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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Dear Sir Philadelphia 28th Novemr 1780 I last wrote to your Excellency by General Scott. (1) We have since received dispatches from Holland (2) and have the satisfaction to find that Mr Adams has received his powers to execute the Trust reposed in Mr Lawrence now a Prisoner of war in England. The Claims of Ireland are still unsatisfied and they have passed an Act to prevent, by a severe duty, the Importation of unrefined Sugar from England; insisting that it shall be brought directly from the Islands into their ports; and claiming in every other Respect a perfect Equality with what they call their Sister Kingdom. The Courtiers in that parliament were averse to this Measure, but the Patriot Councilor Yelverton told them that his Argument should be concise. If they woud not agree to it, he woud put himself at the head of the Associators. This is a mode of reasoning which proves irresistible. By the way is it not the highest Insolence that while the Claims of Ireland are submitted to from [ . . . ] and preparations to enforce them by Arms; Americans are persecuted as Rebels for exercising the same Right? Holland continues to be rent into Faction. The Statholder, under british Influence, restrains some of the provinces from acting with vigour: While the Republican party in all seem resolved to support our Cause and are earnest for Close Alliance with Us. In England the Crown has acquired additional strength by the misconduct of the People headed by Lord George Gordon. It is said the late Elections have proved unfavourable to the Patriots, and that several of the most distinguished have lost their Seats in Parliament. But it is a general
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Opinion that the Convention of the Neutral powers will have a much greater Effect upon the British Cabinet than the Eloquence of Angells. Lord Shelbourn in their House of Peers declared that it was to be taken for granted that the united States woud be admitted to that Convention as an Independant people. Indeed All Accounts agree that the great Powers of Europe are altogether advocates for our Freedom, and the ministerial writers in late publications whine and complain that All mankind are Ingrates, and that they are left without an Ally to contend against France Spain & America; they might add Ireland to the Catalogue: for the Liberation of that Kingdom will eventually press them to the Quick, and tend to the Destruction of her Commerce as much as anyother Cause. In the mean time they have manifested a servility in offering Assistance to the Russian fleet, that Armed merely to humble their maritime power, which cannot fail to render them contemptible. With the same low Condescension they have endeavour[ed] to sooth and cajole the Courts of France and Spain and seem prepared to sacrifice every Sentiment of Glory, & every Prospect of national Advantage if America can be deserted and left to their Vengeance. These Courts however seem resolved to pursue the War, and France, in every Event, to maintain her Alliance. Besides the Ties of Honour, their future Safety, and a desire to recover the disgraces of the last War; both these Nations are become responsible for their Conduct to the Northern Powers: Nor can any thing Justify them to themselves or to Europe. While these States by vigorously persevering to establish their Freedom call down the Admiration and Respect of Mankind.
From Intelligence out of our Capitol, it appears that the Enemy expressed great Chargin and disappointment on examining the new Arrangement for the Campaign which they intercepted. They had hoped, it seems, that we were to much broken to attempt a formidable Opposition. If the Views of Congress are seconded by the states, and the Army & Supplies which we have requested punctually produced: it is the general Opinion that the Enemy will relinquish the American War and think seriously of preserving their remaining Dominions. One decisive Effort will be of more Avail than languid & precarious operations for years. But these Observations need not be made to your Excellency who has long been impressed with the Necessity of vigorous Measures to expell the Enemy.
The late Hurricane in the West Indies has produced such Horrible Devastations; that nothing equal to it has happened perhaps Since the Deluge. Only partial Accounts have yet come to hand: but the Tempest continuing many days with unabated Violence; it may be concluded that its Effects have been dreadful in the Islands both Windward & Leeward. It must prove a fatal Blow to Britain: but our Ally has a great Share in the Calamity. The Loss of Shipping and Lives must be prodigious.
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I cannot but say, excepting in the Case of Vermont, that I never enjoyed so much Satisfaction in the proceedings of Congress as at this Time. There is a decision and spirit in their measures which had become indispensably necessary. They have made All the Preparations for the next Campaign with the utmost Unanimity and to the entire Satisfaction of the Commander in Chief.
I continue alone to represent the State. It is a Confidence which I endeavoured to deserve by unremited Application; and by devoting my whole Time to the publick Business. Habit, and a great Share of Health, make it tolerable; and a Hope that I am serviceable to the Country reconciles me to continue so long in a Station on some Accounts undesireable. The Want of a decent Support from the State is among the Number of discouragements which give me disquiet: there are others which must occur to your Excellency of a Nature much more general and consequential.
Be pleased to present my most respectful Compliments to Mrs. Clinton and Col. Benson.
I have the Honour to be with the utmost Respect; and Affection, Dear Sir, Your Excellency's most Obedient & very humble Servant, Jas Duane
Tr (DLC: George and James Clinton Papers).
(1) See Duane to Clinton, November 14, 1780.
(2) These dispatches consisted of ten letters from John Adams and Charles W. F. Dumas that were read in Congress on November 27.JCC, 18:1095. Those from Adams, dated June 12 (two), 16, 17 (two), 29, and September 24 and 25, 1780, are in PCC, item 84, 2:118-52, 161-64, 265-72; and Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 3:779-84, 787-98, 823-24, 4:66-69 (except for one of the letters of June 17, although both are in the Adams letterbooks, MHi). Dumas' letters, both dated September 12, are in PCC, item 93, 1:464-70, one of which is in Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 4:55-56.
John Hanson to Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Dear sir Phil. November 28th 1780 I was in full Expectation of receiving a line from you by the last post but was disappointed. Mr. Hall (1) in his last has given Some Account of the proceedings in the House of Delegates. He writes me that the Confiscation Bill had passed their House by a very great Majority. Should the measure be adopted it might be made to Serve a most valuable purpose, that of drawing the Bills emitted under the resolve of the 18th March into Circulation and establishing its Credit. Let part of the Confiscated property as much as may be necessary, be laid off in Small Lots, (Lands in 100 Acres) and Valued in hard money, by persons on Oath. Those Lots to be made over to any person who Shall first offer to pay the Valuation either in hard money
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or in Bills of the new Emission. By this means every one would have it in his power to realize his money, in property of the full Value of hard money to obtain the new money to Answer this purpose every one would be induced to Exchange the old Bills for the new at 40 for one, which would in a short time, it is probable bring all the new money into Circulation and establish its Credit, the fund being ready And equal in Value to Gold and silver.
The president of Congress has promised to send by this post, a Copy of a late Law passed in Connecticut, respecting a Cession of some part of the back Lands.(2) We have had nothing from Virginia or any other state on that Subject. The Eastern states are making the most Vigorous Exertions, And it is said there is not the least doubt of their Compleating their number of men by the first of February, and their Quota of Supplies of provisions and money will be furnished. I hope every State Will See the necessity of the like Exertions. Nothing is so likely to give us peace as a formidable Well Appointed Army, Well Supported and a proper Arrangement of our Finances. The loss of men our State has Sustained, to the southward, Occasions a greater deficiency in our Quota of Troops than We shall I am afraid be able to make up. We shall I suppose after the Addition of the new raised regiment want at least 1300 men, but Should We fall Short (all things Considered) We Shall not be justly lyable to blame, but if it is possible, our full Quota I hope Will be made up. Provisions we have plenty of, so that We Shall be able to Comply with what is required of us in that respect. I am much pleased to See your name in the Delegation to Congress. I hope it will be agreeable to you to Attend, and Wish you and Mr Johnson Coud immediately Come up. The Major I Suppose Cant Attend till the session is at an End. Mr. Platers time is out And my being here Alone will be to no purpose. The state will be unrepresented.(3)
No news from the Northward for a long time nor any of Consequence from Europe. Wish the Account from the southward of the Enemys having left Virginia may be true. I write in great haste. My Compliments to the Gentlemen of the Senate And Am With usual respect and Esteem, Dear sir, Your most hble servt,
John Hanson
RC (MdHi: Carroll Papers).
(1) That is, John Hall (1729-97) of the "Vineyard," Anne Arundel Co., Md., who served almost continuously in the lower house of the Maryland assembly from 1762 to 1795. Bio. Dict. of Md Legis., 1:386-88.
(2) Although the Connecticut legislature had passed a resolution in October offering to cede its ungranted territory contested by Pennsylvania to the United States, there is no indication that Samuel Huntington sent " a Copy of the late Law" to the states at this time. For the Connecticut resolution, which was not formally submitted to Congress until January 31, 1781, when it and similar acts from New York and Virginia were referred to a committee of seven, See JCC, 19:99-100; and Julian
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P. Boyd and Robert J. Taylor, eds., The Susquehannah Company Papers, 11 vols. (Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1962-71), 7:63-66.
(3) The Maryland delegation elected in November 1780 consisted of Hanson Carroll, Thomas Johnson, and "The Major," Daniel of St. ThomasJenifer. Neither Carroll nor Johnson chose to attend, resigning on January 3 and 16, 1781, respectively. A special election, which was held in January and certified February 3, added Daniel Carroll and Richard Potts to the delegation. Since George Plater's time was "out" December 5, the state was unrepresented until Hanson was joined by Daniel Carroll in February, as Maryland required the presence of two delegates to cast its vote in Congress. Jenifer and Potts did not arrive until late in the spring. See JCC, 17:509, 19:138, 20:498, 629; and Bio. Dict. of Md Legis., 1:198, 405, 2:486, 496.
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