Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 4
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To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS Cambridge, February 14, 1776.

    Sir: Through you, I beg leave to lay before Congress the Inclosed Letter from Lord Drummond to General Robertson, which came to my hands a few days ago in order to be sent into Boston.

    As I never heard of his Lordship being vested with power to treat with Congress upon the Subject of our Grievances, nor of his having laid any propositions before them for an Accommodation; I confess It surprized me much and led me to form various conjectures of his Motives and Intended application to General Howe and Admiral Shuldam, for a passport for the safe conduct of such Deputies as Congress might appoint for negotiating Terms of reconciliation between Great Britain and us.

    Whatever his Intentions are, however benevolent his designs may be, I confess that his Letter has Embarrassed me much, and I am not without suspicion of its meaning more than the generous purposes it professes. 93 I should suppose, that if the mode for negotiation which he points out, should be adopted, which I hope will never be thought of, that it ought to have been fixed and settled, previous to any application of this Sort, and at

[Note:James, Lord Drummond (Earl of Perth), an officious enthusiast, made two attempts to propose a plan of reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies. His letter to Brig. Gen. James Robertson is in the Papers of the Continental Congress.

   The first notice of the matter is contained in a letter from Thomas Lynch to Washington, dated at Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 1776, in which he says: "A gentleman well known in Maryland, Lord Drummond, just from England, tells me, that he has had many conversations with the ministry.…and showed me a paper approved by each of them, and which he is sure will be supported in both Houses. The substance of it is, -- America to be declared free in point of Taxation and internal Police; Judges to be approved by the Judges of England, and commissioned during good behaviour, upon stated and sufficient support to be statedly assigned them by the colonies; all charters to be held sacred; that of Boston to be restored; Britain to regulate trade sub modo ; all duties laid for file purpose of regulation to be paid into the colony treasury where they arise, applicable to its uses by its own legislature, in lieu of which, America shall by duties on such articles as will probably keep pace in its consumption with the rise or declension of the colony, laid by each legislature by permanent act of Assembly, grant towards the general support of the empire annual sums in proportion to five thousand pounds sterling for this colony. As this sum is little more than half of what did arise by duties heretofore paid in this place, I doubted his information. but was assured that ministry wanted nothing but a shew of revenue to hold up to Parliament, as they are afraid to propose reconciliation without saving what the stiff old Englishmen call the honor of the nation. His Lordship came hither through Halifax, Boston. and New York, where I fancy he saw what induced him to hint once or twice at beginning with a suspension of arms, to which I turned a very deaf ear, well knowing that the season of winter is ours, and that much may be done by April next. I sincerely wish I had your sentiments on those heads. I shall propose them to the consideration of Congress as soon as the most urgent affairs are over. I think they merit it." The original of Lynch's letter is in the Washington Papers.

   On February 5 Drummond again wrote to Robertson and sent his letter to Lynch, Lynch forwarded it to Washington, who forwarded it to Congress. This caused John Adams to comment caustically on the need of so doing in his Works (vol. 3, pp. 31 -- 33), written years later. The original letter is in the Washington Papers.

   An account of the attempted negotiations is in Sparks's Writings of Washington, vol. 3, P. 525. ]


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best, his conduct in this Instance is premature, and Officious, and leading to consequences of a fatal and Injurious nature to the rights of this Country. His Zeal and desire perhaps of an amicable and constitutional adjustment's taking place, may have suggested and precipitated the measure; Be that as It may, I thought it of too much Importance to suffer It to go in, without having the express direction of Congress for that purpose, and that It was my Indispensable duty to transmit them the Original, to make such Interpretations and Inferences as they may think right.

    Messrs. Willard and Child, who were sent to Nova Scotia, in pursuance of the resolve of Congress, have just returned and made their report, which I do myself the honor to inclose you. They have not answered the purposes of their commission by any means, as they only went but a little way into that country, and found their Intelligence, upon the Information of others. You will see the reasons they Assign in excuse or Justification of their conduct, in the report itself.

    Last night a party of Regulars, said to be about 500, landed on Dorchester Neck and burnt some of the Houses there, which were of no value to us, nor would they have been, unless we take post there, they then might have been of some service. A Detachment went after them, as soon as the fire was discovered,


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but before it could arrive, they had executed their plan and made their retreat. 94

[Note:In describing this adventure, General Howe wrote to Lord Dartmouth that it being understood the enemy intended to take possession of Dorchester Point, or Neck, a detachment was ordered from Castle William under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie, and another of grenadiers and light infantry commanded by Major Musgrave, with directions to pass over the ice and destroy every house and every kind of cover on the peninsula. This was done, and six of the guards taken prisoners. -- Sparks. ]

    Inclosed is a Letter for David Franks Esq. from Mr. Chainier in Boston, upon the Subject of Victualling such of the Kings Troops, as may be prisoners within the limits of his contract, which I beg the favor of you to deliver him, and that proper Agents may be appointed by him to see that It is done. I could wish too, that Congress would fall upon some mode for supplying the Officers with such Money as they may really stand in need of, and depute proper persons for that purpose, and furnishing the privates with such clothing as may be absolutely necessary; I am applied to and wearied by their repeated requests. In some Instances I have desired the Committees to give the prisoners within their Appointments what they should Judge absolutely necessary for their support, as the only means in my power of relieving their distress. But I imagine that If there were persons to superintend this Business, that their wants would be better attended to, and many exorbitant charges prevented and saved to the Continent and the whole would be then brought into a proper account. I am, Sir, etc.

    P.S. I send a Return of the Strength of the Regiments. 95

[Note:In the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison, but the postscript has been added by Washington. ]