mortifying when they come to act with those of were wantonly violated by the British troops, our allies. If it is possible, I have no doubt im mediate measures will be taken to relieve their distress. It is also most sincerely to be wished, that there could be some supplies of clothing fur nished for the officers. There are a great many whose condition is really miserable still, and in some instances it is the case with almost whole state lines. It would be well for their own sakes and for the public good, if they could be furnished. When our friends come to co-operate with us, they will not be able to go on the common routine of duty and if they should, they must be held, from their appearance, in low estimation. [CIRCULAR.] by ours they were respected. This distinction must, unhappily, now cease, and we must assume the odious character of the plunderers instead of the protectors of the people; the direct consequence of which must be, to alienate their minds from the army and insensibly from the cause. We have not yet been absolutely without flour, but we have this day, but one day's supply in camp, between this place and Trenton. I shall be obliged and I am not certain that there is a single barrel therefore to draw down one or two hundred barrels from a small magazine, which I had endeavored to establish at West Point, for the security of the garrison, in case of a sudden investiture. From the above state of facts, it may be foreseen that this army cannot possibly remain much longer together, unless very vigorous and immediate measures are taken by the states to comply with the Head Quarters, near the Liberty Pole, Bergen county, 27th August, 1780. Sin-The honorable the committee of co-operation having returned to congress, I am under the disagreeable necessity of informing your excellen-requisitions made upon them. The commissary cy that the army is again reduced to an extremity of distress for want of provision. The greater part of it has been without meat from the 21st to the 26th. To endeavor to obtain some relief, I moved down to this place, with a view of stripping the lower parts of the country of the remainder of its cattle, which, after a most rigorous exaction, is found to afford between two and three days' sup. ply only, and those consisting of milch cows, and calves of one or two years old. When this scanty pittance is consumed, I know not what will be our next resource, as the commissary can give me no certain information of more than 120 head of cattle expected from Pennsylvania and about 150 from Massachusetts-I mean in time to supply our im. mediate wants. Military coercion is no longer of any avail, as nothing further can possibly be collected from the country in which we are obliged to take a position, without depriving the inhabitants of the last morsel. This mode of subsisting, supposing the de. sired end could be answered by it, besides being in the highest degree distressing to individuals, is attended with ruin to the morals and discipline of the army. During the few days which we have been obliged to send out small parties to procure provisions for themselves, the most enormous excesses have been committed. It has been no inconsiderable support of our Cause, to have had it in our power to contrast the conduct of our army with that of the enemy, and to convince the inhabitants that, while their rights general has neither the means nor the power of procuring supplies-he is only to receive them from the several agents. Without a speedy change of circumstances, this dilemma will be involved: either the army must disband, or what is, if possi ble, worse, subsist upon the plunder of the people. I would fain flatter myself that a knowledge of our situation will produce the desired relief: not a relief of a few days, as has generally heretofore been the case, but a supply equal to the establish. ment of magazines for the winter. If these are not formed before the roads are broken up by the weather, we shall certainly experience the same difficulties and distresses the ensuing winter which we did the last. Although the troops have, upon every occasion hitherto, borne their wants with unparalleled patience, it will be dangerous to trust too often to a repetition of the causes of discontent. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your excellency's most obedient, State of Delaware. G. WASHINGTON. FROM THE PAPERS OF CESAR AND THOMAS RODNEY. The editor's friend, Cæsar A. Rodney, of Delaware, well known as a member of congress from that state, attorney general of the United States, &c. favored him with an opportunity of examining a great mass of papers left by his uncle, general Cz. sar and his father, capt. Thomas Rodney, men celebrated for their devotion to the cause of li. berty. Out of this extensive collection, the following articles have been gleaned, in the belief that each of them may go to establish some THE STAMP ACT CONGRESS. EDITOR.] point interesting to those who seek to ascertain, the town of Boston into the country, from whence the "principles and acts of the revolution." the inhabitants of the town are daily supplied: this pass is a narrow neck of land about 120 yards wide, at which he has placed a number of troops and 28 cannon; that the country people passing and repasExtract of a letter from Cæsar Rodney, to his brosing this place are suffered to be insulted by the ther Thomas, dated New York, Oct. 20, 1765. soldiery-and that the inhabitants feared, (from When I wrote to you last, 1 expected that con- those movements of the general), he had designs gress would have ended in eight or ten days from of apprehending and sending to England those perthat time; but, contrary to expectation, we have sons who have stood foremost in the great cause of linot yet finished. You and many others are sur-berty-that in consequence of his conduct, and those prised, perhaps, to think we should sit so long, their suspicions, the inhabitants of Suffolk sent (by when the business of our meeting seemed only to a committee appointed for that purpose) an ad. be the petitioning the king, and remonstrating to dress to the general, enquiring the cause of his both houses of parliament: but when you consider stopping up and fortifying the pass, seizing and that we are petitioning and addressing that august securing the magazines, &c. and their disapproba. body, the great legislature of the empire, for redress tion of his conduct-and that they had no intention of grievances, that, in order to point out those to assault either him or his soldiers;-but that, if grievances, it was likewise necessary to set forth the he continued to block up the pass, and thereby liberty we have and ought to enjoy (as freeborn En-prevent them of the only means of supplying the glishmen) according to the British constitution. This we are about to do by way of declaration, in the nature of resolves, as a foundation to the petition and address; and was one of the most difficult tasks lever yet saw undertaken, as we had carefully to avoid any infringement of the prerogative of the crown and the power of parliament-and yet in duty bound fully to assert the rights and privileges of the colonies. However, after arguing and debating two weeks, on liberty, privileges, prerogative, &c. in an assembly of great abilities, we happily finished them, and now have the petition and addresses before us, and expect to finish in three or four days. town with necessaries, they should look upon it as Capt. Thomas Rodney. Philadelphia, Monday, Sept. 19, 1774. SIR-Some time ago, I do not doubt but you Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 17th, 1774. were all much alarmed, on a report that the king's SIR-By express, which arrived here yesterday ships were firing on the town of Boston. When from the committee of the town of Boston, to the that news came to this city, the bells were muffled, continental congress, we are informed the county of and kept ringing all that day: however, in a few Suffolk, of which the town of Boston is the capital, days after that news was contradicted here, and had entered into certain resolutions, a copy of hope by this time it is so with you. By some which was enclosed us, generally to the purport late very authentic accounts from Boston governof not suffering the commander in chief to exe-ment, to the gentlemen of that place now at the cute the act of parliament changing their govern- congress, we are informed that there was about ment, by persuading, protecting and compelling three days between this report's passing through officers under the new regulation to resign, and by the Massachusetts and Connecticut governments, a refusal in jurymen to serve, &c. That they have and its being contradicted: that when the expres. ordered all those able to bear arms to keep in ses went to contradict this false report, they found, readiness to defend their inherent rights, even in those two governments, in different parties, up. with loss of blood and treasure; that they are de-wards of fifty thousand men, well armed, actually termined not to injure the general or any of the on their march to Boston, for the relief of the inhaking's troops, unless compelled thereto by an at-bitants; and that every farmer who had a cart or tack made by the troops on them. They complain waggon, (and not able to bear arms), was with them, of the general seizing of the powder at Cambridge, loaded with provisions, ammunition, &c. all headwhich they say was private property; and also that ed by experienced officers, who had served in the he is now fortifying the only pass that leads from late American war: and that vast numbers more were preparing to march. Upon the news being |nesday last, a ship sailed out of this port for Loncontradicted, they returned peaceably to their se- don, in which Mr. C. was going passenger. A few veral places of abode-but not till they had sent days before she sailed, young Dewees, son of the some of their officers, from the different parties, to sheriff, went to pay Dr. K. some money, and comBoston, to know the real situation of affairs there, ing suddenly into his room, found him and C. toge. and to direct them what principal officers in the ther, with a bundle of papers before them, which different parts of the country they should hereaf- they hustled up in seeming confusion. This, with ter send expresses to, in case they should stand in | K's. tory character, gave Dewees suspicion, and he need of their assistance. It is supposed by some accordingly informed a few of the committee, who of the friends of liberty, at Boston, that the alarm kept the matter secret, let the ship sail and the was set on foot by some of the friends to the minis passengers go down to Chester by land, to go on terial plan, in order to try whether there was that board. On Thursday evening, which was the day true valor in the people. If this was the case, the passengers went, a small party was sent down suppose you will think with me, that, by this time, to Chester; they stayed there that night incog, and they can have no doubts remaining. Indeed, I saw the passengers go on board next morning. think it is proved by the general's own conduct; They then immediately pushed on board, seized for, ever since that, he has been fortifying himself, and examined Mr. C. who, in a little time, toli which I imagine is more for his own security than them that there were several letters from Dr. to attack the inhabitants. K. and Mr. B. and one from Mr. S. that he had I am yours, &c. the charge of them, and was concerned with them in the plan they had concerted, but that the letters were then in the custody of a woman down in the cabin, and that she had them concealed in a Mr. Thomas Rodney, Dover. CESAR RODNEY. [EXTRACT.] Philadelphia, Sept. 24, 1774. SIR-Mr. R. Penn is a great friend of liberty, and has treated the gentlemen delegates with the greatest respect. More or less of them dine with him every day—and his brother wishes his station would admit of his acting the same part: all these mat. ters are for your own private speculation, and not for public view. By this you may see that some people with you are mistaken in their politics, and you may also take for granted every body here is not well pleased with the coalition of the two brothers, I am, as usual, your friend and humble servant, Mr. Thomas Rodney. pocket sewed to the inside of her s-ft tail, where in fact they soon after found them, and came back to town, (leaving C. as they had promised, upon his making a discovery of the whole matter, on oath, before Mr. Graham, at Chester), and then seized the authors. The letters were to lord Dartmouth aud other ministers of state, but under cover to Messrs. M'Cawley. The substance and design was pressing their sending to Philadelphia five thousand regulars, on which condition they would engage five thousand more here to join them, provided the royal standard should be also sent in, and K. appointed to hear it; for that great numbers of those who now wear cockades and uniform were hearty in the ministerial cause—that the rest were Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 9, 1775. a pack of cowards-for that he (K.) had madeabove SIR-On Friday, about eleven o'clock at night, five thousand of them run, by snapping a single Dr. K. of this city was seized by order of the com- pistol at them, &c. They had with them, for the mittee of observation, for having wrote letters to use of the ministry, one of J. F's plans of Delaware England, injurious and destructive to us in the bay and river, whereon they had described the place American contest, and wicked with respect to this where the chevaux-de-frises were fixed. Besides city, and is now confined in jail, together with one these and many more villainous contrivances, they B. who came here with governor Skeen, Mr. C. an were taking home the out-lines for a print, to be apothecary, who was in partnership with S. and struck off in London, shewing K's late exhibition one Mr. S. all of whom were aiding the doctor in in the cart, going through the streets of Philadelhis plan, You must know K. has been a considera-phia with the mob, some of whom he undertakes ble time since marked out as a thorough-paced to- particularly to describe, to wit: Bradford, &c. &c. ry; for which, together with his having insulted the many of whom were actually not there, and how he people, he was (since I came to town last) carted every now and then,by snapping his pistol,made them through the streets. But the offence for which he run, &c. His abuse of the congress, committees, &c, is now confine, is thus circumstanced: On Wed-(in his letters), is intolerable—such as rebels, &c. After the committee of safety had examined them tion are completel, I shall be content-nor shall and the contents of the letters, they sent a pilot desire to have any hand in politics, unless at any boat down the river to overtake the ship, to bring time liberty be encroached upon. Nothing but the up C. and to search the box of letters, and to bring great cause of liberty, which we have been em. all of them that they supposed to be from or to barked in, could have induced me,(who have an insuspicious persons. This boat returned Sunday creasing family and so little for them), to have afternoon, brought C. and put him in jail, and also spent so much of my time and money in public serbrought a number of letters belonging to and wrote by other persons. The committee of safety has been sitting on these affairs all this day, but I have been so closely confined to congress to-day, that I don't yet know what they have done, or what others are accused. Yours, &c. Mr. Thomas Rodney. CESAR RODNEY. vices. THOMAS RODNEY. Hon. Cesar Rodney, in congress. Extract of a letter from col. John Haslett,* to gèneral Cesar Rodney, dated camp near Mount Washington, 5th Oct. 1776. SIR-I know you have already sacrificed a large share of private property to the evil and unthankful; in this you resemble the Supreme Manager, Dover, August 30, 1776. who makes his sun to shine on the evil and the good, SIR-1 received your letters by last post, and and, bad as times are, you have a few friends still the one preceding and one mentioned in that. I of the latter character. And, my dear sir, who can am pleased with your resolution mentioned in your better afford it? Providence has blessed you with last, as I should be sorry to hear that the unsteady a fortune to your prudence inexhaustible, by which passions which govern the people, should at any you are enabled to live where you please, and to time give the least shock to that virtue which hath keep the first company where you do live, and a!! so long and necessarily supported American liber this with few drawbacks upon it. How then, can ty. Though the people in a popular government you lay out a part of it to more noble purposes, often put away good men for bad ones, and though than in serving your country, guarding her rights such a change could not be more dangerous at any and privileges, and forcing wretches to be happy time than the present, yet I look on the present against their will? In this you will act as an agent change with us as an example which favors liberty of the Sovereign Goodness, and co-operate with If the people will not continually support those men, who have served them faithfully at all hazards, it cannot be supposed that they will long support those men who, in opposition to the public weal, have pursued their own private interest only. These men by a violent exertion of the influence of the magistracy, and descending to assert the most base, low and infamous falsehoods, have succeeded for once, because the people were blinded that they could not see their true interest. But be assured, they that set them up will pull them down again. After devoting ten years to the service of your country and public business, to the great prejudice of your own private interest, you certainly deserve to enjoy the sweets of retirement, which is the happiest life in this state; and you will have this reflection, that after the time you mention, that you have accomplished the establishment of American liberty; and that you could not do any thing that would add to the honor already acquired: but I believe the people will not let you execute this design-they will soon be tired of those who they have now set up-and will begin to call again upon those men whose virtue hath been proved to the utmest. When the great matters which you men Heaven to save a wretched race; and though you may not effect the righteous purpose, the testimony of an approving concience, the applause of conscious virtue, and the approbation of all good beings, will more than balance the sacrifice. A thousand things might be urged to the same pur pose. But a word to the wise. Allen's Town, in Jersey, 12 miles from Princeton, 20 do. from Brunswick, Dec. 30th 1776. SIR-I wrote you a long letter on the 24th, which I had no opportunity of sending, and left it in my trunk at Mr. Coxe's, two miles from Bristol; it con tains the news to that time, which I cannot repeat here. On the 25th inst. in the evening, we received orders to be at Shamony ferry as soon as possible. and met the rifle-men, who were the first from We were there according to orders in two hours, Bristol; we were ordered from thence to Dunk's ferry, on the Delaware, and the whole army of about 2000 men followed, as soon as the artillery got up. The three companies of Philadelphia inthe command of captain Henry, (myself second in fantry and mine were formed into a body, under Killed at Princeton. command), which were embarked immediately to it was madness to attempt, for that it would knock cover the landing of the other troops. We landed up all our brave men, not one of whom had yet with great difficulty through the ice, and formed gave out, but every one will suppose were much on the ferry shore, about 200 yards from the river. fatigued. They then sent off a party who were It was as severe a night as ever I saw, and after fresh, but they knocked up before they got up with two battalions were landed, the storm increased so them, and came back and met us at this town much, and the river was so full of ice, that it was next morning. They surrounded a house where impossible to get the artillery over; for we had to there was six tories-took three of them...one got walk 100 yards on the ice to get on shore. Gen. off--and one who run and would not stop, was shot Cadwallader therefore ordered the whole to retreat dead. They gave him warning first by calling, again, and we had to stand at least six hours under and at last shot two bullets over his head, but he arms-first, to cover the landing and till all the still persisted, and the next two shot; one bullet rest had retreated again--and, by this time, the went through his arm and one through his heart. storm of wind, hail, rain and snow, with the ice, The enemy have fled before us in the greatest was so bad, that some of the infantry could not panic that ever was known; we heard this moment get back till next day. This design was to have that they have fled from Princeton, and that they surprised the enemy at Black Horse and Mount were hard pressed by Washington. Never were Holley, at the same time that Washington sur-men in higher spirits than our whole army is; none prised them at Trenton; and had we succeeded are sick, and all are determined to extirpate them in getting over, we should have finished all our from the Jersey, but I believe the enemy's fears troubles. Washington took 910 prisoners, with 6 will do it before we get up with them. The pieces of fine artillery, and all their baggage in Hessians, from the general to the common soldier, Trenton. The next night I received orders to be curse and imprecate the war, and swear they were in Bristol before day: we were there accordingly, sent here to be slaughtered; that they never wili and about 9 o'clock began to embark one mile leave New-York again, till they sail for Europe. above Bristol, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon Jersey will be the most whiggish colony on the got all our troops and artillery over, consisting of continent: the very Quakers declare for taking up about 3000 men, and began our march to Burling-arms. You cannot imagine the distress of this ton-the infantry, flanked by the rifle-men, making country. They have stripped every body almost the advanced guard. We got there about 9 o'clock without distinction—even of all their clothes, and and took possession of the town, but found the have beat and abused men, women and children, enemy had made precipitate retreat the day be in the most cruel manner ever heard of. We have fore, bad as the weather was, in a great panic. The taken a number of prisoners, in our route, Hessians whole infantry and rifle-men were then ordered to and British, to the amount of about 20. It seems set out that night and make a forced march to likely, through the blessing of Providence, that Bordentown, (which was about 11 miles), which we shall retake Jersey again without the loss of a they did, and took possession of the town about man, except one gen. Washington lost at Trenton. 9 o'clock, with a large quantity of the enemy's The enemy seem to be bending their way to Amboy stores, which they had not time to carry off. We with all speed, but I hope we shall come up with stayed there till the army came up; and the gene. the Princeton baggage yet, and also get a share ral finding the enemy were but a few miles ahead, of their large stores at Brunswick. I hope, if I ordered the infantry to proceed to a town called Croswick's, four miles from Bordentown, and they were followed by one of the Philadelphia and one of the New England battalions. We got there about 8 o'clock, and at about 10, (after we were all in quarters), were informed that the enemy's Brig. gen. Cæsar Rodney, esq. baggage was about 16 miles from us, under a guard of 300 men. Some of the militia colonels applied to the infantry to make a forced march that night DEAR SIR-You will readily grant that it is evident and overhaul them. We had then been on duty four from the low credits of our money, that the state nights and days, making forced marches, without six of our finances is bad enough yet I think congress hours sleep in the whole time; whereupon the infantry is too much alarmed on this head, and is thereby officers of all the companies unanimously declared urged into measures that still tend to depress the live, to see the conquest of Jersey, and set off home again in two weeks. Some of my men have complained a little, but not to say sick; they are all now well here. THOMAS RODNEY. Dover, July 20th, 1779. |