wanted, we submit to the Congress the sending out some of their
frigates loaded with these articles for Nantes, or Bourdeaux, and
whilst their cargoes were disposed of, they might refresh themselves,
and make a cruise against the enemy. The coast of England to the west
is unguarded, either by land or sea. The frigates, capable of landing
five hundred men, might destroy several of their towns, which would
alarm and shake the nation to the centre, whilst the ships might fly
and take refuge in the ports of France or Spain; but suppose the
worst, that they are intercepted in their retreat, the inevitable
consequences of so bold an attempt will be sufficiently injurious to
justify the measure. But this must be done by a _coup de main_, and
there can be no great apprehension of any difficulty in retreating,
since, by means of the daily intercourse between the two kingdoms, we
might know the exact situations of the British fleet and commerce in
the different ports, and never attempt until we had a fixed object in
view, and were masters of every circumstance.
The ship, building at Amsterdam, will be near as strong as a
seventyfour, and may join the squadron in the months of February or
March. The East India fleet will be returning to St Helens, and there
waiting for a convoy, which is a single man of war. Three frigates on
that station might effect a prodigious affair, and if they first come
to Europe, as in the course of trade, it would be much less suspected,
as they might set out from a harbor here, and not be supposed for any
other route, but that of going directly for America. We have no more
to add, than that four thousand Hanoverians are on their march for
Stade to embark for America.
We are, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
FOOTNOTES:
[39] This letter is perhaps erroneously dated at _Dunkirk_. It is thus
copied into the letter books, but should probably be _Passy_, or
_Paris_.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, June 13th, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Though the despatches prepared some time since are not gone, we think
it best to write you again, and give you an exact account of the
situation of our army and military affairs to this time. You were
formerly made acquainted, that, immediately after the important
victory at Trenton, on the 3rd of January, General Washington took
post at Morristown, which appears to have been a well chosen
situation.
From thence, sending out detachments of his army, he speedily drove
the enemy from Hackensack, Chatham, Springfield, Westfield, and
Elizabethtown, all which places we have possessed ever since that
time, as well as Millstone and Princeton to the west, and Cranbury to
the south; the enemy being confined to a narrow communication on
Rariton River, from Brunswick to Amboy, twelve miles. About ten days
ago General Washington moved his head quarters towards the enemy, to a
place called Middlebrook, about eight miles from Brunswick. He has now
called in most of his outposts, and the enemy has done the same, being
chiefly collected about Brunswick, and just upon the eve of some
movement, which is generally supposed to be intended against this
place. We are taking every measure to disappoint them, and have good
hopes, in dependence on divine Providence, as our army has been
augmenting daily for these three months past. It is given out, that
the enemy intend to come up the Delaware Bay with their ships, as well
as by land, through the Jerseys. It is probable, that before the
vessel sails we shall have something to add on this subject.
In the northern department, things are yet entirely quiet. We have a
pretty strong body at Ticonderoga. Small parties of the enemy were up
the lake lately, a considerable way, but are gone again, and there is
no appearance of any important motion soon. Whether this is owing to
their not being ready, or to a change in their plans, and the army in
Canada being ordered round to reinforce General Howe, as some late
reports would make us believe, it is impossible to say with certainty.
A third body of our forces is at Peekskill, upon Hudson River, to
defend the passes towards Albany, and be ready to fall down upon New
York, in case the greater part of the enemy's army should be drawn
from that place. The convention of that State has issued an act of
indemnity, to encourage those who had been seduced to join the enemy
to return, which has had a very happy effect. Upon the whole, our
affairs wear as favorable an aspect as at any time, since the
beginning of the war. And the unanimity of all ranks, in the different
States, in support of our independence, is greater than at any
preceding period. The arbitrary conduct, and the barbarity and cruelty
of the enemy, for the twentysix days that they possessed a
considerable part of New Jersey, have been of service to our cause.
See, upon this subject, the report of a committee of Congress, with
the proofs in the newspapers, which you may safely assure any person
is a just and true, but very imperfect, sample of their proceedings.
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
ROBERT MORRIS,
THOMAS HAYWARD,
JAMES LOVELL.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, June 18th, 1777.
Gentlemen,
In this we send you an account of the most material matters, which
have happened in the military department.
The enemy, about ten weeks ago, sent a large party, and destroyed some
continental stores at Peekskill, the value not great, and retreated
immediately after. They afterwards made an attempt to surprise Major
General Lincoln, at Bound Brook, which he vigilantly escaped, with the
loss of about sixty men. Mr Tryon, who is made a Major General, was
sent with about 2200 men to destroy the stores at Danbury, in
Connecticut. Notice was received time enough to remove the most
valuable part, while Generals Arnold and Wooster raised the militia,
and attacked the enemy on their retreat with good success. The New
York paper, which may be considered as General Howe's Gazette, makes
their loss in killed and wounded 104. We may give them credit for
twice the number. The loss we sustained in stores was chiefly in salt
provisions and rum, and we had the satisfaction of learning, that the
cargoes of the prizes brought in the same week amounted to double the
quantity lost. General Wooster, who behaved gallantly, was mortally
wounded, and is since dead.
Scarce a week has passed without skirmishing, in which we have been
very fortunate. General Washington has removed from Morristown, to
some advantageous ground near Bound Brook and Middle Brook, within
eight miles of Brunswick, and the following is a regular state of the
intelligence received here since the 11th inst.
_June 11th._--At a meeting in the State House yard, General Mifflin,
despatched for that purpose from General Washington, informed the
inhabitants, that from the late preparations of the enemy, he had
reason to believe their design was, by a forced march, to endeavor to
possess themselves of Philadelphia; it was then proposed and
unanimously assented to, to turn out agreeably to the militia law.
_12th._--A letter from General Sullivan, at Princeton, received about
nine this evening, informed that the enemy at Brunswick had begun to
move the preceding night, but was prevented by the heavy rain.
_13th._--The alarm gun in this city fired at three this morning,
answering the alarm guns up the river. Several letters, by express
from Bristol, mention the hearing alarm guns towards Trenton and
Princeton, but that no express has arrived there from General Sullivan
at Princeton.
_14th._--An express from General Arnold, at Trenton, informed that the
enemy had moved on the 13th, in the night from Brunswick, that General
Sullivan had likewise moved from Princeton to some part of Rocky Hill,
with an intention to harrass the march of the enemy, and thereby favor
the approach of General Washington on their rear, and that of the
troops from Philadelphia.
_15th._--An express from General Arnold, dated Trenton 14th, at six
o'clock, received here at half past five this morning, says, that he
had waited six hours, hoping to hear from General Sullivan, but had
not; that he should immediately set off for Coryel's Ferry; that the
reports of the country were, that the enemy were marching rapidly
towards that place, and, that General Sullivan was about two miles
ahead of them, on the same road.
Coryel's Ferry is the place where our boats were stationed sufficient
to transport 3000 men at a time.
Another letter from General Arnold, dated _Coryel's Ferry_, 14th, 9
o'clock, P. M. received here at 9 this morning, says, that General
Sullivan, arrived at that place about 4 o'clock, and had with him 1600
continental troops, and about the same number of Jersey militia making
up the number already there about 4000; that the Jersey militia were
turning out very spiritedly, and that he expected to be 5000 strong by
the next day, when he should march towards the enemy, who had encamped
at Somerset Court House, eight miles from Brunswick; that General
Washington continued at his quarters near Middle Brook, eight miles in
the rear of the enemy, who were about 7000.
_16th._--The above makes up the chain of intelligence, to General
Arnold's fourth letter, which was received here this morning, and is
printed in the papers of the 17th and 18th inst., to which we refer
you.
From various quarters lately we have reports, but none sufficient to
depend on, that the enemy will receive no reinforcement from Europe,
and likewise that a war with France is inevitable.
General Burgoyne is said to be arrived at Quebec with troops.
We have seen a memorial, presented to the States-General by Sir Joseph
Yorke, and two answers thereto, the one, "that they had no account to
render to him of their conduct," the other, that "there are no gates
to the Hague."
We are, gentlemen, yours, &c.
B. HARRISON,
R. MORRIS,
T. HAYWARD,
J. LOVELL.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, June 26th, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Since our last, of the 8th inst., in which you were informed of the
enemy being encamped at Somerset Court House, eight miles from
Brunswick, we have the pleasure of acquainting you, that on the 19th,
at night, they made a precipitate retreat therefrom to the last
mentioned place, and on the 22d decamped again, and wholly evacuated
Brunswick, and retreated to Amboy. For particulars, we refer you to
General Washington's letter to Congress, printed in the newspapers of
the 25th inst.
We are unable to account for those movements of General Howe, on any
other grounds than the following; viz. that his march from Brunswick
to Somerset afforded him an opportunity of trying the disposition of
the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and finding that the
militia of both States were turning vigorously out to support our
army, he might reasonably conclude from thence, that his situation in
the Jerseys was too dangerous to be continued, and therefore decamped
to Amboy, from whence he might, by his bridge of boats, intended for
the Delaware, throw himself into a safe retreat on Staten Island. We
give you circumstances as they are, with such natural inferences
therefrom as our situation and knowledge of things enable us to draw.
The memorial, presented by Sir Joseph Yorke to the States-General,
mentioned in ours, of June 18th, you will find in the newspapers of
the 11th inst. The said memorial does not come sufficiently
authenticated to us, to give you any particular instructions
respecting your conduct thereon, but as the progress of friendship
depends much on the improvement of accidents and little circumstances,
we doubt not you will be attentive to the conduct of the
States-General at all times, and let us know whenever it appears to
you that a commissioner from Congress would be favorably received
there.
B. HARRISON,
R. MORRIS,
T. HAYWARD,
J. LOVELL.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, July 2d, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Since our last of the 26th ult. which mentions the enemy being
retreated to Amboy, we have to inform you, that General Washington
dismissed the Jersey militia, except about 2000, and likewise
countermanded the reinforcement of 3000 men from General Putman's
Division, at Peekskill. We suppose General Howe to be apprized of
these circumstances, as he immediately after returned with his whole
force from Amboy, and made an attempt to cut off a Division of our
army under General Sterling, but without success. For particulars we
refer you to General Washington's letters, in the newspapers of the 3d
inst.
A letter from General Washington, just received, informs us, that the
enemy have totally evacuated the Jerseys, and are retreated to their
last year's quarters on Staten Island.
We enclose to you commissions and instructions for Ralph Izard and
William Lee; the first, appointed commissioner to the Court of
Tuscany, and the latter to the Courts of Vienna and Berlin. Their
instructions are so intimately connected with your own, that we have
thought proper to send them open to your confidential care, that you
may give information to the gentlemen, and take every due step to
forward the execution of the intention of Congress.
B. HARRISON,
R. MORRIS,
T. HAYWARD,
J. LOVELL.
* * * * *
COUNT DE VERGENNES TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Translation.
Versailles, 16th July, 1777.
Gentlemen,
You cannot forget, that at the first conversation I had with both of
you, I assured you, that you should enjoy in France, with respect to
your persons, every security and comfort, which we showed to
foreigners; and as to your commerce and navigation, we would grant
every facility compatible with the exact observation of our treaties
with England, which the king's principles would induce him religiously
to fulfil. In order to prevent every doubt, with respect to the
vessels that may participate in the favors, which we grant in our
ports to nations in amity, I pointed out to you the article of the
treaty, which forbids the power of allowing privateers free access
into our ports, unless through pressing necessity, as also with
respect to the deposit and sale of their prizes. You promised,
gentlemen, to conform thereto.
After so particular an explanation, we did not press the departure of
the ship Reprisal, which brought Mr Franklin to France, because we
were assured it was destined to return with merchandise. We had quite
lost sight of this vessel, and imagined she was in the American seas,
when, with great surprise, we understood that she had entered
L'Orient, after taking several prizes. Orders were immediately given,
that she should depart in twentyfour hours, and to conduct her prizes
to the only admiralties, that were authorised to judge of their
validity. Captain Wickes complained of a leak. Being visited by proper
officers, his allegation was found to be legal, and admissible, the
necessary repairs were permitted, and he was enjoined to put to sea
again.
After such repeated advertisements, the motives of which you have been
informed of, we had no reason to expect, gentlemen, that the said Mr
Wickes would prosecute his cruising in the European seas, and we could
not be otherwise than greatly surprised, that, after having associated
with the privateers, the Lexington and Dolphin, to infest the English
coasts, they should all three of them come for refuge into our ports.
You are too well informed, gentlemen, and too penetrating, not to see
how this conduct affects the dignity of the king, my master, at the
same time it offends the neutrality, which His Majesty professes. I
expect, therefore, from your equity, that you will be the first to
condemn a conduct so opposite to the duties of hospitality and
decency. The king cannot dissemble it, and it is by his express order,
gentlemen, that I acquaint you, that orders have been sent to the
ports, in which the said privateers have entered, to sequester, and
detain them, until sufficient security can be obtained, that they
shall return directly to their country, and not expose themselves, by
new acts of hostility, to the necessity of seeking an asylum in our
ports.
As to the prizes they may have taken, if they have brought them into
our ports, they have orders to go out immediately, and the same
conduct shall be observed towards any capture of any nation whatever.
Such are the obligations of our treaties, conformable to our marine
ordinances, which the king cannot by any means evade. It will be
highly proper for you to make these intentions known, wherever you may
think it most expedient, so that new privateers, from the example of
the misconduct of those against whom we are obliged to be rigorous,
may not expose themselves to the like embarrassments.
What I have the honor to inform you, gentlemen, of the king's
disposition, by no means changes the assurances which I have been
authorised to make you, at the time of your arrival, and which I again
renew, for the security of your residence, and of all such of your
nation whom it may suit to reside among us, as well as with respect to
the commerce allowed of, which will meet with every facility on our
part, that our laws and usages will permit.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DE VERGENNES.
* * * * *
TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Paris, 17th July, 1777.
Sir,
We are very sensible of the protection afforded to us, and to our
commerce, since our residence in this kingdom, agreeable to the
goodness of the king's gracious intentions, and to the law of nations;
and it gives us real and great concern, when any vessels of war
appertaining to America, either through ignorance or inattention, do
any thing that may offend His Majesty, in the smallest degree. The
Captains Wickes, Nicholson, and Johnson, have excused to us their
returning to France, being chased into the channel, and close to your
ports, by English men of war, of the truth of which we have no doubt,
the Reprisal, particularly, having been obliged to throw her guns
overboard, to facilitate her escape.
We had, some days before we were honored by your Excellency's letter,
despatched by an express the most positive orders to them, to depart
directly to America, which they are accordingly preparing to do, as
your Excellency will see by the letter enclosed, which we have just
received by the return of that express. We shall communicate His
Majesty's orders to our friends residing in your ports, and acquaint
the Congress with the same, to the end, that our armed vessels may be
warned of the consequence that must attend an infringement of them. We
doubt not but they will be henceforth strictly attended to; and we are
willing and ready to give any security your Excellency may judge
sufficient and reasonable, that, after being fitted and provisioned
for so long a voyage, these vessels shall proceed directly to America,
without making any other cruise on the coasts of England. We are
thankful for the repeated assurances of His Majesty's protection
continued to us, and such of our nation as may reside in France, and
for the facilities indulged to our commerce, at this critical
conjuncture, which will always be remembered in our country, with
gratitude and affection.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, August 7th, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Enclosed are duplicates of commissions and instructions for William
Lee and Ralph Izard, and triplicates of our former despatches.
Since our last, of July 3d, various circumstances have happened in the
military department, many of which are so intricate and unfinished, as
not to enable us to draw any just conclusions from them.
Immediately after the unsuccessful attempt made by General Howe, June
26th, to cut off a detachment of our army, under General Sterling, as
mentioned in our last, the whole body of the enemy retreated to Staten
Island, embarked on board their fleet, and on the 23d of July put to
sea; on the 27th, they appeared off the Capes of Delaware. General
Washington, with the army, arrived at Germantown on the 29th. On the
31st, the enemy's fleet stood out to sea. They made a second
appearance at the Capes, since which we have had no account of them.
As this packet goes from the eastward, you will probably be furnished
with something further from that quarter.
Our worst news is, that we have lost Ticonderoga, whether by neglect
or necessity, cowardice or good conduct, will appear hereafter.
Congress have ordered General Gates to that department, and have
directed Generals Schuyler and St Clair to appear at head quarters,
that an inquiry may be made into their conduct, and the circumstances
of this mysterious affair. In the papers of July 16th, 23d, August 5th
and 6th, you have Generals Schuyler's and St Clair's letters, and the
resolves of Congress. We have been fortunate enough to take, and so
unfortunate as to lose again, the Fox frigate. She was taken by the
Captains Manly and McNeil, but two heavy English ships being in sight
when she struck, she was afterwards retaken by them.
Major General Prescott, who commanded the enemy's forces at Rhode
Island, was seized and made prisoner by a small party under Lieutenant
Colonel Barton, as you may see by General Washington's letter to
Congress, printed July 23d. The Congress have presented Colonel Barton
with a sword, and likewise Lieutenant Colonel Meigs with another; this
officer having performed a gallant exploit on Long Island, bringing
off nearly a hundred prisoners, and destroying a large quantity of
forage.
Were it not for the Ticonderoga affair, we should have nothing but
good news to communicate; and even that may turn out in the end a
lucky circumstance to the general cause, as did the attempt of the
enemy to march through the Jerseys last winter. We have a fine healthy
army, anxious for nothing so much as to meet their foes. Surely it
must appear very ridiculous in Europe that General Howe should be
thus shunning the army he came out to conquer, and wasting his time in
cruising upon the coast with his whole fleet, at this hot season of
the year, when the ministry in England, and perhaps Lord Stormont at
Paris, have given out that he has penetrated a hundred miles or more
into the country.
We are, with great regard, gentlemen,
Your most humble servants,
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
ROBERT MORRIS,
JAMES LOVELL.
* * * * *
TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Versailles, August 12th, 1777.
Sir,
We understand, with great surprise, that one of our countrymen, Mr
Hodge, a merchant of Philadelphia, is apprehended at Paris, with all
his papers, and carried away by the officers of police.
As Mr Hodge is a person of character, connected with the best houses
in our country, and employed here by a committee of Congress to
purchase goods, we cannot conceive him capable of any wilful offence
against the laws of this nation. Our personal regard for him, as well
as the duty of our station, obliges us to interest ourselves in his
behalf, and to request, as we do most earnestly, that he may be
immediately restored to us.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
_Messrs Franklin and Deane's Contract with M. Holker._
We the undersigned acknowledge that we have authorised M. Holker to
treat with Messrs Sabatier & Despres, for five thousand coats,
waistcoats, and breeches, of which, two thousand five hundred coats
are to be blue, and two thousand five hundred brown, with facings,
linings, and collars of red, the waistcoats and breeches to be white,
agreeably to the present treaty, and to the same clauses and
conditions therein stipulated. Done at Paris, the 15th of August,
1777.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
The present contract done and signed in duplicates to be faithfully
executed on both sides, agreeably to its tenor and form. Paris, 6th of
August, 1777.
MONTIEU.
SILAS DEANE, _for
B. Franklin and self_.
_Amount of sundry Articles of Merchandise mentioned in the above
Contracts_;
6000 coats, complete, at 37 livres ea. 222,000
12000 pair woollen stockings, 30 pr. doz. 30,000
100,000 lbs. of copper, 27 pr. lb. 135,000
22,000 " sheet copper and nails, 33 pr. lb. 36,300
20,000 " English tin, 17 the c't w't 17,000
4 million flints, 4 pr. 100 16,000
-------
456,300
Sum total, four hundred fifty six thousand three hundred livres,
errors and omissions excepted.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Passy, 8th September, 1777.
Gentlemen,