Philadelphia, 29th July, 1779.
Dear Sir:
In addition to the lines which I troubled you with the day before
yesterday by Colonel, or I should say Doctor McHenry; he is an honest
man with either, or without any title, permit me to inform you. I
presented to Congress this morning, Colonel Fleury’s earnest request
for the flag which he had the glory of lowering at Stony Point, but
there was not a single voice heard in second to my motion. In truth, I
had spoken to several of the members on the subject before the meeting
of Congress; these discovered not only no inclination, but rather an
aversion to parting with so high a testimony of a great and brilliant
victory; nevertheless, I determined to fulfil my promise; you see
the success. Fancy often fills up the chasms made by disappointments
of this kind; many of the most celebrated Italian originals in the
cabinets of curious fanciful men in England, are good copies. Suppose
in the present instance the Colonel should order an accurate likeness
of the first flag to be made, and content himself with that, or that
by a very trifling practice of ambidexterity, he should exchange
the copy for the original; or suppose he should take a much better
and less exceptionable method for accomplishing his wishes, that he
should arm himself with one of Dunlap’s Packets, in which his gallant
behavior and the particular feat of cutting the halliards, stand upon
record by authority of Congress; this might be kept in the tin case
with commissions and testimonials, answer every purpose of display,
and save the trouble and expense of lugging sixty or eighty yards of
bunting round the Globe.
I have executed my commission; have added my best consolatory advice
to a disappointed client, and trust the Colonel will do me the justice
to assure himself, my own opinion on the propriety of his suit was not
disclosed fully or partially to any body before I had received a modest
denial by a profound silence.
Nothing new from South Carolina, excepting a delegate, who left
Charleston one day before the date of our late letters.
I have the honor to be,
With great esteem and respect,
Dear Sir,
Your ob’t and humble serv’t,
Henry Laurens.
Col. A. Hamilton, Head Quarters, North River.