History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 56

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

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"From all which it appears

Committee's evident to your committee,

Report. that the said bills are in- tended to operate upon the hopes and fears of the good people of these states, so as to create divisions among them and a defection from the common cause, now, by the blessing of Divine Providence, drawing near to a favorable issue ; that they are the sequel of that insidious plan which, from the days of the stamp act down to the present time, hath involved this country in contention and bloodshed, and that as in other cases so in this, although circum- stances may force them at times, to recede

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CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT YORK

from their unjustifiable claims, there can be the United States had the right of belliger- no doubt, but they will as heretofore upon ency, but would also send a fleet and army the first favorable occasion, again display that lust of domination which hath rent in twain the mighty empire of Britain. to aid in the cause for American · inde- pendence. Some months later the fleet, under Count d'Estiang, landed on the coast of Rhode Island. Lord North, the prime minister of England, had sent a communi- cation to . Franklin at Paris, asking the privilege of a conference with him on the American war. Franklin responded to the emissary, "Tell Lord North that America has already gained her independence."

"Upon the whole matter, the committee beg leave to report it as their opinion, that as the Americans, united in this arduous contest upon principles of common interest, for the defense of common rights and privileges, which union hath been ce- mented by common calamities and by mut- ual good offices and affections; do the great cause, for which they contend, and in which all mankind are interested, must de- rive its success from the continuance of that union; wherefore any men or body of men, who should presume to make any separate or partial convention or agree- ment with commissioners under the crown of Great Britain, or any of them, ought to be considered and treated as open and avowed enemies of these United States.

"And further, the committee beg leave to report it as their opinion, that these United States cannot, with propriety, hold any conference or treaty with any commis- sioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they shall, as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies or else, in positive and expressed terms acknowledge the independence of the said states.

"And inasmuch as it appears to be the design of the enemies of these states to lull them into a fatal security, to the end that they may act with a becoming weight and importance, it is the opinion of your com- mittee, that the several states be called upon, to use the most strenuous exertions, to have their respective quotas of conti- nental troops in the field as soon as possible and that all the militia of the said states may be held in readiness to act as occasion may require."

The proposition by Parliament to enter into a treaty with the American states at this time is suggestive. France was about to declare war against England. Benjamin Franklin, the American commissioner at Paris, early in March, on behalf of the United States, had already entered into a treaty of Amity and Commerce and a treaty Alliance with Louis XVI, the King of France. He had received the promise that the French would not only recognize that

At this period New York Washington's and Philadelphia were both Determination. in the hands of the enemy.

Washington had been de- feated at Brandywine and Germantown and his small army was wintering at Valley Forge. There were many Americans origi- nally in favor of independence who had joined the ranks of the enemy. Especially was this the case in New Jersey, a part of New York and eastern Pennsylvania. This led the British emissaries who had been sent to Philadelphia to believe that Wash- ington and Congress would accept over- tures of peace. But the general of the army had written to Congress that if peace was then decided upon it would not be lasting. He asserted that he would keep his little army together and fight the British in the mountains of Virginia and Pennsylvania, rather than accept overtures from the British crown at this time in the war. Al- though there was factional opposition in Congress to Washington and there were many people in the United States who felt like accepting some kind of proposition from England to end the war, the great soldier now exerted his reserve power.

General Washington, in camp Planning a at Valley Forge, had begun to lay plans for a summer cam- Campaign. paign against the enemy, still quartered in Philadelphia. Owing to the failure to make conciliatory terms with Congress, there were evidences that the British would soon leave Philadel- phia. The state militia had been called out to join in the campaign of 1778. On April 23, Congress resolved that extraordinary powers vested in General Washington by the resolutions of September 17, October 8 and December 10, 1777, be renewed and extended to August 10, 1778. This gave

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

him control of the army with authority to Burgoyne in reference to the payment of remove officers for inefficiency, and pro- provisions for the British prisoners of Bur- goyne's army. Congress discussed the question, respecting an allowance to army officers after the war. A motion was offered and carried that the officers of the army should be put on half pay. Later in the war, it was decided to give them public lands. Colonel Hartley, in 1785, was given a large tract of land in the interior part of the state, and Colonel Matthew Dill, in the western part of the state. Some officers accepted public lands as bounty and culti- vated them, while others never took ad- vantage of this opportunity. mote officers for valorous deeds in military achievements. It was at this period that the star of fame of General Washington began to rise, and so continued until it reached its zenith at the surrender of Corn- wallis at Yorktown, in October, 1781. Charles Carroll, of Maryland; William Duer, of New York, and John Banister, of Virginia, were appointed a committee to notify Washington of the resolutions of Congress. On April 24, Nathaniel Greene, then quartermaster-general of the army, was voted $50,000 for his department. The sum of $30,000 was voted to the state of On April 27, Congress showed its Maryland to aid in recruiting continental Silver appreciation of General Washing- troops.

As the summer campaign was expected to be in New Jersey, it was ordered that the Board of War take the most expeditious measures for transporting provisions and stores from the southern states across the Chesapeake Bay. The states of Maryland and Virginia were ordered to utilize the armed galleys on the Chesapeake Bay in transporting these provisions and stores and that the galleys should be under the command of an officer of the continental line. The sailors of Pennsylvania were ordered to Baltimore for use in manning the galleys.

On April 25, Roger Sherman, of Sherman Connecticut, presented his cre- Takes dentials and was sworn in as a

His member. He had served with dis-

Seat. tinction in the First Continental

Congress which assembled in Philadelphia, in 1774. In 1776 he served Jefferson and Livingston, which had drafted the Declaration and presented it to Congress for adoption. He was one of the signers of that document. He was a valu- able acquisition to Congress, which, accord- ing to a yea and nay vote cast that day, contained twenty-seven members. Roger Sherman lived to the age of seventy-two years, and died while a member of the United States Senate from Connecticut.

On this day important communications were received from General Washington. General Heath, in command of the forces guarding the Saratoga prisoners, then in camp near Boston, reported an agreement which he had entered into with General

From ton by giving him power to call France. into his council of war the com- mander of the artillery, General Knox, before making plans for the summer campaign. An appropriation of $350,000 was made to Ebenezer Hancock, deputy paymaster-general at Boston, for use in his department. Congress ordered the Board of War to give directions to General Heath, in command at Boston, how to bring to the United States Treasury at York, the hard money belonging to the government. This resolution refers to the arrival at Boston of $600,000 in silver from France. It was the first silver loan of that government to the United States. This money was put in charge of Captain James B. Fry, who had been a member of the famous "Boston Tea Party." The wagon in which this money was brought to York, through Massachu- setts, crossing the Hudson at Fishkill, and passing through Bethlehem and Reading, arrived at York in charge of two companies of Massachusetts troops.

On April 28, by a vote of Congress, Gen- eral Conway was permitted to resign his commission in the army. Congress voted $50,000 to Major Harry Lee to purchase horses towards recruiting and equipping his cavalry corps. The sum of $100,000 was appropriated for the benefit of the state of Maryland. April 29, Dr. Nathaniel Scud- der, delegate from New Jersey; George Plater, from Maryland, and Thomas Adams, of Virginia, were elected members of the marine committee to take the places of delegates who were absent. Congress appropriated $100,000 for the use of Colonel

UNITED STATES TREASURY BUILDING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF CENTRE SQUARE AND GEORGE STREET

RESIDENCE AND LAW OFFICE OF JAMES SMITH ON SOUTH GEORGE STREET HIS LAW OFFICE WAS USED BY THE BOARD OF WAR IN 1777

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CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT YORK

Baylor, of Virginia, for the purpose of pur- of Robert Aitken. Brigadier-General Hand, chasing horses, arms and accoutrements of Lancaster, who had served with distinc- tion at Long Island and Princeton, and was now in command at Fort Pitt, was re- for Major Lee's cavalry. Benjamin Flower, commissary-general of military stores, was voted $100,000 for the use of his depart- lieved at his own request.

ment, and the sum of $350,000 was voted to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., paymaster, for the use of his department.

On May I, a resolution was Lee Returns adopted, excusing from the to Congress. milita persons employed in manufacturing military stores and other articles for the use of the United States. On this day, Richard Henry Lee, who, in 1776, was appointed chairman of the committee to draft the Declaration of Inde- pendence, but on account of the sickness of his wife declined in favor of Thomas Jeffer- son, arrived in York and again took his seat in Congress. He came with Congress to York in September, 1777, and remained about three months and together with Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, returned to his home. Harrison was one of the ablest men of the body and served on more com- mittees than any other delegate. While in York, he suffered from a disease from which he never fully recovered, and died at the age of fifty-one years. Richard Henry Lee was one of the most eloquent men who served in Continental Congress.

The sum of $150,000 was appropriated for the use of the state of Maryland. An important resolution was adopted, appoint- ing Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, Gouv- erneur Morris, of New York, and Roger Sherman, of Connecticut, a committee to report proper instructions to be transmitted to the commissioners of the United States at foreign courts. The marine committee was instructed to procure six of the best and swiftest sailing packet boats, for con- veying dispatches to and from France and Spain and the West Indies.

The committee of commerce reported that it had received from the Board of War an invoice of articles, including medicines to be imported from France, for the cam- paign of 1779. On May 2, Nathan Sellers was given $164 for making a fine mould to be used in manufacturing paper for bills of exchange and for his expenses in coming to York and returning home. John Dunlap, of Philadelphia, was appointed to continue printing the Journals of Congress in place

CHAPTER XIX

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, Continued

Alliance with France-Death of Philip Livingston-Baron Steuben at York- Two Plans of Government-The Conway Cabal-Gates-Wilkinson Duel-List of Delegates-Congress Adjourns to Phila- delphia.

The Declaration of Independence made it necessary to seek foreign alliance, and first of all with England's great rival, France. Here Franklin's world-wide fame and his long experience in public life in England and America enabled him to play a part that would have been impossible to any other American. He was thoroughly familiar with European politics. He had learned the French, Italian, and Spanish languages, and his famie as a scientist was known throughout all Europe. He was thus possessed of talismans for opening many a treasure house. Negotiations with the French Court had been already begun through the agency of Arthur Lee, of Vir- ginia, and Silas Deane, of Connecticut. In the fall of 1776 Benjamin Franklin, at the age of seventy, and Thomas Jefferson, at the age of thirty-four, were appointed by Congress as special commissioners to Paris. Jefferson asked to be excused, but urged that Franklin should accept the mission. His arrival, on December 21, was the oc- casion of great excitement in the fashion- able world of Paris. France, at this time, was an absolute monarchy, ruled by Louis Sixteenth, who had succeeded to the throne three years before, at the age of twenty. He had succeeded his grandfather, Louis Fifteenth, who was king of France for a period of fifty years. Louis Fifteenth had succeeded his great-grandfather, Louis Fourteenth, who had reigned over France, as an absolute monarch, for a long period of seventy years.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Franklin's Franklin arrived at Paris, was the most brilliant in French

Popularity.

history. Franklin at once captivated this court by his great learning, his plain habits and his fascinating man- ners. Within a few months after his arrival there, he was the most popular man in all Europe. Even Frederick the Great, the military genius of the continent; Leibnitz, the most distinguished scientist of Europe, and Voltaire, whose remarkable endow- ments had charmed many an intellectual circle, could not vie with the sage from America in popularity.

Although the French nation was then heavily in debt, and two-thirds of the land was owned by the nobility and clergy, yet through the influence of Beaumarchais, the financial agent of France, and Vergennes, the minister of foreign affairs, Franklin suc- ceeded immediately in making a loan from France for the United States to the amount of two million francs, amounting to about four hundred thousand dollars. The fol- lowing year the sum of four hundred thousand francs was sent across the ocean to aid in the cause of American inde- pendence. Besides these amounts the French sent over a gift of nine million francs, or nearly two million dollars, and guaranteed the interest upon a loan from Holland of two million dollars. In Febru- ary, 1778, the sum of six hundred thousand dollars, in silver coin, sent over by the French government, arrived at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In all, Franklin had ob- tained as a loan and by gift a sum of five million dollars for the benefit of the infant republic of the United States.

Signed.

These triumphs at Paris, and the victory of the Americans at Sara- Treaty A toga, when the entire army under Burgoyne became prisoners of war, brought forth the alliance with France. February 6, 1778, a treaty was signed by the King of France, which resulted in American independence. For the successful management of this negotia- tion, one of the most important in the his- tory of modern diplomacy, the credit is due to the genius of Franklin.

The court of Louis XVI, when by all men of science and literature. His home at Passy, then in the suburbs, but now within the city of Paris, was a constant resort for the most distinguished men of France. About a month later, together with the other two commissioners, he was received by the king with imposing cere- monies. The reception on this occasion was one of the most brilliant scenes ever witnessed in the fashionable circles of Paris. Marie Antoinette, the beautiful and accomplished queen, from this time forth enthusiastically favored the republic of the United States.

There were no cables across the

News Atlantic at this early day. Even

Brought steamships did not plough the

to ocean yet for half a century, but

York. it was desired to send the news of these treaties to America with all possible speed. Vergennes, the French minister, ordered that the swift sailing ves- sel, Mercury, be placed at Franklin's dis- posal. Simeon Deane, a young man then in Paris, and brother of one of the Ameri- can commissioners, was entrusted with this important mission. He received the doc- uments, signed by the King of France, and with a letter addressed to Congress, from Benjamin Franklin, and Silas Deane, left the port of Havre and steered for Ports- mouth, New Hampshire. He arrived there, after a passage of two months. Reaching Boston he called upon John Hancock, and then proceeded on horseback, crossing the Hudson River at Fishkill, New York. He reached Valley Forge, on the evening of April 30. After holding a conference one day with General Washington, he pro- ceeded on his way westward, crossing the Susquehanna at Wright's Ferry, and arriv- ing in York at 3 P. M. in the afternoon of May 2. This was Saturday. Congress had adjourned for that week. Immediately after Simeon Deane rode through Center Square and stopped at a public inn, at the southeast corner of George Street and Center Square, Martin Brenise was ordered to ring the bell in the cupola of the Court House to call Congress together.

There was great rejoicing among all the delegates, and the people of the town, for the arrival of this news meant even more than the decisive victory of the Americans

His name now became famous to every citizen of France. His society was courted by the nobility of that country, as well as at Saratoga, and the surrender of Bur-

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. CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AT YORK

goyne. Rev. George Duffield, the chaplain of Congress, who preached in Zion Re- formed Church the following day, had a large audience, and after offering up a fer- vent prayer, referred in eloquent words to the cheering news from across the ocean.

Treaty

On Monday, May 4, the treaty of Amity and Commerce and the

Ratified. treaty of Alliance were unani- mously adopted by Congress

with great enthusiasm. Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia; William Henry Drayton, of South Carolina, and Francis Dana, of Massachusetts, were appointed a committee to prepare a form of ratification of the treaties. At the same time a resolution was passed that "This Congress entertain the highest sense of the magnanimity and wisdom of his most Christian Majesty, for entering into a treaty with these United States, at Paris, on the 6th day of February last; and the commissioners, or any of them, representing these states at the Court of France, are directed to present the grate- ful acknowledgments of this Congress to his most Christian Majesty, for his truly magnanimous conduct respecting these states in the said generous and disinterested treaties, and to assure his Majesty, on the part of Congress, it is sincerely wished that the friendship, so happily commenced be- tween France and these United States may be perpetual."

Simeon Deane was voted $3,000 in con- sideration of his faithful execution of a most important trust reposed in him by the commissioners of the United States at Paris.

The following is a copy of the letter which Simeon Deane brought from the American commissioners at Paris to Presi- dent Laurens and Continental Congress at York:

Passy, February 8, 1778.

Sir :- We have now the satisfaction of acquainting you and the Congress that the treaties with France are at length completed and signed. The first is a treaty of Amity and Commerce, much on the plan of that pro- jected in Congress ; the other is a treaty of Alliance, in which it is stipulated that in case England declares war against France, or occasions a war by attempts to hinder her commerce with us, we should then make common cause of it and join our forces and councils, etc. The

great aim of this treaty is declared to be to "establish the liberty, sovereignty, and independency, absolute and unlimited, of the United States, as well in matters of government as commerce;" and this is guaranteed to us by France, together with all the countries we possess or shall possess at the conclusion of the war; in return for

which the States guaranty to France all its possessions in America. We do not now add more particulars as you will soon have the whole by a safer conveyance, a frigate being appointed to carry our dispatches. We only observe to you, and with pleasure, that we have found throughout this business the greatest cordiality in this court; and that no advantage has been taken of our present difficulties to obtain hard terms from us; but such has been the king's magnanimity and goodness, that he has proposed none which we might not have readily agreed to in a state of full prosperity and estab- lished power. The principle laid down as the basis of the treaty being, as declared in the preamble, "the most perfect equality and reciprocity ;" the privileges in trade, etc., are mutual, and none are given to France, but what we are at liberty to grant to any other nation.

On the whole, we have abundant reason to be satis- fied with the good will of this Court and of the nation in general, which we therefore hope will be cultivated by the Congress by every means which may establish the Union and render it permanent. Spain being slow, there is a separate and secret clause, by which she is to be received into the alliance upon requisition, and there is no doubt of the event. When we mention the good will of this nation to our cause, we may add that of all Europe, which having been offended by the pride and insolence of Britain, wishes to see its power diminished; and all who have received injuries from her are by one of the articles to be invited into our alliance. The prep- arations for war are carried on with immense activity and it is soon expected.

With our hearty congratulations and our duty to the" Congress, we have the honor to be, very respectfully, etc.,

B. FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE.

On May 5, Philip Living-

Further ston, a signer of the Declara-

Proceedings. tion, and a member from the state of New York, arrived and took his seat in Congress. The sum of $200,000 was appropriated for use in paying debts contracted by William Buchanan, late commissary-general of purchases in the northern district, and the same amount in the southern district. On the same day Nathaniel Greene, quartermaster-general, was granted $3,000,000 for his department. This last appropriation was intended to be used for the campaign in New Jersey, which resulted in the battle and decisive victory at Monmouth. Baron Steuben, then with the army at Valley Forge, was made inspector- general, with the rank of major-general. Although this great German soldier agreed to serve without pay, Congress ordered that his pay was to commence from the time he joined the army and entered the service of the United States.

On May 8, Congress voted $56 to Captain Philip Albright, of York, for "sundry con- tingencies for the money press in York." On May 9. it was ordered that $200 be paid to Charles Gist and James Claypoole toward

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

defraying their expenses for their employ- Line. Major-General Mifflin by resolution ment by the treasurer in superintending the of Congress was given leave to join the making of paper for loan office certificates and bills of exchange; that $20,000 be ad- vanced to the marine committee for the use of the navy board in the middle district; that $24,000 be advanced to the committee of commerce for use in their department.

The

French marine committee of Congress. Sailor. He came to this country with a

recommendation from Silas Deane, which. was endorsed by Baron Steuben. He had succeeded in quelling a mutiny on board the vessel Flammand and brought the ship safely into an American port. He was voted a sum of money for his services and made a captain in the United States navy. On May II, Count Pulaski, the Polish nobleman, was voted $15,000 for the pur- pose of purchasing horses and recruiting his .Legion, then in the field. Colonel Francis Johnson was elected commissary of pris- oners to succeed Elias Boudinot, who had retired from office.

On May 14, Ethan Allen, the Connecticut patriot, who had captured Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775, and afterward became a pris- oner of war, was raised to the rank of colo- nel in recognition of his loyalty and patriot- ism. On May 15. a resolution was adopted ordering John Penn, grandson of William Penn, and Benjamin Chew, late chief justice of Pennsylvania for the provincial govern- ment, to be released from parole and con- veyed without delay into the State of Penn- sylvania. Both of these distinguished per- sons had been charged with disloyalty to the United States government after the declaration of independence.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 56

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