Philadelphia, Friday, 6 September, 1776.
This day, I think, has been the most remarkable of all. Sullivan came
here from Lord Howe, five days ago, with a message that his lordship
desired a half an hour's conversation with some of the members of
Congress in their private capacities. We have spent three or four days
in debating whether we should take any notice of it. I have, to the
utmost of my abilities, during the whole time, opposed our taking any
notice of it. But at last it was determined by a majority, "that the
Congress being the representatives of the free and independent States of
America, it was improper to appoint any of their members to confer in
their private characters with his lordship. But they would appoint a
committee of their body to wait on him, to know whether he had power to
treat with Congress upon terms of peace, and to hear any propositions
that his lordship may think proper to make."
When the committee came to be balloted for, Dr. Franklin and your humble
servant were unanimously chosen. Colonel R. H. Lee and Mr. Rutledge had
an equal number; but, upon a second vote, Mr. Rutledge was chosen. I
requested to be excused, but was desired to consider of it until
to-morrow. My friends here advise me to go. All the stanch and intrepid
are very earnest with me to go, and the timid and wavering, if any such
there are, agree in the request. So I believe I shall undertake the
journey. I doubt whether his lordship will see us, but the same
committee will be directed to inquire into the state of the army at New
York, so that there will be business enough, if his lordship makes none.
It would fill this letter-book to give you all the arguments for and
against this measure, if I had liberty to attempt it. His lordship seems
to have been playing off a number of Machiavelian manoeuvres, in order
to throw upon us the odium of continuing this war. Those who have been
advocates for the appointment of this committee are for opposing
manoeuvre to manoeuvre, and are confident that the consequence will
be that the odium will fall upon him. However this may be, my lesson is
plain, to ask a few questions and take his answers.
I can think of but one reason for their putting me upon this embassy,
and that is this. An idea has crept into many minds here that his
lordship is such another as Mr. Hutchinson, and they may possibly think
that a man who has been accustomed to penetrate into the mazy windings
of Hutchinson's heart, and the serpentine wiles of his head, may be
tolerably qualified to converse with his lordship.
Sunday, 8 September.
Yesterday's post brought me yours of August 29. The report you mention,
"that I was poisoned upon my return home, at New York," I suppose will
be thought to be a prophecy delivered by the oracle, in mystic language,
and meant that I should be politically or morally poisoned by Lord Howe.
But the prophecy shall be false.