History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 53

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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Adams' every side, gloomy, dark, mel- Soliloquy. ancholy and dispiriting. When and where will light come from? Shall we have good news from Europe? Shall we hear of a blow struck by Gates against Burgoyne? Is there a possibility that Washington may yet defeat Howe? Is there a possibility that Mc- Dougall and Dickinson shall destroy the British detachment in New Jersey? If

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia is lost, is the cause of inde- with confidence in us, in themselves and in pendence lost?" Then he continues: "No, the cause of our country. Let us show a the cause is not lost. Heaven grant us one spirit that will induce us to persevere in this struggle, until our rights shall be estab- lished and our liberty secured. great soul. One leading mind would extri- cate the best cause from the ruin that seems to await it. We have as good a cause as ever was fought for. One active, mas- terly capacity would bring order out of this confusion and save our country."

"We have proclaimed to the world our determination to die free men, rather than live slaves; we have appealed to heaven for the justice of our cause and in the God of battles have we placed our trust. We have looked to Providence for help and protec- tion in the past; we must appeal to the same source in the future, for the Almighty Powers from above will sustain us in this struggle for independence.

"There have been times since the open- ing of this war when we were reduced almost to distress, but the great arm of Omnipotence has raised us up. Let us still rely for assistance upon Him who is mighty to save. We shall not be abandoned by the Powers above so long as we act worthy of aid and protection. The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Good news may soon reach us from the army and from across the sea."

The patriotic fervor of the speaker on this occasion, thrilled the small audience and gave them renewed energy in the passage of legislation to aid in carrying on the war. John Hancock, of Massachu- Hancock's Resignation. setts, who had served as president of Congress from May, 1775, expressed a de- sire to retire and visit his home in Boston. He was now forty years of age. After the Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770, he was the head of the committee which asked for the removal of the British troops and at the funeral of the slain, he delivered an address so glowing and fearless in its reprobation of the conduct of the soldiery and their leaders as to greatly offend the governor. Hancock was president of Congress when the Declaration of Independence was passed, and the first to append his name to that immortal document. In his youth he had inherited a large fortune from an uncle and at the opening of the Revolution was the most extensive shipping merchant at Boston. His fortune was estimated at half a million dollars, he being probably the wealthiest man in the United States. On account of his ardent patriotism he became

"But we are not driven to such straits. Though fortune has been unpropitious, our conditions are not desperate ; our burdens though grievous, can still be borne; our losses, though great, can be retrieved. Through the darkness that shrouds our prosperity, the ark of safety is visible. Despondency, gentlemen, becomes not the dignity of our cause, nor the character of the nation's representatives in Congress. Let us then be aroused and evince a spirit of patriotism that shall inspire the people a leader in the cause of American inde-

The affairs of the new born nation for a time were controlled by a few men, who met regularly in a caucus at the home of General Roberdeau, of Pennsylvania, who lived in a rented house nearly opposite Christ Lutheran Church, on South George Street. Many of the leaders in Congress, including Henry Laurens, Benjamin Harri- son, Dr. Witherspoon, Richard Henry Lee. Elbridge Gerry and John and Samuel Adams, lodged in this house. It was here on one October night of 1777, that Samuel

Adams called a caucus. After obtaining the views of the different members, some of whom were very despondent, Samuel Adams rose and delivered one of the most eloquent speeches in American history, as follows :

"Gentlemen: Your spirits seem

Samuel oppressed with the weight of public calamities, and your sad-

Adams'

Speech. ness of countenance reveals your disquietude. A patriot may grieve at the disasters of his country, but he will never despair of the commonwealth. Our affairs are said to be desperate, but we are not without hope and not without courage. The eyes of the people of this country are upon us here, and the tone of their feeling is regulated by ours. If we as delegates in Congress give up in despair, and grow desperate, public confidence will be de- stroyed and American liberty will be no more.

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pendence. October 25, 1777, a committee such constant application : I must therefore of Congress reported that his accounts had request your indulgence for leave of absence been audited and there was yet due him for two months. $1.392, which was ordered to be paid. As a "But I cannot take my departure, gentle- men, without expressing my thanks for the civility and politeness I have experienced from you. It is impossible to mention this without a heartfelt pleasure. presiding officer he was dignified, impartial, quick of apprehension and commanded the respect of Congress, but was not popular with all his associates. Later in life he em- ployed his large fortune for useful and "If in the course of so long a period as I have had the honor to fill this chair, any expressions may have dropped from me that may have given the least offence to any member, as it was not intentional, so I hope his candor will pass it over. benevolent purposes and was a liberal donor to Harvard College. While presi- dent of Congress at York, he incurred the displeasure of some of. the leading members, including Samuel Adams, who was of an impetuous nature. Going out of the Court "May every happiness, gentlemen, attend you, both as members of this house and as individuals; and I pray heaven that unanimity and perseverance may go hand in hand in this house; and that everything which may tend to distract or divide your councils be forever banished." House one day, Benjamin Harrison, of Vir- ginia, suggested to Adams that he should forgive John Hancock for his vanity. Adams, in a fit of rage, quickly responded "Yes, Harrison, I can forgive him and I can forget him." After the war, however, they became firm friends and it is an inter- esting fact of history that Samuel Adams succeeded in persuading John Hancock to support the ratification of the constitution of the United States, to which he was originally opposed. When Hancock re- tired from Congress at York, he delivered the following address :

"Gentlemen: Friday last com- The President's Speech. pleted two years and five months since you did me the honor of electing me to fill this chair. As I could neither flatter myself your choice proceeded from any idea of my abilities, but rather from a partial opinion of my attachment to the liberties of America, I felt myself under the strongest obligations to discharge the du- ties of the office, and I accepted the appoint- ment with the firmest resolution to go through the business annexed to it in the best manner I was able. Every argument inspired me to exert myself, and I endeav- ored, by industry and attention, to make up for every other deficiency.

Having retired from his high position as President of Congress, John Hancock started for his home at Boston. He passed through Reading and reached Bethlehem on the evening of November 2, stopping over night in that borough at the Sun Inn, a large stone building still in existence. An entry in a local diary of that date reads : "John Hancock passed through on his way from York to Boston. He was escorted hence by a troop of fifteen horsemen, who had awaited his arrival. From him we learned that our friend, Henry Laurens, had been chosen President of Congress." As New York was in the hands of the British, he crossed the Hudson at Fishkill. At this point he was met by William Ellery, who had been elected a delegate to Con- gress from Rhode Island. The latter, describing this meeting, records in his diary : "On our way to the Fishkill we met President John Hancock in a sulky, es- corted by one of his secretaries and two or three other gentlemen, and one light horse- man, returning from Congress at York- town. This escort surprised us, as it seemed inadequate to the purpose either of defence or parade. But our surprise was not of long continuance; for we had not ridden far before we met six or eight light horsemen on the canter, and just as we reached the ferry a boat arrived with many Hancock." Hancock, being re-elected, re-

"As to my conduct, both in and out of Congress, in the execution of your business, it is improper for me to say anything. You are the best judges. But I think I shall be forgiven if I say I have spared no pains, expense or labor, to gratify your wishes, and to accomplish the views of Congress. "My health being much impaired. I find 'more, all making up the escort of President some relaxation absolutely necessary, after

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

turned to Congress as a member in May, 1781, to negotiate a loan with France, Mr. 1778. Laurens was informed that his confinement LAURENS CHOSEN PRESIDENT. would be the more rigorous because the young man had openly declared himself an enemy to the king and his country. It was suggested that if Mr. Laurens would advise his son to withdraw from his commission, such action would be received with favor at the British court; but he replied that his son was a man who would never sacrifice honor, even to save his father's life. Laur- ens received attention from many friends, among whom was Edmund Burke. Twice he refused offers of pardon if he would serve the British ministry. While a pris- oner he learned of his son John's death in a skirmish in South Carolina, and on Decem- ber I, 1781, he addressed a petition to the House of Commons, in which he said that he had striven to prevent a rupture between the crown and colonies, and asked for more liberty. He was soon afterward exchanged for Lord Cornwallis and commissioned by Congress one of the ministers to negotiate peace. He then went to Paris, where, with John Jay and Benjamin Franklin, he signed the preliminaries of the treaty, November 30, 1782, and was instrumental in the inser- tion of a clause prohibiting, on the British He evacuation, the "carrying away any negroes or other property of the inhabitants." On his return to Charleston he was welcomed with enthusiasm and offered many offices, which his impaired health forced him to decline. He retired to his plantation near Charleston and devoted his life to agricul- ture. He died December 8, 1792.

Henry Laurens, who succeeded Hancock as president of Congress, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1724. He had acquired a fortune in mercantile pur- suits in his native city, and at the time he was chosen president, was 53 years of age. He visited London in 1774, and while in. that city was one of thirty-eight Americans who signed a petition to dissuade Parlia- ment from passing the Boston port bill. He returned to Charleston, and was chosen as member of the first Provincial Confer- ence of South Carolina. In 1776, he was elected a delegate to Continental Congress. Being a man of experience in public and private affairs, he became a leader of Con- gress soon after he took a seat in that body. When John Hancock determined to resign, Laurens was unanimously elected his suc- cessor, November 1, and presided over Congress during the remainder of its ses- sions at York and until December 10, 1778. In 1779, he was appointed minister to Hol- land to negotiate a treaty that had been un- officially proposed to William Lee by Van Berckel, pensionary of Amsterdam. sailed on the packet "Mercury," which was captured by the British frigate "Vestal," of twenty-eight guns, off Newfoundland. Mr. Laurens threw his papers overboard; but they were recovered, and gave evidence of his mission. The refusal of Holland to punish Van Berckel, at the dictation of Lord North's ministry, was instantly fol- Although Washington had been lowed by war between Great Britain and Gates' `defeated at Brandywine and that country. Mr. Laurens was taken to Victory. Germantown, he gave Howe so much trouble that the latter at Saratoga. A force of 3,000 fresh troops from England had been sent up the Hudson from New York on the day the battle at Germantown was fought. They arrived too late to save Burgoyne's army from disaster. He had crossed the Hudson on September 13 and six days later Benedict Arnold at- tacked him at Bemis Heights and a des- perate but indecisive battle was fought there. London, examined before the Privy council, and imprisoned in the Tower, on October 6, could not send reinforcements to Burgoyne 1780, on "suspicion of high treason," for nearly fifteen months, during which his health was greatly impaired. He was ill when he entered, but no medical attention was provided, and it was more than a year before he was granted pen and ink to draw a bill of exchange to provide for himself. But he obtained a pencil, and frequent communications were carried by a trusty person to the outside world, and he even corresponded with American news- papers.

When his son John appeared in Paris, in

The news of this engagement was re- ceived by Congress September 30, the day the first session was held at York. It was

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HENRY LAURENS

Who succeeded John Hancock as President of Continental Congress, while in session at York

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brought by Colonel Robert Troup, an aide on the staff of General Gates, commander of the Northern Army. The letter con- veyed by Colonel Troup from Gates to John Hancock, President of Congress, stated the engagement began with a brisk skirmish early in the morning. This drew on the main body of the enemy to support the skirmishers. The action was continued until the close of the day, when both armies retired, with the advantage in favor of the Americans. .. General Gates said in his report to Congress at York, "The good behavior of the troops on this important oc- casion, cannot be surpassed by the most veteran army. To discriminate in praise of the officers would be an injustice, as they all deserve the honor and applause of Con- gress. The armies now remain encamped within two miles of each other. Today I wrote to all the neighboring states and pressingly demanded the immediate march of their militia. When proper reinforce- ments arrive, I hope to give your Excel- lency more interesting intelligence."

News

Colonel James Wilkinson, £ a

young man of twenty years, who Brought to York. was serving as an aide on the staff of General Gates, was as- signed the duty of bringing the news of this brilliant victory and surrender to Congress at York. He left Albany Oc- tober 20 and reached Easton, Pennsylvania, on the 24th, where he stopped one day. Here he met Dr. William Shippen, the director-general of the hospitals. The fol- lowing day he proceeded toward Reading, which he reached on the evening of the 27th. While at Reading, he dined with Lord Stirling, of the American army, who had been wounded at Brandywine. One of the guests at the dinner was Major James Monroe, afterward President of the United States, and who was then recuperating from a wound he had received at the battle of Trenton. At this dinner, while in con- vivial mood, after drinking too much Madiera wine, Wilkinson revealed the plot to remove Washington from the head of the army. This plot was known as the "Con- way Cabal." Wilkinson also dined at Read- ing with General Mifflin, where he met two members of Congress from New England.

On October 7, Burgoyne Burgoyne's risked another battle and was Surrender. totally defeated by the Ameri- can army. He retreated to Meantime, heavy rains had fallen and the Schuylkill River had overflowed its banks so that the stream, according to Colonel Wilkinson's statement, was impassable and he remained at Reading three days. He ar- rived at York October 31, but the news of the victory at Saratoga and the surrender of Burgoyne had reached Congress ten days before he came. Military courtesy would Saratoga, where he found himself sur- rounded, and on the 17th he surrendered what was left of his army, nearly 6,000 men. to General Gates. The honor of the vic- tory, however, is due to Arnold and Mor- gan. Judged by its results, Saratoga was one of the greatest battles of history. It saved New York State, destroyed the British plan of the war, induced England to have required that General Gates should offer peace with representation in Parlia- have communicated this information to Washington, the head of the army, and 'from that source it should have been trans- mitted to Congress, but at this early date, he showed his disrespect for his chief. On October 21, according to the journals of Congress, two letters were received by that body giving notification of the surrender of Burgoyne. One of these letters was sent by General Washington from his headquar- ment or anything else except independence, and secured for us the aid of France. A delay of ten days had taken place between the last battle and the surrender. before a convention or agreement for terms of sur- render had been made between the two commanding officers. It was finally decided that Burgoyne's army, which became known as the "Convention prisoners," should be marched to Boston. They were ters near Philadelphia, and the other by afterward divided into small bands,

General Israel Putnam, from Fishkill, N. marched southward and held for a long Y., so that they were informed of the vic- period as prisoners of war in the states of tory before Wilkinson arrived. The infor- Pennsylvania. Maryland and Virginia. Some of them were kept at Lancaster and York. mation had been communicated to both Washington and Putnam by Governor Clinton, of New York.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

When Wilkinson arrived at York, Han- observed, that it would have been better for cock had resigned as President of Congress and returned to his home in Massachusetts. Charles Thomson, of Philadelphia, secre- tary of Congress, acted as President until November 1, when Henry Laurens, of South Carolina, assumed the duties of this office, to which he had lately been chosen. Finding that a change in office had taken place, Wilkinson appeared before Secretary Thomson and presented him the following letter:

Camp Saratoga, Oct. 18, 1777.

Gates' Sir :- I have the satisfaction to present Report. your Excellency with the convention of Saratoga, by which his Excellency, Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, has sur- rendered himself and his whole army into my hands, and they are now upon their march for Boston. This signal and important event is the more glorious, as it was effected with so little loss to the army of the United States.

This letter will be presented to your Excellency by my adjutant-general. Colonel Wilkinson, to whom I must beg leave to refer your Excellency for the particu- lars that brought this great business to so happy and fortunate a conclusion.

I desire to be permitted to recommend this gallant officer, in the warmest manner, to Congress; and entreat that he may be continued in his present office with the brevet of a brigadier-general.

The honorable Congress will believe me when I assure them, that from the beginning of this contest I have not met with a more promising military genius than Colonel Wilkinson, whose services have been of the greatest importance to this army.

I have the honor to be,

Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant His Excellency John Hancock, Esq., HORATIO GATES.

President of Congress.

"By an order of Congress," Wilkinson Before says Colonel Wilkinson in his "Memoirs," "I appeared before Congress. Congress, October 31, where I was received with kindness and treated with indulgence. After having answered sundry questions respecting the relative situation of the two armies before, at and after the convention, the bearing of which in some instances tended to depreci- ate its importance; I observed that I had in A proposal was introduced into Congress two days later to present Wilkinson with a charge sundry papers to be submitted to Congress, which required time for their ar- sword. At this juncture Dr. John Wither- rangement, and thereupon I was permitted to withdraw.

"In the course of this audience, I thought I perceived a disposition on the part of two or three gentlemen to derogate General Gates' triumph. I had been questioned as to the practicability of making Burgoyne's army prisoners of war, and had heard it

the United States if that army had escaped to Canada, where it would have been out of the way; whereas the Convention would merely serve to transfer it to Sir William Howe, and bring Burgoyne's whole force immediately into operation against us on the Atlantic Coast. As unreasonable as these exceptions were, they merited con- sideration, and I determined to exercise the authority General Gates had given me, and meet them by a message to be prepared for Congress in his name. I consulted two of his friends, Samuel Adams and James Lovell, on the subject, to whom I had let- ters, who commended the plan, and I made a draft which they entirely approved.

"Having prepared and arranged the docu- ments preliminary to the Convention, with returns of the two armies, and of the ord- nance and stores captured, I was again in- troduced to Congress the afternoon of November 3, by Mr. Thompson, Henry Laurens having been chosen the president, and delivered to that body a message from General Gates."

This message discussed in detail the bat- tle of Saratoga and the surrender of the British army. It was accompanied by various original papers relating to the Con- vention or agreement between Gates and Burgoyne when they decided upon the terms of surrender.

On November 4, the day after Wilkinson appeared the second time before Congress, he wrote an effusive letter to Gates, ad- dressing him as "My Dear General and Loved Friend." In this letter he bewailed the fact that there was opposition to Gates among the members to Congress. He la- mented that he had not yet been honored with any marks of distinction and also stated that he had met Mrs. Gates and her son, Bob, while in York.

spoon, a delegate from New Jersey, in his broad Scotch, dryly remarked "I think ye'd better give the lad a pair of spurs." An- other delegate quickly responded "And a whip so that he may bring official news more promptly another time."

Colonel Wilkinson remained in York until November 9. In the meantime he was

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made a brigadier-general by brevet. He re- document was written at York by that emi- turned to the Northern army, going by way of Washington's headquarters. Twenty years later Colonel Wilkinson was ap- pointed to the head of the army of the United States.

On November 4. Congress

Gates passed the following : Resolved, Honored. That the thanks of Congress in their own name, and in behalf of the inhabitants of the thirteen United States, be presented to Major-General Gates, commander-in-chief in the northern department, and to Majors-General Lincoln and Arnold, and the rest of the officers and troops under his command, for their brave and successful efforts in support of the in- dependence of their country, whereby an army of the enemy of 10,000 men has been totally defeated, one large detachment of it, strongly posted and entrenched, having been conquered at Bennington, and another repulsed with loss and disgrace from Fort Schuyler, and the main army of 6,000 men, under Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, after being beaten in different actions and driven from a formidable post and strong entrench- ments, reduced to the necessity of surren- dering themselves upon terms, honorable and advantageous to these states, on the 17th day of October last, to Major-General Gates; and that a medal of gold be struck under the direction of the Board of War, in commemoration of this great event, and in the name of these United States, be pre- sented by the president to Major-General Gates.

General Washington was then informed that it was the desire of Congress that the forts and passes on the Hudson be regained. For this purpose he was instructed to retain Gates in the command of the Northern De- partment. General Israel Putnam, then at Fishkill, New York, with 2.500 men, was ordered to join the main army under Wash- ington near Philadelphia.

On October 31. President First National Thanksgiving. Laurens appointed Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia ; Samuel Adams, of Massa- chusetts, and General Rob- erdean, of Pennsylvania, a committee of Congress to draft a national proclamation of Thanksgiving, the first in the history of the American Republic. This historic

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 53

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372