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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Sir, Philadelphia, September 21. 1781.
Your Excellency will receive inclosed herewith the copy of an Act of Congress of the 18th instant, respecting retaliation for the repeated cruelties exercised and exercising upon the virtuous citizens of America by the Enemy, hitherto unexampled except by themselves.(1) This Act requires no comment; I wish it may have the desired effect.
Last night I received a private account of the junction of the two Fleets under the Count de Barras and Count de Grasse, and that the Ruby of sixty four Guns and the Rainbow of forty four have been captured from the Enemy-I hope it is true. We have not yet heard
Page 69
SEPTEMBER 21, 1781
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that Admiral Digby is arrived, nor that Sir Henry Clinton has sailed: The latter I think will be puzzled with regard to his future operations. I do not believe Digby can have more than six Ships of the line, from my perceiving in the British news papers, that Sir Robert Harland was offered the command in Chief on the American Station, and that he refused it, unless furnished with six additional Ships .of the line and four Frigates; as a junior Officer has obtained this command, he would scarcely be allowed a greater force.
Lord Cornwallis will, I doubt not, make a vigorous, nay a desperate resistance, not only for the sake of preserving his military character, but with a view to have some chance for relief, or at least to spin out the campaign as much as possible in his reduction, and thereby prevent any thing more being done. The superiority of the French Fleet at present enables them to be very serviceable to us, and they appear disposed to do all they can.
It appearing probable to Congress that General Clinton may make some attempt on this city, they have adopted the most likely measures to defeat his design, by calling on the States of Delaware, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey for a large body of Militia, and have likewise thought it adviseable to detain General St. Clair and the recruits of the Pennsylvania line now in the State, for a few days in the neighborhood of this city.(2)
It is certain that the Spaniards have blockaded & invested Minorca; I wish it had been Jamaica. By late accounts from France it appears, that the negotiation for a general peace will probably take place the ensuing winter but not before.
I am, Sir, with the highest Sentiments of esteem & regard, Your Excellency's Most obedient Servant,
Tho M:Kean President
P.S. I have just now got certain information of the arrival of Admiral Graves within Sandy Hook yesterday; the Terrible of 74 Guns having sunk at Sea, and five more disabled by Count de Grasse.
RC (DLC: Washington Papers). In a clerical hand and signed by McKean.
1 The most recent and frustrating of which had been the execution of Col. Isaac Hayne at Charleston, S.C. See JCC, 21:917-18, 926-28, 941, 972.
2 For the congressional response to this most recently reported threat to Philadelphia, see McKean's letters to William Livingston and Joseph Reed, and to Caesar Rodney and Matthew Tilghman, of September 11 and 19 respectively.
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SEPTEMBER 24, 1781
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Thomas McKean to
Thomas Burke and Nathan Brownson
Sir, Philada Septr. 24th. 1781.
I have the honor to inclose to your Excellency the copy of an Act of Congress of the 20th instant, voting a monument for the late Brigadier General Davidson.(1)
Tho' it may not be proper to execute the work 'till the Enemy are out of the State, yet as Acts of this sort are pleasing to the Relations of the deceased, and prompt others to virtuous and magnanimous deeds, Congress thought it politic to pass the resolve at this time.
I am, Sir, with great regard, Your Excellency's &c &c
T. McK. President
LB (DNA: PCC, item 16). Addressed: "To His Excelly. Governor Bourke. N.B. The like to the honble. Nathan Brownson Esquire naming Scriven instead of Davidson."
1 For the congressional decision to erect monuments to the memory of Gens. William Davidson of North Carolina and James Screven of Georgia, to honor and sustain the morale of the beleaguered defenders of the southern states, see JCC, 21 :978-79.
Governor Burke was himself a prisoner of the British at this time, having fallen into the hands of the enemy during a loyalist raid on Hillsboro on September 12.
Daniel Carroll to Thomas Sim Lee
Dear Sr., Philadelphia Sepr. 25th. 1781
I am to acknowledge your favor of the 21st. We have reason to believe Graves has returnd to N York; his fleet much damag'd, the Terrible sunk at Sea, but neither Congress or the Minister of France have receivd any acct from Chessapeake since the return of the fleet. We have been under great anxiety, particularly abt Barras. Do not conclude, my Dr. Sr., that you cannot Send me anything new from Virga. Mr Buchanan is in town-the tea & Shoes will be sent by him. Cottinger is looking out for the Stuff for yr great coat, he has not yet been able to find the green Baze. Present my Comp. to yr Lady.
I am Dr. Sr., Yr. assur'd & affecte Hble Serv,
Danl Carroll
[P.S.] Mr. Fitzsimmons asks me if I have got an answer about the Cloaths.
RC (NN: Miscellaneous Folders).
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SEPTEMBER 25, 1781
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