_Roxbury, April 16, 1777._
Let the present letter begin with mentioning, that the representatives
of the freemen of the state of North-Carolina elected and chosen for
that purpose, assembled in Congress at Halifax, and after a third
reading, ratified their form of goverment, with a declaration of rights
prefixed, on the 18th of last December.
When gen. Washington retreated with a handful of men across the
Delaware, he trembled for the fate of America, which _nothing but the
infatuation of the enemy could have saved_[35]. Though they missed the
boats with which they expected to follow him immediately into
Pennsylvania, yet Trenton and the neighbourhood could have supplied them
with materials, which industry might have soon constructed into
sufficient conveniences for the transportation of the troops, over a
smooth river, and of no great extent in some places. But they were put
into cantonments for the present, forming an extensive chain from
Brunswick to the Delaware, and down the banks of the Delaware for
several miles, so as to compose a front at the end of the line, which
looked over to Philadelphia. Mr. Mercerau was employed by the American
general to gain intelligence, and provided a simple youth[36], whose
apparent defectiveness in abilities prevented all suspicion, but whose
fidelity and attention, with the capacities he possessed, constituted
him an excellent spy: he passed from place to place, mixed with the
soldiers, and having performed his business, returned with an account
where they were cantoned, and in what numbers. Gen. Fermoy was appointed
to receive, and communicate the information to the commander in chief:
upon the receipt of it, he cried out, “Now is our time to clip their
wings while they are so spread.” But before an attempt could be made
with a desirable prospect of success, [Dec. 21.] gen. Washington was
almost ready to despair, while he contemplated the probable state of his
own troops within the compass of ten days. He could not count upon those
whose time expired the first of January: and expected, that as soon as
the ice was formed, the enemy would pass the Delaware. He found his
numbers on enquiry less than he had any conception of; and while he
communicated the fact, thus charged his confidant—“For Heaven’s sake
keep this to yourself, as the discovery of it may prove fatal to us.”
Col. Reed wrote the next day from Bristol, and proposed to the general
the making of a diversion, or something more at or about Trenton, and
proceeded to say, “If we could possess ourselves again of New Jersey, or
any considerable part, the effect would be greater than if we had not
left it. Allow me to hope you will consult your own good judgment and
spirit, and let not the goodness of your heart subject you to the
influence of the opinions of men in every respect your inferiors.
Something must be attempted before the sixty days expire which the
commissioners have allowed; for, however many may affect to despise it,
it is evident a very serious attention is paid to it; and I am
confident, that unless some more favorable appearance attends our arms
and cause before that time, a very great number of militia officers
here, will follow the example of Jersey, and take benefit from it. Our
cause is desperate and hopeless if we do not strike some stroke. Our
affairs are hastening apace to ruin if we do not retrieve them by some
happy event. Delay with us, is near equal to a total defeat. We must not
suffer ourselves to be lulled into security and inactivity because the
enemy does not cross the river. The love of my country, a wife (formerly
miss De Berdt) and four children in the enemy’s hands, the respect and
attachment I have to you, the ruin and poverty that must attend me and
thousands of others, will plead my excuse for so much freedom.” The
general on the 23d answered, “Necessity, dire necessity will—nay, must
justify any attempt. Prepare, and in concert with Griffin, attack as
many posts as you possibly can with a prospect of success. I have now
ample testimony of the enemy’s intentions to attack Philadelphia, as
soon as the ice will afford the means of conveyance. Our men are to be
provided with three days provision, ready cooked, with which and their
blankets they are to march. One hour before day is the time fixed upon
for our attempt upon Trenton. If we are successful, which Heaven grant!
and other circumstances favor, we may push on. I shall direct every
ferry and ford to be well guarded, and not a soul suffered to pass
without an officer’s going down with the permit.”
The origin of the present distress was stated in a letter of the same
date, from a member of congress to his friend, in these words, “The
causes of our present unhappy situation have long been known; the
consequences of them were often foretold, and the measures execrated by
some of the best friends of America; but an obstinate partiality (in the
New-England delegates) to the habits and customs of one part of this
continent, has predominated in the public councils, and too little
attention has been paid to others. It has been my fate to make an
ineffectual opposition to all short enlistments, to colonial
appointments of officers, and other measures pregnant with mischiefs;
but these things either suited the genius and habits, or squared with
the interests of some states that had sufficient influence to prevail;
and nothing is now left but to extricate ourselves from difficulties as
well as we can.”
Colonel Griffin, unacquainted both with the plan and the time for
attacking Trenton, crossed over from Philadelphia into the Jerseys,
unknown to general Washington, and being joined with a few of the Jersey
militia, proceeded to Mount-Holly, which induced colonel Donop to quit
Bordentown; he returned however to his station before the attack upon
colonel Rall. The commander in chief would have comprehended in his
plan, a diversion for count Donop by general Putnam; but the latter gave
such a representation of the militia, of the confusion that prevailed,
and of his apprehensions of an insurrection in Philadelphia, in case of
his absence, that it was laid aside. The question for independency had
been carried in Pennsylvania by a great majority; but that did not
lessen the bitterness of those who opposed it, among whom were most of
the quakers. These coalesced with the royalists of other denominations,
and composed so formidable a party in the city, that it was dangerous,
in the present crisis, to withdraw the militia serving in it on the side
of the American cause.
The plan was, to have crossed the Delaware in three divisions, one from
the neighborhood of Bristol, which miscarried by a strange inattention
to the tide and state of the river, so that it was impossible for the
horses and cannon to land on the Jersey shore, through the heaps of ice
cast upon it with the change of the tide—a second at Trenton ferry,
under gen. Erwing; but the quantity of ice was so great, that though he
did every thing in his power to effect it, he could not get over; and
finding it impossible to embark his artillery, he was obliged to
desist—the third and principal, was commanded by gen. Washington,
assisted by generals Sullivan and Greene, and col. Knox of the
artillery. It was meant to attack early on the morning of the 26th, from
the supposition that the festivity of the preceding day would make
surprise more easy, and conquest more certain.
On the evening of the 25th, gen. Washington orders the troops, which are
about 2400, to parade at the back of M’Kenky’s ferry, that they may
begin to cross as soon as it grows dark; for he imagines that he shall
throw them all over, with the necessary artillery, by twelve o’clock,
and arrive at Trenton, nine miles below, by five. The quantity of ice
made in the night, impedes the boats, and it is three before the
artillery gets over, and near four before the troops take up their line
of march, which makes the general despair of surprising the town, as
they cannot reach it before full day-break; but as there is no making a
retreat without being discovered and harassed, he determines to push on
at all events. Colonel Rall has received information of an intended
attack, and that the 25th at night is thought to be the time fixed upon.
His men are paraded and his picket is looking out for it. Captain
Washington,[37] commanding a scouting party of about fifty foot
soldiers, has been in the Jerseys about three days, without effecting
any exploit. He therefore concludes upon marching toward Trenton;
advances, and attacks the picket. He exchanges a few shot, and then
retreats. As he is making for the Delaware, on his return to
Pennsylvania, he meets with general Washington’s troops. [Dec. 26.]
Conjecturing their design, he is distressed with an apprehension that by
the attack he has alarmed the enemy, and put them on their guard. The
enemy, on the other hand, conclude from it, after a while, that it is
all the attack which is intended; and so retire to their quarters and
become secure; many get drunk. General Washington forms his detachment
into two divisions; one takes the lower road to Trenton, while the
other, with the general, marches along the upper or Pennington[38] road.
The upper division arrives at the enemy’s advanced post exactly at 8
o’clock; and in three minutes after, the fire in the lower road
announces the arrival of the other division. When the enemy’s picket[39]
discovers, in the grey of the morning, the advance of the general’s
troops, they suppose it to be only the scouting party returned. The out
guards make but a small opposition; though they behave well for their
number, keeping up a constant retreating fire behind houses. The main
body forms; the Americans press the men hard, and soon get possession of
half their artillery. Finding, from the position of their enemy, that
they are surrounded, and must inevitably be cut to pieces if they make
any further resistance, they agree to lay down their arms, to the number
of 23 officers and 886 men.
General Greene and col. Knox (elected by ballot a brigadier the next
day, before the news had reached congress) would have persuaded the
commander in chief to have pushed on and improved the alarm given to the
enemy, to which he was inclined; but the generality of the officers were
against it, and his excellency did not then think he could answer going
contrary to the judgment of a majority of a council or war. He has since
regretted his not seizing the golden opportunity.
Seven of the enemy’s officers were wounded, beside col. Rall mortally.
There were about thirty others killed and wounded. The regiments of
Rall, Lossberg and Knyphausen, were obliged to surrender. The
light-horse, chasseurs, a number of privates, with a few officers, in
all to the amount of about 600, escaped by the road leading to
Bordentown. The Americans lost about two men; beside two or three frozen
to death. Captain Washington, who assisted in securing the artillery,
was wounded in both hands. The Americans took in all, 918 prisoners; as
many muskets, bayonets and cartouch boxes; 12 drums and 4 colours—an
ample compensation for all the sufferings of the preceding night, though
they were not trifling. The weather was sleety, snowy and intensely
cold, and the road slippery. A more disagreeable, severe, wintry night,
is seldom to be met with, even in America.
In the evening gen. Washington repassed the Delaware, carrying with him
the prisoners, their artillery and colours—and elevated hopes that this
successful attack would draw after it a train of the most beneficial and
important consequences. It has excited not less astonishment in the
British and auxiliary quarters, than it has done joy in those of the
Americans. The Hessians will be no longer terrible; and the spirits of
the Americans will rise amazingly. But before this happened, a small
party in the neighborhood of Quaker-town had flown to arms, with a
resolution not to lay them down more, while they had enemies near them;
being provoked to it by the insufferable behavior of some British
light-horsemen.
Though gen. Cadwallader did not pass over the Delaware at the time
intended, yet the day after the surprise [Dec. 27.] he crossed about two
miles above Bristol, with 1500 men, imagining that gen. Washington was
still on that side. Receiving intelligence that the enemy had left Mount
Holly, he determined upon proceeding to Burlington (even after learning
that the successful troops had re-crossed) and upon marching the next
day to Bordentown; which was accordingly done, the enemy going off in
the utmost confusion on the alarm of his approach. The day he crossed,
500 men were sent from Philadelphia, who passed over to Burlington on
the morning of the 28th; in the evening gen. Mifflin sent over 300 more,
and soon followed with a further reinforcement of some hundreds,
designing to join gen. Cadwallader as soon as possible. Pennsylvania was
now roused, and coming in great numbers to the aid of the commander in
chief. On the last mentioned day, gen. Greene crossed afresh into the
Jerseys with 300 militia. The time for which many of the militia were to
serve, was just expiring. In order to prevail with them to continue,
they were harangued. Their pride was addressed. They were told that if
they withdrew, it would be charged upon them that they were afraid.
Application was artfully made to every passion; and not altogether in
vain.
[Dec. 29.] General Washington reached Trenton with about 1800
continentals. Twelve hundred of them were released from their enlistment
the first of January. Attempts were made to engage them to continue a
month or six weeks longer. Ten dollars extra pay was offered; they took
the bounty, and near one half went off in a few days after, before the
critical moment arrived: It was soon debated whether to order up the
Pennsylvania militia from Bordentown, Mount Holly, and elsewhere, to
join general Washington. Gen. Knox had prepared Dr. Rush, a member of
congress, to assist in effecting the scheme. He was asked in to give his
opinion, and declared in favor of ordering them up, which was then done.
[Jan. 1, 1777.] The junction of the militia with the continentals
(making in the whole about 5000 men) emboldened the latter to remain in
their position after hearing that the enemy was advancing toward them.
The alarm which had been given, induced the British and auxiliary troops
to assemble; and general Grant, with the forces at Brunswick and in that
quarter, marched speedily for Princeton. Lord Cornwallis was gone to
New-York in his way to Great-Britain; but upon this unexpected turn of
affairs, concluded upon deferring his voyage, and returning to the
defence of the Jerseys. He pressed on with the greatest expedition; left
the fourth brigade, consisting of the 70th, 40th, and 55th regiments,
under the command of lieut. col. Mawhood, at Princeton, and the second
brigade, under general Leslie, at Maidenhead, and joined the main body
by the time they got near Trenton.
Gen. Greene is sent out with a considerable detachment to support a
party stationed about a mile off, and to check the march of the enemy;
but finds them advancing in such force and so expeditiously, that he is
at some difficulty in making a good retreat with the whole of the
Americans. Mean while general Washington makes a disposition for an
action; which, as the enemy do not come on directly, is afterward varied
to prevent their getting in on the American rear. The bridge over
Sanpink Creek, is well secured; but can be of little advantage, as the
stream is fordable in many places. The American army has between thirty
and forty pieces of artillery in front, facing the creek. The fate of
the continent seems suspended by a single thread; and the independence
of America to hang on the issue of a battle which appears inevitable;
and in which the most sanguine son of liberty can scarce flatter himself
with the hope of a victory, the enemy being so superior in numbers and
discipline. A defeat must be totally ruinous, from the nature of the
ground which the Americans occupy.
Sir William Erskine, according to report, advises lord Cornwallis to an
immediate attack, saying, “Otherwise Washington, if any general, will
make a move to the left of your army: if your lordship does not attack,
throw a large body of troops on the road to your left.” The attack is
put off till the morning; his lordship might act upon what is said to be
a military principle, that the strongest army ought not to attack toward
night. Mean while gen. Washington calls a council of war. It is known
that they are to be attacked the next day, by the whole collected force
of the enemy. The matter of debate is, “Shall we march down on the
Jersey side, and cross the Delaware over against Philadelphia, or shall
we fight?” Both are thought to be too hazardous. On this gen. Washington
says, “What think you of a circuitous march to Princeton?” It is
approved, and concluded upon. Providence favors the manœuvre. The
weather having been for two days warm, moist and foggy, the ground is
become quite soft, and the roads to be passed so deep that it will be
extremely difficult, if practicable, to get on with the cattle,
carriages and artillery. But while the council is sitting, the wind
suddenly changes to the north-west, and it freezes so hard that by the
time the troops are ready to move, they pass on as though upon a solid
pavement. Such freezings frequently happen in the depth of winter, upon
the wind’s coming suddenly about to the north-west. This sudden change
of weather gives a plausible pretext for that line of fires which gen.
Washington causes to be kindled soon after dark, in the front of his
army; and by which he conceals himself from the notice of the enemy, and
induces them to believe he is still upon the ground, waiting for them
till morning. The stratagem is rendered the more complete by an order
given to the men who are entrusted with the business, to keep up the
fires in full blaze, till break of day. While the fires are burning, the
baggage and three pieces of ordnance are sent off to Burlington for
security, and with the design, that if the enemy follow it, the
Americans may take advantage of their so doing. The troops march about
one o’clock, with great silence and order, and crossing Sanpink Creek,
proceed toward and arrive near Princeton a little before day-break. The
three British regiments are marching down to Trenton on another road,
about a quarter of a mile distant. The centre of the Americans,
consisting of the Philadelphia militia, under gen. Mercer, advances to
attack them. Col. Mawhood considers it only as a flying party attempting
to interrupt his march, and approaches with his 17th regiment so near
before he fires, that the colour of their buttons is discerned. He
repulses the assailants with great spirit, and they give way in
confusion; officers and men seem siezed with a panic, which spreads
fast, and indicates an approaching defeat. Gen. Washington perceives the
disorder, and penetrates the fatal consequence of being vanquished. The
present moment requires an exertion to ward off the danger, however
hazardous to his own person. He advances instantly; encourages his
troops to make a stand; places himself between them and the British,
distant from each other about thirty yards; reins his horse’s head
toward the front of the enemy; and boldly faces them while they
discharge their pieces; their fire is immediately returned by the
Americans, without their adverting to the position of the general, who
is providentially preserved from being injured either by foe or friend.
The scale is turned, and col. Mawhood soon finds that he is attacked on
all sides by a superior force; and that he is cut off from the rest of
the brigade. He discovers also, by the continued distant firing, that
the fifty-fifth is not in better circumstances. His regiment having used
their bayonets with too much severity on the party put to flight by them
in the beginning, now pay for it in proportion; near sixty are killed
upon the spot, beside the wounded. But the colonel and a number force
their way through, and pursue the march to Maidenhead. The fifty-fifth
regiment being hard pressed, and finding it impossible to continue its
march, makes good its retreat, and returns, by the way of Hillsborough,
to Brunswick. The fortieth is but little engaged; those of the men who
escape, retire by another road to the same place.
It was proposed to make a forced march to Brunswick, where was the
baggage of the whole British army, and gen. Lee; but the men having been
without either rest, rum or provisions, for two days and two nights,
were unequal to the task. It was then debated whether to file off to
Cranberry, in order to cross the Delaware and secure Philadelphia. Gen.
Knox urged their marching to Morristown, and informed the commander in
chief, that when he passed through that part of the country, he observed
that it was a good position. He also remarked, that they should be upon
the flank of the enemy, and might easily change their situation, if
requisite. By his earnest importunity he prevailed, and the measure was
adopted. Gen. Greene was with the main body, which was advanced; and had
put it into the Morristown road, without having been first acquainted
with the determination. Just as that was concluded upon, the enemy were
firing upon the rear of the Americans. Lord Cornwallis had been waked by
the sound of the American cannon at Princeton; and finding himself
out-generaled, and apprehensive for his stores and baggage, had posted
back with the utmost expedition. The army under general Washington
marched on to Pluckemin in their way to Morristown, pulling up the
bridges as they proceeded, thereby to incommode the enemy and secure
themselves. By the time they got there, the men were so excessively
fatigued, that a fresh and resolute body of five hundred might have
demolished the whole. Numbers lay down in the woods and fell asleep,
without regarding the coldness of the weather. The royal army were still
under such alarming impressions, that it continued its march from
Trenton to Brunswick, thirty miles, without halting, longer at least
than was necessary to make the bridges over Stony-Brook and Millstone
passable.
Gen. Howe admits that the loss in this affair, was 17 killed, and nearly
200 wounded and missing. But the Americans say, they have taken near 300
prisoners, of whom 14 are officers, all British. Capt. Leslie, the son
of the earl of Leven, who was killed in the engagement, was buried by
the Americans with the honors of war, not only as a British officer, but
in testimony of respect to his lordship’s worth. The American officers
commended the bravery of the troops under colonel Mawhood; one of the
generals, observing how they fought, exclaimed, “When will our men fight
like those fellows!” General Mercer met with hard usage, being bayoneted
in three places, of which wounds he is since dead. He was a deserving
character, and merited different treatment. Some may pronounce the
treatment that captain Philips, of the thirty-fifth grenadiers, has met
with, much baser; but not when they have the case properly
represented.—The captain, as he was returning from New-York, to join his
company, was surprised between Brunswick and Princeton, by a party of
militia, who threatened him in case he attempted to escape; regardless
of the threat, he clapped spurs to his horse and pushed forward, on
which they fired and killed him. General Gates, who is married to the
captain’s sister, blames the captain more than the men.
The eagerness of the royal army to reach and secure Brunswick,
occasioned their marching through Princeton with such expedition as to
divert their attention from either carrying off or destroying the
curious orrery belonging to Nassau college. It was contrived and made by
an original genius and self-taught astronomer, Mr. Rittenhouse of
Philadelphia. There is not the like in Europe. An elegant and neatly
ornamented frame raises perpendicular near upon eight feet. In the front
of which you are presented, in three several apartments, with a view of
the celestial system, the motions of the planets round the sun, and the
satellites about the planets. The wheels, &c. that produce the
movements, are behind the wooden perpendicular plane, on which the
orrery is fixed. By suitable contrivances, you in a short time tell the
eclipses of the sun and moon for ages past and ages to come; the like in
other cases of astronomy. It is said that lord Cornwallis intended to
have carried it over to Great-Britain; no man of conscience can blame
his taste, which may have preserved it from ruin, by securing to it that
protection while in the hands of the enemy, that might otherwise have
been denied. But the children of the _alma mater_, whose it is, triumph
in its preservation, though somewhat damaged. The college library did
not escape so well as the orrery; but suffered considerable.
Let us attend for a while upon the congress at Baltimore, where they met
according to adjournment the 20th of December, and soon after passed the
following act—[Dec. 27.] “The congress, having maturely considered the
present crisis, and having perfect reliance on the wisdom, vigor and
uprightness of gen. Washington, do hereby resolve, That gen. Washington
shall be, and he is hereby vested with full, ample and complete powers,
to raise and collect together, in the most speedy and effectual manner,
from any or all of these United States, 16 battalions of infantry, in
addition to those already voted by congress; to appoint officers for the
said battalions of infantry; to raise, officer and equip three thousand
light-horse, three regiments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and
to establish their pay; to apply to any of the states for such aid of
the militia as he shall judge necessary; to form such magazines of
provisions, and in such places as he shall think proper; to displace and
appoint all officers under the rank of brigadier general, and to fill up
all vacancies in every other department in the American armies; to take,
wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the use of the army, if the
inhabitants will not sell it, allowing a reasonable price for the same;
to arrest and confine persons who refuse to take the continental
currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American cause; and return
to the states of which they are citizens, their names, and the nature of
their offences, together with the witnesses to prove them; and, that the
foregoing powers be vested in gen. Washington, for and during the term
of six months from the date hereof, unless sooner determined by
congress.”
They also “Resolved, that the council of safety of Pennsylvania, be
requested to take the most vigorous and speedy measures for punishing
all such as refuse continental currency; and that the general be
directed to give all necessary aid to the council of safety, for
carrying their measures on this subject into effectual execution.”
[Dec. 28.] “Resolved that two large floating batteries be built on Lake
Champlain, to cover the boom and the bridge at Tyconderoga; that a fort
be constructed on Mount Independence; that the navigation of the lake
near that place, be obstructed by sunken cassoons, joined together by
string-pieces, so as, at the same time, to serve for a bridge between
the fortifications on the east and west side; and that fort Stanwix be
strengthened, and other fortifications made at proper places near the
Mohawk river.”
[Dec. 30.] It was “Resolved, That commissioners be forthwith sent to the
courts of _Vienna_, _Spain_, _Prussia_ and the grand duke of
_Tuscany_—that the several commissioners of the United States be
instructed to assure the respective courts, that notwithstanding the
artful and insidious endeavors of the court of Great-Britain, it is
their determination, at all events, to maintain their independence—that
they be directed to use every mean in their power to procure the
assistance of the emperor of Germany, and of their most Christian,
Catholic and Prussian majesties, for preventing German, Russian, or
other foreign troops, from being sent to America for hostile purposes
against these United States, and for obtaing a recal of those already
sent—and, that his most Christian majesty be induced, if possible, to
assist the United States in the present war with Great-Britain, by
attacking the electorate of Hanover, or any part of the dominions of
Great-Britain, in Europe, the East or West-Indies.” His mos Christian
majesty was to be assured, “That should his forces be employed, in
conjunction with those of the United States, to exclude his Britannic
majesty from any share in the cod-fishery of America, by reducing the
islands of Newfoundland and Cape-Breton, and ships of war be furnished,
when required by the United States, to reduce Nova-Scotia; the fishery
shall be enjoyed equally and in common, by the subjects of his most
Christian majesty and of these states, to the exclusion of all other
nations and people whatever; and half the island of Newfoundland shall
be owned by, and be subject to the jurisdiction of his most Christian
majesty, provided the province of Nova-Scotia, the island of
Cape-Breton, and the remaining part of Newfoundland be annexed to the
territory and government of the United States.” If these proposals were
not sufficient to produce a declaration of war, and it could not be
otherwise accomplished, his most Christian majesty was to be assured,
“That such of the British West-India islands, as in the course of the
war shall be reduced by the united forces of France and these states,
shall be yielded in absolute property to his most Christian majesty: and
the United States engage, on timely notice to furnish at their expence,
and deliver in some convenient port or ports, in the said United States,
provisions for carrying on expeditions against the said islands, to the
amount of two millions of dollars, and six frigates mounting not less
than twenty-four guns, each manned and fitted for the sea; and to render
any other assistance which may be in their power as becomes good
allies.”
The commissioners of the courts of France and Spain were to consult
together, and prepare a treaty of commerce and alliance, to be proposed
to the court of Spain, adding thereto, “that if his Catholic majesty
will join the United States in a war against Great-Britain, they will
assist in reducing to the possession of Spain the town and harbour of
Pensacola, provided the citizens and inhabitants of the United States
shall have the free and uninterrupted navigation of the Missisippi, and
use of the harbour of Pensacola; and will, provided it be true, that his
Portuguese majesty has insultingly expelled the vessels of these states
from his ports, or has confiscated any such vessels, declare war against
the said king, if that measure shall be agreeable to, and be supported
by the courts of France and Spain.”
[Jan. 3, 1777.] “Whereas congress hath received information, that
Richard Stockton, esq. of New-Jersey, and a member of this congress,
hath been made a prisoner, and ignominiously thrown into a common jail,
and their detained—Resolved, That gen. Washington be directed to make
immediate enquiry into the truth of this report, and if he finds reason
to believe it well founded, that he send to gen. Howe, remonstrating
against this departure from that humane procedure which has marked the
conduct of these states to prisoners who have fallen into their hands;
and to know of gen. Howe, whether he chooses this shall be the future
rule for treating all such on both sides, as the fortune of war may
place in the hands of either party.”
The capture of gen. Lee has proved inconvenient to both sides, and
calamitous to individuals. Somewhat like a cartel was before established
for the exchange of prisoners between generals Howe and Washington. Gen.
Lee being particularly obnoxious to government, and Howe perhaps having
received prior instructions how to conduct himself with respect to him
individually, (for he can have had none as yet upon the news of his
capture) his exchange was refused. Washington having no prisoner of
equal rank, proposed six Hessian field officers to balance that
disparity: and, if this was not accepted, required that he should be
treated suitable to his sitation, and the precedent already set by the
Americans in regard to the British officers they had captivated. It was
answered, that as Lee was a deserter from his majesty’s service, he
could not be considered as a prisoner of war, nor come within the
conditions of the cartel, nor receive any of its benefits. A fruitless
discussion ensued: and Lee was still confined, watched and guarded with
the utmost strictness and jealousy; which produced the following
congressional act—[Jan. 6.] “Congress being informed that major gen. Lee
hath, since his captivity, been committed to the custody of the provost,
instead of being enlarged on his parole, according to the humane
practice that has taken place with officers of the enemy who have fallen
into the hands of the American troops; a treatment totally unworthy of
that gentleman’s eminent qualifications, and his rank in the service of
the United States, and strongly indicative of further injuries to his
person:—Resolved, That gen. Washington be directed to send to general
Howe, and inform him, that, should the proffered exchange of gen. Lee
for six Hessian field officers not to be accepted, and the treatment of
him as abovementioned be continued, the principles of retaliation shall
occasion five of the Hessian field officers, together with lieut. col.
Archibald Campbell, or any other officers that are or shall be in our
possession equivalent in number or quality, to be detained in order that
the said treatment which gen. Lee shall receive may be exactly inflicted
upon their persons:—Ordered, that a copy of the above resolution be
transmitted to the council of the Massachusetts-bay, and that they be
desired to detain lieut. col _Campbell_, and keep him in safe custody
till the further order of congress; and that a copy be also sent to the
committee of congress in Philadelphia; and that they be desired to have
the prisoners, officers and privates, lately taken, properly secured in
some safe place.”
When the resolution was received by the Massachusetts council, instead
of conforming solely to the words of the order _to keep the colonel in
safe custody_, they sent him to Concord jail; where he was lodged in a
dungeon of twelve or thirteen feet square whose sides were black with
the grease and litter of successive criminals. Two doors with double
locks and bolts, shut him from the yard, with an express prohibition
from entering it, either for health, or the necessary calls of nature. A
leathsome black hole, decorated with a pair of fixed chains, was granted
him for his inner apartment; from whence a felon had been removed but
the moment before, and in which his litter and excrements remained a
fortnight after it was appropriated to the use of the colonel. The
attendance of a single servant on his person was denied him, and every
visit from a friend positively refused. When he had transmitted an
account of these and other matters to Sir William Howe on the 14th of
February, and the same had been communicated to gen. Washington, a
letter was directly written on the 28th, in which the general says, “You
will observe that exactly the same treatment is to be shewn to col.
Campbell and the Hessian officers, that gen. Howe shews to gen. Lee; and
as he is only confined to a commodious house, with genteel
accommodations, we have no right or reason to be more severe upon col.
Campbell, who I would wish should be immediately removed from his
present situation, and put into a house where he may live comfortably.”
The enemy have in their power and subject to their call, near 300
officers belonging to the army of the United States; while the Americans
have not more than 50 belonging to the enemy. The resolve therefore, of
putting in close confinement col. Campbell and the Hessian officers, in
order to retaliate Lee’s punishment, seems injurious in every point of
view, and to have been entered into without due attention to the
consequences. Gen. Lee’s misfortune has sunk him greatly in the opinion
of many Americans; and serves to convey a lively idea of the inconstancy
and ingratitude of mankind. Some of those very people who, when he was
marching to join gen. Washington, regarded him as the guardian angel
that was to deliver America, not only censure him bitterly, but even
insinuate that he was treacherous. The Americans however, have reaped
one advantage by that event—the enemy are convinced that they have not
gotten the palladium of America, as they fondly boasted.
Congress have been often, and for a considerable time, in a committee of
the whole, upon the state of the treasury, and the means of supporting
the credit of the continental currency. At length they have “Resolved
[Jan. 14.] That all bills of credit emitted by authority of congress,
ought to pass current in all payments, trade and dealings in these
states, and be deemed in value equal to the same nominal sums in Spanish
milled dollars; and that whosoever shall offer, ask or receive more in
the said bills, for any gold or silver coins, bullion, or any other
species of money whatsoever, than the nominal sum or amount thereof in
Spanish milled dollars, or more in the said bills for any lands, houses,
goods or any commodities whatsoever, than the same could be purchased at
of the same person or persons, in gold, silver or any other species of
money whatsoever; or shall offer to sell any goods or commodities for
gold or silver coins, or any other species of money whatsoever, and
refuse to sell the same for the said continental bills; every such
person ought to be deemed an enemy to the liberties of these United
States, and to forfeit the value of the money so exchanged, or house,
land or commodity so sold or offered to sale. And it is recommended to
the legislatures of the respective states, to enact laws inflicting such
forfeitures and other penalties on offenders as aforesaid, as will
prevent such pernicious practices—that it be recommended to the
legislatures of the United States, to pass laws to make the bills of
credit issued by the congress, a lawful tender in payments of public and
private debts; and a refusal thereof an extinguishment of such debts;
that debts payable in sterling money, be discharged with continental
dollars, at the rate of four and six-pence sterling per dollar; and that
in discharge of all other debts and contracts, continental dollars pass
at the rate fixed by the respective states for the value of Spanish
milled dollars.”
The several states will undoubtedly make the continental bills a legal
tender, agreeable to the recommendation; though therein they establish
the perpetration of iniquity by law. There are too many debtors in every
state, and general assembly, who will by the help of it clear themselves
of incumbrances; and who will feel nothing, or but little, at the
injustice they commit in paying their creditors with a depreciated
currency, while they have the law of the land in their favor. But all
these attempts of congress to keep up the value of the bills, are
delusive; and will deceive those most who have the greatest confidence
in the wisdom of the present measure. It is scarce possible that they
can so far impose upon their own judgments, as to view it in any other
light than a momentary relief from a present evil, by subjecting
themselves to a greater in future, but which, when it shall arrive, they
flatter themselves they shall get rid of by some new expedient.
[Jan. 16.] Congress “Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to
enquire into the conduct of the British and Hessian generals and
officers toward the officers, soldiers and mariners in the service of
the United States, and any other persons, inhabitants of these states,
in their possession, as prisoners of war or otherwise, and also into the
conduct of the said generals and officers, and the troops under their
command, toward the subjects of these states and their property, more
especially of the states of New-York and New-Jersey.” This committee
will undoubtedly authenticate the cruelties of the royal army, which
have been too frequent and notorious. The very orders of gen. Howe have
not been sufficiently guarded for the preventing of abuses. When the
enemy fled from their cantonments in the Jerseys, his orders to col.
Donop fell into the hands of the Americans; they expressed that “all
salted and meal provisions, which may be judged to exceed the quantity
necessary for the subsistence of an ordinary family, shall be considered
as a magazine of the enemy, and seized for the king, and given to the
troops as a saving for the public.”
When the royal army entered the Jerseys, the inhabitants pretty
generally remained in their houses, and many thousands received printed
protections, signed by order of the commander in chief. But neither the
proclamation of the commissioners, nor protections, saved the people
from plunder any more than from insult. Their property was taken or
destroyed without distinction of persons. They showed their protections;
Hessians could not read them, and would not understand them; and the
British soldiers thought they had as good a right to a share of booty as
the Hessians. The loyalists were plundered even at New-York. Gen. De
Heister may be pronounced the arch-plunderer. He offered the house he
lived in at New-York, to public sale; though the property of a very
loyal subject, who had voluntarily and hospitably accommodated him with
it. The goods of others, suffering restraint or imprisonment among the
Americans, were sold by auction. The carriages of gentlemen of the first
rank, were seized, their arms defaced, and the plunderer’s arms blazoned
in their place; and this too by British officers. Discontents and
murmurs increased every hour at the licentious ravages of the soldiery,
both British and foreigners, who were shamefully permitted, with
unrelenting hand, to pillage friend and foe in the Jerseys.[40] Neither
age nor sex was spared. Indiscriminate ruin attended every person they
met with. Infants, children, old men and women, were left in their
shirts, without a blanket to cover them, under the inclemency of winter.
Every kind of furniture was destroyed and burnt; windows and doors were
broken to pieces; in short, the houses were left uninhabitable, and the
people without provisions; for every horse, cow, ox and fowl, was
carried off. Horrid depredations and abuses were committed by that part
of the army which was stationed at or near Penny-town. Sixteen young
women fled to the woods, to avoid the brutality of the soldiers, and
were there seized and carried off. One man had the cruel mortification
to have his wife and only daugher (a child of ten years) ravished.
Another girl of thirteen, was taken from her father’s house, carried to
a barn about a mile off, there dishonored, and afterward abused by five
others. A most respectable gentleman in the neighborhood of Woodbridge,
was alarmed with the cries and shrieks of a most lovely daughter; he
found a British officer in the act of violating her, and instantly put
him to death. Two other officers rushed in with their fusees, and fired
two balls into the father, who was languishing under his wounds the
beginning of January.[41]
These enormities, though too frequently practised in a time of war by
the military, unless restrained by the severest discipline, so
exasperated the people of the Jerseys, that they flew to arms
immediately upon the army’s hurrying from Trenton, and forming
themselves into parties, they way-laid the men, and cut them off as they
had opportunity. The militia collected. The Americans in a few days
over-ran the Jerseys. The army was forced from Woodbridge. Gen. Maxwell
surprised Elizabeth-Town, and took near 100 prisoners, with a quantity
of baggage. Newark was abandoned. The royal troops were confined to the
narrow compass of Brunswick and Amboy, both holding an open
communication with New-York by water. They could not even stir out to
forage but in large parties, which seldom returned without loss. [Jan.
20.] Gen. Dickenson, with about 400 militia and 50 of the Pennsylvania
riflemen, defeated near Somerset court-house, on Millstone river, a
foraging party of the enemy, of equal number; and took 40 waggons,
upward of 100 horses, beside sheep and cattle which they had collected.
They retreated with such precipitation that he could make only nine
prisoners; but they were observed to carry off many dead and wounded in
light waggons. The general’s behavior reflects the highest honor upon
him; for though his troops were all raw, he led them through the river
middle deep, and gave the enemy so severe a charge, that although
supported by three field-pieces, they gave way and left their convoy.
The whole country was now become hostile to the British army. Sufferers
of all parties rose as one man to revenge their personal injuries and
particular oppressions, and were the most bitter and determined enemies.
They who were incapable of bearing arms, acted as spies, and kept a
continual watch, so that not the smallest motion could be made by the
royalists, without its being discovered before it could produce the
intended effect. This hostile spirit was encouraged by a proclamation of
general Washington [Jan. 25.] which commands every person having
subscribed the declaration of fidelity to Great-Britain, taken the oaths
of allegiance, and accepted protections and certificates from the
commissioners, to deliver up the same, and take the oath of allegiance
to the United States of America. It grants however, full liberty to all
such as prefer the interest and protection of Great-Britain to the
freedom and happiness of their country, forthwith to withdraw themselves
and families within the enemy’s lines. But it declares, that all who
neglect or refuse to comply with the order, within thirty days from the
date, will be deemed adherents to the king of Great-Britain, and treated
as common enemies to these American States. Some days before the
proclamation was issued, a number of the Pennsylvania militia, having
served the time fixed upon, were desirous of returning, which was
complied with, and the general took the earliest opportunity of
returning his most hearty thanks to those brave men, who in the most
inclement season of the year nobly stepped forth in defence of their
country. He also acknowledged with pleasure the signal services done by
the said militia; and with additional satisfaction, the good services of
those battalions, who determined to remain with him after the expiration
of their times of service. The militia of Pennsylvania are not only
entitled to the hearty thanks of the commander in chief, but of the
United States; for greatly through their instrumentality, the Jerseys
have been nearly recovered, and a victorious and superior army been
reduced to act upon the defensive, as well as Philadelphia saved, and
Pennsylvania freed from danger. Nor will gratitude forget the share
which gen. Mifflin had in exciting them to rise in favour of public
liberty.
Toward the end of January a plan was formed for taking Fort
Independence, near Kingsbridge, and by so doing, to obtain a passage
into New-York island. About 4000 militia of the Massachusetts,
Connecticut, and New-York states, in four divisions, under generals
Heath, Wooster, Parsons and Lincoln, were destined for the service. Gen.
Heath was commander in chief. They marched, the division under Heath
from White-Plains—under Wooster and Parsons from New-Rochelle—and under
Lincoln from toward Tarry-town. All met on the heights about and near
Kingsbridge. The fort had but a trifling garrison, which could have made
no effectual resistance, had a vigorous push been instantly made; and
the men were in spirits for the attempt. In this way only could it be
carried, was defence sttempted, as the Americans had no other artillery
than three field-pieces. With these they fired a number of shots at
eighty or a hundred Hessians, and a few light-horse, who collected on
the other side of Haerlem river; the Hessians were thrown into a
momentary confusion, but soon formed again. Gen. Heath demanded a
surrender of the fort, and threatened in case of non-compliance. The
threat was disregarded. The troops were employed chiefly in picking up
tories, and in foraging and taking stores that had been in the
possession of the enemy, till more artillery should arrive from
Peek’s-kill which a council of war had agreed to send for. About nine
days from the first appearance of the Americans before the fort, the
artillery came to hand, and consisted of one brass 24 pounder, and two
howitzers. The twenty-four pounder was fired twice, when the carriage
broke; and a few shells were thrown, without any execution. A great
number of teams were then employed in carrying off forage, &c. The enemy
who had been reinforced during these delays, sallied out, but were
repulsed: soon after the Americans retired, upon a report that some
ships were gone up the North-River. Gen Heath’s conduct was censured by
men of sense and judgment, who were with him on the expedition. It was
fraught with so much caution, that the army was disappointed, and in
some degree disgraced. His summons, as he did not fulfil his threats,
was idle and farcical, and tended to bring upon all of them the ridicule
of their enemies. The Americans suffered much from the weather, and not
less from the failure of the expedition. Many of them afterward crossed
the North-River, and proceeded to Morristown.
About the time this fruitless expedition commenced, and three days
before gen. Washington’s proclamation, plundering had become so
prevalent among the American troops, that his excellency had inserted in
general orders—“The general prohibits, both in the militia and
continental troops, in the most possitive terms, the infamous practices
of plundering the inhabitants, under the specious pretence of their
being tories. It is our business to give protection and support to the
poor distressed inhabitants, not to multiply and increase their
calamities. After this order, any officer found plundering the
inhabitants under the pretence of their being tories, may expect to be
punished in the severest manner. The adjutant general to furnish the
commanding officer of each division with a copy of these orders, who is
to circulate copies among his troops immediately.” You will regret, that
while the British and Hessians plunder the Americans upon the plea of
their being rebels; these should plunder their own countrymen upon the
plea of their being tories. Humanity and good sense should dictate a
different line of conduct, from a belief, that men of opposite
sentiments may act conscientiously, while taking contrary parts in a
civil contest.
Near upon 2000 of the British went on a foraging party from Amboy. They
attacked the American guards and drove them five or six miles. When the
latter were reinforced by gen. Maxwell, with about 1400 men, chiefly
militia, the others retreated with such precipitation, as to be able to
return but two fires, and left behind them six of their men prisoners
and two dead. Thus are the troops under lord Cornwallis watched,
straitened, and obliged to undergo the hardships of a most severe and
unremitting duty; though he has been strengthened by a brigade of
British, and some companies of grenadiers and light infantry from
Rhode-Island. The order for these troops was sent to lord Percy, gen.
Clinton being gone to England. Lord Percy did not immediately comply:
but returned for answer, that the enemy were collecting a large force
near Providence, of which circumstance he supposes gen. Howe was
unacquainted; that he thought it his duty to represent this matter, and
to add, that he apprehended it would be dangerous to the service there,
to send away so large a corps. Gen. Howe replied, that lord Percy knew
the consequence of disobedience of orders, trial by court martial, and
certain sentence of being broke; but that he was inclined to show his
lordship all the indulgence that his services deserved, at the same time
he insisted upon his orders being punctually obeyed. His lordship’s
feelings have been so hurt by this reply, that it is apprehended, he
will not remain long in a situation that subjects him to gen. Howe.
The American recruiting service went on most wretchedly.—The returns
which gen. Washington received from different quarters, were of so
extraordinary a nature, that he suspected the most abominable fraud and
embezzlement of the public money. The accounts of desertion almost
surpassed belief, and afforded him the highest probability that officers
were tempted, by the great bounty allowed, to exhibit a number of
pretended recruits, that were never in reality inlisted. But the evil he
complained of, was owing greatly to the prevailing method of inlisting
men, viz. the paying of them the bounty, and then suffering them to
ramble about the country, by which means they inlisted with half a dozen
officers. Instead of being formidable by the middle or March, he wrote,
[March 6.] “After the fifteenth, when gen. Lincoln’s militia leave us,
we shall only have the remains of the five Virginia regiments, who do
not amount altogether to more than five or six hundred men, and two of
the other continental battalions very weak. The rest of our army is
composed of small parties of militia from this state and Pennsylvania;
and little dependence can be put upon the militia, as they come and go
when they please, if the enemy do not move it will be a miracle; nothing
but ignorance of our numbers, and situation, can protect us.” He has
since owned, that during the latter part of this last winter, he and his
army have remained at the mercy of the royal troops, with sometimes
scarcely a sufficient body of men to mount the ordinary guards, liable
every moment to be dissipated, if the enemy had only thought proper to
march against them. The general’s whole force, including militia, at
Morristown and the several out-posts, amounted often to not more than
1500 men; and it has been asserted, upon apparently good authority, that
he repeatedly could not muster more at Morristown than between three and
four hundred. In writing officially upon the subject to the governor and
council of Connecticut the representation he gave of affairs drew tears
from the eyes of those who heard the letter read. While gen. Washington
was at this low ebb with his army, gentlemen of five thousand pounds
fortune or more, and many others who were men of substance, though not
equal to that, did duty as centinels at his doors and elsewhere.
Though gen. Howe made no capital stroke at the commander in chief of the
Americans; yet he concerted an operation against the post which gen.
M’Dougall occupied, and where a considerable quantity of provisions and
stores was deposited. A detachment of 500 men under col. Bird was
convoyed by the Brunc frigate to Peek’s-kill, near fifty miles from
New-York. They landed on the 23d of March. As the general had but 250
men fit for duty, insted of 600 to guard the place, which lay in a
bottom and was not tenable, he fired the principal store-houses, and
then quitted the town in order to occupy the important pass through the
highlands, on the east side of the river, about two miles and a half
distant. The fire rendered useless the only wharf where it was
practicable to embark the remaining stores in convenient time, which
made it expedient to destroy the greater part. Col. Bird having done it,
and hearing a reinforcement was expected by the Americans, re-embarked
the same day. The loss of rum, molasses, flour, biscuit, pork, beef,
wheat, oats, hay, tallow, iron pots, camp kettles, canteens, bowls,
nails, waggons and carts, barracks, store-houses, sloops and pettiaugers
laden with provisions, was very considerable, far beyond what was given
out by the Americans, though not of that importance and magnitude, as to
answer the expectations of gen. Howe. Gen. Washington had repeatedly
guarded the commissary against suffering any large quantities of
provisions to lie near the water, in such places as were accessable to
the enemy’s shipping; but he had not been properly attended to.
The want of muskets occasioned a delay in forwarding the new troops from
the Massachusetts: but many of the militia from that state were
persuaded to remain at Morristown for some weeks longer than the fixed
time of service. Fifteen hundred of the new troops would have been upon
their march, but the general court could not supply them with arms. The
perplexity occasioned by this circumstance was however of short
continuance. On the day of its commencement or the following, a vessel
of fourteen guns from France arrived at Portsmouth with 364 cases,
containing 11,987 stand: she had also on board a thousand barrels of
powder, 11,000 gun-flints, 48 bales of woollens, and a small quantity of
handkerchiefs, cottons, linens, and other articles. Congress were under
a similar distress with the Massachusetts general court, as to the
procuring of arms for gen. Washington’s army; but obtained a similar
relief, by the arrival of a vessel, [March 24.] with 10,000 stand,
beside a great number of gun-locks. These seasonable arrivals will
furnish an ample supply of arms: the main difficulty will now be to get
men to use them. Dr. Franklin arrived at Nantz the 13th of December.
The brilliancy of the successes, which have attended the American army
since last Christmas, and their most happy consequences in changing the
complexion of the times, must raise the character of gen. Washington as
highly in Europe as it had done in America; and may lead sanguine
spirits, who are strangers to the real circumstances of the country, to
imagine that he will soon be able to drive all before him; but it will
require his utmost abilities to act in so defensive a manner, as to
secure himself from injury, and at the same time frustrate the offensive
plans of the enemy. He is indeed to have the assistance of a body of
cavalry, which will be of considerable advantage.
You will scarce think it beneath remarking, that when the royal army had
possessed themselves of the Jerseys, and the American affairs were at
the lowest ebb, there was not a single state, or capital town or city
(if not wholly in the power of the enemy) that made advances toward
submission. But in the month of January, the tories rose to a great
head, in the counties of Somerset and Worcester, in the state of
Maryland; so that in the beginning of February, the congress were
obliged to employ several battalions (before they could march forward to
join gen. Washington) in suppressing the insurgents.
Committees, from the four New-England states, had a meeting; since which
their proceedings were laid before congress; and the last have resolved,
[Feb. 15.] “That the plan for regulating the price of labor, of
manufactures, and internal produce within those states, and of goods
imported from foreign parts, except military stores, be referred to the
consideration of the other United States; and that it be recommended to
them to adopt such measures, as they shall think most expedient to
remedy the evils occasioned by the present fluctuating and exorbitant
prices of the articles aforesaid:—That for this purpose it be
recommended to the legislatures, or in their recess, to the executive
powers of the states of New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland and Virginia, to appoint commissioners to meet at Yorktown in
Pennsylvania, on the third Monday in March next, to consider of and form
a system of regulation adapted to those states, to be laid before the
respective legislatures of each states, for their approbation:—That for
the like purpose it be recommended to the legislatures, or executive
powers in the recess of the legislatures of the states of
North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia, to appoint commissioners to
meet at Charleston in South-Carolina on the first Monday in May next.”
Some of the New-England states had passed acts for regulating prices,
before these resolutions.
On the 27th, congress adjourned to meet at Philadelphia the following
Wednesday. Before adjourning they recommended to the several states, the
passing of laws to put a stop to the distilling of grain.
Congress having dismissed doctor Samuel Stringer, director of the
hospital in the northern department of the army, (at the same day they
dismissed Dr. Morgan) gen. Scuyler took offence at it, and expressed
himself unguardedly in some of his official letters: upon that it was
“Resolved, [Mar. 15.] That as congress proceeded to the dismission of
Dr. Stringer, upon reasons satisfactory to themselves, gen. Scuyler
ought to have known it to be his duty to have acquiesced therein:—That
the suggestion in gen. Scuyler’s letter to congress, that it was a
compliment due to him to have been advised of the reasons of Dr.
Stringer’s dismission, is highly derogatory to the honor of congress;
and that the president be desired to acquaint gen. Scuyler, that it is
expected his letters for the future, be written in a style more suitable
to the dignity of the representative body of those free and independent
states, and to his own character of their officer:—Resolved, That it is
altogether improper and inconsistent with the dignity of this congress,
to interfere in disputes subsisting among the officers of the army,
which ought to be settled, unless they can be otherwise accommodated, in
a court martial, agreeable to the rules of the army; and that the
expression in gen. Scuyler’s letter of the fourth of February—“That he
confidently expected congress would have done him that justice, which it
was in their power to give, and which he humbly conceives they ought to
have done”—were to say the least, ill-advised and highly indecent.”
[Jan. 24.] “Resolved, That gen. Washington be informed that it never was
the intention of congress that he should be bound by the majority of
voices in a council of war contrary to his own judgment:—That the
commander in chief in every department be made acquainted, that though
he may consult the general officers under him, yet he is not bound by
their opinion; but ought finally to direct every measure according to
his own judgment.”
In the month of January gen. Howe discharged all the privates who were
prisoners in New-York. Great complaints were made of the horrid usage
the Americans met with after they were captured. The garrison of Fort
Washington surrendered by capitulation to gen. Howe the 16th of
November. The terms were, that the fort should be surrendered, the
troops be considered prisoners of war, and that the American officers
should keep their baggage and side arms. These articles were signed, and
afterward published in the New-York papers. Major Otho Holland Williams,
of Rawlings’s rifle regiment, in doing his duty that day, unfortunately
fell into the hands of the enemy. The haughty, imperious deportment of
the officers, and the insolent scurrility of the soldiers of the British
army soon dispelled his hopes of being treated with lenity. Many of the
American officers were plundered of their baggage and robbed of their
side arms, hats, cockades, &c. and otherwise grossly ill-treated. He and
three companions were (on the third day) put on board the Baltic
Merchant, an hospital ship, then lying in the Sound. The wretchedness of
his situation was in some degree alleviated by a small pittance of pork
and parsnip, which a good natured sailor spared him from his own mess.
The fourth day of their captivity, Rawlings, Hanson, M’Intire, and
himself, all wounded officers, were put into one common dirt cart, and
dragged through the city of New-York, as objects of derision, reviled as
rebels, and treated with the utmost contempt. From the cart they were
set down at the door of an old _waste_ house (the remains of
Hamden-hall) near Bridewell, which because of the openness and
filthiness of the place, he had a few months before refused as barracks
for his privates; but now was willing to accept for himself and friends,
in hopes of finding an intermission of the fatigue and persecution they
had perpetually suffered. Some provisions were issued to the prisoners
in the afternoon of that day; what quantity he could not declare; but it
was of the worst quality he ever, till then, saw made use of. He was
informed the allowance consisted of six ounces of pork, one pound of
biscuit and some peas per day for each man, and two bushels and a half
of sea-coal per week for the officers, to each fire-place. These were
admitted on parole, and lived generally in waste houses. The privates,
in the coldest season of the year, were close confined in churches,
sugar-houses and other open buildings which admitted all kinds of
weather and consequently were subjected to the severest kind of
persecution that ever unfortunate captives suffered. Officers were
insulted, and often struck for attempting to afford some of the
miserable privates a small relief. In about three weeks he was able to
walk, and was himself a witness of the extreme wretchedness his
countrymen suffered. He could not describe their misery. Their
constitutions were not equal to the rigor of the treatment they
received, and the consequence was the death of many hundreds. The
officers were not allowed to take muster-rolls, nor even to visit their
men, so that it was impossible to ascertain the numbers that perished;
but from frequent reports and his own observations, he verily believed,
as well as had heard many officers give it as their opinion, that not
less than fifteen hundred prisoners perished in the course of a few
weeks in the city of New-York, and, that this dreadful mortality was
principally owing to the want of provisions and extreme cold. If they
computed too largely, it must be ascribed to the shocking, brutal manner
of treating the dead bodies, and not to any desire of exaggerating the
account of their sufferings. When the king’s commissary of prisoners
intimated to some of the American officers, gen. Howe’s intention of
sending the privates home on parole, they all earnestly desired it; a
paper was signed expressing that desire; the reason for signing was,
they well knew the effects of a longer confinement; and the great
numbers that died when on parole, justified their pretensions to that
knowledge. In January almost all the officers were sent to Long-Island
on parole, and there billeted on the inhabitants at two dollars per
week.[42]
The filth in the churches (in consequence of fluxes) was beyond
description. Seven dead have been seen in one of them, at the same time,
lying among the excrements of their bodies. The British soldiers were
full of their low and insulting jokes on those occasions, but less
malignant than the tories. The provision dealt out to the prisoners was
not sufficient for the support of life; and was deficient in quantity,
more so in quality. The bread was loathsome and not fit to be eaten, and
was thought to have been condemned. The allowance of meat was trifling,
and of the baser sort. The consequence was, a suspicion of a
premeditated and systematical plan to destroy the youths of the land,
thereby to deter the country. The integrity of these suffering prisoners
was hardly credible. Hundreds submitted to death, rather than enlist in
the British service, which they were most generally pressed to do. It
was the opinion of the Ameaican officers that gen. Howe perfectly
understood the condition of the private soldiers; and they from thence
argued, that it was exactly such as he and his council had devised.
After general Washington’s success in the Jerseys, the obduracy and
malevolence of the royalists subsided in some measure. The surviving
prisoners were ordered to be sent out for an exchange; but several of
them fell down dead in the streets, while attempting to walk to the
vessels.[43]
Gen. Washington wrote to gen. Howe in the beginning of April, “It is a
fact not to be questioned, that the usage of our prisoners while in your
possession, the privates at least, was such as could not be justified.
This was proclaimed by the concurrent testimony of all who came out.
Their appearance sanctified the assertion, and melancholy experience, in
the speedy death of a large part of them, stamped it with infallible
certainty.” The cruel treatment of the prisoners being the subject of
conversation among some officers captured by Sir Guy Carleton, gen.
Parsons, who was of the company, said, “I am very glad of it.” They
expressed their astonishment, and desired him to explain himself. He
thus addressed them. “You have been taken by gen. Carleton, and he has
used you with great humanity; would you be inclined to fight against
him?” The answer was no. “So,” added Parsons, “would it have been, had
the troops taken by Howe been treated in like manner; but now, through
his cruelty, we shall get another army.” The hon. William Smith,
esq.[44] now at Haverstraw, learning how the British used the prisoners,
and concluding it would operate to that end by enraging the Americans,
applied to the committee of the New-York state, for leave to go into the
city, and remonstrate with the British upon such cruel treatment, which
he doubted not but that he should put a stop to. The committee, however,
either from knowing what effect the cruelties would have in
strengthening the opposition to Britain, or from jealousies of his being
in some other way of disservice to the American cause, or from these
united, would not grant his request. Gen. Gates has been repeatedly
heard to say to the following purport—“Had gen. Howe seen to it, that
the prisoners and Jersey inhabitants, when subdued, were treated with as
much humanity and kindness as Sir Guy Carleton exercised toward his
prisoners, it would have been all up with the Americans.”
The congress commissioners for treating with the Indians of the Six
Nations, and their brethren on the Susquehanna, have had repeated
meetings with them. They had one the last August at the German Flats;
when Adam, an Oghuaga Sachem, made mention of the line that was settled
between the Indians and whites at the treaty at Fort Stanwix; and
observed, that by the agreement the whites were not to encroach upon
their lands; but that of late some of the white people had made
encroachments, by surveying their hunting grounds, close up to their
habitations. He desired the commissioners to consider it, and hoped for
redress. They assured the Indians, that the great council at
Philadelphia would effectually put a stop to such wicked practices, and
punish every person that should offend against their orders. “If any
persons (say they) shall come upon your lands, we desire you will
immediately bring them to the minister, that he may write down their
names, and inform us of it, and then we shall immediately proceed
against them. Brothers, you may all rest assured, that no white people
will be suffered to pass the line settled at Fort Stanwix; for although
that agreement was made with the king, yet as you are satisfied with it,
we shall take care that it is complied with.” Since then, some of the
Indians have complained of a number of people who have gone over the
line, and settled on the west branch of the Susquehanna, contrary to the
Fort Stanwix treaty, and threatened they would not suffer them to stay.
The people have not any legal claim to the ground in the opinion of the
commissioners; who suppose that col. Butler, upon coming to Niagara,
seized upon this affair as a fit instrument to foment a difference. But
the difference, it is hoped, will be prevented by a late treaty at
Easton, which ended February the sixth, to mutual satisfaction. The
commissioners say, “We remember the agreement at Fort Stanwix. Our
people ought not to have bought, and your people not to have sold lands
contrary to the former agreement. We blame both. We will tell this
matter to congress, who will enquire, and not suffer the old agreement
to be broken by any of their people. They will call the intruders back,
and do strict justice to both sides.” The Indians seemingly mean to
adhere steadily to their engagements of neutrality; and absolutely
protest against either the enemy marching through their country by way
of Niagara, to attack the United States, or the army of the latter
marching that way to attack their enemy.
The Americans were not in readiness to begin their naval hostilities at
a distance from their own coasts till late in the last year. That
circumstance however, was of no great disadvantage, by reason of an
unexpected occurrence. The discovery of an intended conspiracy among the
negroes of Jamaica, detained the fleet till after the customary time of
sailing. Through this detention, it sailed at a season that was
accompanied with much tempestuous weather, which scattered the ships,
and exposed them to such American cruisers, as lay in wait for them in
the latitudes through which they were to pass in their voyage homeward.
The consequence was, that many of them were taken by the American
privateers. The trade from the other islands suffered proportionably; so
that by the close of the year, the British loss in captures, exclusive
of transports and government store-ships, was considerable higher than a
million sterling. The privateers were at no difficulty as to the
disposal of their prizes. The ports of France and Spain especially the
first, were open to them, both in Europe, and in their American
dominions. In the last the captors sold them openly, without any colours
of disguise. On remonstrances from the British court, a little more
decorum was observed in Europe, and a check given to the avowed sale of
them; for a while they were obliged to quit the harbours, and were
purchased at the entrance or in the offing. But in the West-India
islands the real inclinations of the French were undisguised. They not
only purchased the prizes as fast as they could be brought into port;
they moreover fitted our privateers, under American colours and
commissions, and with a few American seamen on board (at times probably
not any) carried on a war upon the British commerce.
Though many have been the captures made by the ships and armed vessels
of the British navy, they have not counterbalanced, either in number or
value those taken by the Americans from Great-Britain. Several of them
indeed were laden with flour, and other articles for the trade in the
West-Indies; and so proved a timely relief to the British islands, which
were suffering much, through the depravation they lay under, of those
various supplies with which they had been before furnished from the
American continent.
The ministerialists at New-York will undoubtedly amuse the nation with
accounts of the thousands, who have formed themselves into military
corps under the auspices of gen. Sir William Howe, as he is now to be
stiled from the honor conferred upon him, for his success on
Long-Island. But when the campaign comes to be opened by Sir William,
you will find that they are reduced to hundreds; and that the
acquisition of strength derived from the country, whatever flattering
appearance it may have upon paper, is no wise answerable to the report.
Governor Tryon made a parade in black and white before lord George
Germain, with his two thuosand [typo: thousand] nine hundred and seventy
inhabitants of New-York, who have qualified by taking an oath of
allegience and fidelity to his majesty. By the aid of the mayor, he may
increase them to three thousand and twenty. He may add those attested on
Staten-Island and elsewhere, and make the whole amount to five thousand
six hundred men. He may also tell of the loyal inhabitants of Queen’s
county, who have received eight hundred stand of arms, with
demonstrations of joy, and with a professed resolution to use them in
defence of the island[45]. But the service they will be of to
government, in the great American contest, will be next to nought.
The _Georgia_ representatives, met in convention, unanimously agreed in
a constitution for that state, on the 5th of Februray.