The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution
Chapter 29 : It gave us great joy to hear of the arrival of the Mercury, Amphitrite, and other vesse

It gave us great joy to hear of the arrival of the Mercury, Amphitrite, and other vessels carrying supplies. Another s.h.i.+p, with a similar cargo, which had long been detained at Ma.r.s.eilles, we hope will soon arrive with you. We hope, also, that you will receive between twenty and thirty thousand suits of clothes, before winter, and from time to time quant.i.ties of new and good arms, which we are purchasing in different parts of Europe. But we must desire you to remember, that we are hitherto disappointed in your promises of remittance, either by the difficulties you find in s.h.i.+pping, or by captures, and that though far short of completing your orders, we are in danger of being greatly embarra.s.sed by debts, in failing in performance of our contracts, and losing our credit with that of the Congress; for though we have received three quarterly payments of the two millions of livres, formerly mentioned to you, and expect the last next month, our contracts go beyond, and we must reserve the continuance of that aid, for the purpose it was promised, to answer your drafts for interest, if that proposal of ours has been adopted.

Particularly we beg you will attend to the affair of tobacco for the Farmers-General, with whom we have contracted to supply five thousand hogsheads of tobacco, for which they have advanced us one million of livres, in ready money, and are to pay the rest on delivery, as we formerly advised you. Your vigorous exertions in these matters are the more necessary, as during the apparent, or supposed uncertainty of our affairs, the loan we were directed to obtain of two millions sterling has. .h.i.therto been judged impracticable.

But if the present campaign should end favorably for us, perhaps we may be able to accomplish it another year, as some jealousy begins to be entertained of the English funds by the Dutch, and other monied people of Europe, to the increase of which jealousy, we hope a paper[41] we have drawn up, (a copy whereof we enclose) may in some degree contribute when made public.

Mr Deane has written fully to you on the effect our cruisers have had on the coast and commerce of Britain, which makes our saying much on that head unnecessary.[42] We cannot, however, omit this opportunity of expressing our satisfaction in the conduct of the Captains, and of recommending them warmly to Congress. The ostensible letter and answer from and to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, copies of which we enclose,[43] will show the conduct which the Court has thought, and thinks itself at present obliged to hold with regard to our cruisers and their prizes, of which it seems fit some notice should be given to the several States. As the English goods cannot in foreign markets face those of the French or Dutch, loaded as they are with the high insurance from which their compet.i.tors are exempted, it is certain the trade of Britain must diminish while she is at war with us, and the rest of Europe in peace. To evade this mischief, she now begins to make use of French bottoms; but as we have yet no treaty with France, or any other power that gives to free s.h.i.+ps the privilege of making free goods, we may weaken that project, by taking the goods of the enemy wherever we find them, paying the freight. And it is imagined that the Captains of the vessels so freighted may, by a little encouragement, be prevailed on to facilitate the necessary discovery.

Spain not having yet resolved to receive a minister from the Congress, Mr Franklin still remains here. She has, however, afforded the aids we formerly mentioned, and supplies of various articles have continued till lately to be sent consigned to Mr Gerry, much of which we hear has safely arrived. We shall use our best endeavors to obtain a continuance and increase of those aids.

You will excuse our mentioning to you, that our expenses here are necessarily very great, though we live with as much frugality as our public character will permit. Americans, who escape from English prisons, dest.i.tute of every thing, and others who need a.s.sistance, are continually calling upon us for it, and our funds are very uncertain, having yet received but about 64,571 livres, of what was allotted for our support by Congress.

With the greatest respect, we have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, ARTHUR LEE.

FOOTNOTES:

[40] Missing.

[41] Missing.

[42] See Mr Deane's letter above, p. 105, dated August 23d, 1777.

[43] See the two preceding letters of July 16th and 17th.

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Yorktown, 6th October, 1777.

Gentlemen,

Since ours to you, by return of the packet from New Hamps.h.i.+re, and duplicates by Mr McCreary, from Maryland, we have not written, nor have we received any of your favors during the last two months, except a letter of old date, (April 19th) signed by Messrs Deane and Lee.

Captain Hammond being not yet arrived, although he sailed in April, it is too probable that he has fallen into the enemy's hands, or miscarried at sea.

Two reasons have prevented us from writing hitherto; because from your a.s.surances we had cause to expect a monthly packet, and because the progressive state of the war gave us reason to look for some more decisive event daily, than had happened, and which might warrant the expense of sending a particular packet, as the casual conveyance by merchant vessels is almost entirely stopped by the number and vigilance of the enemy's cruisers.

We shall now give you an accurate detail of the war in the northern and middle departments, where alone it has raged since our last. You were before apprized of the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and of the retreat of our army from thence towards Albany. General Burgoyne was rapid in pursuit of his successes, and pressed quickly on towards fort Edward, upon Hudson's river, about twenty miles above Albany. Here his progress was interrupted by the American army, being halted and reinforced a little below him. This circ.u.mstance, with the following events, have continued that interruption, and bid fair to render abortive, at least, the great advantages expected by our enemies from their first successes on the lakes.

The better to effect his purpose, General Burgoyne had detached General St Leger with a body of regular troops, Canadians and Indians, by the Oneida Lake and Wood Creek, to take fort Schuyler, (formerly Stanwix) and to make an impression along the Mohawk river. This part of his plan has been totally defeated by the bravery of General Herkimer, with the Tryon county militia, and by the gallant defence of fort Schuyler, by Colonel Gansevoort and Lieutenant Colonel Willet.

The former of these met the enemy in the field, defeated them, and killed a great number of their Indian allies. This defeat being obtained by militia, they dispersed as usual, and left the enemy to collect and lay siege to fort Schuyler, which was defended with great gallantry by the two officers above mentioned, until the approach of General Arnold, with a body of troops, occasioned the enemy to raise the siege of that fortress and retreat with great precipitation, leaving their baggage, ammunition, provisions, and some of their artillery, which fell into our hands. Another body of troops was detached by General Burgoyne, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Baum, to the eastward, for the purpose of collecting horses to mount the troopers, provisions, and teams, for the use of the army. This detachment was met, attacked, and defeated by the brave General Stark, and the New Hamps.h.i.+re militia, at a place called Bennington, and now rendered famous by the total overthrow of fifteen hundred regular troops, (posted behind works fortified with cannon,) by two thousand militia.

The two wings of General Burgoyne being thus cut off, his body remained inactive until the 19th of last month, when he moved on to attack General Gates, who commands the northern army, and who was well posted at Behmus's Heights. The consequence of this attack, you will see related by General Gates himself, among the enclosed papers, as well as the account of our successes in the rear of the enemy, on the lakes George and Champlain, by Colonel Brown, who had been detached by General Lincoln, who is also in General Burgoyne's rear, with a strong body of troops. Surrounded, as it is on all sides, with little prospect of safe retreat, and a strong army in front, growing stronger every day by reinforcements, we hope, ere long, to give you information of definitive success over the British army in that quarter. An Aid of General Gates, who brought us these last accounts, says, that by the concurring testimony of prisoners, deserters, and some of our own people, who escaped from the enemy, their loss could not be less than one thousand, or twelve hundred men, in killed, wounded, and missing; and that General Burgoyne himself was wounded in the shoulder by a rifle ball.

In the middle department, the war has been less favorable to us, as you will see by what follows. About the middle of August, the British fleet appeared in the Chesapeake Bay, and landed General Howe's army at the head of Elk, about fifty miles from Philadelphia. General Was.h.i.+ngton's army, which had crossed the Delaware on the embarkation of the British troops, and the appearance of the fleet off the Capes of that river, now proceeded to meet the enemy, and came up with them near Wilmington. After various skirmishes and manoeuvres, a general engagement took place at Chad's Ford, over the Brandywine, on the 11th of September last. This battle terminated in our leaving the enemy in possession of the field, with nine pieces of our artillery. Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, did not exceed six hundred; that of the enemy, as far as we have been able to get information, was near two thousand. An orderly, taken from them since the battle, makes it nineteen hundred.[44]

General Was.h.i.+ngton retreated across the Schuylkill, and, having refreshed his army, recrossed that river in two days after the former battle, with design to attack the enemy, who remained close by the field of action until he came up with them again. To be the better prepared for battle, and to be guarded against the consequences of defeat, our army marched without baggage, and left their tents behind.

In this situation, and just in the moment of beginning an attack upon the enemy, a heavy, long continued, and cold rain, with high wind, came on and prevented it. The ammunition in the cartridge boxes was all rendered unfit for use, the arms injured, and the troops a good deal hurt and dispirited.

In this state of things, it became necessary to retire from before the enemy to a place of safety, in order to clean the arms, replace the cartridges, and refresh the men. The enemy were also without tents; but they have good blankets, are better clothed, and have tin receptacles for keeping dry their cartridges. General Howe, judging of our situation, put his army in motion, and endeavored to harra.s.s and distress us, by marches, countermarches, and frequent shows of designing to give battle. After a variety of manoeuvres, the enemy crossed the Schuylkill below our army, and marching to Philadelphia, have possessed themselves of that city. General Was.h.i.+ngton, having refreshed his men, and being reinforced, is moving now towards the enemy. This unfortunate rain has injured our affairs considerably, by having thrown a number of our men into hospitals, and by the distress and harra.s.sment of the army, consequent thereupon. However, they are recovering again, and we hope before long will give General Howe reason to repent his possession of Philadelphia. The real injury to America, from the enemy's possession of that city, is not so great as some are apt at first view to imagine, unless the report and misconceptions of this matter in Europe, should too much dispirit our friends and inspirit our enemies. But we rely on your careful and just representation of this matter, to prevent the ill impressions which it may otherwise make. When this contest first began, we foresaw the probability of losing our great towns on the water, and so expressly told our enemies, in the address of the first Congress; but we are blessed with an extensive sea coast, by which we can convey and receive benefits independent of any particular spot. But it is very far from being a clear point to us, that the enemy will be able to hold Philadelphia, as we are yet masters of the Delaware below, and have hopes of keeping it, so as to prevent the British fleet from getting up to the city. Should this be the case, General Howe's visit cannot be of long duration.

You say that the vessels of the United States will be received at the Havanna, as those of France, the most favored nation. We wish to be exactly informed whether North American products may be carried thither, or prizes be taken to, and disposed of, in that port, or any other ports of his Catholic Majesty in America. You likewise mention a late draught of the Mississippi, taken for the government of Great Britain; we are desirous of being furnished with a copy. It is with pleasure we read your a.s.surance of sending the soldiers' clothing, and other materials for the army, in time to meet the approaching cold season; they will be greatly wanted.

As the small successes the enemy have met with this year will probably support the hopes of a vindictive Court, and occasion the straining of every nerve for the accomplishment of its tyrannic views, we doubt not your most strenuous exertions to prevent Great Britain from obtaining Russian or German auxiliaries for the next campaign; and we think, with you, that it is an object of the greatest importance to cultivate and secure the friends.h.i.+p of his Prussian Majesty, as well for the preventing this evil, as for obtaining his public recognition of our independence, and leave of his ports for the purposes of commerce, and disposal of prizes.

The original papers, which you mention, in a triplicate, to have sent, never came to hand; so that we can only make conjectures as to the disposition of that monarch. The marine force of the enemy is so considerable in these seas, and so over proportionate to our infant navy, that it seems quite necessary and wise to send our s.h.i.+ps to distress the commerce of our enemies in other parts of the world. For this purpose, the Marine Committee have already ordered some vessels to France, under your direction as to their future operations, and more, we expect, will be sent. But our frigates are not capable of carrying much bulky commodity for commercial purposes, without unfitting them for war; besides, there is the consideration of our being obliged to get them away, how, and when we can, or endanger their being taken, which prevents our sending them to those staple Colonies, where the commodities wanted are to be obtained. The reciprocal benefits of commerce cannot flow from, or to North America, until some maritime power in Europe will aid our cause with marine strength. And this circ.u.mstance gives us pain, lest it should be construed as unwillingness on our part to pay our debts, when the truth is, that we have the greatest desire of doing so, have materials in abundance, but not the means of conveying them.

This leads us to reflect on the great advantages, which must unavoidably accrue to all parties, if France, or Spain, were to afford effectual aid on the sea, by the loan or sale of s.h.i.+ps of war, according to the former propositions of Congress; or if the Farmers-General could be prevailed upon to receive in America the tobacco, or other products of this northern Continent, which France may want.

We are, &c. &c.

B. HARRISON, R. H. LEE, R. NORRIS, J. LOVELL.

_P. S._ On the 4th, an engagement between the two armies took place near Germantown, the circ.u.mstances of which may be known by the enclosed papers.

FOOTNOTES:

[44] The numbers here mentioned are greatly exaggerated. No accurate returns seem to have been made, but the loss was afterwards estimated to have been, on the part of the Americans, 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400 prisoners, chiefly of the wounded. The British loss was about 100 killed, and 400 wounded. _Holmes's Annals_, 2d Ed. Vol. II. p.

265.

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Yorktown, 6th October, 1777.

Gentlemen,

We shall follow your example in confining this letter entirely to yours of May 26th, respecting the loan, and the mode of raising it by appropriation of vacant land. It remains doubtful yet, whether there is any vacant land not included within the charter limits of some one of the thirteen States; and it is an undetermined question of great magnitude, whether such land is to be considered as common stock, or the exclusive property of the State within whose charter-bounds it may be found.

Until this business has been determined in Congress, and approved by the States, you will readily discover the difficulty of doing anything in the way of raising money by appropriation of vacant land. We consider your proposal on this subject as of very great importance; and we shall not fail to solicit the attention of Congress thereto, whenever the pressing business of the campaign will permit.

In the mean time, we see no reason that should prevent the young n.o.bleman, of Irish extract, from coming to America, because the suspension of the question concerning vacant lands will not obstruct his views of getting the quant.i.ty he may want either by original entry, or by purchase on the most reasonable terms, upon the frontiers of those States, where vacant lands are in abundance to be met with.

We are warranted to say that such rank, as that n.o.bleman may have when he leaves service in Europe, will be granted to him here. Congress clearly discern, with you, gentlemen, the all important concern of supporting the credit of the continental money, and with this view have proposed, as you will see by the enclosed resolves, to pay the interest of twenty millions of dollars by bills drawn on you.

This we hope will in time replenish the loan offices so effectually as, with the aid of taxation now generally taking place, to prevent the necessity of future emissions. By your letters of the 25th of May we have no doubt, but these interest bills will be paid with all due punctuality. About five millions only of the twenty voted are yet borrowed, and the interest on those five will not be drawn for in bills till near a twelvemonth.

We are, &c.

B. HARRISON, R. H. LEE, J. WITHERSPOON, J. LOVELL.

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Pa.s.sy, 7th October, 1777.