Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

plan and proposals of the French Officers, but am much afraid that our Assembly will be too much prejudiced against Foreigners to accept it; and our officers are so conceited and so jealous of the French, that I fear it will meet with great opposition from that quarter. However, as far as my opinion can influence any of the members I shall give it freely. The Capt. La Porte de Crome, who was out on the recruiting service when I mentioned him to you, now proposes jointly with Mons. Baury, an accomplished young Officer, to raise a French Regiment in the West India Islands for 50 dollars per man, to be paid on producing the men in this State; provided they can have the command as Colo. and Lieut. Colo. They ask for nothing in advance, for they think they can recruit men and import them equipt for 50 dollars each. If so, I think it the cheapest way of raising men. am sure those we raise now cost us more. If the Assembly should refuse their offer, would it not be worthy the consideration of Congress whether they should not accept of it? For I shall advise them to tender their services to Congress if refused here.

I

P. S.-I have this moment read a more particular account of the late action written by Capt. Pierce, which has induced me to alter my opinion of that affair. I think now that it was much better conducted than I before thought, and the bravery of our Troops makes full amends for the misfortune.

Williamsburg, Nov. 9th, 1777. The Assembly, it seems, have offered Capt. Loyauté the command of an Academy instead of a Regiment. I suppose he We have will not accept of this offer. with us a very able engineer who will undertake this business if offered to him. He has shown his skill and great abilities, in the directions he has given for fortifying some of our Harbors, and in a most excellent treatise he has written on

maritime defence and on the principles of Fortification. He understands English

well, and translates it into Italian, Spanish or French. Into French, elegantly, as he showed by his translations of our letters to the Havannah and New Orleans. * * *

I lost an opportunity of writing to you by the last Post, as I was out of town great part of the week, and as I returned not till yesterday, and was then engaged at Church all day, and in company late at night, and am just about to prepare for the Ball this evening, I can only scribble these lines by way of letter and apology.

Wms. Burg, 17th Feb., 1778. The resolution of Assembly you mention respecting the Galleys to be stationed on the Rappahannock, I have never seen, but will enquire for it. If we had twenty or thirty 32 pounders, we might, in my opinion, secure our Rivers, but without more heavy cannon we cannot defend them. I wish you had mentioned the situation, or station, of the Men of War, and their strength. Perhaps something might be done to remove them. I am much pleased with Capt. Loyauté and have assisted him with all my ability.

Williamsburg, May 7th, 1778.

As to the report you have heard respecting the stipulation with the Delegates in Gloucester, I am pretty certain you have been misinformed. However, I have often heard it said that you had made the motion you mention, and have as often declared that I could not believe it, for even if you had any pique against the General, you were too good a Politician and Whig to attempt to remove him from the command he holds, and that I believed it to be a stale trick of the Tories. ** *

P. Grymes is actually elected, I am told, and old Wormley was within a few votes of being sent with him.

FROM LETTERS OF F. LIGHTFOOT LEE TO R. H. LEE.

July 16th, 1776. The 11th of next month Col's. Harrison and Braxton are no longer Delegates, and as Mr. Jefferson is determined to go home then, we shall be without a representation, unless you join us. We have not heard when Mr. Wythe intends to be here.

Yorktown, Pa., Dec. 15th, 1777. We have reason to think that there are many emissaries of the enemy sent into the country, and some to the parts of Virginia adjoining this State. I wish you would urge the Executive Power to have some active, spirited whigs, in those counties to keep the most vigilant eye over them, especially where there are prisoners of war. We find the people of Frederick begin to be poisoned.

*

Menokin, June 25th, 1778. Some of the people in the lower end of Westmoreland have lately been a little turbulent. Several of them associated and were in arms to oppose the execution of the militia law. However, they have been quelled without bloodshed, and the ring-leaders are in the hands of justice. These ill-humours among the people are altogether owing to the many infamous lies whch are circulated by the incorrigible villains, whom the mistaken policy of our country has supp sed to remain with us. * * The Junto, by their lies and intrigues, have so far carried their point as to throw some little discredit upon us, but have missed their great aim of removing obstructions to their jobbing schemes. I think you are perfectly right in not gratifying them by resenting the ill-treatment of the Assembly. The Esq., says Mr. Harvey, who got to Williamsburg after the election, was much offended, and made those who had been taken in by certain gentry, perfectly ashamed of themselves. Isuppose they would now willingly return you thanks to make up with you, though

they will again be taken in by the same wretches. How imperfect a creature is man. We have had fine, seasonable weather, and I think the crops are in a good way.

Menokin, July 12th, 1778.

I find the people in this part of the country not in the least hurt by the war. They are better cloathed; and I think bettered in every circumstance. But there is a lamentable indolence and inattention to public affairs in the gentlemen, which leaves the people open to the arts of every designing rascal, and has occasioned some discontents and an aversion to entering into the army.

The weather is so excessive hot that I have not been able to do so much towards setting things right, as I could wish; but from what I have seen, I am sure the people only want to be well informed, to do every thing that is desired of them.

Menokin, Aug. 12th, 1778. I am as heartily tired of the knavery and stupidity of the generality of mankind as you can be. But it is our duty to stem the torrent as much as we can, and to do all the service in our power, to our country and friends. The consciousness of having done so will be the greatest of all rewards. I have very little hopes from the present race. They are too much infected with the views of Britain, but by proper regulations to enlarge the understanding and improve the morals of the rising generation, we may give a fair opportunity to succeeding Patriots of making their country flourishing and happy. But this must be the work of Peace in the mean time we must struggle with the present degeneracy, and prevent as much of its bad effects as pos

sible.

August 20th. We have had a bad gust, and heavy continued rains for five weeks, which have injured the crops very much.

Philadelphia, Dec. 15th, 1778.

I do not wonder at your disgust at the wickedness and folly of mankind. I have so much of the same feeling, that I am sure there can be no condition in life more unhappy than to engage in the management of public affairs, with honest intentions. But hard as the lot is, it must be done, at least till things have got into a tolerable way. * * *

Congress has as yet done nothing in finance or foreign affairs. I fear there is a design in some that nothing shall be done, that things may get into such disorder as to make the people wish for the old government. Congress has no power, and every villain whom they want to call to account, insults them. The enclosed letter from Mr. Lawrence will give you an account of his resignation and his reasons. He is really an honest man, and I hope will do a great deal of good.

FROM SAME.

Williamsburg, Aug. 17th, 1777.

A letter from General Hand to Col. Campbell of Yohogony County, says that he expects to be attacked by 500 of the English besides Indians, and wants a reinforcement of 400 for the garrison of Fort Pitt. Few troops at WmsBurg and no General. Col. Theodorick Bland to be married to Mrs. Yates. The Mt. Airy family are well. Only 10 of Lane's company took the oath when tendered. Many refuse it in Northumberland and Richmond; Lancaster and the counties to the southward took the oath, except Bruns-* wick and some about Princess Anne and Norfolk.

[blocks in formation]

Mansfield, Oct. 7th, 1777.

I congratulate you upon the success of our arms in the North. In a short time I hope to hear that General Gates has demolished Burgoyne's Army, he will then be able powerfully to assist General W. against Mr. Howe. We have a report here that Gen'l de Coudray was drowned in crossing the Schuylkill, pray inform me of the truth of it. I should be much concerned at the loss of so able an officer. Sullivan might have been better spared. The Post from the northward seldom comes in, and when it does, only brings us old papers from Baltimore. Ought not one to come immediately from York to Virginia? In the hurry in which Congress was forced to remove from Philadelphia, I fear some of their papers must have been lost.

FROM THE LETTERS OF MANN PAGE, JR., TO R. H. LEE.

Mansfield, Sept. 2d, 1777.

The appearance of Howe's Fleet, in our bay, alarmed the lower parts of the country to a very great degree, but the alacrity with which the militia, who were called from the upper parts, turned

Mansfield, Oct. 14th, 1777.

I am much obliged to you for your particular account of the Battle of Germantown, in your letter by Col. Harrison. It is much to be lamented that the utmost skill of a General, and the greatest bravery of soldiers cannot ensure success: but that the event of Battles must be

We are

determined so often by accident. The bravest soldiers have sometimes been struck by a Panic, and have soon recovered from it. Our troops, I make no doubt, have recovered from theirs, and will, in the next engagement of the Enemy, give a good account of them. They have already seen that they can conquer the British troops, and they will be stimulated by every sense of shame and Honour to regain the Reputation which they have lost. I am sorry to hear that we have lost many valuable Officers, but rejoice that the loss of the Enemy was much more considerable than ours. told that when the account of the Enemy having got possession of Philadelphia reached Williamsburg, the City was as much frightened as if they had been attacked themselves. Our Executive body appears not to have been free from Alarm; for they immediately empowered General Nelson to raise 5000 volunteers, and march to join the army. Not long before they had disbanded the Militia, who had been collected at a great expense. Had 4000 of them been sent, as General Nelson requested some weeks ago, they might have done good service, for they were fine looking men, and well armed.

Williamsburg, May 15th, 1778. I rejoice with you upon the glorious treaty, which has lately been concluded by our Commissioners with the Court of France. The terms are so truly generous that the most artful agent of Britain will not be able to prejudice the mind of the weakest American against it. If America would now exert herself to send a proper force into the field, in all human probability this campaign would terminate the War. Our Assembly seems to be sensible of the necessity of making the Army respectable, and will do their part towards it. Yesterday in Committee they voted 500 Horse, and mean to add 2000 Infantry, for the reinforcement of the Grand Army. I entertain great hopes that these troops may be raised without our being reduced to the necessity of a draught. The spark of liberty is

not yet extinct among our people, and if properly fanned by the gentlemen of influence, will, I make no doubt, burst out again into a flame.

We were not able, through want of members, to make a House till Tuesday, when Col. Harrison was elected Speaker: owing principally to a majority of the members present being from the lower counties upon James and York Rivers. Our friend, Mr. Jefferson, was greatly outvoted. Pray inform our Republican friends of the true cause of that appointment, that they may not for a moment entertain a thought that we are lapsing into Aristocracy because an aristocratical gentleman is at our head. We have many true Whigs, and they are upon their guard.

May 21st, 1778, Williamsburg.

Our people are too desirous of Peace, and the report of the embarkation of the Enemy seems to have damped that ardour which a few days ago I flattered myself had begun to spread. The 500 horse which I informed you had been voted by the Committee, are reduced to a regiment of 350. A bill for raising 2000 volunteers to make up our quota of troops, is pretty forward, and it is intended to raise our Battalion of State troops for garrison duty. Measures will also be taken to recruit our regiments with men to serve during the war. These are all our military proceedings. I wish them all to be successful, but fear the fate of all except the House bill. This, I think, will meet with success, for many gentlemen of influence intend to serve at their own expense.

Your fear that we should lose the services of Mons. Loyauté have been too well founded. He has resigned. I had the pleasure of being acquainted with him, and found him to be sensible and polite. I hoped our country would have received great advantages from his abilities; but unfortunately a dispute arose concerning rank, between him and the Officers of the Artillery, over whom he claims the right of commanding. They

all (even Col. Marshall) threatened to resign if Mons. Loyauté was to command them, the matter was referred by the Governor and Council to the Assembly, the House of Delegates determined that his appointment did not give him the command which he claimed. He still might have kept his corps of men and have proceeded in disciplining them, but in disgust he resigned. I am sorry we have lost him, but the loss must be attributed to his own caprice, as he received no slight from the Assembly. Indeed, the words of the resolution appointing him Inspector General by no means warrant the claim which he sat up for command.

May 25th, 1778.

The enemy left our Bay on Saturday last, and stood a S. W. course. I suppose they are gone to take care of their W. India Islands.

July 21st, 1778.

Lord Chatham's death has happened very favorably for us, I have long been afraid of him; for added to his great abilities, he so entirely possessed the confidence of the nation, he could have brought them to undertake any thing. Besides, his system of Politics was by no means fitted for N. America.

The account you give of Capt. Jones, of the Ranger, is very agreeable, it will put the Enemy to a little more expense to guard their Coast. I wish some of our enterprising Generals would visit the Coast of North Britain, we should see how those Gentry, who are so fond of going abroad to fight, would relish it at Home.

Mansfield, March 16th, 1779.

I sincerely rejoice with you that the Torrent of faction begins to subside, and that the People are returning to a more dispassionate way of thinking than they have been in for some time past. In the first moments of misrepresentation the

vulgar are too apt to be led away, and from a generous though improper passion become dupes to the artifices of any designing villain, who will be hardy enough to traduce the most virtuous characters. But sooner or later

they will recover from their frenzy, and do justice to that innocence which they before abused. In your case, as they have been precipitately hurried on to give credit to Mr. Deane's assertions, so they will upon cooler reflection acknowledge your integrity, and do justice to the injured character of your Brother. Your Brother's zeal in getting the 11th and 12th Articles of the Treaty of Commerce rescinded must prove to America his attention to her Interests, and Mr. B's intercepted letters ought to convince the World, that the opposition to you and your family arises from private resentment only. Pray, my dear sir, remember your promise to send me the Paper which contains those letters. I have seen one of them, and feel my curiosity the more raised to see the others. If it would not give you too much trouble to collect them, I should be much obliged to you for all the pieces, on both sides, which relate to your dispute with Mr. Deane. I have seen but few of them, for we seldom get a paper from Philadelphia.

Mansfield, March 30th, 1779.

The enclosed paper I would have sent you by the last Post, if I had known in time that the Northern Post had come in. It will show you how impotent an antagonist you have in Mr. B.

Mansfield, Dec. 15th, 1780.

I should have been glad to have been with you to have given my opposition to that unjust Law, which makes the present depreciated Currency a tender in discharge of all debts and contracts. I have been told that the yeas and no's were taken upon the passage of that Law; if so, pray send me that sheet of the Journal. I think, however, I could now name

« AnteriorContinuar »