC (MHi). Adams, Family Correspondence (Butterfield), 3:43-44. 1 In his June 13 letter to Abigail, which is in the Adams Papers, MHi, John Thaxter inclosed copies of some Pennsylvania newspapers, probably including a copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette of June 13 containing documents relative to the Carlisle commission.

Massachusetts Delegates to Massachusetts Council

Sir York Town June 13th. 1778. The Intelligence which Congress has very lately received of the Enemies repeated Depredations in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations gave Occasion to the passing of the inclosed Resolution:(1) But, such has been the Attention of the Massachusetts Bay to the Safety of all these united States as renders it needless for us to enlarge upon the Necessity of their turning an immediate Attention to the Relief of one in their own Neighbourhood which now bears a large Share in the Calamities of War. We request that you would lay the Resolution before the General Assembly as an Apology for this Letter. For, supposing them to have before this Time been made fully acquainted with the Circumstances of Rhode Island, we will not doubt but that they are taking such vigorous Measures in Consequence as to supersede all Necessity for the Resolve which furnishes this particular Occasion of our professing ourselves with much Respect, Sir, Your very humble Servants,

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Samuel Adams Fra Dana E Gerry James Lovell RC (M-Ar). Written by Lovell and signed by Lovell, Adams, Dana, and Gerry. 1 Earlier this day Congress had directed the delegates from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to write to their respective states urging them to raise troops for the planned Rhode Island expedition commanded by Gen. John Sullivan. See JCC, 11:605; and Henry Laurens to John Sullivan, June 14, 1778.

Henry Laurens to George Johnstone

Dear Sir, York-Town June 14. 1778.(1) Yesterday I was honoured with your favour of the 10th,(2) and thank you for the transmission of those from my dear and worthy friends Mr. Oswald and Mr. Manning.(3) Had Doctor Ferguson been the bearer of these papers, I should have shewn that Gentleman every degree of respect and attention, that times and circumstances admit of. It is, Sir, for Great-Britain to determine whether her Commissioners shall return unheard by the Representatives of these United States, or revive a friendship with the Citizens at large, and remain among us as long as they please. You are undoubtedly acquainted with the only terms upon which Congress can treat for accomplishing this good end; terms from which, although writing in a private character, I may venture to assert, with great assurance, they never will recede, even admitting the continuance of hostile attempts, and that, from the rage of war, the good people of these States shall be driven to commence a treaty westward of yonder Mountains. And permit me to add, Sir, as my humble opinion, the true interest of Great Britain, in the present advance of the Contest, will be found in confirming our Independence. Congress in no hour have been haughty, but to suppose that their minds are less firm in the present, than they were, when, destitute of all foreign aid, even without expectation of an alliance, when, upon a day of general public fasting and humiliation, in their House of Worship and in the presence of God, they Resolved, "to hold no conference or Treaty with any Commissioners on the part of GreatBritain, unless they shall, as preliminary thereto, either withdraw their Fleets and Armies, or, in positive and express terms, acknowledge the Independence of these States," would be irrational.(4) At a proper time, Sir, I shall think myself highly honoured, by a personal attention, and by contributing to render every part of these States agreeable to you; but until the basis of mutual confidence shall be established, I believe, Sir, neither former private friendship,

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nor any other consideration, can influence Congress to consent that even Governor Johnstone, a Gentleman who has been so deservedly esteemed in America, shall see the Country. I have but one voice, and that shall be against it. But let me intreat you, my Dear Sir, do not hence conclude that I am deficient in affection to my old Friends, through whose kindness I have obtained the honour of the present correspondence, or that I am not with very great personal respect and esteem, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant, Henry Laurens Reprinted from Pennsylvania Gazette, June 20, 1778. Addressed: "The Hon. George Johnstone, Esq Philadelphia." Laurens sent a copy of this letter to Washington on June 18 that is virtually identical to the text printed here. See Laurens to Washington, June 18, 1778. 1 Laurens originally planned to send a private reply to Johnstone's June 10 letter, but because corresponding with the enemy was treasonable under Pennsylvania law and considered impolitic by many delegates, he decided instead to allow William Henry Drayton to arrange for publication of his letter in the Pennsylvania Gazette. See Laurens to John Laurens, and Thomas McKean to Ceasar Rodney, June 17, 1778. 2 Johnstone's June 10 letter to Laurens, which was also printed in the June 20 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette, reads as follows. "I beg to transfer to my friend Dr. Ferguson, the private civilities which my friends Mr. Manning and Mr. Oswald request in my behalf. He is a man of the utmost probity, and of the highest esteem in the Republic of Letters. "If you should follow the example of Britain in the hour of her insolence, and send us back without a hearing, I shall hope, from private friendship, that I may be permitted to see the country, and the worthy characters she has exhibited to the world, upon making the request in any way you may point out." 3 William Manning's April 11 and Richard Oswald's April 12, 1778, letters to Laurens are in the Laurens Papers, ScHi. Manning, was a London banker and the father-in-law of John Laurens; Oswald, an old acquaintance of Laurens', was a Scottish merchant living in London who later served as one of the British negotiators of the Treaty of Paris. See David D. Wallace, The Life of Henry Laurens (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1915), pp. 50, 126, 464-65. 4 For the April 22, 1778, resolve quoted here by Laurens, see JCC, 10:379.

Henry Laurens to John Sullivan

Sir 14 June [1778] I have been honoured with your several favors of the 26th and 31st May which were duly presented to Congress, the commands which I have received thereon are contained in the inclosed Resolve of the 13th to which I beg leave to refer.(1) I have sent to the Delegates of the three States mentioned in the Resolve to hasten their dispatches, and have not to add, but assurances of being, With great Regard & Esteem &c.(2) LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 General Sullivan's May 26 and 31 letters to Laurens, which were read in

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Congress on June 8 and 11, described recent British depredations in Rhode Island and the deficiency of arms among Rhode Island troops. See PCC, item 160, fols. 125-30; JCC, 11:576, 585; and Sullivan, Papers (Hammond), 2:57-59, 62-63. In consequence of these letters Congress resolved on June 13 to request the delegates of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire to urge their states to send reinforcements to Rhode Island. See JCC, 11:605. 2 Laurens noted in his private letterbook that this day he also sent Sullivan "on a quarter of a sheet the current news and a newspaper." Laurens Papers, ScHi. This "sheet" has not been found.

Henry Laurens to George Washington

Sir, York Town 14th June 1778 My last to Your Excellency went by Davis, dated the 11th. Between one & two oClock yesterday the Packet which Your Excellency sent to Congress accompanied by Your Excellency's favor of the 11th was brought into the House, among other Papers it contained an Address from the British Commissioners to Congress, at that minute Congress were determining on a proper reply to be given to Sir H Clinton's application for a Passport for Doctor Ferguson, I was ordered to read the Address, when I had advanced to the second Page, the House directed me to Seal up all the Papers & adjourned to Monday Morning. Your Excellency will be pleased to receive within the present Inclosure an Act of Congress of the 9th Inst. for adjusting Rations due to Officers in the Army-& also an Act for Repelling the attempts of hostile Indians & granting 932,7431/3 Dollars for that service.(1) Congress have ordered a Brevet to Major Mullins to Rank as Lieutt. Colonel the 11th Inst. And a Commission of Lt. Colonel the 1 3th to Monsr Du Cambray to be annexed to the Corps of Engineers.(2) I have the honor to be, With the highest Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your Excellency's Most Obedt. servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress. RC (DLC). 1See JCC, 11 :581-82, 587-91. 2 See JC C, I 1: 586, 604-5.

Joseph Reed to Robert Morris

Dear Sir Mr Nixon's Sunday Afternoon June 14, 1778]. I think the common Forms of Civility & Politeness require that I should answer Governor Johnstones Letter-but as such Correspon-

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dence is of a delicate Nature & liable to Misrepresentation I did not chuse to forward my Letter untill I had submitted it to better Judgment than my own, & have therefore taken the Liberty to leave it for your Perusal, that if there are any improper Sentiments I may revise it.1 My Boy will call for it in the Morning. I have also left the Governour's Letter as the Complimts. contained made it disagreeable to me to read it entire the other Day. I am with due Regard, Sir, Your Obed. Hbble Serv. Jos. Reed RC (DLC). 1 Reed had enclosed for Morris' "Perusal" his draft of a letter to George Johnstone written in response to Johnstone's April 11, 1778, letter to him. For the text of these two documents, see Reed to Johnstone, June 15, 1778. The following day Reed also sent a copy of this draft under cover of a similar letter to George Washington, soliciting the general's advice on the propriety of his reply to Johnstone. Reed's letter to Washington has not survived, but for Washington's June 15 reply to Reed, see Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:59.

to Charles Carroll, Sr.

Dear Papa, 15th P.M. June 1778. I have yours of the 10th. It gives me pleasure to hear Molly is well; my love to her & her Mama. I wrote to you in my last to send Sam off with my horses, so as to be here before the 20th instant imagining Chase would be here before that day; but he writes me he shall not be here before the 23d. I would not have Sam come before the 23d as it will be difficult to procure Stable room for my horses. If Sam should set off from Doohoragen the 23d he will be here time enough; Pray do not forget to send me £100 by Sam. The Commissioners Ld. Carlile, Willm. Eden, & Govr. Johnstone have written a letter to his Excellency Hen. Laurens Esqr. & the other members of Congress. Had they offered such terms before the Declaration of Independance, they would have restored peace & tranquility to the British Empire, but being short of Independance are now inadmissible. I believe we shall return an answer to morrow; it will be in the spirit of our Resolves of the 23d [i.e. 22d] April. They must either withdraw their fleets & armies, or acknowledge our Independance, otherwise we shall not treat with them. This is our ultimatum: and a good one upon every principle of justice, Policy & Interest. The Enemy still hold Pha. and perhaps, notwithstanding appearances to the contrary, they may continue to hold it until they are driven from thence by the superiority of our arms, which will not happen so soon as I could wish.

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When do you think of going to the Springs? Let me know this in your next. Wishing you health I remain, yr. affectionate Son, Ch. Carroll of Carrollton P.S. The Commissioners' letter will be published in next Saturday York Gazette. I shall send it you by the first opportunity. RC (MdHi).

Robert Morris to Joseph Reed

Dear Sir At Mr. Nixon's, June 15th 1778 I admit that a Correspondence between People in Public Stations on opposite sides of this unhappy Contest is delicate in its Nature & liable to misrepresentation, therefore I shall carefully remember the propriety of those Sentiments you have offered to Governor Johnstone in the letter you have submitted to my inspection for that purpose.(1) Persons who think so justly & express themselves so Elegantly as Mr. Reed, have little occasion for other Mens judgement on their performances & I have neither the Vanity to think myself deserving of the Compliment you are pleased to pay, nor presumption to think of amending what you have done. Indeed I am certain the Governor must approve and Your Country applaud Your Sentiments. I am Dear Sir, Your Obedt Hble Servt, Robt Morris RC (NHi). 1 See Reed to Morris, June 14, 1778.

New Hampshire Delegates to Meshech Weare

Hond. Sir, York Town Pennsylvania June 15th. 1778 Congress having receiv'd advice by Letters from General Sullivan of the late Ravages of the British Troops in his Department, & of his present inability to prevent the like in future should they come out with any considerable force have directed the Delegates of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay & Connecticutt to address the Legislatures of their respective States, requesting them forthwith to send forward their Quotas of Troops destined for the defence of the State of Rhode Island.(1) Tho' We think there is no reason to doubt but that the Quota of our State will be raised and Marched, before this reaches you: Yet, in Obedience to the Orders of Congress, we cannot do less than solicit your Attention to a Matter so important in its Consequences,

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that if by any means our State should be wanting in that respect, Your immediate Care might supply the Deficiency. We have only to add our hearty Wishes that this & every other Exertion of the State in defence of every thing valuable may be attended with the best Success. We are with great Esteem, Sir, your Obet very humle Servants, Josiah Bartlett John Wentworth Junr RC (MHi). Written by Wentworth and signed by Wentwort and Bartlett. 1 See Massachusetts Delegates to the Massachusetts Council, June 13, 1778, note.

Joseph Reed to George Johnstone

Sir Head Quarters June 13 [i.e. 15], 1778 I take the earliest Oppy. to acknowledge your Favour of the 30 April (1) & to thank you for your obliging Care in forwarding the Packets which accompanied it. The Partiality of my Friends in England has greatly overrated my Services & Consequence in the present Dispute;(2) I claim little other Merit beyond that of Zeal for the Interests of my Country & entertaining a very high Veneration for those illustrious Characters who have long tho unsuccessfully patronized her Rights & those of Mankind. America, Sir, has seen & admired your seasonable tho' unavailing Efforts to prevent the Dismemberment of the British Empire & place us on the great & generous Scale of equal Freedom with yourselves.(3) This must be your Consolation as it is your Glory, while the Event affords a most instructive Lesson to other Nations & Senates how to treat in future their Johnstone's & their Barry's, their Chathams & their Camden's. If it is within the Line of human Events to reconcile the People of this Country to a Submission to the Sovereignty of Brittain (4) the Ministry has in this Appointment (really honoured by Your Acceptance) shewn some Degree of Wisdom, as it may rescue them from the Imputation of repeating an insiduous Manuevre to divide, disarm, & enslave us.(5) But you will so soon receive the Sense of Congress on this important Point that any Opinion from me would be equally useless & improper. I will only say that after the unparallel'd Injuries & Insults this Country has received from the Men who now direct the Affairs of Brittain, a Negotiation under their Auspices has much to struggle with. I speak from no Authority but I can easily conceive that America would willingly exchange the Calamities of War for the Blessings of Peace & prove as faithful in Alliance as she has been great in Arms. If therefore the Resolution of Congress should be unfriendly to your present Views, if they should suppose

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that all Confidence & Affection the only Grounds of Harmony & surest Support of all Government are so erased as to leave no Hope of a happy Reunion, I cannot but Hatter myself that Men of Virtue & enlarged Views on both Sides of this great Question will endeavour to close the Scene of Blood on the only Terms now practicable & that Great Brittain will give up her visionary Schemes of Conquest & Empire for the solid Benefits she may yet derive from our Amity & Commerce. I will even hope, Sir, for your Aid in so good a Work. Should the same fatal Influences which blasted your firm salutary Counsils again frustrate your humane & generous Purpose, come to America, the future Asylum of the brave & virtuous from every Quarter of the Globe. She will think herself honoured to receive unto her Bosom so illustrous a Citizen, his Eloquence will not then be spent in vain nor his eminent Worth pass unrewarded. My Desire to make the earliest Acknowledgment of the Honour you have done me has prevented my troubling you with a few Lines for my Friends in England who are interested in the Welfare of my Family. My Brothers Letter (6) & the Politeness of yours encourages me to take this Liberty which I shall do by some early Oppy. Too many cannot present themselves to shew the very great Respect & Esteem with which I am Sir, Your Sincere Admirer & most Obed. Hbble Servt. Jos. Reed FC (DLC). In the hand of Joseph Reed and addressed: "The Honorable George Johnstone Esqr., One of the Commissioners &c. &c. &c." Now located in the Washington Papers, this copy is apparently the final draft of Reed's reply to Johnstone that Washington requested from Reed on June 15. It is virtually identical to the text of the reply to Johnstone that Reed published in a 1779 pamphlet except that therein he rendered the dateline "Camp at Valley-Forge, June 14, 1778." Joseph Reed, Remarks on Governor Johnstone's Speech in Parliament . . . (Philadelphia: Francis Bailey, 1779), pp. 13-16. The first draft of this letter, sharper in tone and much longer than the final draft, is in the Reed Papers, NHi. Major variations between the two are set forth in the notes below. Reed apparently sent copies of a slightly revised version of his first draft to Robert Morris and to Washington for their evaluation. One of these, in a clerical hand and signed by Reed, may be the copy that is in the Sol Feinstone Collection, DLC microfilm. It varies only slightly from Reed's first draft-except for the addition of a single sentence inserted in braces in the excerpt quoted in note 5 below. It is easy to imagine that Reed recopied his original draft (now in NHi), for either Morris or Washington, making slight revisions and adding a sentence in the process, and then employed a clerk to transcribe this copy for the other intended recipient. Morris suggested no revisions, but Washington clearly did, and Reed subsequently produced the text printed here for Washington's second perusal. See Reed to Robert Morris, June 14; Morris to Reed, June 15, 1778; and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:59. Whether this revision or another version was ever sent to Johnstone is open to question. In the postscript of his June 15 letter to President Laurens, Reed obviously had not yet made up his mind on how to respond, deciding at the time to send only "a bare complimentary Letter of Acknowledgment which is not worth troubling you with." And in his 1779 summary of the incident he wrote: "After reading [Johnstone's] letter, I gave it into the hands of General Washington, and

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two or three other Gentlemen at Head-Quarters, who returned it to me without any remark. In a few days after, I wrote an answer, which I communicated to Mr. Morris, one of the Delegates for Pennsylvania, then at camp, who returned it to me with a general approbation. I afterwards shewed it to General Washington, asking his friendly opinion of it, which he gave, by telling me, he thought some of the complimentary part might be spared. Upon which I abridged it, and having shewn it to the General, he approved it, and I left it at Head-Quarters to be forwarded with other letters. Whether this letter ever reached Governor Johnstone, I do not know, but I rather believe that it failed by some accident." Reed, Remarks on Governor Johnstone's Speech, pp. 12-13. 1 Actually Reed was responding to a letter from Johnstone dated April 11, 1778, the original of which is in the Peter Force Collection, DLC. His letter to Reed was one of several he had written to prominent Americans in his attempt to marshall support privately for the overtures being made simultaneously and officially by the Carlisle commissioners. "Your near & worthy relation Mr. Dennis De Berdt," Johnstone had written to Reed, "has made me happy by favoring me with a Letter to you. I had been informed by General Robertson of your great worth & Consequence in the unhappy disputes that have subsisted between Great Britain & her dependants. Your Pen & your Sword have both been used with glory & advantage in Vindicating the Rights of Mankind & of that community of which you was a Part. Such a Conduct as the first & Superior of all Human dutys must ever Command my Warmest Freindship & Veneration. "In the midst of those affecting Scenes my feeble Voice has not been wanting to stop the Evils in their Progress & to remove on a large and Liberal footing the Causes of all Jealousy That every Subject of the Empire might live Equally free & Secure in the Enjoyments of the blessings of Life Not one Part dependant on the Will of another with opposite Interests But a general Union on Terms of perfect Security & mutual Advantage. During the Contest I am free to Confess my wishes have ever been that America might so far Prevail as to oblige this Country to See their Error & to reflect & reason fairly in the Case of others, Heirs to the Same Privileges with themselves. It has pleased God in his Justice so to dispose of Events that this Kingdom is at length convinced of her folly & her Faults. A Commission under Parliamentary Authority is now Issued for Settling in a Manner Consistent with that Union of Force on which the Safety of both Parties Depend all the differences that have or can Subsist between Great Britain & America Short of a total Seperation of Interests. In this Commission I am an unworthy Associate, tho' no man can feel the desire of cementing in Peace & Freindship every member of what was called the British Empire Stronger than myself. Yet I am sensible it might have fallen to the Lot of many Persons better Qualified to Attain the End Proposed. All I can claim is Ardent Zeal & upright Intentions. And when I reflect that this negotiation must depend much more upon perfect Integrity than refinement of understanding where a Sensible magnanimous People will See their own Interest & carefully Guard their own honour in every Transaction I am more Inclined to hope from the good will I have always born them I am not altogether Unqualified for the Task. "If it be (as I hope it is) the disposition of Good Men in the Provinces to Prefer freedom in Conjuction with Great Britain to an Union with the ancient Enemy of both, If it is their generous inclination to forget recent Injurys & recall to their remembrance former Benefits I am in hopes we may Yet be greatly Happy. I am Sure the People in America will find in my Brother Commissioners & myself a fair & Chearfull Concurrence in adjusting every Point to their utmost wish not inconsistent as I said before of Interests wch. is the object of our commiss[ion]. "Nothing could Surpass the glory you have acquired in Arms except the generous Magnanimity of meeting on the Terms of Justice & Equality after demonstrating to the World that the fear of Force could have no Influence in that decision .

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"The Man who can be instrumental in bringing us all to act once more in Harmony & to unite together the Various Powers which this Contest has drawn forth will deserve more from the King & the People from Patriotism, Humanity, Friendship and all the Tender ties that are reflected by the Quarrel & reconciliation that ever was Yet bestowed on human Kind. "This Letter from Mr. De Berdt I Shall consider as an Introduction to you, which Line of communication I shall Endeavor by Every means to Improve by Publick Demonstration of respect or Private Freindship as your Answer may enable me." 2 Reads "in this unhappy Contest" in the NHi draft. 3 In the place of this sentence, Reed had written the following passage in the NHi draft: "But with these Sentiments I want your own elegant Pen & forcible Language to express how much I feel my Character enobled, & my Life dignified by the Approbation of a Man the Ornament of his own Country & the most endeared & approved Friend to this. America, Sir, has seen & felt with fervent Gratitude your early disinterested & unremitted Labours to avert the heavy Calamities which your enlightened Mind discerned & pointed out while at a distance; your seasonable tho unavailing Efforts to prevent the Dismemberment of the British Empire & place us on the great & generous Scale of equal Freedom with yourselves." 4 Reads "to a Reunion with Brittain" in the NHi draft. 5 At this point in the NHi draft Reed had written the two following long denunciatory paragraphs, which he only partially incorporated into the remainder of this paragraph in the final draft. "But whatever may be their Intentions the Day of Reconciliation & Dependance is past, & the Sovereignty of Brittain over this Country gone forever. The Voice of weeping Nature, true Policy & unspotted Honour bids us part-the inexorable Rigour with which our humble Petitions were treated, the cruel edicts which stain your parliamentary annals, the savage barbarities, Insults & outrages which have marked your military Proceedings & the merciless Treatment of our Prisoners, have so eradicated every Particle of ancient Affection & Respect, that there does not remain the smallest Point on which to raise the Superstructure of that Peace which is the Object of your Commission. A Series of Events in which he must be an Infidel indeed who does not discern the temper of him who governs all Nations, have so changed the Views and Inclinations of this Country that a Dependence on your Nation which was once our Glory, Happiness & our Pride would now be deemed our greatest Infamy, & deepest Misfortune. Our Engagements with other Nations who have generously assisted & inabled us to rise to our present Pitch of Respect & now on the Eve or most probably actually engaged in a War in which we are principals bind us by the most sacred Ties of Gratitude & Honour to support the Independance we have declared. It is a Principle of universal Extent (a few Parricides & contemptible Neutrals excepted) a Principle we are resolved to fight, bleed & die for & transmit with our expiring Breath to our Children after us. The Ground, Sir, is irrecoverably changed from Taxation to Empire & nothing remains but the hopeless Prospect of Conquest & unconditional Submission or a federal Union upon rational, fair & Independant Ground. That America would willingly exchange the Calamities of War for such a Peace & prove herself as faithful in Alliance as she has been brave in War, I think not to be questioned & that G. Brittain would derive great & essential Benefits from her Amity & Commerce appears to me equally clear. This perhaps may yet be attained under our present Engagements, if such a Disposition on her Part is manifested by an immediate withdraw of her Fleet & Armies; but how long even this Opportunity of stopping the Effusion of human Blood may continue is extremely uncertain, &, if lost by Delay, as those of Reunion have been, may never be retrieved-but the present Hostilities grow into inveterate Hatred & irreconcilable Enmity. {I flatter myself you will advocate this salutary measure

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from the sentiment that you have so politely and happily expressed that the decisions of a brave and magnanimous people ought not to be influenced by the fear of force.} I should be very undeserving of that Honour of your Attention & Friendship if I flattered you with the smallest Hope of Success in your Commission of reuniting America to the Crown of Great Brittain. I do not therefore animadvert upon the Acts of Parliament upon which your Powers must depend, nor am I curious to know their Extent; I shall only say that there appears no solid Security for those Privileges to which you have so long & ably contended as were justly intitled. All-All is to depend upon the future Fiat of a Parliament governed &- directed by a set of Men Authors of all the Calamities we have suffered &- whom I am at a Loss to determine whether they are most the Objects of our Hatred or Contempt. Pardon me if I say a Negotiation under such Auspices has much to struggle with. Every succeeding Day furnishes fresh Proofs with what frugal Caution a young & ignorant Country unskilled in the Arts of Treaty & Negotiation should bestow their Confidence: from authentick Documents received since your Arrival we find that the Proclamations of the former Commissioners are acknowledged by themselves to be as calculated to deceive S; betray. In their Proclamation of the 30th Novemb. 1776, Pardons were promised to all complying with its Terms without any Exception & yet in their Letter of the same Day & inclosing the same proclamation to Ld. George Germain there are these remarkable Words 'exceptions from his Majesty's Pardon as well as any Prolongation of the Time within which a Pardon may be obtained will be a Matter of future Consideration according to the Circumstances that may arise.' To the Man of Honor & Probity to whom I am now writing this Fact needs no Comment. And for the Safety & Interests of America it must be known to her remotest Shores. All Confidence, the only Ground of Harmony & sure Support of Government being lost, I cannot but hope Men of Virtue [&] enlarged Views on both Sides of this great Question will endeavour to close the bloody Scene on the only Terms now practicable & that Great Brittain will give up her visionary Schemes of Empire &- dependance for the solid Benefits she may yet derive from our Commerce." 6 See Reed to Dennis De Berdt, July 19, 1778.

Joseph Reed to Henry Laurens

Dear Sir Camp near the Valley Forge, June 15. 1778 Your Politeness & Attention during my short Stay at York Town have left such Impressions on my Mind that I cannot but take every Oppy to shew my very sincere Regard & Respect. And as the late Intelligence from England is both interesting & curious I have taken the Liberty to inclose you Extracts from a Letter received from a Relation there formerly Agent for one of the States, & a letter from Governor Johnstone one of the Commissioners lately arrived.(1) If they are not otherwise useful they will for a few Minutes soften & releive that intense Application to Business which adorns the Patriot, while it weakens the Man. To these I have also added a Copy of my Answer to the Governor. The Opinion I have given is so universal on the great Subject of their Commission, that I cannot suppose there is the least Danger that the Reply of Congress will set our Claim upon lower Ground. And as Politeness required an Answer, Sincerity & Candour would not allow me to flatter him. One Part of

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my Brothers Letter which seems to intimate the Admission of our Independance, if claimed by a new Congress chosen after the present Terms are propounded, appears to me to deserve particular Attention as an insidious Manoevre to distract & divide us. Your good Judgment will lead you to make such Use of it as you think best to guard against the Mischief intended-indeed any Use you please of the whole except printing them which I do not conceive myself altogether at Liberty to do. The Fact alluded to in my Letter & [evidence?] of the base Duplicity of the former Commissioners is proved by their Letter laid before the House of Lords last Session of Parliament & now printed in the parliamentary Register sent me among other Papers by Governor Johnstone. Unless it can receive some Explanation I am not capable of giving it I cannot conceive more palpable Treachery & ineffable Meanness. I cannot but congratulate you, Sir, on the respectable Appearance of our Army & their Improvement in Discipline & every soldierly Quality-On the Extinction of every Spark of Discontent & Faction against the best of Men & the Regularity with which the several Departments seem now to be conducted. To the latter I ascribe very much of the former, as the Attention & Care of the General being no longer called off from his Command to exercise the Duties of the Staff, his Time & Talents are devoted more directly to the military Duty of his Troops, the happy Consequences of which are more & more conspicious every Day. I have now been here near two Weeks (great Part of the Time waiting for Mr. Dana to complete the Business of the Arrangement of the Army) & can assure you that in the whole Time I have not heard a single Complaint of those Departments which formerly afforded so many, nor indeed of any other. I will not tax your Politeness with an Answer to this Letter, I know the Nature & Extent of your Engagements do not admit the Waste of a Moment, but I shall nevertheless do myself the Honour of communicating any Occurrencies here which are of Importance & not likely to reach you thro the publick Channel. With every Sentiment of Respect & Esteem I remain, Sir, Your very Obed. Hbble Serv. Jos. Reed P.S. As I have not Time to copy the Governours Letter I have inclosed the original which you will be so obliging as to return me under Cover when you have made what Use you please of it. Upon farther Consideration I have thought best to delay an Answer to the Governours Letter least as the great Subject is under the Consideration of Congress I might say too much or too little & have therefore only concluded to send a bare complimentary Letter of Acknowledgment which is not worth troubling you with. RC (NN) 1 See the preceding entry, note 1. For the "Letter received from a Relation

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there, formerly Agent for one of the States"-Reed's brother-in-law Dennis De Berdt-see Reed to De Berdt, July 19, 1778, note 1.

Joseph Reed to Esther Reed

My dear Hetty Mr Henry's June 15. 1778 I received your Favour of the l2h by the Express together with the Papers for which I thank you; tho I am sorry to learn that you do not recover so fast as you expected. I have had Thoughts of sending Home the Phaeton that you may ride out frequently which I fear you cannnot do at present, & which I think would do you a great deal of good, but the daily Expectation of finishing our Business & returning myself has hitherto prevented. But why do I say finishing--when we have not begun the other Gentleman not being yet arrived. I hope the next Time you write your Health & Spirits will admit a longer Letter, & let me know what Dennis says of himself as he refers me to his Letters to his Mamma & yourself for Family News. The two Letters which accompanied them 1 suppose from the Handwriting to have come from our new Relation. By the Time they must have been wrote, I suppose they were settled down solid Man and Wife & going on in the old patriarchal Style begetting Sons & Daughters. This is a Chance Oppy. being left at Moore Hall to find its Way to you & they are not the most careful there; on this Account I do not inclose your Brothers Letter which is very long & contains many Things both of a private & publick Nature which I would not have get out, but I will forward it by the very first Oppy. On which I can depend. If any offers from your Part of the Country I wish you would get him to call on me here. Or if you can get any Person to come on easy Terms, I want the Hessian Mare to sell & have the little old Horse for him to ride back, but he must remember to bring my Saddle & the blanket I formerly wore under it which lays in the Garret as the little Horse's Back is sore. Col. Lowry writes me he will pay you all possible Attention in any little Matters which from his former Kindness I cannot doubt. He writes me that my Horses are doing well but are very troublesome which I did not expect after making such an Alteration in their Condition. I would have Cyrus endeavour to raise them in Flesh & when he goes of Errands lead them together so as to use them to each other but on no Account to tamper with them in the Grass till I return. I have been disappointed in getting Cows from this Part of the Country so that we must either do with what we have or get them where we are. Ms. Yard has sent me out your Bobbin & a small Bottle of Howe's Acid to make Punch which I will send you by the same Oppy. as your Brothers Letter, but she cannot get out the other Things. I expect the Gentleman from Boston every Day by whom I sent for Lin-

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nen &c. As soon as he arrives will forward my dear Girl what he brings. The British Army would certainly have left Philad. if the Commissioners had not arrived as they did & the prevailing Opinion is that they will go yet-at present it seems a dead Calm. The Commissioners have announced their Arrival to Congress in Form but no Answer is yet received tho hourly expected. We flatter ourselves when the Answer comes they will go off & commence Operations in some other Part of the Country. I have such an Acct. from our Friend in Town as makes me hope this will be the Case. She has sent me a Message desiring me not to leave the Neighbourhood & to come in as soon as possible. None of the Vessels are yet returned but they get the Provisions from Hand to Mouth by Boats. Sam cannot be heard of. I fear he is pressed, but you will judge whether Hannah should know it. I think rather not. I am very impatient to see you & the dear Children, their diverting Prattle & Company makes them every Day more dear. I was very near buying a Poney for Joe the other Day but had Resolution enough to get over the Temptation; I do not know whether I should do as well if it fell in my Way again. Kiss them all for me & endeavour to keep up your Spirits. I would not have you a dull, moping, dejected Wife for the World. As we have our joys & Pleasures, my dear Creature we must not expect them unmixed with some Trouble & Sorrow. It is not the lot of human Nature nor the Portion Providence assigns its Creatures. Let us therefore be resigned & endeavour to be chearful as it conduces to our own Happiness & promotes that of those about us. I repeat again that I long to see you & shall rejoice to hear from you as often as you find Time & Oppy. & am my dear Love with unabated Affection, most sincerely yours, J Reed P.S. Since writing the above our Commissy. of Prisoners has come from Germantown & says Mr. Loring assured him they should leave Philad this Week, that he had embark'd such Prisoners as were not to be exchanged & would send out those that where [were], which he has done this Day. Many other Circumstances concur to make this credible. Their Route will be thro the Jersey but what Parts we can only yet conjecture. The Answer from Congress is momently expected. Ld. Carlisle with his Girl has taken Possession of the Front Part of Mr Powel's House much to Mrs. Powels Mortification I dare say. Once more my Love Adieu. RC (Nhi)

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Francis Dana's Notes

[June 16? 1778](1) The great point may be to draw us into a conference. For this purpose they offer to negotiate upon many matters beyond their powers under the Act of Parliamt. They guard these extra propositions by asking things they cannot imagine we shall grant. Our refusal therefore brings the real matters of negotiation within the Act. But should they accede to those extra propositions, Parliamt. might & wou'd reject them. The King has, or he has not a right to treat with us beyond the limits of the Act. If he has not, every proposition intimated as a ground of treaty without the Act is insidious. If he has, then they may be supposed to be instructed to accede to our claim of independance provided they find peace can be no otherways effected. This they may think necessary if they are informed of the substance of our treaty of Alliance. Is it not wiser for Britain to acknowledge our Independance now, than to refuse it and thereby expose the few colonies she holds in America to be added to the Union. If so we ought to conduct as if she was prepared to do it. The King I think may treat with us by virtue of his prerogative, as Independant States. For are we not in fact such? Hath not our Independance been acknowledged by France? Did she not ground her connection with us upon our having been in full possession of Independance ever since July 1776? Have we not reason to expect other Nations will follow the example of France? MS (NN). In the hand of Francis Dana. 1 These undated notes, and a similar set in the hand of Charles Thomson printed below under this same date, contain the substance of debates over Congress' response to the British peace commissioners' June 9 letter, which was debated on June 13, 15, and 16. For a discussion on the circumstances that led to these debates, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778, note 3. The committee appointed on June 16 to prepare Congress' response to the commissioners included William Henry Drayton, Richard Henry Lee, Gouverneur Morris, John Witherspoon, and Samuel Adams, in the last of whose collection of personal papers these notes are now located. Dana's notes may have been prepared for a speech he delivered at this time or may simply reflect sentiments he passed on to Adams for the committee's consideration. The fact that Secretary Thomson's notes on the same subject printed below are also located in Adams' papers strongly supports the assumption that Adams made use of both documents in his work on the committee, whose draft letter for the commissioners was re-

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ported to Congress the afternoon of June 16 and adopted the following day. For additional information on Congress' response to the commissioners, see the documents of Richard Henry Lee, Charles Thomson, and John Witherspoon printed under this date; JCC, 11:605-6, 608-10, 614-15; and Henry Laurens to the Carlisle Commissioners, June 17, 1778.

Carlisle Commissioners

My Lords & Gentlemen [June 16, 1778](1) I have reced your letter of and laid it before Congress with its inclosures. In answer I am instructed to inform you, that Congress ever ready to stop the effusion of human blood have been induced to hear your letter read thro out (2) and to consider its inclosures notwithstanding the very inadmissible and offensive things that are contained in the former. Tho It is impossible Congress can fail to be affected with the highest resentment at the indignity offered them by the indecent reflections you have thought proper to make upon his most Ch. Majesty the Great & good (& faithful) ally of these States. The Commission from his Britannic Majesty under which you act, a copy of which you have inclosed, and the Acts of Parliament on which the Commission is founded, being both formed upon the idea of the good people of these States being Subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, and proposing peace upon dependent principles and a return to the domination of a power that hath accumulated every injury and insult on their unoffending States, Congress consider them both as totally inadmissible, and cannot consent to any further communication on such grounds. I am further instructed to inform your Excellency that Congress will be always ready to enter upon the Consideratn. of a Treaty of Peace, when a sincere disposition thereto shall be evidenced on the part (G.B.) of his B M by an explicit acknowledgement of the Independence of these States and by withdrawing his Fleets from our Coasts and his Armies from the 13 States. MS (PPAmP). In the hand of Richard Henry Lee and endorsed by him: "Letter from Congress to the King's commissioners." 1 Lee drafted this letter as a member of a committee appointed on June 16 to prepare a response to the Carlisle commissioners' June 9 peace overture. A comparison of the texts of the Lee draft and the committee draft prepared by Gouverneur Morris indicates that Morris followed the sequence of points presented by Lee and incorporated many of Lee's words and phrases into his own more concise and moderately toned version. Morris' draft, introduced by a preamble in Lee's hand, was reported to Congress on the 16th and approved the following day. See JCC, 11:610-11, 614-15; and Henry Laurens to the Carlisle Commissioners, June 17, 1778. For additional information on Congress' response to the British commissioners, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, note 3; and

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the documments of Francis Dana,

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, and John Witherspoon printed under this date. 2 At this point in the draft the following passage is set off by diagonal marks: " and have Considered it with a coolness that that having." Both James Ballagh and Edmund Burnett incorporated a part of this passage into their differing versions of Lee's draft, but neither seems to reflect Lee's intent. The appearance of the MS and the sense of the sentence suggest that Lee simply intended to delete these words. See Lee, Letters (Ballagh), 1:414-15; and Burnett, Letters, 3:296-97.

Richard Henry Lee to Thomas Jefferson

Dear Sir York in Pennsylva. 16 June 1778 I thank you for your favor of the 5th which I received yesterday.(1) It is the only. satisfactory account I have received of the proceedings of our Assembly. The enemy have made many insidious attempts upon us lately, not in the military way, they seem tired of that, but in the way of negotiation. Their first, was by industriously circulating the bills of pacification as they call them, before they had passed into acts, in order to prevent our closing with France. These bills received a coment from Congress on the 22d. of April, which no doubt you have seen. The inclosed paper will shew you the second attempt from Lord Howe and Gen. Clinton, with the answer of Congress. The third movement happened very lately, when Clinton dcsired a passport from Gen. Washington for Dr. Ferguson to come to Congress w ith a letter from the newly arrived Commissioners Lord Carlyle, Wm. Eden esqr. and Governor Johnston. The General refused the passport until Congress should give leave. The letter from Clinton was transmitted here, but the impatience of the Commissioners did not suffer them to wait for an answer. Thro the medium of the General, leaving their Secretary Dr. Ferguson behind, the packet arrived containing a letter from the Commissioners with a copy of their Commission. Their letter is a combination of fraud, falsehood, insidious offers, and abuse of France, Concluding with a denial of Independence. The sine qua non being withheld, you may judge what will be the fate of the rest. An answer has not yet been sent. In due time you will have both the letter and its answer. I dont know whether to call Governor Johnston an Apostate or not. He has been in opposition to the Ministry and has spoken some speeches in our favor, but I believe he has never been a friend to American Independence. However, there seems no doubt but that he has on this occasion touched Ministerial gold. The others are notorious Ministerialists. It is amazing how the Court of London does mix pride, meanness cunning, and folly, with Gasconade, and timidity. In short the strangest composition is there formed that ever disgraced and injured Mankind. The King of Prussia has declared in terms explicit, that he would follow France in acknowledging our

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Independence and his hobby horse is, to become a maritime power. Yet he seems, by his movements disposed to quarrel with the Emperor about the divisions of the Bavarian dominions, the Elector being dead without Heir of his body, the next Heir who is the Elector Palatine must loose his right between the two great Spoilers. We have been long amused with accounts of the enemy abandoning Philadelphia. I believe they will do so when they can stay no longer, but not until then They have certainly removed all their heavy Cannon, Baggage &c. And fearing a French war every Moment, they keep in readiness to depart. We did lately shatter extremely a 20 gun ship belonging to the enemy in the North river, and sent her away to York, in no condition for service. I observe by our last delegation, that my enemies have been again at work, however, they shall not gain their point of withdrawing me from the public Councils.(2) I am dear Sir your affectionate friend and obedient Servant, Richard Henry Lee RC (DLC). Jefferson, Papers (Boyd), 2:200-201. 1 Jefferson's June 5 letter to Lee is in Jefferson, Papers (Boyd), 2:194. 2 The Virginia House of Delegates had not included Richard Henry Lee's name on the list of nominees it selected on May 28 to be considered in the annual balloting for delegates to Congress. The senate added his name to the list, but in the house balloting the following day, Lee ranked sixth among the seven delegates appointed. Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-81 (Richmond, 1827), May 1778, pp. 23-27. Governor Henry expressed his concern over the outcome of this election i n his June 18 letter to Lee. "I felt for you on seeing the Order in which the balloting placed the Delegates in Congress," Henry explained. "It is an Effort of that rancorous Malice that has so long followed you thro the arduous path of Duty in which you have invariably travel'd since America resolved to repel her Oppressors." Lee Papers, PPAmP. In a more accusing tone, Francis Lightfoot Lee offered the following comments in his June 25 letter to his brother. "The junto, by their Lyes & intrigues have so far carried their point, as to throw some little discredit upon us; but have missed their great aim, of removing obstructions to their jobbing schemes. I think you are perfectly right in not gratifying them, by resenting the ill treatment of the Assembly. The Esqr. says, Mr. Harvie, who got to Wmsburg after the election, was much affronted, & made those who had been taken in, by certain gentry, perfectly asshamed of themselves. I suppose they wou'd now willingly return you thanks, to make up with you; tho they will again be taken in by the same wretches." Lee Family Papers, ViU.

Gouverneur Morris to George Clinton

YorkTown 16th June 1778 I am very sorry to inform your Excellency of the Death of our Friend and my very worthy Colleague Mr. Livingston. He was from the Moment almost of his Arrival here confined to his Room and on Friday last at 4 oClock in the Morning paid the last Debt to Nature.(1) I have before me a Report on the Vermont Business.(2) I do

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Portrait of Phillip Livingston

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not think it adequate nor can I pretend to say whether it will be adopted. At present we are so plagued by Applications of the most public Nature and among others of the British Commissioners that really the most important Matters slide by. I shall take the earliest Opportunity to bring this Business on and endeavour to procure such Amendments as the Nature of the Case requires. Not having heard any Thing upon the Subject of a former Letter to you as to Money Matters I am left rather in an awkward Situation but shall nevertheless endeavour to obtain from Congress 100,000 Dollars for the State on Account.(3) If it should be disagreeable it can be paid to some of the continental Officers in the Commissary or Qur. Masters Line. We have no News here worth relating. I am your Excellency's most obt Servt. Gouvr Morris RC (MHi). 1 Upon being informed of Philip Livingston's death, the delegates had resolved on June 12 that "Congress will, in a body, attend the funeral of Mr. Livingston this evening, at six o'clock, with a crape round the arm, and will continue in mourning for the space for one month." JCC, 11:592-93. 2 This report appears in this volume as the first half of the enclosure printed with the New York delegates' July 21 letter to Governor Clinton. 3 Congress agreed on June 22 to advance 5100.000 to the New York delegates for the use of their state. JCC, 11:627, 630.

Robert Morris to Gouverneur Morris

My Dear Sir Camp at Valley Forge, June 16th. 1778 Prompted by the dictates of Justice I cannot refuse giving you the trouble of a few lines in behalf of a Man of great Merit, that now wishes to attain that rank in our Army, which his usefullness & attachment to the General made him indifferent about on former occasions, when opportunity Offered for pushing his promotion, I mean Capt Gibbs of the Generals Guards.(1) This Gentleman commenced Soldier with the Battle of Lexington and has continued in the army ever since without absenting himself from Duty one Single day since that time; by accepting his present Command he lost the line of promotion in the Troops of his own State & has the Mortification to see many Colonels at this day, that must always have been under his Command, had he continued in that line. His present Corps consists of 150 Men fine Fellows as you wou'd wish to see (100 of them was out with their Captain & Covered the retreat of the Marquis the other day). These are consequently equal in numbers to three Companies, & indeed to some of our Regiments, where then wou'd be the impropriety of appointing Capt Gibbs Colo. or Lieutenant Colo. Commandant of the Guards & of promoting his Second Mr. Livingston to be Captain therein. The Merit &

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JUNE 16, 1778 past Services of these Gentn entitle them to it, and they have no other chance of promotion, I think they are personally known to you and therefore it is the less necessary to urge the point with a Gentn. of your liberal way of thinking. I came down here about ten days ago expecting to go into Philadelphia immediately, & shou'd certainly have done so, had not the Commissioners arrived at the Critical time they did; since then I have been prevailed on to stay, day after day untill Congress give them their Answer, which, it is expected here, will be such, as will send them off immediately. After that Answer is given I shou'd like to hold an hour or two's Conversation with my Friend, Govr. Johnstone, but have not yet determined on doing so.(2) I think he will be much mortified at his disapointed embassy & I cou'd wish to convince him that Great Britain may still be happy & Continue Rich, by forming a Commercial Alliance with us, on the same broad basis that other Nations do; it will be no difficult matter to convince any reasonable Man, that Great Britain wou'd still enjoy under such Treaties the greatest share & most valuable parts of our Trade, but the best & most liberal of the British Subjects feel themselves humbled, in the Idea of quitting their Sovereignty over us, & this with many will preclude all reasoning on the Subject. Whether Govr. Johnstone is of this Number or not, I cannot tell, but we hear he is strongly opposed to our Independance, altho unbounded in offers of every thing else; No offers must tempt us; they ought not to have a hearing of one moment, unless preceeded by an acknowledgement of our Independance, because we can never be a happy People under their Domination. I have frequently ventured to assert here, that Congress will not give up one Iota of their former resolves on this Subject, nor do a thing in the least degree inconsistent with their Public faith, plighted in the ratification of the Treaty with France. I am sure you will make my words good. I think Philadelphia will be evacuated the moment the Commissioners get an Answer from Congress, I shall then go down & will inform you, Whether things are left on such a footing that Congress can be well accomodated there and if they can I hope they will remove accordingly. My time for joining you is near at hand & I had rather it shou'd be in Philada than York Town. I long to take you & Duer by the hand as also some other Worthies your associates and with sincere regard remain Dear Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, Robt Morris P.S. Poor Phil Livingston. I am sorry for the loss of so Honest a Man & hope deserving respect has been shewn to his Memory. I hope Duer will befriend Capt Gibbs. I shou'd write to him was I sure of his being yet at York.

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RC (NNC). 1 A similar letter of recommendation in behalf of Capt. Caleb Gibbs that Morris wrote at Valley Forge this day to Elbridge Gerry is in the Emmmet Collection. CSmH. Gibbs was promoted to the rank of major on July 29. 1778. See JCC, 11:722, 730 2 Johnstone had written to Robert Morris in February in a vain effort to Stimulate support for a "proposition" he anticipated the North Ministry w as about to offer that he hoped would become "a ground of reunion" with the American colonies. For Morris' response to Johnstone's letter, which was read in Congress on April 27, see Henry Laurens to Robert Morris, April 27, 1778, note 1. By coincidence Johnstone was writing another letter to Morris on the same general subject this very day-under the dateline "Philada. June 16th. 1778"-which the latter laid before Congress on July 9 when it was resolved "That all letters received by members of Congress from any of the British commissioners . . . be laid before Congress." JCC, 11:678. The copies Charles Thomson made of Johnstone's letters are in PCC, item 78, 13:65-66, 87-88, and have been printed in Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 2:487-88, 616-17. The RC of the June 16 letter is in the Peter Force Collection, DLC.

Charles Thomson's Notes

[June I6, 1778] All agree the terms are inadmissible.(1) Some think the insulting way that the whole letter so far as read is an insult; First as it is grounded on a supposition that we are so devoid of understanding and every sense of honor as to violate the treaties we 'have just entered into & give ourselves up to the mercy of those, who have demonstrated that they have the will if they had but the power to reduce us to abject slavery and that they would exterminate rather than not subject us. 2. As it accompanies these inadmissible terms with reproaches against that power which steps in to rescue us from destruction thereby supposing that we have not sense to feel nor spirit to resent abuse offered to our friend. The question is in what manner to treat this letter. 1. Whether to enter into a train of reasoning & shew that from a regard to safety, & the faith due to treaties Congress cannot listen to terms short of independence, or 2. Leaving the Commissioners to draw that conclusion, to reject it on the footing of the insult contained [in] it, or 3. To unite these & comprehend both in the answer The first is a temporising method & will shew that Congress have not a full confidence in the firmness & persevering spirit of their constituents: For such a train of reasoning cannot be for the purpose of enlightening the understanding or convincing the judgment of the Commissioners but of the people of this continent. What occasion for this if they are convinced of their independence & determined to support it. Besides it will inspirit our enemes as it will

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convince them Congress have not a full confidence in the establishment of their independance or their resources for supporting it. For who but a simpleton attempts to prove a self evident proposition. Second. Rejecting the letter on the ground of the insult, which may be considered as double in offering chains to freemen & abusing our frien[ds]; will carry all the force of reasoning on the first ground: It will do more, it will appall our enemies and inspirit the friends of the cause. The Comrs. will thereby see that nothing short of Independance will be listened to & must therefore come to that or break of[f] the conference; and that even admitting independance they must treat our allies with respect. It will carry with it to the comrs a conviction of the confidence Congress have both in their cause & resources, & must therefore force them to a speedier Declaration of their future powers if any they have. 3. Mixing both will only weaken the force of the reasoning on the second ground. MS (NN). In the hand of Charles Thomson. 1 For a discussion of the circumstances that led Congress to debate the "inadmissible" terms presented by the Carlisle commissioners referred to here, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778, note 3. It is not known for what specific purpose Thomson prepared this document, but it apparently summarizes the possible congressional responses considered by the delegates in the course of debates held on June 13, 15, and 16. The fact that the manuscript is located in the papers of Samuel Adams, a member of the committee appointed to draft a response to the commissioners, suggests that Thomson prepared it for the committee's use, although delegates other than Adams took the initiative in drafting the reply Congress eventually adopted on June 17 For additional information on the work of this committee, see the notes of Francis Dana and the draft letters to the Carlisle commissioners by Richard Henry Lee and John Witherspoon printed under this date.

Carlisle Commissioners

[June 16, 1778](1) I received your Letter & Papers accompanying them which have been laid before Congress and read. By them I am instructed to inform you that they are & invariably have been desirous of Peace as with all the World so more especially with Great Britain. This Desire is not yet extinguished even by the extreme Barbarity with which the present War has been carried on by the Forces of that Nation . I am particularly desired to mention to you that they are surprised how you could think that throwing out such Reflections as are contained in your Letter against the King of France with whom they are in Alliance would contribute to hasten an Accommodation.

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They are sensible of their Obligations to him & firmly resolved to abide by their Engagements. I am further desired to assure you in the most explicit Terms that Congress are determined to enter into no Treaty unless you have Powers either expressly to acknowledge the Independance of the united States of America or immediately to withdraw the British Forces from every part of these States. You know best your Instructions & reserved Powers. If therefore you think that after the above Declaration there is Room for any further Discussion Gen. Washington is directed to grant a Passport to Dr Ferguson to come to this Place. MS (NN). Written by Witherspoon and endorsed by him: ''Draught of a Letter to the Commissioners to be given in to the Committee." 1 Witherspoon drafted this letter as a member of the committee appointed this day to formulate a reply to a June 9 letter from the Carlisle commissioners asking for a meeting with Congress to discuss peace terms. It is unlikely, however, that Witherspoon's draft was ever offered to Congress, for on this day the delegates considered a draft reply to the commissioners written by Gouverneur Morris, one of Witherspoon's colleagues on this committee, that was formally approved the following day. For additional information on the work of the committee, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778, note 3, and the documents of Francis Dana, Richard Henry Lee, and Charles Thomson printed under this date.

Committee of Commerce to Unknown

Sir,(1) York-Town 17th June 1778 You are desired to deliver with all possible dispatch to Mr. de Francy or order such quantity of tabacco in hogsheads as you may have in storehouses belonging to the continent, & which he may have occasion for in loading his ship "Le fier Rodrique" taking his receipt therefor. We are, Sir, your hble servants, per order of the committee,(2) Signed. Lewis, Chairman Tr (MH-H). This letter is taken from a Jared Sparks transcription of a document that was written by Jean Theveneau de Francy for his employer Caron de Beaumarchais. The transcript includes the committee letter, a French translation, and an appended note by Francy which has been translated and footnoted below, 1 In his June 11 letter to Beaumarchais, Francy reported that he would leave York as soon as he had obtained an order of Congress for the commercial agents in Virginia to deliver as much tobacco as possible to him for loading Le Fier Roderique, indicating that this remittance would either be credited against the old debt due Beaumarchais or used to pay for the part of the French cargo to be purchased by Congress And in his July 15 letter to the committee, Francy reminded them that when he met with Francis Lewis on June 18, the day before he left York, Lewis had promised that Virginia agents would be ordered to fit

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out vessels to go under convoy with Le Fier Roderique. Lewis probably gave this letter to Francy without specifying an addressee and Francy most likely showed it to Carter Braxton, Benjamin Harrison, Jr., and John Norton, as well as other Continental agents he contacted in Virginia. See Beaumarchais, Correspondance (Morton and Spinelli), 4:123. 142n.12. 2 The following note appears after the French translation of this letter and ends abruptly at mid-page. "N.B. As this order has been delivered to me after they have been informed of the sale of the cargo of the Fier Rodrique, it is clear that this tobacco has been granted to me in order to be used for the discharge of Congress's debt to you for your other shipments; thus despite the urgent representations of the honest agency of Passy, and the at least not very prudent conduct of Mr. Chevallie, I have succeeded in getting what everyone seems to wish to contest you for. This would be a very good situation to turn to good account in case of new difficulties, but from now on I hope that I will not have great obstacles to overcome considering the contract I have made and besides my claims are supported by Mr. Deane & Carmichael; the only obstacle that I will overcome with great difficulty will be my procuring ...." Ellipsis in Tr. For Francy's continuing "difficulties" in completing the transactions Beaumarchais hoped to carry out with Congress, see Henry Laurens to Francy, July 26, 1778, note 1.

Speech in Congress

[June 17? 1778](1) It is with the highest pleasure I think I have occasion to flatter myself that the view we on Saturday took of our foreign affairs, was such a view as may [have] enabled this House to distinguish objects at that distance with precision & to form their judgments in prudence & wisdom. Our foreign affairs have long been enveloped in impenetrable darkness; but the rays of light now beam in our political firmament, & reveal the objects to our sight. I trust we will not shut our eyes. We are Sir placed in the watch tower of America. We are stationed on this height, that we may seeing [see] the American affairs, interists in one grand & extensive view. We are placed high in The Imperial car of America that we may guide it with skil, lash on the sluggard, curb in the impetuous, & unharness & discharge the unruly draught. Oh Mr. P[resident] that we were wise, that we would but take notice of the precipice along which we are now driving. Oft Sir have we unknowingly in the night & in the day with our eyes wilfully shut rowled upon the extreem verge of this dreadful height-an invisible hand restrained our passing it. May I be permitted to say we have long enough trifled with Providence, trifled with our generous constituents & indulged our private feelings? I will take the liberty to say Sir, it is our indispensable duty to endeavour to conduct ourselves as may be most likely to conduce to the happiness of the People who seated us here, committing themselves to our impartiality, care & conduct.

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Sir, I know not how to account for it, but so it has happened, that it has accidentally general been my lot in every public Assembly or Council in which I have been placed, to move such subjects as draw upon the mover the displeasure of bodies of Men or of individuals. And I have done so, not I trust because actuated by a morose inclination, but because I thought it the duty of my Station. I have not stept into public life, I did not come into Congress to acquire friends but determinately & boldly to discharge the duty of a Citizen. Conscious that it is my duty to speak plainly & act decis[iv]ely I yet feel pain when in doing so any person feels distress or uneasiness. I am sensible sir, the subject I am agitating will unavoidably cause uneasiness in this House. The ties of blood like electrical conductors will convey & communicate the effects of a blow it is my duty to strike. I participate in the feelings which must arise upon this occasion: I lament the cause, I regret the consequence. But Sir, in this place I look upon every Member as connected only with the public, and unconnected with individuals abroad, especially with persons in public office, otherwise freedom of debate must be destroyed, & the public good must yield to private connections. I flatter myself therefore, that nothing I shall say will be construed as ment to give pain to any Mem[ber] I disavow any such unmanly design. MS (PPL). In the hand of William Henry Drayton. 1 On June 16 Congress had appointed a committee consisting of William Henry Drayton, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry Lee "to prepare a resolution for preventing any correspondence with the enemy." This action was deemed necessary to counteract the efforts of the Carlisle commissioners to promote support for their mission by distributing private letters in favor of reconciliation frorm themselves and from various English correspondents to friends and relatives in the United States, both in and out of Congress. Acting with dispatch, the committee submitted a report this day, which was written by Drayton and approved by Congress, calling upon state governments to prevent the delivery of letters from England "addressed to individuals of these United States . . . through the conveyance of the enemy." See JCC, 11:608, 616. At the same time, President Laurens reported to Washington, "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," which Congress did not approve largely as a result of Laurens' opposition. See Laurens to Washington, June 18, 1778. Although Laurens did not identify the delegate who offered this unsuccessful motion, there is reason to believe that Drayton was the one in question and that he prepared these notes to serve as the basis for a speech in Congress on this issue. To begin with, such a motion would have been a logical extension of Drayton's report on curbing correspondence with the enemy. Furthermore, his admission in these notes that "the subject I am agitating will unavoidably cause uneasiness in this House" and his statement that "I look upon every Member as connected only with the public, and unconnected with individuals abroad," both fit in well with the proposal to require the delegates to submit to Congress all letters they had received from the commissioners and from England dealing with public affairs. Finally, Drayton's mention of "the view we on Saturday took of our foreign affairs" could be a reference to the June 13 debate in Congress on the commission-

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ers' letter of June 9, which involved the issue of America's relations with Great Britain and France. Although Congress did not approve Drayton's motion this day, it did pass one to the same effect on July 9. JCC, 11:678.

Carlisle Commissioners

York Town, June 17,1778 To their Excellencies the Earl of CARLISLE, WILLIAM EDEN, and GEORGE JOHNSTONE, Esqrs. British Commissioners. As I have but a few moments that I can, in conscience, appropriate to a correspondence with your Excellencies, I trust this circumstance will, with you, excuse the abrupt manner in which I introduce myself, and my reflections, to your attention.(1) Your letter of the 9th instant to Congress, your commission, and the acts of the British Parliament upon which they are grounded, are the fashionable subjects of curious enquiry, in how many points of view they are fallacious and incompetent to the object of your ostensible negotiation.(2) Although Congress cannot condescend minutely to animadvert upon your propositions, as your Excellencies are empowered to hear individuals, I flatter myself, so anxious is your inclination to restore peace, that you will for a moment honour me with your attention. In your letter of the 9th instant, Governor Johnstone signed this position, "Notwithstanding the pretended date or present form of the French offers to North-America, yet it is notorious that these were made in consequence of the plans of accommodation previously concerted in Great-Britain, and with a view to prevent our reconciliation, and to prolong this destructive war." On the 5th of February, in the House of Comrnons, Governor Johnstone also signed this position, "I have had a hint, and have good reason to believe a proposition will be made to Parliament in four or five days, by administration, that may be a ground of reunion; I really do not know the particulars, nevertheless, as I learn some preliminaries have lately gone from France, I think it cannot be deemed unfriendly to either country, to give you notice of this intended proposition, THAT you may in prudence do nothing hastily with a foreign power.(3) The "preliminaries" mentioned by Governor Johnstone, as "lately gone from France," were at that moment at sea, with Mr. Simeon Deane, and had been so some weeks; they were to the following purpose: "That his Most Christian Majesty was determined to acknowledge our Independence, and make a treaty with us of Amity and Commerce. That in this treaty, no advantage would be taken of our present situation to obtain terms from us, which otherwise

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Portrait of William Henry Drayton 118 JUNE 17, 1778 would not be convenient for us to agree to, his Majesty desiring that the treaty, once made, should be durable, and our amity subsist for ever, which could not be expected, if each nation did not find its interest in the continuance as well as in the commencement of it. It was therefore his intention, that the terms of the treaty should be such, as we might be willing to agree to if our state had been long established, and in the fulness of strength and power, and such as we should approve of when that time should come. That his Majesty was fixed in his determination, not only to acknowledge, but to support our Independence by every means in his power. That in doing this, he might probably be soon engaged in war, with all the expences, risque and damage usually attending it; yet he should not expect any compensation from us on that account, nor pretend that he acted wholly for our sakes, since, besides his real good-will to us and our cause, it was manifestly the interest of France, that the power of England should be diminished by our separation from it. He should, moreover, not so much as insist, that, if he engaged in the war with England on our account, we should not make a separate peace for ourselves, whenever good and advantageous terms were offered to us. The only condition he should require and rely on would be this, that we, in no peace to be made with England, should give up our Independence, and return to the obedience of that government."(4) These preliminaries were, by Mons. Girard, in the name of his most Christian Majesty, announced to the American Commissioners at Paris on the 16th day of December last. And in consequence of them, the Treaty of Paris, between America and France, was actually signed on the 6th of February, 1778. It is notorious that it was on the 19th day of February that Lord North introduced his propositions to Parliament for a re-union with America. From this state of facts two points result. First, that the two positions signed by Governor Johnstone militate against each other in direct terms. Secondly, that so far were "the French offers" from being "made in consequence of the plans of accommodation concerted in Great-Britain," that the latter were made in consequence only of the former; for the French offers were made on the 16th day of December. Governor Johnstone (connected with administration) on the 5th of February expressly says, he was then ignorant of any particulars of a plan of accommodation. On the 6th of February the French offers were compleated by a treaty; and it was not till the 19th of February that any plan of accommodation was communicated to the British Parliament. Your Excellencies, however, do not scruple, even in your first address to Congress, to assert a position, the contrary to which is known to be the fact. I will not charge you with a designed falsity: The people will use their discretion. At any rate, this conduct on your part warns them to be upon their guard against you.

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Having thus vindicated the honour of our good and great ally the King of France, permit me to touch upon your propositions to Congress. Your Excellencies offer us a seat for our representatives in your Parliament. Happily for us, we are too well acquainted with the insignificancy of the Scotch representatives there, to expect that American representatives can, in the same place, possess any importance; or that America can derive any advantage from such a representation . As an alternative, you propose to send agents to our assemblies. But as we know they would be spies upon us, and agents to purchase our voices, we will have no such characters among us. You propose to concur in measures to discharge the debts of America. By this, as our subjection is implied, so are restrictions of some sort upon our trade; of necessity, so is a diminution of our ability to discharge our debts. We know you cannot discharge the debts of your own nation, we therefore cannot expect that you will, or even desire that you should, discharge any part of ours. We are willing and able to discharge our debts, without your concurrence or aid. Your offer therefore wears the appearance of being officious and idle. You propose to extend every freedom to trade, that our respective interests can require. Do we not know, that you have a natural inclination to monopolize trade? Do we not know, that your and our interest in the point of trade is in direct opposition? It is your interest that our trade should be limited-it is ours, that it should be unlimited-we there differ, toto coelo. You propose a cessation of hostilities. Withdraw your forces by land, and hostilities there are instantly ended; you need not be anxious for a cessation at sea; on that element we have every thing to fear from you. If you mean fair, why then do you delay to do that which you seem to desire, and which that it be done rests entirely with yourselves? Such are your principal offers in detail. Of how little value are they to us! But you offer us every thing short of Independence. If you are serious, of how little value must such a connection with us be to you! Will your Excellencies condescend, with me, to view Great Britain and America under one Sovereign? The sovereignty in Britain; America possessed of powers of government but short of independence. America, formed for empire, must naturally arrive at it; having tasted of it she will be ever anxious to possess it again; having by arms acquired a power but short of independence, she will encrease in reputation and ability to become independent, and this will encrease her desire to be so; her former success will possess her with

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confidence and hope; experience will make her ever suspicious of the intentions of Britain: Hence, being in possession of powers, only short of independent, she will always be prepared to assert her rights, especially having in mind her naked condition at the sudden commencement of the present war. In such a formidable situation, design, accident, suspicion, or the breath of displeasure on either side, must, in a few years, break the cobweb by which you offer to hold her under the dominion of Britain. And is the acquiring dominion to be held by such a tie worth another campaign! Can it be worth the pursuit of a man of common honesty and common sense! But supposing your offers to be, what they are not, of sterling value to America: How inadequate are your powers to the purpose of accommodation! The great Lord Abingdon puts this matter in the clearest point of view. In his most elegant protest on this subject, he says "Although the Commissioners and the Congress be agreed, such agreement is of no effect till confirmed by Parliament; which is giving such advantage to Parliament, by knowing what Congress will do, and is of such disadvantage to Congress, by not knowing what Parliament will confirm, that the very inequality of the conditions will put a stop to accommodation."(5) If America enters into terms with you, see what might be the consequence-Your Excellencies must allow, that it is our duty to avoid them. We have made a solemn treaty with France-the object is, the establishment of our Independence. If we treat with you upon the footing of Dependence, we at once break our faith with France, for ever lose all credit with foreign nations, and are, ipso facto, cut off even from the hope of foreign succour. In this situation you will absolutely hold us at mercy. Your King, Ministers and Parliament may refuse to ratify your engagements, for they have the power to do so. Governor Johnstone has long and ably pleaded the cause of America. Is he now come to our shore to invite us to surrender to the justice and mercy of our most unjust and vengeful enemies, who have for a long course of years treated us with the basest deceptions, and calumniated us throughout Europe: Enemies, who have starved to death our countrymen taken prisoners, loading them while alive and in their power with every insult. Enemies who gave stretch to their savage allies,(6) to murder our old and unarmed farmers, and their helpless women and children: Enemies who have plundered our country, burned our towns, and armed son against father, servant against master, and brother against brother, in order to subject us: Enemies who have moved even Hell itself to accomplish their purpose of blood, ruin and tyranny: Enemies utterly abandoned to corruption, destitute of public virtue, deaf to the voice of justice, and dead to the feelings of humanity; Can it possibly be expected that such enemies, after the expence of so many millions; the loss of so much of their own blood; the disgraces their arms have sustained;

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the insults to which they have been obliged to submit from foreign nations, in their pursuit of our destruction, the impending ruin under which they have been driven by our opposition; I say, can it possibly be expected, that when such enemies, so provoked, shall find us lying at their mercy, they will ratify your Excellencies terms but short of Independence, and be content to hold dominion over us by so slender a tie as a cobweb! Timeo Danaos, et dona ferentes.(7) America is independent de facto et de jure. She will maintain her station at the expence of her last drop of blood. It is in vain to solicit what your arms, when most powerful, were not able to compel. You are no longer in that situation. America is more competent to the contest than ever she has been. Our resolution is fixed, nor do we fear "the horrors and devastations of war," with which, in the conclusion of your letter, you threaten us. France has acknowledged our Independence; the great powers of Europe smile upon us; we rely upon our own virtue and the favour of Heaven. If we continue firm, we shall continue independent. Farewell. W.H.D. MS not found reprinted from the Pennsylvania Gazette, June 20, 1778. 1 This is the first of four newspaper letters William Henry Drayton wrote to the Carlisle commissioners using his initials as a signature. The other three appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet on July 18, September 12, and October 29, 1778, and are printed in this edition of Letters under the dates July 3, September 4, and October 24, 1778. Although no manuscript drafts of these letters have been found, they are obviously written by a member of Congress and the use of Drayton's initials as a signature point unmistakably to his authorship. It is pertinent to note that Drayton published these letters on his own initiative, for as Josiah Bartlett, who was in Congress throughout the period the letters appeared, observed of the third one: "The letter to the [commissioners] signed W.H.D. was wrote I suppose by Chief Justice Drayton member from So. Carolina as were the former letters under that signature." See Bartlett to Whipple, September 12, 1778. 2 For a discussion of Congress' formal response to the commissioners' June 9 letter, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778, note 3. Drayton was a member of the committee appointed on June 16 to draft a reply to the commissioners' letter, and the present address probably stems in part from his work on that body. JCC, 11:610. 3 Johnstone made this statement in a letter to Robert Morris, dated "House of Commons 5 Feby 1778," read in Congress on April 27. See PCC, item 78, 13:65 66; and Henry Laurens to Robert Morris, April 27, 1778, note 1. 4 Drayton is quoting a statement that Conrad Alexandre Gerard, the French official in charge of negotiating the treaties of alliance and commerce with the United States, made to the commissioners at Paris, "by order of the king." According to the commissioners, Gerard made this statement on December 17, not December 16, 1778, as Drayton asserts in the next sentence. Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 2:452-53. 5 See also Henry Laurens to George Washington, June 8, 1778, note 5. 6 Drayton is referring to Gen. John Burgoyne's notorious proclamation of June 20, 1777, threatening supporters of the patriot cause with the horrors of Indian warfare. See Henry Laurens to John Lewis Gervais, August 17, 1777, note 5. 7 "I fear the Greeks, even offering presents." Virgil, Aeneid 2.49.

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Pennsylvania Gazette

Gentlemen, York Town, June 17th 1778(1) While I regret that Governor Johnstone has thought it proper to write private letters into these States, upon the subject of his public commission, and highly respect the determination of Congress to prevent a private correspondence with the enemy, I think I render a satisfactory service to the public in laying the following letters before them. The answer was written immediately after the receipt of Governor Johnstone's letter, but was not sent as was intended. However, thinking it too valuable to be lost, I prevailed upon my friend the President to allow it to be published, with the letter which gave occasion to it. I now send them for publication, and am, Gentlemen, Your most humble servant, W.H. Drayton MS not found: reprinted from the Pennsylvania Gazette, June 20, 1778. 1 Drayton's letter was printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette as a preface to George Johnstone's June 10 letter to Henry Laurens and Laurens' June 14 reply, for which see Laurens to Johnstone, June 14, 1778, note 2. Johnstone's and Laurens' letters were published after Congress refused to allow the president to correspond privately with the British commissioner. See Laurens to John Laurens, this date. It is of interest that on June 16 Drayton had been appointed to a committee "to prepare a resolution for preventing any correspondence with the enemy." JCC,11: 608.

Henry Laurens to the Carlisle Commissioners

York Town 17th June 1778 I have received the Letter from your Excellencies of the 9th Inst. with the Inclosures and laid them before Congress.(1) Nothing but an earnest desire to spare the farther effusion of human Blood could have induced them to read a Paper containing expressions so disrespectful (2) to His Most Christian Majesty the good and great Ally of these States, or to consider propositions so derogatory to the honor of an Independent Nation. The Acts of the British Parliament, the Commission from your Sovereign and your Letter, suppose the People of these States to be subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, and are founded on the Idea of dependence which is utterly inadmissible. I am further directed to inform your Excellencies that Congress are inclined to (3) Peace, notwithstanding the unjust Claims from which this War originated and the Savage manner in which it hath been conducted; they will therefore be ready to enter upon the consideration of a Treaty of Peace and Commerce, not inconsistent with

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Treaties already subsisting, when the King of Great Britain shall demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose. The only solid proof of this disposition will be an explicit acknowledgement of the Independence of these States or the withdrawing his Fleets and Armies. I have the honor to be, Your Excellencies Most Obedient and humble Servant. Signed by order of the unanimous voice of Congress. Henry Laurens, President Tr (PRO: C.O. 5, 180) Addressed: "To their Excellencies The Right Honorable the Earl of Carlisle, William Eden Esquire, George Johnstone Esquire, Commissioners from His Britanic Majesty." Endorsed: "Exd. a tme Copy. Adam Ferguson Secretary." This is the copy of Laurens' letter that the commissioners transmitted to England with their July 5 letter to Lord George Germain. Davies, Documents ot the American Revolution, 15:159. The letter itself is based on a draft prepared by Gouverneur Morris with the following preamble by Richard Henry Lee: "The Committee to whom were referred the Letter S; its inclosures from the Commissioners of his Britannic Majesty beg leave to make report-That Mr. President write the following letter to the British Commissioners." PCC, item 23, fols. 43-44. 1 For a discussion of the Carlisle commissioners' June 9 letter to Congress and the provenance of Laurens' reply, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778, note 3. 2 Reads "terms so opprobrious" in the Gouverneur Morris draft. 3 Reads "desirous of" in the Morris draft.

Henry Laurens to Horatio Gates

Sir York Town 17 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. Malcomb. These were committed to the Board of War with orders to act upon them without Report & I beleive what appeared to be necessary has been done by the Board from whence Colo. Malcomb intimates he has received his dispatches.(1) I have nothing to trouble you with but the Enclosed Act of Congress for adjusting the value of back Rations due to Officers in the Army,(2) which you will be pleased to communicate to the Officers in your department. I have the honor to be, With great Respect & Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress RC (NH 1 General Gates' June 10 letter to Laurens, which dealt with "the Distress to which we are upon the point of being reduced to, for want of provisions, Arms, Men, Money, &c &c &c," is in PCC, item 154, 1:414-15. 2 See JCC, 11:581-82.

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Henry Laurens to Horatio Gates

Dear Sir, (Private) York Town 17th June 1778 I troubled you with a few private Lines on the 13 th by Crugier. 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 & distance from the Center of intelligence & 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 cavil on that score. The Commissioners after the necessary preface observe (1)-"that in the present state of our affairs tho' fraught with subjects of mutual regret all parties may draw some consolation & even auspicious hope from recollecting that cordial reconciliation & affection have in our own & other Empires succeeded to contention & 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 & refer to, passed with singular Unanimity. They are willing to consent to a cessation of hostilities by Sea & 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 & to raise the Credit & Value of the Paper circulation. To perpetuate our Union by a reciprocal Deputation in Parliament & 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 & Military establishment & exercise a perfect freedom of Legislation & internal Government so that the British States throughout North America acting with us in Peace & War and as one common Sovereign may have the irrevocable enjoyment of every privelege that is short of a total seperation of Interests or consistent with that Union of force on which the safety of our common Religion & 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 Rat-

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ification 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, William Eden & George Johnstone Esquires, "after the time that may be necessary to consider this communication & transmit your answer the horrors & devastations of War should continue We call God & 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 & murdering? They seem to mistake our understanding as once they did our Resolution. Colonel Malcom waits. I must stop short & assure you I am with great Esteem Dear Sir Your obliged & humble servant, Henry Laurens RC (NHi). 1 For the June 9 letter from the Carlisle commissioners to Congress that Laurens quotes here, see Davies, Documents of the American Revolution, 15: 135-37.

Henry Laurens to John Laurens

My Dear Son, 17th June [1778] I will endeavor to discharge my debt to your favor of the 14th & 15th both received yesterday.(1) You will know some time 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 & correction of a House of 31, but it is very admissible to say the long delay has given me much anxiety. I wished to have returned Govr. Johnston, Mr. Ozwald & Mr. Mannings answers, but did not think the correspondence Lawful without leave of Congress or say judged it best to apply for leave, it was not unanimously granted & I preferred with drawing 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 & wicked, with whom Govr. Johnstone has corresponded & will correspond, will make him flattering returns. Those Gentlemen who would attempt to open his Eyes & 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 en-

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deavor to Send you the Speeches which were intended to have been Spoken as well as the Letters received from Philadelphia. 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 & hence I conclude the Commissioners are now or soon will be in possession of full powers to acknowledge the sovereignty of these States. I do not like the history of Doctr. W nor the lodging he took nor the present conduct of the person with whom he made his first nights quarters.(2) They are all Suspicious & one or two more-very equivocal Characters. There must be more in the Doctor's history than you have intimated otherwise he would not have found such ready access to the Table at head Quarters. This consideration suspends a full opinion but watch-watch-every thing in the shape of a Trojan Horse. I shall be glad to know your Sentiments on the reformation of our Regiments merely for my own information but the business is intirely out of my line & there is a tenacity which is not to be bent by advice, but which does extremely well when it enjoys the Seeming honor of originating. Therefore if applications on this Score shall be found necessary let them be addressed directly to the House or to Some other Member, not the President, however glad he may be to know what is in motion. You shall hear more to morrow from your most affectionate Father. LB (ScHi). 1 These letters are in Simms, Laurens Army Correspondence, pp. 185-91. 2 Dr. Robert Wellford was a military surgeon who had recently resigned from the British army because of his pro American sympathies and was currently lodging with Gen. Charles Lee. Ibid., p. 186. Contrary to Laurens' suspicions, Wellford's sympathy for the American cause was genuine. See Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 37:226.

Henry Laurens to William Livingston

Dear Sir 17 June [1778] I shrewdly suspect from the politeness of your Excellency's Address of the 8th Instant (1) which I received only last night that you mean to play the old soldier, and to give a new fashioned dunn to poor me; for upon my honor be it so, or not so, I have been labouring several days under self reproach for delinquency in respect to two Letters for which I thought myself indebted to Governor Livingston, private. Public I will not be delinquent or deficient in, errors excepted-so Sir the Beam balances the Mote, and if there has been no error, reciprocal good intentions will appear. I am sure no unjust Stewardship will be found on either side.

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The moment I now presume to steal from the Public is devoted to you-to transmit you a Copy of the answer of Congress to the Commissioners. Their Letter and other Anecdotes you shall soon have. You will admire the firmness of this Answer full as much as the composition, it was the work of 31-for a conundrum twice the number of the United States and once the Commissioners. I have only time to add what always does me honor and gives me pleasure that I Am, With the utmost Esteem & respect, Sir, Your Excellency's Obedient humble servt LB (ScHi). 1 Livingston wrote two letters to Laurens on June 8, one private and one official, for which see Livingston, Papers (Prince), 2:361-63.

Henry Laurens to George Washington

Sir. York Town 17th June 1778. On the 14th I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency & sent the dispatches by Messenger Petit. Yesterday I signed a Commission to William Malcom Esquire to Rank Colonel, by order of Congress,(1) from the 11th March 1776, & if I do not mistake Congress have agreed to confirm your Excellency's intimation relative to Colo. Campbell which rests at the Board of War-or is referred there.(2) Your Excellency will be pleased to receive within the present Inclosure 1. An Act of Congress of this date approving Your Excellency's conduct in refusing a Passport to Doctor Ferguson. 2. An Act of the same date intended to put a stop to all correspondence between the Inhabitants of these States & the Enemy;(3) Your Excellency will clearly understand the views of Congress & will take the most effectual measures for preventing the evil in Camp. I beg leave to add a Copy of the Letter which Congress has written in Answer to the British Commissioners Address-the Letter will also be inclosed with this. Your Excellency will be pleased to send it forward immediately. I have the honor to be with the highest Esteem & Regard, Sir, Your Excellency's Obedient, humble servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress RC (DLC). 1 Although there is no mention of this "order" in the journals, William Malcom's commission as colonel, dated June 16, 1778, is in PCC, item 78, 16:391. See also Laurens to William Malcom, June 20, 1778. 2 For the action subsequently taken by Congress in the case of Col. Richard Campbell, see Laurens to Washington, June 20, 1778, 3 See also William Henry Drayton's Notes for a Speech, this date.

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Thomas McKean to Sarah McKean

My dear Sally, York-Town, June 17th. 1778 Today I received £130, which I waited for, by Colo. George Latimer, and have sent ten thousand dollars to the President of Delaware, which, among other things, had an influence in detaining me here; I have no desire in staying here longer at this time, excepting to know whether the Enemy will evacuate Philadia. or not upon receiving the answer sent to the Commissioners to day; the result of which we shall know on Sunday or Monday next, and therefore if you can spare Sam on Monday or Tuesday, I will return home on Wednesday next, unless something extraordinary should happen. The allowance to me by Delaware will be £3 per day, most of which, if not all, I shall expend; however all I expect is to have my expences born. 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 & 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 & the other members of Congress at York-Town," and call us States (not Colonies or Provinces) throughout. My old correspondent Dennys De Bert 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 &c as myself; which Letter the Governor sent with the dispatches from the Commissioners. The propositions of the Commissioners are-To cease all hostilities by sea and land-to be friendly & have the same privileges in both countries-To support and raise the credit of our paper money, to allow these States to be governed as they now are, or in whatever manner they please, as to their internal policy-To raise & pay their own fleets & armies, and that the King of Great Britain shall not hereafter keep any fleets or armies in any of the British States, without the consent of Congress, or of the respective States-to have a free trade & commerce for the mutual benefit of both Countries, and for this purpose the States to send agents to the British Parliament, who are to have a voice there, and Parliament to send agents to the respective States who are to have a voice there. In fine to any thing short of a total separation, to have the same Sovereign, the same Enemies & the same friends. To these they have received an answer-"Acknowledge our Independence, or withdraw your fleets & armies, and we will treat with

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you for peace & commerce &c." This answer was agreed to unanimously, by 31 members, the whole number in York- Town. I reced. a very affectionate Letter to day from Mr. Borden, all well except Mrs. Borden No more news. I am, dear Sally, your most affectionate, Tho M:Kean RC (PHi).

Thomas McKean to Caesar Rodney

Dear Sir, York Town June 17th. 1778. Yesterday I was favored by your's of the 11th instant, (1) inclosing a draught in my favor for £90.0.111/2, for which I have given a rect. to Geo. Latimer Esquire. He will deliver you the ten thousand dollars, deducting the above sum. This day you inform me the General Assembly are to meet. I should with pleasure attend them, but am afraid, tho' I should thereby act to the great satisfaction of many, yet some would take it amiss and charge me with deserting my Post, especially at this most critical period. 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 & plantations & Brother to the late Governor of Maryland) and Captain George Johnstone, commonly called Governor Johnstone. The last Gentn. sent me a Letter from an old Correspondent in London,(2) warmly recommending him as a Commissioner of peace, and begging that I would receive him among my friends, as he most ardently desired it &c. 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.(3) The Commissioners have sent us again the three Acts of Parliament, their Commission from their Sovereign, and their Propositions; wch. 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 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

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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 Philadia., if that should not be done sooner. Be upon your guard with regard to Letters from the Enemy; they intend to seduce, corrupt & 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. Present my best compliments to your good Brother Thomas, and tell him I am much instructed and obliged by his strictures on financeering and our paper money, but have not time to write to him. Also let Doctor McCall know, that I have reced. his letter, & wrote to the Commissary General of Prisoners &c. &c. and that Mr. Adams and myself will take every step in our power for the exchange of his son the Captain, and also Mr. Pope.(4) Remember me with particular attention to Messrs. Read, Killen and the Gentlemen of the Assembly. Confederation is put off 'till Friday, tho' it has been the Order of the day for two weeks. New Jersey is in my situation with regard to Powers but they expect them daily. I write in great haste, and remain, Dear Sir, with the most perfect regard, Your most obedient humble servant, Thos M:Kean P.S. Blessed is he that endureth unto the end, for he shall be saved. RC (PHi). 1 Rodney's June 11 letter to McKean is in Rodney, Letters (Ryden), pp. 2 That is, Dennis De Berdt. 3 For further information on the delegates' refusal to respond privately to the letters of George Johnstone, see Henry Laurens to Johnstone, June 14,1778. 4 No letter of McKean to Commissary of Prisoners John Beatty concerning Capts. Mark McCall and Charles Pope has been found.

Henry Laurens to John Laurens

My Dear Son 18 June [1778] I had intended to write you a Letter yesterday but was obliged to send only a half Letter; such as it is you will accept it and attend to some parts. I foresee it will not be possible now even to write an half. I must content myself with saying that I have sent several Papers to the General which will probably come within your inspection, the Originals from Govr. Johnstone, Mr. Oswald & Mr. Manning you will be so good as to collect and return. I shall have

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no objection to your reading Mr. Oswalds in which there is some covert meaning and very interresting-to the Marquis de la Fayette-(but I do not wish it to go further)-beg him ten millions of pardons that I do nothing more at this time than transmit several Letters which have just come to my hands for him. Adieu. LB (ScHi).

Henry Laurens to William Livingston

Dear Sir, 18th June 1778 I beleive all, I know most of them, meaning the papers accompanying this, are to be published, but the first of important Intelligence is of somewhat more value than even the first fruit of Cucumbers.(1) Therefore I do myself the honor of the present transmission. It would be an affront to hint, the public, I mean Congress, ought not in publication, to be forestalled. I wrote to your Excellency yesterday by Camp & sent Copy of Congress's answer to Lord Carlisle & Company. I wish I had time & good occasions for repeating every day the assurances of being with sincere Respect & Esteem, Your Excelly's obliged & Obedt. Servant &ca. LB (ScHi). 1 Laurens sent Governor Livingston a collection of documents pertaining to the Carlisle commissioners that was printed soon after in the June 20 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette.

Henry Laurens to George Washington

Dear sir York Town 18th June 1778. It has not been in my power with any convenience to make an earlier acknowledgement of Your Excellency's favor of the 11 th. There were Letters in the Commissioners Packet only for Congress & particular Members then present in the House, one for Mr. E. Rutledge unsealed & several also unsealed were brought as being taken from the Express-the utmost caution is necessary in the present conjuncture of our affairs & therefore had any suspicious directions turned up, such should have passed under the Eye of Congress. The Idea of opening other people's Letter's 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 Johnson is too well hackney'd in the ways of Men to trust his deep schemes within our reach.

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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(1) & the Letters from Mr. Oswald & 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 beleive the Commissioners now are or soon will be vested with powers for that purpose. Mr. Oswald is a Gentleman of solid understanding & 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. 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.(2) 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 & 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 fellow Citizens destitute of authority for the purpose. This circumstance & some remarks which followed have induced me to put Govr. Johnstone's Letter & my intended answer into Mr Draytons hands who is collecting materials for displaying the Governor's good designs & no doubt he will according to his usual tone add pretty severe strictures.(3) Among other Papers I transmit to Your Excellency Copies of the Commissioners Address to Congress & of their Commission. These are to be published by order. If no mistake was made a Copy of the Answer of Congress was sent to Your Excellency yesterday in my Public Letter. I pray God to support & direct Your Excellency in this Moment of extraordinary tryal & am with the most sincere Esteem & Regard, Dear sir, Your much obliged & Obedient humble servant, Henry Laurens RC (DLC). 1 See Laurens to George Johnstone, June 14, 1778. 2 See William Henry Drayton's Notes for a Speech, June 17, 1778. 3 For these "strictures," see William Henry Drayton to the Carlisle Commissioners, June 17, 1778.

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James Lovell to Horatio Gates

Dear General June 18th 1778 I have but few Words to write in answer to your Letter of the 13th received last Evening.(1) The Express having delivered the Letters under his Charge for Genl. Green to the Genl. himself, and Col. Malcomb having received Instructions from the Board of War, I hope every Thing will speedily be on a good Footing in your Department. No Peace can take Place in Consequence of any Powers we have seen of the King's Commissioners. Saturday's Paper will contain the whole of what has hitherto passed. I can only say, they do not allow Independence; Therefore they might have tarried at Home. They call on God to witness that future Carnage will not be chargeable against Britain, if we refuse to listen to the Terms now offered: So that upon the Appearance of evacuating Philada. you are to expect the Enemy will be restless at York Island; but such Orders are given as will counteract hostile Efforts. I have this Morning recd. a Letter of the 8th from Boston in which I am told "our Reinforcements are now beyond my Expectations. Many good Men are gone & going." I am much pleased with Col. Malcomb; and I hope you will be greatly relieved by the Service of so good an Officer. And I cannot but intreat that you would continue to count a Post of Danger a Post of the most Honour. Your Affectionate humb. Serv. James Lovell RC (NHi). 1 General Gates' June 13 letter asking Lovell to support Udny Hay's reappointment as deputy quartermaster general in the northern department is in the Gates Papers, NHi.

Marine Committee to the Eastern Navy Board

Gentlemen June 18th 1778 This will be handed you by Captain Peter Landais whom Congress has appointed to take Command of the new frigate Alliance.(1) We desire you will put that vessel under his care and use your utmost endeavours to have her Speedily fitted and manned for the sea. We have desired Captain Landais to proceed as far as Portsmouth in New Hampshire to give his advice as to the Construction of the 56 Gun ship now building there, he will afterwards return and attend the fitting & manning of the frigate which he is to command, and in which we doubt not you will find him very assidious. You will please to pay him the balance of his wages at the Rate of Sixty

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Dollars per Month from the date of his Commission.(2) He hath not been paid any money at this place only what we agreed to allow for his travelling Expences to Boston. Inclosed is a Resolution of this Committee passed in consequence of a Memorial from sundry Captains of French Merchant Ships which you will please to order to be duely executed.(3) We are Gentn, your Hble servants LB (DNA: PCC Miscellaneous Papers, Marine Committee Letter Book). 1 Although this letter and the committee's letter to Pierre Landais advising him of his appointment to command the Alliance are both clearly dated June 18 in the Marine Committee Letter Book, Congress did not actually approve this appointment until June 19. See JCC, 11:625. 2 In their letter to Landais the committee informed him that "We have directed the Navy Board to pay you the balance of your wages, and have agreed that the consideration of a gratuity to be made you be deffered until we shall be enabled by consulting with Silas Deane Esqr. to judge with propriety what sum will be adequate to your services." Paullin, Marine Committee Letters, 1:259. 3 This committee resolution has not been found, but it was passed in response to "a memorial from Tallemon and others, French captains in th port of Boston, . . . complaining of an affront offered by the captain of the Warren frigate to their commandant," which Congress had referred to the Marine Committee on June 16. JCC, 11:608.

Marine Committee to John Young

Sir June 1 8th 1778 We desire you will repair to Baltimore where we have ordered the Navy Board to hold a Court of Inquiry into the Cause of the loss of the late Continental Brigantine Independence under your Command,(1) and if it shall appear that the same was occasioned by your negligence or Mal Conduct or that of any of the Commissioned officers, that then a Court Martial be held for the trial of the Officer offending agreeable to a Resolution of Congress of the 6th of May last. We have directed the said Board to order Payment of your seamens wages & have agreed that your officers shall be permitted to make a voyage in private service their pay to cease during that time and when they return they are to give us notice that they may be ordered on Public service should there be Occasion for them. We are sir, Your Hble servants LB (DNA: PCC Miscellaneous Papers, Marine Committee Letter Book). 1 The committee's letter of this date to the Middle Department Navy Board, requesting an investigation of the loss of the Independence, is in Paullin, Marine Committee Letters, 1:256-57. Delayed initially by the confusion of the return of both Congress and the navy board to Philadelphia and subsequently by more pressing concerns, the inquiry into the loss of the Independence was not completed until October 1779, when Young was exonerated. For Young's activities during this period, see William Bell Clark, The First Saratoga Being the Saga of

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John Young and His Sloop-of-War (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1953), chaps. 1 and 2.

Samuel Adams to James Warren

My dear sir York Town June 19-78 I have Time only to write you a few Words by Captn Landais who is appointed by Congress to the Command of the new Ship of War Alliance.(1) This Gentleman is esteemed for his Experience & Knowledge in Marine Affairs & will go first to Portsmouth to direct in the Construction of the Ship designd to be built there. I wish you would (with the other Gentlemen of your Board) assist him with a popular as well as able Lieutenant-popular, because as he is a Frenchman, it may be difficult for him to procure a sufficient Number of American Seamen. He is in hopes of geting French Sailors out of the Vessels that are or may be at Boston &c. I will by the next Post send you a full Account of our late Transactions with the British Peace Makers which conclude with confirming on our Part our former Resolutions. We have just recd Advice that the Enemy have totally evacuated Philadelphia and we expect every moment to have the News confirmd. Mr. Hancock & Dr Holten are arrivd.(2) The last mentiond deliverd me a Letter from you which I will more fully acknowledge in my next. Adieu my Friend, S Adams RC (MHi). 1 See Marine Committee to the Eastern Navy Board, June 18, 1778, note 1. 2 According to the diary of Samuel Holten, he and John Hancock had left Boston on June 3 and arrived at York on the eighteenth. "Being somewhat indisposed & not havg. proper lodgings procured," Holten wrote on June 19, "I did not take my seat in Congress. We are informed by Genl. Washington that the Enemy have left the City of Philadelphia & our people have took possession. The people here are not at all obliging, I want to git from this house." Samuel Holten Diary, MDaAr; and Danvers Historical Society, Collections 7 (1919): 59-67.

John Banister to Theodorick and Martha Bland

My dear Sir York June 19th. 1778 I wrote you yesterday (1) that the Commissioners from the Court of G. Britain had received their answer which will put an End to the business of their Mission. Indeed they must have known from our repeated Answers to their General, our Observations on the bills before they had passed into acts, and the Treaty subsisting between America and France, that any Proposals short of Independence

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would be rejected here. Their Injuries have been so great & so often repeated that they could not expect our return to their domination, & therefore in my Judgement their Views in carrying the Proposals of Treaty so far, were directed to the Reconciling their own People, & to give a colouring to their own Conduct in the Eyes of the Powers of Europe. Whatever may have been their Motives for persevering to Treat on such narrow Ground knowing as they did the Temper of America, the sudden abruption of all hopes of accommodation will immediately bring on some Determinations of considerable Moment respecting the operations of their Army. If they evacuate Philadelphia, and all their Movements & Preparations concur to shew they shortly intend it, their march will be directed to New York & thence up the North River. Friday Evening the 19th. A letter from the General informs Congress that Capt. M'clean had taken Possession of Philadelphia, after the main Body had gone over to the Jersies, by the way of Coopers Ferry & three thousand had imbarked and proceeded down the River.(2) I hope we shall not expose ourselves to any danger from their Stratagems. I am anxious to know how the Commissioners received our final answer to their inadmissible propositions. These with the answers are inclosed. I wish to be informed how the People in Virginia stand affected as to the rejection of any Treaty or Communication, on the Subject of the late Acts of Parliament bearing the specious Title of Conciliation. If they could be prevailed on to make a vigorous Effort to raise a formidable army capable of resisting the augmenting powers of the Enemy, upon the principle of Self interestedness, & actual venality, as I do not expect it of them from Patriotism, they might the sooner go to the gratification of their Passionate fondness for Wealth, and the extension of that Commerce, the very Idea of which occupys every Faculty of their Souls. Nothing has occurred since writing the foregoing, respecting the Enemys motions either by Sea or Land & the inclosed Paper contains an exact State of our politicks, so that I have nothing more to add than that I am most truly yr. affect. Friend, John Banister My dear Mrs Bland (3) How is it that our correspondence is laid aside? Is it because a Person breathing this thick atmosphere, and inhabiting a Beotian Land, cannot produce a Sentiment that can claim the attention of a Lady of delicacy & Refinement? Perhaps there may be some thing in this Region unfavourable to the Flights of Fancy, & worse to the finer feelings of the Heart. The latter I am sensibly alive to notwithstanding it is not here, that Philantophy & the friendly attachments are often to be met with. Yet even here I have made some Connections that are delightful, and serve to fill up that vacancy which the absence from those I hold in the highest estimation hath occa-

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sioned. There is one Lady (Mrs Plater) in our Party. Mr. Plater & some of the first of Congress, who are indeed Men of the World, as well as of the first abilities I have met with Take notice they are not natives of this soil. Beside this particular Society we have a Saturday's Club composed of about fourteen very agreeable Members. Here we sometimes have a few Ladies to drink Tea, on an Island which for its beauty and enchanting situation we have honoured with the Name of Paphos. I had the Pleasure of seeing at Camp some of your Jersey Acquaintance, Lady Stirling, Lady Kitty, Miss Brown. His Excellency's Lady was at Head Quarters, she is an agreeable, well disposed, excellent Woman. I had the felicity of being there, when chearfulness & gaiety of Heart enlightened every Countenance-When the Promulgation of our alliance in Europe had brightened every Prospect. But how are the Ladies in your part of the World? I must return home & pay very assiduous attention to some of them, for I am wearied of my unconnected solitary State. Kiss my dear Robin in my Name. I hope he is a good Boy & deserves the Endearments & Instruction of his dear Mamma, permit me to assure you that I am with affectionate Regard Dr. Madam, yr. Obedient Servant, J Banister RC (PHi). 1 Not found. 2 Washington's letter dated ''1/2 after 11 A.M., June 18, 1778," in which he relayed early intelligence of the British evacuation of Philadelphia and reported Capt. Allen McLane's presence in the city, is in PCC, item 152, 6:115, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:82-83. 3 Martha Dangerfield Bland.

to Charles Carroll, Sr.

Dear Papa, 19th June 1778 Sam this day delivered me your letter with the £100.10. inclosed. I send him back, and I shall return as soon as Mr. Chase or some other Delegate comes up, for I shall not be able to obtain leave of absence, unless our State be represented, which it would not be if I should go away before the arrival of another member. By a letter recd. this evening from Gen. Washington we have authentic information of the Enemy's leaving Pha.; they evacuated it early yesterday morning.(1) Capt. M'Clean wrote to the General from the city of which he was in full possession. The General is not fully ascertained of the Enemy's destination: the general opinion is that certain. The General has put 6 brigades in motion towards Jersey & they are going to N. York whether by land, or by Sea was then un-

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the rest of the army was preparing to follow with all possible expedition. I desire my love to Molly & the little ones & Mrs. Darnall. I would answer little Poll's letter, but really have my hands too full. Please to present my compliments to your visitants. Wishing you health and a long enjoyment of it, I am, yr. affectionate Son, Ch. Carroll of Carrollton P.S. 20th June. I send you by Sam a packet from Joshua Johnson which Mr. Carmichael delivered to me. It contains newspapers, and I presume a letter, which I have not read, or even opened. As the perusal of the London newspapers, altho' of an old date, may afford you some entertainment, I send the packet by Sam. If the Enemy go to N. York, it is my opinion they will acknowledge the Independance of these States in 6 months time, and enter into a treaty of friendship & Commerce with us. I found my opinion on their not having declared war agt. France so late as the 28th April, when the Cornmissioners left England. Their finances are exhausted, they cannot procure Mercenaries from any Powers in Europe, their own People seem to be averse to the war; in such a juncture & situation of the affairs it would be madness to involve themselves in a war with the whole house of Bourbon, & carry on the present unjust & impolitic war agt. us. RC (MdHi). 1 One of the earliest reports of the British evacuation of Philadelphia was the following letter written by Robert Morris to Capt. Alexander Clough under the place and date line "Philada. June 18th. 1778." "I have been in this place since one oClock," Morris explained, "and am sorry some of our troops were not here at an earlyer hour as they wou'd probably have Captured many British officers, indeed we are now told that several officers & Refugees are at this moment hid in the City with intent to make their escape this Evening which might be prevented if proper Guards were posted for the purpose. There are also Sundry Public Works, such as the Bridge over Schuylkill, the Public Stables, a Wood Yard with a Considerable quantity of Wood, Forage Yard &c all of which will be destroyed, Plundered & Pilfered by the lower order of Inhabitants, unless Guards are Set over them for preservation. I know that His Exsy Genl Washington did not intend that Troops shou'd indiscriminately enter the City, but that a particular Corps destined for this Service shou'd enter it to take care of Public Stores, preserve Peace & good order and for such other purposes as the Commanding Officer shou'd find necessary & proper. The Enemies Retreat has been so sudden, that the Corps intended for this Service have not yet arrived & possibly may not this Night. Under this Idea Colo. Boudinot prevailed on Capt Dandridge & Capt McClean to Enter the City, they have been usefull but their Numbers are not sufficient. I am of opinion Your appearance here with Your whole Force, also Capt McCleans wou'd Answer the valuable ends I have mentioned, of preserving Peace, Preventing Plunder, taking Prisoners &c untill the other Corps arrives and I hope you will find yourself at liberty to comply with the Wishes of the Whigs now in this City, who probably may stand in need of your protection & who are ready to assist & support you in this business. You can if needfull produce this letter to His Excellency Genl Washington & I am confident it will have proper weight with him." Washington Papers, DLC.

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Henry Laurens to Horatio Gates

Dear sir, York Town 19th June 1778 By Colo. Malcolm yesterday I had the honor of writing you a few lines while that active Spirit sat jogging my Elbow for dispatch.(1) The contents of the several Papers which will accompany this will appear in print some time tommorrow, (2) these will probably be two or three days in front, I think Sir you are intitled to some of the first fruits of all important Public intelligence & therefore I had directed the inclosed Copies to be taken for your use. The correspondence between Govr. Johnstone & my self (3) was not intended for the Public eye but a certain Itch for knowing it both in & out of Doors combined with private considerations respecting my self which you will understand Sir, without explication prevailed on me to send it abroad in the very shape, meaning my answer, in which first impulses had formed it immediately after reading that Gentleman's Address. I am with great Esteem & Regard, Dear sir, Your obedient & Most humble servant, Henry Laurens [P.S.] Next Week will produce you curious applications to Members of Congress &c. I have an Instance before me in which a great Man concludes, "lose not the feelings of Christians in the resentment of Men and as you have nobly fought now act more nobly and forgive us."(4)® One part of the Mission is to grant Pardons. Sing tantarara All Mad.(5) RC (NHi). 1 Laurens' last extant letter to Gates is dated June 17, 1778. 2 Laurens is referring to documents pertaining to the Carlisle commissioners that were published in the Pennsylvania Gazette on June 20. 3 See Laurens to George Johnstone, June 14, 1778. 4 The quotation is from a letter to Joseph Reed from his brother-in-law Dennis De Berdt, for which see Reed to De Berdt, July 19,1778, note 1. 5 Laurens also noted in his presidential letterbook that this day he "Inclosed to [Gates] in my private letter of this date an Act of Congress of the 17th for preventing illicit Correspondence between the Enemy & the Inhabitants of these States." See PCC, item 13, 1:372; and JCC, 11:616.

Henry Laurens to the Marquis de Lafayette

Dear Si r 19 June [1778] I am honored by your favor of the 12.(1) Before this can reach Your Excellency you will have seen the correspondence between those great Personages at Philada. and some in my humble opinion not inferior at York Town. In a leisure hour I shall have the honor of learning your Excellencies sentiments. Govr. Johnstone will know

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that although I mean and endeavour to be courteous to all Mankind nature has given me understanding enough to distinguish between Freind and Enemies, true politeness and fulsome flattery. If I live to be acquainted personally with that Ciceronian Hero I think 1 shall notwithstanding all his subtilety and command of Muscles draw a Bluff upon him by recapitulating his present attempts. Mr. Carmichael had a Letter for your Excellency which I presume he has sent forward. I don't know whether he has any French Papers, but if he has the dates must be old, for he has been long arrived. Congress have done nothing yet respecting Monsr. Tousard (2) and Colo. Armand,(3) I believe the business lies in the Board of War and will enquire about it. I never heard before of Chevr. De Fayolles or it has escaped my Memory, possibly he may appear under a different appellation which I have observed frequently in the Addresses to French Gentlemen.(4) I delivered the Papers concerning the West Indies to Congress who seemed by expressions to be properly impressed with a sense of your Excellency's Zeal and good will for our Cause, but the late Treaty is a bar to an attempt at this time.(5) I have the honor to be &c. LB (ScHi). 1 Lafayette's June 12 letter to Laurens is in Lafayette, Papers (Idzerda), 2:74-76. 2 Anne-Louis, chevalier de Tousard, whose promotion from captain to major Lafayette had solicited in several recent letters to Laurens, was made a brevet lieutenant colonel by Congress on October 27, 1778, in consequence of his "Gallantry . . . in the late Action on Rhode Island." See ibid., pp. 61, 71, 76; and JCC, 12:1068. 3 For a discussion of Armand-Charles Tuffin, marquis de La Rouerie's plan to raise an independent corps, see Laurens to Lafayette, May 11, 1778, note 4. 4 In reality Laurens had already discussed the case of chevalier de Fayolles in his May 11, 1778, letter to Lafayette. 5 For a discussion of Lafayette's proposed Franco-American expedition against the British West Indies, see Laurens to Lafayette, May 29, 1778, note 3.

Marine Committee to the Eastern Navy Board

Gentlemen June l9th 1778 We have been favoured with yours of the 25th ultimo, 2d & 8th Current which we have considered & as we wrote to you fully by Captain Barry (1) and other late conveyances we shall now only reply to such parts of your Letters as have not been determined on. So soon as will be convenient we wish to be furnished with the Accounts of your transactions. We agree that you shall appoint a Naval Paymaster for your Department and hope you will be able to get some proper person for that purpose. It is an office of much impor-

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tance and should be filled by a man of integrity and capacity who will keep Regular and fair Books of accounts with all persons belonging to the Vessels of war within your department and pay them their wages as it may become due taking care always to keep a months pay in hand from the seamen until their time of entering is expired. Congress has not yet fixed a Salary for the Paymaster-when they do we presume it will be adequate to the importance of the Office. Before this you will know that we have appointed Captain Barry to the Raleigh & as he is an active good officer, we have strong hopes she will shortly be manned. Exclusive of the Vessels you have provided to carry dispatches to France, the sloop Providence will also be wanted for that purpose, and we request you will get her ready as soon as in your power. The Committee for foreign affairs will send off their dispatches to go by her in a day or two.(2) We have only to repeat our former request that you will use your utmost endeavours to get our Vessels fitted for Sea and sent out together as Speedily as possible. We hope the news of the Bostons safe arrival in France may be true and congratulate you on the Enemys having been obliged to evacuate Philadelphia. We are Gentlemen, Your very Hble servants P.S. We have received a Petition signed by Stephen Hill, Simon Gross, Joseph Adams, Adam Thaxter, Esek Hopkins & John Deamon. Should they not be wanted in their stations on board any of the Continental Vessels, we have agreed that they shall be at liberty to make a voyage in Private service their pay to cease during that time, which you will please to inform them. LB (DNA: PCC Miscellaneous Papers, Marine Committee Letter Book). 1 See Marine Committee to the Eastern Navy Board, May 30, 1778. 2 See Committee for Foreign Affairs to Benjamin Franklin, June 20, 1778 .

Marine Committee to William Smith

Sir June 19th, 1778 In a letter from the Eastern Navy Board dated the 2nd instant they write to us-"that they have already sent forward to Sinpuxent three schooners which if they arrive safe will take more flour and Iron than is already provided, and shall soon get another which will be sufficient to bring the whole quantity proposed, you will therefore please to order the remainder to be ready." It is the opinion of this committee that if there is not already at Sinepuxent a sufficient quantity of Flour and Iron (which we suppose is the case) to load these Vessels that shall be sent out for that purpose by the Navy

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Board of the Eastern Department and arrive & the navigation of the Bay should be open, they should be ordered round to Baltimore and you are desired to send your orders accordingly.(1) We are sir, Your hble servants LB (DNA: PCC Miscellaneous Papers, Marine Committee Letter Book). 1 For the committee's earlier instructions on this issue see Marine Committee to William Smith, February 24, 1778.

Samuel Adams to James Warren

Dear Sir York Town June 20-78 In my Letter of yesterday's Date, I promisd to write again by the next Post, and give you a full Account of our Transactions with the British Peace Makers. Cap Landais after the insealing of my Letter obtaind a News Paper which he intends to deliver to you. That will answer the purpose. The President has informd us of an opportunity previous to the Post which I readily embrace. It gave me much Concern to find an omission of your Name in both Houses of Assembly. I indulgd Hopes that it was occasiond by your Time and Attention being so much employd in the Affairs of the Continent, and am sorry that an opportunity was not afforded to you of declining a Seat, if you had thought it necessary, on that occasion. But, my Friend, you must expect and be content to be now and then neglected when the Influence of aspiring but worthless Men shall prevail in an Hour while your own and your Countrys Freinds are unsuspecting and unguarded. Beleive me, you cannot long be unnoticed by your Country, while she remains virtuous and wise; when a People becomes so abandoned (which I trust is far from being the Case of our Country) as to be not worth saving, no wise Patriot, will farther attempt to save them. He will then seek a Place of Retreat where he may enjoy the happy Reflections of his own Mind, and count a private Station the highest Post of Honor. But the Express waits, which obliges me to break off abruptly. Heaven knows best, how to dispose of you and me. Adieu. SA RC (MHi).

Josiah Bartlett to William Whipple

My Dear Sir, York Town June 20th 1778 I congratulate you on our army's being in possession of Philadelphia. We rec'd the intelligence this morning by express from General Washington;(1) the particulars of which important event and the

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circumstances and movements of the armies in consequence, I expect you will receive before this reaches you, and I believe we shall soon take leave of this dirty place and remove Congress to some place where we may be better accomodated. I make no doubt you have heard of the arrival of his Britannic Majesty's Commissioners, and of their letters being sent to Congress; I now enclose you a paper which will inform you of all the transactions of Congress relative to that affair which will I hope give full satisfaction to every honest American . I have the pleasure to inform you that every member of Congress was firm and steady, never to make peace, but, on the principles of absolute Independence. I am sorry that the answer was deferred some days on account of the zeal of some members for sealing the letters up and sending the letters back without reading, in consequence of some harsh expressions against the King of France; however it was overruled as you will see and a more proper method in my opinion taken. What will be their next steps, time only can discover. In the packet to Congress were inclosed a great number of letters to the separate members, Some from Governour Johnstone to such of the members as he was acquanted with, and others from other persons in England who had any acquaintance with them. The enclosed from Robert Trail (2) came directed to you as a Delegate of Congress which was opened and I now enclose it to you. As to Marine affairs, Congress are very sensible some very essential alterations are necessary and seem determined to attend to it, as soon as the Confederation and some other very important matters are finished. I wish I could inform you that I thought it would soon happen, but the multitude of business that is daily crowding upon us, and the time it sometimes takes to determine on some not very important matters makes me fear it will not take place so soon as I could wish. Besides the want of men in Congress acquainted sufficiently with Marine affairs is another great difficulty and causes that Committee to be filled with some persons like myself, unacquainted with the business they are ordered to superintend. "I heartily wish (with you) to see the American Navy respectable, and hope it will be put wholly into the hands of men whose private business does not militate with the public",(3) but I cannot be fully of your opinion that it would be for the public service to put an entire stop to privateering, as I think experience has Shewn that privateers have done more towards distressing the trade of our enemies and furnishing these States with necessaries, than continental ships of the same force, and that is in my opinion the greatest advantage we can at present expect from our Navy; for at this early period we cannot expect to have a Navy sufficient to cope with the British. However I am quite convinced that it might with proper management be in a

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much better situation than at present and should be happy to see it soon take place. The Congress is at this time pretty full. I know not whether you are acquainted with the President, Mr Laurens; I think him a very sensible, judicious man, acquainted with the world and makes an excellent President. Mr Drayton, the Chief Judge of So Carolina is a sensible judicious man, a good speaker, firmly attached to Independance and not given to the chicane common to lawyers. Mr R Morris from New York(4) is an eternal speaker, and for artifice a Duane and for brass equal to any body I am acquainted with. Mr. Adams from Virginia is a member; he informs me that he was innoculated with you at Elizabeth Town and desires to be remembered to you. On the whole I think we have a pretty good Congress and if we have nothing more to fear from British arms and policy than from their gold, I think you may make yourself perfectly easy as is your sincere friend & most obt servt, J B [P.S.] Mr Wentworth desires to be remembered to you. Tr (DLC). 1 Washington's June 18 letter containing news of Philadelphia's evacuation arrived at York the evening of June 19. See John Banister to Theodorick and Martha Bland, June 19, 1778, note 2. 2 Robert Trail, Whipple's brother-in-law and a former merchant and royal comptroller of the customs in Portsmouth, N.H., was at this time a loyalist refugee on Long Island. See Whipple to Joshua Brackett, March 17, 1776, note 3. 3 Bartlett was quoting from Whipple's June I letter to him, which is in Bartlett, Papers (Mevers), p. 183. 4 That is, Gouverneur Morris.

to Benjamin Franklin

Sir York Town June 20th. 1778 By a most unlucky Mistake I did not forward the Resolve of May 5th with the Ratifications of the Treaties sent in that Month in the Packets A.B.C.; but I have sent them in D.E. via Martinique; and now forward them in F.G. via Boston, not allowing myself to wait for the Concurrence of the Committee in a joint Letter.(1) Our Troops were in the City of Philadelphia the morning of the 18th. The Intentions of the Enemy in evacuating it cannot yet be explained. Our Army is in Motion and will press them. The Gazettes contain every Thing material. By the Arrival of Mr. Sim. Deane May 2d, Capt. Courter May 18th, Mr. Stevenson June 10th, and Messrs. Holker & Carmichael June 18th we have the Favours of yourself and other Friends in Continuance. Commissioners will be particularly nominated to transact our Affairs at Lisbon & the Hague, if those Courts are well disposed towards us.

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We are now growing anxious about our worthy Friend Adams. I am, affectionately, Your most humb Servt. James Lovell RC (PPAmP). Written and signed by James Lovell, Endorsed by John Adams: "Mr. Lovel's Letter June 20. inclosing Power to withdraw the 11. & 12 Articles." 1 For further information on Lovell's failure to transmit this resolve promptly, see Lovell to John Adams, June 8, 1778.

John Hancock to Dorothy Hancock

My Dear Dolly York Town June 20th 1778 Saturday Morng. I arriv'd at this place the 18th Inst.(1) after a most fatiguing Journey, bad Roads & miserable Entertainment, but thank God I am in tolerable Health. I long much to hear from you & the little John. I hope this will find you well over the hurry of your Week's Company, & that your health is thoroughly Establish'd. This is my fourth Letter, besides many Messages by persons who promis'd me they would Call upon you & inform you of meeting me well on the Road. Do let me know if three Sailors call'd on you with a Message from me, they had been prisoners & were returning, I gave them sixteen Dollars on the Road, & they promis'd to Call. I met Mr. Adams who keeps with my Brother, he will Call. Mr & Mrs Hillegas are well, desire their Complimts. to you, she wrote you by Mr. Adams. Capt. Landais just going off I have only time to Add my Regards to all Friends, Love to Mr Bant & my Brother, to Mrs. Brackett & all in the Family. I shall write you fully by Mr. Dodd who Sets off for Boston on Monday & shall write Mr. Bant & my Brother. Do beg them to write me & Send me the News Papers. My Dear, I must beseech you to write me often, if you wish my health you will not omit one Oppory., pray do not neglect me in that respect. I will write you particularly by Dodd. I wish you the best of Heaven's Blessings, & am with the most perfect Love, Yours for ever, John Hancock York Town 20 June, We have this moment an Accott. that the Enemy have Evacuated Philadelphia & that some of our Troops have march'd in, and taken possession of the City. J H RC (Sol Feinstone, Washington Crossing, Pa., 1974). 1 Hancock took his seat in Congress on June 19. JCC, 11:621.

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Samuel Holten's Diary

June 20 [1778].(1) I have not taken my seat in Congress for the reasons mentioned yesterday.(2) I wrote to the Honl. Mr Gill at Boston, Colo. Hutchinson, Revd. Dr. Gordon, Roxbury, & to my wife,(3) the express sits out to morrow. MS (MDaAr). 1 Although Holten maintained this diary during his entire first term in Congress from June 1778 to July 1780, historians will be disappointed in its contents. "I was careful not to make any remarks upon the public affairs in this diary," he explained in a note appended to the manuscript sometime after August 1780, "for reasons I shall not mention at this time." 2 See Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 19, 1778, note 2. 3 None of these letters has been found.

Henry Laurens to William Barton

Dear Colonel. York Town 20th June 1778 I most sincerely congratulate with all your friends on your late acquisition of Glory & on your present prospect of appearing again with vigor in both fields of engagement.(1) I interest myself, I cannot help it, in the welfare & happiness of every brave Man, therefore Sir, I request you let me know as soon as you can, under your own hand, the State of your Wound & health in general. The Gazettes which I here inclose will afford you much information & an hours agreeable amusement. The Enemy have certainly abandoned Philadelphia but their movements are at present inexplicable. 3000 Troops they say are embarked & gone down the River, the rest encamped between Haddonfield & Cooper's ferry. If this be true & I have it from good authority, it gives scope to much conjecture. Beleive me Dear Colonel to be, with great Esteem & Regard, Your obedient humble Servant, Henry Laurens, private [P.S.] General Arnold is appointed to Command in the City by General Washington. RC (NN) 1 William Barton (1748-1831), a lieutenant colonel in charge of a regiment of Rhode Island militia, was wounded while repelling a British raid on Warren, R.I,, in May 1778. For the special notice Congress had previously taken of his exploit in capturing Gen. Richard Prescott the previous summer, see John Hancock to William Barton, July 26, 1777; and DAB.

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Henry Laurens to George Clinton

Sir 20th June [1778] I had the honor of writing to your Excellency under the 9th and 10th Instant, and of presenting to Congress on the 17th Your Excellency's favor of the 29th May.(1) The present serves to Cover two Acts of Congress. 1. of the 4th Instant Recommending a suspension or repeal of Acts of Assembly for regulating prices of Goods.(2) This I apprehend applies not to New York. 2. Of the 17th Instant for preventing all Correspondence between the Enemy and private persons Citizens of these United States.(3) And I take the liberty of adding four of this days Gazettes containing intelligence important and interresting to the public.(4) Your Excellency will have heard before this can reach your hands of the Enemy's retreat from Philadelphia and probably know more than I do of the motions of the Commander in Chief who decamped from Valley forge the 18th and 19th Instant. I have the honor to be &c. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 Governor Clinton's May 29 letter to Laurens is in PCC, item 67, 2:126, and Clinton, Papers (Hastings), 3:373. 2 See JCC, 11 :569-70. 3 See JCC, 11:616. Laurens also enclosed copies of this resolution with brief covering letters that he wrote this day to the chief executive officers of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, which are in PCC, item 13, 2:1-5; Red Series, R-Ar; Red Books, MdAA; and John F. Reed Collection, King of Prussia, Pa. 4 The Pennsylvania Gazette of this date printed a number of documents pertaining to the Carlisle peace commission. See, for example, Laurens to George Johnstone, June 14; William Henry Drayton to the Pennsylvania Gazette, June 17; and Drayton's and Gouverneur Morris' June 17 and June 20, 1778, letters to the Carlisle commissioners. Laurens also sent copies of this issue of the Gazette to the chief executive officers of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia with the letters he wrote to them this day cited above. Furthermore, he noted in his private letterbook that on this day he dispatched copies of the paper to Gov. Richard Caswell and Cornelius Harnett of North Carolina, to President Rawlins Lowndes and John Wells of South Carolina, to Samuel Chase of Maryland, and to William Smith and Francis Hopkinson of the Middle Department Navy Board. Laurens Papers, ScHi.

Henry Laurens to William Heath

Sir. York Town 20th June 1778 Since my last of the 26th Ulto. Your favor of the 25th of that Month came to hand & has been presented to Congress,(1) but I have received no Commands except the Inclosed Act of Congress of the

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17th for preventing all correspondence between the Enemy & private persons Citizens of these States. to which I add three of this days Gazettes containing very Important & Interesting Intelligence. With respect to the unhappy Culprit under sentence of Death, Mr. Hancock has said nothing since his arrival & Congress take it for granted that the Sentence will be executed on the day which you had assigned.(2) The Enemy have abandoned Philadelphia, about 3000 tis said embarked & went down the River, the rest were between Haddonfield & Cooper's ferry, movements which carry aspect of stratagem. General Washington Marched with his whole force on the 18th & 19th toward Trenton. I should acknowledge also the Rect. of your favour of the 1st Inst. & if I mistake not there is another which the Secretary has not given me the date of.(3) I have the honor to be, With great Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your most obedt. Servt, Henry Laurens, President of Congress. [P.S.] I recollect the subject of the other Letter to have been on Colo. Armand's inlisting Deserters-it is Committed & not reported. RC (MHi) 1 General Heath's May 25 letter to Laurens, which dealt mainly with the case of Ensign John Brown and was read in Congress on June 15, is in PCC, item 157, fols. 144-45. 2 The "unhappy Culprit" was Ensign John Brown of the Third Massachusetts Regiment, who had been sentenced to death for engaging in fraudulent recruitment practices and deserting his unit. Brown admitted his guilt but begged for mercy in a May 23 petition to Congress that Heath enclosed with his May 25 letter to Laurens. In that letter Heath also requested Congress to defer action on Brown's case until it had heard from John Hancock, who had promised some friends of Brown that he would intercede with the delegates in behalf of the ensign upon his return to Congress. Despite the fact that Hancock took no apparent interest in Brown's case after returning to Congress and that Laurens instructed Heath to carry out the sentence of the court-martial as scheduled, Brown was saved by the intervention of his friends, who persuaded the Massachusetts Council to order Heath to stay the execution, and by Congress' decision on July 20 to appoint a committee to investigate the ensign's case. After examining the proceedings of Brown's court-martial and considering appeals for clemency from Brown and his wife Mary, the committee recommended to Congress on November 28 that Brown be cashiered rather than executed. Congress debated this recommendation and at length decided on March 9, 1779, to grant Brown a pardon. See JCC, 11:704, 12:1174, 1184, 13:296; and PCC, item 157, fols. 129 213 passim. 3 General Heath's June I letter to Laurens, which was read in Congress on June 17, is in PCC, item 157, fol. 148. According to the journals, Congress did not read another letter from Heath until June 22. JCC, 11:629.

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Henry Laurens to William Livingston

Sir 20th June [1778] Since mine of the 9th and 10th Instant, I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellencies favors of the 4th, 11th and 15th Instant.(1) Commissions for Vessels shall be transmitted to Your Excellency when the Marine Committee shall have made certain amendments judged to be necessary and I can obtain an impression from the Printer. Your Excellency will be pleased to receive inclosed an Act of Congress of the 17th Instant for cutting off all correspondence between the Enemy and private persons Inhabitants of these States, to which I take the liberty of adding four Copies of this day's Gazette containing very important Intelligence. I Am with great Regard &c. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 Governor Livingston's June 11 letter to Laurens, in which he described his inability to comply with "the many applications for Commissions for privateers and Letters of marque" he was receiving, is in PCC, item 68, fol. 379. His June 4 and 15 letters are not in PCC or the Laurens Papers, ScHi.

Henry Laurens to William Malcom

Sir . York Town 20th June 1778 It is with pleasure I transmit the Inclosed Act of Congress of the 19th for enabling you to hold your Rank in the Army; & your Regiment so long as it shall be kept up(1) -to this I add half a dozen Copies of this days Gazette containing the intelligence of which you had gained but a partial knowledge when you left York. I am with great Regard, Sir, Your obedient & most humble servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress RC (DNA: PCC, item 78). 1 Col. William Malcom of New York, commander of one of the sixteen additional Continental regiments, was appointed deputy adjutant general in the northern military department by Congress on June 2. JCC, 11:560. Shortly before this, Malcom, who was then serving as acting adjutant general of this department at the request of Gov. George Clinton and others, had written to William Duer stating that he would continue in this office only if he could retain his military rank and command. Malcom's May 27 letters was referred on June 6 to the committee of arrangement, which advised Congress to approve the resolve on rank enclosed by Laurens with this letter. See JCC, 11:575, 625; and PCC, item 78, 15:347.

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Henry Laurens to Caesar Rodney

Sir 20th June [1778] I had the honor of writing to you the 11 th May.(1) Under this Cover be pleased to receive the following Acts of Congress. 1. 27th, 29th May and 2nd June for Establishment of the Army. 2. 4th June Recommending the suspension or repeal of Laws made in any of the States for regulating prices. 3. 6th June For extending Subsistence Money to Officers of Militia &c. 4. 8 June For laying a general Embargo on provision. 5. 17 June For preventing all correspondence between the Enemy & private Citizens of these States, to which I take the liberty of adding four Copies of this days Gazette much Intelligence of a Public and interresting nature. Some of the Acts abovementioned should have been long since sent, had they come to my hands in time. I request your Excellency will intimate to me the best method of conveying Letters with public Dispatches to your State, I have frequently apply'd without success for such Information to the honorable Mr. McKean. I have the honor to be &c. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). Addressed: "President Rodney, Delaware." Endorsed: "by Petit either to be conducted by himself or to request the V. Presidt. of Pennsylvania or the Secretary of Council to forward it." 1 See Laurens to George Clinton, May 11, 1778, note 2.

Henry Laurens to Philip Schuyler

Dear Sir 20th June [1778] At length I can tell you the Report of the Committee with Charges stated against the Commanding officer in the Northern department & the General Officers who were at Tyconderoga when that Post was abandoned last year is gone to the Commander in Chief.(1) I hope the Secretary will furnish me with Copies tomorrow. Whenever he shall do so one shall be immediately transmitted to you. Within the present Inclosure you will receive, Sir, six copies of this day's Gazette containing much important and interresting Intelligence. I request you to transmit one or two Copies to my worthy Friend Mr. Duane. When he knows our present circumstances, he will excuse me for not writing by the present conveyance. The Enemy have at last withdrawn from Philadelphia but their

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movements have much the aspect of stratagem. 'Tis said 3000 embarked and fell down the Delaware, the rest were Encamped between Haddonfield and Cooper's ferry. General Washington had marched the 18th and 19th towards Trenton. You will learn the progression on each side hereafter at Albany as soon as we shall in York. General Arnold commands in the City and from the numbers of People who have flocked into it within a few days past I should suppose Whigs out number Tories. When the coast is quite dear, Congress will talk of adjourning from hence, but there will be some struggle against meeting in Philadelphia.(2) I have the honor to be &c. L.B (ScHi). 1 For the report in question, which was read in Congress on June 12 and sent to Washington this day, see JCC, 11:593-603. 2 Congress adjourned in York on June 27 and resumed business in Philadelphia on July 7. JCC, 11:662, 671-72.

Henry Laurens to John Sullivan

Sir 20th June [1778] I had the honor of writing to you under the 14th Instant by Mr. Bolden. The present Cover will convey to you an Act of Congress of the 17th Instant for preventing all Correspondence between the Enemy and private Citizens of these States, to which I add four Gazettes of this date containing much intelligence very important and interresting to the Public. I do not find by my copy Book any Note, marking the transmission of the Army Arrangement under the 27th and 29th May and 2nd June nor of an Act of Congress of the 6th June for extending subsistence money to Officers of Militia &c. altho' I think it has been made, therefore I shall put under this Inclosure two Copies of each. The Enemy has certainly abandoned Philadelphia and General Arnold is appointed by the Commander in Chief to command in the City, but from the most authentic accounts we have received Mr Clinton's mode of withdrawing renders his designs extremely suspicious. About 3,000 of his Troops tis said have embarked and have gone down the Delaware, the remainder had encamped some four or five Miles from Coopers ferry in Jersey, if they mean to penetrate to Amboy why this disjunction? General Washington moved with his

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whole Army the 18th and 19th-a few days more may explain their meaning. I Am with great Regard &c. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13).

Henry Laurens to George Washington

Sir. York Town 20th June 1778 Yesterday I had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency's favors of the 18th Inst. A M & P M.(1) At present I have only in charge to transmit the Report of the Committee appointed to examine the evidence collected & to state charges against the General Officers at Tyconderoga &c which Your Excellency will be pleased to receive indosed with this.(2) And I take the liberty of adding twenty Copies of this days Gazette containing the British Commissioners Address to Congress &c &c. I have the honor to be, With the most respectful attachment, Sir, Your Excellency's Obedient humble servt, Henry Laurens President of Congress [P.S.] Major Campbel's new Commission is "a Brevet Lt. Colonel, this Rank to have effect only in the Western department not to affect any Officer in the Virginia line nor to entitle him to any other Pay than that of Major the Rank he held previous to this appointment to rank from 20th February 1778."(3) The bundle of Papers relative to an enquiry came to hand yesterday with Your Excellency's 2d Letter.(4) RC (DLC) . 1 Washington's three June 18 letters to Laurens are in PCC, item 152, 6:109-21, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:81-85. 2 See JCC, 11 :593-603, 628. 3 At the behest of Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, Washington had urged Congress to grant this brevet to Maj. Richard Campbell of the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment before he left York to join McIntosh "in the Western department." See Washington to Laurens, June 10, 1778, in PCC, item 152, 6:97, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:41. Although there is no record of Campbell's brevet in the journals, Washington's letter of recommendation bears the following endorsement: " (Entered & Examined) Letter from Gen Washington 10 June 1778 read 15-referred to the board of war (Acted upon)." Charles Thomson wrote this endorsement except for the last two words in an unknown hand. 4 Washington sent Congress the records of a court of inquiry into the loss of Forts Clinton and Montgomery in the New York Highlands that had been held in accordance with a congressional resolve of November 28, 1778. JCC, 9:975-76, 11:629. Unfortunately these proceedings are not in PCC or the Washington Papers, DLC, but see Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 11 :69, 94, 100-102, 373, 12:85.

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Henry Laurens to Meshech Weare

Honorable Sir. York Town 20th June 1778 I had the honor of writing to you under the 9th & 10th Inst. by William Bolden.(1) The present serves to Cover an Act of Congress of the 17th for preventing a correspondence between the Enemy & the good people of these States, to which I shall add three Gazettes of the present date containing important articles of Intelligence. Permit me once more Sir to intreat you to intimate the Receipt of my Letters & of the Papers which accompanied them, half an hour on your part will cancel what I hope you will allow me to call a debt of near eight Months standing. I am with great Respect, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Henry Laurens, President of Congress. RC (MHi). 1 The second letter was Laurens' June 10 circular letter to the states.

Richard Henry Lee to John Adams

My dear Sir. York in Pennsylva. 20th June 1778 Our enemies at N. York had contrived to distress us a good deal by a publication that the Boston was taken & carried into England. We were at first greatly concerned for our Friend, until we reflected on the lying genius of our enemies, and the improbability that Heaven would permit such a triumph of Vice over Virtue. Now we are made happy by an account from Boston that you are safely arrived in France. The Treaty with France was soon ratified here, desiring only that the 11th & 12th Articles might be reconsidered and omitted. Three Copies of the ratification have been sent away from hence near a month, and now 3 more are dispatching. The former dispatches would inform you the determination of Congress upon the English Acts of pacification, before we knew of our new Alliance, and these will acquaint you with the reception Messrs. the Commissioners from London have met with. The figure they cut is truly ridiculous. If this were all it would be happy for England, but she seems now to be a Setting Star. Two days ago the B. Army abandoned Philadelphia and our Troops are in possession of that City. The enemy are in the Jersies, but whether they mean to push for Amboy, or embark below Billingsport on the Delaware, is yet uncertain. The Jersey Militia are in readiness, & if our Army can cross Delaware in time, the gentry will yet get a parting blow. The friends to the future happiness and glory of America are now urging the Confederation to a dose, and I hope it will be signed in a few days.

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All but a few Delegates have powers, and those that have not, come from Small States, that will undoubtedly fall in. Our next business is Finance, and this is a momentous point indeed. Every state exclaims we are overflown with our emissions of Money, yet all seem to be going on in the same beaten Track, and will I fear until invincible Necessity shall force a change. I wish to bring you, and my brother Dr Lee to be well acquainted. Republican Spirits who have so successfully labored for the liberty of their Country, and whose sole object is the security of public happiness, must esteem each other. The Continental Army is now on a much more respectable footing, both for numbers & discipline, and supplies of every kind, than it has been since the War began. It will give me singular pleasure to hear of your happiness at all times. I am dear Sir most sincerely and affectionately yours, Richard Henry Lee [P.S.] Cannot Monsr. Beaumarchais demand against us be fully and fairly explained? There is mastery in this business that demands to be thoroughly developed.(1) Be so kind as to contrive the letters for my brothers safely to them.(2) R.H.L. RC (MHi). 1 For Lee's earlier comments on Caron de Beaumarchais' commercial "demands" on Congress, see Lee to John Adams, May 13, 1778. On Beaumarchais' accounts, see Committee of Commerce to the Commissioners at Paris, May 16; and Committee of Congress Report, June 10, 1778. 2 No June 1778 letters from Richard Henry Lee to either Arthur or William Lee have been found.

Gouverneur Morris to the Carlisle Commissioners

[June 20, 1778](1) To the Earl of CARLISLE, Lord Viscount HOWE, Sir WILLIAM HOWE (or, in his absence, Sir HENRY DINTON), WILLIAM EDEN, and GEORGE JOHNSTONE. Trusty and well-beloved servants of your sacred master, in whom he is well pleased. As you are sent to America for the express purpose of treating with anybody and anything, you will pardon an address from one who disdains to flatter those whom he loves. Should you therefore deign to read this address, your chaste ears will not be offended with the language of adulation, a language you despise. I have seen your most elegant and most excellent letter "to his Excellency Henry Laurens, the President, and other Members of the Congress."(2) As that body have thought your propositions unworthy their particular regard, it may be some satisfaction to your curiosity,

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and tend to appease the offended spirit of negotiation, if one out of the many individuals on this great Continent should speak to you the sentiments of America. Sentiments which your own good sense hath doubtless suggested, and which are repeated only to convince you that, notwithstanding the narrow ground of private information on which we stand in this distant region, still a knowledge of our own rights, and attention to our own interests, and a sacred respect for the dignity of human nature, have given us to understand the true principles which ought, and which therefore shall, sway our conduct. You begin with the amiable expressions of humanity, the earnest desire of tranquility and peace. A better introduction to Americans could not be devised. For the sake of the latter, we once laid our liberties at the feet of your Prince, and even your armies have not eradicated the former from our bosoms. You tell us you have powers unprecedented in the annals of your history. And England, unhappy England, will remember with deep contrition, that these powers have been rendered of no avail by a conduct unprecedented in the annals of mankind. Had your royal master condescended to listen to the prayer of millions, he had not thus have sent you. Had moderation swayed what we were proud to call mother country, "her full-blown dignity would not have broken down under her." You tell us that "all parties may draw some degree of consolation, and even auspicious hope, from recollection." We wish this most sincerely for the sake of all parties. America, even in the moment of subjugation, would have been consoled by conscious virtue, and her hope was and is in the justice of her cause, and the justice of the Almighty. These are sources of hope and of consolation, which neither time nor chance can alter or take away. You mention "the mutual benefits and consideration of evils, that may naturally contribute to determine our resolutions." As to the former, you know too well that we could derive no benefit from an union with you, nor will I, by deducing the reasons to evince this, cast an insult upon your understandings. As to the latter, it were to be wished you had preserved a line of conduct equal to the delicacy of your feelings. You could not but know that men, who sincerely love freedom, disdain the consideration of all evils necessary to attain it. Had not your own hearts borne testimony to this truth, you might have learnt it from the annals of your history. For in those annals instances of this kind at least are not unprecedented. But should those instances be insufficient, we pray you to read the unconquered mind of America. That the acts of Parliament you transmitted were passed with singular unanimity, we pretend not to doubt. You will pardon me, gentlemen, for observing, that the reasons of that unanimity are

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strongly marked in the report of a Committee of Congress, agreed to on the 22d of April last, (3) and referred to in a late letter from Congress to Lord Viscount Howe and Sir Henry Clinton.(4) You tell us you are willing "to consent to a cessation of hostilities, both by sea and land." It is difficult for rude Americans to determine whether you are serious in this proposition, or whether you mean to jest with their simplicity. Upon a supposition, however, that you have too much magnanimity to divert yourselves on an occasion of such importance to America, and perhaps not very trivial in the eyes of those who sent you, permit me to assure you, on the sacred word of a gentleman, that if you shall transport your troops to England, where before long your Prince will certainly want their assistance, we never shall follow them thither. We are not so romantically fond of fighting, neither have we such regard for the city of London, as to commence a crusade for the possession of that holy land. Thus you may be certain that hostilities will cease by land. It would be doing singular injustice to your national character, to suppose you are desirous of a like cessation by sea. The course of the war, and the very flourishing state of your commerce, notwithstanding our weak efforts to interrupt it, dearly shew that you can exclude us from the sea. The sea your kingdom. You offer "to restore free intercourse, to revive mutual affection, and renew the common benefits of naturalization." Whenever your countrymen shall be taught wisdom by experience, and learn from past misfortunes to pursue their true interests in future we shall readily admit every intercourse which is necessary for the purposes of commerce, and usual between different nations. To revive mutual affection is utterly impossible. We freely forgive you, but it is not in nature that you should forgive us. You have injured us too much. We might, on this occasion, give you some late instances of singular barbarity, committed as well by the forces of his Britannic Majesty, as by those of his generous and faithful allies, the Senecas, Onondagas and Tuscaroras. But we will not offend a courtly ear by the recital of those disgusting scenes. Besides this, it might give pain to that humanity which hath, as you observe, prompted your overtures to dwell upon the splendid victories obtained by a licentious soldiery over unarmed men in defenceless villages, their wanton devastations, their deliberate murders, or to inspect those scenes of carnage painted by the wild excesses of savage rage. These amiable traits of national conduct cannot but revive in our bosoms that partial affection we once felt for everything which bore the name of Englishman. As to the common benefits of naturalization, it is a matter we conceive to be of the most sovereign indifference. A few of our wealthy citizens may hereafter visit England and Rome, to see the ruins of those august temples, in which the goddess of Liberty was once adored. These will hardly claim naturalization in either of those

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places as a benefit. On the other hand, such of your subjects as shall be driven by the iron hand of Oppression to seek for refuge among those whom they now persecute, will certainly be admitted to the benefits of naturalization. We labour to rear an asylum for mankind, and regret that circumstances will not permit you, Gentlemen, to contribute to a design so very agreeable to your several tempers and dispositions. But further, your Excellencies say, "we will concur to extend every freedom to trade that our respective interests can require." Unfortunately there is a little difference in these interests, which you might not have found it very easy to reconcile, had the Congress been disposed to risque their heads by listening to terms, which I have the honour to assure you are treated with ineffable contempt by every honest Whig in America. The difference I allude to is, that it is your interest to monopolize our commerce, and it is our interest to trade with all the world. There is indeed a method of cutting this garden knot which perhaps no statesman is acute enough to untie. By reserving to the Parliament of Great-Britain the right of determining what our respective interests require, they might extend the freedom of trade, or circumscribe it, at their pleasure, for what they might call our respective interests. But I trust it would not be to our mutual satisfaction. Your "earnest desire to stop the farther effusion of blood, and the calamities of war," will therefore lead you, on maturer reflection, to reprobate a plan teeming with discord, and which, in the space of twenty years, would produce another wild expedition across the Atlantic, and in a few years more some such commission as that "with which his Majesty hath been pleased to honour you." We cannot but admire the generosity of soul, which prompts you "to agree that no military force shall be kept up in the different States of North-America without the consent of the general Congress or particular Assemblies." The only grateful return we can make for this exemplary condescension is to assure your Excellencies, and, on behalf of my countrymen, I do most solemnly promise and assure you, that no military force shall be kept up in the different States of North-America without the consent of the general Congress, and that of the legislatures of those States. You will therefore cause the forces of your royal master to be removed, for I can venture to assure you that the Congress have not consented, and probably will not consent, that they be kept up. You have also made the unsolicited offer of concurring "in measures calculated to discharge the debts of America, and to raise the credit and value of the paper circulation." If your Excellencies mean by this to apply for offices in the department of our finance, I am to assure you (which I do with "perfect respect") that it will be necessary to procure very ample recommendations. For as the En-

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glish have not yet pursued measures to discharge their own debt, and raise the credit and value of their own paper circulation, but, on the contrary, are in a fair way to encrease the one and absolutely destroy the other, you will instantly perceive that financiers from that nation would present themselves with the most aukward grace imaginable. You propose to us a devise to "perpetuate our union." It might not be amiss previously to establish this union, which may be done by your acceptance of the treaty of peace and commerce tendered to you by Congress.(5) And such treaty, I can venture to say, would continue as long as your ministers could prevail upon themselves not to violate the faith of nations. You offer, to use your own language, the inaccuracy of which, considering the importance of the subject, is not to be wondered at, or at least may be excused, "in short to establish the powers of the respective legislatures in each particular State, to settle its revenue, its civil and military establishment, and to 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 irrevokable enjoyment of every privilege 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." Let me assure you, gentlemen, that the power of the respective legislatures in each particular State is already most fully established, and on the most solid foundations. It is established on the perfect freedom of legislation and a vigorous administration of internal government. As to the settlement of the revenue, and the civil and military establishment, these are the work of the day, for which the several legislatures are fully competent. I have also the pleasure to congratulate your Excellencies, that the country, for the settlement of whose government, revenue, administration, and the like, you have exposed yourselves to the fatigues and hazards of a disagreeable voyage, and more disagreeable negociation, hath abundant resources wherewith to defend her liberties now, and pour forth the rich stream of revenue hereafter. As the States of North-America mean to possess the irrevokable enjoyment of their privileges, it is absolutely necessary for them to decline all connection with a Parliament, who, even in the laws under which you act, reserve in express terms the power of revoking every proposition which you may agree to. We have a due sense of the kind offer you make, to grant us a share in your sovereign, but really, gentlemen, we have not the least inclination to accept of it. He may suit you extremely well, but he is not to our taste. You are solicitous to prevent a total separation of interests, and this, after all, seems to be the gist of the business. To make you as easy as possible on this subject, I have to observe, that it may and probably will, in some in

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stances, be our interest to assist you, and then we certainly shall. Where this is not the case, your Excellencies have doubtless too much good sense as well as good nature to require it. We cannot perceive that our liberty does in the least depend upon any union of force with you; for we find that, after you have exercised your force against us for upwards of three years, we are now upon the point of establishing our liberties in direct opposition to it. Neither can we conceive, that, after the experiment you have made, any nation in Europe will embark in so unpromising a scheme as the subjugation of America. It is not necessary that everybody should play the Quixotte. One is enough to entertain a generation at least. Your Excellencies will, I hope, excuse me when I differ from you, as to our having a religion in common with you: the religion of America is the religion of all mankind. Any person may worship in the manner he thinks most agreeable to the Deity; and if he behaves as a good citizen, no one concerns himself as to his faith or adorations, neither have we the least solicitude to exalt any one sect or profession above another. I am extremely sorry to find in your letter some sentences, which reflect upon the character of his most Christian Majesty. It certainly is not kind, or consistent with the principles of philanthropy you profess, to traduce a gentleman's character without affording him an opportunity of defending himself: and that too a near neighbour, and not long since an intimate brother, who besides hath lately given you the most solid additional proofs of his pacific disposition, and with an unparalleled sincerity, which would do honour to other Princes, declared to your court, unasked, the nature and effect of a treaty he had just entered into with these States.(6) Neither is it quite according to the rules of politeness to use such terms in addressing yourselves to Congress, when you well knew that he was their good and faithful ally. It is indeed true, as you justly observe, that he hath at times been at enmity with his Britannic Majesty, by which we suffered some inconveniences: but these flowed rather from our connection with you than any ill-will towards us: At the same time it is a solemn truth, worthy of your serious attention, that you did not commence the present war, a war in which we have suffered infinitely more than by any former contest, a fierce, a bloody, I am sorry to add, an unprovoked and cruel war. That you did not commence this, I say, because of any connection between us and our present ally; but, on the contrary, as soon as you perceived that the treaty was in agitation, proposed terms of peace to us in consequence of what you have been pleased to denominate an insidious interposition. How then does the account stand between us. America, being at peace with all the world, was formerly drawn into a war with France, in consequence of her union with Great-Britain. At present America, being engaged in a war with Great-Britain, will probably

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obtain the most honourable terms of peace, in consequence of her friendly connection with France. For the truth of these positions I appeal, gentlemen, to your own knowledge. I know it is very hard for you to part with what you have accustomed yourselves, from your earliest infancy, to call your colonies. I pity your situation, and therefore I excuse the little abberations from truth which your letter contains. At the same time it is possible that you may have been misinformed. For I will not suppose that your letter was intended to delude the people of these States. Such unmanly disingenuous artifices have of late been exerted with so little effect, that prudence, if not probity, would prevent a repetition. To undeceive you, therefore, I take the liberty of assuring your Excellencies, from the very best intelligence, that what you call "the present form of the French offers to North-America," in other words the treaties of alliance and commerce between his most Christian Majesty and these States, were not made in consequence of any plans of accommodation concerted in Great-Britain, nor with a view to prolong this destructive war. If you consider that these treaties were actually concluded before the draught of the bills under which you act was sent for America, and that much time must necessarily have been consumed in adjusting compacts of such intricacy and importance, and further, if you consider the early notification of this treaty by the court of France,(7) and the assurance given that America had reserved a right of admitting even you to a similar treaty, you must be convinced of the truth of my assertions. The fact is, that when the British Minister (8) perceived that we were in treaty with the greatest Prince in Europe, he applied himself immediately to counteract the effect of these negociations. And this leads me with infinite regret to make some observations, which may possibly be by you considered in an offensive point of view. It seems to me, gentlemen, there is something (excuse the word) disingenuous in your procedure. I put the supposition that Congress had acceded to your propositions, and then I ask two questions. Had you full power from your commission to make these propositions? Possibly you did not think it worth while to consider your commission, but we Americans are apt to compare things together, and to reason. The second question I ask is, What security could you give that the British Parliament would ratify your compacts? You can give no such security, and therefore we should, after forfeiting our reputation as a people, after you had filched from us our good name, and perswaded us to give to the common enemy of man the precious jewel of our liberties; after all this, I say, we should have been at the mercy of a Parliament, which, to say no more of it, has not treated us with too great tenderness. It is quite needless to add, that even if that Parliament had ratified the conditions you proposed, still poor America was to lie at the mercy of any future Parliament,

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or appeal to the sword, which certainly is not the most pleasant business men can be engaged in. For your use I subjoin the following creed of every good American. I believe that in every kingdom, state, or empire there must be, from the necessity of the thing, one supreme legislative power, with authority to bind every part in all cases, the proper object of human laws. I believe that to be bound by laws, to which he does not consent by himself or by his representative, is the direct definition of a slave. I do therefore believe, that a dependence on Great Britain, however the same may be limited or qualified, is utterly inconsistent with every idea of liberty, for the defence of which I have solemnly pledged my life and fortune to my countrymen; and this engagement I will sacredly adhere to so long as I shall live. Amen . Now if you will take the poor advice of one, who is really a friend to England and Englishmen, and who hath even some Scotch blood in his veins, away with your fleets and your armies, acknowledge the independence of America, and as Ambassadors, and not Commissioners, solicit a treaty of peace, amity, commerce and alliance with the rising Stars of this western world. Your nation totters on the brink of a stupendous precipice, and even delay will ruin her. You have told the Congress, "If, 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." I wish you had spared your protestation. Matters of this kind may appear to you in a trivial light, as meer ornamental flowers of rhetoric, but they are serious things registered in the high chancery of Heaven. Remember the awful abuse of words like these by General Burgoyne, and remember his fate. There is one above us, who will take exemplary vengeance for every insult upon his Majesty. You know that the cause of America is just. You know that she contends for that freedom, to which all men are entitled. That she contends against oppression, rapine, and more than savage barbarity. The blood of the innocent is upon your hands, and all the waters of the ocean will not wash it away. We again make our solemn appeal to the God of Heaven to decide between you and us. And we pray that in the doubtful scale of battle we may be successful, as we have justice on our side, and that the merciful Saviour of the world may forgive our oppressors. I am, my Lords and Gentlemen, The friend of human nature, And one who glories in the title of, An AMERICAN. MS not found; reprinted from the Pennsylvania Gazette, June 20, 1778. 1 This is the first of four pseudonymous newspaper letters that Morris wrote to various members of the Carlisle commission as "An American." The other three appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet on July 21, September 19, and Octo-

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ber 20, 1778, and are printed in this edition of Letters under those dates. Morris revealed his authorship of the first letter in his June 23 letter to John Jay-"The answer to the Commissioners & the annotations signed an American were the product of your friends lucubrations"-and there is a draft of the third in Morris' hand among his papers at NNC. 2 For a discussion of the formulation of Congress' official response to the Carlisle commissioners' June 9 letter, in which Morris played a leading role, see Samuel Adams to James Warren, June 13, 1778, note 3. Morris was a member of the committee appointed on June 16 to draft a reply to the commissioners' letter, and the present address probably stems in part from his work on that body. JCC, 11 :610. 3 Morris was the author of Congress' April 22, 1778, response to Lord North's earlier conciliatory proposals. See JCC, 10:374-80; and Morris to John Jay, May 3, 4 See William Henry Drayton's Draft Letter to Lord Howe, June 6, 1778. 5 This offer was made in Henry Laurens' June 17 letter to the Carlisle commissioners. 6 For a discussion of the French announcement to Great Britain of the conclusion of the treaty of amity and commerce with the United States, see Henry Laurens to George Clinton, May 11, 1778, note 3. 7 Contrary to Morris' understanding of the situation, the French had not yet informed the British of their treaty of alliance with the United States. Ibid. 8 Lord North. Joseph Reed to Esther Reed My dear Hetty Philad. June 20th. 1778 I received your Favour yesterday at this Place which the Enemy evacuated on Thursday. I came into it the same Evening & it exhibited a new & curious Scene, some gloomy Countenances but more joyful ones, few very few Quakers visible even in the Streets, Shops shut up & all in great Anxiety & Suspence. I am now at Mrs. Yards who has been good enough to compleat the Memorandum of the Things we gave her. To which I have added since I came to Town a Qr. Cask of Wine (Lisbon), Some English Cheese, Porter, Plates, Dishes & some Knives & Forks. I directed Queen's Ware but found on Inquiry that China was only a Triffle dearer on which I ordered the latter & bought them with Continental Money only as dear again as with Gold. I have now almost as many Things as will load a Waggon. You will in your next tell me which I shall send or bring up to you. I send you indosed your Brothers Letter & the Parliamentary Register. The Printer got the News Papers away & has not returned them but I will take Care that he shall. I am very glad to hear that your Brother is so happily settled. Mr. Morris has done all in his Power to get the Affair settled he mentions, but has been used exceedingly ill by his Correspondents there who have refused his Draught tho they have Money in Hand for the Purpose. I hope it will be no real Detriment to your Brother as we shall now have a better Oppy. of doing what is proper. If your Mamma chuses the 10

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Guins. you can pay her in Gold which she can do what she pleases with. The Rate of Exchange is too unsettled to put the Matter in any other Line. I have rode my Horses a great deal of late, shall therefore let them stand a few Days perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday when I hope to have the Pleasure of seeing you at Fleming Town. But as this Letter will go direct to you I shall expect a few Lines before I set out. My Love to Mamma & the Children. My dear Hetty's Affect, J Reed [P.S.] If my dear Girl would wish me to purchase any Thing more for her she will let me know. There will be Linnen enough. I thought Stockings for you had been in the Mem[orandu]m but found it not so. Would you have any & of what sort? If this reaches you before Nurse sets out she can take the Hessian Mare & send her from Cornmans to Henry Conrads who will sell her for me. I have spoke to him on the Subject-the Saddle to be left at Cornmans or rather brought to Town & left at Mrs. Fords. RC (NHi).

Rhode Island Delegates to William Greene

Sir, York-Town June 20th 1778 Mr. Collins arrived the Day before yesterday, and brought forward Instructions from the Councill of War.(1) By the last Letter from Mr. Ellery and Mr. Marchant, you'l perceive they were not unmindful of, and had not delayed to impress upon Congress the critical Situation of Our State and the late Ravages there committed.(2) There needs no Information or Complaint against the Clothier General. We shall, as soon as we have the least Prospect of Success, urge a further Supply of Monies to Our State, but it cannot immediately be done. We shall also push the Necessity of some armed Vessells for Our Bay; But we are rather fearful of not succeeding in such an Application. A Letter from Genl. Sullivan pointing out the Utillity would however strengthen Our Efforts.(3) The Enemy evacuated Philadelphia last Thursday Morning; Three Thousand of their Troops were on Board Ship, falling down the River, the Rest were in the Jerseys, nearly opposite the City, their Destination uncertain. Our whole Army were immediately on the March; Genl. Maxwells with about two thousand Men had previously been ordered into the Jerseys. Genl. Arnold was ordered with a small Detachment to take the Command of the City. Congress have given their answer to the British Commissioners. The indosed News Paper of this Day will give your Excellency the whole Proceed

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ings, which on Our Part we doubt not will be satisfactory to every American Whig. Confederation was this Day taken up by Congress, and we are in Hopes of soon seeing it completed: For this is the Grand Corner Stone. We are with great Respect to the Honorable the Genl. Assembly, Their, and Your Excellencys most obedient and very humble Servants, William Ellery Hy. Marchant John Collins RC (R-Ar). Written by Marchant and signed by Marchant, Collins, and Ellery. 1 The Rhode Island Council of War's June 11 letter to the Rhode Island delegates, which dealt mainly with the state's expenditures on Continental account, is in PCC, item 64, fols. 406-8, and William R. Staples, Rhode Island in the Continental Congress 1765-1790 (Providence: Providence Press Co., 1870), pp. 185-86. Although Staples dated this letter June 10, the RC is dearly dated the 11th. 2 See Rhode Island Delegates to Greene, June 8, 1778. 3 For the actions Congress subsequently took on the issues discussed in this paragraph, see Rhode Island Delegates to Greene, June 27, 1778.

Oliver Wolcott to Laura Wolcott

My Dear, York Town 20t June 1778 You have I presume recd. several Letters from Me within a month, the Date of my last I do not Remember; Oliver's Letter of the 6t is recd. and I was happy to find by it that the Family was well. I am intirely Satisfied, as to his Acco. of the particular Subject which he mentions. You will probably hear before you shall receive this that the Enemy left Philadelphia the Morning of the 17t.(1) They passed over to the Jersy Side and it is said Went down to Billingsport where they have probably shipped. This last Circumstance is not fully ascertained. It is supposed that the Troops are destined for N York. Genl. Washington has moved after them. Genl. Arnold will as long as it is Necessary Command at Philadelpa. I Enclose to you the Proceedings of the Commissioners and the Answer of Congress. This Answer as it was most unanimously given, will douptless dose the Correspondence unless G Britain will accede to the Terms which it proposes. As the Commissioners are using every means to make some Impression upon the Americans, their Conduct will be carefully Watched, altho I am fully of Opinion that every Art of theirs will be totally ineffectual. No Man except he is a most hardened Tory will hesitate a Moment wheither he shall adhere to the Independency of this Country, An Independency which G Britain must and will finally acknowledge. Mr. Hosmere I hear is on his Way to Congress. But I do not hear

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wheither any other Delegate is with him. I expect to Return soon- certain Matters of an Important Nature are now in Consideration which I should be much Satisfied to see determined before I leave Congress.(2) I hope they will be so within about the Course of a Week, after which Congress will undoubtedly adjourn to Philadelphia, thro which I shall probably Return home. I hope I shall See you in about a Month. By the Blessing of God I injoy Health. May I be thankfull to that God who bestows this and every other Blessing upon me. Put your Trust in the most High whose Providence in the late Event of the Enemys leaving Philadelpha. has been most signal. After having been almost nine months in the Possession of that City, they have now left it, without Compullssion and in Apparent Terror. God will establish us in Peace and safety. My kindest Love to my Children and Freinds. Mr. Thomas Sheldon goes out of this Town this morning but as he does not expect to Return home in less Time than a Forthnight, I shall probably send you this by Mr. Kellogg of Colchester who will perhaps Return thro Litchfield. I am Affectionately Yours, Oliver Wolcott RC (CtHi). 1 That is, June 18. 2 Titus Hosmer took his seat in Congress on June 23, but it was not until July 7 that his colleagues Samuel Huntington and Oliver Wolcott requested leave to return to Connecticut. They apparently left Philadelphia on the 10th, the day after Andrew Adams joined the Connecticut delegation in Congress. See JCC, 11:632, 673, 676; and Connecticut Delegates to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., July 9, 1778.

Oliver Wolcott to George Wyllys

Sir, York Town 20 June 1778 Before you will receive this you will doubtless be informed that the Enemy evacuated Philadelphia the morning of the 17t. They passed over to the Jersy Side, and it is said they have turned down to Billingsport, where it is supposed they will ship themselves. The Route which the Enemy have taken is not fully ascertained. Their Destination in the first Instance is supposed to be N York. As I well know Sir, you wish to be informed what overtures the British Commissioners have made, and the Determinations of Congress in Regard to them, I do myself therefore the Pleasure to Endose them to you. As no comments of mine respecting this Transaction can Assist your own Reflections, I shall therefore only observe, that I am in the fullest Manner perswaded that every Veiw of the Enemy to bring about a Pacification short of Acknowledging the Independence of these States will be found totally delusive. And if a Folly of a Very

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singular Nature did not continually direct the British Councels I should flatter myself that they would admit the Independency of this Country immediately, and Avoid a War which they must otherwise be involved in, which would threaten the Very Existence of the British Nation. The Designs of these overtures might probably be, to Satisfy in some Measure the Opposition to the British Administration, accelerate their Loans, Prevent our Ratifying the Treatys with France, and divide the Americans. In every of these Veiws I trust they will be disappointed as they certainly already are in some of them. We have no recent Intelligence from Europe. Congress I apprehend will Adjourn to Philadelphia within a Week or ten days. I am Sir with respect, your most Obedient, humble Servant, Oliver Wolcott P.S. The Subject of the Confederation is now entered upon and I sincerely hope that it will be soon finished. RC (CtHi).

Samuel Adams to John Adams

My dear Sir York Town June 21 1778 Although we are exceedingly pressed with publick Business at this Juncture, I cannot omit the opportunity that now offers of writing to you. The general Scituation of Affairs, and the particular Transactions between the British Commissioners and the Congress will be transmited to you by this Conveyance, by the Committee for foreign Affairs. Since I last came to this Place from Boston, several Gentlemen have arrivd here from France viz Mr Simeon Dean, Mr Carmichael, Mr Stevenson, & Mr Holker. Mr Carmichael comes strongly recommend[ed] by Dr Franklin & Mr Silas Dean; but Dr Lee in his Letter gives Reasons why he cannot place a Confidence in him. From a long Correspondence with Dr Lee, I conceive so great an Opinion of his Candor as well as inflexible Integrity & Attachment to our Country, that I cannot entertain a Doubt that he would suffer partial Considerations to operate in his Mind to the Prejudice of any Man. Such a Difference of Sentiments concerning a Gentleman who I imagine must be of some Consequence, could not take Place without at least apparently good grounds; and it may produce such Effects on this Side of the Water as may prove uncomfortable to us if not injurious to our Cause. Would it not then be doing some Service, to exercise your Prudence in endeavoring to investigate the real grounds of it, in doing which possibly some things may open to View of Importance and at present not thought of .(1)

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Dr Lee is a Gentleman of a fair and generous Mind. I wish therefore that you would freely converse with him upon this Subject if you think you can do it with Propriety; and let him know that I have lately receivd many Letters from him, which I have duly attended to and would have acknowledgd to him by this Opportunity, if I had Leisure. By the last Accounts I have had from Braintree your Lady & Family were in Health, though anxiously wishing to hear of your safe Arrival. I shall write to you as often as I can & shall esteem my self happy in receiving your Favors. I remain very affectionately, your Friend, S A RC (Mhi) 1 For further information on Arthur Lee's criticism of William Carmichael, see James Lovell to John Adams, February 10, 1778, note 1. See also Gouverneur Morris to John Jay, August 16, 1778, note 2.

Josiah Bartlett to Mary Bartlett

My Dear York Town June 21st 1778 I have Reced your letter of the 28th of May and it gives me great pleasure to hear you & the rest of the family are in a comfortable State of health and that Rhoda gains Strength. I am well & by the favor of Providence I have had my health Ever since I arrived here, hope it will be continued to us all. The weather and air here is Dearer & I believe more wholesome than at Philadelphia. Last Thursday the 18th Inst. our army took possession of Philadelphia, we had the account of it by Express from Genl. Washington yesterday morning: I Expect you will have the particulars before you Receive this more fully than I can at present inform you. This Town is not large Enough to accomodate the multitude of people that have constantly Business with Congress. This lays us under great Difficulties and raises the price of Every thing to an Enormous heigth. Beside the Disagreable Manner in which these people Cook their victuals, and the sluttish manner of washing our linnen in Cold water only, which has already almost ruined mine, makes me willing to quit this place, tho I believe it to be a healthy place. To get rid of these & many other Difficulties and to be nearer the army which is Removed Northward, I Believe Congress will soon Remove to some other place, I Expect to the City of Philadelphia; (1) and by the time this reaches you, it is probable we shall be packing up for that purpose. The Brittish Commissrs. have sent letters with their proposals to Congress and we have given them our answer. All

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the transactions you will see in the indosed paper:(2) I think a very short time now, will Determine whither the Enemy will Remove their armies and make peace or whither they will try the fate of another Campain. Remember my love to all my Children & send Levi word that I am well; I am glad to hear that our mens Business goes on well. The Weather here has been very Seasonable, not over hot, & rather wet than Dry. I want to Know how hay is likely to be with us; how the English Corn is like to be; whither the worms Destroy the Indian Corn; how the flax is like to turn out &c &c. Remember me to David Sanborn and tell him I feel pretty Easy about my farming affairs as long as I know he has the care of it. Remember me to Mr Thurston, Dr Gale, Captn Calef, Mr Thayer &c &c &c. I have not failed to write to you as often as once a week since I Came to this place and shall Continue to write to you. Your letters Come pretty regularly to me & hope mine will Do the same to you. This letter will go in one to Major Philbrick by an Express sent by the President to Exeter & Sets off this day. I am yours, J Bartlett [P.S.] Tell Peter if he Behaves well he may Depend on my promise. RC (NhHi). 1 On June 24 Congress voted to adjourn from York on the 27th and to reconvene at Philadelphia on July 2. JCC, 11:641. 2 That is, the Pennsylvania Gazette of June 20, 1778.

to William Bingham

Sir York Town 21 June 1778 Your favors to May 10th are come to hand, and lay with different Committees of Congress.(1) Finding that Messrs. Purveyance of Baltimore have sent two Packets for our Commissioners at Paris via Martinique, I think proper at this time to acquaint you that I did not fully expect that course when I asked their care, or I should have written to you by the same opportunities.(2) Fearing now to lose the chance of Communicating some interesting Intelligence to you, if I wait for the meeting of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, I scratch these few lines to accompany the Gazettes, and am affectionately your Friend. Signed James Lovell FC (DNA: PCC, item 79). 1 Bingham's May 10 letter to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, conveying a "Dominica Gazette" with an account of the French ambassador's presentation of the French treaty with the United States to the British government, is in PCC, item 78, 2:481. His April 24, 1778, letter to the Secret Committee, discussing the

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arrival of the sloop Mesopotamia with Continental goods and his need to draw bills on the commissioners at Paris, probably arrived at the same time. It is in the Lloyd W. Smith Collection, NjMoHP. 2 See Lovell to John Adams, June 8, 1778, note 1.

Commissioners at Paris

In Committee for foreign affairs Gentlemen York Town in Pennsylva. 21 June 1778 The British Commissioners have arrived and transmitted their powers and propositions to Congress, which have received the answer you will see in the Pennsylvania Gazette of the 20th instant. On the 18th of this month Gen. Clinton with the British army (now under his command) abandoned Philadelphia, and the City is in possession of our Troops. The enemy crossed into Jersey, but whether with design to push for So. Amboy, or to embark below Bilingsport on the Delaware is yet uncertain. Gen. Washington has put his Army in motion, and is following the enemy into jersey. There has arrived here a Mr. Holker from France who has presented a paper to Congress declaring that he comes with a verbal message to Congress from the Minister of France touching our treating with Great Britain & some other particulars which for want of his paper we cannot at present enumerate.(1) The style of his paper is as from the representative of the Court, but he has no authentic voucher of his Mission for the delivery of this verbal message. We desire of you Gentlemen to give us the most exact information in your power concerning the Authenticity of Mr. Holkers mission for this purpose.(2) We are Gentlemen, with esteem and regard your most obedient and very humble servants, Richard Henry Lee Thos. Heyward Junr. James Lovell RC (PPAmP). Written by Richard Henry Lee and signed by Lee, Heyward, and Lovell. Endorsed by Arthur Lee: "Count Vergennes Answer respecting Mr. Holker was-that he was astonished that Mr. Holker had no Commission verbal or other from the Ministry; & was only desired to communicate to them his observations on the Country." 1 For the presentation of these papers to Congress on June 18, see Committee of Congress Report, June 27, 1778, note 1. 2 Upon receiving this request, the commissioners began an inquiry into the authority vested in Jean Holker by the French government, in consequence of which they transmitted the following report in their September 17, 1778, letter to President Laurens: "In observance of our instructions to inquire into M. Holker's authority, we waited on his excellency the Count de Vergennes, presented him

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with an extract of the letter concerning him, and requested to know what authority M. Holker had. His excellency's answer to us was that he was surprised, for that M. Holker had no verbal commission from the ministry; but that M. de Vergennes, being informed that M. Holker was going to America, desired him to write to him from time to time, the state of things and the temper of the people." See Wharton, Diplornatic Correspondence, 2:724; and JCC, 11:618-20. However, even before the commissioners received this request from Congress, their investigation had been rendered moot when on July 23 the French minister to the United States, Conrad Alexandre Gerard, announced to Congress Holker's appointment as "inspector general of trade and manufactures of France, and agent to the royal marine of France in all the ports belonging to the United States," as well as "consul of France in the port of Philadelphia." JCC, 11:713. In addition to these official duties, Jean Holker (1745-1822) also served as the mercantile representative of Jacques Donatien Leray de Chaumont, a French merchant who long served as a conduit for French aid to America and as a banker for the American commissioners at Paris. See Kathryn Sullivan, Maryland and France, 1774-1789 (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1936), pp. 66-83; and Adams, Diary (Butterfield), 2:297n.2, 298n.2. Despite initial doubts about Holker's credentials, Congress on July 9 directed the Committee of Commerce to contract with Holker for the purchase of hats, blankets, and shoes consigned to him. JCC, 11:679.

Henry Laurens to Joseph Reed

Dear Sir 21th June [1778] I hold myself much indebted for your very obliging Letter of the 15th and for the right of perusing the papers which it contained, a pleasure which I reserve for a very early minute tomorrow Morning. 'Till this moment I had not found time to read yours quite through, and now but slightly, nor can I do more at present than to return very full thanks and a brief reply unless I would lose the opportunity of transmitting this by Colonel Pettit. The Indosed Gazette will shew you Sir, the proceedings of Congress respecting the Commissioners, that I also have been honor'd with a Letter from Governor Johnstone introduced by two from my best Friends in England. And that you judged with Congress in with-holding an Answer to the Governor. Congress seemed by no means disposed to consent that any private Character should correspond with him and I would not hazard a denial. Some strong attempts were made to have all Letters received from Governor Johnstone and from England through him laid before Congress. Many Gentlemen had perused mine and every one who should have asked might have done the same, but I don't relish compulsion unauthorized, to avoid misconstruction therefore I submitted to a solicitation for making his Letter to me and my intended Answer just in the shape in which I had carried it to Congress Public. Mr. Manning's and Mr Ozwald's Letters are in the hands of Colo.

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John Laurens where, if your time will permit, I beg you will run your Eye over them. I think to make the latter a subject in next Gazette, if it reaches me in time, and to add an Answer which I had also written immediately after reading it, but which my Freind cannot now expect to have in any other way.(1) He will, from the tenor of his own Letter know the reply to be intended for him, although both will appear without names. I have something of another nature to communicate, but am ashamed to keep Col. Petit waiting. I must therefore defer to another opportunity and condude the present by assuring you that I am, With great regard &c. LB (ScHi). 1 No text of Laurens' intended reply to Richard Oswald has been found.

Richard Henry Lee to Samuel Purviance, Jr.

Dear Sir, York the 21st June 1778 I have taken the liberty to desire two Boxes the property of Monsr. Loyeaute a French Gentleman now in Virginia to be left in your care by a Waggon that carries them to Baltimore.(1) As Monsr. Loyeaute is a Gentleman of great worth, I wish to serve him by every means in my power and therefore I have directed his Baggage to such safe care as yours. Monsr. Loyeaute will in due time inform you what he would have done with these Boxes. The enemy have at last abandoned Philadelphia, and that City is now in possession of the American Troops. Gen. Washington is gone in quest of the enemy to the Jerseys. I expect Congress will adjourn to Philadelphia 8 or 10 days. My compliments to your Lady, your brother & his Lady. I am dear Sir your most obedient, humble servant, Richard Henry Lee RC (ViHi). 1 Anne Philippe de Loyaute had recently resigned as inspector general of Virginia artillery. See Lee to Thomas Jefferson, May 11, 1778, note 3.

Eastern Navy Board

Gentlemen York Town June 22. 1778 The bearer Mr Taylor has instructions to proceed to France immediately. This Gentleman having been a long time Confidentially employed by Mr Hancock while President of Congress, we think it

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proper that the delivery of one of the Packets sent to your care yesterday for our Commissioners in France should be intrusted to him.(1) It is not however meant that you should Suffer any delay in the Sailing of the Vessels in which you intended our dispatches F and G should be forwarded. It is only meant that you should give Mr Taylor the offer of delivering one of them personally at Paris, in preference to other persons mentioned conditionally to you when the Packets were sent. We are Gentlemen &c, Signed, James Lovell, for the Committee for Foreign Affairs FC (DNA: PCC, item 79). 1 Although the committee's June 21 letter to the Eastern Navy Board has not been found, its receipt was acknowledged in the board's July 6 letter to the committee. PCC, item 37, fol. 117.

Samuel Holten's Diary

[June 22, 1778] 22. I took my seat in Congress, and it is a very August Assembly. I wrote to Mr. Hall of Boston & to Miss Holten(1). MS (MDaAr). 1 Not found.

Henry Laurens to John Houstoun

Honorable Sir, 22d June [1778] I had the honor of writing to you the 9th & 10th Inst.(1) by Messenger Wilkinson through Charles Town & on the 14th Inst. of receiving your Honour's Letter of the 16th April. Congress were so ardently engaged in business respecting the British Commission at Philadelphia at the time your Honor's Letter reached & for a few days after as deprived me of opportunity to present it before the 19th. It was then, with General Howe's Letters & one from the Honorable Mr. Speaker Committed to a Select Committee, from whom no Report is yet come up & possibly in our present crowd of business may not be made.(2) I am persuaded it will not be taken under consideration, for Several days, Congress Seem determined to suffer no other matter to come before them if possible to avoid it until they shall have Ratified Confederation. In these circumstances I have judged it proper to return your Messenger, whose expences are in this place intolerable, & I expect to have an opportunity of writing by Colo. Marbury full as early as I shall receive commands, if it shall happen otherwise an Express Messenger shall be dispatched.

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Your Honor will be pleased to receive within the present Inclosure an Act of Congress of the 17th Inst. for preventing all correspondence between the Enemy & private persons of the good people of these States, to which I take the liberty of adding four Copies of the Pennsylvania Gazette of the 20th containing the Commissioners Address to Congress, their Commission, the Answer of Congress &ca &ca & also an hand Bill Supplement, with the Duke of Richmond's remarkable Speech of the 5th March in the House of Lords.(3) I have this Instant a Letter from General Washington dated 20th in the Evening.(4) He had then advanced within 10 Miles of Coriels ferry. General Lee with Six Brigades was to arrive at the ferry that Evening. The Enemy had advanced as far as Eyres Town & were repairing the Bridge which we had nearly destroyed for retarding their March, a pretty brisk firing had passed between the Enemy & part of Maxwell's Brigade in which a Deserter who had just come in says the former lost several Men.(5) General Dickinson writes the Jersey Militia had taken up the Alarm & were in good Spirits, the obstructed Roads & Bridges or rather want of Bridges will render the Enemy's passage difficult. (6) General Washingtons whole Army will soon be up with them, between these & the Militia 'tis probable Sir Henry Clinton must run the Gantlet, & I hope will not escape without Several lashes. However this may happen, his whole conduct Still wears the aspect of Stratagem, he had certainly two days to March ahead of our Commander in Chief, he had made no further progress than 15 Miles & General Washington had travelled 40 at least. I have likewise just received a Letter from Majr. General Gates Peeks Kill 17th June. (7) The Militia & draughts were coming in very fast & he "thanks Heaven for the precious time the Enemy had so foolishly lost." The General adds "I think all preparations for an Indian War will be unnecessary other than those I have already placed in the hands of Brigadier General Stark, I wish this Country to steer dear of that Hornets Nest the Six Nations & their Allies, the Savages from my Country are enough to deal with at one time." Thus far things in this quarter look well. I hope the prospect in the Sothern States are not more unfavorable. I am in possession of a Letter written by a Gentleman of Character in London dated 10th April introducing Govr. Johnston & I believe under the Eye of the British Ministry in which among many humiliating concessions these remarkable terms appear. "Your paper Money shall not only be funded & Secured but if desired we will lend you two or three Million-lose not the feelings of Christians in the resentments of Men, as you have fought Nobly now act more nobly & forgive us"-"and the Door was shut." People are thronging towards Philadelphia were General Arnold Commands by order of General Washington. When we know the En-

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emy are in fact going by being gone Congress will turn their faces that way. The several Boards are ordered to hold themselves in readiness. This day carried us through two or three objections to articles of confederation from Maryland, the third will be decided by a question to morrow Morning without farther debate & without alteration, admitting this, the whole will be ratified in the original form within three days, I am not apprehensive of any long debate except from South Carolina, & her delegates have full power.(8) I have the honor to be &ca. LB (DNA: PCC, item 13). 1 See Laurens' letters to Richard Caswell, June 9, note 6; and to the States, June 10, 1778. 2 On June 19 Congress read and referred to a committee consisting of William Henry Drayton, William Duer, and Thomas McKean a letter to Laurens from Georgia Governor Houstoun dated April 16, one from Georgia Assembly Speaker James Whitfield dated May 6, and two from Gen. Robert Howe, commander of the southern military department, dated April 13, 1778. See JCC, 11:622; and PCC, item 73, fols. 191-95, 207-14, item 160, fols. 444-55. These letters all dealt with the perilous state of Georgia's defenses and asked Congress to support an expedition against St. Augustine planned by the state, to provide Georgia with $1,000,000 in Continental currency to replace her own depreciated currency, to authorize establishment of an effective cavalry regiment to deter raids from East Florida, and to reimburse General Howe for cannon and stores he had purchased for the state's defense. The only action Congress took on these requests occurred on June 26, u hen the delegates denied Georgia's application for a loan of $1,000,000, but agreed instead to send her $198,400, the remainder of a $1,000,000 grant made in August 1777. JCC, 11:660. Despite Congress' failure to provide more assistance, Georgia launched an expedition against St. Augustine with the cooperation of General Howe that bogged down and had to be called off in July 1778 well short of its objective. See Kenneth Coleman, The Arnerican Revolution in Georgia (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1958), pp. 106 8. 3 For the Duke of Richmond's March 5, 1778, speech criticizing Lord North's conciliatory proposals and urging recognition of American independence, see Parliamentary History, 19:839-42. 4 Washington's June 20 letter to Laurens is in PCC, item 152, 6:125, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:97-98. 5 The July 3 issue of the Virginia Gazette (Purdie) contains portions of two letters written this day by two Virginia delegates that also dealt with the British army's evacuation of Philadelphia and retreat to New Jersey. The first, headed "Extract of a Letter from a member of Congress, dated York town, June 22," reads as follows: "I congratulate you upon the late happy turn to our affairs. On the 18th instant, at five in the morning, the enemy totally evacuated Philadelphia, and at eight of the same morning a detachment of our troops took possession. General Arnold now commands in the city, and I expect Congress will remove in a few days." The second, headed "Extract of a letter from another member of Congress, of the same date, from York town," states: "I have the pleasure to inform you, that our army has decamped, and are, in several divisions, on their way to the Jersey side of the river, in order to gall and harrass the enemy on their march through that country. General Lee's division is at Coryells ferry, the main body in the rear, about ten miles. General Maxwell

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has broke up the roads, and destroyed the bridges, and, at the head of some regulars and the Jersey militia, begins to skirmish with the enemy, who are about fifteen miles from Philadelphia, on their way to Amboy. They quitted the city on Friday last." Although neither the writers nor the recipients of these letters have been identified, Thomas Adams, John Banister, and Richard Henry Lee were the Virginia delegates in York at this time. The only known copy of this issue of the Gazette is located among the intercepted ship's papers in High Court of Admiralty 32, box 357, no. 35, P.R.O. It has been supplied through the courtesy of the Virginia Colonial Records Project and Dr. Brent Tarter of the Virginia State Library. 6 Laurens is referring to a paraphrase of Gen. Philemon Dickinson's June 19 letter to Washington in Washington's own June 20 letter to Laurens cited above. 7 General Gates' June 17 letter to Laurens was read in Congress on June 23. See JCC, 11 :632; and PCC, item 154, 1 :418-20. 8 The South Carolina delegates offered twenty-one amendments to the Articles of Confederation on June 25, all of which were promptly rejected JCC, 11 :652-56.

Maryland Delegates to the Maryland Assembly

Gentlemen, York Monday P.M. 22d June 1778 The Instructions of the House of Delegates of the 18th instant (1) we this morning received in a letter from Mr. Chase, and laid them before Congress; whereupon at our earnest desire, it was resolved to take into immediate consideration the amendments proposed by our State to the Confederation, altho' Congress had previously determined to take up the amendments offered by the several States in the order in which the States are ranged in the Confederacy, beginning first with New Hampshire, and so on. This evening the 3 amendments offered by Maryland were debated and 11 States out of the 12 present, rejected the amendments to the 4th and 8th Articles, so that our State only voted for them. The fate of the most important amendment is not yet decided, the question being put off by adjournment till tomorrow morning, when it will probably be rejected by a majority of eight States out of twelve. A Confederation at this critical juncture appears to Congress of such momentous consequence, that I am satisfied a great majority are resolved to reject the amendments from every State, not so much from an opinion that all the amendments are improper, as from the conviction, that if any should be adopted, no Confederation will take place, at least for some months, perhaps, years; and in that case, many apprehend none will ever be entered into by all of the present united States; the distractions probably consequent on such an event, and the many dangers and evils, which may arise from partial Confederacies (which you may more easily point to yourselves than we can express) have determined some States to accept the present

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Confederation altho' founded on principles not altogether consistent, in their opinion, with justice and sound policy. For if any amendments should be adopted, it will then be necessary to send the Confederation back to those States, whose Legislatures have empowered their Delegates to sign and ratify it in its present form; for instance, to New Hampshire, New York, Virginia and North Carolina, the Delegates of which States are positively instructed to ratify the Confederation, as it now stands, and some of them are directed to admit of no alterations, even litterary ones, such as would not affect the true spirit & meaning of any article, but only serve to elucidate that meaning and spirit by removing all ambiguity, and doubt. In debating our second amendment, vizt to the 8th article, it was admitted on all sides to be the true meaning & intention of that article, that all lands, not only those already granted to, or surveyed for any person, but all lands hereafter to be granted to, or surveyed for any person, should be subjected to valuation, and considered as a part of the whole wealth of the State in which they lie. It was contended by several members that the meaning of the 8th article is clearly expressed, but confessed by some to be dark and ambiguous, who nevertheless voted against the amendment, for the reasons we have already assigned. The amendment to the 4th Article was considered by every State, Maryland excepted, as unimportant; the Article not being liable, in the opinion of any other State to the objection made and consequences apprehended by Maryland.(2) 23d P.M. Our third amendment has just been rejected by a Majority of one State;(3) the division was as follows. Against the Amendt. For the Amendment N. Hampshire Rhode Island Massachusets Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania N York divided Delaware N Carolina absent Maryland South Carolina Georgia Virginia Inclosed you have a copy of Gen. Washington's letter received this morning. We are with great respect, Gent, yr. most obdt. huml. Servants, Geo Plater Ch. Carroll of Carrollton P.S. We write in great haste to be in time for the post, you will therefore be pleased to excuse all interlineations, erasures, & blots.

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RC (NN). Written by Carroll and signed by Carroll and Plater, 1 The Maryland delegates' June 18 instructions merely reaffirmed that they were to remain bound by the legislature's December 16, 1777, resolutions on the confederation, "and that they do not ratify and confirm the said articles of confederation until congress shall take the said instructions into consideration, and shall enable the said delegates of this state to give a direct and positive answer thereto, and then not without the express authority of the Legislature of this state." Votes and Proceedings of the House of Delegates of tile State of Maryland, June session, 1778, p. 129, DLC(ESR). 2 The delegates had been instructed to endeavor to amend the fourth article on "privileges and immunities" of free citizens in the several states, "by striking out the word 'paupers' and inserting a provision, 'that one state shall not be burthened with the maintenance of poor persons who may remove from another state.'" See ibid., October session, 1777, p. 48; and JCC, 9:908. 3 The legislature's instructions on this proposed amendment, which concerned the subject of western lands and ultimately delayed ratification of the Articles of Confederation until 1781, read as follows: "That this state esteem it essentially necessary for rendering the union lasting, that the United States in congress assembled should have full power to ascertain and fix the western limits of those states that claim to the Mississippi or South Sea. That this state consider themselves justly entitled to a right in common with the other members of this union, to that extensive tract of country which lies to the westward of the frontier of the United States, the property of which was not vested in or granted to individuals at the commencement of the present war.... And that [the delegates to congress from this state] use their utmost endeavours to obtain, that an article to this effect be made part of the confederation." Votes and Proceedings of the House of Delegates of the State of Maryland, October session, 1777, p. 48, DLC(ESR) .

Board of War to the Massachusetts Council

Sir War-Office York Town June 23d. 1778. Congress having been pleased to commit to this board the care of the cloathing arrived & which shall arrive at the eastward, we are under the necessity of requesting the favour of your honourable board to nominate a person of judgment, care & activity, & who, you think, will faithfully execute the trust, to take the immediate charge of such cloathing, and dispose of the same pursuant to the resolve of Congress & our instructions which will be presented to you herewith.(1) Unfortunately the business has been (from various causes) too long neglected: we hope therefore you will excuse our urging that a proper person be appointed to execute the same without any delay. We shall also thank your honourable board if they will add to our instructions, an injunction on the person appointed, to use all possible diligence in the business committed to his care. We are, very respectfully, your most obedt. servants. By order of the Board. Wm. Duer, Del. State of New York

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RC (M-Ar). In a clerical hand and signed by William Duer. Addressed: "The president of the Council of Masstts. Bay." 1 Congress' order to the Board of War, which was intended to expedite the delivery of imported clothing to Washington's troops, was dated May 28. See JCC, 11:54749; and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:445, 453.

to Charles Carroll, Sr.

Dear Papa, 23d June 1778 I shall leave Congress next Saturday, perhaps sooner. On that day, I believe, Congress will adjourn to Pha. We are now on ratifying the Confederation: it will be ratified by all the States except Maryd. and no amendments will be admitted to the present Confederation, so it will stand as it is now printed. By a letter from Gen. Washington of the 20th we learn that the Enemy had got as far as Eyres town 3 miles below Mount holly on their way to Amboy as it is presumed. Maxwell's corps has had Some skirmishing with them. They were repairing a bridge. 6 Brigades under Gen. Lee were at Corryel's ferry, the main army was then (4 o'clock P.M. 20th June) at ten miles distance from Corryel's ferry. I hope Sam has got safe home. I sent him off last Saturday. I long to be at home. My love to Molly, & her Mama. I wish you health and am, yr. affectionate Son, Ch Carroll of Carrollton R C ( MdH i) .

John Hancock to Dorothy Hancock

My Dearest Dolly: York Town, June 23rd, 1778 Mr. Taylor having agreeably to his wish been Charg'd with some Dispatches for our Commissioners in France, sets off for Boston immediately, & to Sail from thence as Soon as the Packett is ready, by him I embrace the oppor'y of writing you, altho' I wrote you Two Letters the Day before yesterday,(1) & this is my Seventh Letter, & not one word have I heard from you since your departure from Boston. I am as well as the peculiar scituation of this place will admit, but I can by no means in Justice to myself continue long under such disagreeable Circumstances, I mean in point of Living, the mode is so very different from what 1 have been always accustom'd to, that to continue it long would prejudice my health exceedingly. This moment the Post arriv'd, and to my very great Surprise & Disappointment not a single line from Boston; I am not much dispos'd to Resent, but it feels exceedingly hard to be slighted and neglect'd by those from whom I have a degree of Right to expect different Con-

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duct; I would have hir'd any one to have sent a few Lines just to let me know the State of your health, but I must Endeavor not to be so Anxious & be as easy as some others seem to be. I will expect no letters nor write any, & then there will be no Disappointment; So much for that. To be serious, I shall write no more till I hear from you, this is agreeable to my former promise. It really is not kind, when you must be sensible that I must have been very anxious about you & the little one. Devote a little time to write me, it will please me much to hear of you, I am sure you are dispos'd to oblige me, & I pray I may not be disappointed in my opinion of your Disposition . I hope this will meet you tolerably Recover'd from your late Confinement, I wish to hear of your being below Stairs & able to take the care of our Dear little one. I am much concern'd about your improving the fine Season in Riding. I am sorry I did not take hir'd horses & leave you mine, but I beg you spare no Cost in Riding for the Establishment and Continuance of your health, hire horses whenever you are dispos'd to Ride, be as frugal & prudent in other matters as is consistent with our Scituation; I wish to know every Occurrence since my departure, pray be particular as to your health in your Letters & give me an exact state of little John. Does Mrs. Brackett intend continuing with you? I beg she may at least untill my Return. My love to her, pray her to take great care of the little fellow. As soon as the City of Philada is cleansed, I judge Congress will remove thither, & as soon as we have got over the important Business now before Congress I shall solicit leave to Return home, as it will not be necessary for so many of our Members to be here, but of this more hereafter. As I have wrote so many Letters & see no Returns, & as I am called to attend Congress, I must Refer you to Mr. Taylor for every particular relative to our Scituation. My regards to Mr. & Mrs. Bant, my Brother & Sister, & indeed to all Friends as if nam'd. Remember me to Sprigs and Harry, & all in the Family. Do let me have frequent Letters, you will oblige me much. My best wishes ever attend you for the highest Felicity, & I am with the utmost Affection and Love. Yours for ever, John Hancock. MS not found; reprinted from Henry C. Walsh, "Three Letters from Hancock to 'Dorothy Q.' " New England Magazine 12 (892): 537. I Although these two letters have not been found, the following extract of Hancock's June 22 letter to Dorothy was printed in Dodd, Mead & Co. Catalog no. 61 (Nov. 1901), item 175, p. 40. "My Dear Dolly: I wrote you two Letters of yesterday's Date by Dodd who set off early this morning, & hope will get safe to you; to which & all my former Letters I pray your Answers, as you recollect our Agreement you will not hereafter

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expect more from me than to Answer the Number I Receive from you; however, as the frequent hearing of you and from you will afford me very great pleasure k satisfaction I am confident you will Indulge me as often as possible. Nothing has Occurr'd since I wrote you yesterday. I really think my journey has been serviceable to my Health, which I hope will continue to Recruit, tho' the exceeding heat of the Weather & the different mode of Living is much against me.... "I shall write you as often as I can & Expect at least the same kind Conduct from you. Pray remembr me to your Sister Mrs. Boyle, Mr. Bank, my Brother & all Friends as if nam'd. My Love to Mrs. Brackett, beg her to take care of little John & of you. I wish this may meet you in the perfect Enjoyment of health, if you are as happy as I wish you, you are happy Indeed. I must go to Congress as the hour is come, & can only add, that I long much to hear from you, & will be with you as soon as I possibly can. May a kind providence Bless & protect you. "I am with the sincerest Love, Yours for ever, John Hancock."

Samuel Holten's Diary

June 23, 1778] 23. Attended in Congress, and the chief of the day was taken up in Disputing on the Articles of confederation.(1) MS (MDaAr). 1 Congress spent considerable time on June 22 and 23 debating and rejecting amendments to the articles offered by Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. JCC, 11:629-40. For a discussion of the amendments offered by t e states, see George D. Harmon, "The Proposed Amendments to the Articles of Confederation," South Atlantic Quarterly 24 (925): 298-315, 411-36.

Henry Laurens to John Lewis Gervais

Dear Sir 23d June [1778] By Captain Cochran I troubled you with a few lines the 3d Inst. You are guarded as usual against being troubled with many at present. I cannot even acknowledge receipt of such of your favors as have since come to hand. Sitting from 10 oclock to 1/2 past 1, and from 3 to 1/2 past 6 leaves Very little interval for executing with propriety the great burthen of Public Business, none for friendly addresses with that decency which I would ever wish to preserve. My Secretaries I really believe submit to work much harder than the common tone merely out of Respect or perhaps Pity to me. Our Friend the President will shew you all I have written or transmitted to him, there are some extraordinaries contained in the collection. The Chief Justice watchful and indefatigeable as usual, will make up every dificiency of intelligence in my transmissions and you will learn the whole. Within the present Inclosure you will find about twenty Pennsylvania Gazettes and as many supplements. Distribute them for me among my Friends-Mr. Manigault, the late

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President,(1) Mr. Wells, Mr. Galphin, Mr. Williamson, Colo. Kershaw, Colo. Thomson, Mr. Ball, Mr. Zahn, Mr. Brisbane, &c. &c. &c. Give one set if you please to Mr. Loveday. God bless you all. I congratulate with you, my Countrymen and Friends, on the present fair prospect. Let us with grateful Hearts thank God, be watchful and persevere ardently in our duty not trusting to appearances nor exulting in success. This Life is chequered and three days hence may possibly bring Clouds and Storms over our heads. The Enemy is full of cruelty, subtility and mad with revengeful designs. Until Peace shall be actually proclaimed it will be our Wisdom to know that we are in the depth of War and to Act becomingly. I have sent Mr. Oswalds and Mr. Mannings Letters to General Washington and Colo. Laurens; when they are returned you shall see them. My Love and Compliments and humble respects to all my Friends. A very valuable French Ship just arrived on public Account at Portsmouth, New Hampshire with Military Stores, Cloathing &c. &c. Col. Armand tells me prizes are brought into Boston every day- The town full of Goods-And Mr Burgoyne's Saratoga Men the foreigners including Officers coming into us in great numbers and many British too. I recommend General Roberdeaus Letter to you. My Dear Friend Adieu.(2) LB (ScHi). 1 John Rutledge. 2 Laurens wrote another letter to Gervais this day in which he asked him to initiate legal action against John McNutt, who had refused to pay Laurens a debt of £410, and requested information about the clothing needs of his slaves "in order that I may if necessary write immediately to France." Laurens Papers, ScHi.

Henry Laurens to Rawlins Lowndes

Dear Sir 23 June [1778] My last private to Your Excellency is dated 13th Instant. I sent it to Governor Caswell for conveyance, as I did on the 20th one of the Pennsylva. Gazettes giving it a possible chance of reaching your Excellency earlier than this.(1) The Enemy are now certainly out of Philadelphia, but their movements still wear the aspect of stratagem, they had certainly two days start of General Washington, & according to his advice of the 20th he had marched 40 miles or very near it, Sir Henry Clinton only 15. That Letter will be inclosed for your Excellency's information. I request Sir if you cause it to be published order the title to be a Letter from Camp and no name and the same or a similar restriction respecting General Gates' Letter which will also be enclosed.(2)

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Admitting the Enemy to be in earnest meaning to penetrate the Jerseys, our affairs at present may be said to be promising. The roads in their way are much encumbered, Bridges broke up &c, surrounded by numerous hosts all in high spirits and thousands in the highest degree of resentment for great injuries received-their Officers and Men all in the dumps, and desertion determin'd upon by the latter in General and executed as often as opportunity offers. Congress had granted 932,7431/3 Dollars for defraying the expence of an Indian War, which was at that time judged to be inevitable.(3) General Gates now gives us better hopes. Rhode Island is still possessed by the Enemy and lately reinforced by some 4 or 500 Troops. General Pigot perseveres in ravaging the Country as often and as much as he can. He lately intimated by Letter to General Sullivan that as by the American Laws all Males from 16 to 60 are obliged to bear Arms he should capture as many such as he could, or all of such, which he might capture, should be considered as exchangeable for British Soldiers.(4) In pursuance of this Idea he is attempting to add Glory to his name by stealing Boys and reserving the right of ageing them to himself-this shews, to say the mildest, great distress on their part, from the detention of Mr Burgoyne's Men. I troubled your Excellency some time ago with a request to obtain certain Evidence from Captain Senff and I hope soon to receive it in confirmation of what has lately been declared by other foreign Officers respecting the Colours which ought to have been surrendred at Saratoga, and which General Burgoyne like an honest candid Man declared had been left in Canada.(5) A copy of this declaration will be found Inclosed and may, with Captain Senf''s in general Terms and even with Comments, leaving out names for the present, be published. Genl. Washington had sent on the Answer from Congress to the Commissioners who had left the City, and there the Subject rests.(6) You will observe Sir, in the Pennsylvania Gazette a Letter from Govr. Johnstone to myself, and my intended answer, made public by the great anxiety of many People to be informed, and indeed by an attempt of a Member of Congress to obtain an order that all Letters from Govr. Johnstone should be laid before the House. This appeared to me to be unjust and inefficatious. Congress have no power to compel & if the unwarrantable Order had passed, it would have produced Letters only from their Freinds who were not inclined to make them secret. Your Excellency will find within the present Inclosure Copy of a Letter from Govr. Johnstone to a friend of mine in Camp(7) together with Copy of one from a Gentleman in London to my Friend-over these I have all power except printing-even this, I expect in a few

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days, in the mean time it will serve for information to your Excellency and other Friends & fellow Citizens at home. Colo. Malcom lately informed me that having heard one of the Enemy's ships lay near in North River he caused an 18 & 24 Pounder to be dragged down in the night with 51 shot, when the flood tide had made strong he opened his little masked Battery of Bushes and at the distance of 500 to 700 yards pierced her 47 times-when he had only I shot remaining a breeze of Wind favouring, the Swift, I think she is called, of 16 Guns cut her Cable and towed off, he took up the Cable and anchor and returned without loss. The Crew of the Ship, the Colonel, says passed their time in great confusion but fired not a shot in return. We are now to the exclusion of all other business closely engaged on Confederation, if I judge right, Ratification of the original Act will be obtained in the course of this week. Were the various amendments to be fully discussed and alterations made I should not live to see Ratification. When we have evidence of the Enemy's being fairly gone, Congress will turn their faces toward Philadelphia. General Washington has appointed General Arnold to command there, and 'tis probable the City is now under Whig principles again. People are flocking that way from all Quarters, some shamefully to the neglect of the most important duties. I doubt much whether I shall have time to write to any other Freinds in Charlestown, although I must trouble your Excellency with Packets of Newspapers for a few. I add to the papers above mentioned the Duke of Richmonds very remarkable Speech of the 5th March-if your Excellency shall not have seen a copy earlier this will afford half an hours agreeable entertainment. In the first event your Excellency will be pleased to accept my meaning, and do me the Honor to believe me with great Esteem and Respect, Sir &c.(8) LB (ScHi). 1 See Laurens to George Clinton, June 20, 1778, note 4. 2 Washington's June 20 letter to Laurens, dealing with the British army's withdrawal across New Jersey, is in Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 12:97-98. Gates' June 15 letter to Laurens, explaining why it was unnecessary for him to carry out a June 11 resolve directing him to wage war on such tribes of the Six Nations as were hostile to the United States, is in PCC, item 154, 1:418-20. 3 See JCC, 11 :589-91. 4 See Gen. Robert Pigot's widely publicized June 3 letter to Gen. John Sullivan in Sullivan, Papers (Hammond), 2:69-70. 5 See Laurens to Lowndes, May 17, 1778, note 12. 6 See Laurens to the Carlisle Commissioners, June 17, 1778. 7 John Laurens. 8 Laurens also wrote a brief covering letter to Lowndes this day transmitting four issues of the June 20 Pennsylvania Gazette and a copy of Congress' June 17 resolve on corresponding with the enemy. PCC, item 13, 2:8.

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Henry Laurens to George Walton

Dear Sir 23d June [1778] If I had not long since lamented you as one numbered among the dead and been but lately undeceived you would have often heard from me, indeed upon the first Intelligence of that mistake I destroyed a Letter I had written to you which lay sealed on my table. Doubting whether the Correspondence would have been within order until I should learn which side of the question you had taken.(1) The subject will not admit of congratulation neither for you have gained nothing, you are but where you were. But The Intelligence which I have transmitted to Governor Houston and that which you will find within the present Inclosure furnish Sufficient matter for one days joy but let us still be watchful and persevere as becomes wise men until danger shall be wholly removed. Excuse this haste and expect to hear by Colonel Marbury or an earlier Express more fully. I heard a mischievous droll fellow say the other day that Georgia was misrepresented. Your Friend Arnold Commands in the City. I Am Dear Sir &c. LB (ScHi). 1 Laurens was evidently responding to letters from Walton of April 26 and June 3, transcripts of which are in the Laurens Papers, ScHi, in which Walton explained that he was unable to attend Congress because he needed to attend to more pressing public business in Georgia. Laurens' reference to Walton's reported demise is obviously facetious.

Richard Henry Lee to Thomas Jefferson

My dear Sir York the 23d June 1778 The inclosed Gazette will shew you the progress, and perhaps the end for some time, of our negotiation with the British Commissioners. They, with their whole Army have abandoned Philadelphia, and our Troops are in possession of that City. The enemy are pushing thro Jersey for South Amboy, and in their front is Gen. Maxwell with a brigade of Continentals and the Jersey Militia. They have impeded the enemies progress by breaking up the roads and bridges; and we have just been told that Maxwell has attacked and gained an advantage over part of their army. Gen. Washington with 13,000 men is in hot pursuit of the enemy. He was about crossing Delaware the day before yesterday. If our Army can come up with them before they embark, we may have a second edition of Burgoyne. Governor Johnsone tries every art to gain admission among us. He abuses his </