Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 9, February 1 1778-May 31 1778
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Jonathan Bayard Smith to To: Joseph Reed


Dr Sir,
Lancaster Feb. 21st. 1778.

   Yours of 8th met me at this place where I have been very much indisposed with a severe cold. In conformity to your request, I wrote to York town concerning any letters for you, & directed them to be sent down. Tomorrow, I expect, I shall go over myself.

   It gave me real pleasure to find your sentiments on some important subjects so perfectly coincide with my own. In many instances I have dreaded the effects of measures, tho' at the same time a principle of charity, & a confidence in the zealous attachment of those who favored them, almost forbid any suspicions of undue motives. The Generals conduct on occasions truely affecting to a man honor, evinces how much more infintely he prefers the good of his country to any personal considerations. If in any instance Congress has seemed to favor an


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adverse party, it ought not to be resolved into a design of injuring him; a concurrence of untoward circumstances have impelled to these steps which appear most exceptionable, & the tendency of which I foresaw & dreaded. If an individual or two are unhappily under the influence of an undue impression, the effects, it is to be hoped, will be very circumscribed, & the evil will carry in itself its own remedy. At the same time, something should be done to prevent the body of the people, especially of this state, losing their confidence in the Commander in Cheif. Rectifying the conduct of the different departments & putting an end to the impositions, & irregularties of some of the agents, would do much towards accomplishing this important end. If it were possible to avoid seizures & acts of force except in particular cases many disaffected persons, more of the indetermined, & all real whigs would be with us. By the present system of conduct, we suffer a fearful encrease of disaffection.

   You have much to do, & however anxiously I wish to have your aid & counsil in Congress, yet I cannot wish you from your present post 'till the important business shall be well done. This will require time & patience; nor is it improbable that new business will present itself every day.

   As I rise from my bed to embrace an opportunity by Colo. Bayards boy; & now feel myself worse, I must refer myself to another opportunity of being more full on several subjects. In general you may depend on my conduct being such in Congress as, considering my abilities, such sentiments as yours ought to produce. Inclosed you have a copy of Abingdons pamphlet which perhaps you have not seen.(1)


I am Dr. Sir, with great respect, Yr v h st.

J B Smith


Note: RC (NHi).


1 See John Henry to Thomas Johnson, February 17, 1778, note 2.