REESE LIBRARY
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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
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EI.IAS BOUDINOT
From Steel Engraving by St. Memin,
THE LIFE
PUBLIC SERVICES, ADDRESSES
AND LETTERS
OF
ELIAS BOUDINOT, LLD.
PRESIDENT OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
EDITED BY
J. J. BOUDINOT
MEMBER OF THE NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOLUME I.
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
rc??, Cambridge
1896
V-
Copyright, 1896,
BY J. J. BOUDINOT.
All rights reserved.
The Riverside Press, Camfiricfge, Mass., U. .?. A.
Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton and Company.
C 4
PREFACE.
LAPSE of time and the stirring events of our
Civil War have thrown somewhat into shade
our patriot fathers, with the exception of the
one colossal figure looming above the later trou
bled sea of strife and war, the light of whose
patriotism has pierced all misty shadows of the
past, and whose name is a watchword for all that
is grand and noble. The spell of that great name
we invoke to bid " come again, ye children of
men," and marshal before us his faithful followers
and co-workers.
Elias Boudinot was one of these, the friend of
Washington, an ardent patriot and philanthropist,
resolute and earnest, of strong intellectual fibre ;
he gave the greater part of a long life to the ser
vice of his country.
Be it ever remembered that these men were
treading a new and untried path, leading and
legislating for a new order of things. To all of
o o o
them, as time yields us more and more of their
records, do we owe our homage.
The purpose of this volume is to place before
the reader the services, speeches, and letters of
Elias Boudinot, in such chronological sequence
IV PREFACE.
that they shall for themselves tell the history of
his life.
It is to be regretted that often in the early
period of our national existence our fathers failed
to realize what a precious heritage for us would
be the letters to and from these great men.
Though many were preserved, many have been
destroyed or lost, some given away, and others
stolen ; the latter was the case with some of the
most valuable of those of Elias Boudinot, such
having found their way into the dealers hands,
and their marketable value is slowly bringing
them to light.
Mr. Boudinot himself says : " A great many
interesting anecdotes that happened during the
American Revolutionary War are likely to be lost
to posterity by the negligence of the Parties con
cerned in not recording them, so that in future
time they may be resorted to as throwing light
on the eventful crisis of this important Era. I
shall therefore, without any attention to order,
but merely as they arise in my memory, set do\vn
those that I have had any acquaintance with,
attending principally to the Truth of the Fact."
When it is remembered that these accounts of
Mr. Boudinot were written chiefly from personal
observation, or participation in the events re
corded, and, even w 7 hen he was not himself an actor
in the scene, he reflects the feelings and views of
PREFACE. V
those who were, an added zest is given to the nar
rative. Corroboration of the main facts, with later
accounts culled from various sources, and the
absolute integrity of the writer, give a verisimili
tude to the whole, even though it apparently dif
fers in some details from accepted versions.
There is also evidence that these Reminis
cences were written while Mr. Boudinot was still
in the vigor of manhood, and not at all in declining
years, when age and illness might have impaired
his memory. Many of his official letters as Presi
dent of the Continental Congress are in the De
partment of State at Washington, where with
courtesy those in charge welcome the student of
history with intelligent helpfulness.
I am indebted to the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania for copies of valuable documents;
to Justin Winsor, Esq., Librarian of Harvard Col
lege Library, for access to Jared Sparks manu
script collection; to Charles Roberts, Esq., of
Philadelphia, for copies of letters from his manu
script collection ; to John Nicholas Brown, Esq.,
of Providence, R. I., for permission to copy from
" The Reminiscences " written by Elias Boudinot,
which are in his valuable collection of Americana ;
for Mr. Boudinot s letter book to Boudinot Keith,
Esq., of New York ; for copies of records from
Marans, France, to M. Louis de Richemond,
Archiviste du Departement, Corresp. du Ministere
VI PREFACE.
Trav. Histor. La Rochelle ; for the " Proces Ver
bal," to the Rev. W. W. Atterbury, of New York,
and for family letters other than my own and
those of my brother, W. B. S. Boudinot, Esq. I
am under obligations to Boudinot Colt, Esq., of
Newark, N. J.; to General William S. Stryker,
of Trenton, N. J.; to Mrs. Edwin A. Stevens, of
Castle Point, Hoboken, N. J.; to J. Turner
Atterbury, Esq., of New York ; and to the Hon.
Garret D. W. Vroom, of Trenton, N. J. I am
also indebted to the courtesy of William Nelson,
Esq., of Paterson, N. J.
JANE J. BOUDINOT.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
State of New Jersey at the beginning of the Revolution. Recalled
in petition to Congress in 1840, from trustees of the First Presby
terian Church. Elias Eoudinot one of the Committee of Corre
spondence for Essex County, N. J., nth June, 1774. Resolutions.
Other counties. Elias Boudinot member of a committee ap
pointed by Provincial Congress, May 2, 1775. Advice of same.
Elias Boudinot deputy to Provincial Congress, May, June, and
August, 1775. Is sent with William Peartree Smith to Conti
nental Congress for directions. Extract of letter from Governor
Franklin to Joseph Galloway. Copy of "Alarm" from Water-
town. Powder sent to Boston. Chairman of secret committee
deserted to the enemy. Gave information. William Living
ston elected governor and brigadier-general ; Elias Boudinot, aid-
de-camp. Letter of Lord Stirling regarding confinement of
Governor Franklin in Mr. Boudinot s House. Extract from
Elias Boudinot s Reminiscences. Relates debate with Rev. John
Witherspoon. Speech in First Provincial Congress. Allusion
to ancestor under Louis XIV i
CHAPTER II.
Mr. Boudinot s law studies. Dr. Cannon s recollections of the two
Boudinot brothers as related by Mr. Justice Bradley. Election of
Judge Elisha Boudinot. William Peartree Smith. Boudinot
ancestors. Elie Boudinot, the first in this country. One of the
founders of the French Church in New York. Protest to Lieu-
tenant-Governor Leisler. His lands in the Jerseys. Mr. Bou
dinot s marriage to Hannah Stockton. Annis Boudinot, Mrs.
Stockton. Pintards. Annis Stockton conceals papers from the
British. Her correspondence with Washington. Elisha Boudi
not. His marriages. William Peartree Smith. Nathan Hale
confined in Beekman House. Elisha Boudinot s letters relating
to early movements of the Revolution. Commissary of Prisoners
for New Jersey. Essex County Committee of ladies. Female
Charitable Society. Elisha Boudinot s house in Newark ... 23
viii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III.
Respecting prisoners captured by the British. General Washington
requests Mr. Boudinot to accept a commission as commissary-gen
eral of prisoners. Resolution of Congress granting the same.
Exertions of Mr. Boudinot to obtain supplies for prisoners. Sup
plies funds. General Washington tells him he will share losses.
Resolves of Congress to issue warrants in favor of Elias Boudinot
for sums borrowed of him. Mr. Loring to General Washington,
on distress of prisoners in New York, April 24, 1777. Mr. Bou
dinot to Richard Peters, Esq., regarding prisoners. Enemy re
treating to Brunswick. Mr. Boudinot to Governor Livingston,
informing him of the movement of the army. Harassing British
army in retreat. Surprise of General Lincoln at Bound Brook.
Commissary Loring to Mr. Boudinot. 4th July. Removal of
family from Elizabethtown to Baskingridge. Daughter Susan :
anecdotes relating to her childhood. Mr. Boudinot from camp
near New Windsor to Mrs. Boudinot. Washington watching the
enemy, undecided as to their destination. Mr. Boudinot to Mrs.
Boudinot from Philadelphia, September 12. Battle of Brandy-
wine. To Mrs. Boudinot from headquarters at Germantown, Sep
tember 4. From camp near Schuylkill, September 23. Same
day Potts Grove. The enemy on the move up Schuylkill. Mr.
Jeremiah Wadsworth to Mr. Boudinot 40
CHAPTER IV.
Mr. Boudinot to Mrs. Boudinot. Awaiting remonstrance sent to
General Howe regarding treatment of prisoners. Fate of Red
Bank Fort. Greene s reinforcements not arrived. The enemy
burning all before them. Burned town of Woodbury. Mr. Bou
dinot to his daughter, dated from Camp White Marsh, recom
mends Scripture reading, sends parody song. Wishes her to have
more instruction in music. November 30, to Mrs. Boudinot.
Set off on journey, recalled by letter from General Howe. Troops
on Jersey side endeavored to draw Lord Cornwallis to battle ; he
retired. After skirmish returned to Philadelphia. Storm. Re
connoitring along the line near Philadelphia old woman conveys
information secretly. Washington proves him wrong in his sur
mise as to the movement of enemy. Speeches of committee from
Congress relative to attacking the British. Washington s in
tended move against his judgment. A spy conveyed the infor
mation. British retire. Extract from Sparks " Washington."
Another providential escape of our army. Washington s ruse
to mislead the spy. Letter from Valley Forge regarding election
CONTENTS. IX
to Congress. Hymn. Cartel for exchange of prisoners. Com
missioners to meet at Germantown. American Colonels Hamil
ton, Harrison, Grayson, Boudinot ; British Colonels O llarah,
Stevens, and Captain Fitz Patrick. Meeting of general officers to
discuss the business beforehand. Committee from Congress.
Sentiments against exchange. Insulting resolutions of Congress
expunged from the minutes. Meeting of commissioners. British
commissioners go to the city to attend a ball. Return. Breach
of faith. British commissioners endeavor to free themselves
from blame. Defective powers. Concerning Colonels O Harah
and Hamilton. Draft of part of a letter by commissioners from
Moor Hall 63
CHAPTER V.
Account of treatment of prisoners in Philadelphia, winter of 1777-78.
British officer remonstrates. Washington threatens retaliation.
All blankets ordered into king s stores. American agent buys
up all the flannel and has blankets made. Orders to prevent
supplies to British within our lines. Commissary Loring to Mr.
Boudinot. Permission to come to New York. Mr. Boudinot
goes on February 3, 1778. Difficulty in landing. Threatens to
return. Officer sent to him. Conveyed to Commissary Loring s
quarters. Courteously received. Lodgings. Examines pris
oners with British officer. Proves cruelty. Colonel Ethan Allen.
Political conversation with General Robertson. Offer of re
ward for bringing about a peace. Crime of Frenchman .... 84
CHAPTER VI.
Letter to Mrs. Boudinot from Valley Forge, March 4, 1778. Dan
gerous journey back. Mrs. Washington. Weather bitter.
Misses his bed; lays upon blankets. Asks for rusk, etc. March
II, to his wife. Appointed one of the commissioners for settling
exchange of prisoners, to meet at Germantown. March 15, writes
again, deplores absence from home and the unnatural war. Gen
eral Washington and officers remonstrate against his leaving the
army, while seeing the necessity for his going to Congress.
March 27, just returned from consulting with commissioners.
Deplores Susan s negligence in writing. Intelligence of French
merchantmen under convoy at the Carolinas. Our vessels at Mar
tinique. Commissary Loring to Mr. Boudinot. Mr. Boudinot to
Mrs. Boudinot. Preparing for home. News from England.
Temple Luttrel s speech. April 17, hopes to finish his business
next week. Anxiety to join his wife. Mrs. Washington wishes
X CONTENTS.
for her. His daughter s expostulation with British officer. Ar
rived at home. Writes to General Washington, May 13, from
Baskingridge. Had been to Morris Town, and with Colonel
Campbell to New York. Major-General Daniel Jones and Gen
eral Valentine Jones will relieve prisoners. Colonel Campbell s
interest in the business. Exchanged prisoners anxious for employ
ment. Mr. Boudinot engaged on accounts. Letters from Gen
eral Washington, requesting his immediate presence at camp on
account of general exchange of prisoners. Colonel Francis John
son to succeed Mr. Boudinot. Refuses appointment. Major
Beaty nominated in his place. Commissary Loring to Colonel
Hamilton 104
CHAPTER VII.
June, 1778, appointed to meet General Robertson, British commis
sioner for exchange of Hessian prisoners. Conversation with
General Robertson regarding peace. Offer of dukedom to ten
thousand sterling. Emoluments held out to Joseph Reed. Let
ter to Mrs. Boudinot, June 10. Arrival of Erench fleet with
French ambassador and Silas Deane. English frigate taken.
War declared in England against France. June n, return from
second jaunt to Germantown. Enemy to evacuate Philadelphia.
Surmise as to their further movements. English commissioner
to Congress. Condition of inhabitants, of city hospital stores.
Should go into the city, then set off for Yorktown. Ribbon for
his hair. Snuff box with Washington s head in relief. Mr. Bou
dinot to General Freidrell regarding exchange of prisoners. To
Mrs. Boudinot. Expecting enemy to leave the city every moment.
Marquis La Fayette and Baron Steuben have letters from France.
France receives American ambassadors. English take Amer
ican vessel on French coast. Demanded by France. Action of
king on refusal. European combats. Commissary Loring to Mr.
Boudinot. Note on his letter. Mr. Boudinot to General Wash
ington. Reports marching of British army. Violation of agree
ment as to exchange of prisoners. To Mrs. Boudinot from
Philadelphia. Enemy gone off. General Robinson s promise to
protect Mr. Stockton s and Mrs. Noel s homes. To General
Washington, June 20, n o clock. To Mrs. Boudinot. Anxiety
for her, being in the route of the army 124
CHAPTER VIII.
Exchange of General Charles Lee. Taken at Baskingridge. Sent
to New York. Requests a committee of Congress sent to him.
CONTENTS. XI
Breakfast with him in New York. Lee reads his manuscript to
Mr. Boudinot. Negotiates for Lee s exchange. Sent to Phila
delphia. Is there exchanged. Received with military honors.
Dines with Mrs. Washington at headquarters. Passes the night
at headquarters. Given command of the right wing of the army.
Goes to Congress. Abuses Washington. Intrigues. Dis
graceful conduct at Freehold. Hamilton s view of Washington,
Greene, and Lord Stirling 139
CHAPTER IX.
Election to Congress. Writes to Mrs. Boudinot. Lodging at Mrs.
Thomas Franklin s. Of Monmouth. Incloses letter from Gen
eral Washington. July 9, great heat. News of French fleet on
our coast. English fleet following. Indians cut off Wyoming
settlement. Illness. Longs to retire. Visit from French min
ister. Colonel Hamilton to Mr. Boudinot concerning Baron
Steuben. Settlement of Mr. Boudinot s accounts. Letter to
Mrs. Boudinot, describing reception of French minister. Lord
Howe s fleet at Rhode Island. Count d Estaing. General
Sullivan 151
CHAPTER X.
Friendship with Hamilton. Mr. Boudinot s defense of Hamilton.
Hamilton on Sullivan. Greene and Laurens. Distinguished
French gentlemen. Mr. Toussard. Mr. William Peartree Smith
to Mr. Boudinot. Views of state of the country. Son Belcher.
Reference to his daughter s engagement. Mr. Boudinot s
reply. Anxiously expecting news from Rhode Island. Expira
tion of term. Joins his family at Baskingridge. Community there.
General Washington to Mr. Boudinot. Acknowledges a com
position of his sister. 1779, hopes to see him with Mrs. Boudinot
and Miss Boudinot at Middle Brook. From Philadelphia writes
to Mrs. Boudinot, March 5, 1779. Hears his house has been
burned by British ; does not believe it. " Powers of Europe all in
our favour." Burgomasters acknowledge independence. Spain
on our side. Empress of Russia refuses aid to England. The
town increasing in extravagance. Depreciation of money. To
Mrs. Boudinot, April 6th. Offer of remunerative office. General
Washington to Mr. Boudinot. To arrange for information from
the enemy. Describes a liquid for conveying secret intelligence.
Mr. Boudinot to General Washington regarding designs of the
enemy. ..Report of condition about New York. General Wash
ington to Mr. Boudinot. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington,
Xli CONTENTS.
I7 8o. Rev. James Caldwell, patriot chaplain and commissary,
shot. Mrs. Caldwell shot. Children cared for. Mr. Boudinot
to Major-General Phillips 164
CHAPTER XI.
Capture of Andre. Silas Deane. To General Washington from
Baskingridge. Sends express. Revolt of Pennsylvania line.
His daughter goes to Philadelphia. Letters to her. Mrs. Rush
to Mrs. Boudinot. Elected to Congress. Letter to lion. John
Stevens. To Doctor Scudder. To General Washington. In
formation regarding shipping at New York. Mrs. Washington s
illness 192
CHAPTER XII.
To Hon. John Stevens from Philadelphia, regarding seat in Congress.
To Hon. Peter Wilson, regarding seat. Flattering aspect of
affairs. Urges completion of levies for the army. Asks for
views on Vermont. To Mrs. Boudinot. Difficulty of getting
lodgings. Refugees from Georgia and Carolina. Retreat of
Cornwallis. The Marquis refreshing troops and covering country.
America requires great abilities. To Mr. Elisha Boudinot.
General Greene s well-judged manoeuvres. Raises siege of Ninety-
six. Lord Rawdon abandons his posts. Captain Eggleston cap
tures enemy s cavalry. Vessels at Cadiz. Meeting of English
troops at Carolina. To Governor Livingston. Alarm for the
c jty. Monsieur de Ban-as takes forty-four gun-ships, two frigates,
and transports. To Governor Livingston. The enemy carry on
secret correspondence by pedlars. Regarding his reelection.
Siege of Yorktown accidental. Stedman. Irving. De Grasse
and siege of Yorktown. Capitulation. Hidden letter to Corn
wallis. Washington s letter to De Grasse. Lafayette s narrative 214
CHAPTER XIII.
Lord Cornwallis cruelty. Motion by Mr. Middleton in Congress.
Debates thereon. Letters to Mr. Elisha Boudinot. Count de
Grasse takes St. Kitts. Little prospect of peace. Measure
adopted by England. Distress at the inactivity of states. Intel
ligence from St. Croix. Surrender of Brimstone Hill. Com
pares French and English principles of war. Captain Huddy
hanged. Retaliation. Case of Captain Asgill, son of Sir
Charles. Congress orders his execution. Earnest debate.
Letters from the commander-iivchief, king and queen of France, and
CONTENTS. Xlll
Lady Asgill. Life of Captain Asgill given to king of France.
False accounts allowed by Asgill. Sir Archibald Campbell, benev
olent and honorable. Letter from De Vergennes to General
Washington. Washington s reply. Mr. Boudinot to his daugh
ter. Advice. Commercial misfortunes of the capital. French
nobility lose their finery. To Governor Livingston; writes for
Legislature s instructions on New Hampshire grants. To his
daughter, on her " launching into life " 242
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr. Boudinot to Mrs. Boudinot, on taking the President s chair.
Directions for settling their affairs, and what to bring. Anxious
for her arrival. To Hon. John Hanson, Esq. To his brother;
congratulations. To Mrs. Boudinot ; when to start for Phila
delphia. Reports of Committee on Household Expenses of
President. To Mr. Robert Morris regarding coach. To Gen.
Washington ; his pleasure in corresponding ; honored by congratu
lations; Osgood s deposition. To Hon. George Read; presents
commission as Judge of Court of Appeals. To Governor of
Rhode Island ; duty on imports ; sends deputation to explain situa
tion ; propose to procure loans abroad. To General Washington ;
letters from agent at Cadiz ; evacuation of Charlestown ; incloses
letter to Thomas Chittendon, Esq., with resolutions of Congress ;
embarkation from New York. To Hon. John Lowell, Esq., in
closing commission as judge 263
CHAPTER XV.
Mr. Boudinot to Mr. Elisha Boudinot. Frigate from France.
Brings dispatches. Great Britain sends Mr. Oswald to Paris to
treat with commissioners. Commissioners refused to treat as thir
teen colonies. Treat as an independent nation. Asiatic accounts
of Madras being taken by the French. Treaty of commerce.
Wants particulars of state of things in New York. General
Washington to his Excellency Elias Boudinot. Subscription for
Rev. Mr. Caldwell s children. Mr. Boudinot to General Washing
ton. Congratulations on independency acknowledged by Great
Britain. Sends copy of commission. Treaty of commerce.
Foreign opinion that Charlestown and New York will be evacuated
in the fall. Arrival of General du Portail. Mr. Boudinot to
Major-General du Portail. Approval of Congress. Mr. Boudi
not to Count de Rochambeau. Approbation of Congress.
Wishes for prosperous voyage. Mr. Boudinot to Brigadier-Gen
eral Dayton. Congratulations on promotion. Evacuation of
XIV CONTENTS.
Charlestown. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington. Receipt
from Mr. Chittendon. Copy of official letter from General Greene
announcing evacuation of Charlestown. Mr. Boudinot to Major-
General Lincoln on time of returning. Mr. Boudinot to General
Washington on death of Lord Stirling. Business relative to Ver
mont. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington. His letter laid
before Congress 280
CHAPTER XVI.
Arrival of the Washington packet. Brings budget of intelligence.
Short compendium of political situation, by Mr. Boudinot to
Washington, March 17. England s change of ministers. Propo
sition of separate peace. Attitude of France. Independence.
Boundaries. Fisheries. The Tories. Suspicions of the court
of France. Provisional articles of peace. Count de Vergennes
surprised. Delay in negotiations on the part of other belligerent
powers. Interest of England to ratify treaty. Harmony between
commissioners. Six millions instead of twenty obtained from
France. "The Washington," first vessel with English passport.
Embarrassed situation of Congress as to finances. Mr. Morris
resigned. Etiquette in France. Situation of army. King of
France offended with commissioners. Note of Mr. John Fiske.
Mr. Boudinot to General Washington, congratulates him and the
army on the definitive treaty of peace. Dispatches from Comte
d Estaing and the Marquis de Lafayette. Hostilities ceased in
Europe. Commutation of the half pay to the army by nine States.
General Washington to Mr. Boudinot. Thanks for his letter
of the 1 7th. Begs a continuance. Congratulatory letter of Mr.
Elisha Boudinot. General Washington s reply. An ode, by Mr.
William Peartree Smith. Mr. Boudinot to Honorable James
Robinson. Lord Drummond. His estate. Confiscations.
Announcement of peace between all belligerent powers. Express
to General Carleton 292
CHAPTER XVII.
Mr. Boudinot to Hon. John Hanson ; congratulations on cessation
of all hostilities; false reports of Mr. Hanson s death; Sir Guy
Carleton sent king s proclamation ; shall proclaim cessation on our
part to-morrow. Mr. Boudinot to Major-General the Marquis de
Lafayette ; joy in America at happy issue of negotiations ; his early
intelligence saved mercantile interests ; hopes for consolidation of
the Union and perfecting of government; Congress sensible of
obliging conduct of Comte d Estaing; Admiral Digby considered
CONTENTS. XV
it a design to mislead ; incloses copy of vote of Congress in favor
of Comte cle Rochambeau ; wishes to know why the Comte left
America without the least notice of it ; adds proceedings in the
army ; terms of peace satisfactory except time for American mer
chants to pay their English debts ; no time mentioned ; must have
three or four years. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington, in
closing act of Congress on cessation of hostilities. Mr. Boudinot
to Mr. Elisha Boudinot, on birth of a daughter. Mr. Boudinot to
Comte de Grasse, on transmission of two field pieces. Mr. Bou
dinot to Doctor Franklin ; introduces Colonel Ogden ; terms of
peace ; payments of English debts. Circular to governors of
states on establishing literary property. Mr. Boudinot to Mr.
Oliver Pollock, regarding portrait of Doctor Bernando de Galvez.
Mr. Boudinot to General Washington; incloses copy from two
letters of Mr. Laurens. Mr. Boudinot to the Ministers Plenipo
tentiary; Mr. Livingston resigned as Secretary of Foreign Affairs;
surprise at delay of letters. To Hon. Benjamin Franklin; busi
ness of Secretary of Foreign Affairs cast upon Mr. Boudinot ; writes
in cipher. Letter inclosing two medals received ; British retention
of New York. General Washington to Mr. Boudinot ; anxious
for retirement ; army arrangements. Mrs. Washington on jaunt
to Esopus with Governor and Mrs. Clinton 313
CHAPTER XVIII.
Mutiny of Pennsylvania troops. Resolution of Congress. Hamil
ton, chairman of committee. Mr. Boudinot to General Washing
ton ; tells details of mutiny; wish of members for protection;
proclamation. Letter of Mr. Boudinot to Mr. Elisha Boudinot,
on mutiny. General Washington to Mr. Boudinot; sends forward
troops. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington ; reasons for leav
ing Philadelphia. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington ; intro
ducing Count Del Verme. Mr. Boudinot to Doctor William
Burnct ; thanks of Congress to citizens of Newark. To Colonel
Joseph Phillips on address of officers of militia of Hunterdon, Mid
dlesex, and Somerset Counties. To Thomas Willing, Esq., on
address of citizens of Philadelphia. To General Washington ; a
summons to appear before Congress to aid in peace arrange
ments. To Sir Guy Carleton on counterfeiters. To General
Washington, regarding his presence in Congress; delay of treaty;
house to be taken for Washington. To General Washington on
proposed address to him by Congress. General Washington s
reply. To Hon. Benjamin Franklin. Received letter inclosing
treaty with Sweden. Ratification retarded for want of more states
present. Accomplished and sent for exchange. Impropriety of
CONTENTS.
title United States of North America and three lower counties on
Delaware. Resolve empowering change. Silence of commis
sioners. Reason for removal of Congress given in letter of July
15. To inhabitants of New Brunswick ; reply to their address.
To General Washington ; illness of Mrs. Washington. Received
letters from Mr. Laurens ; had seen Mr. Fox ; doubts as to powers ;
Mr. Hartley without full powers ; Mr. Laurens in London ; begs
cannon for Comte de Grasse. Sir Guy Carleton to evacuate
New York 329
CHAPTER XIX.
Congress holds an audience for congratulating General Washington
on the termination of the war, and to consult on peace arrange
ments. Speech of Mr. Boudinot to General Washington. Gen
eral Washington s reply. Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot;
time appointed for signing treaties of peace ; provisional articles
with preamble making definitive treaty ; expecting his recall ; rec
ommends Mr. Thaxter. Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot;
American ministers met British minister, signed definitive treaty ;
repetitions of provisional treaty, September 5, 1783 ; on mediation
of the two Imperial Courts ; on minister to Vienna and England ;
commercial connections. Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot, on
receipt of commission for treaty of commerce; affairs in Holland;
Mr. Dumas expenses ; politics ; foreign papers. Mr. Boudinot
to Hon. Benjamin Franklin; inclosing duplicate of ratification of
treaty with Sweden, also resolutions of Congress ; mutiny happily
ended. From the commissioners to Mr. Boudinot; relative to
treaty; conduct of the whole affair. Reception of Mr. Boudinot s
letter of yth June, with directions for treaty of commerce; minis
ters to and from England ; other nations ready to make treaties . 358
CHAPTER XX.
Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot ; view of further measures to be
taken in Europe; Hon. Benjamin Franklin to Mr. Boudinot; Mr.
Boudinot s additional cares owing to the resignation of secretary
for foreign affairs ; medals approved ; first and last clauses in
treaty ; treaty with Morocco ; with Denmark ; no answer yet from
Portugal ; false reports of situation in America ; present of medal
to Grand Master of Malta; court of France still favorable; English
endeavor to sow dissensions ; sends sundry memorials. Hon.
John Adams to Mr. Boudinot; sends copy of Dutch treaty. Mr.
Boudinot to Hon. Robert R. Livingston; forwards letters, papers,
and medal ; Mr. Jay to resign in the spring ; Mr. Dana at St. Pe-
CONTENTS. XV11
tersburg ; affairs at home. To General Washington ; inclosing act
of Congress for admission to secret papers. Proclamation on treaty
with Sweden. Mr. Boudinot to Hon. Robert R. Livingston; anx
iety as to action in New York ; judges know preliminary articles
identical with definitive treaty; English press for a minister. Hon.
Benjamin Franklin to Mr. Boudinot; Mr. Thaxter with dispatches;
incloses printed copy of definitive treaty. Mr. Boudinot to Philo
sophical Society; extract from letter of Hon. William Carmichael,
secretary of legation in Spain ; nomination of honorary members.
To General Carleton, asking for papers seized by the British belong
ing to the Hon. Richard Stockton 384
CHAPTER XXI.
Mr. Boudinot to His Excellency P. J. Van Berckel, minister from the
Netherlands ; his arrival subject of congratulation ; Mr. Boudinot s
steward to furnish every accommodation ; Congress immediately
informed of his arrival ; to appoint day for audience. Mr. Bou
dinot to Hon. Robert Morris, regarding audience. To Colonel
Frelinghuysen for same purpose. To General Dickinson for es
cort of troop. In Congress. Speech of minister. Letter from
their High Mightinesses. The President, Mr. Boudinot, replies to
Mr. Van Berckel. Mr. Boudinot to commissioners. Recapitu
lation from last letter ; seat of government ; Treaty ; Baron Steuben
sent to Canada ; regarding fortifications ; arrival of minister from
Holland ; effects of mutiny ; having seen peace established and
signed both preliminary articles and definitive treaty, happy to re
tire to private life ; Mr. Miftiin elected to fill the chair. Procla
mations. Cessations of hostilities. Contract with His Christian
Majesty. Thanking the army. Mr. Boudinot to Hon. Andrew
Elliot, offering services and acknowledging his benevolence and lib
erality to captives 399
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
CHAPTER I.
State of New Jersey at the beginning of the Revolution. Recalled in peti
tion to Congress in 1840, from trustees of the First Presbyterian Church.
Elias Boudinot one of the Committee of Correspondence for Essex
County, N. J., nth June, 1774. Resolutions. Other counties. Elias
Boudinot member of a committee appointed by Provincial Congress,
May 2, 1775. Advice of same. Elias Boudinot deputy to Provincial
Congress, May, June, and August, 1775. Is sent with William Pear-
tree Smith to Continental Congress for directions. Extract of letter
from Governor Franklin to Joseph Galloway. Copy of "Alarm"
from Watertown. Powder sent to Boston. Chairman of secret com
mittee deserted to the enemy. Gave information. William Living
ston elected governor and brigadier-general ; Elias Boudinot, Aid-de
camp. Letter of Lord Stirling regarding confinement of Governor
Franklin in Mr. Boudinot s house. Extract from Elias Boudinot s Rem
iniscences. Relates debate with Rev. John Witherspoon. Speech
in First Provincial Congress. Allusion to ancestor under Louis XIV.
IT is difficult in these days of peace and pros
perity, of rapid transportation and easy communi
cation, for us to realize the anxieties, the constant
strain upon nerve, as well as purse, in which our
grandsires of the Revolutionary epoch lived.
New Jersey, peculiarly exposed from its cen
tral position during the war, a highway between
North and South, friend and foe were continu
ally marshaling their forces within her borders ;
for some time the actual seat of war, her bat
tlefields were many ; and from her nearness to
2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
New York and Staten Island, she was constantly
subject to sallies from these places in the hands
of the British.
Her faithful sons gave nobly of their blood
and treasure. No State could boast a fuller roll-
call of patriots.
In a petition to Congress in 1840, from the trus
tees of the First Presbyterian Church of Eliza-
bethtown, praying for indemnification for prop
erty destroyed during the Revolutionary War, is
the following:
" The blood of our fathers and brothers and
neighbors mingle with the soil of Flatbush and
Monmouth and Princeton and Trenton and Bran-
dywine and Germantown. But for their suffering
and blood we feel amply repaid in the possession
of that broad inheritance of civil and religious
liberty which they so dearly purchased for us.
As a congregation we contributed our fair pro
portion to the civil and military services of the
Revolution ; to the army, we gave a Dayton,
father and son, a Spencer, an Ogden, and as
chaplain and commissary, our beloved Caldwell ;
to the state, we gave a Boudinot, a Livingston,
a Clark, a Dayton, an Ogden ; and we feel not
merely proud but thankful to God that we were
enabled to send such men to the field and to the
cabinet, in the day of darkness and peril, when
wisdom to direct was as necessary as valor to
execute."
Midnight alarm, capture, plunder, raids unceas-
COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. 3
ing, these were the order of the day; but the
petition continues:
" These things we regard as necessarily inci
dental to the great contest; and a few old Ro
mans there are yet among us, who remember
the cup of wormwood, but who yet rejoice in
sufferings that have resulted so gloriously. For
these things we ask no remuneration, congress
could grant us no equivalent. We would not
sell the laurels we have won in the Revolutionary
contest for the public domain. We mention
these things merely to show you the amount of
our contribution to the wisdom, and valor, and
firmness, and suffering, which achieved our glori
ous independence ; all that we desire now from
our country is a compensation for our public
property destroyed, and destroyed because of be
ing converted to public purposes for the benefit
of the American army." ]
Peace loving and law abiding, but firm in the
conviction that vigorous measures should be
adopted to secure the common rights and liber
ties of the colonies, Elias Boudinot is found
among the first to respond to the call for united
action. He becomes one of the Committee of
Correspondence for Essex County, New Jersey, on
the 1 1 th day of June, 1 774, when it resolved, " That
this county will most readily and cheerfully join
their brethren of the other counties in this prov-
1 New Jersey Historical Collection, by John W. Barber and Henry
Howe, pp. 170, 171.
4 ELIAS BOUDIXOT.
ince in promoting such congress of deputies,
to be sent from each of the colonies, in order
to form a general plan of union, so that the
measures to be pursued for the important ends
in view may be uniform and firm. That it is
our unanimous opinion that it would conduce
to the restoration of the liberties of America
should the colonies enter into a joint agreement
not to purchase or use any articles of British
manufacture, and especially any commodities im
ported from the East Indies, under such restric
tions as may be agreed upon by general congress
of the said colonies hereafter to be appointed.
That the late Act of Parliament relative to Bos
ton, which so absolutely destroys every idea of
safety and confidence, appears to us big with the
most dangerous and alarming consequences, es
pecially as subversive of that very dependence
which we should earnestly wish to continue, as
our best safeguard and protection ; " and they
declare, " That under the enjoyment of our con
stitutional privileges and immunities we will
ever cheerfully render all due obedience to the
crown of Great Britain, as well as full faith and
allegiance to his most gracious Majesty King
George the Third, and do esteem a firm depend
ence on the mother country essential to our polit
ical security and happiness." 1
These men, then, had no idea of separation and
1 Mimites of the Provincial Congress and the Council of Safety of the
State of A T e^v Jersey, p. 7.
IN THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 5
independence ; but the logic of events was urging
them forward, and having put their hands to the
plow, there was no turning back.
The other counties follow fast the lead of
Essex, with spirited resolutions; and a committee
appointed by the Provincial Congress, of which
Elias Boudinot is one, on May the 2d, 1775, "ad
vise and direct," " in view of the alarming and
very extraordinary conduct of the British Minis
ter for carrying into execution sundry Acts of
Parliament for the express purpose of raising
a revenue in America and other unconstitutional
measures therein mentioned, and also the several
acts of hostilities that they have actually com
menced for this purpose by the regular forces
under General Gage sent against our brethren of
the colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England,
are unanimously of opinion and do hereby advise
and direct that the Chairman do immediately call
a provincial congress, to meet at Trenton, on
Tuesday, the 23d of this instant, in order to con
sider of and determine such matters as may then
and there come before them, and the several coun
ties are hereby desired to nominate and appoint
their respective deputies." 1
We find Elias Boudinot s name among the
deputies who attended this Provincial Congress
of May, June, and August of 1775. On Thurs
day, May the 25th, he, with William Peartree
Smith, is sent to the Continental Congress for
1 Minutes of the Provincial Congress and Council of Safety, p. 109.
6 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
" directions concerning the line of conduct in
which we ought to act."
On March the i2th, Governor Franklin had
written to Joseph Galloway, 1 of Philadelphia :-
" I am sorry the Assembly here did not take
my advice and avoid giving any express appro
bation of the members of the Congress, but they
were hurried precipitately into it early in the ses
sion by Kinsey, who was weak enough to suffer
himself to be made a tool of by Governor William
Livingston and Elias Boudinot, who came clown
on purpose from Elizabethtown and caballed
among the members. They persuaded them that
if they approved of the proceedings immediately,
it would be a means of influencing the New York
Assembly, then sitting, to do the like, for that
they would not choose to stand single ; and be
sides, it would be better to. do it at once, for
otherwise the governor, if he should get intelli
gence that they intended it or had it under
consideration, would prevent them by a dissolu
tion." a
The following is a copy of the " Alarm," from
Watertown, Mass., received by Mr. Boudinot,
which sent a thrill of angry indignation through
the country, and stirred the fires smouldering in
every patriot s heart, of which the Jersey beacon
lights became the outward symbols ; flaring up
1 Member of the Provincial Congress, and in 1776 became an ardent
loyalist.
2 New Jersey Archives, First Series, vol. x. p. 575.
THE WATERTOWN ALARM. 7
from hilltop to hilltop, as Short Hills flashed
to Fort Hill, and Fort Hill to Denville, and so
on through the Somerset Hills. These were the
signals for arousing the stout yeomanry, who,
dropping flail and scythe for a musket, emerged
from every byway and mountain path, joining
band to band, hastening, forward to present an
unexpected and resolute front to the enemy."
Copy of the Alarm sent by the Committee of Water-
town near Boston, to raise the Country, rec d by
me as Chairman of the Committee of Safety at
Elizabeth Town on the Evening of 23 d April
1775
WATER TOWN Wednesday Morning near u of Clock.
To all friends of american liberty,
be it known, that this morning before break of
day, a Brigade, consisting of about 1000 or 1200
Men, landed at Phipp s Farm at Cambridge and
marched to Lexington, where they found a Com
pany of our Militia in Arms, upon whom they
fired without any provocation and killed 6 Men
& wounded 4 others By an express from Bos
ton we find another Brigade are now upon their
March from Boston, supposed to be about 1000
The Bearer Israel Bissel is charged to alarm
the Country quite to Connecticut ; and all Persons
are desired to furnish him with fresh Horses, as
they may be needed I have spoken with several,
who have seen the dead & wounded
J. PALMER one of the Committee of s y
8 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Forwarded from Worcester April 19, 1775
Brooklyn Thursday n o Clock
Norwich 4 o Clock
New London 7 o Clock
Lynne Friday Morning i o Clock
Say Brook 4 o Clock
Shillingsworth 7 o Clock
E Guilford- 8 o Clock
Guilford 10 o Clock
Bradford 12 o Clock
New Haven April 21
Reed & forwarded on certain Intelligence
Fairfield April 22 d 8 o Clock l
Thursday 3 O clock Afternoon.
Since the above rec d the following by second
Express.
SIR
I am this moment informed by Express from
Woodstock taken from the mouth of the Express
that arrived there 2 o clock afternoon that the
contest between the first Brigade that marched to
Concord, was still continuing this morning at the
Town of Lexington, to which 2cl Brigade had re
treated. That another Brigade said to be the
o
second mentioned in the letter of this morning
had landed with a quantity of artillery at the
place where the first did. The Provincials were
determined to prevent the two Brigades from
joining their strength if possible, and remain in
great need of Succour.
- N B The Regulars when in Concord, burnt
1 MSS., Elias Boudinot.
LACK OF POWDER. 9
the Court house took 2 pieces of Cannon which
they rendered useless and began to take up Con
cord bridge, on which Capt. (who with many
on both sides were soon killed) made an attack
on the King s Troops, when they retreated to
Lexington. I am &c.
EB WILLIAMS
P S. Mr. and Mrs Farland of Plainfield
Mascts, has just returned from Boston by way of
Providence, who conversed with an Express from
Lexington, who further informs, that about 4000
of our Troops had surrounded the first Brigade
who were on a Hill in Lexington. That the
action continued & there were about 50 of the
men killed and 150 Regulars as near as they
could determine when the Express came away.
It will be expedient for every man to go, who is
fit & willing.
NEW YORK COMMITTEE CHAMBER 4 o clock.
230! April 1775 P. M.
Reed, the within Act by Express, forw d by Ex
press to N Brunswick with directions to stop at
Elizabeth Town & acquaint the Committee there
with the foregoing particulars by order
J S. Low Chairman
The Committee of N Brunswick are desired to
forward this to Philadelphia. 1
Marshall, in his " Life of Washington," tells of
the terrible lack of powder discovered on Wash-
i MSS., Elias Boudinot
10 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
ington s arrival in camp at Cambridge. He says :
" All the colonial governments and committees,
as well as Congress, were applied to and entreated
to send every pound of powder and lead which
could be spared ; no quantity, however small, they
were assured, was beneath notice. In the mean
time every saving was practiced, and every effort
was used to bring these essential articles into the
country. This critical state of things continued
for about a fortnight, when the danger resulting
from it was in some degree diminished by the
arrival of a small supply of powder sent from
Elizabethtown, New Jersey. A circumstance at
tending this transaction will furnish some view
of the difficulties encountered by those who then
conducted the affairs of America. All essential
to the general safety, as it apparently was, to re
plenish with the utmost possible expedition the
magazines of that army which lay in camp in the
face of the enemy, the committee of Elizabeth-
town were under the necessity of transmitting
this necessary aid, privately and under other pre
texts, lest the people of the neighborhood should
seize and retain it for their own security."
In the marginal note of his copy of this work,
Mr. Boudinot writes : " I was Chairman of this
committee and forwarded this powder, not more
than a few quarter casks, say 8 or 10." Marshall
continues : " The utmost address was used to
conceal from the enemy the alarming deficiency
which has been stated ; but when it is recollected
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON. I I
in how many various directions and to what
various authorities application for assistance was
unavoidably made, it will appear scarcely possible
that these efforts at secrecy could have been com
pletely successful. It is more probable that the
communications which must have been made to
the British General were not credited." 1
Here Mr. Boudinot s marginal note continues,
saying : " This is certainly the case : the Chair
man of the secret committee, hearing the fact,
became terrified with what was likely to be the
inevitable consequence, deserted to the enemy,
and communicated to General Gage the destitute
situation of the American army with regard to
powder, and was by General Gage treated as a
spy, charging him with a design of deceiving the
British army, just to have them destroyed by be
lieving this falsehood. General Washington told
me himself that he had 12 or 13 miles of lines to
guard for 14 days, without more than 8 rounds of
powder per man for his infantry, and one round
for artillery ; he dared not fire the morning and
evening gun."
The first legislature under the republican con
stitution met in Princeton in 1776, and by it
William Livingston was elected governor. He
moved to Elizabethtown in 1772. In 1776 he
was elected brigadier-general, took command of
the New Jersey militia, and fixed his camp at Eliz-
1 Life of Washington, by John Marshall, vol. ii. p. 245.
12 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
abethtown, where Elias Boudinot was his aid-de
camp. 1
Lord Stirling writes to President Hancock:
ELIZABETH TOWN Jany 10, 1776
SIR
I now send you inclosed Copies of some letters
which have passed between Governor Franklin
and Lieut Colonel Winds. As it is evident from
the last Letter from the Governor that he intends
no longer to remain quiet, I thought it most
prudent to secure him and remove him to this
place ; I accordingly sent orders to Lieut Colonel
Winds this morning for that purpose. I have
provided good genteel private Lodgings for the
Govr. at Mr. Boudi net s which I expect he will
occupy this afternoon, and where I intend he
shall remain untill I have directions from Con
gress what to do with him.
I am
With great Regard
Your Most Humble Servant
STIRLING
The Honorable JOHN HANCOCK. 2
At this epoch Elias Boudinot throws himself
heart and soul into the patriotic struggle which,
only after weary years of labor and anxiety, was
to culminate in the freedom of his country, and
permit him to enjoy that domestic happiness and
repose so dear to him.
1 Azotes on Elizabethtown, by Nicholas Murray.
2 MSS , Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters of General
Officers, No. 162, p. 360.
ELECTED TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 13
Mr. Boudinot writes :
" I was among the first of the Citizens of New
Jersey who exerted ourselves in Opposition to the
unconstitutional Acts of Great Britain, then thj^
Mother Country, and to whom the Citizens of
America were bound by the strongest habits of
filial Affection & Religious Obedience Nothing
was farther from our Ideas, than a State of Inde
pendence on the Country from which we drew all
our Ideas Principles of Happiness & Enjoyment.
" I had read an excellent Treatise, said to have
been written by Lord Kames, which in a very
extraordinary Measure foretold the certainty of
American Independence, in some future clay, and
that founded on a Train of solid Reasoning,
but we talked of it and treated it as the gener
ality of People now do the Accounts they read of
the Millenium.
" In 1775 I was chosen a member of the Provin
cial Congress of New Jersey, and when a Propo
sition was made by a few weak & violent men
for raising a Regiment of Troops, it was opposed
by all the Men of Note & Understanding as a
Measure wholly against our Duty of Allegiance
to Great Britain and rejected as contrary to every
Sentiment or Desire of our Constituents A
few weak, violent Men (particularly a William
Smith of Woodbridge) were not only for raising a
Regiment of Soldiers, but expressly moved for an
Order to burn every man s House who should
refuse to join the Opposition It required Pru-
14 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
dence & Patience to get rid of the Effects of these
hot-headed Measures But I could not help re
marking that these very Men were the first to
join the Enemy as soon as they appeared in force.
" In 1776, in the Month of April, an Invitation
was given in a Newspaper of New Jersey (but
without a name) for each County to choose Dele
gates or a Committee to meet at New Brunswick,
on Matters which greatly concerned the Province
As it was generally conceived to be designed
to promote some general Plan relative to a
Market for Home Manufactures in each County,
Committees were generally appointed, altho the
Publication made but little Impression on the
Minds of the People at large At this Time the
Stated Meeting of the Trustees of the College of
New Jersey was held at Princeton Being one
of the Trustees, I attended, but we were surprised,
to find our President, the Rev d John Witherspoon
had absented himself on the second Day of our
Meeting We finished our Business and the
o
Next Day, was returning Home, without reflecting
at all on the Meeting to be held at New Bruns
wick, having totally forgotten it In Company
with Wm. P. Smith, Esq., another of the Trustees,
arrived at New Brunswick about 1 1 o clock A. M.
and after feeding our Horse meant to have dined
at Woodbriclge In the meantime an Acquaint
ance from the County of Burgen came into the
Tavern He informed us, that he was one of the
Committee from that County --That Dr. Wither-
DR. WITHERSPOON. 15
spoon had met the united Committees, and ac
knowledged himself the Author of the Publica
tion, and informed them, that the Design of the
Meeting was, to consider the peculiar Situation
of the Province, and the Propriety of declaring a
Separation from Great Britain, and forming an
independent Constitution for ourselves, and as he
did not wish to precipitate so important a Step,
he proposed adjourning till the Afternoon, when
he would offer his Reasons at large, and in the
meantime each Member might think seriously on
the Subject --This unexpected Account, raised
our Curiosity, and Mr. Smith & myself agreed to
stay and hear what might be said on the Subject;
but before the Meeting adjourned, they resolved
to request, that as the Subject was one which
interested every inhabitant of the Province, any
of the Audience might come forward & deliver
his Sentiments, altho he could not vote on the
Questions We accordingly attended the Meet
ing in the Afternoon when Dr. W- rose and
in a very able, and elegant Speech of one Hour
& half endeavored to convince the Audience &
the Committee of the absurdity of opposing the
extravagant demands of Great Britain, while
we were professing a perfect Allegiance to her
Authority and supporting her Courts of Justice
The Character of the Speaker, his great Influence
among the People, his kno\vn Attachment to the
Liberties of the People, and the artful Manner in
which he represented the whole subject as worthy
1 6 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
their Attention, had an Effect, on the Assembly
that astonished me
" There appeared a general Approbation of the
Measure, and I strongly suspected an universal
Acquiescence of both Committees & Audience in
approving the doctor s scheme I never felt my
self in a more mortifying Situation The anony
mous. Publication The Meeting of the Trustees
o
of the College but the Day before, made up wholly
of Presbyterians Their President leaving them
to attend the Meeting & avowing himself the
o o
Author of it The Doctor known to be at the
Head of the Presbyterian Interest, and Mr. Smith
& myself both Presbyterians, arriving at New
Brunswick in the Morning, as if intending to
O O
go forward and then staying and attending the
Meeting, altogether looked so like a preconcerted
Scheme, to accomplish the End, that I was at my
Wit s End, to extricate myself from so disagree
able a Situation, especially as the Measure was
totally agt my Judgment On a Minute s Con
versation with Mr. Smith, I determined at all
Events to step forward bear my Testimony
agt the Scheme in toto Two of the Committee
had delayed the Question by speaking in favor of
it, but no one had spoken in Opposition, till I
arose and in a Speech of about half an Hour or
better, stated my peculiar Situation and endeav
ored to show the Fallacy of the Doctor s Argu
ments --That his Plan was neither founded on
Wisdom, Prudence nor Economy That we had
ADDRESSES MEETING AT BRUNSWICK. Ij
chosen a Continental Congress, to whom we had
resigned the Consideration of our public Affairs
- That they coming from every Part of the
Union, would best represent all the Colonies now
thus united They would know the true Situ
ation of our Country with regard to Finances,
Union & the Prospects we had of a happy
Reconciliation with the Mother Country They
would also be possessed of our relative Circum
stances with regard to the other Nations of Eu
rope In short that they were the only proper
Judges of the Measures to be pursued, and that
we had no right to involve them in Distress &
Trouble by plunging ourselves into a Measure of
so delicate a Nature until they should advise us
in what Manner to Proceed, &c. &c.
" This Opposition wholly unsuspected by the
Doctor with the great Attention of all present,
a little disconcerted him but he soon recovered
himself and began a Reply, when two or three
gent 1 of the Audience came to me & desired that
I would inform the Doctor, that if he proceeded
any farther, they would not be answerable for his
Safety I answered, that the Request was an
unreasonable one That I had been the only
Person present who had opposed him, that he
had a Right to be heard in Reply, and if they
disliked the Proposition they ought openly to
come forward & to give their Opinions
" The Doctor had not spoken twenty Minutes,
when I observed some persons whispering to
1 8 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
him He directly stopped Informed the Chair
man that he found that he was giving Offense,
and therefore he should say no more on the Sub
ject, but hoped that the Committees would return
to their respective Counties & consult their Con
stituents, without coming to any Determination
on the Subject To this I objected, urging the
Impropriety of breaking up without a Vote, as
in that Case the Opinion of the Meeting would
be variously reported in the different Counties
according to each Man s political Creed and the
People would by these Means be led astray
" The Doctor was a good deal out of Humour,
& contended warmly agt a Vote But a large
Majority of the Meeting insisted on a Vote, which
being taken, out of 36 Members there were but
3 or 4 who voted for the Doctor s Proposition,
the Rest rejecting it with great Warmth Thus
ended this first Attempt to try the Pulse of the
People of New Jersey on the Subject of Inde
pendence, and yet when advised by the Conti
nental Congress, no Part of the Union was more
hearty, than the State of New Jersey." 1
The following is the speech made by Mr.
Boudinot in the First Provincial Congress of
o
New Jersey:
" Under these circumstances the Committee
to whom this Department was committed were
assured that no common representation of the
People was equal to the necessity of our affairs
1 Reminiscences of E lias Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
SPEECH IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 19
and not knowing how soon such disorder and
confusion might reach this Province as would pre
vent even self defence, thought proper to recom
mend, and the good People of this Province have
approved the present Congress. Thus Mr. Chair
man we are met on the most important Business
that ever has been agitated in this Colony, every
man must feel himself unequal to the task. I
hope we are all come here, for the Purpose (not
of overturning or destroying our happy Constitu
tion as our Enemies absurdly assert) but of sup
porting, maintaining and building it up secure
agt all the attack of every Invader. Our Elder
Brethren forgetfull of their former affection have
treated us as Aliens and Enemies, but let us not
forget the happy Tye. Let us enter on this
Important Business under the Idea that we are
Christians, on whom the Eyes of the World are
now turned. Christians who profess to see the
unhappy Mistakes of those who would oppress
us. Let us in the first Place conscious of our
own weakness, and utter Inability to help defend
ourselves, humbly and penitently implore the Aid
of that Almighty God, whom we profess to Serve
let us earnestly call and beseech him for Christs
sake to preside in our Councills and to overrule
our determination for all the general Good.
" Let us not be elated with the prospect of suc
cess on the first dawn of the Contest, and thereby
be lead to behave to our Enemies in a manner
we should not wish them to behave to us were
20 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
they to get the upperhand. The fortune of war
is precarious, the race not being to the swift nor
the Battle to the Strong.
" As our Consultations must be on subjects
that I believe are strange to every Individual, let
us proceed with diffidence cautiously and deliber
ately. Let not the Expence of Time deter us
from exercising Patience, knowing how many
Thousands are affected by our determinations.
Let every one thoroughly understand every sub
ject and be well satisfied in his own Mind before
he determines and if a Matter is doubtfull let us
not rashly pursue it.
" Let us set out upon Principle and strictly ad
here to it, and we shall be most likely to keep on
the Path of Wisdom. Let Peace, harmony, and
Union be our great Pole Star and if it can be
obtained on any rational Terms whatever let us
pursue it with all our might, remembering that
the Lips of Wisdom have pronounced Blessed
is the Peace Maker for theirs is the Kingdom of
Heaven. Let every endeavour be used to pre
vent Effusion of human Blood, for which End
let all our preparations for a Case of necessity be
solely directed.
" Let us lay aside every selfish private view re
membering that we now represent a whole Colony
and indeed future Generations yet unborn. That
we are not our own but the publicks. That we
know no Man but as a Member of the great
whole.
TO OPEN THE MEETING WITH PRAYER. 21
" Having thrown out these general Hints, I
shall conclude, after recommending you to the
Grace of God and the influence of his Spirit, and
with making a Motion in the following words,
making no Apology for the length of Time I
have engaged the attention of this worthy Board,
than that from the necessity and Importance of
the Case, we should be glad of hearing every
Thing from the meanest Member, that we may on
the whole determine with Propriety and Judg
ment.
" In as much as the Business likely to engage
the attention and deliberation of the present Con
gress is of the utmost consequence to the good
People of this Colony ; for the successfull deter
mination whereof, we can only depend on the all
powerfull Influence of the Spirit of God, whose
divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Chris
tian People most devoutly to implore. Therefore
I move, that some Minister of the Gospel be re
quested to attend this Congress every morning
at o clock during the Sessions in order to
open the Meeting with Prayer humbly supplicat
ing Almighty God to preside over and direct
our Councills for the Accomplishment of Peace
Unanimity and Harmony between Great Britain
and these distressed Colonies, and to grant that
success to our publick affairs that will advance
the great designs of his Providence."
1 MS. indorsed, " Address to Provincial Congress at their first sitting."
(Pennsylvania Historical Society.)
22 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
It is amid such scenes that the figure of Elias
Boudinot comes naturally to view. Born on May
2, 1740, he grew up amid the discontents of the
colony and the threatening of the coming storm,
which, as we have seen, burst upon the devoted
country at a period of his life when he could give
the best of his years to her service.
His home training and his education were such
as to fit him for the duties that manifestly lay be
fore him. He had inherited from his Huguenot
o
ancestors that stern rectitude of character and
love of liberty for which they had suffered.
Following the natural laws of evolution, he is
found in the front rank of patriots. Possessing a
sound and vigorous mind, allied to a tender and
loving heart, resolute and firm in his convictions,
he never for a moment doubts the path of duty,
nor does he sacrilegiously lay his hand upon aught
of worth that time and custom had sanctioned.
With his brother patriots, he seeks every redress
from constituted authority within the limit of pos
sibility, and then, and only then, when all is in
vain, does he turn his back upon the past.
The blood that stirred in the veins of his an
cestor, the fourth Elias Boudinot in direct ascent
from himself, under the stringent and merciless
edicts of Louis XIV. of France, tingled in his
own at the recital of the wrongs inflicted upon his
countrymen in Boston. True to those instincts,
the heritage from the " persecuted for righteous
ness sake," he takes his stand not only for liberty,
but justice.
CHAPTER II.
Mr. Eoudinot s law studies. Dr. Cannon s recollections of the two
Boudinot brothers as related by Mr. Justice Bradley. Election of
Judge Elisha Boudinot. William Peartree Smith. Boudinot ances
tors. Elie Boudinot, the first in this country. One of the founders of
the French Church in New York. Protest to Lieutenant-Governor
Leisler. His lands in the Jerseys. Mr. Boudinot s marriage to
Hannah Stockton. Annis Boudinot, Mrs. Stockton. Pintards.
Annis Stockton conceals papers from the British. Her correspondence
with Washington. Elisha Boudinot. His marriages. William
Peartree Smith. Nathan Hale confined in Beekman House. Elisha
Boudinot s letters relating to early movements of the Revolution.
Commissary of Prisoners for New Jersey. Essex County Committee
of ladies. Eemale Charitable Society. Elisha Boudinot s house in
Newark.
MR. BOUDINOT studied law with his brother-in-
law, Richard Stockton, the signer of the Declara
tion of Independence, was licensed as counselor
and attorney at law on November 9, 1760, and
licensed as serjeant at law on September 1 1, 1770.
He had received a classical education, and the
honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred
upon him by Yale College in 1 790.
The late Mr. Justice Bradley, of the Supreme
Court of the United States, writes :
" Old Dr. Cannon, a professor in New Bruns
wick, tolcl me, that when he was a boy fourteen or
fifteen years old he was at school at Hackensack
and used to love to attend the court there, and
Dr. Peter Wilson, the principal of the Academy,
24 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
let him go to the court, and two brothers, lawyers,
elegant men, tall, handsome and every way pre
possessing, used to attend the court, coming from
Elizabethtown for that purpose ; Their names
were Boudinot, and whenever they spoke, crowds
were attracted to hear them, on account of the
elegance and eloquence of their speeches ; these
brothers were Elias and Elisha Boudinot. I wish
I could describe them as Dr. Cannon did ; For
many years no professional man stood so high in
Newark as Elisha Boudinot during the same
period; he was a Newark lawyer (from Elizabeth-
town first) of high reputation, a rigid Presby
terian and a strong Federalist, a supporter of the
Federal Constitution and of Washington, its rep
resentative champion. The Federalists of New
Jersey wishing to have him on the Bench, passed
a law making an additional Judge of the Supreme
Court, there were only three before, and elected
him as Judge. Before his term expired the Jef-
fersonians (or the mob) got the political power
and repealed the law, so that when his term ex
pired, there was no election to fill his place." 1
They, the two Boudinots, with William Pear-
tree Smith, whose daughter Elisha married on
October 14, 1778, were men peculiarly distin
guished by the British raiders, as witness the
family portraits hewn and gashed by the Hessians
in the visitation to their homes ; lucky substitutes
for the masters, whose absence saved their own
1 Letter to J. J. Boudinot.
ELIE BOUDINOT. 25
heads, for which rewards were offered by the
enemy.
The father of these brothers was Eli as Boudi-
not, who married, in Antigua, Catherine Williams ;
their grandfather Elias married Mary Catherine
Caree, a Huguenot, and their great-grandfather,
whose wife was Janice Berand, 1 came from Marans,
in the Province of Rochelle, France, in 1685, hav
ing been driven thence by the revocation of the
Edict of Nantes. He first went to London, where
he became naturalized by royal letters patent, as
he says in his will, executed in London, by Andre
Mincot, Notaire Royal : " Ayant ete constraint
d abandoner ma patrie pour eviter la continuelle
persecution qu on me fesoit pour la profession de
1 Evangile I retired en ce lieu avec ma femme et
nos enfans. Je recommende mon ame a la sainte
et glorieuse Trinite, &c., declarant que je veux
vivre et mourir en la creance et profession de la
religion reformee a laquelle j ai ete par la grace de
Dieu eleve."
In the will above referred to, he speaks of a
contract of marriage executed by Andre Mincot,
Notaire Royal, of London, and also of his son
Elie (Elias), " mon fils de mon premier marriage."
His first wife was Janice Berand, his second,
Susanne Papin ; there were three other children
registered in London, John, Peter, and Mary,
under date of 1686, or 2oth March, year of James
II., the name there spelled Boudinet.
From London the first Elias (or Elie) of this
1 See Jeanne Barreau, Genealogical Notes, Appendix,
26 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
country came to New York about the year 1687.
He was one of the founders of the French Church
in New York, and its first elder; he had also
been an elder in the Reformed Church at Marans.
He was able to bring only a part of his fortune
with him, leaving some of his possessions in
France. He, with Pieretz (Ecclesiae Gallicae
pastor) and Eudolphus Varick (pastor Ecclesiee
reliquas in insula longa), addressed to their Ma
jesties William and Mary a protest against the
cruel and oppressive acts of Lieutenant-Governor
Lcisler. 1
Though settled as a merchant in New York,
Elie Boudinot bought extensive lands in Bero-en
O C5
County, N. J. ; but the family did not become
residents of that State until about the epoch of
the Revolution.
Little is recorded of Mr. Boudinot s youth ; his
courtship of his "Eugenia" began at an early
age. When eighteen years old, in reply to a
letter from her, in which she appears to deprecate
her own standing as a Christian, and refers to
what must have been a somewhat unusually frank
and independent frame of mind for a young wo
man of her surroundings, he writes, urging that
" she press forward towards a heavenly goal,"
1 Rev. William Hall, from Protestant Exiles, by Rev. David C. Agnew,
London, 1871; Family Records and Wills: Correspondence with M.
Louis de Richemond, archiviste du departement correspondant du Minis-
tere Ilistoire, La Rochelle, France.
See History of the Huguenot Emigration to America, by Charles W.
I>aird, 1). I)., in which he refers to the title of Seigneur de Cressy as
belonging to Elie Boudinot.
MR. BOUDINOTS MARRIAGE. 27
and begs that she " will not let one who is but
mortal, and flesh and blood like herself, be a
means of drawing off her soul from the great
things of another world."
" I return you my most cordial acknowledgment
for your expressions of the thankful heart to the
Almighty God for me, oh that he would turn the
blessing on your own breast, with the addition of
his heavenly influence and make me worthy the
title you so lavishly bestow upon me." l
In 1761, he writes her of his disappointment,
hoping that their correspondence would by that
time have ceased, owing to a nearer connection ;
"yet, nevertheless, I live in great hopes that all
is for the best. The Lord reigneth, let the earth
rejoice ; knowing that neither death nor life, for
the present, nor things to come, can separate us
from the love of God, who has assured us that all
things work together for their good that fear his
holy name."
Mr. Boudinot married, April 21, 1762, Hannah
Stockton. Hannah and Elias, previous to their
marriage, addressed each other as Eugenia and
Narcissus, following a fashion which appears to
have been in vogue with lovers in those clays,
which, to our modern, practical, and workaday
minds, may seem somewhat stilted ; but we may
apply Mr. Boudinot s own words, when writing
to his only daughter later as to her conduct: " I
am too well acquainted with the human heart to
1 Family letters.
28 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
wish you entirely to change the manners of the
present day, or to appear altogether affectedly
singular. It will be most for your advancement,
as well as happiness, to take the world as you
find it, and endeavor to convert even the pre
judices of fashion and common life into such
proper channels, as to make them subservient to
your advancement in usefulness." ]
Hannah Stockton was the sister of Richard
Stockton, the patriot, "signer" from New Jersey,
who married Annis Boudinot, the sister of Elias
Boudinot; they, with the Pintards (who \vere also
descended from Elie Boudinot) and the Smiths,
formed a strong family alliance in favor of the
patriot cause ; and many services were rendered
and important information conveyed to the Coun
cils of the State and to the commander-in-chief,
through them.
Annis Boudinot, beautiful and gifted, was full
of courage and high spirit. It was after her
marriage to Richard Stockton, as the mistress
of Morven, that delightful colonial home of the
Stocktons, on the borders of Princeton, that her
presence of mind during the battle of Princeton
enabled her to secrete and save important state
papers, as well as those of the American Whig
Society of Princeton College, for which service
her name was placed upon its rolls as an honor
ary member. Loving verses and inspiriting odes
attest the quality of her heart and mind. Some
1 Family letters.
MRS. STOCKTON S VERSES TO WASHINGTON. 29
of these drew from Washington graceful and
e5 O
lively epistles. On the receipt of some verses on
the surrender of Cornwallis, he writes :
PHILADELPHIA, PA., July 22nd, 1782.
MADAM :
Your favour of the lyth, conveying to me your
pastoral on the subject of Lord Cornwallis cap
ture, has given me great satisfaction. Had you
known the pleasure it would have communicated,
I flatter myself your diffidence would not have
delayed it to this time. Amidst all the compli
ments which have been made me on this occasion,
be assured, madam, that the agreeable manner
and the very pleasing sentiments in which yours
is conveyed, have affected my mind with the most
lively sensations of joy and satisfaction.
This address from a person of your refined
taste and elegance, affords a pleasure beyond my
powers of utterance, and I have only to lament
that the hero of your pastoral, is not more de
serving of your pen, but the circumstance shall be
placed among the happiest events of my life.
I have the honor to be, madam, your most obe
dient and respectful servant.
Go. WASHINGTON. 1
The following she addressed to Washington
upon the announcement of the peace in 1783:
" With all thy country s blessings on thy head,
And all the glory that encircles man,
Thy deathless fame to distant nations spread,
And realms unblest by Freedom s genial plan j
1 Family letters.
30 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Addressed by statesmen, legislators, kings,
Revered by thousands as you pass along,
While every muse with ardour spreads her wings
To greet our hero in immortal song;
Say, can a woman s voice an audience gain,
And stop a moment thy triumphal car ?
And wilt thou listen to a peaceful strain,
Unskilled to paint the horrid wrack of war ?
For what is glory what are martial deeds
Unpurified at Virtue s awful shrine ?
Full oft remorse a glorious day succeeds,
The motive only stamps the deed divine.
But thy last legacy, renowned chief,
Hath decked thy brow with honours more sublime,
Twined in thy wreath the Christian s firm belief,
And nobly owned thy faith to future time." 1
We have not the letter in which she incloses
the ode, but he answers:
ROCKY HIT.L, Sept. 24th, 1783.
You apply to me, my dear madam, for absolu
tion, as though you had committed a crime, great
in itself, yet of the venial class. You have reason
good, for I find myself strangely disposed to be
a very indulgent ghostly adviser on this occasion,
and notwithstanding you are the most offending
soul alive (that is if it is a crime to write elegant
poetry,) yet if you will come and dine with me on
Thursday, and go through the proper course of
penitence which shall be prescribed, I will strive
hard to assist you in expiating these poetical
trespasses on this side purgatory. Nay, more, if
it rests with me to direct your future lucubrations,
I shall certainly urge you to a repetition of the
same conduct on purpose to show what an ad-
1 Family letters.
WASHINGTON S REPLY. 3 1
mirable knack you have at confession and refor
mation ; and so without more hesitation I shall
venture to recommend the muse not to be re
strained by ill-grounded timidity, but to go on
and prosper. You see, madam, when once the
woman has tempted us, and we have tasted the
forbidden fruit, there is no such thing as checking
our appetite, whatever the consequences may be.
You will, I dare say, recognize our being genuine
descendants of those who are reputed to be our
progenitors. Before I come to the more serious
conclusion of my letter, I must beg leave to
say a word or two about these fine things you
have been telling in such harmonious and beauti
ful numbers. Fiction is to be sure the very life
and soul of poetry. All poets and poetesses have
been indulged in the free and indisputable use of
it time out of mind, and to oblige you to make
such an excellent poem on such a subject without
any materials but those of simple reality would be
as cruel as the edict of Pharaoh, which compelled
the children of Israel to manufacture bricks with
out the necessary ingredients. Thus are you
sheltered under the authority of prescription, and
I will not dare to charge you with an inten
tional breach of the rules of the decalogue in
giving so bright a colouring to the services I have
been enabled to render my country, though I am
not conscious of deserving more at your hands
than what the purest and most disinterested
friendship has a right to claim ; actuated by which
32 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
you will permit me to thank you in the most
affectionate manner for the kind wishes you have
so happily expressed for me and the partner of
all my domestic enjoyments. Be assured we can
never forget our friend at Morven, and that I
am, my dear madam, with every sentiment of
friendship and esteem, your most obedient and
obliged servant.
GO. WASHINGTON. 1
Mrs. STOCKTON.
Mr. Elisha Boudinot, born January 2, 1749,
was nine years younger than his brother Elias :
between them there existed an unusually strong
attachment, and the younger studied law with the
elder.
Elisha was licensed as counselor at law on No
vember 17, 1 773, and as Serjeant at law November
iof 1792.
His first wife was the daughter of William
o
Peartree Smith, grandson of William Peartree,
mayor of New York, 1 703-1 7O7. 2
Mr. Smith, with his friends, Governor Living
ston and the Boudinots, removed from New York
to Elizabethtown at the same time. He gradu
ated at Yale College in 1742, studied law, but,
being possessed of an ample fortune, did not prac
tice. He was an ardent patriot, and employed
his pen as the advocate of his country s cause.
Articles of his appeared in the " Independent
1 Family letters and papers.
2 Martha Lamb s History of New York.
COMMISSARY OF PRISONERS FOR NEW JERSEY. 33
Reflector," of New York, from 1752 to 1753 and
1754. He was mayor of the borough of Eliza-
bethtown for several years, a member of the Com
mittee of Safety, deputy to the Colonial Congress,
and after the Revolution one of the judges of the
Court of Common Pleas for the county of Essex.
Mr. Elisha Boudinot s second wife was Rachel
Bradford, sister of Washington s attorney-gen
eral, a woman noted for her intellectual endow
ments, and correspondence with many of the great
men of the age, both in America and Europe. His
third wife was Catherine Beekman, daughter of
James Beekman, Esq., of New York. It was in
her father s house, then in possession of the Brit
ish, that the young patriot, Nathan Hale, was
confined and tried by court-martial and sentenced
to be hanged.
Elisha Boudinot s strong personality has left
its impress upon the times. In various public
and official documents we find the records of this
younger member of the family circle. Some of
these carry us back to the opening scenes of the
revolutionary struggle in New Jersey. He was
elected commissary of prisoners for that State by
joint meeting, December 12, 1778. The similarity
in the names of the two brothers and the offices
they held might lead to some confusion, unless
the reader is reminded that Elias Boudinot was
commissary-general of prisoners, while his bro
ther Elisha was commissary of prisoners for the
State of New Jersey only. The latter was also
34 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
one of the Committee of Correspondence for the
township of Newark in May, 1775. On August
4, we find him acting with Lewis Ogden and
William Burnet as a special committee, writing
to Captain Ross, commander of a company of
riflemen, approving of his conduct, as follows : -
TO CAPTAIN ROSS, COMMANDER OF A COMPANY OF RIFLE
MEN.
August 4th, 1775.
SIR:
We the Subscribers being members of the
special Committee for the Township of New-Ark,
County of Essex & Province of New Jersey hav
ing carefully examined James Campbell are of
opinion from the Inconsistency of his Story, and
his refusing to <nve us satisfaction as to his Con-
O c5
nections or Business and from his Behaviour at
Philadelphia and in this Province towards your
Company, that you acted very Right, and in the
Line of your Duty in confining the said Camp
bell, as he might have given Information to the
Man of War, of your Rout, which would have
been attended with bad Consequences, and do
advise you to take him with you into New Eng
land, where you can leave him with some Com
mittee who will be able to take Charge of him
otherwise to carry him on to the Camp.
We are Your H ble Servts
LEWIS OGDEN
WM. BURNET
ELISHA BOUDINOT
August 4th 1775
TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON. 35
To Capt. Ross Commander
of a Company of Riflemen.
(Endorsed) Examination of JAMES
CAMPBELL at Newark
Newark Augt. 4, 1775
from ELIAS BOUDINOT
& others
to Capt. Ross. 1
REV. ALEXANDER MCWHORTER AND MR. ELISHA BOUDI
NOT TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON.
NEWARK April 26, 1777
May it please your Excellency: The unhappy
situation of this town being so contiguous to the
enemy, who threaten us daily with an invasion,
renders it absolutely necessary that the militia of
this place should be put on a more respectable
footing and officered with gentlemen whose tried
fidelity in a time of distress entitles them to the
confidence of their country. A number of the
inhabitants have agreed to recommend as officers
the persons mentioned in the enclosed petition to
your Excellency. And as some particular rea
sons render it absolutely necessary that no time
should be lost in having proper officers appointed,
we have sent Mr. Banks as an express. He is a
person who is capable of giving a true represen
tation of the state of the town and who may be
depended on. If your Excellency and the council
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, Letters to Wash
ington, vol. vi. p. 122.
A clerical error in the indorsement of this letter as from Elias instead
of Elisha Boudinot in index of Department of State, Washington.
36 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
should approve of the gentlemen recommended,
we beg Mr. Banks may be dispatched with the
commissions immediately.
We have the honor to be your Excellency s
ob t and
humble servants
A. McWHORTER
ELISHA BOUDINOT 1
Governor LIVINGSTON
MR. JOSEPH HEDDEN, JR., TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON.
NEWARK June 2ist 1777
SIR :
I take this opportunity by a light horse sent by
Mayor Hayes, to transmit to your Excellency the
names of the women that have their husbands at
New York or Bergen, with the enemy. Nothing
new in this town since I saw your Excellency. I
am daily applied to by some of the inhabitants
of this place to nominate some fit person to act
as deputy Surrogate. There are a number of
wills to be proved, and letters of administration
granted and no person in this county qualified to
act in that office. If your Excellency would please
to appoint Elisha Boudinot Esqr. to that office
it would greatly oblige a number of the inhabitants
of this town. There yesterday came to this town
one Caleb Bruen, who was taken prisoner about
eight weeks ago by the enemy, at or near Par-
amus. I suppose he is sent by Mr. Brown and
1 From correspondence of the executive of New Jersey, Revolutiotiary
Correspondence, p. 58.
ELISHA BOUDINOTS MILITARY APPOINTMENT. 37
Mr. Isaac Ogden to get intelligence. He is to
return back to New York in three or four days,
and shows a pass from Gen. Pigot to come to
Newark and return to New York. If your Ex
cellency thinks proper said Bruen should be per
mitted to return to New York, please to inform
me by the bearer.
I am your Excellency s most ob t and h e
servant
Jos. HEDDEN JR. 1
His Excellency Gov. LIVINGSTON
MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON.
NEWARK Oct. pth, 1777.
SIR
I received your favor yesterday relative to the
appointment with which your Excellency and the
Committee of Safety have honored me. The in
adequate salary would not have been the obstacle
against my accepting the office, as during the
present distress of my country, I would freely de
vote my time to its service, and I should have
immediately set out for Bordentown on the recep
tion of your letter, had I not previous to this,
received an office in the military department. I
am in hopes, however, to get liberty to act as
secretary for the short time you will set, which I
suppose will be no longer than the meeting of the
Legislature.
I shall be able to determine this on Monday,
which if it is according to my wishes, I will set
1 New Jersey Revolutionary Correspondence, p. 72.
38 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
out on Tuesday. If it should be otherwise,
must beg your Excellency and the Committee of
Safety to accept of my thanks for the polite offer
and to be assured that it is with the greatest re
luctance, if I am obliged to decline the appoint
ment.
I have the honor to be your Excellency s
most ob t
and humble serv t.,
ELISHA BOUDINOT
His Excellency Gov. LIVINGSTON l
MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT TO COLONEL ALEXANDER
HAMILTON.
HEAD QUARTERS
29th Aug. 1778.
Saturday Morg 5 Oo
The person mentioned to you came over last
night and informs me that Gen 1 Clinton with his
whole Army has set off for Rhode Island. They
are gone up the Sound and across the East end
of Long Island there are only a small guard
left in the City not a canoe is suffered to pass
up the East River least it should be known, they
moved with the utmost secrecy as it might be,
you have not heard of this movement I send this
by express
I am, with esteme
Yours as ever
ELISHA BouDiNOT. 2
The " New Jersey Journal " has in its issue of
July 5, 1780, the following:
1 Selections from New Jersey Revolutionary Correspondence, p. 105.
2 Family papers.
ESSEX COUNTY LADIES. 39
" On July 4th Mrs. Josiah Hornblower was
designated with Mrs. Governor Livingston, and
Mrs. Elisha Boudinot and Mrs. William Burnet
as a committee of Essex County ladies with others
equally prominent throughout the State to receive
subscriptions for the succor of the country s de
fenders in the field."
At the present writing there still exists in
active operation a society of ladies for aiding the
poor of Newark, known as the " Female Charitable
Society," which had its origin in Mrs. Boudinot s
parlor. It is largely carried on by the descendants
of the ladies there assembled ; and the seed there
sown has grown into a most flourishing tree, as
shown by the fine building dedicated to the work
of " helping the poor to help themselves," with
its kindergarten, cooking, sewing, and industrial
schools, supplemented by mothers meetings, and
a children s refuge.
Judge Elisha Boudinot s house is still standing
in the centre of Park Place ; its ample rooms, and
dining-room fifty feet long, testifying to its old-
time hospitality ; but the spacious garden, which
covered the entire block, has given place to mod
ern encroachment.
CHAPTER III.
Respecting prisoners captured by the British. General Washington
requests Mr. Boudinot to accept a commission as commissary-general
of prisoners. Resolution of Congress granting the same. Exertions
of Mr. Boudinot to obtain supplies for prisoners. Supplies funds.
General Washington tells him he will share losses. Resolves of Con
gress to issue warrants in favor of Elias Boudinot for sums borrowed
of him. Mr. Loring to General Washington, on distress of prisoners
in New York, April 24, 1777. Mr. Boudinot to Richard Peters, Esq.,
regarding prisoners. Enemy retreating to Brunswick. Mr. Boudinot
to Governor Livingston, informing him of the movement of the army.
Harassing British army in retreat. Surprise of General Lincoln at
Bound Brook. Commissary Loring to Mr. Boudinot. 4th July.
Removal of family from Elizabethtown to Baskingridge. Daughter
Susan : anecdotes relating to her childhood. Mr. Boudinot from
camp near New Windsor to Mrs. Boudinot. Washington watching
the enemy, undecided as to their destination. Mr. Boudinot to Mrs.
Boudinot from Philadelphia, September 12. Battle of Brandywine.
To Mrs. Boudinot from headquarters at Gennantown, September 4.
From camp near Schuylkill, September 23. Same day Potts Grove.
The enemy on the move up Schuylkill. Mr. Jeremiah Wadsworth to
Mr. Boudinot.
THE papers and letters which follow from Elias
Boudinot carry us with him from his seat in the
Provincial Congress to the camps and into the
path of the army. We see him filled with anxi
eties for his country and with tender solicitude
for his family, while exposed to the rigors of
Valley Forge, and endeavoring to fill up gaps in
the public purse by drafts upon his own pocket,
to feed, clothe, and shelter his needy prisoners.
In the discharge of his duties as commissary-
ROUTE OF THE COMMISSARY GENERAL ELIAS BOUDINOT
7777-7775
OFFICE OF COMMISSARY OF PRISONERS. 41
general of prisoners and conducting the intelli
gence of the army doubtless began that respect,
esteem, and affection for the great leader which
he possessed in such a high degree.
Up to this time our prisoners captured by the
British had been treated merely as rebels, and suf
fered great cruelty at their hands, until retaliation
and the remonstrance of the commander-in-chief
induced a change.
" No commissary of prisoners having been ap
pointed, they had been turned over to the different
states and committees ; and it became necessary to
search out and collect them, in order to their ex
change. Great delays were unavoidably produced
by this state of things, and the suffering Ameri
cans were taught to impute the continuance of
their captivity to their own general. In addition
to this, it not infrequently happened that the Brit
ish prisoners were sent in without the knowledge
of General Washington, and in some cases they
passed unobserved, with permits from the state
authority, through his camp, directly into that of
the enemy." 1
Orders and resolutions of Congress respecting
the exchange and treatment of prisoners compli
cated matters still further. Many of our prisoners,
too, were so enfeebled by hardship that they died
when sent out for the purpose of being exchanged,
and Washington refused a return for these.
Sir William Howe refused to permit a resident
1 Marshall s Life of Washington, note on p. 26.
42 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
agent in New York for supplying our prisoners;
these facts, with the exchange of General Lee
and Ethan Allen, brought about angry discussion
and delay. The office and the officer were alike
new and untried; everything in the department
had to be defined and regulated, abuses suppressed,
and law and order established.
Mr. Boudinot writes :
"In the spring of 1777 General Washington
wrote me a letter dated Morristown April ist,
1777, requesting me to accept a commission as
commissary-General of Prisoners in the Army of
America. I waited on him and politely declined
the task, urging the wants of the Prisoners and
having nothing to supply them : He very kindly
objected to the conduct of gentlemen of the coun
try refusing to join him in his arduous Struggle.
That he had nothing in view but the salvation
of his Country, but it was impossible for him to
accomplish it alone : That if men of character and
influence would not come forward and join him
in his exertions, all would be lost Affected by
this address and Supposing that I could be of
some service to the Prisoners and at the same
time have an eye on the military Power and pre
vent its encroachments on the Civil authority, I
consented to accept the Commission, on the Gen
eral s assurance that I should be supplied by the
secret Committee of Congress with hard money
for the relief of Prisoners and that I should only
COMMISSION. 43
be subject to his orders, in the conduct of my
department." 1
With his kind heart and benevolent disposition,
he doubtless feared to witness distress which he
could not relieve. He enters, however, almost
immediately upon the duties of the office.
On June 6, 1777, Congress resolved:
" That a commission be granted to Elias Bou-
dinot Esq r as Commissary General of Prisoners,
the said commission to be dated the 15 clay of
May last and Mr. Boudinot to be allowed the pay
and rations of a colonel. That Elias Boudinot
be empowered to appoint two Deputy Commis
sioners of Prisoners the said Deputies to be al
lowed the pay and rations of Majors" -and on
June 23 d " Resolved that Elias Boudinot Esq r
Commissary Genl of Prisoners have power to
appoint three Deputies under him in addition to
those he heretofore was authorized to appoint.
" Further resolved that the Commissary of Pris
oners be empowered to make such contracts on
behalf of the United States of America and to
make such reasonable alterations from the direc
tions of the board of War as he may find neces
sary to obtain an equitable bargain for the mutual
supply of Prisoners."
Mr. Boudinot writes :
" Soon after I had entered my Department, the
Applications of the Prisoners were so numerous
1 Reminiscences, Elias Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
2 Journal of Congress.
44 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
and their distress was so urgent, that I exerted
every Nerve to obtain Supplies but in Vain
Excepting ^"600 I had received from the Secret
Committee on Bills Of Exchange at my first
Entrance into the Office I could not by any
Means get a Farthing more, except in Conti
nental Money, which was of no Avail in New
York I applied to the General describing my
delicate Situation and the continual Application
of the Officers, painting their extreme Distress
and urging the Assurance they had rec d that on
my Appointment, I was to be furnished with ade
quate Means for their full Relief- - The General
appeared greatly distressed and assured me that
it was out of his Power to afford me any Supplies
- I proposed drawing Cloathing from the public
stores, but to this he objected as not having any
thing like a sufficient Supply for the Army He
urged my considering & adopting the best Means
in my Power to satisfy the Necessities of the Pris
oners & he would confirm them I told him I
knew of no Means in my Power but to take \vhat
Monies I had of my own & to borrow from my
Friends in New York, to accomplish the desirable
Purpose He greatly encouraged me to the At
tempt, promising me that if I finally met with
any Loss, he would divide it with Me On this
I began to afford them some Supplies of Pro
visions over & above what the Enemy afforded
them, which was very small & very indifferent." 1
1 Reminiscences, Elias Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
LOAN OFFICE CERTIFICATES. 45
On December 20, 1777, Congress resolved :-
" That the following warrants be drawn on
Thomas Smith, Commissioner of the Loan Office
of the State of Pennsylvania, viz: one in favor of
Elias Boudinot for 5000 dollars to be paid in
loan-office certificates bearing date the 2ist of
May last being in discharge of so much borrowed
of him at that time by William Palfrey pay-master
General "
"One in favour of Elias Boudinot for 1200
dollars to be dated the 7th of July last being in
discharge of so much borrowed of him at that
time by W. Palfrey Pay-master General." 1
Again on March 18, 1778, for the sum of
$25,000 sums of far greater value than the like
amount in the present day, calling for great sacri
fice on the part of the lender ; thus drawing from
his own private revenue, and being at times com
pelled to beg from one to another, to supply the
wants of the starving and shoeless soldiers as well
as to abandon a lucrative and congenial profession
and the comforts of home, to follow the army and
endure the discomforts and dangers of camp life.
Mr. Joshua Loring, British commissary-general
of prisoners writes to General Washington : -
NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS April 24 1777.
SIR
I am directed by his Excellency Sir William
Howe to inform you, that your Prisoners here
1 Reports of the Board of Treasury, MSS. Archives, Department of
State, Washington.
46 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
are in the greatest Distress for want of cloathing >
The sick in the Hospitals are particularly in
Want of this Article, so essential to their Health ;
To guard against the sufferings which the Pris
oners lately in our hands underwent for want of
cloathing and of the other necessaries which they
had a Right to expect from their friends and to
prevent the unjust Interpretations which have
been thrown out with Regard to their Sufferings,
His Excellency has thought proper to have this
early information conveyed to you, that you may
take such steps as you shall judge necessary for
their immediate supply.
I am likewise to inform you that the General
has no objection to your employing Mr. Pintard
or any other Person in furnishing your Prisoners
with Provision, or any other necessary articles you
may be desirous of sending in to them.
I am Sir with due Respect
your most obedient and
most Humble Servant
Jos A LORING
Commissary for Prisoners. 1
General WASHINGTON, &c.
MR. BOUDINOT TO RICHARD PETERS, ESQ.
CAMP MIDDLE BROOK, June 20 1777
SIR,
Give me leave to trouble you with a state of
our unhappy Prisoners with the Enemy on Long
Island & New York, as I cannot doubt but the
1 Family papers.
LETTER TO BOARD OF WAR. 47
Board of War will exert themselves & have some
thing done for those brave men, after such a scene
of suffering as they have gone thro
The last evening, an officer from that Island,
who has broke his Parole, called upon me, and
gave me such a history of their treatment as made
my Heart ake.
He assures me that most of them are without
Cloathes, food or Friends Daily insulted with
being deserted by their General, the Congress and
all those who have first brought them into the
scrape, and afterwards totally neglected them
at the same time tempted with the fairest Pros
pects, upon their Submission & joining the Kings
Troops
He assures me that but a Short time since, he
saw Col. Miles, that brave officer, almost in rags ;
and that a Lieut Col has been seen taking care of
a British officers Horse.
Upon this Gentleman (my informant) being
ordered to return to his Parole on Long Island (by
his Excellency Gen 1 Washington) he assured me
that he would prefer being shot to returning to
the Enemy I have been trying for two months
to get a few Cloathes for these poor fellows, hav
ing had the Generals Warrant for 100 suits but
have not yet been able to accomplish it, altho
when at Philadelphia, I saw them began to be
counted out, but have not heard any thing of them
since.
The Bills of Exchange lately sent, did but trifle
48 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
with their wants, as the sum was not equal to one
Eighth of their arrears for Board The secret
Committee promised a farther sum in Specie,
which I assured them they might depend upon,
but it has not yet appeared.
How far the Information above mentioned may
be depended upon as to the particulars, I will not
take upon me to say ; but I have not the least
doubt, from the concurrent Testimony of all that
have come out since I have been in the service,
added to their appearance, but that their Situation
is truly deplorable, and deserves much greater
attention from Congress than has been yet given
to them
As for my own part, it would give me pleasure
to do anything in my power to relieve them
From the best Information I can get, it will take
100 suits of officers Cloathes & 200 suits of
soldiers to satisfy the most needy
Since writing the above, I have been called
off & distressed with the enclosed Examination.
The Examinant is still in the Enemys power,
being only on his Parole for five days, therefore
a necessity of keeping his Name secret -
Enclosed you have also a Letter, as it came in
from the Enemys Lines, with two others
I am with great respect
Sir
Your very HuWe Servt
ELIAS BOUDINOT
Commissary Gen of Prisoners.
RICHARD PETERS, Esq.
FOLLOWING THE ENEMY. 49
The Enemy have retreated with Precipitation
to Brunswick, and we are informed are pushing
for New York June 20, 1777.
No. 191, Letter from E. BOUDINOT,
C. G. of Prisoners,
dated Camp Middle Brook,
June 20, 1777.1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY, WILLIAM LIVING
STON.
QUIBBLE TOWN, June 25, 1777.
DEAR SIR:
Having obtained a moment of Leisure in the
general movement, I improve it to inform you,
that the General being informed on last Saturday
afternoon, that the enemy intended leaving Bruns
wick that night, he ordered out proper detach
ments to endeavor to harass them in their retreat.
Our troops did not appear till day light, when
General Howe with the rear, consisting of about
4000 men immediately left the Town. Coll.
Morgan came up with a detachment of about
1500 men, and not knowing their number, at
tacked them with a small party of 150 men.
This attack made with chosen men, was at the
mean distance of about 20 yds., so that every shot
took place. We are well assured that their loss
is the greatest part of 500 men. Our men
finally came off with the loss of 6 or 8 killed
and wounded. The enemy are now encamped on
Strawberry Hill in Woodbridge. The chief part
of our army is here, two or three Brigades being
1 Washington Letters, No. 78, vol. ii. B, p. 337, Department of State,
Washington, D. C.
5<D ELIAS BOUDINOT.
near Woodbridge, The whole army are in high
spirits and the better opinion is, that the enemy
are leaving this Province.
Am dear Sir your very humble servt.
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
P. S. Brunswick is almost entirely destroyed,
it looks more like a collection of gaols than dwell
ing houses. 1
Jlis Excellency WM. LIVINGSTON, Esq.
Morris Town
Mr. Boudinot writes :
"In 1777 Gen 1 Lincoln was surprised just at
the dawn of Day in his Quarters at Bound Brook,
by Lord Corn wallis who had marched from Bruns
wick, passed his out Sentinels, captured or de
stroyed his main Guard, and was at the Gen p s
Quarters before he knew anything of it He
had but just time to escape out of a back Door
Several Men were killed and one or Two pieces
of Ordinance taken It was sometime a Mys
tery how this had been effected with so much
Secrecy till I was well informed by a Gent 1 of
Note who was with the Enemy at Brunswick, that
a certain Farmer whose name he mentioned and
who lived in the Midst of our Camp, had com
municated to Lord Cornwallis our Countersign
by which he had accomplished his Intentions
My Spirit was very much roused agt this Traitor ;
and with great Zeal I went to Genl Washington
with the Information, stating the Substance of it,
1 Sparks MSS., Harvard College Library.
A SPY IN CAMP. 51
but keeping back the Name of my Informant, as
he had assured me his Life depended on my Pru
dence & faithfulness to him I urged the Genl
Orders to seize the Culprit without Delay &
make an Example of him. The Gen 1 did not
immediately answer me He then said did you
not tell me that the Life of your Informant de
pended on your Secrecy - - Would you take up a
citizen and confine him without letting him know
his Crime & his Accuser No Let him alone
for the Present, watch him carefully, and if you
can catch him in any other Crime, so as to con
front him by Witnesses w r e will then punish him
severely My Mortification was very great, to
think, that I who had entered the Army to watch
the Military & to preserve the Civil Rights of my
Fellow Citizens, should be so reproved by a mili
tary Man, who was so interested in having acted
otherwise I rec d it as a severe Lecture on my
own Imprudence." 1
Washington s postscript, dated April 13, to
his letter of April 12, dated "Headquarters,
Morris Town," addressed to the President of
Congress (John Hancock) is:
"i 3th. I have this moment rec d a line from
Gen 1 Lincoln informing me that the Enemy at
tempted to Surprize him early this morning at his
post at Bound Brook, but he made good his re
treat to the pass of the Mountains Justin his rear,
with trifling loss." 2
1 Ellas Boudinot, Reminiscences, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
2 Letters of Presidents, Department of State, Washington, D. C.
52 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Mr. Boudinot s solicitations and peremptory
demands on behalf of our prisoners in the hands
of the enemy appear to have aroused the ire
of the British commissioner. Declining to " write
briefs" to the lawyer commissary on our side, he
is betrayed into a lengthy scold, as follows :
MR. LORING TO MR. BOUDINOT.
NEW YORK 4th July 1777.
SIR
When I acquainted General Washington of the
Desertion of a number of his Officers I made no
comments of my own on the Subject, but just
stated the Facts : It appears to me that had you
been pleased to observe a like conduct, it would
have enabled us to have transacted our Business
with Propriety and would have put it in our
Power to have relieved the Distress of numbers of
unhappy Prisoners. I am not disposed to write
Briefs. The chief Business between you and me
is but lost in those unnecessary altercations in
which you wish to engage me. They are foreign
at least to the Purport of my Commission, until
you are pleased simply to propose the matters
that may concern my Department, I can see no
good that can accrue from our correspondence.
As to your absolute Requisition of Col Luce I
can only answer that I have made every Inquiry
and cannot find that he has or ever had any Com
mission in our Service Cap McKoy and the
other gentlemen you mention were then in the
TEA AT GOVERNOR FRANKLINS. 53
Canadian Army and I consequently am ignorant
of their conduct. I am
Your most humble Servant
Jos A LORING
Commissary for Pris 1 ". 1
ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq r
Mr. Boudinot now had his family removed, for
greater security, from their home in Elizabeth-
town to an estate he had purchased near Basking-
ridge, situated among the Somerset hills of New
Jersey, near which tradition points out the house
in which General Charles Lee was captured,
The distance from Washington s headquarters at
Morristown being eight miles, Mrs. Washington
was often their smest. His little daughter would
_> o
repeat in her old age the amusing incident of her
terror at the target practice of the recruits, and
how she at first took them for the invading foe;
taking flight one day from her attendant with
whom she was walking, she flew home as fast as
her heels could carry her, dashing in at the front
door, and crying, " The British are coming ! the
British are coming ! " Mrs. Washington, at the
moment descending the stairs, caught her in her
C5 O
arms, and, reassuring her, explained the situation.
It was this young girl, when nine years of age,
having a cup of tea pressed upon her while visit
ing at Governor Franklin s, proclaimed her rebel
principles by only raising the cup to her lips, and
1 Family papers.
54 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
then, suddenly crossing the room, throwing the
contents from the window. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
Camp 10 Miles from NEW WINDSOR.
July 22d 1777
MY DEAREST WIFE
Having a leisure hour for the first Time I can
not please myself so well or use it better than by
conversing with the dear object of my warmest
and most tender affections. We owe more to
our gracious God than we can easily conceive for
the numerous Indulgences of his Providence and
amoung the rest the ability of conveying our ideas,
our wants, wishes, enjoyments and indeed every
sentiment of the soul on Paper to those we love
and thereby anticipate the evil of distance and
separation, is not the least.
We are now advanced near to the North River
but are halted on beinc; convinced that the En-
C5
emy have not yet discovered the Place of their
Destination by any movement they have yet
made. The General lately rec d letters from
Elizabeth Town and from my Brother 2 which
assure him that there has not been any move
ment amoung the shipping, especially up the East
River so that he is at a loss to know which
way to steer his course ; this is the reason of the
present stop, altho I repeat, it will not last longer
than this day - - I must confess that I do not
enjoy my present wandering life with any degree
1 Told by herself to the writer. 2 Elisha Boudinot.
LOSS OF DOMESTIC HAPPINESS. 55
of relish but what arises from a conviction of its
not only being duty but the Path marked out by
divine Providence. To leave the centre of my
earthly Happiness, the objects of every affection,
ate connection, all the sweets of domestic felicity
and Peace which was enjoyed in a higher degree
by very few of the happiest Sons of Mortality,
added to the loss of the many religious advan
tages I am blessed with and which increased and
hightened every other favour, I say, to leave these,
only real blessings of life, for the boisterous noisy,
fatiguing unnatural and disrelishing state of War
and slaughter, without enjoyment, Satisfaction,
Ease, requires some Philosophy to think on with
Pleasure, or suffer with Patience.
Whenever I have an opportunity of thinking,
my dear family in every degree engage more of
my Meditations, and could I reconcile it with
my duty and their Welfare, in which I include
the obligations I owe to my Country, I should
not hesitate to indulge my eager desires by add
ing to their number and solacing myself with
domestic enjoyments and the softening inter
course of Friendship -- But alas! it has become
necessary to check even these innocent and sweet
est desires and lono;ino;s of the human Heart, for
o o
God and my country calls to a different exercise
of my talents and forbid every tender feeling that
will lead to the least repining at the inscrutable
and surprising dealings of his Providence whose
ways are past finding out --This I know to be
56 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
duty, yet I am still but a poor frail mortal and
cannot at times help looking back to the Leaks
and Onions of Egypt. My dearest wife will be
uppermost in my thoughts as she is in my affec
tions and could I but now and then fly to her
embraces for a moment, the intervals of Bustle,
Hurry and fatigue would be happily seasoned
by such a Mercy. However, my hope is in that
kind and watchful Providence which has so often
disappointed our fears and exceeded our highest
expectations. To him, we have the highest en
couragement to look, on whom we cannot but
depend without the most horrid act of Ingrati
tude. To him therefore I now cordially commit
my beloved wife and only Daughter a dear Family
and affectionate friends. I have no news to com
municate but the taking of a 32 gun Frigate by
Cap 1 Mealy and Mr. Noel. They immediately
manned her at sea and sent her on a cruise. Mr.
Noel is come on to report, and brought in a
Jamaicaman with 400 Hhds of sugar. We also
learn that the Ticonderoga affair is not half so
bad as at first represented, and that the evacua
tion was directed by prudence and necessity, in
their retreat ; our People cut to powder the gth
Regiment British troops and that the whole coun
try is in motion.
My kind love to Susan, Molly and the family.
Remember me to Polly and the little ones. If
Elisha is with you, give my love to him and to all
friends and neighbors. I rec d your letter of last
BATTLE OF THE BRANDYWINE. 57
week which gave me most sensible pleasure. I
am with the tenderest affection and real esteem
Your constant
BOUDINOT. 1
Mrs. BOUDINOT,
Baskin ridge.
The following was written the day after the
battle of the Brandywine.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 12, 1777.
MY BELOVED WIFE,
Hard as it is for me to write, I must improve
this opportunity to thank you for your kind letters
which have given me much consolation under
every difficulty. All that you have done is right
and gives me much Pleasure. You will see by
the enclosed, my Situation at this date, as my
fever and pain in my head did not abate.
I came to this Town yesterday, scarcely had I
arrived when the thunder of cannon proclaimed
a battle near Wilmington. An express soon ar
rived which informed us of a general engagement
which lasted till 5 o clock in the Afternoon, from
eight in the morning and much in our favour, but
alas the fate of the Day then turned against us,
and our Army was worsted and obliged to leave
the Field, and retreat to Chester.
The enemy have suffered greatly some say be
tween 2 and 3 thousand, our loss about 1000.
1 Family letters.
58 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
Our troops have rallied at Chester and the
enemy have not thought proper to move for
wards.
As our Army are still in high spirits, we hope
for the best, amidst the gloom.
God s will be done. As you may expect, all is
confusion here.
I am so engaged in sending off the prisoners,
that I forget my misfortune.
A Moment is now very precious, therefore even
my dearest Wife and Daughter must put up with
being denied more than is absolutely necessary,
but must beg you will think of every thing that
is loving tender and affectionate, and be assured
that and more would naturally flow from the Pen
of the most Affectionate husband to the dearest,
the tenderest connections.
You may depend, on the first intelligence, if
anything decisive happens to day, as I expect the
fate of this City will be determined within 48
hours, but remember that no News will be good
News.
Am as always,
My dearest wife and daughter,
Yours Most Sincerely
E. B.
Thank Susan for her letter.
It was said that Fitzgerald and Col. Pickering
were among the slain, but they are both well. 1
Mrs. BOUDINOT.
1 Family letters.
FROM HEADQUARTERS. 59
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
GERMAN TOWN HEAD QUARTERS Sept i4th 1777.
By an Express just going off, can but only say
we are this moment moving again, I hope, for the
field of Battle, which I expect will come on tomor
row.
I am getting better. The news of the enemy s
landing in Jersey, made me write you and deter
mine to send W m off with 2 horses and a waggon
to your assistance but from the improbability of
their coming through Baskinridge and Gen 1 Mc-
Dougal being on his way from Peekskill with
1500 men, I have yet detained him until further
intelligence, as I shall be so badly off without
him my kind love to all Mr. Rapelque prom
ised me, if there should be any danger, to go for
you with his waggon if you should be uneasy
send an express to me or hire waggons at any
expense and push for Mr. Rapelque s.
I am Your Most Affectionate
E. B. 1
Poor Mrs. Burnet how I pity her.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
CAMP NEAR SCHUYLKILL, Sept 2jd 1777 9 Oc P. M.
35 Miles from Phila.
MY DEAREST WIFE,
I wrote you this morning which I enclose but
as our affairs have much changed since, I em
brace another opportunity to acquaint you with
1 Family letters.
6O ELIAS BOUDINOT.
them For Reasons best known to our Councils
of War, which are many and long, the Enemy
have been allowed to pass the Schuylkill unop
posed and have marched directly down to the city,
where they will arrive this Evening or tomorrow
Morning. What the issue is to be is known only
to Him who knows all things. Whether we are to
o
attack them when all our Troops come up, which
are many, as we hear reinforcements are com
ing in from all quarters, I know not I confess
things have a gloomy aspect but I am constrained
to hope for the best God rules and will even yet
do his Will, which is all my hope and all my
desire.
I long, earnestly long to hear from you which I
have not done for a long time I have wrote
several long Letters of business to night (tho at a
miserable Hovel being a high Dutch country
House) and it has been almost too much for my
arm and shoulder.
Kind love to my Susan and Family
Dearest love with great affection
Yours sincerely
BOUDINOT. 1
Mrs. BOUDINOT
Baskinridge.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
POTTS GROVE Sept 23d 1777.
MY DEAREST WIFE
An opportunity offering, I embrace it (altho I
have no important news) if it is only to let you
1 Family letters.
CHANGE OF POST. 6 1
see I am anxious you should know of my health
and safety on every occasion. I sent a Letter
yesterday by the way of Trenton, since which,
nothing new has happened, except changing our
Post a few miles to the Northward of this place.
The Enemy are on the move up Schuylkill from
Philadelphia instead of going to it. On Saturday
evening Genl Waynes Division on the West side
of Schuylkill was attempted to be surprised by a
superior number of the enemy, by getting infor
mation of it in time, he retired with his Division,
except two Regiments with whom he received the
Enemy with one fire and then rushed on with
fixed Bayonets. The loss on each Side was nearly
equal about 25 or 30 men being killed, we lost a
few Prisoners but disconcerted their plans The
Indians I informed you had arrived in my last, are
not yet come up We expect a very large rein
forcement from Virginia in 3 or 4 days
Love to D r Family and friends from whom I
long to hear. I would write to Elisha and Susan,
but it is almost impossible as I am almost contin
ually on horse back and the most of our move
ments are in the night
I am with the greatest Affection
My dearest Wife
Yours Faithfully
BOUDINOT. 1
Mrs BOUDINOT.
1 Family letters.
62 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
MR. JEREMIAH WADSWORTH TO MR. BOUDINOT.
HARTFORD, Novr 5th 1777.
DEAR SIR
Your Favour of the 24th Sept r came to Hand
early in Oct r , just as I was mounted to go to
Peekskills in the late General Alarm, I did not
then turn over from Mr Blain s Letter on the
other side, and had no Knowledge of Yours till
my return Home the first In 1 I have now to
thank you for your kind offer, to make me Com
missary of Prisoners for this State, but my un
settled Ace 1 in the Commissary Generals Depart
ment and my Business in the Quarter Master
Genl Department forbid my Undertaking to Act.
Cap 1 Jonathan Butt, who was with you for Mr.
Williams, would Execute the Business well, and
will Accept the Office, if appointed, I would not
wish to prevent Mr Williams from Acting as
Commissary of Prisoners, but I am of the opinion
he has already more Business than he can well
Execute, without undertaking this, And, I, at the
same time well know, that the present Irregular
Method of Conducting the matter of Prisoners,
will be productive of great Evil-
The Salmon was forwarded to Morris Town
immediately after my return from Middlebrook,
and if not Arrived, I believe must have been
lodged at Peekskills with Mr. Paulding
I am Dear Sir
Your very Humb Sen/
JERE WADSWORTH. 1
1 Family papers.
CHAPTER IV.
Mr. Boudinot to Mrs. Boudinot. Awaiting remonstrance sent to Gen
eral Howe regarding treatment of prisoners. Fate of Red Bank Fort.
Greene s reinforcements not arrived. The enemy burning all before
them. Burned town of Woodbury. Mr. Boudinot to his daughter,
dated from Camp White Marsh, recommends Scripture reading, sends
parody song. Wishes her to have more instruction in music. Novem
ber 30, to Mrs. Boudinot. Set off on journey, recalled by letter from
General Howe. Troops on Jersey side endeavored to draw Lord Corn-
wallis to battle ; he retired. After skirmish returned to Philadelphia.
Storm. Reconnoitring along the line near Philadelphia old woman con
veys information secretly. Washington proves him wrong in his sur
mise as to the movement of enemy. Speeches of committee from Con
gress relative to attacking the British. Washington s intended move
against his judgment. A spy conveyed the information. British
retire. Extract from Sparks " Washington." Another providen
tial escape of our army. Washington s ruse to mislead the spy.
Letter from Valley Forge regarding election to Congress. Hymn.
Cartel for exchange of prisoners. Commissioners to meet at German-
town. American Colonels Hamilton, Harrison, Grayson, Boudinot;
British Colonels O Harah, Stevens, and Captain Fitz Patrick. Meet
ing of general officers to discuss the business beforehand. Committee
from Congress. Sentiments against exchange. Insulting resolutions
of Congress expunged from the minutes. Meeting of commissioners.
British commissioners go to the city to attend a ball. Return.
Breach of faith. British commissioners endeavor to free themselves
from blame. Defective powers. Concerning Colonels O Harah and
Hamilton. Draft of part of a letter by commissioners from Moor
Hall.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
FROM CAMP WHITE MARSH Nov. 2ist
I AM waiting the issue of a spirited Remon
strance sent in to Gen 1 Howe concerning our
unhappy Prisoners which ended shall set out im
mediately for York.
64 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Before I close this shall be able to inform you
of the fate of Red Bank Fort There has been a
very heavy fire from about four o c this morning
until about 1 1 o c a very large force went down
on Monday under Lord Cornwallis and Gen 1
Clinton to attempt to storm it this morning & as
several explosions have been heard our rein
forcements under Gen 1 Greene not arrived, I fear
the worst I met with a very sensible loss this
morning in the loss of my young horse I shall
miss him greatly in this journey which is like to
be a wintry one
Nov 2i st in the Evening Heavy fire this
morning over in Jersey, Red Bank is evacuated
but we have a formidable army of between 4 to
5000 men over there so that I expect something
has been done The Enemy are burning all be
fore them, the latter end of last week they burned
the pretty Town of Woodbury in Jersey Houses
& Property around the City to the amount of
^"200000
May a Holy God protect my dear Wife &
Family
I expect to set off on Wednesday to lock up all
the Prisoners & lessen their allowance
My quarters are here, at a little vile, dirty den,
decent I hope, the People are kind & we have
something to eat & drink but my baggage being
in the front am obliged to take up with such im
plements for writing as I can get l
To M rs BOUDINOT
Baskinridge.
1 Family letters.
ADVICE TO HIS DAUGHTER. 65
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS DAUGHTER.
CAMP WHITE MARSH
Nov 22d 1777
MY DEAREST SUSAN
Having just finished a letter to your dear Mama,
I am necessarily reminded of the Claim my be
loved daughter has to my leisure Hours altho it
would have inven me more Pleasure had the de-
o
mand been made by her in form.
If I recollect right my last letter concluded with
a recommendation of the Scriptures as worthy
your constant reading & meditation, producing a
source of solid, rational Pleasure & Enjoyment no
where else to be found ... In short what ever
is really conducive to the Happiness of society or
individuals in this World or the World to come,
is peculiarly founded in, advanced & perfected
by the Doctrines of the blessed Gospel of Peace
- It promotes public virtue & renders amiable
& praiseworthy, all the variety of jarring interests
that arrive from the predominancy of the Passions
over the natural Faculty
As you advance in life you will find the Chris
tian world unhappily split into a multitude of
Denominations Professions & Names Each
will tell you that his is the only right way, as
those mentioned in Scripture who tell you lo !
here is Christ or there is Christ but believe them
not The true Catholicism of the Scripture will
teach you to take them all into the arms of your
Love & Charity and to look upon all, as the Ser-
66 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
vants of the same Master, as far as they follow
his Example, remembering that he that is not
against us is for us. Grace does not alter the
natural abilities of the man further than it has a
tendency to enlighten & improve him ; you must
not therefore expect to find a man who you verily
believe to be a good Christian, free from all
imperfections no, you will often find him the
same in many respects as other men and will
sometimes think yourself disappointed, till you
recollect that the grand difference lies in the im
perfection of the Christian being his Burden & his
Cross
My Letter being swelled beyond my intention I
will not trouble you further at present. I hope
you enjoy much comfort with your dear Mama
who is so able to entertain improve you Her
living example will be of more consequence to
you, if you copy after it than volumes of Pre
cepts.
I intend to enclose a parody on the song you
sing & play on the Spinnet, of God save the King
&c. as I think it will be agreeable to you By
Parody is meant &c. Sec.
I hope ere long to be able to get you a master
to give you some instructions in Music, which
is an accomplishment not unbecoming a young
Lady I am sorry you are not more fond of let
ter writing as you would find great improvement
from it & after a little while it would become easy
& familiar
SKIRMISHING OF TROOPS. 67
Give my kind love to your Aunt & Cousins, to
Molly & the family Remember me also to M r
& M rs Livingston and the young ladies
I am my beloved daughter
your most affectionate Parent
BOUDINOT l
Miss BOUDINOT
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
GREEN PARK Nov 3oth 1777
MY DEAREST WIFE
On Friday last I set off on my journey but
travelled no further than Head quarters where an
unexpected letter from Gen 1 Howe caused me to
put about & make for Phil a
You see by this, that I can do nothing without
making report to you, as my commanding officer
There has nothing turned up that throws
any light upon our future movements ; I mean,
to determine whether we go into Winter quarters
or not I shall go to York as soon as I am
permitted
Our troops on the Jersey side endeavored to
draw Lord Cornwallis to a battle but he wisely
retired Our people had a pretty smart skirmish
they killed two officers & twenty privates & took
9 or 10 prisoners & kept the ground --Lord
Cornwallis with his Troops crossed the river &
has returned to Philadelphia & our troops are
crossing over The storm has prevented a gen
eral movement. 2
1 Family letters. 2 Ibid.
68 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
He writes :
" In the Autumn of 1777 the American Army
lay sometime at White Marsh. I was then Com-
miss ry Gen 1 of Prisoners, and managed the intel
ligence of the army. I was reconoitreing along
the line near the city of Philadelphia. I dined at
a small Post at the Rising Sun ab t three Miles
from the City. After Dinner, a little, poor look
ing, insignificant old Woman, came in & solicited
leave to go into the Country to bring some Flour.
While we were asking some questions, she walked
up to me, and put into my Hands a dirty old
Needle-Book, with various small Pockets in it
Surprised at this, I told her to retire She should
have our Answer On opening the Needle-Book,
I could not find anything, till I got to the last
Pocket, where I found a piece of Paper rolled up
into the form of a Pipe-shank On unrolling it,
I found information that Genl Howe was coming
out the next Morning with 5,000 Men 13 Pieces
of Cannon Baggage Waggons, and 1 1 Boats on
Waggon Wheels on comparing this, with other
Information I found it true, and immediately rode
Post to Headquarters According to my usual
Custom & agreeable to Orders rec d from General
W. I first related to him the naked Fact without
Comment or Opinion He rec d it with much
Thoughtfulness I then gave my opinion, that
General Howe s Design was to cross the Dela-
o
ware under Pretense of going to New York
Then in the Night to recross the Delaware above
SECRET INTELLIGENCE. 69
Bristol & come suddenly on our Rear, when we
were totally unguarded, and cut off all our Bag
gage, if not the whole Army He heard me
without a single Observation being deep in
thought I repeated my observation He still
was silent Supposing myself unattended to I
earnestly repeated my Opinion with urging him
to order a few Redoubts thrown up in our Rear,
as it was growing late The General answered
me, Mr. Boudinot the Enemy have no business
in our Rear, the Boats are designed to deceive
us Tomorrow Morning by Daylight you will
find them coming down such a Bye road on our
left Then calling an Aide de Camp ordered
the Line thrown up along our whole Front at the
Foot of the Hill As I was quartered on that
very Bye Road with 6 or 8 other Officers, a Mile
in Front of our Army and no Picket advanced of
us, this Opinion made a deep Impression upon
me, though I tho t the General under a manifest
Mistake I returned to my quarters first obtain
ing a Picket to be put on that Rc-ad in advance
When I got Home the Officers were informed
of the News, and my Opinion that we should
loose our Baggage at least, the next Morning
That our General at best was out in his Judg
ment, but repeated his last Words Proposed it
as a Matter of Prudence to have our Horses
saddled & the servt ordered to have them at the
Door on the first alarm Gun being fired About
3 o clock in the Morning we were aroused by the
70 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Alarm Guns - - We immediately mounted and
by sunrise the British was in possession of our
Quarters down the Bye Road, mentioned by
General Washington I then said that I never
would again set up my judgment agt his --The
Enemy remained several Days encamped on
Chestnut Hill & Genl Washington opposite to
him On the Evening of the 2nd or 3rd Day,
Genl Washington was informed of some very
harsh & severe Speeches made by a Committee
from Congress, of whom Robert Morris was one,
relative to Genl Washington, his not attacking
the British & putting an end to the War at once,
and declaring if he did not do it further Oppo
sition to the British was vain, &c. &c. The Fact
was that both Parties were so strongly covered,
that the Assailant in all Probability would have
been beaten, and the essential Interests of Amer
ica required that the Americans should avoid a
general Battle However Genl Washington be
ing exceedingly hurt with these Observations &
hard Speeches, determined at all Events to haz
ard an Attack let the Committee abide the
Consequences Accordingly he dispatched Genl
Wayne with his brigade to advance in the Even
ing into the Valley between the two Armies &
near the Foot of Chestnut Hill, to be ready in
the Morning Another Brigade was advanced
part of the way towards him A Spy who was
in our Camp immediately on Wayne s moving
carried the Intelligence to the British General
BRITISH RETREAT INTO THE CITY. 71
A skirmish was had during the Day and one of
our Militia Generals wounded & taken Prisoner
- He was put into a Room adjoining one in
which A British Aid de Camp lodged He
overheard an Officer come in & tell him, that the
Rebels were advancing to make an Attack the
next Morning, and that their Retreat was ordered
by the British General - - When the American
Troops began their Movement the next Morning
at the Dawn of Day, not a British Soldier was
to be seen The light Horse pursued & came
up & harassed the Rear of the British a few
Miles from Philadelphia Thus the Defeat of
the American Army was again providentially pre
vented, for we were by no Means equal to the
Attack, as the British were so strongly posted,
and our Army made up of undisciplined Men." 1
Sparks, in his u Life of Washington," says,
"An intelligent observer (Elias Boudinot), com
missary of prisoners, writes to President Wharton
from camp : * As all their movements, added to
their repeated declaration of driving General
Washington over the Blue Mountains, were cal
culated to assure us of their having come out
with a determination to fight, it was thought pru
dent to keep our post upon the hills near the
church. I understand it was resolved if they did
not begin the attack soon, to have fought them at
all events, it not being supposed that they could,
consistent with their own feelings, have secretly
1 Reminiscences of Elias Bondinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
72 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
stolen into the city so suddenly, after so long gas
conading on what they intended to do. "
Mr. Boudinot relates the following :
" Another providential Escape of our Army
happened at Morristown in the Year 1777-8
Our Army was exceedingly reduced, so that 3000
effective Men was the full Amount of the Whole
& those were poorly found --To prevent this
being known Gen 1 Washington distributed them
by 2 & 3 in a House, all along the main Road
around Morris Town for Miles So that the
general Impression among the country People
was that we were 40,000 strong Genl Howe
desirous of knowing our real Strength, sent over
a gentl of some Character, a Mercht in New 7
York, as a Spy into our Camp He told Sad
Stories about the treatment he had rec d from the
British and that he had deserted from them
The Adjutant Gen 1 finding from several Circum
stances that he was really a Spy, applied to Genl
Washington for an Order to take him up and
confine him : The General examined into the Cir
cumstances & finding the Suspicions well sup
ported forbid the Adjutant Gen 1 from touching
him but ordered him to go Home & imme
diately to draw Returns from every Brigadier in
the Army of the Number of their Brigades, mak
ing the army to consist of about 12,000 effective
Men c. &c. to place these in the pigeon Holes
on his Desk, and then to get introduced to the
Spy, and invite him to lodge with him To en-
DECEIVING THE SPY. 73
deavor to get him to sup with him alone About
9 o clock in the Evening to have an orderly Ser
geant to call on him with positive Orders that the
Adjutant should call on the General in haste
That then he should make an Excuse to the
gentl suspected as a Spy and leave him alone
about half an Hour^ This was done and in this
Interval, as was suspected, the Spy, took a Copy
of the Returns, and next morning went off with
them to New York This convinced Genl Howe
that we were too strong to be attacked & saved
us thro the Winter A Coll. Luce who was
taken prisoner at Elizabeth Town was confined
to a house in Morris Town, in a Family disaf
fected to our Cause, on his Parole He found
out our real Situation and obtained full accts of
our weakness and indorsed Returns of the Army,
Artillery, &c., with our Poverty, Sickness, &c. &c.
according to the Truth With these, expecting
to make his Fortune, he broke his Parole ran
off to New York He was introduced to Genl
Howe and with great zeal communicated the
whole Secret Genl Howe called for the Re
turns brought by the Spy and then in the Se
verest Tone charged Coll Luce with joining the
Rebels in endeavoring to impose upon him and
draw him out into the Country, and threatened to
hang him up at the first Tree Luce was terri
fied beyond Description, as Howe produced Copies
of the Returns from the American Brigadiers ob
tained in such a Manner that there could be no
74 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Doubt Luce was glad to escape with his Life,
mistified & chagrined with having broken his
Parole & at last disappointed & treated with Con
tempt & great Seventy, he took to drink & killed
himself by it in the End." 1
To his wife he writes from Valley Forge, Janu
ary 4 : -
" I write this merely to say something on the
subject of my late election to the representation
of our State in Congress. I have lately received
it from the clerk of the House I think it was
on Christmas day I know not what to say to it,
am exceedingly puzzled to determine what is my
duty but at all events shall not attempt it till I see
and consult you on this head The only motive
that can induce me to accept is yet to be com
municated to you -You know my heart, that
I have never aimed at any public employment,
nor ever had a desire to enter into political conse
quence, my whole plan has been to glide thro
this troublesome scene of things in domestic ease
and enjoyment free from the Bustles of the World ;
the accomplishing of which I began to think was
never at hand. I was called to my present em
ployment not from any desire of increasing either
my wealth or importance but from an abhorrence
of being an Idle Spectator of my country s Dis
tress and a proportionate fondness for obliging
our worthy General I acknowledge that my de-
voutest and most constant Prayers at the Throne
1 Reminiscences of Elias Bondinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
ELECTION TO CONGRESS. 75
of Grace have been, that God would direct, lead
and appoint me to such usefulness in Life as
could most glorify His Holy Name for if his will
is done with and by me I care not what depart
ment or what difficulties of Life I am called to
I have indeed kept a watchful eye on all his Prov
idence towards me and can safely say, that they
have been altogether kind and gracious
" Great God, I would not ask to see
What in futurity shall be.
If light and bliss attend my days,
Then let my future hour be praise.
Is darkness & distress my share,
Then let me trust thy Guardian care.
Enough for me, if Love Divine
At length through every cloud shall shine.
Yet this my soul desires to know;
Be this my only wish below,
"That Christ is mine." This great request
Grant, bounteous God, and I am blest. " 1
From Mr. Boudinot s manuscript is the follow
ing :
" In the Winter of 1778 while laying at the Val
ley Forge both Armies called loudly for the Ex
change of Prisoners Propositions were accord
ingly made by the British to which Congress
agreed by giving full Powers to appoint Commis
sioners to meet a like Number on the Part of the
British for the Purpose The General accord
ingly appointed Coll. Hamilton Coll. Harrison, Coll.
Grayson and myself General Howe appointed
Coll. O Hara, Coll. Stevens & Capt. Fitz Patrick
1 Family papers.
76 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
and we were to meet at German Town Previous
to the Meeting, as it was a matter quite new to us,
we proposed a Meeting of General Officers with
Genl Washington that we might discuss the Busi
ness before them and know their opinions -
About this Time Congress sent a Committee of
their Body, into the Army to reform it General
Washington called this Committee to the Meet
ing General Washington sat as Chairman
We discussed the Matter over- - The Committee
of Congress soon discovered their Sentiments
agt an Exchange and urged it as the Opinion of
Congress that the settling this Cartel should be
merely ostensible for the Purpose of satisfying
the Army & throwing the Blame on the British,
but true Policy required us to avoid an Exchange
of Prisoners just at the Opening of the Cam
paign We absolutely refused to undertake the
Business on these Principles If we went we
were determined to make the best Cartel we could
for the Liberation of our Prisoners That we
would not be made Instruments in so dishonor
able a measure General Washington also re
sented it and said his troops looked up to him as
their Protector and that he would not suffer an
opportunity to be lost of liberating every Soldier
who was then in captivity let the. Consequence be
what it might --The Committee were much dis
gusted, and soon left the Army (where they gave
much dissatisfaction) and returned to Congress
Before the Meeting of the Commissioners Gen-
o
EXPUNGED MINUTES. 77
eral Washington reed a Resolution of Congress
couched in the most insulting Terms, setting
forth that he had appointed Commissioners to
settle the Cartel whom he knew had Principles
adversary to the true Interests of America &c
&c. On this I applied to the General & desired
to be excused from the Service He refused
Ordered us to the Duty, and told us to make the
best Treaty in our Power, and he would rat
ify it, and he would take the risque upon him
self In the Month of June after this, I went as
a Delegate to Congress, and the first Thing I did
was to search the secret Minutes for this Reso
lution of Congress, determined to have them ex
punged from the Minutes not being able to
find it I applied to President Laurens to know
where I might find it He laughed & said that
o o
Congress was so ashamed of the Measure that
was run upon them by the Committee from the
Army, that in two or three Days after they had
expunged the Whole from their Minutes On
the day of 1778 the Commissioners set out with
a Captain s Guard of Horse for German Town-
Where we met the British Comm r s with great
Ceremony It had been previously agreed that
the Town should be neutral Ground while our
Business lasted and no Troops but our different
Guards should enter We exchanged our Powers
and agreed to dine together We were very
Sociable We had previously obtained the Char
acters of our Opponents and were convinced that
78 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
they depended much on out-drinking us We
knew Coll. Grayson was a Match for any of them
and therefore left all that Part of the Business
with him They soon found themselves foiled
The next Day we met and objected to their
Powers not being sufficiently full, and proposed
that as they were military Men they should take
the Lead, we being wholly unacquainted with the
Business and that they should propose a Plan of
a Cartel which we might be considering till they
renewed their Powers - - They accepted it, and as
we had foreseen drew out from among their Pa
pers, a Cartel ready drawn up in Form To
this we had nothing to do but object & propose
Amendments, which they were not prepared to
confute and easily fell into our Measures It
soon appeared that neither of them had ever con
sidered the Subject, but depended on the Draft
prepared for them.
" The third Day we were going on very well
and should soon have finished much to our Satis
faction had we not been guilty of a Blunder which
ruined us - The British Commissioners after
Dinner told us, that they had engaged to attend
a grand Ball that was given that Evening in the
City and earnestly solicited that we should gratify
them by consenting to their going into the City
when they would mention our Objections to their
Powers and they would be out early in the Morn
ing As it was but 7 miles we could not well re
fuse They accordingly went and I suppose re-
BREACH OF FAITH. 79
ported to Genl Howe The next Morning, they
came out in good Time when we proceeded to
Business When we had finished for the Morn
ing, Coll. O Harah addressing himself to us, said,
that however disagreeable the Task was to them,
and however contrary to their first Ideas, it was
their positive orders from Gen 1 Howe to inform
us, that he did not consider German Town neu
tral Ground after we adjourned for the Night
and a reasonable Time allowed for us to return to
our Army That it was only in Obedience to
positive Orders that they could have been pre
vailed upon to communicate this to us We im
mediately started at the Proposition, gathered up
the Papers on the Table, and told them we under
stood Genl Howe s Meaning, that we considered
ourselves ill used by such a Breach of public
Faith, and therefore should after Dinner return to
Headquarters and not to meet again They pre
tended to be much hurt with our Idea of its being
a Breach of the public Faith, and made many
Excuses We persisted in our Resolution -
They finding they could make no Impression on
us, invited themselves to dine with us We im
mediately perceived their Drift, was to keep us
engaged until it was too late to go or by drinking
freely prevent us We were on our Guard & set
Coll. Grayson to manage them They accord
ingly sat after dinner with Grayson while we were
preparing to go off, till they could scarcely sit
upright Just before Sundown, they were put on
8O ELIAS BOUDINOT.
their horses & went for the City It now became
indeed too late for us to go We therefore deter
mined to set off by Daylight in the Morning
We breakfasted before it was fairly light, and just
as we were going off, a Trumpet was heard, and a
Flag appeared They brought a letter from the
Gen 1 begging we would delay an hour or two and
they would be out with us again But we refused
and set off for Headquarters Genl Washington
approved of our Proceedings, and wrote a very
tart Letter to Genl Howe charging him with a
o o
Breach of his pledged Faith He in Answer
made many Poor excuses, saying that he was
misunderstood, and hoped that Matters would be
set to Rights by another Meeting at New Town
After some Hesitation on our Part, and warm
Solicitation on the Part of the british another
Meeting was agreed to at New Town about
O O
Twenty Miles from Philadelphia Gen 1 Howe
expressly and unequivocally pledging his Faith
for a positive Neutrality
" Here we continued disputing their Powers &
proceeding in the Business for ten Days ; When
the Cartel was just finished Coll. O Harah in
walking out with us, addressed us thus, Gent 1 you
have behaved, since we have been together, with
so much Propriety and as Gentlemen, that we feel
hurt at any kind of Hypocrisy or unfair dishon
orable Conduct on our Part, which our Obedi
ence to Orders, may oblige us to use We can
therefore no longer keep a Secret from you which
INSUFFICIENT POWERS. 8 1
you ought to know, tho we trust for our Sakes
you will keep entirely to yourselves We have
spent a great deal of time in disputing abt the
sufficiency of our Powers and in making a Cartel
with you, at the same time knowing that Gen 1
Howe had no authority to agree to it, when it is
done which is the true Cause of our Powers ap
pearing as they do We have it therefore in
positive Orders from him, that when we can pro
long the Business no longer to make some Excuse
& to break off the Treaty This we considered
as dishonorable Conduct and merely done to
satisfy the british Army and try to throw the
blame on you but this is our Situation and we
candidly reveal it to you in Confidence, to free
ourselves from Blame It is therefore in vain for
us to spend longer Time in settling the Treaty,
let us continue together until our Stores are ex
hausted and then separate We acknowledged
ourselves greatly surprised at this un-officerlike
conduct in the British General at the Head of
such an Army, but we knew the Effect of Orders
& that they must be obeyed That perhaps we
might make such a report to our General as
might give them offence or they might do the
same & displease us We therefore proposed that
we should in Writing make our objections to the
Powers as insufficient for the Purpose, being
essentially defective for settling a Cartel That
they should answer it & we would reply That
these written Papers should be our mutual Report
82 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
To this with great Difficulty they agreed & not
without the aid of Cap 1 Fitz Patrick who approved
of it at once - - The Papers were drawn up accord
ingly and these formed the basis of our Report
and we separated At the taking Leave Coll.
O Harah said now if I am taken Prisoner I shall
call on Coll. Hamilton, Coll. Harrison, Coll. Bou-
dinot &c. and I expect you 11 immediately come
to my Aid & take Care of me and if any of
you are taken Prisoners call upon us and we will
return the Compliment At the Capitulation
of Yorktown Lord Cornwallis being sick, Coil.
O Harah, the second in command delivered up
his Sword on the Parade to Genl Lincoln, and
immediately called out to Coll. Hamilton He
came up Now sir said he perform your Promise
tho when you made it, I little thought that I
should ever have an Opportunity of requiring
your Performance of it Coll. Hamilton accord
ingly took Care of him." 1
The following extract is taken from the manu
script report of committees in the Department of
State, Washington, and indorsed " Draft of part
of a letter to Gen 1 Washington on the subject of
Exchange superseded by a conference," and dated
"from Moor Hall March 1778"-
This is from the committee of Congress to which
Mr. Boudinot refers, and reads as follows :
" Having mentioned these resolutions it is not
amiss to attempt to clear them from the imputa-
1 Reminiscences of Elias Bondinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
DRAFT OF LETTER FROM COMMITTEE. 83
tion of iniquity. And first it must be observed
that in every compact between beligerent Powers
to ascertain many Matters Recourse must be had
to a tertium intervenu or middle rate, neither party
being willing to trust the honesty of the other
c &c But to return, it is evident that the in
terest of the enemy now calls upon them loudly
for an Exchange of men and therefore it is by no
means a matter of surprise that Genl Howe after
having delayed it so long is from these circum
stances brought to urge an Exchange with such
rapidity.
" On the other hand the capture of Burgoyne
& Leisure allowed the United States to breath
from the late exertions will enable them to bring
no despicable Force into the Field earlier than
the Enemy can be well supported by additional
Numbers, besides this, the maintaining so large a
number of their Prisoners will bring in consider
able supplies of solid Coin, while the liberty which
a Principle of Retaliation now fully adopted, com
pels them to allow our Prisoners, will enable us
to maintain them with comfort amoung the enemy
whereas, if exchanged they would scatter abroad
thro the country and make little or no addition
of strength to our Army." l
1 Committee of Congress to Camp, Department of State, Washington,
MSS. Archives, Report of Committees, No. 33, p. 245.
CHAPTER V.
Account of treatment of prisoners in Philadelphia, winter of 1777-78. .
British officer remonstrates. Washington threatens retaliation.
All blankets ordered into king s stores. American agent buys up all
the flannel and has blankets made. Orders to prevent supplies to
British within our lines. Commissary Loring to Mr. Boudinot.
Permission to come to New York. Mr. Boudinot goes on February
3, 1778. Difficulty in landing. Threatens to return. Officer sent
to him. Conveyed to Commissary Loring s quarters. Courteously
received. Lodgings. Examines prisoners with British officer.
Proves cruelty. Colonel Ethan Allen. Political conversation with
General Robertson. Offer of reward for bringing about a peace.
Crime of Frenchman.
MR. BOUDINOT gives the following account of
the treatment of prisoners in Philadelphia, Janu
ary and February, 1778:
" Various Reports having reached us with re
gard to the Extreme sufferings of our Prisoners
in Philadelphia I was directed by the Commander
in Chief to make particular Enquiry as to the
Truth After some time I obtained full Infor
mation of their Sufferings It was proved by
some Militia of good Character, that on being
taken they were put under the Care of the Gen
eral s Guard & kept 4 & 5 days without the least
Food - - That on the 5th Day they were taken
into the Provost, where a small Quantity of raw
Pork was given to them One of their Number
seized and devoured it with so much Eagerness,
that he immediately dropped down dead, that
CRUEL TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. 85
the Provost Marshal used to sell their Provisions
& leave them to starve, as he did their allowance
of Wood I reed Information from a British
Officer, who confided in my Integrity That he
happened in the Provost just at the Time the
Provost Marshal (Cunningham) was locking up
the Prisoners He had ordered them from the
Yard into the House, some of them being ill with
the dysentery and could scarcely walk, and for
not coming faster he would beat them with his
Rattan One being in the Necessary delayed
longer than the Rest, on his coming up cursing
him gave him a Blow with one of the large Keys
of the gaol, which killed him on the Spot - - The
Officer exceedingly affected with the Sight, went
next Day & lodged a formal Complaint of the
Murder with Genl Howe s Aid After waiting
some Days, and not discovering any Measures
taken for the trial of Cunningham, he again went
to Headquarters requested to see the General
but was refused He repeated his complaint to
his Aid, and told him if this passed unpunished,
it would become disreputable to wear a British
Uniform No Notice being taken, the Officer
determined to furnish me privately with the Means
of Proof of the Facts so that Genl Washington
might remonstrate to Genl Howe on the Subject
I reported them with the other Testimony I
had collected to Gen 1 W He accordingly wrote
in pretty strong Terms to Genl Howe, and fixed
a Day, when if he did not receive a satisfactory
86 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Answer, he would retaliate on the Prisoners in
his Custody On the Day he reed an Answer
from Gen 1 Howe acknowledging that on Exam
ination, he had found that Cunningham had sold
the Prisoner s Rations publicly in the Markett,
that he had therefore removed him from the
Charge of the Prisoners & appointed Mr. Henry
H. Ferguson in his Place This ^ave us oreat
o o o
Pleasure, as we knew Mr. Ferguson to be a gent 1
of Character and great Humanity and this Issue
justified our Expectations But to our great Sur
prise Mr. Cunningham was only removed from the
Provost in Philadelphia & sent to that of New
York-
" Soon after this great Complaints being made
of our Prisoners being likely to perish for want of
Cloathing & Blanketts having been mostly stripped
of their Cloathes when taken, Application was
made for permission to purchase (with Provision
the British wanted) Blanketts & Cloathing which
should be used only by the Prisoners while in
Confinement This was agreed to, as we were in
formed by our own Agent as \vell as by the Brit
ish Commissary Provisions were accordingly
attempted to be sent in, when Genl Howe pre
tending to Ignorance in the Business, forbid the
Provisions to be admitted, or the Blanketts to be
purchased On this I gave notice to the Brit
ish Commissary that after a certain day, they
must provide food for their Prisoners south and
west of New Jersey & to be sent in from their
DEVICE FOR GETTING BLANKETS. 87
Lines, as they should no longer be allowed to pur
chase Provisions with us The line drawn, arose
from our being at Liberty to purchase in New
York This made a great Noise when Gen 1
Howe agreed On receiving Gen 1 Robertson s
Letter from New York before mentioned urging
the Propriety of the Measure and Order that
every Person in Philadelphia who had a Blankett
to sell or to spare should bring them into the
King s Stores When this was done he then
gave my Agent Permission to purchase Blanketts
& Cloathing in the City of Philadelphia On my
Agent s attempting it he found every Blankett in
the City purchased by the Agents for the Army
so that not a Blankett could be had My Agent
knowing the necessities of our Prisoners, imme
diately employed Persons in every Part of the
City, and before Gen 1 Howe could discover his
mission purchased up every Piece of Flannel he
could meet with & made it up into a kind of Blan
kett which answered our Purpose." 1
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. BOUDINOT TO MR.
HUGH FERGUSON, DATED JANUARY IO, 1778.
" It gives me pain, Sir, that I am obliged to
inform you that it is expected that after the first
day of February next you will supply all your
prisoners with us West of New Jersey with every
kind of provisions sent out from your Lines ; and
that I have it positively in charge not to suffer
1 Reminiscences of Elias Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
88 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
your Agent to purchase any provisions in the
country after that day. The proper passports
for your conveying any quantity you may think
proper to the different places of your prisoners
confinement, shall be ready whenever you require
them ; and your Agents shall be allowed to dis
tribute provisions and other necessaries as you
may please to direct.
" I shall also take care that our prisoners with
you are fully supplied with provisions from hence
after that day. As to Firewood I will either send
a sufficiency to them or supply your prisoners
in their different Cantonments with as much for
every Ten men, as you shall assure me you allow
to every Ten of ours. The officers in like man
ner. This measure has become absolutely neces
sary as it is rather unequal to suffer your Agents
to purchase every kind of provision at their plea
sure among us, whilst our Agent is refused the
privilege of purchasing necessary Cloathing with
you. If any inconvenience should arise to the
unfortunate prisoners on this account it cannot
be chargeable to us."
o
(Endorsed)
Mr. BOUDINOT to Mr. FERGUSON io th Jany I77S. 1
COMMISSARY LORING TO MR. BOUDTNOT.
NEW YORK Jan y 20 th 1778
SIR
I am directed by his Excellency General Sir
Henry Clinton to acquaint you in answer to your
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, chap, a, No. 78, vol. ii. B, p. 211.
LETTER FROM THE ENGLISH COMMISSARY. 89
letter requesting leave to come into New York
to inspect into the situation of your Prisoners,
that not having a wish to keep anything a secret
from the world respecting their treatment he very
readily consents to your Request, and it is his
Excellency s desire that you bring your Papers
with you, that all matters may be settled respect
ing the Prisoners. You will of course come over
to Staten Island by a Flag and call on General
Campbell with this letter which will serve as a
pass and he will forward you to New York where
on your arrival you will immediately wait on Gen
eral Robertson the Commandant, till when you
will excuse my answering your last letter, as I
vShall have an opportunity of settling all these
matters more fully
I am Sir your most ob*
Humble Servant
Jos A LORING
Commis r Pris rl
ELIAS BOUDINOT
at
Elizabeth Town
Mr. Boudinot writes :
" The Complaints of the very cruel Treatment
our Prisoners met with, in the Enemy s Lines
rose to such a Height that in the Fall of this
Year 1777 the General wrote to Gen 1 Howe (or
Clinton) repeating their Complaints and propos
ing to send an Officer into New York to examine
into the Truth of them This was agreed to and
1 Family papers.
QO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
a regular Passport returned accordingly The
General ordered me on this Service I accord
ingly went over on the third of February, 1778
in my own sloop Supposing that my Treatment
would be very harsh, I prepared to meet with it
in a proper Manner At Staten Island, the Com
manding General, put on Board of us a Sergeant
& File of Men - - We arrived at the Wharf of
New York a little before Sundown, when I sent
the Sergeant to the Commandant of the City
(who was General Robertson whom I had formerly
known,) to inform him of my Arrival and request
to land In a very short time the Sergeant re
turned with the Answer that I must send my rank
business before I could be permitted to land -
Knowing that the General knew both I was cha
grined at this Answer and immediately turning to
the Captain of my Sloop in the Presence of the
Sergeant asked him if the Wind would suit to
return over the Bay - - To which he answered in
the Affirmative I then took out my watch and
addressing the Sergeant told him to return to his
o o
General and inform him that I would neither send
my Rank or Business -- He well knew both and
that if I was not suffered to land in ten Minutes,
I should return from whence I came The Ser
geant surprised at such a Message to the Com
manding General ran with great Haste to deliver
this Answer and much sooner than I could have
expected Major Courtland returned with the Ser
geant very politely desired me to land, as he
EXPERIENCE IN NEW YORK. 9 1
was ordered to conduct me to the Commissary of
Prisoners - - When I came to Mr. Commissary
Loring, he behaved very civilly, and after taking
tea with him, desired me to attend him to the
General I found no Ceremony of blinding me
or any other Restraint which I had expected I
wore a Uniform & Sword by my Side The
General Rec d me with great Politeness & ap
peared as friendly & sociable as he had used to
do before the War He conversed very freely
with me for near two Hours without mentioning
anything relative to the Manner of conducting
myself while in the Garrison At length he in
formed me that Lodgings were prepared for me
and the Commissary would wait upon me to them
I answered that my being in a garrisoned
Town was an entire new Thing to me, and there
fore if I asked anything improper, I hoped it
would be imputed to my Want of Knowledge of
military Customs That I had a Brother in law
in the City who was my Agent, and therefore
should be glad, if consistent with Order, to lodge
with him The General with great Politeness
assured me that tho Lodgings were prepared, yet
I might go where I pleased, on consideration of
my breakfasting with him in the Morning
This I promised to do & retired - - Taking it for
granted that I was to be put under the expected
Restrictions in the Morning, I waited on the
General at Breakfast ; He behaved as before with
the greatest Civility & good Humor After
92 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Breakfast he asked a great many Questions about
the News in our Lines, and conversed on common
Topics, but said nothing about my Conduct while
in the City ; on which I recapitulated the Busi
ness on which I had come That I was a Stran
ger to military Rule I knew that I was in a
garrisoned Town and therefore wished to know
what Line of Conduct it was expected I was to
pursue The General answered me, that he knew
We had heard strange Stories within our Lines
of their Conduct to our Prisoners That he
had rejoiced that Gen 1 Washington had taken the
Measure of sending me in to examine for our
selves, for that he was sure that we should find
them a parcel of damned Lies That he had
ordered every Place that I should choose to visit
to be freely opened to me, and that as I was a
Gentleman, all that he expected was, that I should
behave as such ; and that I might use my own
Pleasure & go where I pleased -- I confess I was
surprised at this generous Conduct ; and imme
diately replied, that I could not accept this gentle
manly Offer -That I had come on a fair and
open Business That I had no Secrets to com
municate & \vould not receive any from any Per
son whatever That I could not put myself so
far in their Power, as after my Departure, to
render it possible for them to charge me with
improper Behaviour unworthy my Character, by
communicating or receiving secret Intelligence
o o o
to or from our Officers That my Intentions
COLONEL ETHAN ALLEN. 93
were not only to be convinced myself of the
Truth of the Treatment the Prisoners had re
ceived, but if it had been cruel, that the General
also should be convinced of the fact as necessary
towards their Relief That therefore I should
not see a Prisoner or have any Communication
with one, but in the Presence of a British Officer,
who I hoped he would oblige me by appointing
to attend me The General expressed himself
well pleased with the Proposal, and appointed
one accordingly, observing again, that he was sure
I should find the Reports we had heard totally
false Accordingly I went to the Provost with
the Officer where we found near 30 officers from
Colonels downwards in close confinement in the
Gaol in New York After some Conversation
with Coll Ethan Allen I told him my Errand on
which he was very free in his abuse of the British
on account of the cruel treatment he had rec d
during months close confinement We then pro
ceeded upstairs to the room of their confinement
- I had the Officers drawn up in a Ring, and in
formed them of my Mission That I was deter
mined to hear nothing in Secret That I there
fore hoped they would each of them in their turn
report to me faithfully & candidly the Treatment
they severally had received That my Design
was to obtain them the proper Redress, but if
they kept back anything from an improper Fear
of their Keepers they would have themselves only
to blame for their want of immediate Redress
94 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
That for the Purpose of their Deliverance, the
British officer attended that the British General
should be also well informed of the Facts On
this after some little Hesitation from a Dread of
their Keeper the Provost Marshal, one of them
began & informed us that they had been con
fined on the most- frivolous Pretences, some for
having been the Oppressors of the Friends of
Government, for taking Refugees & Property
while Officers under Command and in Obedi
ence to Orders, for being out of their bounds
of Parole, tho weeks after their Return Some
confined in the Dungeon for a Night to await
the Leisure of General to examine them forgot
for Months for being Committee Men, &c. &c.
- That they had received the most cruel Treat
ment from the Provost Marshal, being locked up
in the Dungeon on the most trifling Pretence,
such as asking for more Water for Drink on a
hotter Day than usual For sitting up a little
longer in the Evening than the Orders allowed
For writing a Letter to the General making their
Complaints of ill-usage & throwing out of the
Windows That some of them were kept 10, 12
14 weeks in the Dungeon on these trifling Pre
tences A Capt. Vandyke had been confined 18
Months for being concerned in setting Fire to the
City, when on my calling for the Provost Books
it appeared that he had been made Prisoner &
closely confined by the Provost 4 Days before -the
Fire happened A Major Paine had been con-
COMPLAINTS OF OFFICERS. 95
fined 1 1 months for killing a Capt. Campbell in
the Engagement when he was taken Prisoner,
when on Examination it appeared that the Cap
tain had been killed in another part of the Action
The Charge was that Major Paine when taken
had no Commission, tho acknowledged by us as
a Major Capt Flabwen was confined for break
ing a soldier s thigh with the butt of his gun after
he was shot down when the British surgeon on
Examination acknowledged that the Thigh was
broken by a Ball &c. &c. Most of the Cases
examined into turned out either wholly false or
too trifling to be regarded It also appeared by
the Declaration of some of the Gent 1 that their
Water would be sometimes, as the Caprice of the
Provost Marshall led him, brought up to them in
the Tubs they used in their Rooms, when the
Weather was so hot that they must drink or
perish On hearing a number of these Instances
of Cruelty--! askecl who was the Author of
them They answered the Provost Keeper I
desired the Officer to call him up that we might
have him Face to Face He accordingly came
in and on being informed of what had passed was
asked if the Complaints were true He with
great Insolence answered that every W T ord was
true on which the British Officer abusing him
very much asked him how he dared treat Gent 1
in that cruel Manner He insolently putting his
Hands to his side swore that he was as absolute
there as Gen 1 Howe was at the Head of his
96 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Army -- I observed to the Officer that now there
could be no Dispute about Facts as the Fellow
had acknowledged every Word to be true
I stated all the Facts and Substance waited
again on Genl Robertson, who hoped I was quite
satisfied of the falsity of the Reports I had heard
I then stated to him the Facts, and assured
him that they turned out worse than anything we
had heard On his hesitating as to the truth of
this assertion, I observed to him the Propriety of
having an Officer with me to whom I now ap
pealed for the Truth of the Facts He being
present confirmed them On which the Gen 1
expressed great Dissatisfaction & promised that
the Author of them should be punished I in
sisted that Officers should be discharged from his
Power on Parole on Long Island as other Officers
were To this after receiving from me a Copy
of the Facts I had taken down, he assented and
all were discharged except seven, who were de
tained sometime before I could obtain their Re
lease I forgot to mention that one officer Lieut.
Luker was taken Prisoner and brought in with a
Wound thro his Leg He was sent to the Pro
vost to be examined the next Morning He was
put into the Dungeon and remained there 10
Weeks totally forgotten by the Genl and never
had his Wound dressed except as he washed it
with a little Rum and Water given him by the
Sentinels thro the Grief Hole out of their own
Rations Cap 1 Travene and a Cap 1 Chatham
GREAT SUFFERING. 97
were confined with them and their Allowance
was 4 pounds hard spoiled Biscuit & 2 Ibs Pork
pr Week which they were obliged to eat raw
While they were thus confined for the slightest
Complaints, the Provost Marshal would come
down and beat them most unmercifully with a
Rattan & even knock them down with his Fist
after this I visited two Hospitals of our sick Pris
oners and the Sugar House; in the two first were
211 Prisoners & in the last about 190 They
acknowledged that for about two Months past
they fared pretty well, being allowed 2 Ibs of good
Beef and a Proportion of Flour or Bread pr
Week by Mr. Lewis Pintard my Agent, over and
above the Allowance reed from the British, which
was professed to be f Allowance but before
they had suffered much from the small Allowance
they had rec d & that their Bread was very bad,
being musty Biscuit, but that the British Soldiers
made the same Complaint as to the Bread
From every Account I rec d I found that their
Treatment had been greatly changed for the
better, within a few Months past, except at the
Provost They all agreed that previous to the
Capture of Genl Burgoyne, and for sometime
after, their Treatment had been cruel beyond
Measure That the Prisoners in the French
Church amounting on an Average to 3 & 400
could not all lay down at once --That from the
1 5th of Oct r to the ist of Jan y they never rec d a
single stick of Wood, and that for the most Part
98 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
they eat their Pork raw When the Pews &
Door & Window facings failed them for fuel
But as to my own personal Knowledge, I found
Gen 1 Robertson very ready to agree to every
Measure for alleviating the Miseries of War and
very candidly acknowledging many Faults com
mitted by the inferior Officers, and even the Mis
takes of the General himself, by hearkening to
the Representations of those around him --He
showed me a letter from Gen 1 Howe who was in
Philadelphia, giving Orders that he should not
be at liberty to purchase Blanketts within their
Lines and containing a copy of an Order I
had issued, that they should not purchase Pro
visions within ours, by way of Retaliation But
he represented it as if my Order was first I
stated the facts to Genl Robertson who assured
me that Gen 1 Howe had been imposed upon &
requested me to state the Facts by way of Letter
which he immediately wrote to Gen 1 Howe urging
the Propriety of reversing his Orders, which after
ward he did in a very hypocritical Manner as will
be seen hereafter.
" One Day calling on Gen 1 Robertson he asked
me if I had any Objection agt a free private polit
ical Conversation I answered that I could not
have any He asked me up into his Bedroom,
and began by asking me, why so much Blood
was shed, among those who were once Brethren,
when it was apparent that no valuable End could
be answered by it Why no one had yet stepped
POLITICAL DISCUSSION. 99
forth to stop so unnatural a Breach & prevent the
cutting each other s throats I replied, that no
good reason could be assigned That the fault
lay with them They had invaded our Land
We had not troubled them That all we had
asked was to be heard That this was refused
and War & Desolation was brought by them
into our Country It was therefore with them to
make Propositions, that we might know what it
was they would be at That we were not only
strangers to & ignorant in the Art of War and
<D O
almost wholly unprepared for it, but were Lovers
of Peace & only wished to enjoy our Habitations
in Quietness, without quarreling with any one
He expressed himself very strongly agt the War
as an unnatural Destruction of each other by
which nothing valuable was to be obtained
That he was authorized to assure me, that if any
one would step forward & heal the unhappy
difference, that he should be rewarded in any
Manner he should ask, even to a Pension of Ten
thousand Pounds sterling I observed to him
that there could be no necessity for this That
the Americans were desirous of Peace, and would
eagerly seize every opportunity of embracing it
-But that Propositions from the nature of the
Thing must come from them He observed that
Lord Howe and Genl Howe had been authorized
to make Peace with us on almost any Terms
I assured him that I had been conversant with
the Proceedings of Congress the knowledge of
IOO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Gen 1 Washington and I did not believe that any
such Thing was known After a little Reflection,
he answered that the Fact was so, and that Lord
Howe had actually written an Account of it to
Genl Washington before his Landing, while off
the Hook at Sea On my repeating my Disbe
lief of it, he told me that this was one of the Evils
of the present Dispute That a Parcel of Dama-
gogues had possessed themselves of the Govt and
kept the People in entire Ignorance of the true
Principles of the Difference between us That
he was sure if the People of America were left to
themselves, they had too much good sense to con
tinue the Breach, after such Offers of Peace on
our own Terms At last starting as from a rev-
o
erie, he said \ve must know it as he had seen
Lord Howe s Letter in our Newspapers I asked
him if he did not know that Lord Howe s Author
ity went no farther than merely to grant Pardons
&c. He seemed confused and said, that any
Agreement he made would be ratified by the Par
liament of Great Britain I then reminded him
that the War had been brought on by the British
Ministry having refused to suffer Parliament only
to hear us, that being the Sum of our last Peti
tion ; and whether (as he had said he knew many
sensible & worthy Men in America) He thought
those sensible Men would ever submit to make
a Treaty with any British Commissioners (and
thereby lose the Friendship of France) and trust
to a British Ministry (whose treatment had hith-
ALLEGIANCE AND PROTECTION. IOI
erto been so unworthy men of Probity or political
Understanding) to have it ratified by Parliament
He now seemed a little chagrined, and said with
seeming Petulance, that he did not know what the
American Gen 1 had done with their Oaths of
Allegiance Indeed Sir, I know not how, you
have got over your Oath of Allegiance, for I
know you have taken one I answered, that it
had been a Matter of some Difficulty to me till I
was legally discharged by an Act of the British
Parliament He said he had never heard of any
such Act I told him (much in the language he
had used in the Beginning to me) that I had long
known the Misfortune of the British Officers
That they were kept hoodwinked and in total
ignorance of the causes and Reasons of the War
in which they were engaged That they were
obliged to obey & fight in every Cause whether
right or wrong That I supposed that this Act
was kept from getting to their Knowledge But
I knew the Fact, and had seen it in St. Jame s
Chronicle published by Authority He assured
me that it must be a Congressional Falsehood,
and that no such Act had ever been passed -
I then asked him if he was acquainted with
the British Constitution He answered in the
Affirmative I asked him what he thought of
o
Allegiance & Protection He said they always
went together, and that without Protection no
Allegiance was due I replied, have you never
seen Sir, an Act of Parliament putting all the
102 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Colonies (Friends and Foes) out of the King s
Protection - - The old Gent 1 seemed alarmed at
his Confession and with Warmth said A
Damned Act a Damned act I told the
Ministry so at the Time They were distracted
a Damned Act Let us go down Stairs
And our Conversation ended."
Mr. Boudinot also writes :
" When the British Army took possession of
New York they found a Frenchman in Gaol
under condemnation for Burglary and Robberies
He was liberated He was a very low, igno
rant man Had been a servant This fellow
was set over our Prisoners in the Hospital as a
Surgeon tho he knew not the least principle
of the Art Dr. Me Henry, a Physician of note
in the American Army, and then a Prisoner, find
ing the extreme ignorance of this Man and that
he was really murdering our People remonstrated
to the British Director of the Hospital and re
fused visiting our sick prisoners if this Man was
not dismissed A British officer convinced that
he had killed several of our People, lodged a com
plaint agt him, when he was ordered to be tryed
by a Court Martial, but the morning before the
court were to sit this officer was ordered off to
St. Johns and the criminal was discharged for
want of evidence. During the time this man had
the charge of our Prisoners in the Hospital, two
of our Men deserted from the Hospital and came
into our Army where they were ordered to me for
MORTALITY AMONG PRISONERS. 103
Examination They joined in this story That
they were sick in the Hospital under the care of
the above Frenchman that he came and exam
ined them and gave to each of them a Dose of
Physic to be taken immediately A young woman
their nurse made them some private signs not to
take the Physic immediately after the Doctor
was gone she told them she suspected the Physic
was poison that she had several times heard
this Frenchman say that he would have ten rebels
dead in such a Room, and five dead in such a
Room, the next morning, and that it always so
happened They asked her what they should do
She told them their only chance was, to get
off, sick as they were That she would help
them out, and that they must shift for themselves
They accordingly got off safe & brought the
Physic with them This was given to a Sur
geon s mate who afterwards reported that he gave
it to a Dog and that he died in a short time I
afterwards saw an Acct in the London Paper of
this same Frenchman being taken up in England
for some Crime and condemned to die At his
execution he acknowledged the fact of his having
murdered a great number of rebels in the hos
pital at New York by poison-- That on his re
porting to General Howe the number of Prisoners
dead, he raised his pay He further confessed
that he poisoned the Wells used by the American
Flying Camp, which caused such an uncommon
Mortality among them in the year 1776." 1
1 Reminiscences of Ellas Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
CHAPTER VI.
Letter to Mrs. Boudinot from Valley Forge, March 4, 1778. Dangerous
journey back. Mrs. Washington. Weather bitter. Misses his
bed; lays upon blankets. Asks for rusk, etc. March n, to his wife.
Appointed one of the commissioners for settling exchange of prison
ers, to meet at Germantown. March 15, writes again, deplores absence
from home and the unnatural war. General Washington and officers
remonstrate against his leaving the army, while seeing the necessity
for his going to Congress. March 27, just returned from consulting
with commissioners. Deplores Susan s negligence in writing. Intel
ligence of French merchantmen under convoy at the Carolinas. Our
vessels at Martinique. Commissary Loring to Mr. Boudinot. Mr.
Boudinot to Mrs. Boudinot. Preparing for home. News from Eng
land. Temple Luttrel s speech. April 17, hopes to finish his busi
ness next week. Anxiety to join his wife. Mrs. Washington wishes
for her. His daughter s expostulation with British officer. Arrived
at home. Writes to General Washington, May 13, from Baskingridge.
Had been to Morris Town, and with Colonel Campbell to New York.
Major-General Daniel Jones and General Valentine Jones will re
lieve prisoners. Colonel Campbell s interest in business. Exchanged
prisoners anxious for employment. Mr. Boudinot engaged on ac
counts. Letters from General Washington, requesting his immediate
presence at camp on account of general exchange of prisoners. Colonel
Francis Johnson to succeed Mr. Boudinot. Refuses appointment.
Major Beaty nominated in his place. Commissary Loring to Colonel
Hamilton.
MR. BOUDINOT, being in the neighborhood of
his family, has, subsequent to his first interesting
visit to New York, paid them a visit, as on reach
ing Valley Forge a month after leaving there, he
writes to Mrs. Boudinot :
CAMP VALLEY FORGE
March 4th 1778
MY VERY DEAR WlFE
Want of opportunity & a continual hurry has
DANGEROUS JOURNEY. 105
prevented the enjoyment of my peculiar Pleasure,
writing to my dearest wife till this evening & now
I am obliged to encroach on midnight for the
Purpose I did not arrive here till the Sunday
afternoon after I left you you can form no idea
of the horrid Journey I was playing bow-peep
with the Enemy in all those dreadful roads for
upwards of Sixty Miles between Delaware &
Skuylkill I lodged three nights in great dan
ger of being taken and had I set off on Saturday
instead of Monday, in all probability I should
have had a short cut to Philadelphia-- However
by the goodness of Gracious God, I am safe here
tho almost worried out We are badly off here
for every kind of store & I miss my waggon
greatly, yet am rejoiced that I did not bring it as
my horses must have starved I cannot possibly
get away till some business of Importance is fin
ished here, when I shall fly to the Arms of my
beloved I send the bearer express for the pur
pose of bringing all the letters received that are
in bundles in my little leather trunk, which I
cannot do without also several other bundles
in which the Papers appear to be endorsed in my
hand writing
M rs Washington presents her best compliments
- Pray send me a pound of chocolate & if you
have any rusk or gingerbread everything here
is scarce & dear I miss my bed as the weather
is bitter to lay on Blanketts but all is well for us
IO6 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
poor soldiers. Dont keep the express as he must
be here again by Sunday night at farthest.
With ever increasing affection
Your faithful Husband
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
Mrs. BOUDIXOT.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. FERGUSON DATED
MARCH 6, I/78. 2
SIR
In answer to yours of the 2d inst. I am desired
to acquaint you that Sir Wm Howe only waits
the arrival of our officers in Philadelphia to order
yours to be sent out His Exc ly also has no
objection to giving a Lieutenant Colonel in Ex
change for Lt. Colonel Connolly, and the Com
mander in Chief is willing that Coll Swope be
returned for Gov. Franklin
Am &c.
ELIAS BOUDIXOT Esq.
From Camp on March the nth he writes to
his wife :
I have been prevailed on against my Inclina
tion but at the particular request of the General
which I could not withstand, to accept of the
appointment of one of the Commissioners for set
tling a Treaty of Exchange of Prisoners on the
part of the United States of America with Gen-
1 Family letters.
2 Washington Letters, No. 78, vol. ii. B, p. 397, MSS., Department of
State, Washington, U. C.
REGRETS HIS DOMESTIC LIFE. 1 07
eral Howe under the crown of Great Britain. We
are to meet at Germantown the 3ist Inst-- This is
a disagreeable circumstance, as it will prevent my
seeing you till April - - I have been so engaged
since I have been here, that I have had scarce
time to write you a word I am almost tired out
(I can assure you my dearest and beloved wife
that not all the honors Preferments and Pleasures
that I ever do enjoy and they would have been
thought important by many who are seeking for
them, can any ways recompense or satisfy me
for the loss of those sweet delights and heart felt
joys of domestic felicity, which have so largely
been dealt out to me by the indulgent hand of
Heaven Never can I consent to be deprived of
them so long again without a still more complete
and full conviction of a call from that God who I
hope will ever have my whole heart and all the
powers of my soul and body at every risque )
My dearest wife may depend on every step I take
however it may appear to her, at first sight being
calculated in my opinion to hasten the happy
Time when I shall again become the retired,
unnoticed domestic man, content with a bare suffi
ciency for Life but so as to enjoy my beloved
family in peace - - I am engaged in public Life, I
must retreat with Honor This I am doing as
fast as I can and I hope it will not be long before
I shall accomplish this desirable end My dearest
daughter shares largely in her father s affections
and often is the subject of his thoughtful moments
IO8 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
- May a holy God protect and comfort you both
and be your salvation to the ends of the earth
There are a number of gentlemen sitting along
side of me playing checquers who make such a
noise that dins my ears I would rather spend
an hour with my little family than to enjoy the
best company the Country affords and the chit
chat conversation of my little humble peaceful
cott has more alluring pleasure to my homely
mind than all the brilliancy of wit humour
I acknowledge you may upbraid me and say all
this is owing to my Indolence-- My dearest love
knows I am not Indolent, though I love Indolence
I am called off - - I cannot add more than
my love to the family, Sister all Friends & to
assure you how much I am with an increasing
affection & Esteem
Your ever sincere loving husband
ELLAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
CAMP March* i5th 1778
MY DEAREST WIFE
I know you cannot object to another line from
your fond, too fond Husband altho he troubled
you with a scrawl but last night My beloved
family lay near my heart and therefore must often
employ my Pen tho I have so little to say
Writing to distant friends seems to draw them to
you or carries you to them I often repeat my
wishes to fly to my former requiem in the posses-
DETESTATION OF WAR. IOQ
sion of my long lost domestic Peace and tranquil
lity, which this cruel, unnatural War has so deeply
wounded in an essential Part. I still live in hope
and please myself with the Idea of a more
thorough & substantial enjoyment arising from a
knowledge of its inestimable value than ever we
have yet experienced This must be under the
superintending Influence of our kind gracious
God whose will in all things I humbly hope &
pray may ever be our will -- I am tired with the
labours of the day Tho the Sabbath, I have
been writing almost all day Alas ! a state of
War is not calculated for either world-- I really
feel why how a state of Happiness should be a
state of Peace The angels at the Incarnation
of our Saviour seem to have been grieved with
the Wars among mankind when they sang Glory
to God in the highest: Peace Good Will to Man
on Earth I am more & more surprised how
any man living can delight in War & especially
think of making a trade of it
Genl Washington and the general officers re
monstrate ag t my giving up my office, yet all
want me to go to Congress while they confess I
cannot do both I wish to see my dearest Friend
on the subject My kindest love to Susan, my
niece, Sister & family not forgetting my neighbors
Ever my dear \Vife with ardent & increasing love
Your Aff c Husband
BOUDINOT
I am obliged to send my horses 17 miles out of
HO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Camp with W m in order to keep them from starv
ing & I am four miles from headquarters without
a servant.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
CAMP March 2;th 1778.
MY BELOVED WIFE
I have this moment returned from a consulta
tion with my fellow commissioners & am made
extremely happy by the receipt of your very kind
tender & affectionate Letters by the Express &
altho it is late & I am wearied with writing yet I
cannot help indulging myself with a scrawl to my
beloved & amiable Wife, thanking her in the sin
cerity of my heart for those soft expressions of
Love & tenderness which could only be dictated
by affection & esteem That the dear object of
my most passionate and fond desires should en
tertain & cherish sentiments so flattering to my
vanity, is full as much as I have a right to expect
& must yield a degree of Pleasure & gratification
to be exceeded only by a personal enjoyment of
what you know I prize as the chief of my earthly
Happiness May all the blessings & comforts of
the World & the world to come which you wish
for me be showered down in a double portion on
my sweetest Wife & beloved daughter I expect
to set off for Germantown on Tuesday Morning
on the Business of our Commission It is not
very pleasing as it is one of those Employments
.that tho we act upright as angels yet we are sure
FRENCH MERCHANTMEN. I I I
of not pleasing any one. The expectations &
desires of mankind which regulate those expec
tations so far exceed the true mark, that we know
that if we act justly we shall meet the disapproba
tion of those who judge from so unreasonable
a rule --In this business we shall endeavor to
please ourselves by acting faithfully & uprightly
& to please our general by convincing him of the
Principles on which we act & leave all others to
find fault, as they please, laying it to our account,
that if we come off without losing our reputation
altogether we do better & shall be more favoured
than many who have gone before us.
My dear Susan s excuses are rather those of
negligence & want of inclination than those of
necessity. Did she set apart one day in the w T eek
to favour her Papa with a letter, however short, I
do not think it would be a great sacrifice, seeing
she is interested in the event, but you know the
old proverb " Out of sight out of mind" Kiss
her for me and give my kind love to the family -
Sister & friends & neighbours We have intelli
gence in Camp that there are a great number of
French vessels (Merchantmen) under convoy of a
50 gun ship arrived at the Carolinas That our
Vessels are admitted to formal entries at the Cus
tom house in Martinique and pay the usual Duty
That this has been the occasion of a remon
strance from the Gov of Antigua but to no effect
And now my dearest & most beloved of Wo
men I must with all the tenderness & affection of
I I 2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
the most loving Husband, wish you a good night
with the addition of every Happiness your nature
is capable of in this Vale of Tears & disappoint
ments and after they are vanished away like the
baseless Fabrick of a nocturnal vision leaving not
a mark behind may you find yourself in the full
fruition of all the Joys & Raptures of the most
adoring Seraph of the heavenly World I do
no more than copy the real lineaments of my
fond Heart when I again & again assure you with
fresh & repeated assurances of esteem how much
I am, thou dear Partner of all my Hopes Joys &
Expectations
The most tender & affectionate
of Husbands
BOUDINOT
PS I hope to see you before I take any con
clusive measure whatever as to my future conduct
I reed the papers & they contained what I wanted
Lady Sterling Lady Kitty & Miss Brown are
well Mrs Washington often asks after you, she
has given me the cotton seed. 1
ELIAS BOUDINOT TO MAJOR GENERAL GATES.
CAMP April 4" 1778.
DEAR SIR
Having sent orders to Mr Peters for the im
mediate sending forward all the Officers detained
at Hanover, as well as those at York Town, I
think it necessary to inform you that General Lee
is permitted to come to Camp and I have entered
1 Family letters.
EXCHANGES. 113
into the Exchange of Colonel Allen for Colonel
Campbell.
I hope you have received my last Letter
of the March
Am in haste
Dr Sir
Your very obedt Serv*
ELIAS BOUDINOT
Com. Genl of Pris n .
To HON B L MAJOR GENL GATES,
President of the Board of War
(Endorsed)
Letter from Mr. Boudinot
C. G. of Prisoners,
dated 4" April I778. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
CAMP April i7th 1778
MY BELOVED WIFE
Till lately I have always valued the privilege of
writing to the dear Partner of all my Joys & Sor
rows, as one of the highest earthly Felicities, but
alas ! I begin to find that even this blessing comes
far short of my unsatisfied desires My anxious
Heart is looking & longing for the happy interview
which I hope through the divine goodness draws
nearer & nearer I have my business in such a
state that I have some glimmering prospect of
finishing next week. I should have hastened my
departure but I am obliged to wait the return of
a Messenger from York Town who sets off to
morrow morning
1 Washington Letters, No. 78, vol. ii. B, p. 455, MSS., Department of
State, Washington, D. C.
114 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I hope that my invaluable Wife & beloved
Family enjoy all that Health that my fond Heart
wishes for them ; This indeed will be an addition
to my happiness, for which I never shall be too
thankful I long to see you, I have a thousand
things to say to you that consist of all composi
tions the loving, tender, sweet, soft & endearing
as well as of News Politicks, Business, Curiosity &c
&c &c I know you will laugh at me, as an old
fashioned fellow with a bald Pate gray head
but I can t help it Apropos I have been so
long with the gay, accomplished, proud English
man, that I ought to be a foot higher than I used
to be, therefore prepare yourself accordingly
If you knew how late it was and how much writ
ing I have done today you would reprove me for
spending your & my time in reading and writing
so much nonsense, especially to one whose Judg
ment & Taste I have not the meanest opinion of
- I know not how it comes to pass but so it is,
that I have lately increased my old habit of palm
ing off my old fashioned Wife every where I go,
as a pattern worthy of general Imitation & an Ex
ample to direct my Friends to conjugal Happiness
You know as men grow old they often fall into
strange whims My daughter too, is not always
forgotten but it is best not to raise her vanity too
much, therefore the least said is soonest mended
I should write to Susan late as it is but I am
afraid that it might be disgusting, so soon after
the receipt of her letter, as I find it possible she
HIS DAUGHTER. I I 5
meant the long delay in writing to her Papa as
a gentle hint, and you know I am good at a
hint sometimes, especially if it is a broad one -
My kind love to all as if named Kiss my dear
Susan Mrs. Washington often speaks of you,
always asks after you and wishes you with her
She is almost a mope for want of a female com
panion ; I wish you could have spent a week or
two with her this Winter I enclose you a grand
piece of news just arrived at Head Quarters.
Providence always interferes in the gloomy Hour
- Let Mr. L see it
Am with unalterable Affection
Your sincere & tender husband
BOUDINOT.
This only daughter, whom he calls his " one
ewe Lamb," was cast herself, in somewhat heroic
mould, though inheriting her father s benevolence
and sweet nature. When a little girl, on a visit
to- her aunt in Jersey, the house was levied upon
by a party of British. She expostulated with the
officer, reminding him that her aunt had asked
protection. " Not by your advice, Miss, I pre
sume," he said. " That it never was," she replied.
On April 20 he writes a hasty line to his wife
as an opportunity offers.
" I am getting my affairs in order to set off on
Friday or Saturday altho I am afraid the Gen 1
will object, as I plainly see it will greatly embar
rass him and worthy Man he has both Hands &
Il6 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Heart full The Enemy are trying what they
can do by throwing out proposals of Peace
God grant that we may be firm as it will be a
Time of Tryal & they mean to effect delay " l
MR. JOSHUA LORING TO MR. BOUDIXOT.
PHIL A 22 d April 1778
SIR
His Excellency Sir W m Howe has been pleased
to approve of the proposal that two officers be
appointed on each side to determine the dispute
respecting the 1821 Privates sent home last Win
ter and that they should meet at German Town
for that purpose as soon as you please, and if
agreeable to you, I will meet you there at some
time, this being settled I hope all our business
will go on more smoothly in future & that the
captives on each side may soon be released from
their confinement As I find it much more
agreeable to Sir W m Howe that Col 1 Campbell
should come into Phil 11 beg he may be sent in as
soon as possible, upon which I will immediately
send you another order for the Exchange at York
& to be final in that case
Excuse haste as Flag waits
I am Sir your most Obd Humble
Jos A LORING
Com Gen 1 Pris rs2
To ELIAS BOUDINOT Esqr
Commiss y Gen 1 American Prisrs
At Gen 1 Washington s Headquarters.
1 Family letters. 2 Family papers.
CHANGE OF MINISTRY.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
CAMP April 22<i 1778
MY DEAREST LOVE
Permit me once more to trouble you with a
scrawl before I see you Am just returned from
the Lines & am now preparing the way for home
I write this by opportunity to have the Plea
sure of enclosing a News Paper containing great
News, as well as to enjoy a Pleasure of a more
refined kind, that of mentioning the Name of a
beloved & highly valued Wife
The News from England is, that every thing
there, is in the utmost confusion Gen 1 Wash
ington our worthy Commander in Chief has been
carried in Procession through the streets of Lon
don--! mean his Effigy, and who ever did not
illuminate their windows were punished by hav
ing them broken by the mob Lord Chatham is
in the Ministry, Commissioners are coming over
to treat with Congress Temple Lutterel in his
speech says, " It is said the Americans have
neither shoes nor stockings, this may be true but
we find that they have Souls" Gen 1 Howe is re
called & Clinton takes the command the news
as to the particulars may be read to Mr Living
ston & a special Friend, but is not at present to
be made too publick for particular reasons
May the blessing of the God of Peace rest on
you & my dear Family who I long to see
Am with the sincerest Affection & esteem to
Il8 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
the best & most beloved of Women a tender &
faithful Husband
BOUDINOT 1
Love & a kiss to Susan.
The Tories & New Levies in Philadelphia damn
King Parliament & Howe & say they are left in
the lurch
Mrs. BOUDINOT
Having arrived at home, Baskingridge, May 13,
1778, he writes to General Washington:
D R SIR
On My arrival at Morris Town, I found Lt
Coll. Campbell, who proposed my going with him
to New York, as he thought he could aid me
greatly in farthering some immediate relief to our
suffering Prisoners. By Coll. Allen I rec d Gen 1
Clinton s permission to attend Coll. Campbell arid
then proceeded to New York I found Major
Gen 1 Daniel Jones in the Command & Gen 1 Val
entine Jones Commandant of the City -- Both
these Gentlemen appear determined to give every
relief to Prisoners that is in their Power They
treated me with uncommon Civility & granted me
every thing I Asked The Exchange I took
with Me was compleatly carried with Execution,
with the addition of twenty-five Officers & about
Twenty Privates being for the Servants of Gen 1
Burgoyne, Coll. Campbell & others -
Gen 1 Jones has given me the strongest assur
ances that our officers & Privates shall not have
1 Family letters.
LETTER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. IIQ
reason again to Complain of unnecessary Severity ;
indeed their whole System appears to be changed
or at least in Confusion I cannot but mention
the Service I rec d from Coll. Campbell, who seems
determined to interest himself in Mitigating the
rigors of Captivity, which he Appears well ac
quainted with Many of our officers who are
now Exchanged, are at a loss to know what to do,
there being no Provision made for them, and hav
ing left both Property & friends, they are anxious
for any employment, in which they may hope for
some satisfaction for the Multitude & severity of
their Sufferings
As I am much engaged to get my accounts in
proper order, I shall remain here, till that is done,
unless I receive other orders from your Excel
lency, which I beg to be favoured with, if you
think my immediate Presence necessary at Camp
- If a Successor to my department has been
Nominated, I should be much obliged by the In
formation -
I have the honor to be with the greatest regard
and esteem
Your Excellency s
Most Obed & Most Hble Serv*
ELI AS BOUDINOT
Com. Gen 1 of Pris s 1
His EXCELLENCY GEN L WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed)
From ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq.
May 1 3th 78
Answered 23d &c.
1 Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to Wash
ington, vol. xxiii. p. 135.
I2O ELIAS BOUDINOT.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MR. BOUDINOT.
HEAD Qu BS May 23 d 1778.
DEAR SIR
I was duly favoured with yours of the i3th. I
am happy to learn, that the appearances with re
spect to the future treatment of our prisoners are
now so favourable. It is much to be wished, the
disposition which at present appears may be per
severed in ; though unluckily for the credit of their
humanity, it is too evident the change which has
taken place, is to be ascribed more to the series of
successful events which have lately happened in
our Affairs, than to any desire to relieve the suf
ferings of Captivity.
By a Resolve of Congress of the 2ist, in con
sequence of a late proposal from General Howe,
a general Exchange of prisoners is to be carried
into execution ; This renders your immediate pres
ence at Camp necessary which I therefore request.
Col. Francis Johnson has been nominated to
succeed you in your Department, but he has not
yet accepted the appointment. In any case, your
presence and assistance are indispensable as your
successor could not be at once sufficiently ac
quainted with the State of the Department to ex
ecute with propriety a Matter of such extent and
importance, as that which now calls for your
attention ; and indeed you ought to be some time
with him to communicate the necessary informa
tion concerning it, and put him in a train. You
LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 121
will bring all your papers with you, for this pur
pose.
I am with great regard, Dear Sir,
Your Most obecT Serv*
ELIAS BOUDINOT Esqr G. WASHINGTON. 1
C. G. Prisoners
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MR. BOUDINOT.
HEAD Qu RS VALLEY FORGE, 2 d June 1778.
DEAR SIR
I inclose you a copy of a letter of the 23 d ult
forwarded by express, to which I have received no
Answer.
Cd r Johnston refusing the appointment, Con
gress have since nominated as Commissary of
prisoners Major Beatty. I have forwarded him
their resolve, and desired his immediate attend
ance at Head Quarters.
I must again urge the great necessity of your
hastening here with all possible dispatch. The
prospect of the enemy s moving (and) the present
circumstances and situation of the prisoners in
Philadelphia make your presence at this time ab
solutely necessary. If their liberty is to be
affected by exchange or parole, it will be easier,
in all probability, to accomplish it where they now
are than where they may be removed to.
I am & c
ELTAS BOUDINOT Esqr G. WASHINGTON. 2
C. G. Prisoners
1 The Washington papers, Department of State, Washington, D. C.,
transcript B, vol. v. p. 338.
2 The Washington papers, Department of State, Washington, D. C.,
transcript B, vol. v. p. 366.
- :,;r<
v \.
122 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
COMMISSARY LORING TO COLONEL HAMILTON.
PHIL A June 5 th 1778
SIR
Upon my Report to His Excellency Sir Henry
Clinton of our meeting yesterday at the Sorrel
Horse for the Purpose of settling an exchange of
Prisoners
I am directed to acquaint you that all our Pris
oners in Philadelphia agreable to the enclosed
Return, shall be sent out on the 12 th Ins 1 under a
proper Escort to the two miles stone on the Lan
caster Road over Schuylkill, provided you agree
to meet us There on that day with the like num
ber of British Prisoners of equal Rank to be then
& there exchanged for the same and you will be
so good as to fix the hour
I am Sir your most obedient
Humble Servant
Jos A LORING
Commiss y Gen 1 Prisoners l
Col. HAMILTON
Endorsed by E B
JOSHUA LORING Esq r
June 5 " 1778
Enclosing gen 1 Release.
Having returned from the visit to his family at
Baskinridge, and transacted the business alluded
to in his letter from there to Washington, dated
May 13, in compliance with Washington s letter
of May 23d from Valley Forge, he is again in
camp, at or near headquarters, from whence he
1 Family papers.
AT GERMANTOWN. 123
sends a hasty line to his wife, to say that he has
arrived there safely at noon on Friday. " In half
an hour was ordered to repair to Germantown,
from whence I am just returned & am again
ordered there tomorrow morning so that I have
little rest for the sole of my foot The Commis
sioners are arrived at Philadelphia with Lord
Cornwallis which will protract their departure
Everything is on Board at Philadelphia "
CHAPTER VII.
June, 1778, appointed to meet General Robertson, British commissioner
for exchange of Hessian prisoners. Conversation with General Rob
ertson regarding peace. Offer of dukedom to ten thousand sterling.
Emoluments held out to Joseph Reed. Letter to Mrs. Boudinot, June
10. Arrival of French fleet with French ambassador and Silas Deane.
English frigate taken. War declared in England against France.
June n, return from second jaunt to Germantown. Enemy to evacu
ate Philadelphia. Surmise as to their further movements. English
commissioner to Congress. Condition of inhabitants, of city hospi
tal stores. Should go into the city, then set off for Yorktown.
Ribbon for his hair. Snuff box with Washington s head in relief.
Mr. Boudinot to General Frcidrell regarding exchange of prisoners.
To Mrs. Boudinot. Expecting enemy to leave the city every moment.
Marquis Ea Fayette and Baron Steuben have letters from France.
France receives American ambassadors. English take American
vessel on French coast. Demanded by France. Action of king on
refusal. European combats. Commissary Eoring to Mr. Boudinot.
Note on his letter. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington. Re
ports marching of British army. Violation of agreement as to ex
change of prisoners.- To Mrs. Boudinot from Philadelphia. En
emy gone off. General Robinson s promise to protect Mr. Stock
ton s and Mrs. Noel s homes. To General Washington, June 20, u
o clock. To Mrs. Boudinot. Anxiety for her, being in the route of
the army.
MR. BOUDINOT writes :
" About the month of May or beginning of
June, 1 in the spring of 1778, I was appointed by
General Washington to meet a commissioner, on
the part of the British at Germantown to ex
change the Hessian prisoners in our custody. On
my arrival I found the British Commissioner was
1 As shown by his letters it was June.
ANOTHER BRIBE. 125
the same Genera! Robertson who had brought out
a gent, with him, who had been an acquaintance of
mine, a very sensible, prudent, genteel man. After
doing our business and dining together - This
gent m asked me if I would walk in the garden
with him. I readily agreed, When there, he asked
me if I had any objection to a confidential polit
ical conversation. I said, I could have none. He
told me that the British exceedingly regretted our
unhappy dispute. That they were convinced, it
could end in no substantial good to either party
that they were now convinced of the propriety
of healing the breach % That if any person
would undertake to settle the unhappy dispute,
he was authorized to promise them anything he
would ask from a Dukedom to ten thousand ster
ling per annum. To this I replied as before to
General Robertson, that offers of that kind could
have no effect on men who were acting from
Principle. That America wanted peace & quiet
ness. That the British had invaded us, and it
was on her part to say what she wanted. He said
he came authorized in the fullest manner, to offer
a carte blanche, it should be signed by a proper
authority, and I might fill it up myself. I told
him that I was too well acquainted with the Brit
ish Gov 1 . & the nature of the dispute, not to know
that such an offer was merely delusive, & that it
could only tend to deceive, for they never designed
nor could do any such thing.- He in the most
positive terms assured me that it was all real and
126 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
nothing could give more pleasure to the Govt
than to have it agreed to. I answered that I did
not doubt his honesty in the business, but well
knew that he was imposed upon. He however
insisted so strenuously on the rectitude of their
intentions that he would venture his life upon
their agreeing to any terms that I would dictate.
In reply I said I would try him & thereby bring
the matter to the test. That I would fill up his
carte blanche with only one term that we should
be allowed one single free bottom to every part of
the world. His countenance fell and with much
apparent distress said, Sir, you are right it is im
possible. Well, Sir, said I, it is not all the power
of Great Britain and all that she is worth, will
ever bring America to submit without having a
free Trade to every part of the world, with as
many ships as she can command, and therefore
the project is vain. He acknowledged his error,
begged my pardon for the trouble he had given
me and the freedom he had used, and we returned
into the house.
" After some little time, General Robertson
came to me and cursorily asked me who I thought
would be governor of Pennsylvania I told him
it lay between Mr. Robert Morris & Mr. Joseph
Reed. That one of them would be chosen, but
which I knew not. We then soon parted." 3
Irving in his " Life of Washington " tells of a
1 MSS. Reminiscences of E lias Bondinot, Library of Mr. John Carter
Brown.
ARRIVAL OF FRENCH AMBASSADOR. 127
similar attempt on the part of the English com
missioners in June, 1778, to bribe Mr. Joseph
Reed, then a member of Congress, and of his
u brief and memorable reply " - " I am not worth
such purchasing, but such as I am the King of
Great Britain is not rich enough to do it." Mr.
Boudinot, it will be observed, had led the way in
such sturdy rejoinders, regarding as lightly the
dukedom and ten thousand sterling per annum,
as did his friend Joseph Reed the " honors and
emoluments " held out to him. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDIXOT.
PHILADELPHIA, June the io th
MY DEAREST LOVE
Ever willing to please & gratify you I take this
opportunity to give you the earliest Intelligence
that the French Fleet has arrived off the Capes
of Delaware having on board the French Ambas
sador & M r Silas Deane. The Admiral is on
board a 90 gun ship & the Fleet consists of So &
54 guns with several Frigates Pilots are sent on
board & expect they will push along the coast
towards New York They have taken an Eng
lish 36 Gun Frigate. War was declared ag 1
France in England on the iQ th May so that at
last the dye is cast The Indians continue to
waste the Frontiers & I am afraid it will be some
time before their progress will be stopped
My kind love to Sister & the Family Kiss
1 See MSS. Life of Washington^ vol. iii. p. 413.
128 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
my dear Susan Not a word from home since I
left I find that I shall be obliged to purchase
you some letters & send them from hence The
weather is so hot that I can do little else but waste
the time away.
If you have an opportunity let Elisha know the
news as I dare say it will set him a Tip Toe. If
the English Fleet should arrive soon also there
would be warm work I hope you got my letter
of Days past.
Am my dearest Love with all the warmth of
affection you can wish or desire
your loving & faithful
BOUDINOT
The fleet consists of 12000 seamen
Mrs DouDixoT 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
CAMP June II th 1778
MY DEAREST LOVE
Am just returned from my second Jaunt to
Germantown, where I have been happy enough
to settle a general exchange of Prisoners, altho it
was thought to be again at an end The enemy
are all ready to evacuate Philadelphia and would
have done it several days ago had it not been for
the arrival of the commissioners I am more set
tled in my opinion that they never had a design
of going thro the Jerseys, altho the general opin
ion here is, that it is still their design If I
can judge of their Intentions (which indeed are
1 Family letters.
ARRIVAL OF COMMISSIONERS. 1 29
kept entirely within the Breast of Sir Henry
Clinton) they mean either to land suddenly at
Chester or Marcus Hook and make a violent
attack on our Camp, after they have prevailed on
Gen 1 Washington to detach as many as possible
to secure Philadelphia &c or they are bound for
the West Indies, which is rather unlikely A
Flag has announced the arrival of the Commission
ers who sent for permission for the Secretary to
wait on Congress. They rec d for answer that an
Express should be sent to Congress to know their
Pleasure
The Inhabitants of the City are in the utmost
distress & confusion Those who go off are all
embarked & on board of ships at Reddy Island,
men, women & children eating up their sea Stores
& know not when they are to sail. Those that
remain behind are in Terror & apprehension of
every Insult & Abuse The General has for
bidden any of the army from entering the City
but one Regiment appointed for that Purpose.
The want of an act of Indemnity has forced
away several hundred of valuable Tradesmen &
manufacturers who are cast upon the mercy of
the British Army & scarcely know where to get a
meal of victuals They execrate our barbarous
severity in the bitterest & most poignant terms
of agony woe I have heard many little anec
dotes while at German Town that I could wish
to tell you but have not time --The commission
ers had like to have been mobbed by the british
130 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Light Infantry two nights ago They hung Lord
North in Effigy with the two acts of Parliament
in his Hands. They cannot bear the thought of
Peace.
The Enemy have delivered up to me lists of
the Hospital Stores which they are to leave with
our sick at a reasonable valuation I have ap
pointed a Surgeon to take charge of them.
I should sett off for York Town in a few days
but want to go into the city first -
I shall leave the office just as I wished, quite
clear of American Prisoners-- This is almost
beyond what I had a reason to expect & for which
I am very thankful
I quite forgot to bring some black Ribbon for
my Hair and am badly off for it Pray send me
some at the first opportunity -
I enclose a letter for your brother -
I see an elegant snuff box brought over by one
of the commissioners with Gen 1 Washington s
Head elegantly painted or rather raised on the
Lid. I have it here & wish you could see it
I am in haste
with the utmost love sincerity
Your most affectionate
BOUDINOT
My kind love to Susan the Family at
Morven 1
1 Family letters. Morven was the country seat of Richard Stockton,
where Mrs. Boudinot was visiting her relatives.
LETTER ON EXCHANGES. 131
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL FREIDRELL.
[Copy.]
CAMP VALLEY FORGE June 13* 1778
SIR.
Your favour of the 7 th Ulmo. is now before me,
in answer to which, can assure you, that as it has
all ways been our desire to moderate the rigors of
captivity in every Instance in our Power, so we
are constantly willing to make exchanges either
partially or generally, as we can prevail on your
Commander in Chief to agree. I have repeatedly
offered to exchange every Prisoner in our Hands,
but have been hitherto refused till a few days
past, when I have had some hopes that there will
be a general Exchange of all but the Convention
Prisoners. Whenever you can get the consent
of General Clinton or other proper officer I am
ready to exchange your family or any other offi
cers you may please to require.
I have the honor to be
with personal respect Sir,
your most Obed. Hble Ser vt
ELIAS BOUDINOT
Com. Genl. of Pris 1
Honble GENERAL FREIDRELL.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
CAMP June i3th 1778
MY DEAREST LOVE
Just sending off an Express to Elizabeth Town ;
I have ordered him to go by the way of Prince-
1 From collection of Mr. Charles Roberts, Philadelphia.
13-2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
ton that I may have the pleasure of writing you a
line.
We are still in expectation of the Enemy leav
ing the City every moment The answer to the
commissioners request from Congress has just
gone to Head quarters, which I believe will deter
mine the Motions of the Enemy. I am still per
suaded you will not be troubled with them in the
Jerseys altho there are different opinions The
Marquis La Fayette & Baron Steuben have both
letters from France of the last of March France
has publicly received our Ambassadors The
English have taken one of our vessels on the
French coast which has been demanded by France
& refused The French King immediately served
on all the English ships in his ports. The King
of Prussia has entered Bohemia with 60000 men
& surprised one of the Emperors Garrison The
Turks Russians are at it pell mell My
kind love to Susan for whom I send a kiss of
love ; remember me to your brother sister &
family 1 --The Express waits & allows me but
barely to repeat those warm assurances that you.
have received a Thousand & a Thousand Times
that I am with the most sincere unfeigned
Affection & Esteem
My dearest Love
Your very faithful
BOUDINOT 2
1 Mrs. Boudinot was at Princeton, visiting the Stockton family, at Mor-
ven.
2 Family letters.
BREACH OF FAITH AS TO PRISONERS. 133
P. S. I hope to leave this the latter end of
next week.
Mrs. BOUDINOT
COMMISSARY LORING TO MR. BOUDINOT.
PHIL* 6 oclock
Wednesday Morning
June i; th , 1778
SIR
On receipt of this be so good as to come down
near our lines send in the Trumpeter when Gen 1
Robinson will come out & meet you. I have rea
sons why I would wish you to be as expeditious as
possible
I am Sir your most ob* Humble Servant
Jos A LORING
Com. Gen. Pris rs
N. B. being ordered to embark all your Pri
vates Pris rs here it will not be in my power to see
you again, please to forward our Prisoners on to
Staten Island
Y rs LORING
I beg my respects to Gen 1 Lee 1
ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq r
On the back of this letter is a note embodying
his reply to Loring, in which he tells him that he
is greatly surprised at the post scriptum to his
letter "The embarking of the Privates, Prison
ers of War, is a direct breach of the Faith pledged
to me in our agreement " " I am therefore sorry
to be under the necessity of informing you, that
without further advice from me after I reach Head
1 Family papers.
134 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
quarters you need not expect any more of your
Prisoners to be sent forward ( except the 38 I
owe you which shall be duly paid ) as I shall
immediately countermand the order given to the
different departments for their being sent on &
shall return those on the way " l
ELIAS BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL
WASHINGTON.
GERMAN TOWN June 18 1778.
8 o Clock P. M.
D R SIR
I am this moment returned from the Point
opposite to Gloucester As soon as the City
was a little reconnoitered, and prudent precau
tions taken, I went clown with two or three
chosen Persons to the Point from whence the
Enemy had just gone over We plainly dis
covered their rear & indeed the direction of the
whole Party from the Dust Two Deserters
came over to us while we were there, one swam
the River the other came in a Canoe From
the whole, I think your Excellency may depend
on the following facts - - That the main Body
passed over at Coopers ferry --The flying Army
as it is called passed to Gloucester to serve as a
Covering Party This last Body halted about
two or three Hours at Gloucester, burned their
scows dressed two Days Provision and marched
towards Haddonfield about three or four oClock,
where it is said they are to join the Main Army
1 Family letters.
MOVEMENTS OF THE BRITISH. 135
this Evening One thing only puzzled me, it
was clearly discernible that the last of the Main
Body, who were in sight when we entered the
City, marched down from Cooper s ferry along
the River, to Gloucester - The only way I can
account for this, is to suppose them part of the
flying Army I asked the Deserter how it came
that this flanking division marched to the right of
the Main Body instead of the left He answered
me that it was reported that Gen 1 Wayne with his
Division had crossed from Wilmington
We have sent off two or three proper persons
in their rear
A light Horseman came in with your Excel
lency s Letter of this date, but the Contents are
as fully answered by the above, as I am now
capable of; every possible measure shall be taken
by me to endeavour to watch the Enemy s Move
ments
Notwithstanding every endeavour used to the
Contrary, they have embarked all our Prisoners
except a very few They persist in taking the
officers with them, but say they will disembark
the Privates in the River when the Prisoners
arrive I have given for answer, that under so
notorious a violation of a solemn Agreement for
the purpose, I could not say whether your Excel
lency would suffer another of their Prisoners to
be sent in at any rate.
136 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I am Your Excellency s Most obed , most Hble
SeiV.
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
His Excellency
GEN L WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed) M R BOUDINOT
June 18, 1778
( Addressed ) To the public Service
His Excellency GENERAL WASHINGTON
Head Quarters.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
1778
PHILADELPHIA June 2o th
MY DEAREST WIFE
An opportunity offering I have time only to
acquaint you that the Enemy are gone quite off
- I suppose they quarter this night in Mount
Holly - - From the best intelligence, their left
column or flying Army will pass through Prince
ton-- I wish you to go home without delay A
great many Deserters are constantly coming in
by Parties of 6 & 7 Gen 1 Robinson has pro
mised me to direct his aid to quarter at M r Stock
tons & M rs Noels to protect c
Am in the utmost haste being; obliged to write
o o
in the coffee house amidst the confused noise of
multitudes of Joyous Fellows
My dearest love
Your sincere & affe 1
BOUDINOT 2
P S Love to all
M rs BOUDINOT
1 Letters to Washington, vol. xxiv. p. 44, MSS. Archives, Department
of State, Washington, D. C.
2 Family letters.
TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 137
ELIAS BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL
WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA June 20, 1778 n "Clock
DEAR GENERAL.
I omitted writing yesterday, supposing that
your Excellency would have had constant Intelli
gence from the Gentlemen of the Army, and not
being able to send any thing very material, knew
it would be but troublesome
Finding this Morning that I was mistaken in
the first, I push the Bearer forward with the en
closed ace 1 of facts which you may depend upon,
as they come from a Person of Credit, who left
the Army this Morning and was in Company
with Gen 1 Grant.
Shall send off the rest of the Horsemen as fast
as I can get any Intelligence, altho I propose
leaving this myself tomorrow or next day
If your Excellency should have any Commands
for me, shall esteem it an honor to comply with
them as far as is in my Power I expect to be in
German Town tomorrow
Am your Excellency s
Most obed* Hble Serv
ELIAS BOUDINOT
P. S. I have sent a deputy down the River
with a flag to know whether our Prisoners are
released or not
His Excellency GEN L WASHINGTON
( Endorsed ) From ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq*
June 20 th 1778.!
1 Letters to Washington, vol. xxiv. p. 81, MSS. Archives, Department
of State, Washington, D. C.
138 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
MOZELLS FERRY
June 22 tl 1778
MY DEAREST LOVE
Having come thus far to take my Leave of the
General & Family, I am mortified greatly to be
obliged to turn my back on my dear Family &
push on for York Town, as I find my Baggage
all sent forward on that Route and I am under
the necessity of going to Congress as speedily as
possible I have wrote you many Letters & two
particularly from Philadelphia but have never had
a single Line since I left you The Enemy are
bound thro Princeton & Brunswick I believe
I take it for granted that our Army will pass
thro Baskinridge if so pray get some Gent n of
our acquaintance to lodge in the House I wish
Elisha could be with you
May the blessing of Heaven be with you & my
dear Susan Love to the family sister Sec
Am with unfeigned affection
Your sincere & loving
o
BOUDINOT 1
I have been near 10 clays in the Lines & at
Philadelphia without a change of Linen & am
anxious to go in search of my Baggage
M" BOUDINOT
1 Family letters.
CHAPTER VIII.
Exchange of General Charles Lee. Taken at Baskingridge. Sent to
New York. Requests a committee of Congress sent to him.
Breakfast with him in New York. Lee reads his manuscript to Mr.
Boudinot. Negotiates for Lee s exchange. Sent to Philadelphia.
Is there exchanged. Received with military honors. Dines with
Mrs. Washington at headquarters. Passes the night at headquarters.
Given command of the right wing of the army. Goes to Congress.
Abuses Washington. Intrigues. Disgraceful conduct at Free
hold. Hamilton s view of Washington, Greene, and Lord Stirling.
MR. BOUDINOT writes of the exchange of Major-
General Charles Lee :
" In Dec r 1776 Gen 1 Lee being taken Prisoner
at his quarters at Baskinridge in the County of
Somerset (New Jersey) about four miles to the
left of his Troops, towards the Enemy, by his
own extreme negligence & folly, was removed
(after the british Cantonments were beaten up at
Trenton & Princeton) to New York & confined
to a handsome House, under the Care of 4 or 5
officers, who lived with him & kept a genteel
Table. In this situation he sent to congress, re
questing a Committee of their Body, might be
sent over to him, as he had something of conse
quence to communicate to them, and for the pur
pose, sent Gen 1 Howe s safe Conduct, for their
Security. This Congress very justly refused &
treated the application with deserved Contempt.
In January 1778, I was sent by Gen 1 Washington
I4O ELIAS BOUDINOT.
over to New York (with consent of Gen 1 Howe)
to examine into the actual Situation of our Pris
oners, and had orders to pay particular attention
to Gen 1 Lee, and accomplish his exchange if pos
sible.
" The Morning after my Arrival, I waited on
Gen 1 Lee who received me with great pleasure
indeed, and asked me to breakfast with him the
next day. This I did in Company with the offi
cers who had the Care of him, and was treated
with great politeness & affability. When Break
fast was over, Gen 1 Lee asked me up into his
Room. He soon began to complain very heavily
of the treatment he had rec d from Congress, in
not complying with his request. I told him that
I thought they had done perfectly right, not to
trust any of their members within the British
Lines, on such an Errand3 He replied that he
had obtained a safe passport for them from Gen 1
Howe, and they might have come with the utmost
safety. I then asked him what end would have
been answered by their coming. Sir, said he, I
had discovered the whole plan of the summer s
Campaign on the part of the British, and would
have disclosed the whole to that Committee, by
which Congress might have obviated all their
Measures, for Mr. Boudinot it is in vain for Con
gress to expect to withstand british Troops in the
Field. I answered that he must now be con
vinced, that without his Information, they had
withstood and that the Campaign had passed
GENERAL CHARLES LEE. 141
over, and the Enemy had gained no great advan
tage with all their force & strength. But (I con
tinued) General will you answer me explicitly, did
you inform General Howe, that this was your
design, he answered by no means ! Then Gen 1
said I do tell me what reasons did you assign for
so extraordinary a measure as sending for three
members of Congress to be permitted, to enter
a garrisoned Town & to confer with their own
General a Prisoner of War. To this he would
give me no answer. But immediately began to
urge the Improbability of our Troops under such
an ignorant Commander in Chief, ever withstand
ing British Grenadiers & Light Infantry, and
immediately put his hand into his Pockett &
pulled out a manuscript of 2 or 3 sheets, and
said he charged it on me to hearken to what he
would read to me, and as soon as I returned to
Jersey, that I would repair to Congress & not
leave them till I had prevailed upon them to adopt
his Plan.
" He then read his manuscript, which was a
laboured Argument to prove the impossibility of
making head against the british army, and that
therefore we should set it down as certain, that in
the next Campaign, we must be compleatly de
feated. He therefore urged, that Congress would
immediately have a strong fortress built at Pitts
burgh, and also several hundred Boats. That
they would order all the Riches of the Country to
be sent there, with the old Men, Women and
142 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Children, and that when they found themselves
driven there, that Congress &c &c might take
Boat & go down the Ohio to the Spanish Terri
tory for protection.
" The whole of this plan struck me in so absurd
a light, added to the impropriety of reading such
a thing to me who he knew was on my parole of
Honor, within an Enemy s Lines, (for altho it had
not been formally required, yet I considered my
self, more firmly bound, if possible, than if it had
been expressly given) that I could not but enter
tain the greatest Jealousy of the Integrity of
Gen 1 Lee. I answered without hesitation that I
could not take any such Message to Congress
from him, or any other, without the knowledge of
the british general. That I thought he had been
O O
very wrong to attempt any such Communication
to me knowing my situation, and that I should
consider myself as having not heard it. That I
wondered at his imprudence, in keeping such a
Writing in his pockett, as the discovery of it in
his Pockett in his handwriting might cost him
his life. He then waived the business & I left
him.
" I endeavoured to negotiate his Exchange, and
it was agreed (hypothetically) that it should take
place for Major General Prescott, subject to Gen 1
Howe s approbation. Gen 1 Howe objected, and
ordered Gen 1 Lee round by sea to Philadelphia,
that he might be exchanged under his own eye.
Gen 1 Lee (abhorring the sea) applied to me by
EXCHANGE OF GENERAL LEE. 143
Letter and most earnestly requested that he might
be permitted to go thro New Jersey under the
care of a british officer, to which Gen 1 Washington
consented, and he accordingly went to Philadel
phia, but no consent was obtained to the Ex
change.
O
" In the spring of 1778, a proposition was made
by both parties for a partial Exchange of Prison
ers, and I was ordered to German Town to meet
the british Commissary to attempt the business.
When I was setting off from Camp, Gen 1 Wash
ington called me into his Room and in the most
earnest manner entreated of me, if I wished to
gratify him, that I would obtain the exchange of
Gen 1 Lee, for he never was more wanted by him,
than at the present moment, and desired that
I would not suffer trifles to prevent it. I ac
cordingly went, and made a pretty considerable
Exchange of Prisoners, but quite new propo
sitions were made for the Exchange of Gen 1
Lee, which neither the General or myself had
ever thought of. After reducing the Terms to
as favourable a scale as I thought right, I agreed
to it, on condition, that if General Washington
was not pleased with the new plan, and notice was
given of his refusal within 24 Hours, the Ex
change was to be void without any charge of
failure on my part.
" I arrived at Head Quarters about 6 o clock
p. M. and going in to the General began to tell
him of my success, when he interrupted me with
144 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
much Eagerness, and asked me if I had Ex
changed Gen 1 Lee. I informed him of what had
o
been done ; he replied sit down at this Table, and
write a letter informing of my Confirmation of
the Exchange and send one of my Horse guards
immediately to the Enemies Lines with it. I
assured him that next day would be time enough,
but he insisted on its being immediately done,
and I sent him accordingly, fixing the next day
but one for Gen 1 Lee s coming out to us.
" When the day arrived, the greatest prepara
tions were made for his reception. All the prin
cipal OfBcers of the Army were drawn up in two
lines, advanced of the Camp about 2 miles towards
the Enemy. Then the Troops with the inferior
officers formed a line quite to head Quarters all
the music of the Army attended. The General
with a great number of principal officers and
their Suites, rode about four miles on the road
towards Philadelphia, and waited till Gen 1 Lee
appeared. General Washington dismounted
reed. Gen 1 Lee as if he had been his Brother.
He passed thro the Lines of officers & the Army,
who all paid him the highest military Honors to
Head Quarters, where M rs Washington was, and
here he was entertained with an elegant Din
ner, and the Music playing the whole Time. A
Room was assigned him back of M rs Washing
ton s sitting room, and all his baggage was stowed
in it.
Genl Washington gave him the Command of
GENERAL LEES PROPOSITIONS. 145
the right wing of the Army, but before he took
charge of it, he requested leave to go to Congress
at York Town, which was readily granted.
" Before he went I had an interview with him.
He expressed himself under the greatest obliga
tions to me, and assured me that he never should
forget my kindness, but wished exceedingly to
know if I had made his Communication to Con
gress & what was their opinion of it. I assured
him that I had not, and if he was wise, he would
say nothing upon the subject. He said he was
going to Congress for that purpose and he never
would rest until it was done, as he was now more
than ever convinced that nothing else could save
us That he found the Army in a worse situa
tion than he expected, and that General Wash
ington was not fit to command a Sergeant s Guard.
This mortified me greatly after all the kindness
shown him by Gen 1 Washington.
" My Jealousy of him was greatly confirmed, and
I began to interrogate him, about his reception at
Philadelphia, and immediately brought about the
question, whether he had seen Gen 1 Howe. He
told me that he had been closeted with him the
Evening but one before he left the City. I urged
him to tell me the substance of the Conversation
that passed between them. He told me that Gen 1
Howe began to talk upon the claim of Indepen
dence by the Americans, that he thought it one
of the most absurd & hopeless Expectations that
could enter into the mind of sensible men and
146 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
as for you Lee, says he, what in the Devil could
get into you to be so crazy who ought to know
better. Lee answered that he thought it a very
wise measure and that if it had not been done,
the Americans would have been without Excuse.
The General replied, why what end can it answer?
Do you think there is the most distant proba
bility of their succeeding ? To which Gen 1 Lee
replied, they were perfectly right In case of a
treaty what have they to give up, for what they
may insist on receiving, had they made no claim
to Independence. O Sir said the General, if that
is all they mean by it, it may be proper enough,
but I supposed they aimed at insisting on a sep
aration from the Mother Country, but in this view
it may be well enough. And so he said they
parted, but General Howe sent him a store of
Wine, Spirits, Porter c c. to take out with him,
-but the british soldiers finding out, that it was
stored in the cellar of the House where he lodged,
broke into it the night before he came away &
stole the whole of it. All this increased my sus
picions of Gen 1 Lee exceedingly, and I watched
him with a Jealous Eye.
" He went to Congress, and as I was afterwards
informed, he applied to Congress for a Committee
to meet & confer with him. The President M r
Laurens was directed to this service, to whom
Gen 1 Lee communicated his Plan, which disgusted
M r Laurens so greatly that he would not even re
port it to Congress. This lessened the General so
GENERAL LEE AT FREEHOLD. 147
greatly in the Eyes of Congress, that they never
paid much respect to him afterwards.
" He returned to the Army & took command
of the right wing. He immediately began to
cabal against Gen 1 Washington & to quarrell with
the Marquis La Fayette. He assured me himself,
that Genl Washington was ruining the whole
Cause, that he was looking forward to the British
evacuating Philadelphia & g m g to New York,
and of course strengthening his left, while the
right was totally unguarded ; but Lee said that
the Enemy would pass over to Chester & come
suddenly on their right wing, and we should be
wholly overthrown. He said he had urged this
in Council, but that he had been overruled &
therefore was no longer accountable.
" When the british Army actually passed thro 5
Jersey Gen 1 Washington by his great precau
tion, had advanced two Brigades towards the
Delaware, and therefore overtook the British at
Freehold, Gen 1 Lee w^as greatly mortified & at
first refused to take the Command of the advanced
party & it was given to the Marquis La Fayette,
but on finding that the advanced army was rein
forced & raised to a very respectable Command,
he insisted on the Command ; and to keep Peace
it was given to him.
" Gen 1 Lee accordingly came up with Genl
Clinton near freehold Court House, and a Skir
mish took place. Gen 1 Lee had considerable
military knowledge & did very well on a small
148 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
scale but I have no doubt that whenever any
thing on a very large scale struck him, that a par-
tial Lunacy took place.
" His Behaviour this Morning discovered this
state of mind, which might have been increased
from the peculiarity of his situation, and his ex
alted Ideas of the prowess of british Troops. In
the midst of the Engagement, he rode up to a L 1
Coll. of my acquaintance who had a single field
piece firing and called to him, Coll. have you
seen anything improper in my Conduct this morn
ing ? The Coll. (who had been convinced of
something wrong in the Gen 1 all the morning, yet
not choosing to acknowledge it) answered, no by
no means well then said the General, do you
remember that. Such an Extraordinary Question
from a Commander in Chief of a division, under
such Extraordinary Circumstances, is full of proof
that he must have felt something unusual in him
self.
" The Issue was that he was beat, and had not
Gen 1 Washington have come up in a lucky mo
ment & turned the fortune of the day, it might
have been fatal to America." 1
Mr. John Fiske, in his " War of Independence,"
says of Lee s villainy, that it was not fully known
till eighty years afterwards, when a paper of his
was discovered that revealed it in all its blackness. 2
1 MSS. Reminiscences of Elias Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter
Brown.
2 Fiske s War of Independence, p. 1 38.
WASHINGTON CHECKS THE ENEMY S ADVANCE. 149
As to Washington, Hamilton remarks, in a pri
vate letter to Mr. Boudinot :
" I never saw the General to so much advantage
His coolness and firmness were admirable. He
instantly took measures for checking the enemy s
advance and giving time to the army, which was
very near, to form and make a proper disposition.
He then rode back and had the troops formed on
a very advantageous piece of ground ; in which,
and in other transactions of the day Gen 1 Greene
and Lord Stirling rendered very essential service
and did themselves great honor. America owes
a great deal to General Washington for this day s
work. A general rout, dismay and disgrace would
have attended the whole army in any other hands
but his. By his own good sense and fortitude he
turned the fate of the day. Other officer s have
great merit in performing their parts well, but he
directed the whole with the skill of a Master
Workman. He did not hug himself at a distance
and leave Arnold to win laurels for him, but by
his own presence he brought order out of confu
sion, animated his troops and led them to suc
cess."
After a tribute to Wayne, Stewart, Ramsay,
Olney, Livingston, Barber, Cilley, Parker, Craig,
and Oswald, he observes :
" The behavior of the officers and men was such
as could not easily be surpassed. Our troops, after
the first impulse from mismanagement, behaved
with more spirit and moved with greater order
150 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
than the British troops. You know my way of
thinking of our army and that I am not apt to
flatter it. I assure you I never was pleased with
them before this day What think you now of
General Lee ? Whatever a court-Martial may
decide, I shall continue to believe and say his
conduct was monstrous and unpardonable." 1
1 History of the Republic, by J. C. Hamilton, vol. i. pp. 468-478.
CHAPTER IX.
Election to Congress. Writes to Mrs. Boudinot. Lodging at Mrs.
Thomas Franklin s. Of Monmouth. Incloses letter from General
Washington. July 9, great heat. News of French fleet on our
coast. English fleet following. Indians cut off Wyoming settle
ment. Illness. Longs to retire. Visit from French minister.
Colonel Hamilton to Mr. Boudinot concerning Baron Steuben.
Settlement of Mr. Boudinot s accounts. Letter to Mrs. Boudinot,
describing reception of French minister. Lord Howe s fleet at Rhode
Island. Count d Estaing. General Sullivan.
HAVING been elected to the Continental Con
gress at a joint meeting of the Legislative Coun
cil and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, held at Princeton on the 2oth day of
November, 1777, with his colleagues Messrs.
Witherspoon, Clark, Elmore, and Scudder, Mr.
Boudinot resigned his office of Commissary Gen
eral of Prisoners ; but he did not take his seat in
Congress until July of 1778, awaiting the appoint
ment of his successor in office, and owing also to
the exigency of the case regarding the exchange
of prisoners at the time.
Leaving his family at Baskingridge, he repaired
to Philadelphia, from whence he writes to Mrs.
Boudinot as follows :
PHILADELPHIA July ; th 1778
MY DEAREST LOVE
Thro the goodness of God I arrived here, after
a very disagreeable, tedious Ride, on Sunday
152 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
morning Yesterday took my seat in Congress
& am unexpectedly & happily lodged at M rs
Thomas Franklin s a very agreeable Family &
one of the most pleasant Houses in the City
I found your two letters here, which you wrote
at Princeton, for which am much obliged, as I
am by every thing that suggests my share in the
affection of the dearest of women My scene of
labor is opening rather larger than I could wish
but usefulness in Life & a blessed Prospect of
Happiness in Death, ought to be our continual
desire. How much are we indebted to our gra
cious Protector for his amazing interposition in
our Favor on the Field of Monmouth ; altho I
suppose you are filled with every circumstance of
that important Day, by this Time, yet I enclose
the Letter of our great & worthy General, whose
modesty in the Diction is only excelled by his
Bravery in the Execution of the plan of that
great day s work
My kind love to all the Family Friends.
Kiss my dear Susan
Am my dear Wife with
utmost affection esteem
Your loving
Mrs BOUDINOT BOUDINOT l
And again :
PHILADELPHIA July 9 th 1778
MY DEAREST LOVE
It is so hot that I cannot sleep, so I must spend
a few minutes in letting you hear from me
1 Family letters.
FRENCH AND ENGLISH FLEETS. 153
This City is enough to kill a horse & if I had not
been highly favored in obtaining most excellent
Lodgings I should have been overcome with the
heat We have rec d advice today from France of
a Fleet being on our coast consisting of 12
French Ships of the Line, Six Frigates & two
xebeques all under the command of the Admiral
Count de Estang with an Ambassador &c. &c.
An English Fleet has followed them, so that we
daily expect to hear of some bloody work - - The
Indians have struck on the Frontier & entirely
cut off the Wyoming Settlement It is said 200
Inhabitants were scalped
May a holy God deliver us from this barbarous
Enemy
Enclosed you have the publications of the Day.
My love to all as if mentioned Kiss my
Susan & excuse this scrawl & believe me with
cool reflection and sincerity
Your most affectionate
BOUDINOT l
On July 22 he writes :
" The fever is entirely broke & nothing but the
dull weather keeps me from going out." He has
not heard from his "Dearest Love" for twenty-
three long days, and is evidently out of spirits and
taking a dark view of things. He says : " I am not
quite satisfied with my prospects here, they do not
quite answer my expectations & I am afraid that I
1 Family letters.
154 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
am only wasting time but perhaps my Ideas may
hereafter alter If honor or public applause was
my object, it may be that I might be gratified "
But on the 26th his mood is brighter; he writes:
o
" Indeed I scarcely live a day, without some fresh
call to praise our God for his goodness & to say
that his mercy endureth for ever, and I have
lately experienced it in removing my disorder in
so speedy a manner, could we but live answerable
to such mercies it would increase our Happiness
to the Summit of earthly felicity I dare not
think too much of my beloved Wife & dear Fam
ily as I know it is apt to have an effect on my
determinations "
On the 1 3th of August the fever takes posses
sion again and he is forced to idleness and sad
reflection "I have a little leisure to converse
with the dear object of my warmest affection &
esteem, altho I do not write without pain I am
applying the Bark in such quantities that I hope
to be out tomorrow God willing If my health
should not be restored in a few days I shall not
be easy without visiting my beloved cottage where
all my earthly Treasure is almost buried Per
haps if I could forget it more than I do, it would
add to my present Pleasure I know that the
things of this Life are generally unsatisfactory &
illusory & that Enjoyment disappoints us at the
last but notwithstanding I verily believe that thro
the indulgent mercy kindness of a Holy God
as little of that disappointment has fell to my
LETTER TO MRS. BOUDINOT. 155
share as to anyone Person in the World My
desire is to be useful & as my Gracious God has
in his all wise Providence been pleased to favour
me beyond the common Lott of the children of
men & that not only in the best of women for my
companion thro Life but in a beloved Daughter
Family & Friends & every other earthly blessing
with the means hopes of Eternal Life, so I
would endeavour at the risque of every earthly
comfort & enjoyment to do his Will under any
circumstances of Life ; This, my dearest & best
beloved is my consolation & only satisfactory
reason for the loss of your inestimable company
which cannot be replaced by all the grandure,
Parade Noise that the World affords My
ambition is satisfied and w r hen it pleases Him
whose I am ever wish to be, a return to my
original obscurity will be acknowledged with grat
itude Praise I am but of little consequence
here can add but a trifle in the great scale of
publick movement I wish to retire and shall
take the first favourable opportunity
I have had a visit from the French Minister
have dined and breakfasted with him If well
enough I go tomorrow with him to the Valley
Forge." J
On the 26th of July Hamilton wrote to Mr.
Boudinot :
" Baron Steuben will do me the honor to deliver
you this : He waits upon Congress in a temper
1 Family letters.
156 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
which I very much regret discontented with
his situation, and almost resolved to quit the ser
vice. You know we have all the best opinion
of this gentleman s Military merit, and shall of
course consider his leaving the army as a loss to
it. Whether any expedient can be adopted to re
concile difficulties and retain him in the service, at
the same time that no disgust is given to others
who ought not to be disgusted, I cannot certainly
determine. But I should conceive it would not
be impossible to find such an expedient. You
have no doubt heard while you were with the
army of the obstacles thrown in his way by many
of the general officers excited to it by Lee and
Miflin, as I believe, in the execution of the inspec
torship ; and you have, it is equally probable
heard of an arrangement the General was in a
manner obliged to adopt to silence the clamors
which existed amoung them, and place the inspec
torate upon a footing more conformable to their
ideas. The opposition the Baron met with in the
case was one cause of dissatisfaction to him. In
our march from Brunswick, as the Baron was
unemployed and there was a great deficiency of
general officers, notwithstanding the ideas of the
army are against giving a command in the line to
a person vested with an office similar to that held
by him, the General ventured to give him the
temporary command of a division during the
march, in consequence of which the command of
a wing devolved upon him. This was a source of
LETTER FROM HAMILTON. 157
offence to many. When we came near the White
Plains the General thanked him in general orders
for his services, and requested he would resume
the exercise of his former office. To this, on
account of the opposition he had already met
with, and from the original plan for the inspector
ship being mutilated, he discovered very great
disinclination and expressed desire to preserve
command in the line, and from some conversa
tion we have had together I apprehend he meant
to resign his present appointment, if he cannot
have a command suited to his rank annexed to it.
" You will see by the General s Letters what
are his sentiments both with respect to the duties
of the inspectorship and the Baron s holding a
command in the line Far be it from me to wish
to contravene his views ; you may be assured they
cannot be essentially departed from without very
serious inconvenience. But if anything could be
done consistent with them to satisfy the Baron,
it would be extremely desirable. Perhaps the
principle on which the General s arrangement is
formed, may be preserved, and at the same time
the object of the inspectorship enlarged, so as to
render it a more important employment. Per
haps a resolution of Congress giving the Baron a
right to be employed on detachments might, for
the present, compensate for the want of a perma
nent command in the line, and might not be disa
greeable to the officers. You can sound him on
these heads. I need not caution you that this is
158 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
a matter of great delicacy and importance, and
that every step taken in it ought to be well con
sidered." j
Mr. Boudinot writes :
" When I found every Application to obtain
hard Money from Congress for the Cloathing of
our Prisoners in Vain, I waited on Gen 1 Wash
ington and proposed my Resignation, as my
Character was at Stake, having (on the Promise
of the secret Committee to yield me every neces
sary Aid) pledged myself to the Officers in Con
finement that they should be regularly supplied
with every Necessary, but they now suffered more
than ever In much Distress & with tears in his
Eyes he assured me that if he was deserted by
the Gent 1 of the Country, he should despair He
could not do everything He was Gen 1 Quar
termaster & Commissary, everything fell on him
& he was unequal to the Task He gave me the
most positive Engagements that if I would con
trive any Mode for their Support & Comfort he
would confirm it as far as it was in his Power
On this I told him, that I knew of but one Way,
& that was to borrow Money on my own private
Security He assured me, that in Case I did,
and was not reimbursed by Congress, he would
go an equal Share with me in the Loss I then
formed this Plan of obliging Gen 1 Burgoyne to
pay hard Money for the Support of the British
Prisoners whom we supplied with daily Rations,
1 J. C. Hamilton s Life of Alexander Hamilton.
SUPPORT OF PRISONERS ON PERSONAL CREDIT. 159
and in the meantime proceeded to borrow Money
or take Goods in New York on my own Credit
Thus I furnished 300 Officers with a handsome
Suit of Cloathes each, and 1100 Men with a. plain
Suit, found them Blanketts, Shirts, &c. and added
to their Provisions found by the British a full
half ration of Bread & Beef per Day for upwards
of 15 Months Part of this I supplied by send
ing Wheat & Flour to New York & selling them
for hard Money under leave from Gen 1 Robertson
Some time in the Beginning of the Year 1778
Congress received from Gen 1 Burgoyne near
40,000 Dollars in hard Money In the Begin
ning of 1778 I was chosen a Member of Congress
but continued in the Army till June, when Gen 1
Washington knowing that I was near Thirty
thousand Dollars in advance for the Prisoners,
urged me to go & take my Seat in Congress,
where I might get some of the hard Money rec d
from Gen 1 Burgoyne before it was all expended,
for if it was once gone, I should be totally ruined
I accordingly left the Army & joined Congress
on their Return from Yorktown in Pennsylvania
after the British had evacuated the City of Phila
delphia I applied to the Chamber of Au rs and
with great Difficulty got my Acc ts settled A
very large Balance was found in my Favor and a
Warrant ordered for 15,000 Dols Continental and
a Report made that I had actually advanced the
Cash and there was upwards of 10,000 Pounds
hard Money that I yet owed I urged the ap-
160 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
pointment of a Committee of Congress to an
Examination of these Expenditures & to report
upon them Richard Henry Lee & William
Duer were accordingly appointed, and after a full
Examination reported the Sum of Twenty six
thousand six hundred and sixty six dollars f in
specie, for which they recommended a Warrant
to be immediately issued On considering this
Report Mr. Dana from Massachusetts & Mr.
Merchant from Rhode Island opposed the Report
of the Committee with great Violence, insisting
that as Mr. Boudinot had taken up this Money at
the Instance of Gen 1 Washington without the
Approbation of Congress he had no Right to be
repaid but in continental Money as other Credi
tors of Congress After much Altercation I got
up and informed the House that I had borrowed
the Money on my private Credit in the City of
New York That I should never ask the House
for the Payment of it again That I should on
my Return Home, see what Property I had &
pay as far as that would go, and then publish to
the World why I was insolvent for the Balance
But I also informed the House that even to that
Moment, our Prisoners in New York were fed &
cloathed on my private Credit That I would
immediately send Orders, to stop further Issues
to them on my ace 1 in 10 Days, and desired Pro
vision might be made for these unhappy People
after the Expiration of that Time on which
they went to other Business, without doing any
thing on the Report
MR. DUER S SPEECH. 161
" I sent Orders to my Agent in New York, and
all further Issues were stopped accordingly -
" The latter End of July I rec d a very affecting
Letter from my Agent painting the Distresses of
the- Prisoners in so striking a Manner and the
Death of Several more than had been usual, that
I could not longer persist in my Determination
of Silence on the Subject Having rec d their
Letter in Congress, I arose with Tears in my
Eyes, and reminding them of my former Promise
begged Leave to break thro it, so far as to read
the Letter, which I did On this Mr. Duer (a
Man of much Feeling) arose and in a speech of
more than half an Hour declaimed so severely
agt the ungrateful Conduct of the House, that a
unanimous Vote immediately passed for a War
rant in my Favor ^"10,000 in Specie, which was
immediately sent to New York." *
Mr. Boudinot writes to his wife on August 8
of his disappointment at not meeting her at
Princeton, whither he had gone for that purpose,
having put off going to Valley Forge with the
French Minister, Sieur Gerard. He thanks her
for numerous letters, saying, " How shall I repay
you? it can only be by loving you with a still
more ardent affection if possible." Then adds on
Thursday:
" We gave the Sieur Gerard his public audi
ence The ceremony as follows : Our President
1 MSS. Reminiscences of Elias Boiidinot, Library of Mr. John Carter
Brown.
1 62 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
was seated in a Mahogany armed chair on a plat
form raised about two feet, with a large table
covered with green cloth & the secretary along
side of him The Members were all seated
round within the Bar and a large armed chair in
the middle opposite the President for the Plenipo
At Twelve Oc. our State Coach & Six w r aited
on the Minister at his quarters He was preceded
by his own Chariot & two with his Secretaries.
The Minister was attended by two Members who
introduced him thro the crowd seated him in
the chair; He then sent to the President (by his
Secretary) the Letters from the King of France
to Congress, which was opened & read aloud first
in French then in English It was then an
nounced to the house by the waiting Member,
that the stranger introduced was the Minister
Plenepotentiary from His most Christian Majesty,
upon which the Minister arose & bowed to the
President then to the House & the House ris
ing returned the Compliment The Minister
then addressed the Congress and was answered
by the President, on which, the bowing again
took place & the whole concluded A public
Dinner succeeded at which was a band of musick
& the firing of Cannon-- The whole was plain,
grand decent The Minister was much pleased
as well as the Audience "
On August the lyth he writes her:
" I have been diverting myself with a revival of
1 Family letters.
LETTER TO MRS. BOUDINOT. 163
all your kind & affectionate Favours with which
I have been honoured since my residence here -
Great is the enjoyment & satisfaction my fond
heart feels on the recapitulation of those tender
& endearing sentiments & impressions that fall
with so good a grace from the Pen of my lovely
Wife For the future pray Number all your
letters as I shall do, by which means you will
know if any miscarry "
" We have advice that Lord Howe s Fleet went
to Rhode Island arrived there, this day week that
Count d Estaing immediately went out to attack
them -- They fled & he pursued On Tuesday
afternoon they were left at Sea just drawn up in
line of Battle They have burned five of their
Frigates at Rhode Island & it is said a number of
Transports Gen 1 Sullivan has landed on the
North coast of the Island & is only waiting for
the return of the French Squadron" l
1 Family letters.
CHAPTER X.
Friendship with Hamilton. Mr. Boudinot s defense of Hamilton.
Hamilton on Sullivan. Greene and Laurens. Distinguished
French gentlemen. Mr. Toussard. Mr. William Peartree Smith
to Mr. Boudinot. Views of state of the country. Son Belcher.
Reference to his daughter s engagement. Mr. Boudinot s reply.
Anxiously expecting news from Rhode Island. Expiration of term.
Joins his family at Baskingridge. Community there. General
Washington to Mr. Boudinot. Acknowledges a composition of his
sister. 1779, hopes to see him with Mrs. Boudinot and Miss Boudinot
at Middle Brook. From Philadelphia writes to Mrs. Boudinot, March
5, 1779. Hears his house has been burned by British; does not be
lieve it. " Powers of Europe all in our favour." Burgomasters
acknowledge independence. Spain on our side. Empress of Russia
refuses aid to England. The town increasing in extravagance.
Depreciation of money. To Mrs. Boudinot, April 6th. Offer of
remunerative office. General Washington to Mr. Boudinot. To
arrange for information from the enemy. Describes a liquid for con
veying secretly intelligence. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington
regarding designs of the enemy. Report of condition about New
York. General Washington to Mr. Boudinot. Mr. Boudinot to
General Washington, 1780. Rev. James Caldwell, patriot chaplain
and commissary, shot. Mrs. Caldwell shot. Children cared for.
Mr. Boudinot to Major-General Phillips.
THE lifelong friendship of the Boudinots with
Alexander Hamilton began when the latter, as a
lad of fifteen, came from his West Indian home
to study at Mr. Francis Barber s school at Eliza
beth town, New Jersey, which was under the pat
ronage of Governor Livingston and Elias Boudi
not, of whose families he was a frequent guest.
Mr. J. C. Hamilton relates the story of his hav
ing sat up to watch over the body of an infant
ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 165
that Mr. Boudinot had lost, and his employing the
hours of his sorrowful vigils in writing consolatory
verses, afterwards presented to the mother; also
of his ardent and religious mind inspiring the
prayers at the family gathering for that purpose,
a daily custom in the Boudinot family. 1
There appears to have been but few letters
passing between Hamilton and Mr. Boudinot.
This is accounted for by the fact that they lived
near each other, that they were for a time to
gether in the army and afterwards in Congress,
so that their intercourse was constant and per
sonal.
When Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury
Mr. Boudinot was still a Representative in Con
gress.
We can conceive how, in February, 1793, his
almost fatherly pride in Hamilton was wounded,
and his sense of justice outraged, while every
noble and generous impulse was excited to do
battle in the House of Representatives for the
friend whose career from boyhood he had watched
with a loving and jealous eye, that fatherless
boy in a strange land, whose genius had unfolded
itself in his own neighborhood, almost beneath
his own roof-tree, where Hamilton was wont to
make himself at home and wind himself into the
hearts of all there domiciled. The cool and dis
passionate way in which Mr. Boudinot brings
forward his proofs and figures, routing his adver-
1 J. C. Hamilton s Life of Alexander Hamilton, vol. i. p. 8.
1 66 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
saries horse and foot, prepares us for the great
majority which set aside those adverse resolutions,
and makes one glad that the judicial mind was
there to lead and hold in leash the more ardent
promptings of affection. 1
Hamilton writes him, in a private letter, his
view of Sullivan, regarding the order, stigmatizing
an ally and the folly of it, and referring to the
credit " universally accorded the happy and well-
conducted retreat ; " 2 to know how to strike the
proper string in approbation of the one and disap
probation of the other would require more skill
than he was master of, but he recommends a
proper mixture of the sweet and bitter in the por
tion which may be administered :
..." I am sure it will give you pleasure to have
heard that our friend Greene did ample justice to
himself on this expedition, and that Laurens was
as conspicuous as usual. But while we celebrate
our friends and countrymen, we should not be
forgetful of those meritorious strangers who are
sharing the toils and dangers of America without
o o
derogating from the merit of the other French
gentlemen who distinguished themselves Mr.
Toussard may be justly allowed a pre-eminent
place. In the enthusiasm of heroic valor, he at
tempted single and unseconded to possess himself
of one of the enemys field-pieces, which he saw
weakly defended He did not effect it and the
loss of his arm was the Price of his bravery, his
1 See Speech, vol. ii. 2 From Rhode Island.
LETTER FROM MR. WILLIAM PEARTREE SMITH. 1 67
horse was shot under him at the same time ; but
we should not the less admire the boldness of the
exploit from a failure in the success. This gen
tleman has now, in another and more signal in
stance justified the good opinion I have long
entertained of him, and merited by a fresh testi
mony of his zeal as well as a new stroke of mis
fortune, the consideration of Congress. The
splendid action he has now performed, and for
which he has paid so dear should neither be con
cealed from the public eye nor the public patron
age You are at liberty to commit this part of
my letter to the press With the most affection
ate attachment "
HON. WILLIAM PEARTREE SMITH TO MR. BOUDINOT.
MY DEAR SIR
I am extremely affected to hear of your illness,
by a Letter just received from my Son. Until I
can hear of your recovery, I shall daily feel myself
constrained to implore the great Author of life to
restore Health, not to an invaluable friend of mine
only, (for that might be the meer effusion of par
tiality and self Love) but to a Friend & Benefactor
to his Country & Mankind. As your fever is of
the intermitting kind, and not uncommon at this
season of the year, with a little care due use of
the Bark, I hope in God, you may be quickly
raised to your wonted usefulness.
From the w r hole current and complection of the
1 J. C. Hamilton s History of the Republic ; vol. i. p. 448.
1 68 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
late papers it appears clearly to me, that the Brit
ish Parliament will soon give up the American
Contest Indeed they cannot stand it, with a
War in Europe on their hands at the same time
-Very soon I expect to hear of Propositions
made you for declaring our Independence. But
if War be declared on the part of France (which I
have not yet heard) I think we cannot now, from
the Articles of our Alliance, make a separate piece
with them. Was the French fleet out of the way,
I firmly believe we should soon hear of the Em
barkation of their troops from N. York. But how
can they get off now, without falling a prey ? To
use Ld Abington s words " like a parcel of Asses
they are driven into a pound, out of which all
their Pounds, shillings pence, cannot get them
unpounded? All their hopes lie in the speedy
appearance of a superior English Squadron.
Count D Estaing appears to be under very little
apprehension, and seems to think (as I am told,)
that the English Fleet has been detained. How
ever it is my Conjecture that the Count will not
long remain in his present Situation Should he
slip off at once to the Eastward, all the British
Ships of War & vessels at R. Island would imme
diately fall into his hands, did they not suspect
such a maneuver in time to make an Escape. A
few Capital Ships left to cruise on our Coast would
cut off supplies this way and the passage thro
the Sound be effectually stopped, which I sup
pose is now open to them, and can be kept so,
MR. BELCHER SMITH. 169
(should the whole french fleet continue where
they are) by the British Men of War to the East
ward A little time will show whether my Con
jecture would be well founded. Three deserters
who are just escaped from Staten Island assert,
that the Enemy are reduced to half allowances.
In short, without relief they will soon be at their
wit s end, and the show will soon be over --The
Tories " all look aghast, while unforseen destruc
tion pours in upon them thus from every side"
Permit me now to trouble you with my thoughts
on a private affair, and to request your influence
in it. I am concerned to get my Son B. if not in
a more lucrative, yet in a rather more repiitable
Station than he is at present. The Place of Dep.
Secy of Congress, has, I am told, been long va
cant. Perhaps it may be kept so, because it
may be deemed unnecessary to fill it & perhaps
to save some little expense. As my son is un
doubtedly adequate to the Employment (for it re
quires no more of ability than the place he now
has) he hath unquestionably the preferable claim
whenever it is to be filled. If Congress should
not think it expedient at present to distinguish the
occupant by any additional pay ; (tho a trifling
addition, to distinguish, would seem proper) Yet
the appointment, tho barely nominal, I should
look upon to be more honourable and reputable
to him, than the character of a mere Scribe in the
Office. He has drudged on in this way, in severe
sedentary labour near two years, I fear to the injury
170 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
of his health & with an allowance very inadequate
to support. I think his irreproachable moral con
duct and approved fidelity merit Notice, and if he
cannot be rewarded in Substance, at least put this
little Feather in his cap, & give him a more re
sponsible Name. Tho I own, I look upon this,
as but an inconsiderable thing for him at present;
yet I have in view Futurity. I have hinted
this matter to Dr W. I presume his friendship
& good opinion of B. will lead him, (if you think
it not inexpedient) to cooperate with you in accom
plishing my wishes I have opened my mind
freely to you & leave the matter to your better
Judgment & Conduct
I will tell you a piece of secret intelligence, but
you must not mention it, as it lies yet only in our
suspicions & will reflect on the character of a
near relation --Your Brother visits here very
frequently of late ; and generally under some pre
tence or another, stays all night about the House
We really begin to suspect he has a mind to rob
us ; I have a certain piece of very valuable prop
erty, which Mrs S. & I together purchased at a
very dear rate many years ago, and which no
pecuniary Consideration would induce us to dis
pose of Since our apprehensions of an Inva
sion we keep this Baggage wrapped up very tight
carefully in Sheets & almost always under Lock
& Keys and ready to be removed at a moments
warning. This Baggage, we have taken notice,
he always eyes, and narrowly observes wherever
MR. BOUDINOT TO MR. SMITH. 171
we deposit it ; so that we have now all the reason
in the world to suspect he is meditating some
scheme how to plunder us of it before the Enemy
comes. This account must astonish & shock you :
For Heavens sake, keep it secret tho I fear it
cannot be long so, for my neighbors who see him
so often lurking abt the House so late at night,
begin to express their suspicion of an intended
Robbery. We shall all now be on the watch and
as the Baggage is pretty weighty, he can t, unless
assisted, carry it off, without discovery.
I am Dr B
Most unfeign dly yours,
W. P. S.
E. T. 23 July 1778.
Will you allow me to put my future
Letters to Belcher, under cover to you ? l
Mr. Smith conveys to Mr. Boudinot in this
humorous manner his suspicion that the latter s
young brother is paying his addresses to his
daughter; a well-founded suspicion and evidently
agreeable to both families, as the young couple
were subsequently married.
MR. BOUDINOT TO WM. P. SMITH, ESQ.
PHILADELPHIA Aug 15 1778
MY DEAR SIR
Your two several very Friendly & obliging
Favours of the 23 d July & 9 Inst came safe to
hand, the last I received at Princeton, since which
Family letters.
172 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
have been again confined with a return of my
fever but hope to get out as soon as the present
rainy season passes over -I am so confined to
Business here that a letter from a Friend is truly
valuable as it is a very agreeable relaxation to the
mind at the same time that it affords a satisfac
tion that is hard to express We are on the ten
ter Hooks of Anxious Expectation for News from
Rhode Island our hopes are raised to a high
Pitch as we have certain Intelligence that Lord
Howe had not sailed from the Hook on Sunday
last so that the Count de Estang cannot be inter
rupted in the least From the last accounts we
have from England & especially from a publica
tion sent us by a Friend, who informs that it was
made under the immediate patronage of Lord
North, I conclude that England will acknowledge
& settle this unhappy dispute ere many months
- I have conferred with Belcher fully on the sub
ject mentioned in your letter and if nothing better
turns up in a very short time for him, will en
deavour to accomplish what you propose as I
think it highly reasonable
The Office I wrote you about is filled up and
altho another equally advantageous might be had,
yet as it would require your personal and constant
attendance in this City, I think it will not answer
for the reason you mention and I am clear that
there is a Berth in our own State awaiting you
that you will fill with credit and reputation and
be of eminent public service while you may at
REPLY TO WM. PEARTREE SMITH. 173
the same time enjoy all your domestic comfort at
Eliz-Town in which you know I am personally &
greatly interested.
The Express that arrived from the commis
sioners brought nothing but a requisition for
permission to send Transports for the conven
tion Troops &c &c-
Being really and truly interested in your wel
fare I am distressed for the many losses you have
met with in these unhappy Times, and the only
consolation you can have is that it is a general
evil & in a good cause but when these misfortunes
happen from other means & in some measure
arising from our own fault and do not answer so
valuable purposes they are the more distressing
- It is upon this account that I condole so much
now with you, in the apprehension of your pres
ent danger, in the threatened Loss of your heavy
Baggage especially as it is your all of this kind of
property. I think you are in a good measure to
blame It becomes you without delay to swear
the Peace ag 1 suspected Person and even if neces
sary to get an additional Man or two of the Militia
to keep a Town watch especially in the Evening
and so near as to afford the necessary assistance
particularly by way of a retrograde movement -
Whenever you think it for the publick advantage
I can move Congress to pass some spirited resolu
tions agt attempts of this nature if not to make it
high Treason even to the commission of Blood
any former resolutions notwithstanding It will
174 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
give me great pleasure to forward your letters
to Belcher and beg that you will always enclose
them to me as by this means I shall hope to hear
oftener from you. You must excuse my scrawl
as I write in pain my Breast being greatly affected
- My kindest love to D r & M rs Smith & Miss
Kitty
and believe me to be with great affection,
Dear Sir,
Yours sincerely
ELIAS BOUDINOT l
To \V M P HAE SMITH Esq r
FROM DR. SCUDDER.
[No Date.]
DEAR SIR,
I am now at Head Quarters, and am much dis
appointed, at not finding you here.
Mrs Boudinot & Daughter were well the Day
before yesterday, as were all other Friends at
Princeton. M r Mariner presents his Compli
ments to you and wishes you to be informed,
that he with a Party of Monmouth Militia last
Saturday Night passed over the Long Island, and
surprised the Town of Flat Bush brought off
Major Montorieff and Mr. Theophilus Bache a
continental Cap 1 who was a Prisoner there, & four
Negroes, without any Loss on his Side, having
performed the whole Movement in about ten
hours - - The Major Mr. Bache are at M rs
1 Family letters.
BASKINGRIDGE. 175
Livingston s in Princeton, & really look silly
enough.
I am now on my way to Congress, and hope
the Pleasure of seeing you there as soon as your
present important Business is finished, in which I
wish you success and Dispatch
I hope to reach York To morrow Evening. I
must not omit to inform you, that our Legisla
ture have passed a Resolution That all Delegates
representing the State be instructed to repair im
mediately to Congress, and to attend their Duty
therein, untill they shall give further Direction
I am Dear Sir in great Haste
But with all due Respect,
Yours Affectionately,
NATH SCUDDER/
Hon ble ELIAS BOUDIXOT Esq r .
At the expiration of the term of 1778-79,
Mr. Boudinot joined his family at Baskingridge.
With other friends who had fled from the enemy,
they formed a little community of refugees de
pendent upon each other for more than the ordi
nary amenities of life. One darning-needle, it
is told by the descendants of General Morton s
family, was passed from house to house ; and great
was the perturbation when young Master Morton,
in carrying it from one matron to another, lost
it, and was forced with shame and sorrow to an
nounce the fact. Mr. Boudinot, though holding
no official position at this particular juncture, is
1 Family papers.
176 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
still active in the patriot cause. In the confi
dence of Washington, he is corresponding with
him and earnestly promoting his plans.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ELIAS BOUDINOT, ESQ.
BASKINRIDGE.
MIDDLE BROOK Feby 28th 1779.
DEAR SIR.
I had not the pleasure of receiving your polite
and friendly Letter of the 4th January till within
these few days, and of course had no opportunity
of acknowledging it sooner.
o o
I find myself extremely flattered by the strain
of sentiment in your Sis.ter s Composition. But
request it as a favour of you to present my best
respects to her, and assure her, that how ever I
may feel inferior to the praise, she must suffer me
to admire and preserve it as a Mark of her genius,
though not of my merit.
I shall be glad when your health is so far estab
lished as to admit of a ride to Middle Brook.
And if Mrs and Miss Boudinot can accompany
you, it will add to our pleasure. Mrs Washington
presents her compliments and wishes for the event.
I am, Dear Sir, c.
Go. WASHINGTON. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
PHIL A March 5th 1779
MY DEAREST WIFE
Not a syllable have I heard from home since
you left me, and not an opportunity has offered
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Washing
ton Papers, vol. i. P, p. 225.
FOREIGN NEWS. 177
since I have been here, to let you hear from me -
I write this with an expectation to go to Elizabeth
Town, as no shorter route can be had at present.
I left Princeton two days ago, after your departure
so illy mounted that with difficulty I reached Mr
Wynkoops that night, from whence I returned
the horses to Princeton and came to this Place
in Mr Wynkoops chair. He behaved extremely
genteel to me and I staid two nights & a day
with him very agreeably Have been here very
closely confined at writing attempted having
a clerk but luckily after writing a few days he
wanted money and I found that he charged me
70 dollars for about four days work on which I
discharged him determined to go through with it
o o o
myself I have been distressed on your ace 1
since we have heard of the Enemy landing at
Elizabeth Town. We heard of their burning Mr
Smith s Mr Woodruff s & my house but I really
did not believe it am now rejoiced to hear of
their departure
I have no news but of a foreign nature to tell
O
you The Powers of Europe are all in our
favour. The Burgomasters of Amsterdam have
acknowledged our Independency. The Court of
Spain, is beyond a doubt on our side. The King
of the Two Sicilys the Court of Sweden the Bar-
bary Powers are also declaring for us The
Congress are assured that on the British Ambas
sador requiring aid of the Empress of Russia she
nobly answered that she would never stain her
178 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
glory, by sending her Troops to conquer those
whose only fault was fighting for Liberty This
conduct it is said is owing to the Interest that
Court has in our separation from England, as it
will increase her trade exceedingly In short we
seem to be aided from every quarter except from
ourselves but alas all publick virtue is flown
The depreciation of paper money here is beyond
all belief I dined the other day on a quarter of
Mutton and on asking what it cost was answered
1 6 dollars .goods in general are 20 for one,
many 30 for one --Tell Mrs Hetfield that I am
asked 16 Dollars for a main spring to her watch
-She must let me know what I must do I
hope to finish here in two weeks if I have luck
Love to Susan the Family
am with great Affection
Yours sincerely
E BOUDINOT 1
Writing on March 29, 1779, from Philadelphia,
he says :
" This Town is increasing in Extravagance
every Day, and I know not where it will end God
only can prevent it in our Ruin. Beef is i5/ p Ib
Butter 3<D/ 8 Dollars for an earthen quart Mug
- a Lady a few days ago gave ^"200 for a sett of
Tea china, and every thing in proportion gauze
3 Doll pr. yard and yet I never saw so much
gaiety in Dress in this City before. The common
Dress caps of the Ladies take i yds of Gauze
1 Family letters.
EXPENSE OF LIVING. 179
" They have got mutton to io/ p. Ib and a pr of
womens shoes at 25 & 30 Dollars a p, Boots to
75 Dollars--! was obliged to hire a clerk the
other day & I gave him 8 Dollars p day and
he wrote but about 7 hours in the day and yet he
grumbled & wanted Ten "
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA April 6th 1779
MY DEAREST LOVE
An opportunity offering by Coll Meade, I have
the Pleasure of writing you again tho I am denied
that of hearing from you It is now going on
five weeks since I have had a single line from
you I begin to fear that you are not capable of
writing or I should certainly have had a letter
before this by some means or other
I long to see Baskinridge and am anxiously
engaged to finish here, I begin to have hopes of
an end to my acc*s and to have them finally set
tled I am wearied out in waiting on the People
of Office who are callous to the requests of those
attending to hasten their dismission If once I
get clear of them, it will be my fault if they catch
me again I have been offered 10,000 Dollars p
ann & 12 rations p day with three Horses to
accept of an office that would oblige me to stay in
this City What say you to it As to my own
part I prefer domestic Happiness with peaceful
obscurity to even the affluence of wealth My
1 Family letters.
I SO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Family is small & our wants few, why should I
embarrass myself beyond my depth, for the sake
of what I cannot enjoy My kind love to all
Friends Susan Polly Julia & the Family
I hope to see you next week at all events
I am with great Affection & Esteem
Your faithful
BOUDINOT l
Sugar has got to 1 10 p c 1
Raisins 8 Dollars p Ib Beef
has been sold for 2 dollars p Ib.
but has fallen again.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ELIAS BOUDINOT, ESQ.
BASKINRIDGE.
HEAD Q RS MIDDLE BROOK
May 3rd, 1779.
DEAR SIR,
Many Matters, which pressed upon me while
you were in Camp, prevented my consulting you
on an affair I have a good deal at heart, and
which I wished to make the subject of a personal,
rather than an epistolary Conversation. To come
to the point: It is a matter of great Importance
to have early and good intelligence of the Ene
my s strength and motions and, as far as possible,
designs, and to obtain them through different
o o
channels. Do you think it practicable to come at
these by Means of Mr. P d ? I shall not press
it upon him ; but you must be sensible, that to
obtain intelligence from a man of Observation
e5
1 Family letters.
MODE OF CONVEYING SECRET INTELLIGENCE. iSl
near the Head Quarters of an Army, from whence
all orders flow and everything originates, would
be a most desirable thing. The person rendering
such services will entitle himself not only to
thanks, but reward at a proper time.
If Mr. P d is inclined to engage in a busi
ness of this kind, I shall leave it to you and him
to fix upon such a Mode of corresponding, as will
convey intelligence, in the Most Speedy, safe and
efficacious Manner to guard against possible evils,
your correspondence might be under fictitious
names, by numbers (representing Men and things)
in character or other wise, as you shall agree. It
is in my power, I believe, to procure a Liquid,
which nothing but a counter Liquor (rubbed over
the Paper afterwards) can make legible. Fire,
which will bring lime juice, Milk, and other things
of this kind to light, has no effect upon it. A
letter upon trivial Matters of business, written in
common Ink, may be filled with important Intel
ligence which cannot be discovered without the
counter part, or Liquid here mentioned.
I shall add no more on this subject. I have
said enough for you to found a negotiation on ; at
least to hint the Matter to the person mentioned,
for Trial of his willingness to en^a^e in a corre-
o o o
spondence of this kind. No persons but you, he,
and I, and such as he shall pitch upon to convey
the intelligence to you, will be privy to this mat
ter. Your Letters to me, inclosing his accounts,
may be under an outer cover with the common
1 82 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
direction. The inner cover may be directed on
private service, which will prevent any of My Suit
from opening it ; and even under the circum
stances and caution the name of P- d may be
avoided.
I am very sincerely and Respectfully
Dear Sir, &c.
GO. WASHINGTON. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GEN L WASHINGTON.
E. T. Sunday afternoon 4 Clock
DEAR SIR/
I must beg your Excellency s excuse from par
ticularly answering your late favour, till I return
home. The design of this is merely to acquaint
you, that I have very great reason to believe that
the design of the Enemy in their late Embarka
tion is to go along the Coast of Virginia under
the Idea of Plundering c but really to make a
sudden march into the Country & rescue Bur-
goyne s Troops I cannot now give your Excel
lency My reason for this, further than it is the
Idea of People of Observation in the city They
have taken with them a quantity of spare arms
- and the two Goodrich s - - This tallys with the
Letter Communicated to me at Philadelphia, of
some extraordinary Manoevre in agitation and of
s o
depending on the Security of the Americans c .
c . I thought it best to communicate this Idea
to you that on a Comparison of Intelligence the
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, U. C., Washing
ton Papers, vol. i. p. 268.
LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 183
Truth may be guessed at I am with great re
spect
Your Excellency s Most Obedt & Hble
Serv*
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
P. S. If this Intelligence should be thought
worth Communicating I have particular reasons
for begging that the medium may be secreted as
it would lead to a suspicion that might prove dis
agreeable. This is all the Paper I can get.
His Excellency General WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed in Genl W s hand)
From ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq. iG h May 1779 l
Private
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ELIAS BOUDINOT, ESQ. BAS-
KINRIDGE.
MIDDLE BROOK, May i7th, 1779.
DEAR SIR
Your favour of 4 oClock yesterday afternoon
came to my hands this morning. The sugges
tions contained in it, I had before heard from
New York, but thank you nevertheless for your
attention, and communication of them.
I have no Idea of the Convention Troops being
rescued by the detachment from New York, but,
if it should take Post at the nearest navigation to
their Cantonment, it would Countenance deser
tion, and be a means of obtaining many of them
in that way. I shall endeavor, as much as possi
ble, to prevent this.
1 Letters to Washington, vol. xxxii. p. 325, MSS. Archives, Depart
ment of State, Washington, D. C.
184 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
If the Gentleman, whose name I mentioned to
you in my last, is inclined to undertake that
business, and should be in want of a little Specie
for the purposes there expressed, I will spare
part of my small stock. To know the real
strength and situation of the enemy, their detach
ments, reinforcements, designs expectations, c.
is essential. Equally important may it be, to
know frequently, what Ships of War and other
Armed Vessels are in the Harbour of New York.
The inclosed was brought to me by General
Thompson. If Mr. Pintard will inquire into the
truth of the representations and give or destroy
the pass, as facts may appear, I shall be obliged
to him.
I am, Dear Sir, Your Mo. obedient servant
Go. WASHINGTON. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GEN L WASHINGTON.
E. T. Tuesday Morning.
DEAR SIR/
Gen 1 Maxwell just setting off for Camp, I im
prove the opportunity, to acknowledge the receipt
of your Excellency s Letter of yesterday, and to
assure you that I shall attempt every prudent
measure in my power to accomplish your Wishes
and will endeavour to see your Excellency on the
subject, when any Plan is formed
From a calculation of a Gentleman whose
means of Knowledge are great, there are now at
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Wash
ington Papers, vol. i. p. 284.
ENEMY S FLEET. 185
New York Long Island and Staten Island about
7000 men Lord Rawden s regiment of new
raised Irishmen it is said, sailed for Georgia since
the Capture of the Jason &c under Convoy of a
20 Gun ship. The fleet bound to Chesapeak,
have on Board about 2500 men Twelve hundred
of which are of the Guards General Matthews
Commands There are at New York five frig
ates besides privateers, but Admiral Arbuthnot
with 5 or 6 Capital Ships are said to be expected,
with Troops The general opinion in the City
is, that their dependance is now on the depre
ciation of our Money and the disaffection of
oar People Therefore that their Business now
is to distress us by taking Possession of Georgia
& Carolina in order to deprive us of foreign remit
tances in Indigo & rice, and to carry on a kind of
plundering War along the Coast, to prevent a
foreign Trade That the most profound Secrecy
is aimed at, by the Principals in the City, and an
amazing increase of Jealousy with regard to every
person who is not in the Cabinet-- There also
appears (intermixed with the most bitter enmity)
an anxious desire in some principal People, to be
assured, whether Congress mean to insist on the
Independency of all America, or only the thirteen
United States -
I hope your Excellency will observe, that from
Time to Time, I give you the Accounts just as I
receive them for your Excellency s consideration,
without undertaking to Judge of the Propriety
1 86 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Mrs Boudinot joins me in the most respectful
Compliments to Mrs Washington
And am with great regard
Your Excellency s
Most Obed 1 Hble Serv
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
His Excellency General WASHINGTON
(Endorsed in Gen 1 W s hand)
From ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq iSth May 1779. l
Private
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASH
INGTON.
BASKINRIDGE May 3oth 1780
DEAR SIR /
It would have given me great Pleasure to have
been favoured with your Company on Thursday,
but am fully convinced of the necessity of Busi
ness being attended to ; when ever your Excel
lency can spare a day I shall think myself very
happy in being honored by a visit.
The Person referred to in your Postscript is a
Major Ward of the New Levies, who has made
very full offers of this kind, on condition of his
future acceptance with our Government. I pro
pose applying to the Gov r & Council for this
Purpose, without mentioning Names, if your Ex
cellency thinks it proper His situation and
advantages for Communication exceed any Per
son s that I know of --It is some time since I
had any communication with him, but then was
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington. Letters to Wash
ington, vol. xxxii. p. 344.
REV. JAMES CALDWELL. 187
anxiously desirous of being employed in any man
ner so as to make up with his country.
Mrs Boudinot & Miss Susan join me in the
most respectful compliments
And have the Honor to be Dr Sir
Your most Obdt Hble Serv<
(Addressed) ELIAS BOUDINOT. 1
His Excellency Genl. WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed in Gen 1 W s hand)
Head Quarters
From ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq T
3Oth May ijSo private
Rev. James Caldwell, the pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth town, New
Jersey, was distinguished for his zeal as a patriot
as well as his piety. He graduated from Prince
ton College, and was licensed to preach at an
early age. Descending from Huguenot ancestors,
he inherited a horror of tyranny, and threw himself
heart and soul into the American cause. He was
elected chaplain of those portions of the army
that successively occupied New Jersey. His en
ergy and skill caused him to be held in high esteem
by Washington, and at the same time made him
a conspicuous mark for the enemy. His elo
quence and patriotic appeals served to stimulate
the patriots ; not only did he care for their spirit
ual welfare, but he also served as commissary.
The church in which he preached was used as a
military hospital ; its steeple was a watch-tower,
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. xxxvii. p. 333.
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
and its bell sounded the note of warning on the
approach of the enemy in their raids from New
York and Staten Island. On the 25th of July,
1780, the church was fired, and on the 25th of the
following June, this brave man was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, cruelly and wantonly
shot while praying with her children in a retired
room, whither she had taken them for safety.
The building was burned, and the little village of
Connecticut Farms laid in ashes. The family
had sought refuge in this place, a distance of
about four miles from Elizabethtown. On the
24th of November following, Mr. Caldwell himself
was shot at Elizabethtown Point, where he had
gone for a young lady arriving from New York
under a flag of truce. Mrs. Caldwell was Han
nah Ogden, of Newark, New Jersey, highly es
teemed for her goodness and fortitude. They
left a large family of children.
" Mr. Caldwell was shot late on Saturday after
noon, and many of the people were ignorant of
the tragical deed until they came to church on
the Sabbath. And instead of sitting with delight
under his instructions, there was a loud cry of
wailing over his melancholy end. On the follow
ing Tuesday there was a vast concourse assembled
to convey his remains to the tomb. After the
services were ended, the corpse was placed where
all might take a last view of their murdered pas
tor. Before the closing of the coffin, Dr. 1 Elias
1 Doctor of Laws.
CHILDREN CARED FOR. 189
Boudinot came forward leading a group of nine
orphan children, and placing them around the
bier of their parent, made an address of touching
eloquence to the multitude in their behalf. It was
an hour of deep and powerful emotion. The
procession slowly moved to the grave, weeping as
they went, and as they lifted their streaming eyes
to Heaven, they besought the blessing of God
upon the fatherless & motherless children & His
kind interference to crown with success their
efforts against their oppressors. Their prayers
were answered in both cases, for their cause
triumphed, & the children found friends & succor,
& all became worthy & distinguished men &
women. One was taken by Lafayette to France
& educated, was a distinguished philanthropist &
editor of one of the first religious periodicals of
the country. James B. a Judge of the Courts of
Glouster Co. Elias B. was for some years clerk of
the Supreme Court of the United States and
because of his distinguished efforts in the cause
o
of Colonization one of the towns in Liberia in
Africa is called Caldwell in honor of him." 1
A story is told of Mr. Caldwell s defense of his
church with our troops. When, attacked by the
British, their cartridges gave out, the plucky par
son seized the hymn-books, and carrying them
to the soldiers, cried, " Give them Watts, boys,
give them Watts ! "
1 New Jersey Historical Collections.
IQO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HON. MAJOR-GEN L PHILLIPS.
ELIZ TH TOWN Sept : 23 d 1780
SIR
Suffer me to apologize, for giving you the
Trouble of this application, on ace 1 of my being
solely & personally interested in the Consequences.
While I acted in the Depart 1 of Com y Gen 1 of
Pris rs a flag Boat was taken from this Creek by a
party of Refugees -- Another was absolutely ne
cessary, as I had undertaken to pay a Considerable
Debt to you, in flour &c I sent to Genl Campbell
on Staten Island, who agreed with me, that on
giving my honor that she should not be used for
any other purpose, my Boat should thereafter be
safe under all Circumstances. In Consequence
thereof I provided another Boat, my own Private
Property, and for which I gave ,400 in the Spring
1777 and depending on the Faith Pledged for her
Security left her in the Service on my leaving the
Department - - When Gen 1 Knyphausen Came
lately over here this Boat was taken out of the
Creek & carried to the Point - - Major Adams
immediately waited on Gen 1 Knyphausen & ac
quainted him with the agreement. Cap Beck-
with brought him a verbal Answer, that when the
General went away the Boat should be delivered
to Major Adams in safety When the Gen 1 w r ent
away, the Boat was dismasted, her rigging &
sails carried off her Hull skuttled sunk so
that I met with a total loss, contrary to the
faith pledged by Genl Campbell and for which I
FLAG BOAT. IQI
think on every Consideration, I ought to be reim
bursed.
Your kind Influence in obtaining me an An
swer on this subject from the proper Officer with
you, shall always be gratefully acknowledged by
Your Hbl Servt
ELIAS BouDiNOT 1
The Honb Major Gen 1 PHILLIPS.
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
CHAPTER XL
Capture of Andre. Silas Deane. To General Washington from Bask-
in gridge. Sends express. Revolt of Pennsylvania line. His daugh
ter goes to Philadelphia. Letters to her. Mrs. Rush to Mrs. Boudi-
not. Elected to Congress. Letter to Hon. John Stevens. To
Doctor Scudder. To General Washington. Information regarding
shipping at New York. Mrs. Washington s illness.
IN September of this year occurred that mourn
ful episode in the history of the war, the capture
of Major Andre and the undying disgrace of the
treason of Arnold. The following is Mr. Bou-
dinot s account of the taking of Major Andre.
" Major Andre, who was Adjutant General of
the British Army having entered into a corre
spondence with General Benedict Arnold, who
then commanded the important Post of West
Point on the North River which was estimated as
the Key of the State of New York, and indeed
all the upper country, in which great part of the
New England States were also greatly interested ;
soon ripened it into an actual communication
for delivering up that Post to the British on
Terms of personal Emolument to Arnold. The
fear of detection, led the American General to
propose a personal meeting on the shore of the
North River at some distance below West Point
and without the out-posts, that matters might
be finally settled, and the Treason be compleated.
Andre being greatly elated with his success, en-
MAJOR ANDR. 193
tered warmly into the measure and General
Clinton, the Commander-in-Chief of the British
Army, received the proposal with great Expecta
tion, and immediately provided Andre (to whom
he was much attached and had made one of his
particular confidants) with a 20 gun ship to go
up the River as if to command that part of the
River. In the evening the ship came to anchor,
and after night, Andre was landed privately on
the main land, where he met Arnold, and spent
some time in planning the whole business, and
receiving from him Returns of the American
o
Army, their different intended positions, Provi
sions, force, Military stores, &c. c. with the
particulars of the intended proceedings and as
General Washington the American Commander-
in-Chief had a few days before, gone into Connec
ticut and was to return in a day or two and to
dine with Arnold, it was added to the rest of this
iniquitous business, to fix upon that day for the
nefarious act and to seize General Washington
at the same time. The joy that Andre felt on so
glorious a prospect of establishing his fame and
aggrandizing his character and fortune, delayed
so long that (from the report of the boats crew)
he could not with safety attempt to return on
board the ship. Arnold prevailed upon him to
Q;O to a Mr. Smith s a gentle farmer in the neio^h-
c!> ^> <j
borhood whom he could trust with the secret, and
after changing his uniform for a plain suit of
cloathes go with him to head quarters and pass
194 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
for an American of his acquaintance and in the
morning go by land to New York, for which, he
would give him a sufficient passport. To this
Andre was very averse but being so infatuated
by his Success as to lose the exercise of his
natural good sense and prudence, or rather a kind
and gracious Providence overruled this wicked
and infernal Treason, so as to spare the effusion
of human blood and produce the political salva
tion of America. The next morning Andre and
Arnold appeared together as old friends and such
was their conduct in viewing the works &c. c.
as to create some jealousy in the Officers round
the General. A horse being furnished by the
Quarter Master General, Andre set off with the
General s Passport to pass the out Lines. It
happened luckily for America, that both the
Americans and English had along the Lines,
Parties denominated by the upper and the lower
-Andre had passed the American out posts,
and finding himself as he thought, out of Danger,
when in a deep reverie in the contemplation of
his future Glory, he came to the Cross Roads
one leading to New York, the other to Tarry
Town on the North River. It so providently
happened that the Horse on which he rode had
been bred at Tarry Town, Andre lost in Thought
did not attend either to his horse or the road, and
the Horse naturally took the road he had been
used to, and Andre soon found himself challenged
by a sentinel. He answered and demanded to
MAJOR ANDRE. 195
know which party they belonged to, it was replied
the upper. Taking it for granted that it was the
British, upper. Party, knowing that he had passed
the American out posts, neglected offering his
Passport, but immediately said that he was a
british Officer and desired to be taken into their
Post. Three Militia Soldiers immediately sur
rounded him, and ordered him to dismount, as
they did not know that he was a british Officer.
He assured them that he was and by taking him
into their Officers they would know it to be true,
and he would reward them for it. On their
doubting, he pulled out a gold watch and said
by that they might know he was not a common
man. They then told him, if that was the case,
he was their Prisoner for they were Americans
and therefore insisted on searching him. Andre
finding himself in this disagreeable predicament
began to beg, and assuring them that he was only
a citizen of New York who had important family
business in the country, had gone to finish it, and
was returning. That his capture would be of no
service to them, but would be a great injury to
him, and if they would release him he would en
gage to return them, safely delivered in any pri
vate place on the Lines they should name, any
reasonable quantity of british Gold they should
desire. They answered, you a british Officer and
not a common man, surely you could do more
than this for your Liberty, we are poor Militia
Soldiers and you a great Officer. Andre then
196 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
took out his watch and offered that into the Bar
gain. They then repeated that his liberty was
worth more than a gold Watch and if he were a
british Officer he could give more still. He then
pulled out a purse of gold and offered them both.
They then told him he must be a fool, do you not
see that you and your watch and your money are
all in our power, as we are Americans, and all
that you are worth would not tempt us to release
you, therefore immediately submit to be searched,
accordingly he turned out his Pockets finding
nothing material, they ordered him to pull off his
boots. He pulled off one, but said he would go
no further and refused to pull off the other; on
which they tripped up his Heels and on pulling
off his Boot, out came all his Papers. They im
mediately carried him into their Post and deliv
ered him with all the papers to their Officer Lt.
Col. Jameson. This Conduct in these three men,
as the Militia being generally of low Characters
and not very famous for their strict attention to
the property of the Inhabitants on the Lines, cer
tainly discovered an exception to the general rule.
The Officer was thunderstruck, on finding the
Papers in the hand writing of General Arnold,
and that the plan was to deliver up the Fort with
General Washington. While at dinner Andre
o
said his name was Anderson. Jameson s positive
orders as commanding this out Post, was to o^ive
o o
instant notice to General Arnold of anything that
should turn up of an extraordinary nature and
MAJOR ANDR. 197
had light horse stationed with him for the pur
pose. What to do at first, he did not know, but
calling a soldier he put much confidence in gave
him a letter to General Arnold, acquainting him
with the out lines of the capture of a Mr. Ander
son going into New York, and sent it off accord
ing to the letter of his orders, but gave secret
orders to the soldier to lame his Horse by the
way, and be detained by it for 24 hours. He
then sent another off to ride Post and meet Gen
eral Washington on his return from Connecticut
with the papers found on Andre. The horseman
took the Road General Washington went, not
knowing that he made it a Rule never to go and
return by the same Road. By this means he
missed the General but heard of his return at a
cross road. And the horseman sent to Arnold
arrived at General Arnold s quarters a short time
before General Washington, as soon as Arnold
received the letter, he sprang out of his Room
just looked into the room where his Wife was, and
told her that he must bid her farewell forever,
and ran down to the Fort and got on board his
Barge and ordered the Bargemen to row him
o o
down the River. General Washington arrived
o
soon after and on enquiring at Arnold s quarters
for the General, was told that he had just gone to
the Fort. General Washington rode immediately
down, and being put over to the Fort he found
that the General was not there but the Officer of
the Day, attended him round the Works. Arnold
198 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
not appearing General Washington expressed
some resentment at his not attending him and
suddenly returned to his Horse, he was scarcely
mounted when the Horseman appeared with the
Papers taken on Andre. As soon as he had read
the letter and cast his Eye over the Papers, he
put Spur to his horse and rode to Arnold s Door
and called out his Aid cle Camp, and drawing his
Pistol from his Holster, solemnly declared he
would blow his brains out, if he did not instantly
tell him where Arnold was. The extreme fright
of the Aid and his whole appearance convinced
the General of his innocence, as he could tell him
no more than that on receiving a horseman from
an out Post, he had in great terror left the House
and gone alone to the Fort. The General in
stantly ordered Col. Hamilton to ride post to the
Fort at Verplanks Point opposite Stony Point
and order the Fort to fire on the Bar^e, taking it
O O
for granted that he was gone down the River.
Hamilton arrived just as the Fort was paying the
usual compliment to the General s Barge, Hamil
ton instantly pointed the guns and fired on the
Barge. Arnold rose and with a pistol in each
hand, swore he would put the first man to death
who should stop his oar and soon passed out of
reach of the Fort. Andre was sent to head
quarters and put under the care of a subaltern
officer and a strong guard. In the night Andre
acknowledged to the officer that he was Adjutant
General of the British Army, that he found it in
MAJOR ANDR 199
vain to cover himself by a fictitious Name, and
therefore should appear in his real character.
The officer was so alarmed that he slept not a
moment, but in the morning communicated the
intelligence to Head Quarters. Col. Hamilton
who had seen Andre was sent to him, and knew
him to be the man. General Washington out of
respect to his character instead of a more sum
mary proceeding called a council of General
Officers of whom Lafayette and Steuben were
two, who were to inquire into the facts and the
crime of the Prisoner. Andre finding himself
o
unexpectedly treated with so much propriety and
kindness, confessed every fact and appeared only
solicitous to free himself from any suspicion of
being a Spy or having voluntarily acted unbecom
ing his Character. The council found him guilty
and that he was worthy of death, his Execution
was determined on, and the day fixed. But on a
letter from General Clinton, he was reprieved for
a few days. The news of Andre s capture greatly
alarmed and affected the Army and Andre s fate
was sincerely deplored, and some compassionate
minds were ready to wish for his pardon but as
soon as the reprieve was known, and it was sug
gested by some disconcerted persons, that this
reprieve was preparatory to a pardon and dis
charge, but a universal alarm took place. The
officers generally declared that if they were not
to be protected agt such traitorous Conduct, it
was time to leave the Army, that if they were to
2OO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
be exposed to external Spys and internal machi
nations and no punishment inflicted on those who
were taken and proved guilty, there would be no
safety in their camps and resignation was their
only protection. Tho these were their senti
ments they were only murmured from Tent to
Tent, a few days convinced them that they had a
Commander in Chief, who knew how to make his
compassion for the unfortunate and his duty to
those who depended upon him for protection
to harmonize and influence his Conduct. He
treated Major Andre with the greatest tenderness,
while he carried the sentence of the Council into
strict Execution according to the Laws of War.
At New York when the first account of Andre s
capture and condemnation arrived, the Officers
and Citizens laughed at the idea that the Rebels
would dare to execute the Adjutant General of
the British Army; but if it should take place,
that Vengeance on every Rebel should be taken
seven fold. But when it was known that Andre
was no more General Clinton shut himself up for
3 days and every one at the Coffee House and
the public places hung their heads, and scarcely
an observation relative to it escaped their lips.
Arnold was made a Brigadier General, and tho
great expectations were formed of his Invitation
to the American Soldiers and Citizens to join
him against the Rebellion of their Country, it is
generally believed that scarcely a soldier ever de
serted or a Citizen joined him. He lived despised
ARNOLDS TREASON. 2OI
and disregarded and died unlamented and unno
ticed. Thus having received the general reward
of a Traitor to his Country." 1
As to Arnold s treason, Marshall, in his " Life
of Washington," gives the important facts, but in
a more general way, and with less detail than
Irving; but his details differ from Irving s, who
in a note refers to Sparks as his source of many
particulars. Marshall states that Arnold and
Andre remained together all of the day after their
night s conference at Smith s house. Stedman,
in his " American War," says the same thing.
Here is Washington s own account of what hap
pened after he came upon the scene, Mr. Boudi-
not s in no way differing from the main facts, but
rendered interesting by the filling in of details.
FROM RICHARD RUSIi s "WASHINGTON IN DOMESTIC
LIFE."
The copy from Mr. Lear s Diary, in which is
recorded this interesting dinner-table narrative :
MOUNT VERNON,
Monday, October 23rd, 1786.
" Mr. Dray ton and Mr. Izard here all day.
After dinner General Washington was, in the
course of conversation, led to speak of Arnold s
treachery when he gave the following account
; . . on my return I met the Chevalier Luzerne
towards evening within about 15 miles of West
Point (on his way to join the Count at Rhode
1 Reminiscences, Elias Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
2O2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Island) which I intended to reach that night, but
he insisted upon turning back with me to the
next public house; where, in politeness to him I
could not but stay all night, determining, how
ever, to get to West Point to breakfast very early.
I sent off my baggage and desired Colonel Ham
ilton to go forward and inform General Arnold,
that I would breakfast with him. Soon after he
arrived at Arnold s quarters a letter was delivered
to Arnold which threw him into the greatest con
fusion. He told Colonel Hamilton that some
thing required his immediate attention at the
garrison which was on the opposite side of the
river to his quarters ; and immediately ordered a
horse, to take him to the river; and the barge,
which he kept to cross, to be ready and desired
Major Franks, his aid, to inform me when I
arrived, that he was gone over the river and would
return immediately. When I got to his quar
ters and did not find him there I desired Major
Franks to order me some breakfast; and as I
intended to visit the fortifications I would see
General Arnold there. After I had breakfasted,
I went over the river and inquiring for Arnold,
the commanding officer told me that he had not
been there. I likewise inquired at the several
redoubts, but no one could give me any informa
tion where he was . . . When I returned to Ar
nold s quarters about two hours after and told
Colonel Hamilton that I had not seen him, he
gave me a packet from Col. Jameson which imme-
SILAS DEANE. 203
diately brought the matter to light. I ordered
Colonel Hamilton to mount his horse and pro
ceed with the greatest dispatch to a post on the
river about eight miles below in order to stop the
barge if she had not passed but it was too
late."
According to the time of Andre s breakfasting
at Crompond, daybreak of the 230!, as given by
Irving, and his capture before noon of that day,
he must with his captors have arrived early in
the afternoon at North Castle, allowing for the
midday meal mentioned at the farmhouse ; con
sequently, the time which elapsed between his
arrival and Arnold s receiving the dispatches from
Jameson on the morning of the 24th must be
accounted for, and Mr. Boudinot s solution bears
every evidence of being the correct one, the dis
tance to be traversed by the messenger being
something under twenty miles.
Mr. Boudinot alludes in his reminiscences to
many interviews he had with Silas Deane. He
gives in detail Deane s account to him of his re
ception by Mons. de Vergennes on his first arrival
in Paris, which does not at all agree with Deane s
reports and letters to Congress ; these latter tes
tify to his instant recognition and immediate re
ception by the Minister, while he gives to Mr.
Boudinot a most distressing picture of the manner
in which, without money or friends, he was sub
jected to delay and his repeated requests for
recognition disregarded, until, mortified by the
2O4 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
apparent uselessness of his mission, he was about
to return home. At this juncture Gerard came
to him with an invitation from M. de Vergennes.
He attributed this sudden change to the Declara
tion of Independence and the movements on the
Lakes. The Declaration of Independence could
only have been the action of Congress in response
to a resolution by Richard Henry Lee on the 7th
of June in accordance with his instructions from
Virginia in May : " That these united Colonies
are, and of right ought to be, free and indepen
dent States." Deane, in his letter to the commit
tee of secret correspondence, says : " The resolu
tion of Congress of I5th of May is not considered
by the Ministry as a declaration of independence,
but only as a previous step." 1
What object Deane had in these representa
tions can only be surmised ; his erratic course and
unreliability must be taken into account. The
story as given by Mr. Boudinot is so full of inci
dent and detail that it is impossible to charge him
with a lapse of memory ; we would have rather to
believe that he had invented the w r hole story, a
view perfectly incompatible with his character.
Deane s situation on his arrival in France was
certainly embarrassing, without funds or intelli
gence from America. Lord Stormont, through
his spies, was keeping a vigilant watch upon him,
notwithstanding the poor opinion he had formed
1 See Reminiscences of Ellas Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter
Brown.
SILAS DEANE. 2O5
of his judgment and capacity, as reported to Lord
Weymouth in his dispatches. 1
A specimen of Deane s inaccuracy is given in
the Silas Deane s papers, published by the New
York Historical Society and edited by Mr.
Charles Isham, as the following letters show.
TO CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS.
PARIS HOTEL DE GRAND VILLARS
July 20, 17/6.
SIR:
In compliance with your request at our inter
view of yesterday, I send you inclosed Copies of
my Commission and an Extract from my Instruc
tions, which will satisfy you of my being author
ized to make the purchases I have applied to you
for. To understand this Extract it is necessary to
inform you that I was ordered to make my first
application to the Minister, and to Procure the
Supplies wanted, of them, by way of purchase or
Loan and in case the Credit or Influence of Con
gress should not be such, under the present Cir
cumstances as to obtain them from that quarter, I
was instructed then to apply else where.
My application to the Minister and his answer
I have acquainted you with &c. &c.
S. DEANE.
Mons r BEAUMARCHAIS.
FROM CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS.
PARIS le 22 Juillet, 1776.
Je vais vous repeter, Monsieur ce que J ai eu
1 honneur de vous dire Samdi passe, afin que les
1 See corresp. of Lord Stormont, Sparks MSS., Harvard Coll. Library.
2O6 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
conditions que je demande soient plus fixees dans
votre esprit, &c. &c.
CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS.
[Translation.]
I am about to repeat Sir what I had the
honor of saying to you on Saturday last, that the
terms I have stated may be more clearly im
pressed on your mind, &c. &c.
To M r SILAS DEANE.
TO CONRAD A. GERARD.
PARIS, July 22, 1776.
SIR :
Inclosed I send you a copy of the Article of
my Instructions which was the subject of Our last
Conference. I have not as yet had the pleasure
of seeing Monsieur Beaumarchais but am so Con
fident from the character I received of him from
you that he will be able to procure for me the
Articles I want that I shall apply to him in pref
erence to any other person : and I imagine thro
him the Stores mentioned in my Instructions
may be procured with the utmost Secrecy and
Certainty. &c. &c.
I have the honor to be most respectfully
Your most obliged and humble servt.
SILAS DEANE.
To Monsieur GERARD.
TO CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS.
PARIS 24th. July, 1776.
SIR :
I have consulted the Letter you honored me
with, the 22d. and am of opinion that your pro-
REVOLT OF PENNSYLVANIA LINE. 207
posals for regulating the Prices of the Goods and
Stores are just and equitable. The generous Con
fidence you place in the Virtue and Justice of my
constituents affords me the greatest pleasure, &c.
I have the honor to be
With highest respect
Sir, Yours, &c.
S. DEANE.
To M. BEAUMARCHAIS.
Mr. Boudinot appears to have had a friendly
feeling for Mr. Deane, and to have recognized his
services in the patriot cause, however he may
have regarded his later deflection.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
BASKINRIDGE, Jan. 2nd. 1781.
SIR:
At General Waynes request, I send the bearer
express, to acquaint your Excellency with the
unhappy proceedings of the past night. About
nine O clock last evening the main part of the
Pennsylvania line turned out in the most sudden
manner, after being remarkably still till that hour.
They seized the ammunition and artillery, spiked
up two field pieces, and with the other four
marched off to the westward. The utmost pains
was taken to reduce them, first by authority and
then by entreaty, but all in vain. The whole
neighborhood was alarmed by their noise and dep
redations. They abused many of the inhabitants
as well as took what they pleased. They halted
near Veal Town 1 from whence they have sent
1 Now Bernardsville, N. J.
2O8 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
messages to such of the line as remained behind
and have persuaded the whole to join in the mea
sure. I just now followed in the rear of the whole
passing the General s Quarters. They make an
encampment at Veal Town. At the first oppo
sition they killed Capt. Betting and mortally
wounded another Captain.
On a report of the enemy being landed at Eliz-
abethtown General Wayne had directed the militia
of Morris to parade at Chatham. From what con
versation I have had with one of the insurgents,
their design is to go to Congress and insist on
their pay, cloathing and discharge for above three
years enlistment. They declare if the enemy come
out they will face about and attack them with
greater spirit than they ever did. This makes me
believe the report of the enemy s coming out to
be rather designed to serve some valuable purpose,
though I had the report from the General. The
rear of this line is this moment past.
I am in great haste with due respect your Ex
cellency s most obedient humble servant
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
In the winter of 1781 he sent his young daugh
ter, Susan, from her northern retreat to her
cousin s, Dr. Rush s family, in Philadelphia, where
she appears to have won all hearts ; but, either
from a distaste for letter-writing or the preoccu
pation of a charming visit, she failed to reach her
father s ideas of a good correspondent.
1 Sparks MSS. in Harvard College Library.
LETTER TO HIS DAUGHTER. 2OQ
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS DAUGHTER.
BASKINRIDGE, Jan y 19 th 1781.
MY DEAR SUSAN
Altho I find all my endeavours to prevail on
you to perfect yourself in letter writing are in
vain & fruitless, Yet I cannot suffer Major Ham
ilton to go to the City without letting you know
that we are all well I might perhaps have ex
cused myself by the shortness of notice of this
opportunity, or my want of Time, or being much
engaged in business but I am willing yet to try
what effect good example will have when often
repeated.
Your Mama received your letter by Mr. Martin
and was glad to find that you were not more
alarmed at the News of the Revolt of the Penn
sylvania Line For one or two nights we were
very uneasy here. The first night I was obliged
to keep guard all night about the House, but we
came off very well & without the least insult,
which was more than many of our neighbors
could say. It has given us much Pleasure to hear
that the dispute is settled I wish we may have
no more of it tho I have my Fears. We could
wish to have an account from you of what effect
the City has had on you ; with your observation
on every new object that must have struck your
attention, especially we wish to hear of your Im
provement in knowledge and manners. Remark
able success in the last would always bring to
2IO ELI AS BOUDINOT.
your Remembrance this jaunt to the City with
great pleasure If you could not find time to in
form us of any nice speculation you surely might
have given us the chit chat of the day An ac
count of your visits, new Faces, even your romps,
might have been advantageous to your improve
ment in an epistolary correspondence while the
recital would have brightened our blazing fire side
in a Winter evening. I make no doubt but that
the conversation & example of your worthy cousins
will greatly increase the benefit of your present
opportunities Remember you must be account
able for them as all your Friends here are expect
ing to see great effects on your return from such
promising causes. Thus you see though I have
no time to spare, I can fill a sheet with small chat
though I live in the Woods and see nothing but
rocks & Mountains ; you know flint will strike
fire from steel, who knows what constant example
will do
I am much obliged to you for the sermons, I
thank God, I love a good man, tho he calls him
self a Chinese, Indian or Houttentot Wherever
you find the traces and Footprints of the Spirit
of God let him be your friend & Brother I
am more and more convinced & wish to incul
cate it in all my Friends that God is no re-
spector of Persons but in whatever nation he
that serveth him in Spirit Truth is accepted
of him . . .
. . . Our kind love to all Friends, your Mama
LETTERS TO HIS DAUGHTER. 2 I I
adds her blessing & desires to be joined in the
assurance that we are with great Esteem & Love
My Dr Susan
Your Most Affec 4 Parents
BOUDINOT.
Miss BOUDINOT
at Dr. Rush s, Philadelphia.
Again Mr. Boudinot writes to his daughter :
" As tomorrow brings round the anniversary of a
day that ought ever to be remembered by us (and
in the most particular manner by you) as produ
cing the highest Instance of the loving kindness &
tenderest mercies of a holy God towards us, we
hope you will not forget to join your grateful
Parents in their most ardent Testimony of Love
& gratitude to the great benificent Author of all
those mercies which have so largely & constantly
been showered down on us all ever since we have
had our existence." And on October 22, 1781:
" Altho the present Business prevents my enjoy
ing the leisure I could wish to write to my beloved
daughter yet I am too fond of your letters to suf
fer myself to remain in your debt I am sorry
that your sweet temper should be ruffled by the
idle stories of the sensorious or Malevolent I
hope my dear girl will early learn not to despise
what others say of her but to place her chief at
tention on acting in every department and under
every circumstance of Life so as to deserve the
good opinion of all and then never to trouble her
self about the consequences As for my own
2 I 2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
part if any even the meanest Person of my ac
quaintance should think evil of me, I hope I do
not deserve it from them. I pity them and am
confident in the End they will see their error. It
effects me but little, they are the sufferers I
wish them the greatest happiness and will en
deavour to do them the greatest good I can not
withstanding their little ebullition of Nature I
hope they mean well tho mistaken God gov
erns the world and all things must be right at
last This however, I had much rather should
happen that they speak evil of me unjustly twice
than I should of them once I wish that I could
see my way clear and that it was the Will of
Providence, I should not trouble them long I
hope to see you now soon partake in your Joys
and fears
"We expect the official confirmation of the
Glorious News of Cornwallis surrender on the
1 7th Inst tomorrow when we are to go in Proces
sion attended by the Council, Assembly Minister
of France c &c to Church to return publick
Thanks to Almighty God for his special Favour
in the capture of his Lordship & the british
Army After which there will be great doings
here." 1
MRS. RUSH TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA April 10
MY DEAR AUNT,
Before this reaches you you will have received
your dear Susan not the worse I hope for her
1 From family letters.
LETTER FROM MRS. RUSH. 213
having lived near 5 months in a corrupt City, if
I was to give my opinion I should say that I
believe if she had been as many years in it she
would have left it as faultless as she now is the
first wish of my heart would be gratified in seeing
my daughter at her age just like her, without any
alteration.
I could fill a very long letter with an account
of the virtues and amiable qualities I have dis
covered in her but as this is addressed to her
Mother who knows them better than I do, it is
needless.
I have collected a few little matters that she
left behind and send them by Mr. Pintard. My
kind love to her in which my dear Doctor Rush
joins We expect to hear from her by every
opportunity
Tell Aunt Hetfield that I shall not forget her
sugar when I send Mama s, it is not rising
Please to give her my love I promise myself the
pleasure of paying my dear friends at Baskinridge
a visit this Summer As I have nothing new
to communicate I will not take up your time as
I know the company of your dear daughter will
employ it much more agreeably. Dr. Rush de
sires to be most kindly remembered to you all
with my dear Aunt,
Yours sincerely,
JULIA Rusji 12
Mrs. BOUDINOT,
Baskinridge.
1 Family letters.
2 Mrs. Rush was the wife of the signer, Benjamin Rush, and sister of
the signer, Richard Stockton.
214 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Mr. Boudinot was elected to fill Mr. Burnett s
place in the Continental Congress on the latter s
retiring in 1781, and accepted the appointment,
supposing that it would be only for the remainder
of the session ; but was again elected for the
term of 1782 and 1783; became president of that
body on November 4, 1782. He served on many
important committees, often as chairman. 1
At the close of this most eventful year of 1783,
during which Mr. Boudinot presided over Con
gress, he had the happiness of seeing the war
draw to a close, the independence of his country
acknowledged, and their people enrolled among
the nations of the earth.
To his duties as presiding officer of Congress,
it will be seen that he was for a time obliged to
assume those of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as
through him, until that office was filled, passed the
correspondence with our foreign commissioners.
In contrast with the disagreeable circumstances
attendant upon the mutiny of the disaffected sol
diery, was the reception of the minister plenipo
tentiary from the United Netherlands, and after
vexatious delay came the announcement of the
peace, and the treaty of peace with Great Britain,
to which Mr. Boudinot had the satisfaction of
affixing his signature. 2
o o
Proclamations of peace, thanksgiving, and dis-
bandment followed, and those patriots, who had
toiled in the burden and heat of the day, could
1 See appendix to vol. ii. 2 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
ACCEPTS NOMINATION. 215
take at last a breathing spell, and turn their at
tention to their private affairs, loudly calling for
consideration.
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HON BLE JOHN STEVENS.
BASKINRIDGE June 18 1781
SIR
By the unaccountable neglect of the Post your
favour was not handed me till Saturday afternoon
as I was on the Road to Morris Town. The
Contents were altogether unexpected, and for
which I was so totally unprepared that I found
the greatest difficulty in giving a determinate an
swer on a subject of so much Importance. The
essential Sacrifice I must unavoidably make with
regard to my private Interest, added to the great
Losses I have already sustained since the Revolu
tion almost forbid my accepting the honor in
tended me by the Legislature, and nothing short
of an invariable principle I fixed as the rule of
my Conduct, at engaging in an Opposition to G.
Britain to be always ready on the Call of my
Country whenever she was in distress, could have
prevailed on me to accept this nomination under
my present circumstances, at a period so critical
and truly important, and in which the most supe
rior abilities is absolutely necessary. Tho I am
fully convinced of my incapacity to answer the
Expectations of the Legislature, I have at last
Determined (as it is for so short a time) to accept
the Appointment to show at least my willingness
again to throw in my mite towards the publick
2l6 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
service ; I can only promise that attention & In
tegrity shall Compensate for the want of those
other abilities that should form their representa
tion in the Great Council of the State. I must
beg the favour to know when it is expected that I
must give my Personal attendance in Congress.
It will be impossible for me to arrange my affairs
sooner than a fortnight, but if another week could
be added it would be peculiarly advantageous to
me Permit me also to ask of the Legisla
ture that their proper Officers may be ordered to
furnish me with their Ideas of the Number of
Inhabitants of the State. The true state of their
finances - - The state of the ace 1 between the
United States and this State and any other gen
eral matters that the delegates in Congress should
be well acquainted with as I am confident Igno
rance in these particulars have been and may
hereafter be, peculiarly prejudicial to the publick
interest and particular Instructions in the present
important Era would be of great use to those who
represent the State
The Hon M JOHN STEVENS Esqr 1
M R BOUDINOT TO D R NATHANIEL SCUDDER.
MY D R SIR.
I was truly surprised & mortified with the un
expected contents of your favour by the post
which by his great neglect was not handed to me
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
LETTER TO DR. SCUDDER. 2 17
till Saturday afternoon as I was on the road to
Morris Town, nothing could have been more
prejudicial to my private affairs They were so
totally deranged by the Revolutionary flights &
after engagements in the publick service, that I
have but just begun to see any Order amongst
them and to retrieve the great losses I have met
with The Business of my Profession has but
just begun to find me out and all my views were
Consentred in private walks of Life-- I have
had great difficulty to know what to do My
determination always had been to sacrifice every
thing for the Publick Service while my Country
was in distress wanted aid But I had taken
it for granted that that period was past and there
were no want of Solicitors for offices of every
kind I therefore had no idea of ever engaging
again in political Life. However as I would not
suffer an Idea to be entertained that she could
not command the services of any of her Sons
However mistaken she might be in her choice,
I have determined to make the sacrifice tho to
the great distress & anxiety of my family The
season of the year & the City of Philadelphia is
much against me in point of health but to God
and my country I am willing to yield my every
service & leave the event The Shortness of
the Period is the only Consolation D r Elmore
must go with me His Character & friendship
will give me great pleasure Could not a Com
mittee be appointed for us to Correspond with on
2l8 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
special important Occasions in the Recess of
the Legislature. Some such thing would be of
great use.
DK N. SCUDDER 1
(ELIAS BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GEN L WASHINGTON.)
BASKINRIDGE June 2Sth 1781.
MY DEAR SIR :
Your not having heard from me lately, has not
proceeded from a want of the most sincere respect
or the warmest attachment to your Person & the
Common Cause, but from a conviction that every
unnecessary Letter, adds to your Excellency s Al
ready intolerable Embarrassments -
The design of this is principally to inform your
Excellency that from special Information, The
Enemy have in the Ship Yards in New York,
two very large Vessels cut down & constructing
with manifest Intention to cut through some
o
opposition formed in the Water- Their sides
are described to me as strengthened with vast
thickness of Timber The Bows are armed
with a large Iron Instrument of great Strength
Sharpness in the form of an Axe, but deep,
and sundry constructions of Iron parallel with
the keel, with some Machinery that acts by a
Spring in the manner of Claws to seize fast
upon whatever is in its way The want of
Knowledge in my Informant prevents his describ
ing the Mechanism of these Vessels in a manner
I could wish him to do I cannot answer to
1 Without date. Elias Boudinot s letter book.
MRS. WASHINGTON S ILLNESS. 219
Your Excellency for the Truth of these Facts, as
my Informant is one of those People who may
have an Interest in deceiving us, tho from many
Circumstances, I think he deserves as much
credit, as most of his Character And tho it
should prove erroneous, I was of opinion that it
was worthy of Communication, as your Excellency
may Contrast it with other Intelligence.
The News of Mrs Washington s illness has
filled Mrs Boudinot & myself with the most
alarming fears, we earnestly pray God for the
restoration of her Health. We desire to be re
membered to her in the most Affectionate manner
If it could be consistent with her Health &
other affairs to spend some part of her Time this
Summer with us, it would give us peculiar Plea
sure, as well as do us great Honor
Mrs Boudinot joins me in the. best wishes &
most respectful Compliments Am Dr Sir
Your Excellency s Most Obd c Hble Serv
ELIAS BOUDINOT
(Endorsed)
Baskinridge 28 th June 1781
from
ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq.
private
(Addressed)
His Excellency
General WASHINGTON, 1
Head Quarters.
1 Letters to Washington, vol. 50, p. 195, MSS. Archives, Department
of State, Washington, D. C.
CHAPTER XII.
To Hon. John Stevens from Philadelphia, regarding seat in Congress.
To Hon. Peter Wilson, regarding seat. Flattering aspect of affairs.
Urges completion of levies for the army. Asks for views on Ver
mont. To Mrs. Boudinot. Difficulty of getting lodgings. Refugees
from Georgia and Carolina. Retreat of Cormvallis. The marquis
refreshing troops and covering country. America requires great abili
ties. To Mr. Elisha Boudinot. General Greene s well-judged ma
noeuvres. Raises siege of Ninety-six. Lord Rawdon abandons his
posts. Captain Eggleston captures enemy s cavalry. Vessels at
Cadiz. Meeting of English troops at Carolina. To Governor Liv
ingston. Alarm for the city. Monsieur de Barras takes forty-four
gun-ships, two frigates, and transports. To Governor Livingston.
The enemy carry on secret correspondence by pedlars. Regarding his
reelection. Siege of Yorktown accidental. Stedman. Irving.
De Grasse and siege of Yorktown. Capitulation. Hidden letter to
Cornwallis. Washington s letter to De Grasse. Lafayette s narrative.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON BL * JOHN STEVENS.
PlilLAD : July 24: 1781
SIR
I set off from home on the 12 Inst: I have
just entered on my Mission On D r Wither-
spoon showing me the Vote of the Joint Meeting,
by which we were appointed I was surprised to
find that from the wording of it D r Elmore &
myself can have no vote in Congress without one
of the former members are with us I informed
D. W. that I could not take my seat under this
appointment and do justice to my own Character
& feelings but he assuring me that it was verily a
LETTER TO HON. PETER WILSON. 221
Misprision of the Clerk I have been prevailed on
to continue till your answer on this Head can be
had and if Possible a proper Certificate from the
Secretary by your Order
A line from you on this Subject will be ver y
obliging &c
I have the honor to be with great respect
E. BOUDINOT
Hon bl JOHN STEVENS Esq rl
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HON" LS PETER WILSON.
PHILADELPHIA July 28th 1781
SIR
I think it my Duty as well as an honor to have
the pleasure of addressing you on my taking a
seat in the Congress as one of your Delegates,
and shall be very glad of a continued Correspond
ence while at this place, as I should be always
glad to Conform myself to the general Ideas of
my Constituents I set off for this place on the
1 8 th Inst but was much surprised on my arrival
here to find that by the Resolution of the Joint
meeting Appointing D. Elmore & myself, that we
are restricted from representing the State of New
Jersey unless one of the former Delegates are
present This we consider as making an Invid-
eous Distinction between us, and could not have
taken our seats under this partial appointment
consistent with our Reputation & feelings had not
D r Witherspoon assured us that it was barely a
misprision of the Clerk, this has prevailed on me
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
222 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
to Continue here till we can hear from you, which I
must beg to be, by return of the Next Stage
I would be glad of your Information what ap
peared to you to be the sense of the Legislature,
for tho Congress made no objection to our repre
senting the State yet it will not be safe or prudent
for us to vote alone under the express Declaration
of the State to the Contrary unless we are prop
erly assured that it is a mistake As this goes
by the Stage, which is an uncertain Conveyance
I can say Nothing in point of News but what may
be made Publick with safety Our affairs both
abroad and to the southward, bear the most flat
tering aspect, and we are encouraged to hope &
expect the happiest Consequences from the con
tinued struggles of this year It is a matter of
the highest Consequence that the Requisitions of
our worthy General on the Different States be
punctually and immediately Complied with
You could not do a more essential service to
those States than to urge completion of the levies
for the Army Lord Cornwallis has retired to
Portsmouth and the Marquis after gaining great
Laurels in his late attack on his lordship is re
freshing his little Army so as at the same time to
cover the Country Could you with propriety
communicate what you consider as the Ideas of
our Legislature relative to the dispute of Vermont
& the expediency of their being declared a free &
independent State I should be much obliged l
To the Hon bl PETER WILLSON July 28 1781.
1 Pennsylvania Historical Society.
ATTENDS CONGRESS IN PHILADELPHIA. 223
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA July 29 th 1781
MY DEARLY BELOVED WlFE
Tho late in the evening, I am Had to cfet rid of
O O
my fellow Lodgers and retire from their very dis
agreeable company (on this day) to hold converse
with my better self As it is uncertain whether
I shall have time to write again before the Post
goes, shall inform you of my situation I tryed
in vain to get Lodgings near the State House, and
altho I was kindly invited to my old Quarters,
yet the irregularity of Congress Hours & the cir
cumstances of the Family were such as obliged
me to refuse it The City is so filled with the
distressed Georgia Carolina Refugees that I
was afraid that I should be prevented getting any
quarters outside of a Tavern, at last I have got a
room at Mrs Clark s in the house Mr. SeaiTs
family lived, at the corner of Chestnut & Front
Streets opposite Woods the watch maker. I am
in the third story & with very disagreeable com
pany particularly on the sabbath I give 7 dol
lars p week for my board & find my own drink,
wood & candles My situation is not very desir
able & my services here, not such as will satisfy
me for the loss of what I prize above all temporal
pleasures, I mean domestic Ease & Happiness
I know that it may be answered that I am des
titute of that laudable ambition pursuit of
Honor that should urge every man to activity
224 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I confess that I have other views & other Pur
suits and as I find so many ready to supply my
deficiencies in this respect, that I am contented
to pass thro Life in humble Obscurity, if it be the
Will of my heavenly Father, who has a right to
dispose of me & my services as he shall see best.
Resignation to his Will is I hope the great pur
suit of my Life. ... I have no news to commu
nicate except that in general our affairs both
abroad and at home (I mean to the southward)
wear the most flattering appearances -
Lord Cornwallis since his drubbing by General
Wayne, has retreated quite to Portsmouth & the
Marquis is refreshing his troops in such manner
as to cover the Country. Julia goes on Tuesday
for Princeton, so that I shall then be all alone
I hope my beloved W T ife is much happier with her
little family about her than I am here If I was
convinced that I was doing especial service to my
Country, it would give me pleasure even to forego
that large share of Happiness I have left behind
but I feel myself inadequate to the errand on
which I am sent, and ardently wish some Person
of superior Talents was in my room. I am not
so humble as to suppose that I am not as equal
to the Task as many that have been here before
me, but their deficiency does not give me capa
city I am convinced the affairs of America re
quire now the abilities of. a Pitt & a Necker to
preside over her Councils However, I did not
choose myself, nor even did solicit the choice
GENERAL GREENE. 225
from any other person, and therefore while I re
main in the important station will make up by
Integrity & Application my want of those other
qualifications necessary for the important trust
I must wish the beloved of my Soul a good
night may the blessing of a holy God attend her
and the Angel of his Presence keep & preserve
her all my dear family.
I am with the greatest Love &
Affection yours sincerely
BOUDINOT l
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS BROTHER MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA Aug. 12 1781.
MY DEAR BROTHER
I write this barely to communicate the impor
tant news of the clay Gen 1 Greene by a variety
of well judged Manceuvers which do him honor,
after Lord Rawdon had obliged him in Prudence
to raise the seige of fort 96, in his turn obliged
his Lordship to evacuate that important fortress,
abandon his strong Post on the Congaree (a
country abounding with Provisions) and fall
down to Orangeburgh about 80 miles from
Charles Town. Here Genl Greene detached
Genl Marion with the Militia and Col. Lee s Le
gion to surprise the Post at Monk s corner 20
miles from Charles Town. On the way Col. Lee
sent Cap. Eggleston with a few troops of Horses
to annoy the Enemy s Cavalry then foraging in
the country, the Capt. passed them unperceived
1 Family letters
226 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
and gained three miles in their front and when
discovered was taken for militia Horse The
Enemy came out in an irregular loose body and
was received by Capt Eggleston with Judgm* &
Bravery Lee s words are " They were soon
routed, dispersed and cut to pieces" -except a
Capt Liu 1 Cadet 45 men & horses with accoutre
ments compleat brought off Prisoners and one
man of the whole escaped to be a living Evidence
of the Fact By a flag from Charles Town we
are informed that we succeeded also at Monk s
Cornor
A vessel just this moment from Cadiz an
nounces the capture and arrival of the whole
station Fleet with their convoy also the capture
and arrival at Cadiz of 5 English India men. I
forgot to tell you that there had been a Mutiny
among the English Troops at Carolina in quel
ling of which 100 men were killed & wounded.
I am in great haste but with Love to Sister &
all with you,
My Dr Brother
Yours affect ] y
BOUDINOT. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. WM. LIVING
STON.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29, 1781.
DEAR SIR:
We are much alarmed here on the apprehended
invasion of this State by General Clinton from
New York. Indeed this city could not have been
1 Family letters.
ALARM AT PHILADELPHIA. 22]
attempted in a more defenseless state, or at a
time which would so essentially have affected the
common cause.
Congress have ordered down to this town 500
Continental troops under General St. Clair from
Lancaster. 3000 men of the Militia of this State
are ordered to be in the field without delay and
half of the militia of the Delaware State. Con
gress have great and indeed I may say the great
est dependence on the militia of our State and
hope they will be found actually in the field
should the enemy appear ever so suddenly. As
some clays are always taken to arrange any body
of Militia, the sooner they are called out the bet
ter. I confess for my own part, I consider this
city as our most vulnerable post.
Another letter received this evening from
Maryland confirms the junction of Mons. de
Barras and his taking 44 Gun ships and two Fri
gates with as many Transports. No other news.
I am your Excellency s
Most obedient and humble servant *
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. WM. LIVING
STON.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 20, 1781.
DEAR SIR:
I am authorized to give your Excellency official
intelligence that the enemy, in order to carry on
their correspondence through our State make use
of a number of pedlars, who are supplied with
1 Sparks MSS. in Harvard College Library.
228 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
proper certificates or licences according to law,
which I suppose they forge for the purpose.
We have had no official information from head
quarters since the 8th. The private intelligence
is all contained in the Newspapers of this clay.
I have the honor to be with great respect
Your Excellency s
Most obedient humble servant
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON. JOHN STEVENS.
PHILADELPHIA November 5, 1781.
SIR
I have the honor of acknowledging the Receipt
of the Certified Minute of the Joint Meeting, tes
tifying the appointment of Delegates for our State
in Congress the ensuing year. I am much em
barrassed on this Occasion, I was preparing to
Return home, having had no Idea of remaining
here longer than this clay, being the Time when
I first accepted the Appointment. Indeed had
this not been the Case, the exhausted state of my
finances and the Derangement of my family Af
fairs would Oblige me to return -- The Monstrous
expense attending a residence in this city, must
soon take away the ready Cash of any fortune
among us --However as there were only Mr.
Clark & myself here and our Presence absolutely
necessary to form a Congress in this important
Conjuncture, We took our seats this Day and have
proceeded to the Choice of a President, Mr. Han-
1 Sparks MSS. in Harvard College Library.
ON TAKING HIS SEAT IN CONGRESS. 22Q
son of Maryland I shall continue here this week,
in hopes that your honorable Houses will urge
the Attendance of one of the other Gent n by that
Time I shall do myself the honor of calling on
you next week, as I have some matters of great
Importance I would willingly communicate to the
Legislature before my return Home. Never was
there Time which required a full Representa
tion of the States more than the present as Mat
ters of the Utmost future consequence to this
Empire, are and must be the subjects of constant
discussion Not being able to Command the
Acts of Assembly, we cannot determine if a
usual renewal of the Oaths are essentially neces
sary to our representation we therefore must beg
advice on this Subject. We shall continue our
seats until the return of the Post, as our return
to Jersey for that Purpose at present would pre
vent the whole Business of the United States at
a season too critical to admit of such a delay, as
the Estimates of the ensuing campaign are hard
& must be immediately Compleated -
Mr. Clark intended joining me in this Letter
but the Opportunity cannot wait my dining
hour
To Vice Presidt JOHN STEVENS Esqr. 1
Mr. Boudinot writes :
" The seige of Yorktown was mearly accidental
General Washington the Fall & Winter before,
had planned with a Committee of Congress, the
1 Pennsylvania Historical Society.
230 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
storming of the Works at New York and the
repossession of that City He communicated his
Design to the French General and the Arrival of
Count De Grasse with a French Fleet was part of
the Plan Requisitions on the different States for
a Supply of Men to the necessary Amount was
duly made by Congress, they to be in the Field
by a given Day The necessary Preparation
especially a number of very large battering Can
non were provided A little before the expected
Reinforcement the Marquis La Fayette was very
hard pressed by the British in Virginia- He had
not Men enough to make head a^ them, and was
o o
driven to a Dependence on maneuvering alto
gether He wrote to Gen 1 Washington for Aid
o o
alleging the Impossibility of maintaining his
Ground without a Reinforcement General
Washington answered him by letting him into
his Designs on New 7 York That he must do as
well as he could with the Force he had, as he
could not spare him a Man, but when the Enemy
should discover his Intention it would work a Di
version in the Marquis Favor This Letter was
sent by the Mail - -This was captured in passing
thro ? Jersey and the Letter fell into the Enemy s
hands - - Then his whole Design was betrayed
with the Weakness of the Marquis However
Preparations went on but the Day for the As
sembling the Troops arrived, and the Supplies
did not more than fill up the Places of the Sick
& Dead thro the Winter The General remon-
PLANS TO DECEIVE THE ENEMY. 23!
stratecl to Congress & the States in vain His
Numbers were not half sufficient to justify an
Attack on New York. He feared, he should
become the Derision of the French Army & the
Enemy His Mind ever full of Resources im
mediately suggested the Plan of taking advan
tage of the Enemy s Knowledge of his Plans
He wrote to Congress, had a Confidential &
secret Committee appointed (of which I was one)
immediately assembled the Army (such as it was)
in the County of Essex & Morris near New York
Had the large battering Cannon sent on at a
heavy Expense from Philadelphia Erected very
laree Ovens at Chatham about eleven Miles above
O
Elizabeth Town -- Every one was on Tiptoe with
the Expectation of soon entering into New York
- On the Morning of his intended Departure,
about Daylight, he sent for an old Inhabitant of
New York, who lived in the Neighborhood and
who was suspected of giving Intelligence to the
enemy And put a Number of important Ques
tions to him about the Situation of the Country
in & about Middle Town & Sandy Hook in the
County of Monrnouth where the Man was born
& bred Also as to the state of the Land on the
opposite Shore on Long Island --With regard
to landing of Troops, Water, &c. alleging that
he was fond of knowing the Situation of different
Parts of the Country as in the Course of the War
he might unexpectedly be called into the Part of
the Country He urged upon him the most pro-
232 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
found Secrecy and by no Means to lisp a Word
of what had passed between them In one Hour
the Army marched apparently for Princeton,
which might be a good Road to Monmouth if a
Deception was intended I happened to be in
the Neighborhood of the Army and about ten
o clock called on the Man on whom the General
had enjoined so much Secrecy, and to convince
me that the Seige of New York was determined
that by the Way of Monmouth & Long Island
he told me everything that had passed between
him and the General, and I doubt not but that
the British Gen 1 had it also the same Night. The
British never suspected any other Design till
they were informed that the American Army had
passed the Delaware Then it was too late
When they arrived at Philadelphia the Army dis
covered cfreat Discontent at not receiving certain
o o
Arrears of Pay long withheld from them It
was thought neither prudent nor safe to proceed
without making Pay at least, in Part Money
was also wanted to hire Vessels and other Means
to proceed clown the Chesapeake Bay - - The
Treasury was empty Congress had no Means
to raise the Money Requisitions had been re
sorted to in vain In this exigency the vigorous
exertions of the Hon ble Robert Morris, the Super
intendent of Finances, relieved their Distress
He went out amons[ his merchantile & other
o
Friends and borrowed on his own Responsibility
INTERCEPTED LETTER. 233
upwards of 30,000 Dollars which answered every
Purpose, and the Army soon appeared before
Yorktown." 1
Stedma n, in his "American War," says:-
" The express carrying the letter written by
Washington to Congress after this interview with
the French General (Rochambeau in Connecticut)
was intercepted in the Jerseys and the letters
were carried to Sir Henry Clinton. They dis
closed the nature of the enterprise in agitation
and seemed to have alarmed them for the safety
of New York. 2 The following is a note in
Irving s Washington, from Sparks, 9404 : * That
much trouble was taken and finesse used to mis
guide and bewilder Sir Henry Clinton in regard
to the real object by fictitious communications as
well as by making a deceptive provision of ovens,
forage, and boats in his neighborhood is cer
tain. " 3
Mr. Boudinot further writes :
" At the siege of Yorktown the French Troops
brought out by Count de Grasse were absolutely
necessary to complete the line of Circumvallation
and perfect the Siege About 2 days before the
capture the Count sent word to Gen 1 Washington
that he should within 48 hours withdraw those
Troops & that he must provide accordingly
1 Reminiscences of Elias Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
2 Stedman s American War, vol. ii. p. 437.
3 Irving s Life of Washington, vol. iv. p. 338.
234 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
This was in effect raising the Seige General
Washington remonstrated against it in vain
He sent the Marquis La Fayette on board the
fleet to dissuade Count de Grasse from so ruin
ous a Measure He obstinately persisted, and said
his orders were positive & not discretionary
" General Washington finding nothing but storm
ing the Enemy s lines would prevent the raising
the Seige and that would necessarily occasion the
loss of great numbers on both sides to avoid
which he fell upon the following Expedient He
sent out Coll. Hamilton with some other Officers
with a Flag of Truce, on some business They
were met half way by a number of British Officers
- They carried with them something to eat
drink --In Conversation they mentioned to the
British Officers their concern for them as gentle
men & soldiers - That the American army had
determined to storm their Lines That the
American Soldiery and Country People were so
exasperated at the Conduct of the British to the
southward, that they could not answer for the
Consequences, as they did not think they could be
restrained by Authority and Discipline That
they knew General Washington s humane Temper
and his wish to avoid the unnecessary shedding
of blood That in case of a Capitulation the same
terms the British troops gave to our troops at
Charles Town, with the addition of the officers
wearing side Arms being immediately sent on
their parole into New York, they believed might
COUNT DE GRASSE. 235
be obtained That they did not wish their names
to be mentioned, &c. &c. Within a few hours after
their return proposals for surrendering or Terms
were sent out, and the Capitulation took place
Count de Grasse remained several clays (notwith
standing the positive nature of his orders) to enjoy
the pleasure of the Surrender, the rejoicings, &c.
&c., General Washington then earnestly requested
his landing a body of American troops near Eden
Town in North Carolina, that the British in
that Neighborhood might be surprised but he
absolutely refused, tho he spent twice the time
necessary for the purpose doing nothing before
he left the Coast.
" When the messenger brought the News of
this Capitulation to Congress, it was necessary to
furnish him with hard money for his Expenses
There was not a sufficiency in the Treasury to do
it and the Members of Congress of which I was
one, each paid a Dollar to accomplish it.
" Before the capture & at the first preparation for
the seige before Count de Grasse arrived Gen
eral Clinton sent a row Boat well manned with a
Confidential Officer along the coast, to get into
Yorktown with a Letter to Lord Cornwallis, set
ting forth his situation and the impossibility of his
relieving him with a fleet till a certain day and
encouraging him to hold out till that period The
boat was driven on shore some\vhere near Egg
Harbor & the Crew taken & brought to Philadel
phia One of the men discovered in private, where
236 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
they were bound & that the Confidential Letter
had been hidden under a certain large Stone on
the Shore by the Officers A person was sent to
the Place & brought it to Congress It was in
Cipher and after some trouble it w ? as discovered
to be in three different Cyphers-- However it
was deciphered by a Mr. Lovell, a Member of
Congress from Boston, after about two days labor
The original letter was carefully returned to
the Stone or some means used so that it finally
got to Lord Cornwallis, but not before Count de
Grasse arrival and having the copy fairly trans
lated By this means W. was enabled to counter
act all their intended measures " *
Mr. Boudinot, as president of Congress, in his
official letter to De Grasse compliments and
eulogizes him on the efficient aid rendered by
him and the French fleet at Yorktown. Doubt
less with sincerity, but in his strictures as to all
that took place during the siege he but reflects
the feeling prevalent at the time, as the facts be
came known.
He was one of the committee in Congress that
reported on the letters received from Washington,
dated respectively, Headquarters, October 16 and
19; consequently he was perfectly well informed
on the subject. His intimacy with Hamilton and
Washington w^ould have rendered him conversant
with details not made public, and which at the
time and under the circumstances, from Wash-
1 Reminiscences of Elias Bondinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
WASHINGTON TO COUNT DE GRASSE. 237
ington s patriotic point of view, would have been
worse than useless ; however, they add now to
the lustre of the great luminary whose noble
nature was undaunted amid the thousand anxie
ties that beset him, one of the greatest of these
being his desire to promote and maintain good
feeling between the allied forces.
The instance related above of De Grasse is in
character with his actions, as shown by his inten
tions of sailing away to the northward and frus
trating Washington s whole design, 1 and his
further vacillating purposes when urged by
Washington to aid in the capture of Charleston ;
or failing to cooperate in that, to at least convey
troops to Greene ; refusing to do the first, but
promising to accomplish the latter, then withdraw
ing that promise : the importance of such co
operation at that juncture may be judged by
Washington s letter to him.
TO COUNT DE GRASSE.
HEAD-QUARTERS Oct. 20 th 1781.
SIR:
The surrender of York, from which so great
glory and advantage are derived to the allies, and
the honor of which belongs to your Excellency
has greatly anticipated our most sanguine expec
tations. Certain of this event, under your aus
pices, though unable to determine the time, I
solicitated your attention, in the first conference
with which you honored me, to ulterior objects
1 See Marshall s Washington, vol. iv. p. 479..
238 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
of decisive importance to the common cause.
Although your answer on that occasion was unfa
vorable to my wishes, the unexpected promptness,
with which our operations here have been con
ducted to their final success, having gained us
time, the defect of which was one of your principal
objections, a conviction of the most extensive and
happy consequences, engages me to renew my
representation. Charleston, the principal maritime
port of the British in the Southern parts of the
continent, the grand deposit and point of support
for the present theatre of the war, is opend to a
combined attack, and might be carried with as
much certainty, as the place which has just sur
rendered. This capture would destroy the last
hope which induces the enemy to continue the
war ; for, having experienced the impracticability
of recovering the populous northern States, they
have determined to confine themselves to the de
fensive in that quarter, and prosecute a most
vigorous offensive at the southward, with a view
of reconquering States whose sparse population
and natural disadvantages render them infinitely
less susceptible of defence, although their pro
ductions make them the most valuable in a com
mercial view. Their general naval superiority,
previous to your arrival, gave them decisive advan
tages in the rapid transport of their troops and
supplies, while the immense land marches of our
succours, too tardy and expensive in every point
of view, subjected us to be beaten in detail.
WASHINGTON URGES COMBINED ATTACK. 239
It will depend upon your Excellency, there
fore, to terminate the war, and enable the allies
to dictate the law in a treaty. A campaign so
glorious and so fertile in consequences could be
reserved only for the Count De Grasse. It rarely
happens, that such a combination of means, as are
in our hands at present, can be seasonably ob
tained by the most strenuous human exertions ; a
decisively superior fleet, the fortune and talents
of whose commander overawe all the naval force,
that the most strenuous efforts of the enemy
have been able to collect ; an army flushed with
success, demanding only to be conducted to new
attacks ; and the very season which is proper for
operating against the points in question.
If, upon entering into the detail of this expedi
tion, your Excellency should determine it imprac
ticable, there is an object, which, though subor
dinate to that above mentioned, is of capital
importance to our southern operations, and may
be effected at infinately less expense ; I mean the
enemy s post at Wilmington in North Carolina.
Circumstances require that I should at this pe
riod reinforce the southern army under General
Greene. This reinforcement, transported by sea
under your convoy, would enable us to carry the
post in question with very little difficulty, and
would wrest from the British a point of support
in North Carolina, which is attended with the
most dangerous consequences to us, and liberate
another State. This object would require nothing
240 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
more than the convoy of your fleet to the point
of operation, and the protection of the debarka
tion.
I entreat your Excellency s attention to the
points, which I have the honor of laying before
you, and that you will be pleased at the same time
to inform me what are your dispositions for a mar
itime force to be left on the American station.
I have the honor to be, &C. 1
De Grasse said in his letter to Lafayette that
he could not remain in our waters beyond the
8th of November, but he sailed with his fleet on
November 4, fifteen days after the surrender,
which took place on October 19.
Lafayette says in his narrative given to Jared
Sparks at La Grange, November, 1828, that when
he refused to storm Yorktown at the request of
De Grasse, considering that it would result in
an unnecessary loss of life, and knowing of the
advance of the commander-in-chief, De Grasse
insisted that it was to their interest and glory to
make the assault. Lafayette " had a difficulty
to induce him to remain." As soon as the capit
ulation was over, Lafayette went on board to De
Grasse and proposed to him to sail immediately
to Charleston, and take with him forces, and
cooperate with Greene, and capture Charleston ;
1 Jared Sparks Washington s Writings ; see Lee s Memoirs of the War
in the Southern Department; Irving s Life of Washington; Stedman s
American War; Marshall s Life of Washington; Ford s Washington
Letters.
LAFAYETTE. 241
Lafayette would command the American forces.
De Grasse declined, stating that it was necessary
for him to proceed to the West Indies. When
Cornwallis saw Lafayette going off the vessel,
he said to some of his officers, " He is now for
Charleston, and they will certainly succeed against
that place."
" Lafayette is sure that nothing would have
been more easy had not de Grasse obstinately
defeated the project ; Naval officers are always
impatient to be on their own element and never
contented to act in concert with land forces." 1
Lafayette was heart and soul an American
patriot, De Grasse, serving the French king, our
ally, but whose ministers were none too anxious
to see us become powerfully independent, and
especially at that juncture independent of them.
1 See Sparks MSS. in Harvard College Library.
CHAPTER XIII.
Lord Cornwallis cruelty. Motion by Mr. Middleton in Congress. De
bates thereon. Letters to Mr. Elisha Boudinot. Count de Grasse
takes St. Kitts. Little prospect of peace. Measure adopted by Eng
land. Distress at the inactivity of states. Intelligence from St.
Croix. Surrender of Brimstone Hill. Compares French and Eng
lish principles of war. Captain Hudcly hanged. Retaliation. Case
of Captain Asgill, son of Sir Charles. Congress orders his execution.
Earnest debate. Letters from the commander-m-chief, king and
queen of France and Lady Asgill. Life of Captain Asgill given to
king of France. False accounts allowed by Asgill. Sir Archibald
Campbell, benevolent and honorable. Letter from De Vergennes to
General Washington. Washington s reply. Mr. liouclinot to his
daughter. Advice. Commercial misfortunes of the capital. French
nobility lose their finery. To Governor Livingston; writes for Legis
lature s instructions on New Hampshire grants. To his daughter, on
her " launching into life."
MR. BOUDIXOT writes :
" Lord Cornwallis while commanding in South
o
Carolina had behaved with great Cruelty to the
Citizens, in the Opinion of the Delegates from
that State, and was specially charged with the
murder of Coll Hamis under pretext of Marshal
Law This enraged the Gentlemen from the
southward & particularly a Mr. Middleton and
soon after Lord Cornwallis Capture, a Motion
was made in Congress that Gen 1 Washington
should cause his Lordship to be executed in re
taliation of Coll Hamis and other Cruelties com
mitted by him - - This Motion was strongly advo
cated by a very large Party in the House, and the
LORD CORNWALLIS. 243
Prospect of its Success greatly alarmed many
moderate Members of Congress Mr. Duane &
myself opposed it with all our Powers, as contrary
to all good faith, having entered into a Capitula
tion with him, after the Facts committed & hav
ing Knowledge of them - - That it would expose
our Commander in Chief to the Necessity of re
signing his Command or forfeiting his Honor &
o o o
reputation c. &c. &c. The Debate continued
several Days and with great Difficulty we suc
ceeded in putting a Negative on it by a small
Majority." 1
The "Journal of Congress," October 25, 1781,
has the following motion by Mr. Middleton, sec
onded by Mr. Motte : " That general Washington
J o o
be directed to detain Earl Cornwallis and the
officers captured in the garrison of York and
Gloucester until the further order of Congress."
O
On 2Oth February of 1782, he writes to his
brother from Philadelphia:
" We have lately been advised that Count de
Grasse has taken possession of St. Kitts. The
Garrison have taken to the Fortress on Brim
stone Hill. It is supposed the Enemy must have
capitulated before this We are also informed
that a large Spanish Fleet consisting of 41 Ships
of the Line 16 Frigates & 4000 men have sailed
from Cadiz 19 Ships of the Line & 15000 men
from Brest both to join in the latitude of Madaira
I imagine the Truth is, that 19 Ships from France
1 Reminiscences of Ellas Boudinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
244 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
& 15000 men are actually sailed for the West
Indies. That 4000 men & 4 men of War have
sailed for the same purpose from Cadiz That
these last have been escorted to a certain Lati
tude by the Grand Fleet of Spain. There is not
the least prospect of Peace or scarcely a proba
bility of it on the other hand every measure is
adopting in England to send over a large body of
Hanoverians & some English Regulars early in
the Spring. The Comr in chief expects the next
campaign is to be the most important of any that
has been or will be in America this war Alas!
we are distressed with the languor & Inactivity
of the States All that can be done by Congress,
has been, to rouse them from their Lethargy
but all is treated as matter of course. We have
no official Information of any spirited measure
taken by any State in the Union, equal to the
necessity of the Times The reductions of the
Line of the army in point of numbers are dis
tressing My cash is all gone I most earnestly
wish you could get some for me from Copper-
thwait 1 - -I can get none from the State The
expense here is immoderate "
And again on the 26th, he writes : " We have
not the most distant prospect of Peace. I am
advised this moment that a vessel from St. Croix
brings Intelligence of the Surrender of Brimstone
o o
Hill & that 3 English Ships of the Line are sunk
i (Copper thwait was a debtor.)
STATE OF AFFAIRS. 245
& one French" On March 19: "I can only
deal in generals Everything on the other side
of the Water looks favourable We shall not be
deserted there No hopes of Peace from any
quarter Britain talks of changing the War from
an internal to a Naval War The Minority have
a vain hope that if they withdraw their Troops,
that we will submit even yet to the dominion of
the King of Britain We have been amused
with a vague report of the evacuation of Charles
Town on the 24th Feby but I believe without
foundation in Truth The capitulation of Brim
stone Hill is arrived The French seem to be
anxious to reduce the Rules of War to some
consistency with the Principles of Benevolence.
The English Islands will be almost tempted to
submit to the Gallic Power to obtain a happier
state than ever the British Government allows
them The Island of St. Kitts now enjoys a
right of Trade to all the World both Friend &
Foe"
Writing further to his brother on the subject
of engaging some trustworthy person on the
public business, he adds : " I could venture some
expense out of my own pockett for so special a
public service " l
In spite of his convictions regarding the peace,
he had the pleasure of signing the treaty to that
effect in the following year.
1 From family letters.
246 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA Feb. 26, 1782.
MY DEAR BROTHER
I have communicated the contents of your
letter to the Virginia Delegates, who desire me
to return you their acknowledgments for your
services. M r Griffin is in this Town wall be
informed of it immediately The rest is sent by
Post to Virginia & will require two Months be
fore you can get an answer
We have not the most distant prospect of
Peace, but the Vigorous campaigne on the part
of the Enemy is in view I wish I could say as
much of the United States I am fully of opin
ion that England will draw out their resources to
the utmost, and if there is any vigor in the british
Lion yet left, we shall now see it.
The South Carolina, a State Frigate lately
arrived from Spain at the Havana, carried in with
her five valuable Jamaica Men So that impov
erished State will in a great measure be reim
bursed for part of their enormous Expense attend
ing that vessel.
<r>
Love to your self & little family in which your
Sister Susan join
Am with great affection
my D r Brother
Yours AfTe ly
E B.
It may happen that I may want the most con-
CAPTAIN HUDDY. 247
fidential Person for a certain old Business--!
wish you would turn your attention to this Busi
ness I could wish two or three, one to be sta
tionary over the Water The best pay wont be
wanting 1
Mr. Boudinot writes : -
"In the year 1782 Governor Franklin at the
Head of the Refugees sent out a party of Ref
ugees into the County of Monmouth New Jersey
& took a Capt. Huddy Prisoner By their par
ticular Orders he was hanged in a very insulting
and cruel Manner, under pretence of Retaliation,
for a Person who was shot in the Act of running
away from his Guard This made a great Noise
in our Camp & throughout the States Genl
Washington saw the necessity of not suffering so
great an Act of Barbarity contrary to all the Rules
of civilized Warfare, to pass unnoticed He
therefore sent immediate Orders to Lancaster
where a Number of British Officers (Prisoners)
were kept, to draw Lots for one who should be
made an Example of, by being hanged in retalia
tion for Huddy, unless he obtained full Satisfac
tion, by the Enemy s sending out the Author of
the inhuman Act Notice of this was given to
Congress who readily approved the Measure -
Notice was also given to the British Commander
in New York The Lot was drawn & it fell on
Capt. Asgill, Son of Sir Charles Asgill He was
1 From family letters.
248 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
accordingly sent to Genl Washington at Morris
Town A number of Officers of his Corps at
tended him who were allowed to remonstrate to
their General The British immediately ordered
the Officer commanding the Party to be arrested
and tryed by a Court-martial, notice of this was
formally given to Genl Washington with a Re
quest that Asgill s Execution might be delayed
till the Determination of the Court-martial was
known The Sitting of the Court was drawn out
to a great length, when finally the Prisoner was
found guilty of Murder with Malice pretense
And a Copy of the Proceedings was sent to Gen 1
Washington & by him to Congress It clearly
appeared from the Testimony that the Prisoner
acted under Orders from the Board of Refugees,
of which Gov r Franklin was President, and that
tho the Prisoner might be entitled to the Acquit
tal, that yet Govr Franklin was the Culprit &
should have been punished.
" Congress took the Matter under full Consider
ation, during which Genl Sir Guy Carl ton arrived
at New York with the title of Commander in
Chief & the preliminary Articles of Peace were
announced Genl Washington then wrote to
Congress that he had first proposed the Retalia
tion on Capt. Asgill as an Act of Mercy on the
Whole, to put a Stop to the Enemy destroying
the Lives of our Citizens in the Future as they
had done in Times past That he had deter
mined to carry it into Execution, not being satis-
CAPTAIN ASGILL. 249
fied with the Result of the Court-martial But
that unexpectedly the preliminary Articles of
Peace had wholly changed the Ground The
Execution of an innocent Person ought to have
an Object in view to prevent the unnecessary
shedding of Blood That the Example now could
not have any Effect as there would be nothing for
it to operate upon &c. &c. That therefore he
should stay the Execution of Capt. Asgill without
an express Order from Congress to the Con
trary
"A very large Majority of Congress were deter
mined on his Execution, and a Motion was made
for a Resolution positively ordering the immedi
ate Execution Mr. Duane & myself considering
the Reasons assigned by the Commander in Chief
conclusive, made all the Opposition in our Power
We urged every Argument that the Peculiarity
of the Case suggested, and spent three Days in
warm Debate, during which more ill Blood ap
peared in the House, than I had seen Near the
close of the third Day, when every Argument was
exhausted, without any appearance of Success,
the Matter was brought to a Close, by the Ques
tion beins; ordered to be taken I a^ain rose and
o o
told the House, that in so important a Case, w r here
the Life of an innocent Person was concerned, we
had (tho in a small Minority) exerted ourselves to
the utmost of our Power We had acquitted our
Consciences and washed our Hands clean from
the Blood of that young Man That we saw his
250 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Fate was sealed That we had nothing to do but
request that the Proceedings should appear with
out Doors, as being equal to the Occasion, and
the World should know that we had conducted
the Measure with a serious Solemnity That
great warmth had been occasioned Some harsh
Lano-nao-e had taken Place The Minds of
o o
Gent 11 had been irritated I therefore moved that
the Question should be put off till the next Morn
ing, on the Minority giving their Words, that they
would not say another Word on the Subject, but
the Question should be taken in the first Place,
after the Meeting as of course This was unan-
o
im ou sly agreed to
" The next Morning as soon as the Minutes were
read, the President announced a Letter from the
Commander in Chief On its being read, he
stated the rcc t of a Letter from the King and
Ouccn of France inclosing one from Mrs. Asgill
^ o o
the Mother of Capt. Asgill to the Queen, that on
the Whole was enough to move the Heart of a
Savage The Substance was asking the Life of
o o
young Asgill This operated like an electrical
Shock Each Member looking on his Neighbor,
in Surprise, as if saying here is unfair Play It
was suspected to be some Scheme of the Minor
ity - - The President was interrogated The Cover
of the Letters was called for The General s Sig
nature was examined In Short, it looked so
much like something supernatural that even the
Minority, who were so much pleased with it, could
CAPTAIN ASGILL. 251
scarcely think it real After being fully con
vinced of the integrity of the Transaction a Motion
was made that the Life of Capt. Asgill should
be given as a Compliment to the King of France
This was unanimously carried on which it \vas
moved that the Commander in Chief should re
mand Capt. Asgill to his Quarters at Lancaster
To this I objected That as we considered
Capt. Asgill s Life as forfeited, & we had given
him to the King of France, he was now a free
Man, and therefore I moved that he should be
immediately returned into New York, without
Exchange This also was unanimously adopted,
and thus we got clear of shedding innocent Blood,
by a wonderful Interposition of Providence.
" Capt Asgill soon sailed for England, and on
his Arrival, he behaved without any sense of Ob
ligation for his Escape by suffering the most false
and injurious ace s of his Liberation to be pub
lished in all their Newspapers without an attempt
to contradict them Indeed I found generally,
that the British Officers did not think themselves
bound to keep their Word or perform Acts of
common Gratitude & Generosity with Rebels -
In this Charge I refer to those who were Prison
ers with us, but I must here except Coll afterwards
Sir Archibald Campbell, who behaved in every
instance as a man of strict Honor & unbounded
Benevolence, tho treated by us, thro a mistake,
the worst of any Prisoner during the War 1
1 Reminiscences of Elias Boitdinot, Library of Mr. John Carter Brown.
252 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
COUNT DE VERGENNES WRITES TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
VERSAILLES 2Qth July 1782
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency
a copy of a letter which Lady Asgill has just writ
ten to me. . . . Your Excellency will not read
this letter without being extremely effected; It
had that effect upon the King and Queen, to
whom I communicated it The goodness of their
Majesties hearts enduces them to desire, that the
inquietudes of an unfortunate Mother may be
calmed and her tenderness reassured.
. . . There is one consideration, Sir, which,
though it is not decisive, may have an influence
on your resolutions Capt Asgill is doubtless
your prisoner, but he is among those whom the
Arms of the King contributed to put into your
hands at Yorktown, although this circumstance
does not act as a safeguard, it however justifies
the interest I permit myself to take in this affair
If it is in your power, Sir, to consider and have
regard to it, you will do what is agreeable to their
Majesties
Genl Washington had taken this view & called
attention to the fact that Capt Asgill was a capit
ulation Officer He had also written a private
letter to Duane complaining bitterly of the delay
of Congress in this matter and their not sending
him their decision & further instructions regard
ing his action. 1
1 Jared Sparks s Washington writings, vol. viii. p. 550 (Appendix).
LETTER TO HIS DAUGHTER. 253
Washington in his reply to Count de Vergennes
says :
" After I had the honor of receiving your
Excellency s letter of the 2Qth July I lost not a
moment in transmitting it to Congress What
would otherwise have been the determination of
that honourable body I will not undertake to say
but I think I may undertake to assure your Ex
cellency, that your generous interposition had no
small degree of weight in procuring that decision
in favour of Capt Asgill."
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS DAUGHTER.
PHILADELPHIA Oct. 2 d 1782.
MY DEAR SUSAN
Altho I have not rec d any answer to mine by
Martin, yet yours of the 2i st Ultimo gave me
great Pleasure as it convinced me that you had
it in contemplation to keep up a correspondence
with your Fond Father I hope the long Jaunt
you have had to Rareton, will enable you to de
vote a proper Portion of your Time now, to useful
Improvement; Nothing but the want of health
should prevent your close application to cultivate
your understanding Remember you have yet a
great deal to do and but a short time to do it
in Make it a rule to gain some useful know
ledge every Day and your stock will then properly
increase Do not neglect your writing, in which
I include spelling This art is only to be gained
by Practice : The best Precepts in the World
254 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
would be in vain without it and in every sense
of the words in this instance " Practice makes
Perfect "-
I sent you by Dickey two Pounds of Powder
- 1 now forward by M r Martin a book M r B.
promised
There is nothing new in the gay World The
commercial misfortunes of the Capital moderates
the Extravagance of the City greatly - - There are
a great number of the French Nobility here, but
they also received a check by the Loss of all
their finery in the Frigate that was taken at the
Capes
M rs & Miss Moore ask very kindly after you
your Mama, M r Rush & family M rs Rush &
Miss Beckey all send love &c.
Am my dearest child with sweetest Love &
Esteem
your most Affec 1 Father
BOUDINOT. 1
The Newspaper enclosed is for your particular
attention.
Miss BOUUINOT
Baskinridge
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR LIVING
STON.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct r 23 d 1782.
DEAR SIR
I have long been of opinion that in all great
Questions, which are agitated in Congress, espe
cially relating to domestic Concerns, the Delegates
1 Family letters.
NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 255
from each State should consult their respective
Constituents, when it may easily be done, at least
as to general Principles The Legislature being
now met, I must beg leave, through your Excel
lency, to state to them the leading facts of a very
important and interesting Question now under
the Consideration of Congress, and which is set
down for determination on Wednesday next ; on
which I hope for the Legislatures Instructions,
on such general Principles as will necessarily
lead to the final determination The dispute I
refer to, is that of the People on the New Hamp
shire Grants, calling themselves the State of Ver
mont When I took my seat in Congress, I
found this Controversy on the Table of Congress,
having been submitted to their Determination
previous to the Confederation, by the States of
New Hampshire & New York, and the People
stiling themselves the State of Vermont, on the
principles of the Confederation then in an incom
plete, unfinished state A hearing was thereupon
had before Congress, when the States of New
Hampshire & New York produced many docu
ments in support of their different claims (Massa
chusetts one of the claiming States, not attending
but agreeing to relinquish their Right, provided
the district was made an independent State) the
first founded on this Territory being within their
Purchase under the Plymouth Company, long
possessed by them the second adding to a con
tinual Claim the determination of the King in
256 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
Council in the year 1764 in their favour founded
on the Patent to the Duke of York - - The People
of Vermont urged their having been several years
independent de facto and in the exercise of sov
ereign Power protested ag* any Power in the
World interfering with it and insisted that their
Boundaries only were submitted to the determi
nation of Congress. Thus the Business stood
undetermined, when we were informed that Ver
mont had extended her Claim & Jurisdiction
Eastward into New Hampshire, where 51 Towns
had voluntarily submitted to her Authority; and
to the Westward, she extended quite to the North
River That the People were defending them
selves ag* the States of New Hampshire & New
York by force of arms Soon after, we rec d au
thentic Intelligence that some leading People in
Vermont had met Commissioners from General
Haldiman, with whom Terms had been agreed
on, for a Submission to Great Britain That
these Terms had been sent to the Commissioners
for Peace &c at New York for their Ratification,
and by them to England for Instructions -That
General Clinton laid great Stress on this Measure
and had expressed Hopes thereby to conquer the
Northern States
The peculiar Circumstances of this People and
the danger of a civill war among ourselves, at a
Time when we found difficulty enough, in carry
ing on the war ag 1 the Common Enemy; led
Congress to leave the Ground on which the dis-
STATE OF VERMONT. 257
pute, as submitted to them, then stood ; and con
sidering themselves the Guardians of the general
Interests of the United States, and in duty bound
to prevent every Injury to the union and particu
larly such as threatened their Existence as a Na
tion, took the matter up, in a general & extensive
View & with the Consent of Nine States, passed
the Resolutions of the 7 th 2o th of August 1781
The People of Vermont were then met in gen
eral Assembly, including representatives from the
Eastern and Western Incroachments These to
gether imprudently rejected the Terms proposed
by Congress in those resolutions But soon after,
before any farther Steps taken by Congress, their
Assembly again met, and by a public Act, re
linquished & disclaimed those Incroachments,
thereby complying with the Terms proposed and
immediately forwarded delegates to Congress
A Committee was accordingly appointed to
Confer with these Delegates or Commissioners,
who reported to Congress, as appears by the
Journals ; but no determination on this report
could be obtained, it being alleged that Congress
was not bound by the s d resolutions of August,
and New York solemnly protested ag t the Power
of Congress to determine otherwise than agree
able to & under the Submission, which also ap
pears on the Journals Your Excellency will see
the reports and Acts of Congress on the printed
Journals, I left with the House last Fall The
great Questions necessary for the Consideration
of Congress, I consider will be
258 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
i st On the Submission of the s d States, ought
Congress to determine, any part of a former Col
ony (who have separated from the same, at the
beginning of the revolution, and are in the actual
Exercise of an independent Sovereignty de facto)
to be independent de Jitre and receive them into
the Union as a fourteenth State
2 d Can Congress as sovereign Guardians of the
o o
United States, when they conceive the general
Safety of the common Cause shall require it, re
ceive into the Union as a separate State, any
Territory People in the actual Possession of
Sovereignty & Independence de facto, without
examining into & determining the Right Title
of such People de Jure
3 d In the present State Circumstances of the
People styling themselves the State of Vermont,
ought Congress to receive them into the Union,
as an independent State agreeable to the resolves
of 7 th 20 th August 1781
4 th In case Congress shall refuse to receive
them (as is most likely) ought the Delegates of
New Jersey to agree to the sending the Conti
nental Army or a sufficient part thereof, in the
s d Territory, to subdue the Inhabitants to the
obedience & Subjection of the State or States
that claim their allegiance
In the past altercations on these subjects, your
Delegates have generally considered the Congress
as Sovereign Guardians of the whole Union, and
that they ought to prefer the general Good to
every private Interest of a particular State.
QUESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED. 259
That the shedding the Blood of our Citizens,
and all civill war among ourselves, at so critical a
period, should be strenuously avoided That a
sovereignty & Independence de facto was a suffi
cient reason under the Circumstances for Con
gress to admit into the Union, without examining
o
into the Right de Jure, agreeable to the strong
reasoning of his most Christian Majesty, in his
answer to the Justificative Memorial of the King
of Great Brittain, sent herewith
If your delegates have acted contrary to the
Opinion of their Constituents, they wash to be set
right, while it is in their Power to prevent any
evill Consequences arising from it We have
reason to believe, that the Matter will certainly
be brought on, on Wednesday next
I have two reasons for pressing the Sentiments
of the Legislature on this subject I st It has
been asserted, that we have been acting contrary
to the Opinion of our State 2 dly I claim 1000
Acres of Land, in this Territory under the Titles
of New Hampshire & New York both, and altho
1 consider them as of but very trifling Value, yet
it may hereafter be objected, that I was influenced
by considerations, which I hope ever to despise -
Your Excellency by laying this Letter before
the Legislature, and communicating their Senti
ments will much oblige me
I have also another Matter relative to the
Interest of the State, to lay before the Legis
lature, that I think worthy their Notice The
260 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
united States are looking forward to the call
ing in the Quota s of the States, of the Conti
nental money An alarm has gone forth, that
the State of Massachusetts has in their Treasury
so large a Portion of this Paper, that some of the
deficiency States will be obliged to purchase of her
at a high rate I have lately discovered that Con
necticut has sent an Express Messenger to Vir
ginia & purchased a Sum equal to her deficiency
at a very low Rate indeed If our State has not
made up her Quota, it would certainly be a pru
dent step to appoint some Person to purchase the
sum wanting without delay It can be now had
in Virginia, at 5 or 600 for one It is my Duty to
make this Communication, the Legislature will
make such use of it, as they may think convenient
I have the honor to be with great respect &
Esteem
Your Excellency s
Most Obed. Hble Servt
ELIAS BOUDINOT
His Excellency Governor LIVINGSTON.
This letter was to go by Mr Condit, but he left
Town without acquainting me with it 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS DAUGHTER.
PHILADELPHIA Ocf 3o th 1782.
MY DEAREST SUSAN
Your letter of the 19 th lies unanswered altho I
am still a letter ahead of you, but as it is said in
1 Original in collection of General Stryker, Trenton, N. J. ; copy in
Pennsylvania Historical Society.,
ADVICE TO HIS DAUGHTER. 26 1
an invaluable Book of Antiquity, that, the Elder
shall serve the Younger, perhaps you may think
it right that I should go on laying you in debt
I propose this letter as a serious one I have
for some time past been led by circumstances to
reflect more seriously on the prospect of your
launching into life and leaving your Father s Roof,
as well as his immediate protection & Guardian
ship I have reflected how far I have done my
Duty in executing the Trust committed to me, by
the great Governor of the Universe in your Edu
cation in a proper Provision for you in Life
in preparing you for usefulness in whatever station
it may please God to call you and laying a
rational foundation by the aid of Divine Grace for
your enjoyment of a glorious & happy Immortal
ity in the Life to come Through the unmerited
Blessing of a kind Providence, I cannot blame
myself greatly for any deficiency in your education
& Provision for Life Nature wants but little
and not that little long I have confidence in
you, that if you make good use of and continue
improving those Abilities & that knowledge you
now possess, your usefulness in this Life under
God may be of some importance to your fellow
Creatures. But my dear child all these are but
secondary objects How stands it as to your
preparation for and hope in the prospects of a
joyful Immortality . . . May the God of your
Parents for many generations past seal Instruction
to your soul & lead you to himself thro the Blood
262 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
of his too generally dispised Son who notwith
standing is still reclaiming the World to God
thro that Blood, not imputing to them their sins,
to him be Glory for ever
I have wrote this in Congress amidst a warm
debate to which I have been obliged to attend
o
at the same time, therefore you must make the
necessary corrections yourself
My kind love to all who think it worth while to
enquire after me
Am my dearest Susan
Your Very Aff Father
ELIAS BOUDINOT
Miss BOUDINOT
This is a very long and earnest letter, much of
which has been omitted for lack of space, and his
anxiety for his daughter and desire to entirely fulfil
his duty causes him to pursue the subject in two
letters which followed.
1 Family letters.
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr. Boudinot to Mrs. Boudinot, on taking the President s chair. Direc
tions for settling their affairs, and what to bring. Anxious for her
arrival. To Hon. John Hanson, Esq. To his brother; congratula
tions. To Mrs. Boudinot; when to start for Philadelphia. Reports
of Committee on Household Expenses of President. To Mr. Robert
Morris regarding coach. To Gen. Washington ; his pleasure in cor
responding; honored by congratulations ; Osgood s deposition. To
Hon. George Read; presents commission as Judge of Court of Appeals.
To Governor of Rhode Island ; duty on imports ; sends deputation
to explain situation ; propose to procure loans abroad. To General
Washington ; letters from agent at Cadiz ; evacuation of Charleston ;
incloses letter to Thomas Chittendon, Esq., with resolutions of Con
gress ; embarkation from New York. To Hon. John Lowell, Esq.,
inclosing commission as judge.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov 4th
1782
MY DEAREST LOVE
What shall I say, or how shall I reconcile my
beloved Wife to the changeable conduct of her
most affectionate Husband The things of this
World are as uncertain as the Wind not to be
depended on for a moment I have been pleas
ing myself with the approaching Enjoyment of
my dear Wife & Family in domestic Retirement
during the coming Winter But Providence has
otherwise determined for us This moment I
have accepted the President s chair of Congress,
not without a trembling hand The confusion
of my affairs and the total derangement of all my
264 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Plans and indeed the great loss & Expense that
must ensue to me in my circumstances with the
difficulties that will necessarily devolve on you,
have not been unthought of by me - - They have
rushed into my mind in thick succession But
these reflections even are now in vain - - The
ways of Providence are in the great Deep I
write this in a hurry that I may improve an op
portunity to Princeton to be forwarded by Express
to you for the first Intelligence of it Lose not
a moment Begin immediately to arrange your
affairs You must be here without delay The
arrangement & disposition of my affairs all must
fall on you God only knows how you are to
manage with them or get through them M r
Pintard must help you
Ever my dearest Love
Yours as always
ELIAS BOUDINOT *
M rs BOUDINOT
He writes to his wife on Oct. 22, 1782 :
" I rejoice that the time is drawing nigh in
which I hope to be permitted once more to revisit
my humble but beloved cottage My affection is
not placed on it because it is really a cottage ~ &
my own but because it contains the most precious
earthly comforts with which a gracious God has
blessed me." But in two weeks time, he says :
" I have wrote you in the hurry & confusion of
the Times, twice since Monday Morning " (being
1 Family letters. 2 This was the cottage at Baskinridge.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOVING TO PHILADELPHIA. 265
the date of his election as president) " I there
fore need not repeat the important Transactions
of that Day Suffice it to say, that every day
will appear a week till you come here The
Office I now fill your Friends -- The Season
of the year, and what I hope will have its weight,
your affectionate Husband all require you to
make no delay I am conscious this is a heavy
task, and how you are to execute it Iknow not
God only knows who can & will help you." There
follows advice as to arrangements for settling the
household and family to be left behind, what ser
vants, furniture, horses, etc., to bring. " Phillis
and Prince are to come, Lane and the plate ; " a
wagon is to be loaded and sent with " Josey," she
and " Sukey " "to come to Princeton in the chair,"
" Escorted by one of your Gallants where I will
send the coach or perhaps a Phaeton to transport
you to the most welcome Place you will meet with
in this world, I mean the arms & Heart of your
affectionate Husband " l
OF CONGRESS.
PHILADELPHIA November 5th 1782.
DEAR SIR
It gives me real pleasure, that among the first
duties of my office, I am honoured with the agree
able commands of Congress, to communicate
their unanimous vote of Thanks, for your valu-
1 From family letters.
266 . ELIAS BOUDINOT.
able and important services, while in the chair
of Congress.
Be assured Sir, that you can only form an Idea
of the satisfaction I enjoy on this occasion, by
consulting your own feelings on receiving this
grateful and honourable testimony of your Coun
try s approbation.
I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of
respect and esteem,
Sir, Your &c.
ELIAS BOUDINOT 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA Nov. 14 th 1782.
MY DEAR BROTHER
Your affectionate letter of yesterday has been
just handed me I accept your congratulations
with Pleasure and earnestly pray to God that I
may go through my year to the advantage of my
country & be so happy as to retire to private life
at the end of it & with the pleasing reflection that
American Independence was finally established
in the year 1783 by an unequivocal, honorable
lasting Peace ... It is very late and I can only
add that I should have been very glad to have
seen you My kind love to M r & M rs Smith Sister
all the family
Am my dear Brother
Yours affect ly
ELIAS BOUDINOT 2
ELISHA BOUDINOT Esq r
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 1 6, p. 156, MSS. Archives,
Department of State, Washington, D. C.
2 Family letters.
DIRECTIONS FOR MRS. BOUDINOT. 267
MR. BOUDINOT TO MRS. BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA Nov. 13 th 1782
MY DEAREST LOVE
It is matter of real grief & sorrow to me that
I should ever be the cause of a distressing or
uneasy Hour to one who I esteem above all the
Honors or Riches of this Transitory Life. I
feared greatly that the change of Station would
not be pleasing, as I was sure the derangement of
my affairs and the additional Labor cast on you,
would be perplexing -- but I remembered and
doubt not but you will remember that God has
ever been the director of our Path and the Guide
of our Ways It is not the first Time that he
has led us in the way which we knew not and set
our feet in a Strong Place We have embarked
o
in his service, and it is our part to see that we do
his will and act with a single eye to his Glory and
all will be well
Your affectionate & tender letter was read as
usual with a hearty and earnest welcome M r
Remsen had arrived here the Evening before &
returned this Morning As to directions I can
not collect my Thoughts sufficiently to aid you
In general dispose of those things that you can
sell to advantage The Hay had best be kept &
M r Pintard to sell it towards the Spring I give
12 . p. Ton here 3 dollars for carting. Let the
Stack in M r Southard s field be first used as to
servants I have one good negro man & can get
268 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
another Phillis will do better under her Mother
than a stranger, bring Jude as a chamber maid
I will enclose a list of the general furniture, which
will direct you what to bring The House is
very indifferently furnished and the finances are
too low to get anymore I suppose the neces
sary etceteras for first beginning of the winter
such as Wood, Hay, Wine &c. will require at
least 1500 dollars --You had best bring one
suit of curtains, or perhaps Susan must go with
out . . . But now as to the grand Point I cannot
think of your staying longer than this You must
set off on Monday next at farthest I am like
a Pelican in the Wilderness I shall certainly
expect you if the weather is good on Tuesday
Night Your brother Sammy is to Squire you
from Princeton - - I am very anxious for your
arrival least the Weather should change yet I
am loath to hurry you I have 30 Gent 11 to dine
with me today What a figure I cut all alone
My Time & Paper will only admit of assuring you
My dearest Love
E. B. 1
(bring with you all your Plate)
Mrs BOUDINOT
The following gives some insight into the ex
penses of the president s household, given as
written in reports of committees :
" The Committee appointed to report a proper
allowance for the honourable gentlemen who have
1 Family letters.
PRESIDENT S HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES. 269
been or may be elected Presidents of Congress to
defray the Expenses incidental to the office
having taken the same into consideration beg
Leave to report the following Resolution
" Resolved that a convenient furnished dwell
ing: house be hired and a Stable Carriage &
O
Servants provided at the public expense for the
President of Congress for the Time being
" That the Committee on the Treasury appoint
and agree with a Steward who shall have the
Superintendence of the household of the Presi
dent & of the necessary Expenditures & be an
swerable for such monies as shall from time to
time be advanced for the purposes aforesaid
" That the representation
of the late Hon
Mr Randolph That the Hon M r Middleton that
the Honor bl M r Hancock & the Honourable Mr
Lawrence formerly Presidents of Congress
" Be requested to lay before the Board of Trea
sury accounts of their Expenditures in support of
their households while they respectively exercised
the Office of President: in order to their being
adjusted & paid out of the public Treasury l
(Endorsed)
Report of the Committee
on allowance to Presidents
for the incidental Expenses of
that office
Brought in 12 Dec 1778.
passed Dec 16
1 Department of State, Washington, Reports of Committees, No. 23,
P- 353-
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
"The Committee to whom was referred the Ar
rangement of the Presidents House, report the
following Resolutions
" Resolved that the Attendants of the Presidents
House consists of one Steward & such others
as may be found necessary not exceeding
Eight that they be appointed & removed at
Pleasure by the President of Congress.
" That all sums of money, necessary for
the Expenses of the House, be drawn for
by the President and paid for by the Steward
" That the Steward keep a regular Ac-
Pass 1
count of all Receipts & Disbursements and
of Furniture & Utensils broken, lost, or purchased
& deliver to the Secretary of the President, on
the first Day of every Month a fair copy thereof l
(Endorsed)
N 3. Report of Comm ee on Arrangement of
Pres ts Household
Passed Nov 2i st 1781 2
1783
Feby.
By Household Expenses of the
President of
Congress, from 2 d Sep. to 31 Dec r
1782, including the purchase
of a Coach, i p r Horses, Har
ness, China, Queen s Ware,
Servants Wages c 5>5!3-6o
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Report
of Committee, No. 23, p. 3^5.
2 Department of State, Washington, Reports of Committees, No. 23, p.
353-
PRESIDENTS HOUSE. 271
By R v Phillips his new account
for the Balance 36.30
(Endorsed).
Expenses of Presd 3
Household. 1
" The Committee consisting of
" To whom was referred an application from the
President respecting the present deranged state
of the Household submit the following report
" That as it is inexpedient for the President to
keep more than one House at the public Expense
such House should be near the Place where Con
gress sits
and that He write to the Superintendent of Fi
nance to give up the House in which the Presi
dent lately lived in Philadelphia 2
(Endorsed)
Report of M r Williamson
M r Izard
M r Clarke
On Information of the Pres* relative to his household
En*
Read August n th 1783
Aug 14 th 1783 postponed sine die 3
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Reports
of Committees, No. 23, p. 365.
2 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Reports
of Committees, No. 23, p. 357.
8 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Reports of
Committees, No. 23, p. 359.
272 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
" Resolved . . . that the President take a house
proper for his accommodation." :
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON. ROBERT MORRIS.
PHILADELPHIA 2i st Nov m 1783
SIR.
I lately informed you that Mr. Hanson had
spoke to Mr. Way for a Coach ; on Conversing
with him on the subject he informed me that if
he made it with a Crane Neck and finished it
properly he must have 500^ for it, he would do
it without delay a few days afterwards,, Informa
tion was brought me, that the most elegant Coach
in the Town was to be sold much Cheaper than a
new one could be now had for ; I sent for Mr.
Way & prevailed on him to go & Examine it for
me ; on his return Acknowledged that it was one
of his own make, had been used but a few times
and exceeded any thing he could now make for
want of such materials it had actually cost him
500^. he consenting
Mr. Hanson when I made Application as a
purchaser agreed for it at 300^". including a new
sett of Harness & putting on the Publick Arms
I have also agreed for a pair of Horses &
wine for the Family both Maderia and Claret -
The Payments are to be made in 20 days ; I
thought it best to give you this early notice of it
that you may not be called on unexpectedly for
the Money ; The whole will be about 6oo. If
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C,, Reports
of Committees, No. 23, p. 359.
LETTER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 273
the old Coach was advertised for sale perhaps it
would bring 150^. as it has a Crane Neck I
have got the silver from the Treasurer Consisting
of knives forks & spoons to the amount near 100
oz but they by no means suit my purpose except
the desert spoons (which are only large tea
spoons) & three (?) doz large spoons But as there
is neither Tea Pott or Coffee Pott in the House
I think they had best be exchanged or sold for
those necessary pieces of Plate
I am yours &c.
E. BOUDINOT. 1
The Honorable ROB T MORRIS Esq r
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL
WASHINGTON.
DEAR SIR
Your Excellencys several favors of the 3O th
October, I st and 1 9 th instant which have come to
hand since I had the honor of filling the Presi
dent s Chair, have been duly laid before Con
gress.
You will believe me, Sir, when I assure you, that
the correspondence and communication, which my
office necessarily opens with your Excellency, is
one among the few special advantages and agree
able engagements, which I promise myself during
my continuance in so arduous a station.
I feel myself greatly honoured by your con
gratulations, and rank them among the few that
have given me real pleasure.
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
274 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Altho the present state of our affairs do not
raise my expectations of being able to give your
Excellency any intelligence worthy your atten
tion, yet be assured, Sir, as far as it shall be in
my power, I shall most freely communicate from
time to time, whatever may promise the least in
formation or amusement, hoping for a like return,
however it may prove more advantageous or en
tertaining to me.
Congress having come to a Resolution relative
to the several matters in OsgoocTs deposition,
your Excellency will receive a copy thereof by
this Post. It was generally thought necessary
to communicate the reasons of this proceeding to
the persons exercising the Executive power in
that District ; but least a proper secrecy should
not have been observed, previous to the arrest
ing of the Delinquents, the time and manner of
such communication, is altogether left to your dis
cretion.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the
most sincere respect and esteem
Your Excellencys
Most ob Very Hum le Ser
E. B.
PHILADELPHIA
Nov 27* 1782!
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 157, Department of
State, Washington.
COMMISSION TO HONORABLE GEORGE READ. 275
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HON. GEORGE READ.
PHILADELPHIA Dec. 6, 1782
SIR.
It gives me very particular satisfaction to have
the honor of presenting you the Commission of
the United States in Congress assembled, whereby
you are Constituted one of the Judges of the
Court of Appeals in all Cases of Capture on the
Water &c.
Your established Character as a Gent", Lawyer
& Man of Integrity leaves me no room to doubt
but this Appointment will do honor to Congress
produce the happiest Consequences to the good
Citizens of these States and I hope real Satisfac
tion to yourself from the consciousness of serving
your Country with fidelity.
I have the honor to be with every Sentiment of
Esteem & Respect
Sir
Your most Obed 1 Humble Serv t
ELIAS BOUDINOT l
The Honble GEO READ Esq.
HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF
RHODE ISLAND.
PHILADELPHIA, December n" 1782.
SIR
Congress are equally affected and alarmed, by
the information they have received, that the Leg
islature of your State, at their last meeting, have
refused their concurrence in the establishment of
1 Pennsylvania Historical Society.
276 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
a duty upon Imports. They consider this mea
sure as so indispensable to the prosecution of the
War that a sense of duty, and regard to the com
mon safety, compel them to renew their efforts to
engage a compliance with it, and in this view,
they have determined to send a Deputation of
three of their members to your State, as ex
pressed in the enclosed Resolution, The gen
tlemen they have appointed will be able to lay
before you a full and just representation of the
public affairs, from which they flatter themselves
will result a conviction of the propriety of their
solicitude upon the present occasion. Convinced
by past experience of the zeal and patriotism of
the State of Rhode Island, they cannot doubt that
it will yield to those urgent considerations which
flow from a knowledge of our true situation
They will only briefly observe, that the increas
ing discontents of the army, the loud clamours of
the public creditors, and the extreme dispropor
tion between the current supplies and the de
mands of the public service, are so many invin
cible arguments for the fund recommended by
Congress. They feel themselves unable to devise
any other that will be more efficacious, less ex
ceptionable or more generally agreeable ; and if
this is rejected, they anticipate calamities of a
most menacing nature, with the consolation how
ever, that they have faithfully discharged their
trust, and that the mischief which may follow,
cannot be attributed to them.
RHODE ISLAND REFUSES DUTY ON IMPORTS. 277
A principal object of the proposed fund is to
procure loans abroad. If no security can be held
out to Lenders the success of these must neces
sarily be very limited. The last accounts upon
the subject were not flattering, and when intel
ligence shall arise in Europe that the State of
Rhode Island has disagreed to the only fund,
which has yet been devised, there is every reason
to apprehend it will have a fatal influence on their
future progress. Deprived of this resource our
affairs must, in all probability, rapidly hasten to a
dangerous crisis, and those states be involved in
greater embarrassments than they have yet expe
rienced, and from which it may be much more
difficult to emerge.
Congress will only add a request to your Ex
cellency that if the Legislature should not be
sitting, it may be called together as speedily as
possible to enable the Gentlemen whom they have
deputed to perform the purpose of their mission.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of high
respect and esteem
Your Excellency s &c.
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL
WASHINGTON.
Dec. 11, 1782.
DEAR SIR;
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Ex
cellency s polite letter of the 4 th instant, and am
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 164, MSS. Archives,
Department of State, Washington, D. C.
278 . ELIAS BOUDINOT.
much obliged by the intelligence it contained.
We have since received letters from our Ao-ent
o
Mr. Harrison at Cadiz, a copy of which I enclose.
By a letter from Gen 1 Greene of the n th of
November, we are informed " that the evacuation
of Charles Town will not take place till the 2O th
or 2i st . The enemy are in readiness to embark
and have got Transports sufficient to carry them
off ; but it is said they are waiting for Admiral
Pigot to convoy them to the West Indies."
I have the honor of enclosing a letter directed
to Thomas Chittendon, Esquire, at Bennington.
It contains Resolutions of Congress, which it is
their wish your Excellency could forward as di
rected by some trusty Hand, who will take a
receipt of the delivery, which may be returned
to Congress. For your Excellency s information
only, I also inclose a copy of the Resolutions
referred to.
By some private advices from New York it is
said that an embarkation of 5000 Men for the
West Indies is taking place in that City.
I have the honor to be c. c.
E.(LIAS) B(ouDiNOT) 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HON. JOHN LOWELL, ESQ.
PHILADELPHIA n Dec 1782
DEAR SIR
To perform the duty of a first servant of our
country by presenting her confidential honors as
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 161, MSS. Archives,
Department of State, Washington, D. C.
LETTER TO HONORABLE JOHN LOWELL. 279
the reward of merit, is undoubtedly very pleasing
to every generous mind ; but when the feelings
of private friendship are at the same time highly
gratified in so important a service, the reward is
great indeed. With these sentiments permit me,
Sir, to present the enclosed commission, by which
you are appointed one of the Judges of the Court
of Appeals, and most cordially to congratulate
you on this instance of the high esteem your
country bears towards you.
It is more worthy, as it has been unsought for
and unsolicited by you.
I doubt not but the appointment will do honor
to Congress and be really beneficial to your
Country.
I have the honor to be &c
E. B.
P. S. I had forgot to inform you that Mr
George Read, a gentleman of great integrity and
abilities of the Delaware State, was chosen at the
same time with you in the room of Mr Paca, re
signed, and in order to settle precedence between
you, lots were drawn, when it turned in favor of
Mr. Read, wherefore, your commission is dated
the day after his l
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 162, MSS. Archives,
Department of State, Washington, D. C.
CHAPTER XV.
Mr. Boudinot to Mr. Elisha Boudinot. Frigate from France. Brings
dispatches. Great Britain sends Mr. Oswald to Paris to treat with
commissioners. Commissioners refused to treat as thirteen colo
nies. Treat as an independent nation. Asiatic accounts of Madras
being taken by the French. Treaty of commerce. Wants particu
lars of state of things in New York. General Washington to his Ex
cellency Elias Boudinot. Subscription for Rev. Mr. Caldwell s children.
Mr. Boudinot to General Washington. Congratulations on indepen
dency acknowledged by Great Britain. Sends copy of commission.
Treaty of commerce. Foreign opinion that Charleston and New York
will be evacuated in the fall. Arrival of General du Portail. Mr.
Boudinot to Major-General du Portail. Approval of Congress. Mr.
Boudinot to Count de Rochambeau. Approbation of Congress.
Wishes for prosperous voyage. Mr. Boudinot to Brigadier-General
Dayton. Congratulations on promotion. Evacuation of Charleston.
Mr. Boudinot to General Washington. Receipt from Mr. Chitten-
don. Copy of official letter from General Greene announcing evacua
tion of Charleston. Mr. Boudinot to Major-General Lincoln on time
of returning. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington on death of Lord
Stirling. Business relative to Vermont. Mr. Boudinot to General
Washington. His letter laid before Congress.
MR. BOUDINOT TO MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA 24 th Dec. 1782.
MY DEAR BROTHER
A Frigate has lately arrived from France and
went on shore in our Bay in the snow storm but
has luckily got off again Her dispatches are
just come up and I heartily congratulate you on
Great Britains having admitted our Independence
by sending M r Oswald to Paris first with a com
mission to treat of peace with commissioners from
the thirteen Colonies which our commissioners
STEPS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE. 28 1
absolutely refused to treat upon In consequence
whereof Great Britain has given up the matter
and issued a formal commission to treat with " any
commission or commissioners from the Thirteen
United States of America" and to enter into all
the necessary stipulations as with an independent
Nation. The Rubicon is therefore passed and I
am happy that my expectations are likely to be
fulfilled. I am not at liberty to say more than
is contained in the following extracts " From
several Asiatic accounts there is great probabil
ity that Madras has been taken by the French
Troops, which have landed at Port Neuvo, and
the Army of Hyder Ally with whom they have
made a junction, but no official account has
come to hand and this intelligence cannot be
given as a certainty " From M r Adams " We
have at length the consent of all the Cities &
Provinces upon every article, word, syllable, letter
& point in the treaty of commerce and clerks are
employed in making out fair copies for signature,
which will be done this week Amidst the innu
merable crowds of Loans which are opened in this
country, many of which have little success, I was
much afraid that would have failed. I have how
ever the pleasure to inform you that I am at last
one Million and a half of Florins or three millions
of Livres in cash, which will aid the operations of
our Financier "... All I want about the men in
Newark is to have by every stage a particular ac r
of the state of things in N Y of the shipping
282 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
going in or out I mean ships of War Trans
portation &c.
I am in great haste
My dear Brother
Yours afect ly
B- - 1
The Post Quoins: made me
o o
almost forget the compliments of
the season to all your fireside
in the most affectionate manner
from your sister Susan &c. &c.
ELISHA BOUDINOT, Esq r
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS
BOUDINOT, ESQ.
NEWBURGH Dec r i4th 1782.
DEAR SIR,
I recollect subscribing, when I was in Philadel
phia last Winter, twenty or 25 Guinias towards the
support of the Children of the late Reverend Mr.
Caldwell.
No person has called upon me since for this
money. I therefore take the liberty (as the paper
was in your hands) of asking you to whom I am
to pay it ?
Mrs. Washington, who is now with me, offers
her affectionate compliments to Mrs. and Miss
Boudinot, to which permit me to add those of
Dear Sir,
Your Mo. obedt. & Most h ble servt.
Go. WASHINGTON. 2
1 Family letters.
2 MSS. Department of State, Washington, D. C., Washington letters,
vol. ii. P, p. 388.
INDEPENDENCE. 283
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA 25" December 1782.
DEAR SIR
I was honored by your Excellency s letter of
the 1 6" inst, which I laid before Congress.
It is with great pleasure that I congratulate
your Excellency and the Army, on the admission
of our Independency & national character by the
Court of Great Britain, in the issuing a commis
sion, under the Great Seal, to Mr Oswald now 7
at the Court of Versailles, for treating with any
commissioner or Commissioners of the Thirteen
United States of North America, a copy of which
I do myself the honor to enclose for your Excel
lency s information. There was a prior Commis
sion to the same person, to treat with the Thir
teen Colonies &c but our Commissioners refused
to negotiate under it, which produced this more
explicit power. Altho there is great doubt yet,
whether a peace will ensue, yet in case of a con
tinuance of the war, this admission must have
beneficial consequences.
The following Extracts contain the resedue of
our public intelligence
" From several Asiatic Accounts there is great
probability that Madras has been taken by the
French Troops, which have landed at Porto
Neuevo, and the army of Heyder Ally, with whom
they had made a junction, but no official account
has come to hand, and this intelligence cannot be
given as a certainty "
284 ELIAS BOUDINOT
From Mr. Adams
" We have at length the consent of all the cities
"and Provinces, and have adjusted and agreed
" upon every article, word, syllable, letter and
" point in the Treaty of commerce, and clerks are
" employed in making out fair copies for the sig-
" nature, which will be done this week. Amidst
" the innumerable crowd of Loans which are
" opened in this country, many of which have
" little success, I was much afraid that ours would
" have failed I have however the pleasure to
" inform you, that I am at least, one million and
" an half in cash or about three millions of Livres
" which will aid the operations of our Financier "
Some of the Foreign letters to Gentlemen of
consequence here, mention a belief at the Court
of France, that both Charles Town and New
York will be evacuated this Fall.
Genl du Portail is arrived in the Frigate that
brought our Dispatches referred to above.
I have the honor to be &c
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HONORABLE MAJOR-GENERAL DU
PORTAIL.
PHILADELPHIA i January 1783
SIR
I have the honor to inform you that your letter
of the 28 ult, was duly laid before Congress, and
it gives me a particular pleasure (agreeably to
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 167, MSS. Archives,
Department of State, Washington, D. C.
CONGRESS TO COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU. 285
their orders) to testify their approbation of the
reasons assigned for your detention in Europe,
beyond the time fixed in your Furlough.
It was with great satisfaction that Congress
received the information of your safe arrival in
America, where, they hope, that your renewed
exertions in the common cause, will be again
crowned with success.
I have the honor to be, with
great respect
Sir
Yours &c
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY COUNT DE
ROCHAMBEAU.
PHILADELPHIA i st Jan y 1783
SIR,
Among the most agreeable duties of my office,
the communicating the approbation of Congress
to such worthy characters as are entitled, by their
merit and services, to these tokens of public Re
spect, are not the least.
Be assured, Sir, that the honor I now have to
enclose your Excellency the warm and affection
ate testimony of the United States in Congress
assembled to the Valor, Discipline and good con
duct of His Excellency The Count de Rocham-
beau and the Army under his command, gives me
sensations of the most delicate nature, and I shall
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 169, Archives, Depart
ment of State, Washington, D. C.
286 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
esteem it among the favorable circumstances of
my administration, to have the honor of this com
munication.
Permit me, in the most cordial manner to wish
your Excellency, and the worthy Officers who
attend you the most prosperous voyage, with a
happy sight of your Country and Friends, and
particularly the deserved approbation of your
Royal Master.
I have the honor to be with every sentiment of
the profoundest respect & esteem
Your Excellency s
&c &c
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON. BRIG. -GEN. ELIAS DAYTON.
PHILADELPHIA
Jan y 7 th 1783
D R SlR.
I have the pleasure of congratulating you on
your appointment to the rank of Brigadier Gen
eral in the Army of the United States This
was happily accomplished today, by the persever
ance of your friends and at last without much
opposition I doubt not the promotion will do
honor to Congress and justify the Part your Ac
quaintance have taken in your Behalf. I also
give you joy on the Evacuation of Charles Town
which is now confirmed.
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 170, MSS. Archives,
Department of State, Washington, D. C.
EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON. 287
I have the Honor to be, tho in great Haste,
Dear Sir
Your very Hble Servt
ELIAS BouDiNOT 1
Honble Brig. Genl. ELIAS DAYTON.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENL WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA 16" January 1783
DEAR SIR
Your Excellency s letter of the 8" instant, en
closing Mr. Chittendons receipt, came safe to
hand and was duly laid before Congress.
Enclosed is a copy of the official letter of Gen 1
Greene announcing the evacuation of Charles
Town, on the important event, I most sincerely
congratulate your Excellency and the Army, as it
must be productive of the most happy conse
quences to the common cause
I have the honor to be &c
E. B. 2
MR. BOUDINOT TO MAJOR GEN L LINCOLN.
PHILADELPHIA Jan y 28th 1783
MY DEAR GEN L
I was Honored with the recp 4 of your Letter of
the Qth Inst pr Post I having nothing new to
Communicate and the design of this is to Comply
with my promise, in Acquainting you, that, altho
there is no immediate Business that demands
your presence yet I believe if you could return By
1 Among Letters of Generals, Pennsylvania Historical Society.
2 Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of the Con
tinental Congress, No. 16, p. 172.
288 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
the middle of Feb y or thereabouts without any
great Inconvenience to your private affairs, that
it would give great satisfaction to Congress--!
do not mean to hurry you, but only to hint my
opinion on the appearance of things at present.
Mrs Boudinot & Miss Susan return the most
respectful affectionate Compliments to Mrs
Lincoln & yourself . . .
I am my Dr Sir with great Esteem
Your most Obedient & very Hble Servt
E. BOUDINOT. 1
Major Genl LINCOLN.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
PHIL A 29th Jan* 1783
MY DEAR GENERAL
The unexpected and melancholy news of the
death of the late Major Genl Lord Stirling, con
tained in your Excellency s letter of the 2O th In
stant was laid before Congress immediately on the
receipt.
The special services rendered to his country by
that Nobleman, from the very earliest period of
the present War, to the day of his death, has not
only rendered his memory in the highest degree,
respectable to Congress, but has entitled him to
the warmest approbation of his country.
Congress exceedingly regret this loss not only
as a valuable character in the army possessed of
great bravery, perseverance and extraordinary mil
itary talent but as a very important citizen of the
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
DEATH OF MAJOR-GENERAL LORD STIRLING. 289
United States They sincerely condole with your
Excellency and the Army on this sorrowful occa
sion
I am instructed to make this communication to
your Excellency by the particular order of Con
gress whose sense of the great merit of this officer
will be best understood by the copy of their res
olution for this purpose which I do myself the
honor to enclose.
Congress approve of the circumspection with
which your Excellency has managed the business
relative to Vermont and hope it will yet be car
ried into execution, although there is great rea
son to believe from the circumstances bein^ now
o
known to some of the Eastern States that it may
be prevented.
The Honorable Gentleman alluded to in the
report of Cap 1 Mac. Comber has declared upon
his honor that he has not wrote a single word
directly or indirectly to any person or persons in
Vermont or elsewhere on the subject alluded to
and therefore begs that Capt Mac. Comber may
be desired to give the utmost particulars of the
time place & circumstances of his information as
he is greatly concerned that he should be sus
pected of any unfair practice on the occasion -
I have the honor to enclose a letter for your
Excellency from the honourable Mr Jefferson
who left this on his way to Europe a few days
since
M r s Boudinot and Miss Susan join me in the
2QO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
most affectionate compliments to M r s Washing
ton
I have the honor to be Dear Sir with the most
sincere respect
Your Excellency s
Most Obed 1 & very humble servant
ELIAS BOUDINOT l
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHING
TON.
PHILADELPHIA 26 th Feb. 1783
DEAR SIR,
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency s
letter of the 3O th ult. which I immediately laid
before Congress, who, without delay, gave it the
full attention it deserved. The result of the de
liberations I do myself the pleasure to enclose.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs will make the
confidential communication to your Excellency
mentioned therein, I hope, by this opportunity.
The critical state of our Finances obliges Con
gress to the Most disagreeable parsimony, Altho
the objects proposed, are certainly of the highest
consequences, and which will engage their atten
tion, at all events, in case of the least change of
appearances.
By a Vessel arrived yesterday from Tenerifle,
and one a few days ago at Baltimore from St
Kitts, there are various Reports About all nego-
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. xcii. p. 132.
REPORTS REGARDING PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. 2QI
tiations for Peace being broke up at Paris, but
sifting them well and duly considering dates and
other circumstances, they amount to nothing
worthy of attention.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with the highest
Sentiments of respect and esteem,
Your Excellency s
Most obedient
& very Hum b Serv*
EL!AS BOUDINOT.
His Excellency
Gen 1 WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed in Gen 1 His Excellency the Presid of Congress
W s own hand) 26" Feb 1783 BoUDiNOT. 1
1 MSS. Archives, Letters to Washington, vol. Ixi. p. 331, Department
of State, Washington, D. C.
CHAPTER XVI.
Arrival of the Washington packet. Brings budget of intelligence.
Short compendium of political situation, by Mr. Boudinot to Washing
ton, March 17. England s change of ministers. Proposition of
separate peace. Attitude of France. Independence. Boundaries.
Fisheries. The Tories. Suspicions of the court of France.
Provisional articles of peace. Count de Vergennes surprised. Delay
in negotiations on the part of other belligerent powers. Interest of
England to ratify treaty. Harmony between commissioners. Six
millions instead of twenty obtained from France. " The Washington,"
first vessel with English passport. Embarrassed situation of Congress
as to finances. Mr. Morris resigned. Etiquette in France. Situa
tion of army. King of France offended with commissioners. Note of
Mr. John Fiske. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington, congratulates
him and the army on the definitive treaty of peace. Dispatches from
Count d Estaing and the Marquis de Lafayette. Hostilities ceased in
Europe. Commutation of the half pay to the army by nine States.
General Washington to Mr. Boudinot. Thanks for his letter of the
I7th. Begs a continuance. Congratulatory letter of Mr. Elisha Bou
dinot. General Washington s reply. An ode, by Mr. William Pear-
tree Smith. Mr. Boudinot to Honorable James Robinson. Lord
Drummond. His estate. Confiscations. Announcement of peace
between all belligerent powers. Express to General Carleton.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHING
TON.
PHILADELPHIA March 17 th 1783
DEAR SIR
The arrival of Capt Barney on the Washington
Packett, has afforded us, a large Budget of Intel
ligence & opened a new Scene in this Western
World -
I have endeavoured to discover if any of the
confidential Servants of Congress, have made it
AFFAIRS IN EUROPE. 293
a Business to communicate freely to your Excel
lency the political State of our Affairs both at
home & abroad, from time to time as they have
turned up
The necessity of this knowledge to one in your
Excellency s responsible Situation, struck me as
essentially necessary but to my Mortification, I
cannot convince myself of the certainty of this
Measure, but am rather left in doubt
Conscious of my own want of both Time &
Talents for so important a business, nothing but
the necessity & usefulness of the work could have
tempted me to have troubled your Excellency
with the essay at this critical Period, when per
haps unknown to me, some able Pen is engaged
daily for the purpose
My present design therefore is, as an individual
who has access to the Intelligence of Congress,
and also the benefit of some private confidential
communications, to give your Excellency a short
compendium of the State of our Affairs in
Europe, that you may be possessed of facts
necessary for your Station As I act in this
Business, but as an individual in a private char
acter, I shall combine the information obtained
from the public dispatches, with that of private
intelligence but of undoubted authority.
In the beginning of the last Spring the Court
of London being reduced (sic) to very disagree
able Circumstances occasioned as well by the
State of her Finances, as by the Change of, and
294 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
divisions in her Ministry, made some very dis
tant movements to sound our Minister at Passy,
relative to a separate Peace Finding, no incour-
agement on this Head, small beginnings were
soon ripened into a promising appearance, by
England s authorizing Mr. Grenville in due form,
to treat with France &c and giving instruction to
Mr Oswald, a gentleman of great Candour Integ
rity & Abilities, (as is asserted by two of our Com
missioners) to treat with Dr. Franklin
Great pains \vere taken to bring on negotia
tions in form without farther express Powers with
respect to America ; our Com r s resolutely deter
mined to oppose every attempt to conduct the
Business in a narrow scale, tho Count de Ver-
gennes thought they might safely proceed on
these limited Powers; however they refused to
hearken to any formal propositions, or rather (sic)
refused to make any propositions of an explicit
nature, untill the United States of America were
expressly or implicitly acknowledged as Indepen
dent States by Great Britain and considered as
one of the Nations of the (sic) Earth.
In the course of the Communications, our
Corn s convinced the Court of Great Britain (at
least in appearance) of the great impolicy of their
past conduct, and of the absolute necessity they
were under of acting without delay on a more
enlarged Scale, and by the generosity & Candor
of their Behavior on this occasion, to wipe away,
the almost indelible Stain, of British Cruelty &
MR. OSWALD TO TREAT WITH AMERICA. 295
Barbarism from the American Mind This pro
duced a Commission to M r Fitzgerald, to nego
tiate with France &c &c and another to Mr
Oswald, to treat with America, wherein the Sov
ereignty & Independence of these United States
are expressly acknowledged Negotiations now
took place in real Earnest Between the Commis
sioners, whatever might have been the designs
& dispositions of the Ministry of G. B. As it
clearly appears from our Minister s letters that
Mr Oswald acted merely on the principle of a
love of Peace, being neither a creature or depend
ent of the Minister, and his honesty, candor &
purity of Intention, soon produced such a Union
of Sentiment, that an accommodation appeared to
be fast ripening towards perfection - - The prin
ciple points of discussion were, the Boundaries
The Fisheries and the Tories At first England
appeared tenacious of the two first, but were
speedily convinced of their Error, and as to the
last it rather appeared to be held up merely to
save their national honor Here it is said by
some, that the Court of France took the alarm at
our extensive Claims in every point and began to
fear lest the Policy of England should grant to
America too much She sees G. Britain heartily
repenting her folly, and all of a sudden putting
about, and attempting to lay a foundation for
reconciliation with the United States, by granting
all her reasonable Demands with an appearance
of Generosity The ample share in the Fisheries
296 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
and our refusal to compensate or restore the To
ries, gave her little Pleasure, and the extensive
Territory pleased her less but when she saw
the possibility of Success on the part of our Com
missioners, it is alleged, that she unhappily tar
nished her glory & reputation, by secretly sending
Emissaries to England in order to foment divi
sions and promote suggestions of the unreason
ableness of our propositions, and persuading that
Court of the possibility of obtaining concessions
on the part of America, far more advantageous
than what was insisted upon The British Min
istry taking the advantage of these blunders of
the Court of Versailles, instead of endeavouring to
reduce the pretensions of America, candidly (in
appearance, communicated this conduct of France
to our Commissioners and thereby created a
Jealousy in their minds agt that Court, as insidu-
ous & inimical This perhaps might have too
great an Effect in alarming & souring the minds
of our Corn s and it would not be unnatural to
suppose, that it was greater than necessity dic
tated, when we consider the interest the Court of
London had in exaggerating on the occasion
The whole issued in our Commissioners signing
the provisional Articles of Peace (a copy of which
I shall endeavour to send herewith) without the
Knowledge of France, on the 3Oth Nov r and
not till the next day and after they were sent to
the Court of London, were they announced to
Count de Vergennes, when he discovered Great
OTHER BELLIGERENT POWERS. 2Q7
Surprise, and covered his Chagrin by expressing
his astonishment at our having obtained such
advantageous Terms Our public Dispatches
give us no Ace 4 of the Issue of the negotiations
on the part of other belligerent Powers, except
that some disputes had Arose that delayed so
desirable an object, and suggesting doubts of the
real desire of Great Britain to do more than what
was concluded with us ; hoping to draw off the
United States from the war, by putting them in
a Situation, which would leave them nothing to
contend for But by a very confidential letter
from good, tho private Hands of a late date it
appears that the negotiations with France &
Spain had gone on, and on this Authority I may
almost venture to say, that I believe the Terms
are fully digested, if not Signed, between them
Spain insisted on the cession of Gibraltar and
offered to France, the Spanish half of Hispaniola,
if she would obtain Gibraltar for her at the Ex-
pence of France Count De Vergennes there
upon offered to England the Island of Gwadalope
in Exchange for that Rock, which was refused -
She then added Dominica & the neutrality of St.
Vincents As this was the Ultimatum of France,
it is supposed that it would be complied with.
Holland demands three things a restoration
of her captured Possessions Compensation for
Damages unjustly sustained contrary to the Laws
of Nations, and free Navigation a Com 6 is gone
to Holland to settle these points, which are too
298 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
unimportant to cause much difficulty, so that I
hope a general Peace is not far off --But I do
not mean by this, that there is so much certainty,
as that any thing should be discontinued that is
necessary for our defence To be well prepared
for War, is the surest way to make peace. A
great deal has been suggested about the insidious
Character of the English Minister, and that there
is great reason to fear, as some think, by granting
America all that they have asked, the People here
will never consent to a War being continued, in
which they have no Interest, and that therefore her
scheme is still to embarrass the definitive Treaty,
especially as France will wish to prevent America
from enjoying the Terms of the provisional Treaty
This Jealousy might be plausible, was not
England in a situation too critical to sport with
such Important Matters -- Her finances loudly
call for an immediate Peace, being reduced (as
her Commissioners acknowledged) to the neces
sity of stopping the Interest on the national Debt,
to carry on the War another Campaign in case a
Peace should not take place It is therefore on
her real Interest that I depend for the ratification
of our Treaty & the Completion of that with the
other belligerent Powers in case France is not so
weak as to embarrass the Proceedings from an
idle fear of America Her Magnanimity, Gen
erosity & Knowledge of her true Interests, have
been so great and conspicuous, that I should feel
severely hurt, should she tarnish her Glory at the
DEPLORABLE STATE OF FINANCES. 299
last Hour This I cannot believe, but will still
hope for the best
There has been great Harmony between our
Commissioners thro out the business Mr Adams
& Mr Laurens have resigned their employments,
intending to return immediately to America
In the Washington came over, 600,000 Livres in
Cash, part of 6 Millions obtained of the Court of
France, instead of 20 Millions demanded Thus
I have in a hurry given your Excellency a general
State of the Foreign Negotiations I have done
O o
it in the most confidential manner, knowing to
whom I write, and that the utmost Care will be
taken to preserve the facts entirely to yourself -
I have stated facts, but dare not to hazard opin
ions As I write in my private character, your
Excellency will not mention the subject to me in
your public dispatches.
I cannot help taking notice, that the ship Wash
ington is the first American Vessel which ever
had an English Passport, signed by the King s
own Hand, and in which he certifies that she be
longs to the United States of America.
I need not to mention to your Excellency the
present embarrassed situation of Congress Per
haps there has not been a more critical, delicate
& interesting Period during the War Our Fi-
o o
nances are in the most deplorable State, and it will
take a considerable Time, before they can be re
plenished.
Mr. Morris (on whom every disinterested, intel-
3OO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
ligent Member of Congress greatly relied) has
resigned his office, unless Conditions are complied
with which tho reasonable in themselves, yet de
pend on very doubtful Events,
Some difficulties of importance, attending the
Etiquette of the Treaty with France (on which I
may hereafter enlarge) give us great uneasiness
and add much to our perplexity.
The situation of our Army, as stated in your
Excellency s Letter of last Wednesday, by no
means lessens our anxiety & Mortification, espe
cially as we have been for five or six weeks past,
most faithfully honestly engaged in laying a
foundation for their future Security, as well as
making provision for a present Supply More is
not in our power, and I fondly hope that in this
last hour, they will not dishonor themselves, and
forfeit that Glory which they have supported with
so much dignity to themselves & advantage to
their Country Violent Measures will certainly
tend to prevent the Success of those Endeavours,
Congress have been so laboriously exerting, for
their emolument & Security and however they
may think that they are the only sufferers, yet
they may be assured that our shoulders are not
free from the Burden There is not a man
among them who would envy us our station, was
he to be one week in Congress
Mrs Boudinot and Miss Susan take this oppor
tunity of presenting their most affectionate re
spects and kindest Love & good wishes to Mrs.
KING OF FRANCE OFFENDED. 30!
Washington, whom they remember with the high
est Sentiments of Esteem, in which may I be
permitted most cordially to Join those of mine
I have the honor to be with the most profound
respect,
Your Excellency s
Most Obed* & aff Hble Serv
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
P. S. By some conversation I have since had
with the Minister of France I find that the King
his Master is greatly offended with our Commis
sioners, for signing the provisional Treaty without
a confidential communication with his Minis
ters
His Ex^ General WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed in Gen 1 WASHINGTON S hand)
From his Excelly E. BOUDINOT, if h March
1783 on the negotiation in Europe Important l
Mr. John Fiske, in his " Bibliographical Note"
to "The Critical Period of American History,"
observes : " The view of the treaty set forth in
1830 by Sparks, according to which Jay and
Adams were quite mistaken in their suspicions of
the French Court, we may now regard as disposed
of by the evidence presented by Circourt and
Fitzmaurice. It has led many writers astray."
See, also, in the same volume, " Results of York-
town."
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. xcii. p. 148; also, letter book of Elias Boudinot.
3O2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GEN*- WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA March 23th 1783
9 oclock in the Evening
SIR
Your Excellency will give me the utmost credit
when I assure you that it is with the most un
feigned Joy, that I congratulate your Excellency
and the whole Army on the Confirmation of the
signing of the Definitive Treaty of Peace by all
the Belligerent Powers, on the 25th Jan y --This
Happy Event has just been announced by an
Express, from on board a Sloop of War in the
River dispatched by the Compte d Estaing &
the Marquis Lafayette from Cadiz of the i4th
Feb y in hopes that she might arrive, before those
sent from France & Britain All Hostilities
had ceased in Europe, and the same Happy
Event was to take place here on the 2oth Inst.
These are not Official Dispatches, but as there
can be no doubt of the Event, I thought it of the
highest consequences to give your Excellency &
my fellow Citizens of the Army the earliest notice
of this glorious End of all their Toils & La
bours
I duly reed your Excellency s Letter by the
Express containing the Proceedings of the Army
with the highest satisfaction The Commutation
of the Half Pay was passed yesterday by Nine
States in Congress which adds greatly to our gen-
GENERAL WASHINGTON S REPLY. 303
eral joy I wrote your Ex y By the Baron Steuben
which I hope has got to hand.
I have the honor to be &c.
E. BOUDINOT. 1
His Excellency
Genl WASHINGTON.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS BOU
DINOT, ESQ., PRES T OF CONGRESS.
NEWBURGH March 3oth 1783
DEAR SIR
I was upon the point of closing the Packet which
affords a cover to this Letter, when the Baron de
Steuben arrived and put your obliging favour of
the 1 7th Instant into my hands. I read it with
great pleasure, and gratitude and beg you to
accept my sincere thanks for the trouble you have
taken to communicate the several matters therein
contained, many parts of which, till then were
altogether new to me.
Your Excellency will very highly honour and
oblige me by a continuance of the friendly and
confidential intercourse you have begun, and you
may rest assured that every part thereof which
you mark private shall remain inviolably Secret.
As the Bearer (in the Cloathing Department)
is waiting I have not time to enlarge. I could
not suffer him, however to depart without this
acknowledgment of your Letter, and testimony, of
my respect. With Mrs Washington s compli
ments united with mine to Mrs, Miss Boudinot
and yourself,
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
304 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest Esteem
and Regard, Dear Sir,
Your mo. obt. & affec 1 H bl e Sev<
Go. WASHINGTON. 1
The two letters which follow, the first to General
Washington on the peace, by Mr. Elisha Boudi-
not, the second the reply, are placed here, where
they naturally belong in point of time and be
cause they have a wider bearing than that of indi
vidual sentiment or local policy.
MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
NEWARK April 1783
Amidst that general joy which is diffused thro
the States on the establishment of our Indepen
dence, and a restoration of the blessings of peace ;
will your Excellency permit an individual, deeply
interested in your happiness, to give vent, if pos
sible to his feelings on this occasion ; and most
sincerely to congratulate you on the final accom
plishment of our most sanguine hopes
The thought, that your Excellency has survived
the contest, adds a pleasure to the enjoyment that
no other event could possibly give It has been
my earnest prayer that Heaven would preserve
your life to compleat the liberation of your coun
try from tyranny, and see her safely secured in
peace independence and happiness, and to receive
the gratefull acknowledgments of a whole people -
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., " P," vol.
iii. p. 83.
REVERENCE OF THE PEOPLE FOR WASHINGTON. 305
Nothing can afford a great Mind, more real plea
sure than the Idea, of being the happy Instrument
of giving birth to an empire, the future nursery
of every principle that can ennoble man, an asy
lum for the persecuted of all nations, and in fact
rendering happiness to one quarter of the globe
It is a satisfaction that an Angel might aspire
after, and which you Sir, are justly entitled to
enjoy I am confident that the idea of this has
supported your Excellency in the Many distress
ing Scenes you have passed thro to the final
completion of our wishes
You have finished your part, it only remains
that your Country should equal in gratitude the
toils, the dangers and solicitude you have endured
for them that they will do this collectively there is
no doubt ; but something still remains to perfect
the reward ; to convince you that every individual
feels that real affection & gratitude for you, that
they ought, to the Father and Deliverer of their
country this only can be done by the represen
tation of private persons, which will I hope apol
ogize for the intrusion My publick business
calls me into every county of this State, and a
very general acquaintance with the inhabitants,
and I am certain, I should do them the greatest
injustice, did I not assure your Excellency, that
there is scarcely a Man or Woman among them
but what entertain these sentiments, and but what
have a Monument erected to you in their breasts,
that can only be effaced with their lives Was it
306 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
possible for your Excellency to have a view of the
whole country at once, and see the honest farmers
around their fires, blessing your name, and teach
ing their children to lisp your praises; you would
forget your toils & labours, and thank Heaven
that you was born to bless a gratefull land.
When your Excellency is retiring from the
field, will you indulge the Inhabitants of this State
to spend a short time, as you are passing thro
free from care, where you have spent so much in
distress and anxiety of mind ; that they may have
an opportunity of personally convincing you of
their attachments?
I take the liberty to inclose, and beg your
acceptance of an Ode written by my father-in-law
Mr Smith on the present occasion
Mrs Boudinot joins me in entreating that you
will be kind enough to make our sincere congrat
ulations acceptable to Mrs Washington, and to
assure her that we participate in the joy that she
above all others must feel at this time.
That you may both long, long enjoy that cup
of happiness which Providence has so completely
filled, is the fervent desire of him
Who is with the greatest respect
Your Excellency s
Most hble & Ob 1 Serv
ELISHA BOUDINOT.
His Ex. Genl WASHINGTON.
(Indorsed in Gen 1 WASHINGTON S hand)
From ELISHA BOUDINOT, Esq.
Apl. 1783.!
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters
to Washington, vol. Ixiii. p. 23.
ODE BY MR. WILLIAM PEARTREE. 307
AN ODE ON THE PEACE.
Set to music.
AT length war s sanguine scenes are o er,
Her dire alarms are heard no more
Thro all Columbia s plain :
Sweet peace descends with balmy wings,
And heaven-born independence brings
With freedom in her train.
Chorus.
Hail ! heaven descended guests, all hail !
Peace, independence, freedom, hail !
Ruler of Kings ! thy mandate shook
The fated Monarch s throne, and struck
The Jewels from his crown :
Thy wisdom the rude statesmen taught
With aid divine the soldier fought
The weak an empire won.
Chorus.
Hail ! Sovereign wisdom, goodness, hail !
Peace, independence, freedom, hail !
Oh ! shed thy heavenly influence down !
Form the new States to high renown,
Far as the Orient s shore.
Let Justice lift aloft her hand !
Virtues, pure rob d, patrole the land,
Till Suns revolve no more.
Chorus.
Hail 1 train of heaven, bright-mantled, hail !
Peace, independence, freedom, hail !
Publick devotion glorious flame!
That gave to Rome immortal fame,
308 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Thy sacred ardors bring :
Religion chief, angelic Maid !
In ev ry breast thy empire spread,
To purge corruption s spring.
Chorus.
Hail ! pure etherial graces, hail !
Peace, independence, freedom, hail !
Her darling son, Columbia s boast !
Envy and dread of Albion s host !
His patriot Falchion sheaths,
Celestial meeds in ample flow
Crown the Deliverer ! bind his brow
With honors endless wreaths !
Chorus.
Hail ! Washington ! Deliverer hail !
Peace, independence, freedom, hail !
Prince of illustrious Christian name !
Historic pens shall mark thy fame,
Till times long annals close.
Kous d at oppressions general grief,
Thy god like arms extend relief
Then give a world repose.
Chorus.
Hail ! Christian king ! deliverer hail !
Peace, independence, freedom, hail !
Now let the loud shrill clarions play,
Triumphant peals proclaim the day,
Th united States are free !
While round all cheering music floats
And echoing hills rebound the notes,
God s firm and just decree !
UNION AND PUBLIC JUSTICE. 309
Chorus.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 1
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ELISHA BOUDINOT.
NEWBURGH, May loth, 1783.
SIR:
Your letter of congratulation contains expres
sions of too friendly a nature not to affect me
with the deepest sensibility. I beg therefore you
will accept my acknowledgment for them, and
that you will be persuaded I can never be insen
sible of the interest you are pleased to take in my
personal happiness, as well as in the general
felicity of the country. While I candidly confess
I cannot be indifferent to the favourable senti
ment, which you mention my fellow citizens en
tertain of my exertions in their service, I wish to
express through you the particular obligations I
feel myself under to Mr. Smith for the pleasure
I have received from the perusal of his elegant
ode on the peace. The accomplishment of the
great object we had in view, in so short a time,
and under such propitious circumstances, must
I am confident, fill every bosom with the purest
joy ; and for my own part I will not strive to con
ceal the pleasure I already anticipate from my
approaching retirement to the placid walks of
domestic life. Having no rewards to ask for
myself, if I have been so happy as to obtain the
1 Letters to Washington, vol. Ixiii. p. 23, MSS. Archives, Department
of State, Washington, D. C.
3IO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
approbation of my countrymen I shall be satis
fied. But it still rests with them to complete my
wishes by adopting such a system of policy,
as will ensure the future reputation, tranquility,
happiness and glory of this extensive empire ; to
which I am much assured nothing can contribute
so much as an inviolable, adherence to the princi
ples of the union i and a fixed resolution of build
ing the national faith on the basis of public justice
without which all that has been done and suf
fered is in vain to effect which therefore, the
abilities of every true patriot, ought to be exerted
with the greatest zeal and assiduity.
I am as yet uncertain, at what time I shall be
at liberty to return to Virginia, and consequently
cannot inform you when I may be able to gratify
my inclination of spending a little time with my
friends in Jersey, as I pass through that state. I
can only say that the friendship I have for a peo
ple, from whom I have often derived such essen
tial aid, will strongly dispose me to it.
Mrs. Washington begs Mrs. Boudinot and
yourself to accept her best compts., and thanks
for your good wishes, and I must request the
same favor, being with sentiments of esteem and
regard,
Sir, Your most Obed. & most Hble. Servant,
Go. WASHINGTON. 1
To ELISHA BOUDINOT, Esq.
1 Family papers.
LORD DRUMMOND S ESTATE. 3 I I
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON. JAMES ROBINSON.
PHILADELPHIA,
March 24 1783.
SIR
I am happy in having an opportunity by an
express dispatched on the most benevolent &
joyous occasion, of acknowledging the receipt of
your Letter of the igth Inst-
My Friendship for Lord Drummond and an
attachment to his Interest & that of his Family
neither ceased with a difference in our political
sentiments or his untimely departure from this
troublesome World. I have tho with some diffi
culty prevented his Estate from confiscation ; an
Inquisition having been found against him It
has also been attempted to draw me off from his
support by the Friends of the Milfort Family
but I hope that I have ever extinguished their
Hopes from this claim as I verily believe it is not
founded in justice
It will be prudent before you go to England to
leave for me all Papers you have, as also some
Ac t of the present state of the Family, that I
may not be imposed on by intruders
I have the honor to congratulate you, Sir, on a
general Peace between all the belligerent Powers
in Europe, and that we are once more friends.
This happy event was announced yesterday, by
Letters I rec d from the Marquis La Fayette, as
also by the Compte d Estaing by an Express
Boat sent for the purpose - - a copy of the
312 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Comte s Passport is the business on which this
Express is sent, which will also announce the
happy event to his Exc y Gen 1 Carleton.
I have the honor to be
with great respect Sir
Your very humble Servant
ELIAS BouDiNox. 1
Sir
The Hon ble JAMES ROBINSON Esquire &c &c.
1 Pennsylvania Historical Society.
CHAPTER XVII.
Mr. Boudinot to Hon. John Hanson ; congratulations on cessation of all
hostilities; false reports of Mr. Hanson s death; Sir Guy Carleton
sent king s proclamation ; shall proclaim cessation on our part to
morrow. Mr. Boudinot to Major-General the Marquis de Lafayette;
joy in America at happy issue of negotiations ; his early intelligence
saved mercantile interests ; hopes for consolidation of the Union and
perfecting of government; Congress sensible of obliging conduct of
Compte d Estaing ; Admiral Digby considered it a design to mislead ;
incloses copy of vote of Congress in favor of Comte de Rochambeau ;
wishes to know why the Comte left America without the least notice
of it; adds proceedings in the army; terms of peace satisfactory ex
cept time for American merchants to pay their English debts ; no time
mentioned ; must have three or four years. Mr. Boudinot to General
Washington, inclosing act of Congress on cessation of hostilities.
Mr. Boudinot to Mr. Elisha Boudinot, on birth of a daughter. Mr.
Boudinot to Compte de Grasse, on transmission of two field pieces.
Mr. Boudinot to Doctor Franklin ; introduces Colonel Ogden ; terms
of peace ; payments of English debts. Circular to governors of states
on establishing literary property. Mr. Boudinot to Mr. Oliver Pollock,
regarding portrait of Doctor Bernando de Galvez. Mr. Boudinot to
General Washington ; incloses copy from two letters of Mr. Laurens.
Mr. Boudinot to the Ministers Plenipotentiary ; Mr. Livingston re
signed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs ; surprise at delay of letters.
To Hon. Benjamin Franklin ; business of Secretary of Foreign Affairs
cast upon Mr. Boudinot ; writes in cipher. Letter inclosing two
medals received ; British retention of New York. General Washing
ton to Mr. Boudinot ; anxious for retirement ; army arrangements.
Mrs. Washington on jaunt to Esopus with Governor and Mrs. Clinton.
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HON. JOHN HANSON.
PHILADELPHIA April loth 1783
MY DEAR SIR
Your favour of the 2 d Inst was the most agree
able surprize that I have rec d for some time past,
not sir, altogether on ace 4 of your kind congratu-
314 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
lations on the Glorious Event of a Peace so hon
orable to our own common Country, in which I
most heartily reciprocate every affectionate Wish,
but to find, after mourning and regretting your
loss to your friends & your country & sympathiz
ing with Mrs. Hanson who I supposed in a most
distressed state, that you was still in the land of
the living & more restored to health & to useful
ness in Life We having had your death an
nounced in the publick news Papers, concluded
with the children, that what was printed must be
true and really considered the Fact beyond a
Doubt Permit me Sir to rejoice with your other
Friends on the agreeable mistake, and to wish
you long to enjoy the blessings of that Peace you
have so lono^ stru^led for: To this misinforma-
O Oo
tion has been owing many silences since your
leaving this city Yesterday S r Guy Carleton
sent by express the King of England s Proclama
tion for the cessation of all Hostilities, and this
morning we received from France, by an arrival
here, the official Information of the same circum
stances, on our part, by a separate Instrument on
the same Terms as those of France & Spain, and
shall proclaim a Cessation of all Hostilities on the
part of America tomorrow I know you will re
joice greatly with me on this important news, and
join in sending thanks to the great Governor of
the universe who has thus continued interposing
Providence & at last crowned all our Labours with
a success far beyond our sanguine Expectations
THE TRIUMPH BRINGS TIDINGS OF PEACE. 315
we want now nothing but wisdom & union to per
fect the glorious work-- Mrs Boudinot joins me
in the most respectful Comp ts to Mrs. Hanson -
Believe me to be with the most unfeigned es
teem & respect
(My dear sir)
Your most affct & very
Hble. serv
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.
PHILA. April I2th 1783.
MY DEAR MARQUIS
The many Obligations this Country has been
laid under by your repeated kindnesses have been
not only revived but greatly increased by your
prudent & zealous attention to afford her the
earliest information of the glad Tidings of an
event the most glorious to her fame as well as
essential to her Interest Capt Duquesin, whose
conduct & dispatch does him great honor, an
nounced to us in the first Instance the happy
Issue of our Negotiations The joy afforded to
America on this Occasion was too great for utter
ance and you had the universal Thanks of the
friends of this Country The early Intelligence
saved our Mercantile Interest greatly as the long
cessation of News from our Ministers had shaken
the faith of many as to the Issue
The glorious struggle, blessed be God, is now
over and I am happy that you have so great a
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
316 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
share in her Laurels our worthy General is
not the least sharer in the General Joy We
have now leisure I hope to turn our attention
to consolidating the general union & perfecting
her government Congress are perfectly satis
fied with your remaining in Europe & I have the
honor & satisfaction of enclosing you a copy of
their vote on this Occasion Congress are very
sensible of the very obliging conduct of his Ex
cellency the Compte d Estaing in so readily &
generously devoting the Triumph to the benevo
lent purpose of being the Bearer of the Impor
tant intelligence as soon as Capt Duquesin ar
rived certified copies of the Intelligence were
transmitted to Genl Carleton & Admiral Digby
the last of whom most ungenerously affected
to consider it as a design of Compte d Estaing
to mislead him, while he was accomplishing some
stroke in the West Indies However he was in
a few Days convinced of his Error by the arrival
of an English packett we are anticipating the
Pleasure of your arrival here with anxiety I
have the honor to be with every sent" 1 of respect
& Esteem my Dear Marquis &c. I take the
liberty of enclosing copies of the Vote of Con
gress in favour of Compte de Rochambeau & of
my letter addressed to him on that occasion my
reason for this is, to beg the favour of your en
deavouring to know the reason for the Compte
leaving America without taking the least Notice
of it, not even answering my Letter. I do this
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. 317
merely in my private Character, for altho it has
been noticed by the members of Congress, yet
Congress has made no Observation on it, and I
mention it to you as a private Friend, who I know
will be prudent on the occasion, at the same time
will satisfy my individual Curiosity I add to
the enclosed for your satisfaction some proceed
ings in the Army occasioned by the last efforts
of the Enemies of this country, to raise a Com
motion : the resolutions as well as the General s
address, give a finishing stroke to the Character
of our officers, they do them the utmost honor,
and the Genl appears like himself. The Terms
of Peace give universal Satisfaction except that
no Time is mentioned for the American Merch ts
paying their English Debts having the greatest
parts of their Estates in the publick Funds, and
having suffered greatly by the Depreciation of
the money inevitable ruin must be their Portion
if they have not three or four years to Accomplish
the Business This is a matter of very consider
able Consequence to which I hope our Ministers
will pay attention in the definitive Treaty This
should also be an object with France, as if not
remedied, will throw our Merch ts too absolutely
into the hands of the English Creditor Shall I
ask your attention to this subject if not too late
as it will be adding greatly to the obligations,
already laid on the Citizens of these States.
To Major Gen 1
The Marquis de LA FAYETTE. 1
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
318 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA, April i2th, 1783.
MY DEAR SIR/
You can only judge from your own feelings on
this occasion, with what peculiar joy, I congratu
late your Excellency & the Army on a Cessation
of the Hostilities by the publick Act of Congress,
I have the honor to enclose : Thus far we may
truly say that we have passed thro the Wilderness
by a series of Miracles, which nothing short of
the overruling Providence of God could ever have
wrought I most heartily reciprocate your Excy s
good wishes on this occasion, and am much obliged
by your very polite Letter of the l Inst. By a Ves
sel that arrived yesterday from France, we rec d
official copies of our accession to the Cessation of
Hostilities, but altho the Vessel sailed on the
4th March, our latest advices \vere of the 23rd
Jany - - we are just informed that there is a
packett in the River with publick Dispatches in
36 Days from France, if any thing should turn
up worthy of notice, will add it to the Letter -
Mrs Boudinot Miss Susan unite with me in the
most affectionate Complits to Mrs Washington
your Exc y , and are contemplating with great plea
sure the prospect of a joyous interview in your
return to your long wished for retreat 2
E. BOUDINOT.
1 Omitted in letter book.
2 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
CONGRATULATIONS. 319
MR. BOUDINOT TO MR. ELISHA BOUDINOT.
PHILADELPHIA April i6 th 1783
MY DEAR BROTHER
By a letter per Post from M r Pintard we had
the agreeable News of the addition to your family
by the arrival of another Daughter God grant
you much comfort with all these little Tyes to
the World May they all be trained up for the
Regions of Immortality & Blessedness Our
kind love to Sister & present our cordial congrat
ulations on this joyful occasion, it is much height
ened by the Olive Branch of Peace that is at the
same Time waving o er our Land How comes it
o
that you are so tenacious of Girls It seems to
be the rage of our family I think it is now
Time to put about and let us have one Male to
three Females at least
I sent you our Proclamation for the cessation
of Hostilities by an Express
Sister Stockton has been very ill
Am in great Haste
Yours Afect ly
E B 1
ELISHA BOUDINOT Esq r
MR. BOUDINOT TO COMTE DE GRASSE.
PHIL: April 23d 1783
SIR
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency s
Favour of the 28 Jan y three Days ago The
1 Family letters.
32O ELIAS BOUDINOT.
terms of it were too flattering as well as the essen
tial service offered this grateful Country by your
Excellency, have been too important not to com
mand the utmost attention to your very reason
able request
I did not hesitate immediately to consult the
Minister of War and to give express directions
for the forwarding to your Excellency by the ship
St L (a Continental Ship lent to the Minister
of France for transporting the French Legions to
France) the two field pieces that are to remain as
lasting memorials of your Excellency s valuable
services to the United States of America, and their
great. sense of the exalted merit & bravery of the
Comte de Grasse.
May God Almighty take you under his kind
protection and long preserve you an illustrious
blessing to your Royal Master & the Nation over
which he reigns with so much glory.
I have the honor to be &c.
E BOUDINOT Esq. 1
His Excellency the Comte de GRASSE &c &c.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN.
PHILADELPHIA April 28 1783.
Sir
The Bearer Col Ogden of New Jersey a Gen
tleman who has been greatly distinguished for his
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
TERMS OF PEACE. 321
bravery & good conduct from the first Com-
menc 1 of the present War, having received the
permission of Congress to make a Voyage to
France, on his private concerns, I must take the
liberty to recommend him to your Excell ys Notice
He is of a good family in New Jersey, and
having taken a very active Part during the Con
test in this Country, deserves the favour & Pro
tection of every friend to America He is one of
those brave few who persevered in the Journey
thro the Wilderness to Quebec, in the year 1776
where he was wounded in the attack on that
City He also bore a share in the laurels of
York Town I have the honor of enclosing a
Letter from the commander in chief which he has
committed to my Care We are in daily anxious
expectation of the definitive Treaty, having now
been a long time without advices from any of our
Ministers abroad our last Letter having dated
Feb y -
The Terms of peace give universal satisfaction
here, except the article relative to the English
Debts remaining silent as to the Time allowed our
citizens to make the Payments The Situation
of our Country The property in the publick
funds, not a farthing of which can be had The
great losses from the depreciated money & the
stagnation of trade for years past, make it abso
lutely necessary that 3 or 4 years should be al
lowed for this purpose, on giving security for the
322 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Debt If an immediate Payment should be re
quested it will cast our Merch 1 so entirely in the
power of the English Creditor, as to be very inju
rious to the interest of France
I have the honor to be with the greatest Esteem
& Respect,
Your Excellency s
Most Obd 1 and
Most Hble Serv*
E. B. 1
His Excely Dr. FRANKLIN.
CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.
PHILADELPHIA May 6" 1783
SIR
I have the honor of enclosing to your Excel
lency a certified copy of an Act of Congress of
the 2 nd instant 2
The universal importance of the object & the
true interests of the United States in general &
your State in particular being so obviously en
gaged in support of this recommendation, make
it unnecessary to add any arguments to enforce
the attention of your State to so reasonable a
subject.
I have the honor to be &c.
ELIAS BouDiNox. 3
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
2 Relating to the establishing literary property.
3 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 183.
PORTRAIT OF DE GALVEZ. 323
MR. BOUDINOT TO MR. OLIVER POLLOCK.
OLIVER POLLOCK Esq r
PHILADELPHIA May 9" 1783
SIR,
I have the honor to inform you in answer to
your favour of the yth instant that Congress have
chearfully accepted the portrait of Dr. Bernando
De. Galvez late Governor of Louisiana in consid
eration of the early and zealous friendship of that
gentleman frequently manifested in behalf of
these States, and have directed me to cause it to
be hung up in the Hall of the Presidents House.
It is with pleasure I make this communication
and am &c
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(Private)
PHILADELPHIA 9 th June 1783
DEAR SIR,
Since my last private letter to your Excellency
nothing has turned up worthy of your notice but
what you have received official advice of, from the
proper Departments. Indeed unaccountable as
it may seem, our Ministers at Paris have not
suffered us to hear from them since the 24th of
Jan y last, till the day before yesterday, when I
received two letters from Mr. Laurens, one of the
15*11 of March the other of the 5 l h of April last.
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 186.
324 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Altho these contain but little information, yet
I think proper to enclose the substance of them,
in confidence, as it is unknown but that the know
ledge of the Most trifling circumstances in im
portant negotiations may, by accident, prove
highly advantageous to one in your Excellency s
situation.
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency s
private letter enclosing one to Mr. Pintard, to
which the greatest attention was paid.
Mrs. Boudinot and Miss Susan join me in
reciprocating the most affectionate wishes and
respectful compliments to Mrs Washington, in
which your Excellency is most warmly included.
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect
and most sincere esteem
Your Excellency s Most obedient
Very humble Serv
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
His Excellency Gen 1 WASHINGTON.
P. S. Your Excellency s Letter
by the Secretary of War, was duly
reed this morning & laid before
Congress
June ii-- 1783
(Endorsed in Genl WASHINGTON S hand)
From His Excellency
ELIAS BOUDINOT
9th June 1783.
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. Ixiii. p. 200.
ACTING AS SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. 325
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE MINISTERS PLENIPOTENTIARY.
THE HONORABLE
THE MINISTERS PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE
UNITED STATES, AT PARIS
PHILADELPHIA, 16 June 1783.
GENTLEMEN
I am sorry to inform you that by the resigna
tion of Mr Livingston as Secretary for Foreign
Affairs it has become necessary that you should
receive the Resolutions of Congress relative to
your mission, through my hands. The disadvan
tage arising from this necessity, until a Successor
to that worthy gentleman is appointed, will be
yours, as it will be impossible for me to do more
than barely transmit the Acts of Congress neces
sary for your information.
Enclosed you have one of the I st of May last,
and another of the 12" instant, which I hope will
get to hand time enough for your government.
The commissions and instructions referred to
in the first not being ready, it was thought best
to forward the resolution without delay, that you
might know what was intended in the present
important period of your negotiation.
We have been much surprised that we have not
received any communication from you since the
account of the cessation of hostilities except a
letter of the 5*h of April from Mr. Laurens.
I have the honor to be &c c
E. B. 1
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 10, p. 192.
326 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
THE HONORABLE
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, ESQ.
MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY &c.
PARIS.
PHILADELPHIA 18" June 1783.
SIR
Enclosed you have an official letter, directed to
our Minister Plenipotentiary at Paris.
The resignation of the late Secretary for For
eign Affairs (occasioned by his preference of the
Chancellorship of New York, which he could not
hold longer, and retain his Secretaryship) has
cast this business on me till a Successor is elected,
which I hope will speedily take place.
As part of the Resolution of the 12" instant,
enclosed in the above letter, is of a secret nature,
I have wrote it in Cyphers, and not having Mr.
Livingston s, I thought it best to use Mr. Morris s
to you which he has obligingly supplied me with,
so that the Commissioners must be indebted to
you for the decyphering of it.
Your letter to Mr Livingston of the 5" of
April, enclosing the two medals, came to hand
this morning. I am sorry to find that you make
similar complaints to those we have been making
for two months past, on the subject of want of
intelligence. We have not heard from any of our
Commissioners since February, tho our anxiety
and expectations have been wound up to the
highest pitch.
MEDALS. 327
I feel myself much indebted for your polite
compliment of the medal it is very elegant in
deed, and the device and workmanship much
admired. You will please to accept of my ac
knowledgments on this occasion. I doubt not
but the copper one was designed for Mr. Living
ston personally, I shall transmit it to him. He is
a very worthy deserving character and the United
States will suffer greatly by his resignation, tho
I really think him justified in attending to the
calls of his private affairs.
I enclose you a number of late newspapers, in
which you will see a number of Resolves, Asso
ciations &c, from all parts of the country, which
I wish had been kept out of sight, but the truth
is, that the cruelties, ravages and barbarities of
many of the Refugees and Loyalists have left the
people so sore, that it is not the time for them yet
to exercise their cooler judgment; and it cannot
take place while the citizens of New York are
kept out of their habitations and despoiled of
their property by sending off negroes &c. It has
been an ill judged scheme in the British to retain
New York so long, and send off the negroes, as it
has roused the spirit of the citizens of the several
States greatly.
I have the honor to be &C 1
E. B.
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C, Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 194.
328 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO HIS EXCELLY ELIAS BOUDI
NOT, ESQ R , PRESID T OF CONGRESS.
NEWBURGH, June i8 th 1783.
DEAR SIR,
I have received the honour of your Excellency s
favour of the gth and am very much obliged to
you for the Extracts from M r Laurens s Letters of
the 1 5th of March and 5th of April. By these it
does not appear that the British Ministry are in
any haste, either to evacuate New York or finish
the Treaty ; both of which are devoutly to be
wished. The latter, as it will put a period to my
public life, I look forward to it with great solici
tude, and shall receive the account with Heart
felt satisfaction, that in the Walks of private life,
My Mind May enjoy that relaxation and repose
of which it stands much in need.
The arrangements Consequent of the Resolve
of the 26th of May, have been all Made: Very
few besides the three years men and the officers
who are arranged to them, remain ; and the busi
ness got more happily over than could be expected.
Mrs Washington is on a jaunt to Esopus with
the Governor and Mrs Clinton or she would, I
am sure, join me most cordially in compliments
to Mrs, Miss Boudinot and yourself.
I have the honour to be, With the greatest
Respect and Regard,
Dear Sir, &c.
GO. WASHINGTON. 1
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., P, vol. iii.
p. 144.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Mutiny of Pennsylvania troops. Resolution of Congress. Hamilton,
chairman of committee. Mr. Boudinot to General Washington ; tells
details of mutiny; wish of members for protection; proclamation.
Letter of Mr. Boudinot to Mr. Elisha Boudinot, on mutiny. General
Washington to Mr. Boudinot ; sends forward troops. Mr. Boudinot
to General Washington ; reasons for leaving Philadelphia. Mr. Bou
dinot to General Washington ; introducing Count Del Verme. Mr.
Boudinot to Doctor William Burnet ; thanks of Congress to citizens of
Newark. To Colonel Joseph Phillips on address of officers of mili
tia of Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties. To Thomas
Willing, Esq., on address of citizens of Philadelphia. To General
Washington ; a summons to appear before Congress to aid in peace
arrangements. To Sir Guy Carleton on counterfeiters. To General
Washington, regarding his presence in Congress; delay of treaty;
house to be taken for Washington. To General Washington on pro
posed address to him by Congress. General Washington s reply.
To Hon. Benjamin Franklin. Received letter inclosing treaty with
Sweden. Ratification retarded for want of more states present. Ac
complished and sent for exchange. Impropriety of title United States
of North America and three lower counties on Delaware. Resolve
empowering change. Silence of commissioners. Reason for removal
of Congress given in letter of July 15. To inhabitants of New Bruns
wick; reply to their address. To General Washington; illness of
Mrs. Washington. Received letters from Mr. Laurens ; had seen Mr.
Fox; doubts as to powers; Mr. Hartley without full powers; Mr.
Laurens in London ; begs cannon for Comte de Grasse. Sir Guy
Carleton to evacuate New York.
AT this time, June 21, 1783, occurred the
mutiny of certain troops stationed at Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. They marched to Philadelphia,
and with some soldiers there formed an armed
body some five hundred strong. Their purpose
was to force their pay from Congress. They
330 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
could not at the moment have been treated as a
mere handful of drunken soldiers. Washington,
Hamilton, and Congress regarded their action as
a serious menace, the more so in view of the
advancing troops of the same line from the South.
Promptness and energy were characteristic of
those who defeated what might have become a
much more grave affair.
From what Mr. Boudinot had witnessed during
the revolt of the soldiers of the Pennsylvania line
at Baskingridge, in January of 1781, where they
murdered a captain and mortally wounded an
other, he was justified in his fears that they might
resort to extremities. 1
The resolution of Congress was as follows :
o
"On June 2 1 1783 Resolved that the Pres 1
& Supreme executive Council of Penn a be in
formed that the authority of the United States
having been this day grossly insulted by the dis
orderly menacing appearance of a body of
armed soldiers about the place within which Con
gress were assembled & the peace of this city
being endangered by the mutinous disposition
of the said troops now in the barracks, it is in
the opinion of Congress necessary that effectual
measures be immediately taken for supporting
the public authority - - That the Committee be
directed to confer with the Supreme executive of
1 See also Irving s Washington, vol. iv. p. 213.
MUTINY OF TROOPS. 331
Penn a on the practicability of carrying the pre
ceding resolutions into effect." 1
o
Hamilton was chairman of the committee to
wait upon the executive of Pennsylvania, and
urged immediate measures for repressing such
ominous proceedings, at a time so important for
us to appear well in the eyes of the whole world,
and as a necessary check upon further demon
strations of the same kind at such a critical
period, when the armies were being disbanded,
the creditors of the nation.
The commissioners in Europe confirmed this
view, as shown in their letter of September 10,
1783. Hamilton said with regard to this event:
" It was the duty of government to provide effect
ually against the repetition of such outrages, and
to put itself in the situation to give instead of
receiving the law and to manifest that its com
pliance was not the effect of necessity, but of
choice ; this was not to be considered as a dis
orderly riot, of an armed mob, but as the deliber
ate mutiny of an incensed soldiery carried to the
utmost point of outrage short of assassination
and further a considerable part of .the same line
was expected from the Southward." 2
As president, Mr. Boudinot notifies General
Washington of these disagreeable circumstances
in the following :
1 Journal of Congress.
2 J. C. Hamilton s Life of Alexander Hamilton, vol. ii. p. 220.
332 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
His EXCELLENCY
GENL WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA 2i Bt June 1783
4 o clock P. M.
DEAR SIR
I am greatly mortified that our circumstances
here oblige me to trouble your Excellency with
a detail highly disagreeable and perplexing. I
presume your Excellency has received copies of
letters from Colo Butler and Mr Henry forwarded
a few days ago. All endeavours to oblige the
men to return to Lancaster proved ineffectual.
They entered this city yesterday morning in a
very orderly manner and took possession of the
Barracks, and with the Troops there quartered
these make up about five hundred men. Genl
St. Clair was sent for, and matters seemed tolera
bly easy till this morning, when they positively
refused all obedience to their Officers and seemed
forming a design to be troublesome by evening.
Congress being adjourned till Monday, I thought
proper to call them together at One o clock. Six
States had got together when the mutineers,
joined by those of the Barracks before their
arrival in Town, very unexpectedly appeared be
fore and surrounded the State House, with fixed
Bayonets, The Supreme Executive Council sit
ting also in the same House. The mutineers
sent in a paper, demanding of the President and
Council to authorize them to choose their own
officers, (being deserted by their former officers
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 333
as they alleged) in order to represent their griev
ances that they should wait twenty minutes
and if nothing was then done, they would turn
in an enraged Soldiery on the Council who
would do themselves justice, and the Council
must abide the consequences, or words to that
effect. This was handed to the members of Con
gress by the President of the State, Genl St.
Clair was present at the request of Congress and
but very few Other .Officers attended. Neither
Congress nor the Council would take any mea
sures while they were so menaced, and matters
continued thus till half past three o clock this
afternoon, when the mutineers were prevailed on
for the present to march back to the Barracks.
They have seized the public Magazine and I am
of opinion that the worst is not yet come. Tho
no Congress was regularly formed for want of
one Member, yet the Members present unani
mously directed me to inform your Excellency
of this unjustifiable Movement. The Militia of
the City, I suppose will be called out, but there
are some suspicions that the Mutineers value
themselves on their interest with the Inhabitants.
It is therefore the wish of the Members who were
assembled, that your Excellency would direct a
movement of some of your best troops, on whom
you can depend under these circumstances, to
wards this City, as it will be of the most danger
ous consequences if a Measure of this kind is to
be put up with, and no one can tell where it will
334 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
end. Your Excellency will hear from me again,
on this subject without delay. I forgot to inform
your Excellency, that the Month s pay for Janu
ary has been ordered to these Men, and three
month s pay in Notes &c. They complain heav
ily of their Accounts yet remaining unsettled. It
is to be wished the Pay Master could arrange
Matters so as to close the accounts of the Sol
diery with more expedition.
I have the honor to be &c.
E. B. 1
A proclamation is then issued.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
ELIAS BOUDINOT, ESQUIRE,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS
ASSEMBLED.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS a body of armed Soldiers in the ser
vice of the United States, and quartered in the
Barracks of this City, having mutinously re
nounced their obedience to their Officers, did,
on Saturday the Twenty-first Day of this instant,
proceed, under the direction of their Serjeants,
in a hostile and threatening manner, to the place
in which Congress were assembled, and did sur
round the same with Guards : And Whereas
Congress in consequence thereof, did, on the
same Day, resolve, " That the President and
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. xcii. p. 224,
PROCLAMATION. 335
" Supreme Executive Council of this State should
"be informed, that the authority of the United
" States having been that day grossly insulted by
" the disorderly and menacing appearance of a
" body of armed Soldiers, about the Place within
" which Congress were assembled, and that the
" Peace of this City being endangered by the
" mutinous Disposition of the said Troops then
" in the Barracks ; it was, in the Opinion of Con-
"gress, necessary, that effectual Measures should
" be immediately taken for supporting the public
"Authority: " And also whereas Congress did, at
the same Time appoint a Committee to confer
with the said President and Supreme Executive
Council on the practicability of carrying the said
Resolution into due effect : And also whereas
the said Committee have reported to me, that
they have not received satisfactory Assurances
for expecting adequate and prompt exertions of
this State for supporting the Dignity of the Fced-
eral Government: And also whereas the said
Soldiers still continue in a state of open Mutiny
and Revolt, so that the Dignity and Authority of
the United States, would be constantly exposed
to a repetition of insult, while Congress shall con
tinue to sit in this City, I DO THEREFORE,
by and with the Advice of the said Committee,
and according to the Powers and Authorities in
me vested for this Purpose, hereby summon the
honorable the Delegates composing The Con
gress of the United States, and every of them, to
336 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
meet in Congress, on Thursday the Twenty Sixth
Day of June instant, at Princeton, in the state of
New Jersey, in order that further and more effect
ual Measures may be taken for suppressing the
present revolt, and maintaining the Dignity and
Authority of the United States; of which all
Officers of the United States, civil and Military,
and all others whom it may concern, are desired
to take Notice and govern themselves accordingly.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal at Philadel
phia, in the State of Pennsylvania, this Twenty-
Fourth Day of June, in the Year of Our Lord
One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty
Three, and of the Sovereignty and Independence
of the United States the seventh.
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
Attest.
SAMUEL STERETT, Private Secretary.
MR. BOUDIXOT TO MR. ELISITA BOUDINOT.
FHILAD A 23 June 1783
MY DEAR BROTHER
I have only a moment to inform you that there
has been a most dangerous Insurrection and
meeting among a few Soldiers in the Barracks
here about 3 or 400 surrounded Congress and
the Supreme Executive Council, f and kept us
Prisoners in a manner near 3 hours, tho they
offered no insult personally To my great mor
tification, not a citizen came to our assistance
The President and Council have not firmness
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 202.
CONGRESS ADJOURNS TO PRINCETON. 337
enough to call out the Militia and allege as a
reason that they would not obey them In short
the political manoeuvers here, previous to the im
portant Events of next October entirely unhinge
Government This handful of Mutineers con
tinue still with Arms in their hands and are pri
vately supported, and it is well if we are not all
Prisoners in a short time Congress will not
meet here, but have authorized me to change
their place of Residence I mean to adjourn to
Princeton if the Inhabitants of Jersey will protect
us I have wrote to the Governor particularly
I wish you could get your Troop of Horse to
offer their aid and be ready if necessary to meet
us at Princeton on Saturday or Sunday next if
required
I would not wish anything to be made more
public than is necessary for the above purpose
I wish Jersey to show her readiness on this
occasion as it may fix Congress as to their per
manent residence
The Express will call for an answer
Am in great haste with love to all
Yours aff cty
ELIAS BouDiNOT 1
ELISHA BOUDINOT Esq r
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS
BOUDINOT, ESQ.
HEADQUARTERS NEWBURGH evening June 24 1783.
SIR
It was not until 3 O clock this afternoon, that
I had the first intimation of the infamous and
1 Family letters.
338 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
outrageous Mutiny of a part of the Pennsylvania
Troops ; it was then I received your Excellency s
Letter of the 2 i s t by express, and agreeable to
the request contained in it, I instantly ordered
Three compleat Regiments of Infantry and a
Detachment of Artillery to be put in motion as
soon as possible ; This Corps (which you will
observe by the Returns, is a large proportion of
our whole Force) will consist of upwards of 1500
effectives. As all the Troops who composed
this gallant little Army, as well those who were
furloughed as those who remain in Service, are
Men of tried fidelity, I could not have occasion
to make any choice of Corps; and I have only to
regret, that that there existed a necessity, they
should be employed on so disagreeable a Service,
- I dare say however, they will on this and all
other occasions perform their duty as brave and
faithful Soldiers.
While I suffer the most poignant distress in
observing that a handful of men, contemptible
in numbers, and equally so in point of Service
(if the Veteran Troops from the southward have
not been seduced by their example) and who are
not worthy to be called Soldiers, should disgrace
themselves as the Pennsylvania Mutineers have
done, by insulting the Sovereign Authority of the
United States and that of their own ; I feel an
inexpressible satisfaction, that even this behaviour
cannot stain the name of the American Soldiery.
It cannot be imputable to, or reflect dishonour
CONDUCT OF TROOPS. 339
on the Army at large; but on the contrary, it
will, by the striking contrast it exhibits, hold up
to public view the other Troops in the most ad
vantageous point of light; Upon taking all the
circumstances into consideration, I cannot suffi
ciently express my surprise and indignation, at
the arrogance, the folly, and the wickedness of
the Mutineers ; nor can I sufficiently admire the
fidelity, the bravery, and the patriotism, which
must for ever signalize the unsullied Character
of the other Corps of our Army; for when we
consider that these Pennsylvania Levies who
have now mutinyed, are Recruits and Soldiers of
a day, who have not born the heat and burden
of the War, and who can have in reality very few
hardships to complain of, and when we at the
same time recollect that these Soldiers who have
lately been furloughed from this Army are the
veterans who have patiently endured hunger,
nakedness and cold, who have suffered and bled
without a murmur, and who with perfect good
order have retired to their homes, without the
settlement of their Accounts, or a farthing of
money in their pockets, we shall be as much
astonished at the vertues of the latter, as we are
struck with horror and detestation at the pro
ceedings of the former; and every candid mind
without indulging ill-grounded prejudices, will
undoubtedly make the proper discrimination.
I intended only to wait until the Troops were
collected and had occupied their new Camp, in
34-O ELIAS BOUDINOT.
order to make a full Report to Congress of the
measures which have been taken in consequence
of the. Resolution of the 26th of May. Notwith
standing the option which was given, in my an
swer to the address of the Generals and Officers
Commanding Regiments and Corps, which has
been already sent to your Excellency, No Sol
diers, except a very few whose homes are within
the Enemy s Lines, and a very small number of
Officers, have thought proper to avail themselves
of it by remaining with the Army A List of
those who remain, is herewith transmitted. The
Men eno-a^ed to serve three Years were then
o o
formed into Reg s and Corps in the following
manner, viz - The Troops of Massachusetts
composed 4 Regiments, Connecticut i Reg 1 New
Hampshire 5 Companies, Rhode Island 2 Com
panies, Massachusetts Artillery 3 Companies and
New York Artillery 2 Companies The total
strength will be seen by the Weekly state, which
is also forwarded.
The Army being thus reduced to merely a
competent garrison for West Point, that being
the only object of importance in this quarter, and
it being necessary to employ a considerable part
of the men in building an Arsenal and Magazines
at that Post, agreeably to the directions given by
the Secretary at War, the Troops accordingly
broke up the Cantonement yesterday, and re
moved to that Garrison, where Major Gen 1 Knox
still retains the Command. The Detachment
MILITARY AFFAIRS. 341
which marches for Philadelphia will be under the
orders of Ma Gen rl Howe Gen rl Heath having,
at his own particular request, retired from the
field; --The Brigadiers now remaining with the
Army, are Patterson, Huntington and Greaton,
besides the Adjutant-General. Thus have I
given the present State of our military affairs, and
hope the Arrangements will be satisfactory to
Congress.
I have the honor to be
Your Excellency s
Most obedient Servant
G : WASHINGTON
P. S. Should anything turn up, which may
prevent the necessity of the Troops proceeding
to Philadelphia, I am to request your Excellency
will send the earliest intimation to the Command
ing Officer that the Detachment may return
immediately. The Route will be by Ringwood,
Pompton, Morristown, Princeton and Trenton, on
which your Express may meet the Corps. 1
[Indorsement]
Letter 24 June 1783
Gen 1 WASHINGTON.
Reed 30 June.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
His EXCELLENCY
GENL WASHINGTON,
PRINCETON 5" July 1783.
DEAR SIR
I have neglected writing your Excellency a cir
cumstantial account of the reasons of Congress
1 Papers of the Continental Congress,, vol. xi. pp. 381, 284, 285.
342 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
leaving Philadelphia, in hopes of being able to
furnish the official account as entered on our
Journals, which must be more satisfactory, than
anything I could have wrote.
I now have the honor to enclose the proceed
ings of Congress on this business, which will give
your Excellency a tolerably just narrative of this
unhappy affair in general ; altho there are many
trifling circumstances and anecdotes attending it,
that tend to shew and enforce the propriety of
adjourning Congress to some other place for free
deliberation, which could not be entered on their
Journals.
The Proclamation I had the honor of enclosing
to your Excellency some days ago, added to the
enclosed, are all our public acts on this subject.
I believe the citizens of Philadelphia begin to
reflect on their conduct towards the Federal Gov
ernment, in a very different point of view from
that in which they first considered it. Indeed,
the truth being brought to light, obliges an ac-
? O O O
knowledgment of the absurdity of Congress sit
ting in the City under such circumstances.
I have the honor to be c.
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
PRINCETON July 8 th 1783
DEAR SIR
This will be handed to your Excellency by the
Count Del Verme, a Nobleman of Milan in Italy
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 209.
COUNT DEL VERME. 343
By means of his Cousin Prince Caramivice
an Ambassador at the Court of London, he was
recommended by the Duke of Portland to Dr
Franklin Mr. Laurens Mr. Adams who have
warmly addressed this illustrious Traveller to the
Notice of Congress
Permit me Sir to request your kind attention
(to) the Count on his Visit at Head Quarters -
His design is to make a Tour through the United
States, and to see the principal Men in each
State
I received your Excellency s favour by the
return of my Express, who went off in such
Haste, as made me guilty of an omission in not
acknowledging the receipt of your Excellency s
favours of the 24" 25" Ultimo, which had come
safe to Hand, and the Sentiments of which gave
great Pleasure & Satisfaction to Congress
I have the Honor to be with the most perfect
Esteem & regard Your Excellency s Most Obed
very Hble Serv
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
His Excellency, General WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed in Gen 1 WASHINGTON S hand)
From His Excelly ELIAS
BOUDINOT Esq.
8th July 1783.!
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. Ixiii. p. 306.
344 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
MR. BOUDINOT TO DR. WILLIAM BURNET.
DR WILLIAM BURNET, CHAIRMAN &c
NEWARK NEW JERSEY
PRINCETON, July 24th 1783.
SIR
I am honored with the commands of Congress
to inform you, in answer to the polite and respect
ful address of the Magistrates, Militia Officers
and citizens of the Town of Newark, that Con
gress entertain a high sense of their Spirit and
patriotism, and applaud their zeal for good order
and the security and honor of the Federal Gov
ernment
Permit me also the Pleasure of assuring the
respectable Magistrates, Officers & Citizens of
the Town of Newark, that Congress feel them-
o
selves much obliged by their kind disposition to
render the residence of Congress in this State as
agreeable as possible.
I have the honor to be &c
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO COLONEL JOSEPH PHILLIPS OF THE
MILITIA OF NEW JERSEY, &C.
PRINCETON 30" July 1783
SIR
I had the honor of laying before Congress the
address of the Officers of the three Battalions of
Militia of Hunterdon, Middlesex and Somerset
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 226.
ADDRESSES TO CONGRESS. 345
most contiguous to Princeton, and in answer
thereto have it in charge to inform those respect
able officers, " that Congress have received with
much satisfaction their respectful and affectionate
address and highly approve the patriotic senti
ments contained in the resolution with which it is
accompanied."
It gives me personally great pleasure to bear
this testimony to the affectionate attachment of
my Fellow Citizens of New Jersey to the Federal
Government, and doubt not but they will ever
support the very respectable Character they have
hitherto maintained throughout the Union. I
must beg the favor of your communicating this
to your Brother Officers and be assured, Sir, that
I am, with very great respect
Yours &C. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO MR. THOMAS WILLING, ESQ.
PRINCETON 30- July 1783
THOMAS WILLING, Esq
SIR
I lately had the honor of laying before Congress
a very respectful and affectionate address from the
Citizens of Philadelphia and the Liberties thereof,
in answer to which I am instructed by Congress,
to inform those worthy gentlemen, " That the
United States in Congress assembled have great
satisfaction in receiving the spirited and patriotic
exertions, which have been made by the Govern-
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D, C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 231.
346 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
ment and Citizens of Pennsylvania in the course
of the late glorious war: and that Congress is
highly pleased with the resolution expressed by
the Citizens of Philadelphia to aid in all measures
which may have a tendency to support the na
tional honor and dignity"
As the honorable Delegates of Pennsylvania,
resident in the City, are expected here before this
can reach you, and I observe that your name is
the first subscribed to the address, permit me ;
Sir, to beg the favour of you to make this answer
known to the respectable Citizens who are among
your Fellow Subscribers ; and at the same time to
assure them that I feel myself very happy and
highly honored in thus communicating the testi
mony of the United States to the patriotic and
successful exertions of the Government and Cit
izens of Pennsylvania in the common cause.
I have the honor to be c.
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
P. TOWN July 31 1783.
DR SIR
A moments Time is only allowed to inform your
Excellency that I have it on Command from Con
gress to acquaint you, that it is their Pleasure that
you should, as soon as convenient after your re
turn from the Northward, attend Congress at this
Place, as they think your Presence will be of spe-
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 230.
TO SIR GUY CARLETON. 347
cial Service at this important Period ; and the
change of situation may be more agreeable to
your Excellency under present Circumstances
I would enclose a copy of this resolution, under
which I act, but by the negligence of the Clerk, I
cannot obtain it without missing the loss of this
o
opportunity.
It gives me a very peculiar Pleasure, to make
this communication, as I have hopes of seeing
Mrs. Washington & your Excellency enjoying the
fruits of that Peace, which under Gocl is in a great
measure owing to your glorious Exertions.
Mrs. Boudinot & Miss Susan join me in the
most affectionate wishes for your & Mrs Wash
ington s Health Happiness.
I have the Honor &C. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO SIR GUY CARLTOX.
P. TOWN Aug i. 1783.
SIR,
I had the pleasure of acknowledging the rec t
I O O
of your Excellency s Letter of the 24 ulto by re
turn of the messenger who brought it, I am now
honored with the Commands of Congress on the
subject of that Letter & the Papers therein en
closed. Congress have considered those Commu
nications relative to certain Persons suspected of
forging passing Notes issued from the Office
of Finance of the number States and on the
maturest deliberation they presume your Exclly
1 Pennsylvania Historical Society.
348 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
will give orders that such of the Persons, subjects
of any of these United States as are or may be in
Custody on a Charge of having made or passed
within any of the United States, counterfeits either
of the Notes or Paper Bills of Credit of the
United States or any of them, shall be delivered
up, together with the Proofs which shall be col
lected of them, to be tryed under the Jurisdiction
to whom Cognisance of their crimes belongs If
o o
this measure should meet your Excellys approba
tion, a Guard shall attend at the Time & Place to
be appointed by your Exclly. for the purpose of
receiving and securing such of the Criminals as
fall under the above description-- With regard
to further [torn] and to Criminals who are not
amenable to any of these States, Congress have
entire Confidence, that Justice will be done and
such atrocious Offenders brought to Condign
Punishment.
Enclosed is an original Paper I found within
one of the Copies sent by your Exclly. and as it
may be material in the Enquiry, I take the Lib
erty of returning it.
My private Secretary Mr. Sterett going on
Business to Newark I have directed him if a con
venient opportunity offer on Monday, to proceed
as far as New York deliver this himself.
I have the honor to be with great respect,
Your Exclly. &C. 1
ELIAS BOUDINOT
His Excelly. Sir GUY CARI/TON.
1 Pennsylvania Historical Society.
BERRIAN HOUSE HEAD QUARTERS. 349
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
PRINCETON la h August 1783
DEAR SIR,
Your Excellency s favour of the 6 th inst. gave
me great pleasure, as they announced your safe
arrival after so expeditious & fatiguing a Journey.
The Resolution of Congress requested by your
Excellency was forwarded several days since, but
it cannot answer your expectations Congress
wished to have Your Excellency s personal aid at
forming the peace arrangement whenever that
Report \vas called up, but your disagreeable situ
ation arising from the unexpected and unaccount
able delay of the definitive treaty, hastened the
measure of requesting your Excellency s Attend
ance, that you Might, by a change of place be, in
some Measure, relieved from the inconveniences
Attending your present local situation. How
ever Congress have instructed me to inform your
Excellency, that it is their wish that you would
make your attendance entirely agreeable to your
own conveniencey unless you hear further from
them. They have directed a House and standing
Furniture to be taken for your Excellency within
three or four miles of this place, 1 in case it should
be agreeable for you to remain here a few weeks,
but they by no means wish to hurry you in your
Journey unless the Definitive Treaty should sud
denly arrive of which I shall do myself the honor
of giving you the earliest intelligence.
1 General Berrian s house was chosen for this purpose.
350 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I have no doubt, from very good information,
that the substance of the Treaty, if not an authen
ticated copy, is in New York, tho previous to the
ratification, which, I suppose, is delayed to give
Sir Guy all the time that can be conveniently
done.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect,
Your Excellency s
Most obedient
& Very humb. Servant
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
(Endorsed)
Princeton i2 h Aug 4 1783
from BOUDINOT
President of Congress
intentions of Congress in desi g
attendance.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(Private.)
PRINCETON Augt i2<h 1783.
DEAR SIR/
With this your Excellency will receive my
public Letter of this date. That your Excellency
may be informed of every Act of Congress, relat
ing to yourself personally, I do myself the honor
of enclosing for your private Information a Copy
of an Address proposed to be delivered, to your
Excellency on your attendance here, in Case it
should precede the definitive Treaty I also en
close an Act of Congress, calculated to hand
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. Ixiv., p. 21.
CONGRESS VOTE A STATUE TO WASHINGTON. 351
down to Posterity the attention of your grateful
Country, for services that never can be repaid
Every public Testimony to your Excellency s just
Merit, gives me a most sensible & lasting Plea
sure, as it is a living Evidence that public grati
tude, for essential public Services, is not yet quite
driven from our political World.
I have the honor to be with very great Esteem
& respect
Your Excellency s
Most obedient and very Hble. Serv*
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
P. S. Mrs. Boudinot & Miss Susan join me in
the most affectionate compliments to Mrs. Wash
ington. 1
(Endorsed)
Princeton 12 th Aug 1783, from Boudinot
President of Congress inclos 8 proposed
address & Resolution for erect 8 Statue.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS
BOUDINOT, ESQ.
HEAD QUARTERS, 14 th Aug Bt 1783
SIR,
By the last post, I w r as honored with your Ex
cellency s favor of the I st ins*, enclosing the re
solve of Congress, directing my attendance at
Princeton. Notwithstanding my Horses had ar
rived but a Day or two before, & were much
fatigued, I should have set out immediately, had it
not been for the indisposition of Mrs Washing
ton, who, during my absence, had been seized
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters
to Washington, vol. Ixiv. p. 25.
352 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
with a fever. had a return of it since, & is now
in a very weak and low state. This Circum
stance, together with a desire of packing my
papers, and making arrangements for a final re
move (being uncertain of the objects Congress
have in view by my attendance, or how long I
may be detained at Princeton) will, I hope, avail
as an Excuse for my delay.
I propose to set out on Monday next, provided
Mrs Washington s Health will admit, or I should
not have any thing from Congress in the mean
Time, to prevent my Intentions.
With great respect &c.
Go. WASHINGTON. 1
Received in Congress August 22d.
MR. BOUDIXOT TO HON. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
PRINCETON 15 Aug. 1783.
SIR
I had the honor of your favor of the yth of
March last enclosing the treaty between the
United States and the King of Sweden, the rat
ification whereof has been retarded for want of
nine States present in Congress. This act has
now taken place and I am honored with the com
mands of Congress to transmit it to you for
exchange, which I now have the pleasure of doing
and hope it will meet with a safe and speedy con
veyance.
On receiving the treaty a manifest impropriety
struck Congress in the title of the United States
o
being called of North America when it should have
1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, vol. xi. p. 431.
TREATY WITH SWEDEN. 353
been only America and also in the enumeration
of the different states, wherein the Delaware State
is called " The three lower counties on Delaware."
As there is no such State in the Union Congress
were at a loss how they could ratify the treaty
with propriety, unless they should alter the tran
script, which might be liable to many exceptions;
they have -therefore to avoid all difficulties passed
a separate Resolve empowering you to make the
necessary amendments. A certified copy of this
Resolution I do myself the pleasure to enclose.
Congress are entirely at a loss to account for
the silence of their Commissioners at Paris, since
February last, being without any official informa
tion relative to the Treaty with Great Britain
since that time.
I had the honor of writing you very fully on
the 15*11 of July last, giving you the reasons for
our removal to this place at length, which I hope
got safe to hand.
Congress having determined not to fix the
place of their permanent residence till the first
Monday in October next, is the reason of defer
ring the appointment of a Minister for Foreign
Affairs till that is done.
I have the honor to be with high
respect and esteem
Your most obedient
very humble servant
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Franklin
papers, vol. v. p. 1153.
354 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
P. S. I have sent by
this opportunity the News Papers
to this Date.
MR. BOUDINOT TO INHABITANTS OF NEW BRUNSWICK.
AZARIAH DUNHAM & OTHERS
A COMMITTEE OF THE INHABITANTS OF
NEW BRUNSWICK,
PRINCETON, August 16" 1783
GENTLEMEN
In answer to the very respectful address (which
you did me the honor of enclosing to my care)
of the Inhabitants of New Brunswick and its
vicinity, I am directed by Congress to inform
those respectable citizens " that Congress with
pleasure received their congratulations on the
glorious and happy success of the War ; are
obliged by the affection and respect for the
Federal Government expressed in their address,
and highly approve their patriotic disposition to
promote order, harmony and peace throughout
the United States"
The honor of this communication gives me
great pleasure, as it is an additional testimony to
the persevering and worthy conduct of my Fellow
Citizens of New Jersey.
I have the honor to be &C. 1
ELIAS BOUDINOT
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Tapers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 241.
ACCOUNT FROM COMMISSIONERS. 355
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(Private.)
PRINCETON August 21 " 1783.
DEAR SIR /
It is but this moment that your Excellency s
Letter of the i4th Inst. has got to Hand.
The alarming illness of Mrs. Washington gives
Mrs. Boudinot, myself & Daughter, real distress ;
our Prayers shall not cease for her recovery
Ere this I hope your Excellency has rec d mine
by the Secretary of War, which will inform you
of the Intentions of Congress, that you should
make your Journey here, entirely agreeable to
your own convenience & Leisure.
Since that Letter we have rec d Letters from
Mr. Laurens of the i4th & 18" June By these
we are convinced that there is no definitive
Treaty yet arrived in New York The Sub
stance of his Letters is, " That he had seen Mr.
Fox who made a Question whether the American
Ministers were authorized & disposed to open an
Intercourse of Commerce on Terms of reci
procity " To answer this, our Ministers imme
diately to wit, on the 2Qth April Made a proposi
tion of several plain Simple Articles full to that
Purpose, and tendered them for Execution to Mr.
Hartley who at first approved of them, but
after some hesitation acknowledged he had come
to Paris without his Powers he sent a Mes
senger to London with the proposition and
356 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
after a waste of three weeks, he returned with an
answer that they could not be agreed to
2ist May Mr. Hartley proposed Terms Alto
gether inadmissible, but could not produce either
Commission or Instructions to compleat any
Thing.
Mr. Laurens went to London from whence he
writes and makes the following Observations
" My former assurances have undergone a won
derful refinement Reciprocity seems now to.
mean, Enjoyment on one side, and restriction on
the other. This change may have been wrought
by the unexpected & sudden arrival of divers
Ships & Cargoes from different Ports in the
United States The British Minister at Paris
candidly assured me that he was of this opinion "
Mr. Laurens mentioned to Mr. Fox his wish to
stay a few days at Bath, but he feared that his
Presence would be necessary at the signing of the
Treaty Mr. Fox answered by assuring Mr.
L. that he might safely remain at Bath for some
clays without clanger, from which Mr. L. con
cluded that there was not anything likely to be
done speedily Mr. Laurens says that the pres
ent Ministry is likely to be of a very short dura
tion
I have the honor to enclose three Letters to
your Excellency committed to my Care from dif
ferent Quarters
Shall I presume so much on your Excellency s
time, as once more to beg your attention, to the
CANNON SENT TO COUNT DE GRASSE. 357
Cannon that was designed for the Comte De
Grasse I feel myself much hurt by the assurance
I was led to give him that they should be sent to
him by the Due de Luzern, and which I was not
able to effect.
Mrs. Boudinot & Miss Susan join me in the
Most affectionate regards for Mrs. Washington,
most devoutly praying for her immediate recovery
I have the honor to be with the highest respect
Your Excellency s Most Obd fc &
Hble Serv fc
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
P. S. Congress have rec d official Information
from Sir Guy Carleton, that he has positive orders
to evacuate New York without delay Mr. Lau-
rens mentions the same thing, as told him by Mr.
Fox
His Excellency General WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed in Gen 1 WASHINGTON S hand)
From his Excelly ELIAS BOUDINOT,
2ist Aug 4 83.
MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. Ixiv. p. 53.
CHAPTER XIX.
Congress holds an audience for congratulating General Washington on
the termination of the war, and to consult on peace arrangements.
Speech of Mr. Boudinot to General Washington. General Washing
ton s reply. Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot ; time appointed for
signing treaties of peace ; provisional articles with preamble making
definitive treaty; expecting his recall; recommends Mr. Thaxter.
Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot; American ministers met British
minister, signed definitive treaty; repetitions of provisional treaty,
September 5, 1783; on mediation of the two Imperial Courts; on min
ister to Vienna and England; commercial connections. Hon. John
Adams to Mr. Boudinot, on receipt of commission for treaty of com
merce; affairs in Holland; Mr. Dumas expenses; politics; foreign
papers. Mr. Boudinot to Hon. Benjamin Franklin; inclosing dupli
cate of ratification of treaty with Sweden, also resolutions of Congress ;
mutiny happily ended. From the commissioners to Mr. Boudinot ;
relative to treaty; conduct of the whole affair. Reception of Mr.
Boudinot s letter of 7th June, with directions for treaty of commerce ;
ministers to and from England ; other nations ready to make treaties.
THERE could scarcely have fallen upon Mr.
Boudinot a duty more in consonance with his
feelings, than that which devolved upon him as
president of Congress, to officially congratulate
Washington on the success of the war.
Monday August 26th 1783.
Congress being informed of the arrival of the
Commander in Chief in the neighborhood of
Princeton ordered " That we have an audience
in Congress tomorrow at Twelve O. Gen 1 Wash
ington attended being introduced by two mem
bers " The Pres* said :
AUDIENCE OF CONGRESS TO WASHINGTON. 359
" Sir, Congress feel particular pleasure in see
ing your excellency, and in congratulating you on
the success of a War, in which you have acted so
conspicuous a part.
It has been the singular happiness of the
United States, that during a war, so long, so
dangerous and so important Providence has been
graciously pleased to preserve the life of a gen
eral, who has merited and possessed the unin
terrupted confidence and affection of his fellow
citizens. In other nations many have performed
services, for which they have deserved and re
ceived the thanks of the public. But to you Sir
peculiar praise is due, your services have been
essential in acquiring and establishing the freedom
and independence of your country. They deserve
the grateful acknowledgments of a free and inde
pendent nation. These acknowledgments Con
gress have the satisfaction of expressing to your
Excellency. Hostilities have now ceased, but
your country still needs your services. She
wishes to avail herself of your talents in forming
the arrangements which will be necessary for her
in the time of peace. For this reason your at
tendance at Congress has been requested. A
committee is appointed to confer with your excel
lency and to receive your assistance in preparing
and digesting plans relative to these important
objects "*
To which His Excellency made the following
reply : -
1 Journal of Congress.
360 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
" Mr President I am too sensible of the
honorable reception I have now experienced not
to be penetrated with the deepest feelings of
gratitude.
Notwithstanding Congress appear to estimate
the value of my life beyond any services I have
been able to render the United States, yet I must
be permitted to consider the wisdom and unanim
ity of our national councils, the firmness of our
citizens and the patience and bravery of our troops
which have produced so happy a termination of
the war as the most conspicuous effect of the di
vine interposition, and the surest presage of our
national happiness.
Highly gratified by the favorable sentiments
which Congress are pleased to express of my
past conduct and amply rewarded by the confi
dence and affection of my fellow-citizens I cannot
hesitate to contribute my best endeavours to
wards the establishment of the national security,
in whatever manner the sovereign power may
think proper to direct, until the ratification of
the definitive treaty of peace, or the final evacua
tion of our country by the British forces, after
either of which events, I shall ask permission to
retire to the peaceful shade of private life.
Perhaps Sir no occasion may offer more suit
able than the present, to express my humble
thanks to God and my grateful acknowledgments
to my country, for the great and uniform support
I have received in every vicissitude of fortune
DEFINITIVE TREATY. 361
and for the many distinguished honors which
Congress have been pleased to confer upon me
in the course of the War " 1
HON. JOHN ADAMS TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS BOUDI-
NOT, ESQ.
PARIS September i, 1783.
SIR
Wednesday the third of this Month is ap
pointed for the Signature of the Definitive Trea
ties of Peace. Unable to obtain any addition or
Explanation, we have been obliged to agree to
sign the Provisional articles, over again with only
a Preamble, making them a Definitive Treaty.
No Regulation of Commerce is agreed upon, and
indeed we have no Commission or Authority to
make any. We have thus lost Seven or Eight
months of our time.
When the definitive Treaty shall be signed, I
suppose our Commission for Peace will be exe
cuted. I expected long before this to have re
ceived My Letter of Recall to their High Might
inesses and to the Prince of Orange, in which case
I shall now have been at liberty to reimbark for
America, but as it is not arrived, I can not with
entire Decency to Congress, or to the States Gen
eral, or to the Prince, force myself away, and a
letter of Recall will not probably now arrive un-
till it will be too late for a Fall Passage, so that
I shall be necessitated to undertake another
Winter Voyage, or wait untill Spring.
1 Journal of Congress,
362 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I beg leave to recommend Mr. Thaxter, the
bearer of this, and of the Definitive Treaty to
Congress. He is descended from several of the
most ancient and honourable families in the
Massachusetts. He has had the best education
which our Country affords. He has been now
more than five years in the public Service and
without the least reward, all that has been al
lowed him not having been enough for his neces-
o o
sary Expenses. He is exceeded by no one in
Industry, or Fidelity, is not deficient in Address,
and is well acquainted with the French Language,
nor ignorant of the Dutch, and has a just View
of our Foreign Affairs, if Congress has occasion
for a Secretary of Legation & Charge des Affairs
in any part of Europe I am persuaded they will
not be able to find a Man better qualified for the
Place, or who has a better Title, to it, in Point of
Merit
With the greatest Respect, I have the
Honour to be, Sir, your most obe
dient and most humble Servant
JOHN ADAMS.
His Excellency E. BOUDINOT Esq r
President of Congress 1
HON. JOHN ADAMS TO MR. BOUDINOT.
PARIS Sept. 5th 1783.
SIR
On Wednesday the third of this Month the
American Ministers met the British Minister at
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 84, vol. v. p. 177.
DEFINITIVE TREATY SIGNED. 363
his Lodgings at the Hotel de York, and signed
sealed and delivered the Definitive Treaty of
Peace between the United States of America and
the Kin^ of Great Britain. Altho it is but a
e?
Confirmation or Repetition of the Provisional
Articles, I have the honor to congratulate Con
gress upon it, as it is a Completion of the work
of Peace, and the best we could obtain. Nothing
remains now to be done but a Treaty of Com
merce But this in my opinion cannot be nego
tiated without a new Commission from Congress
to some one or more Persons. Time, it is easy
to foresee, will not be likely to render the British
Nation more disposed to a Regulation of Com
merce favourable to Us therefore my advice is
to issue a Commission as soon as may be.
There is another subject, on which I beg leave
to represent to Congress My Sentiments, because
they seem to me of Importance, and because they
differ from many Sanguine opinions, which will
be communicated to the members of that as
sembly from Partisans both of England and
France. In the late deliberations concerning an
o
acceptance of the Mediation of the two Imperial
Courts, the British Minister refused it; and in
the Conferences we had with the Comte de Ver-
gennes upon this subject, it was manifest enough
to me, that he was not fond of our accepting it
For altho he maintained a perfect Impartiality of
Lano;uao;e, neither advising Us for nor against
tT> O 7 O O
the measure, yet at last, when it was observed
364 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
that Mr. Hartley was averse to it, he turned to
Dr. Franklin and said, that we Must agree with
Mr. Hartley about it, with such a Countenance,
Air and Tone of Voice, (for from these you must
often collect the Sentiments of Ministers) as con
vinced me, he did not wish the Mediation should
take place. It was not a Subject, which would
bear insisting on either way. I therefore made
no difficulty But I am upon recollection fully
of opinion, that we should have done wisely to
have sent our Letter to the Imperial Ministers,
accepting the Mediation on our Part. The Sig
nature of these Ministers would have given Us
Reputation in Europe, and among our own Citi
zens. I mention these, because I humbly con
ceive, that Congress ought in all their Proceed
ings to consider, the opinion that the United
States or the People of America will entertain
of themselves. We may call this National Van
ity or National Pride, but it is the main Principle
of the National Sense of its own Dignity, and a
Passion in human Nature ; without which nations
cannot preserve the Character of Men. Let the
People lose this Sentiment, as in Poland, and a
Partition of their Country will soon take place.
Our Country has but lately been a dependent
one, and our People altho enlightened and vir
tuous, have had their Minds and Hearts habit
ually filled with all the Passions of a dependent,
subordinate People, that is to say, with Fear, with
Diffidence and Distrust of themselves, with Ad-
PUBLIC OPINION OF AMERICA IN EUROPE. 365
miration of Foreigners &c. Now I say, that it
is one of the most necessary & one of the most
difficult Branches of the Policy of Congress to
eradicate from the American Mind every remain
ing Fibre of this Fear and Self Diffidence on the
one hand, and of this excessive Admiration of
Foreigners on the other. It cannot be doubted
one moment, that a solemn acknowledgment of
Us, by the Signature of the two Imperial Courts,
would have had such a Tendency in the Minds
of our Country men But we should also con
sider, upon every occasion, how our Reputation
will be Affected in Europe. We shall not find
it easy to keep up the Respect for us, that has
been excited by the continual publication of the
exploits of the War. In the Calm of Peace little
will be said about us in Europe, unless we pre
pare for it, but by those who have designs upon
us. We may depend upon it everything will be
said in Europe, and in the Gazette, which any
Body in Europe wants to have repeated in Amer
ica, to make such Impressions upon the Minds of
our Citizens as he desires. It will become us
therefore to do everything in our Power, to make
reasonable & just Impressions upon the public
opinion in Europe. The Signature of the two
Imperial Courts would have been a deep & im
portant Impression in our favor, upon full one
half of Europe, as Friends to those Courts, and
upon all the other half, as Enemies. I need not
explain myself further. I may however add, that
366 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Americans can scarcely conceive the decisive In
fluence of the Governments of Europe upon their
People. Every Nation is a Piece of Clock- Work
Every Wheel is under the absolute direction
of the Sovereign as its Weight or Spring. In
Consequence of this, all that Moiety of Mankind,
that are subject to the two Imperial Courts and
their Allies, would in consequence of their Medi
ation, have been openly and decidedly our Friends
at this Hour, and the other half of Europe would
certainly have respected Us the more for this
But at present, the two Imperial Courts, not hav
ing signed the Treaty, all their Friends are left in
a State of Doubt and Timidity concerning Us.
From all the Conversations I have had with
the Comte de Mercy and Mr. Marhoff, it is cer
tain, that the tw r o Courts wished, as these Minis
ters certainly were Ambitious, to sign our Treaty.
They and their Sovereigns wished that their
names might be read in America, and there
respected as our Friends. But this is now past.
England and France will be most perfectly united
in all Artifices and Endeavors to keep clown our
Reputation at Home and abroad to Mortify
our self Conceit, and to lessen Us in the opinion
of the World. If we will not see, we must be the
Dupes. We need not for we have in our own
Power, with the common blessing the Means of
every thing we want. There is but one course
now left to retrieve the Error, and that is to send
a Minister to Vienna, with Power to make a
Treaty with both the Imperial Courts. Congress
COMMERCIAL CONNECTIONS. 367
must send a Minister first, or it never will be
done. The Emperor never sends first, nor will
England ever send a Minister to America until
Congress shall send one to London.
To form immediate Commercial connections
with that half of Europe, which ever has been,
and, with little variations, ever will be opposite to
the House of Bourbon, is a fundamental Maxim
of that System of American Politicks, which I
have pursued invariably from the beginning of
this War. It is the only means of preserving the
Respect of the House of Bourbon itself It is
the only Means in conjunction with our connec
tions with the House of Bourbon already formed,
to secure Us the Respect of England for any
long time, and to keep Us out of another War
with that Kingdom. It is in short the only possi
ble means of securing to our Country that Peace,
Neutrality, Impartiality and Indifference in Eu
ropean Wars, which in my opinion we shall be
unwise in the last decree if we do not maintain.
o
It is besides the only way, in which we can im
prove and extend our Commercial Connections
to the best advantage.
With great respect, I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient & most humble servant
JOHN ADAMS
His Excellency
ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq r
President of Congress 1
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 104, vol. v. p. 70.
368 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
HON. JOHN ADAMS TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS BOUDI
NOT, ESQ.
PARIS Sep*8th 1783.
SIR
Yesterday morning Mr. Jay informed me that
Dr. Franklin had received, & soon afterwards the
Dr. put into my hands the Resolution of Con
gress of the first of May, ordering a Commission
and Instructions to be prepared to those gentle
men and myself for making a Treaty of Com
merce with Great Britain. This Resolution, with
your Excellency s Letter, arrived very seasonably,
as Mr. Hartley was setting off for London, with
Information from Us that our Powers were exe
cuted.
I am very sensible of the Honor that is done
me by this Resolution of Congress, & of the
great Importance of the Business committed to
our Care, and shall not therefore hesitate to take
a part in it. I can attend to this Business and
at the same time have some Care of your affairs
in Holland, and in Case the present Loan should
be full, in the Course of the next Winter I can
open a new one, either by going to Amsterdam,
or by having the obligations sent to me in Paris
to be signed. In this way there will be no addi
tional Expence to the Publick, as I have informed
Mr. Dumas that there must be no Expence made
at the Hague on my account, or on account of
Congress, but that all his Expences must be
borne by himself, or he must at least settle them
MR. DUMAS. 369
with Congress. I have so much regard for this
gentleman, and such an opinion of his Worth &
Merit, that I cannot but recommend him upon
this occasion to Congress for the Commission of
Secretary of that Legation. But as economy is
and ought to be carefully attended to, I presume
not to point out the Salary which will be proper.
There are so many ways of pillaging when in
Europe, that it will be difficult for Congress to
conceive the Expences which are unavoidable in
these Countries If the principle of economy
should restrain Congress from sending Ministers
o o
to Vienna, Petersburg, Copenhagen & Lisbon,
they will probably send a Commission to Paris
to negotiate Treaties there because I think it
c>
will appear to be of great Importance, both in a
political Commercial light, to have Treaties
with those Powers. If this should be the Case,
as three of Us shall be now obliged to attend at
Paris the tedious Negotiations with England, we
can all at the same time & with the same expence
attend to the negotiations with the other Powers,
o
which will afford to all an opportunity of throw
ing in any hints which may occur for the public
good, and will have a much better appearance in
the Eyes of Europe & America. I do not hesi
tate therefore to request, that if such a Commis
sion or Commissions should be sent, that all your
Ministers in Europe may be inserted in it. If
the arrangement should make any difficulty in
America it will make none with me. For altho
370 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
I think there was good reason for the order in
which the Names stand in the new Commission
for Peace, & in the Resolution for a new Commis
sion for a Treaty of Commerce, that Reason will
not exist in any future Commission.
Mr. Hartley s Powers are sufficient to go
through the negotiations with Us, and I suppose
it will be chiefly conducted at Paris Yet we
may all think it proper to make a Tour to Lon
don for a few weeks, especially in Case any Mate
rial obstacle should arise. We are told that such
a Visit would have a good Effect at Court and
with the Nation At least, it seems clear it
would do no Harm.
With the greatest respect & Esteem I have the
Honor to be, Sir, Your
most obedient and most humble servant
JOHN ADAMS
His Excellency
ELIAS BOUDINOT,
President of Congress. 1
HONORABLE JOHN ADAMS TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS
BOUDINOT, ESQ.
PARIS September 8, 1783.
SIR
As the Resolution of Congress of the first of
May, has determined it to be My Duty to remain
in Europe at least another Winter I shall be
obliged to say Many Things to your Excellency
by Letter, which I hoped to have had the honour
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 84, vol. v. p. 189.
FOREIGN NEWSPAPERS. 371
of saying upon the Floor of your house. Some
of these things may be thought at first of little
Consequence but Time and Inquiry and Con
sideration will Show them to have Weight, of this
sort is the subject of this Letter.
The Views and Designs, the Intrigues and
Projects of Courts, are let out by insensible de
grees and with infinite Art and Delicacy in the
Gazettes. These Channels of Communications
are very Numerous, and they are Artificially com
plicated in such a manner, that very few Per
sons are able to trace the Sources from whence
Insinuations and Projects flow. The English
Papers are an Engine, by which ever] 7 thing is
scattered all over the world. They are open and
free, the eyes of Mankind are fixed upon them.
They are taken by all Courts and all Politicians
and by almost all Gazetteers. Of these Papers
the French Emissaries in London even in Time
of War, but especially in Time of Peace make a
very great use. They insert in them things which
they wish to have circulated Far and Wide
Some of the Paragraphs inserted in them, will do
to circulate through all Europe, and some will
not, in the Courier de L Europe - - This is the
most Artfull Paper in the World it is continually
accommodating between the French and English
Ministry if it should offend the English essen
tially, the Ministry would prevent its publication,
if it should Sin against the French unpardonably,
the Ministry would instantly stop its Circulation
37 2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
It is therefore continually under the Influence
of the French Ministers, whose under workers
have many Things translated from the English
Papers, and many others inserted in it originally,
but to the End that they may be circulated over
the World, and particularly, that they may be
seen by the King of France, who reads this Paper
constantly, from the English Papers and the
Courier de 1 Europe many things are transferred
into various other Gazettes, the Courier du Bas
Rhin, the Gazette des Deux Ponts, the Courier
d Avignon and the Gazette des Pays Bas. The
Gazettes of Leyden and Amsterdam are some
times used for the more Grave and Solid Objects,
those of Deux Ponts and Avignon for popular
Topicks the small Talk of Coffee Houses, and
still smaller and lower Circles. All these Papers
and many others discover a perpetual complai
sance for the French Ministry because they are
always in their Power so entirely that if an offen
sive Paragraph appears, the Entrance and Dis
tribution of the Gazette may be stopped by an
order from Court, by which the Gazetteer loses
the sale of his Paper in France which is a great
pecuniary object.
Whoever shall hereafter come to Europe, in
any publick Employment and take in the Papers
above enumerated, will acknowledge his obliga
tions to me for Mentioning them. He will find
them a constant source of amusement, & some
times of usefull Discoveries. I may hereafter
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 373
Possibly, entertain Congress with some curious
Speculations from these Gazettes, which have all
their attention fixed upon us, & very often honour
us with their animadversions, Sometimes with
their Grave Councils, but oftener still with very
sly and subtle Insinuations.
With great respect and esteem
I have the honor to be, Sir, your
most obedient and most humble
Servant
JOHN ADAMS.
His Excellency,
ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq r
President of Congress. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HONORABLE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
PIIIL A 9 Sept. 1783.
SIR
Being by accident at this City and an oppor
tunity offering, I do myself the honor of enclos
ing a duplicate of the Ratification of the Treaty
with Sweden, the original of which I transmitted
some time since, but not having the copy of the
letter attending it by me, I am prevented from
sending duplicate of it, unless this opportunity is
risqued -
I am happy to enclose you some resolutions of
the Assembly of P. by which you will see all the
difficulties that arose on account of the Mutiny
now happily subsided without producing the least
ill consequences
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 104, vol. v. p. 82.
374 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
The Soldiers were very penitent & two of the
Sergeants are now under sentence of Death but
I believe will be pardoned by Congress, on ac of
the means used by Capt Carberry & Lieut Sulli
van to induce those poor wretches to behave as
they did, under expectations of great personal ad
vantage I hope these two Officers will meet with
proper detestation by all good men
The Hon Ue BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Minister &c
Paris !
FROM THE COMMISSIONERS TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS
BOUDINOT, ESQ., PRESIDENT OE CONGRESS.
(PASSY, loth
(Sept. 1783
SIR
On the third instant, Definitive Treaties, were
concluded between all the late belligerent Powers,
except the Dutch, who the day before settled and
signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Bri
tain.
We most sincerely and cordially congratulate
Congress and our Country in general on this
happy event, and we hope that the same kind
Providence which has led us thro a vigorous
War, to an honourable Peace, will enable us to
make a wise and moderate use of that inestimable
blessing.
We have committed a Duplicate Original of
the Treaty to the care of Mr. Thaxter, who will
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, U. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 244.
ACCOUNT OF DEFINITIVE TREATY 375
go immediately to L Orient, whence he will sail
in the French Packet to New York. That Gen
tleman left America with Mr. Adams as his pri
vate Secretary, and his conduct having been
perfectly satisfactory to that Minister, rejoice in
recommending him to the attention of Congress.
We have ordered Mr. Grand to pay him one
hundred and thirty Louis d ors, on account of
the reasonable expenses to be incurred by his
Mission to Congress, and his Journey from
thence to his Family at Hingham in the Massa
chusetts Bay. For the Disposition of the Money
he is to account.
The Definitive Treaty being in the Terms of
the Provisional Articles, and not Comprehending
any of the Objects of our subsequent Negotiations,
it is proper that we give a Summary account of
them.
When Mr. Hartley arrived here, he brought
with him only a set of instructions signed by the
King. W T e objected to proceeding with him un
til he should have a Commission in Form. This
occasioned some Delay a proper Commission
was however transmitted to him, a Copy of which
was shortly after sent to Mr. Livingston.
We having been instructed to obtain, if possi
ble, an Article for a Direct Trade to the West
Indies, made to Mr. Hartley the Proposition No. i.
He approved of it greatly and recommended
it to his Court, but they declined assenting to it.
Mr. Hartley then made us the proposition No. 2
376 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
but on being asked whether he was authorized
to sign it, in case we agreed to it, he answered in
the Negative. We therefore thought it improper
to proceed to the Consideration of it until after
he should have obtained the Consent of his Court
to it. We also desired to be informed whether
his Court would or would not comprehend Ire
land in their Stipulations with us.
The British Cabinet would not adopt Mr.
Hartley s Propositions, but their letters to him
were calculated to inspire us with Expectations,
that as nothing but particular local circumstances,
which would probably not be of long duration, re
strained them from preferring the most liberal
system of Commerce with us, the Ministry would
take the earliest opportunity of gratifying their
own wishes as well as ours, on that Subject.
Mr. Hartley then made us the Proposition No.
3. At this time we were informed that Letters
for us had arrived in France from Philad a . We
expected to receive Instructions in them, and told
Mr. Hartley that this Expectation induced us to
postpone giving him an answer for a few days.
The vessel by which we had expected these
letters, it seems had not brought any for us. But
at the Time Information arrived from America,
that our Ports were all opened to British vessels.
Mr. Hartley thereupon did not think himself at
liberty to proceed, until after he should commu
nicate that Intelligence to his Court, and receive
their further Instructions.
ACCOUNT OF DEFINITIVE TREATY. 377
Those further Instructions never came, and
thus our Endeavours as to commercial Regula
tions proved fruitless. We had many Confer
ences & reed long Memorials from Mr. Hartley
on the Subject; but his Zeal for Systems friendly
to us, constantly exceeded his Authority to con
cert and agree to them.
During the long Interval of his expecting In
structions, for his Expectations were permitted
to exist almost to the last, we proceeded to make
and receive Propositions for perfecting the Defi
nitive Treaty. Details of all the Amendments,
Alterations, Objections, Exceptions &c. which oc
curred in the Course of these Discussions, would
be voluminous.
We finally agreed that he should send to his
Court, the Project or Draft of a Treaty No. 4.
He did so, but after much Time, and when
pressed by France, who insisted that we should
all conclude together, He was instructed to sign
a Definitive Treaty in the Terms of the Provi
sional Articles.
Whether the British Court meant to avoid a
Definitive Treaty with us, thro a vain hope from
the exagerated accounts of Divisions among our
People, and want of Authority in Congress, that
some Revolution might soon happen in their
favour, or whether their dilatory conduct was
caused by the Strife of the two opposite and
nearly equal Parties in the Cabinet, is hard to
decide.
378 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Your Excellency will observe, that the Treaty
was signed at Paris & not at Versailles. Mr.
Hartley s letter No, 5 & our answer No. 6 will
explain this. His objections, and indeed our
Proceedings in general, were communicated to
the French Minister, who was content that we
should acquiesce, but desired that we should ap
point the signing early in the morning, and give
him an account of it at Versailles, by Express,
for that he would not proceed to sign on the part
of France, till he was sure that our Business was
done.
The Day after the signature of the Treaty,
Mr. Hartley wrote us a congratulatory letter No.
7, to which we returned the answer No. 8.
He is gone to England, and expects soon to
return which for our Part, we think uncertain.
We have taken care to speak to him in strong
Terms, on the subject of the Evacuation of New
York, and the other important Subjects proper to
be mentioned to him - - We think we may rely
on his doing everything in his Power to influence
his Court to do what they ought to do, but it
does not appear that they have as yet formed any
settled System for their Conduct relative to the
United States.
We cannot but think that the late and present
aspect of Affairs in America has had, and contin
ues to have, an unfavorable Influence, not only in
Britain but throughout Europe.
In whatever Light the article respecting the
SIGNATURE OF TREATY. 379
Tories may be view cl in America, it is considered
in Europe as very humiliating to Britain, and
therefore as being one which we ought in Honor
to perform and fulfil with the most scrupulous
Regard to good Faith and in a manner least of
fensive to the Feelings of the King and Court of
G. Britain, who upon that point are extremely
tender.
The unseasonable and unnecessary resolves of
various Towns on this Subject, the actual expul
sion of Tories from some places, and the avow d
Implacability of almost all who have published
their sentiments about the Matter, are Circum
stances which are construed, not only to the Pre
judice of our National Magnanimity and good
Faith, but also to the Prejudice of our Govern
ment.
Popular Committees are considered here, as
with us, in the Light of Substitutes to Constitu
tional Government, and as being only necessary
in the Interval between the Removal of the for
mer and the Establishment of the present.
The Constitutions of the different States have
been translated and published & pains have been
taken to lead Europe to believe that the American
States not only made their own Laws, but obey d
them. But the continuance of popular Assem
blies conven d expressly to deliberate on Matters
proper only for the Cognizance of the different
Legislatures & Officers of Government and their
proceeding not only to ordain, but to enforce their
380 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Resolutions, has exceedingly lessen d the Dignity
of the States in the Eyes of these Nations.
To this we may also add that the situation of
the Army the Reluctance of the people to pay
Taxes and the Circumstances under which Con
gress removed from Philadelphia, have diminished
the Admiration in which the People of America
were held among the Nations of Europe, & some
what abated their Ardor for forming Connections
with us, before our Affairs acquire a greater de
gree of Order and Consistence.
Permit us to observe that in our opinion the
Recommendation of Congress promised in the 5
Article, should immediately be made in the Terms
of it and published ; and that the States should
be requested to take it into consideration as soon
as the Evacuation by the Enemy shall be com-
pleated. " It is also much to be wished that the
Legislatures may not involve all the Tories in
Banishment and Ruin, but that such Discrimina
tions may be made, as to entitle the Decisions to
the Approbation of disinterested men, and dispas
sionate Posterity."
On the 7" Inst. we received your Excellency s
letter of the 16 June last, covering a Resolution of
Congress of the ist May directing a commission
to us for making a Treaty of Commerce c with
G. Britain. This Intelligence arrived very Oppor
tunely to prevent the anti-American Party from
ascribing any Delays on our part to Motives of
Resentment in England to that Country. Great
TREATIES OF COMMERCE. 381
Britain will send a Minister to Congress as soon
as Congress shall send a Minister to Britain & we
o
think much good rnight result from that Measure.
The Information of Mr. Dumas, that we en
couraged the Idea of entering into Engagements
o o o o
with the Dutch to defend the Freedom of Trade
was not well founded. Our Sentiments on that
Subject exactly correspond with those of Congress
nor did we even think or pretend that we had
authority to adopt any such Measures.
We have reason to think that the Emperor and
Russia & other Commercial Nations, are ready to
make Treaties of Commerce with the United
States. Perhaps it might not be improper for
Congress to direct that their Disposition on the
Subject, be communicated to those Courts &
thereby prepare the way for such Treaties.
The Emperor of Morrocco has manifested a
very friendly Disposition towards us. He expects
and is ready to receive a Minister from us, and as
he may either change his Mind, or may be suc
ceeded by a Prince differently disposed, a Treaty
with him may be of Importance. Our Trade to
the Mediterranean will not be inconsiderable, and
the Friendships of Morrocco, Algiers, Tunis &
Tripoli, may become very interesting, in case the
Russians should succeed in their Endeavours to
Navigate freely into it by Constantinople.
Much, we think will depend on the Success of
our Negociations with England. If she should
be prevailed upon to agree to a liberal System of
382 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Commerce, France & perhaps some other Nations,
will follow her Example, but if she should prefer
an exclusive monopolizing Plan, it is probable
that her Neighbors will continue to adhere to
their favourite Restrictions.
Were it certain that the United States, could
be brought to act as a Nation, and would jointly
and fairly conduct their Commerce on Principles
of exact Reciprocity, with all Nations, we think it
probable that Britain would make extensive Con
cessions but on the Contrary, while the pros
pect of Disunion in our Councils, or want of Power
& Energy in our Executive Departments exist,
they will not be apprehensive of Retaliation, and
consequently lose their principal Motive to Lib
erality. Unless with respect to all foreign Nations
and Transactions, we uniformly act as an entire
United Nation, faithfully executing and obeying
the Constitutional Acts of Congress on those Sub
jects, we shall soon find ourselves in the Situation
in which all Europe wishes to see us, viz. as
unimportant Consumers of her Manufactures &
Productions, and as useful Labourers to furnish
her with raw Materials.
We beg leave to assure Congress that we shall
apply our best endeavours to execute this new
commission to their Satisfaction shall punctu
ally obey such Instructions as they may be pleased
to give us relative to it.
Unless Congress should have nominated a Sec
retary to that Commission, we shall consider our-
SECRETARY TO COMMISSION. 383
selves at Liberty to appoint one ; and as we are
satisfied with the conduct of Mr. Franklin, the
Secretary to our late Commission, we purpose to
appoint him, leaving it to Congress to make him
such Compensation for his services as they may
Judge proper.
Count de Vergennes communicated to us a
Proposition (viz No. 9 herewith enclosed) for ex
plaining the 2"d & 3 r d Articles of our Treaty with
France, in a manner different from the Sense in
which we understand them. This being a Matter
in which we had no right to interfere, we have not
expressed any Opinion about it to the Court.
With great respect,
We have the honor to be
Sir
Your Excellency s
Most obedient
Most humble serv s
JOHN ADAMS,
B. FRANKLIN
JOHN JAY/
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Franklin
papers, 8 R. 262.
CHAPTER XX.
Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot ; view of further measures to be
taken in Europe ; Hon. Benjamin Franklin to Mr. Boudinot ; Mr. Bou-
dinot s additional cares owing to the resignation of secretary for foreign
affairs ; medals approved ; first and last clauses in treaty ; treaty with
Morocco ; with Denmark ; no answer yet from Portugal ; false reports
of situation in America; present of medal to Grand Master of Malta;
court of France still favorable ; English endeavor to sow dissensions ;
sends sundry memorials. Hon. John Adams to Mr. Boudinot; sends
copy of Dutch treaty. Mr. Boudinot to Hon. Robert R. Livingston;
forwards letters, papers, and medal ; Mr. Jay to resign in the spring ;
Mr. Dana at St. Petersburg ; affairs at home. To General Washington ;
inclosing act of Congress for admission to secret papers. Proclamation
on treaty with Sweden. Mr. Boudinot to Hon. Robert R. Livingston;
anxiety as to action in New York ; judges know preliminary articles iden
tical with definitive treaty ; English press for a minister. Hon. Benjamin
Franklin to Mr. Boudinot ; Mr. Thaxter with dispatches ; incloses printed
copy of definitive treaty. Mr. Boudinot to Philosophical Society; ex
tract from letter of Hon. William Carmichael, secretary of legation in
Spain ; nomination of honorary members. To General Carleton, asking
for papers seized by the British belonging to the Hon. Richard Stockton.
HON. JOHN ADAMS TO MR. BOUDIXOT.
PARIS September 10, 1783.
SIR
As I am to remain in Europe for some time
longer, I beg Leave to take a cursory view of what
appears, necessary or expedient to be further done
in Europe, for I conceive it to be not only the
Right but the Duty of a foreign Minister to advise
his Sovereign according to his Lights and Judg
ment, although the More extensive Information,
and Superior Wisdom of the Sovereign May fre
quently see Cause to pursue a different Conduct.
POWERS TO TREAT WITH BARBARY. 385
With Spain no doubt Congress will negotiate
by a particular Minister either the present one or
another, and perhaps it would be proper that the
same should treat with Naples. With the two
Empires, Prussia, Denmark, Portugal and Sar
dinia and Tuscany, I humbly conceive it Might
be proper to negotiate, and perhaps with Ham-
borough, but there are other Powers with whom it
is more necessary to have Treaties than it ought
to be, I mean, Morocco, Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli.
I presume that Congress will not think it expe
dient to be at the expense of sending Ministers to
all those Powers, if to any, perhaps in the present
state of our Finances it may not be worth while
to send any. Yet the present Time is the best to
negotiate with all. I submit it to consideration
then whether it is not desirable to send a Com
mission to such Ministers as you Judge proper,
with full Powers to treat with all, to the Ministers
now in Paris, or to any others. But I humbly
conceive that if Powers to treat with all or any of
these States are sent to any of your Ministers now
here, it would be for the publick good that they
should be sent to all. If Congress can find Funds
to treat with the Barbary Powers the Ministers here
are the best situated, for they should apply to the
Court of Versailles and their High Mightinesses,
in the first place that orders should be sent to
their Consuls according to Treaties to assist US.
Ministers here may carry on this negotiation by
Letters or may be empowered to send an Agent
if necessary.
386 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I have no private Interest in this Business.
My Salary will be the same. My expences more
and Labour much increased by such a measure.
But as it is of publick Importance I think that no
unnecessary Delicacies should restrain me from
suggesting these hints to Congress. Whatever
their determination may be will be satisfactory to
me.
I have the Honour to be
with the greatest Respect
your Excellency s most obedient
& most humble servant
JOHN ADAMS.
His Excellency ELIAS BOUDINOT Esq
President of Congress. 1
HON. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS
BOUDINOT, ESQ.
PASSY, 13 Sept. 1783.
SIR:
I received, a few days since, the private letter
Your Excellency did me the honor of writing to
me of the i3th. of June. I regret with you, the
resignation of the late Secretary. Your present
cares are increased by it, and it will be difficult to
find a successor of equal abilities. We found no
difficulty in deciphering the resolution of Con
gress. The Commissioners have taken no notice
of it in our public letter.
I am happy to hear that both the device and
the workmanship of the medal are approved with
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 84, vol. v., p. 197.
RATIFICATION OF PRELIMINARY ARTICLES. 387
you, as they have the good fortune to be by the
best judges on this side of the water. It has been
esteemed a well-timed, as well as a well-merited,
compliment here, and has its good effects. Since
the two first which you mention as received, I
have sent by different opportunities, so many, as
that every member of Congress might have one.
I hope they are come safe to hand by this time, I
wrote a long letter to Mr. Livingston by Mr.
Barney, to which I beg leave to refer, enclosing a
copy.
We had, before signing the definitive treaty
received the ratification of the preliminary articles
by his Britannic Majesty, exchanged with us by
Mr. Hartley for that of Congress I send here
with a copy of the first and last clauses.
In a former letter I mentioned the volunteer
proceedings of a merchant at Alicant, towards
obtaining a treaty between us and the Emperor of
Morocco. We have since received a letter from
a person who says, as you will see by the copy,
enclosed, that he is sent by the Emperor, to be
the bearer of his answer to the United States, and
that he is arrived in Spain on his way to Paris.
He has not yet appeared here, and we hardly
know what answer to give him. I hope the send
ing a Minister to that Court, as recommended in
my last, has been taken into consideration, or at
least that some instructions respecting that nation
have been sent to your Minister in Spain, who is
better situated than we are for such a negotiation..
isf I
. c,
388 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
The Minister from Denmark often speaks to me
about the proposed treaty, of which a copy went
by Mr. Barney. No Commission to sign it, nor
any instructions from Congress relating to it, are
yet arrived ; and, though pressed, I have not ven
tured to do anything further in the affair:
I forward herewith a letter to the Congress
from the city of Hamburg. 1
I understand that a good disposition towards us
prevails there which it may be well to encourage.
No answer has yet been given me from the
Court of Portugal, respecting the plan of a treaty
concerted between its ambassador here and me.
He has been unwell and much in the country, so
that I have not seen him lately. I suspect that
the false or exaggerated reports of the distracted
situation of our government, industriously propa
gated throughout Europe by our enemies, have
made an impression in that kingdom to our dis
advantage, and inclined them to hesitate in form
ing a connection with us. Questions asked me,
and observations made by several of the foreign
ministers here, convince me, that the idle stories
of our disunion, contempt of authority, refusal to
pay taxes, c ; have been too much credited and
been very injurious to our reputation.
I sent before a copy of the letter I wrote to the
Grand Master of Malta, with a present of our
medal, with this you will have a copy of his an
swer. I send also a copy of a note I received
1 See Diplomatic Correspondence, vol. iv. p. 88.
FRIENDLY ACTION OF COUNT DE VERGENNES. 389
from the Pope s Nuncio. 1 He is very civil on all
occasions, and has mentioned the possibility of
an advantageous trade America might have with
the Ecclesiastical States, which he says has two
good ports, Civita Vecchia, and - .
This Court continues favorable to us. Count
de Vergennes \vas resolute in refusing to sign the
definitive treaty with England before ours was
signed. The English Ministers were offended,
but complied. I am convinced that Court will
never cease endeavoring to disunite us. We
shall, I hope be constantly on our guard against
these machinations ; for our safety consists in a
steady adherence to our friends, and our reputa
tion in a faithful regard to treaties, and in a grate
ful conduct towards our benefactors.
I send sundry memorials recommended to my
care by Count de Vergennes, viz. one respecting
a claim of Messieurs Foster of Bordeaux, one of
Mr. Pequet and one of Mr. Bayard. The Con
gress will take such notice of them as they shall
think proper. With great esteem and respect I
have the honor to be c
B. FRANKLIN?
HON. JOHN ADAMS TO HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS BOUDI-
NOT, ESQ.
PARIS Sept r ijth 1783.
SIR,
The Dutch Ambassador has just now sent me
a copy of his Treaty, which I have only time to
1 Sparks Works of Franklin, vol. ix. p. 548.
2 Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Franklin papers,
vol. v. p. 1 1 60.
390 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
have copied and inclosed to your Excellency, with
my dutiful Respects to Congress.
With great Respect, I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your Excellency s Most
Obedient & Most humble
Servant
Plis Excellency, JOHN ADAMS.
ELIAS BOUDINOT, Esq r
President of Congress. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO THE HONORABLE ROBERT R. LIVING
STON.
PRINCETON Sept i6/ 1783.
DEAR SIR
I wrote you about a fortnight past which I
hope has got safe to hand Since that Time
I have rec d a large Pacquet of Letters from our
Commissioners in Europe all of a public Nature,
except one from young Mr. Franklin which he
clearly intended as Confidential, and altho the
Contents might be properly Communicated to
Congress, yet I did not think myself at Liberty
even to impart the Substance to any person what
ever without your approbation. I enclose the
Letter with the Papers contained therein that
you may act as you please as to the Commu
nication of it I take the opportunity of sending
the medal I have twice mentioned to you I
rec d with the Public Letters 19 or 20 of them
which I distributed among the States ; we have
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 84, vol. v. p. 201.
TO THE HONORABLE ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. 391
no News in these Dispatches worth Communicat
ing tho a great deal of matter which will engage
Congress a Considerable Time The Definitive
o
Treaty was not signed the 2d Day of August, nor
likely to be sooner than the ist of Sep 1 in my
opinion, if then The proceeding of our people
& the opening of the Trade with England are the
only Causes of delay our Ministers are clear of
Opinion & say it was so understood by the Nego
tiations that Hostilities could cease on the 3
March Mr. Jay means to resign in the spring
Mr. Dana is yet at Petersburg!! and notwithstand
ing all that has passed, means to finish the Treaty
before he returns Our affairs go on badly here
No Minister of Foreign Affairs at a distance
from our officers Members Grumbling & Dissat
isfied at our remaining in this Place No great
appetite for Business so that we are not in so
comfortable a state as I could wish I take the
Liberty to enclose a Letter for Mr Morris rec d by
Cap 1 Barney, which I must beg you will be kind
enough to forward as I know not where to direct
O
to him
I have the honor to be &c.
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
The Honble. ROB T LIVINGSTON, Esq.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
PRINCETON Sept r i;th 1783.
SIR/
Every publick acknowledgment of the essential
Services rendered our common Country by your
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
39 2 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Excellency during a doubtful War, has given me
the most sensible Pleasure, and it has been among
the gratifications of my Office, that its duties have
priviledged my transmitting, the constant sense
Congress have maintained of your Excellency s
great merit & good Conduct.
I have now the additional satisfaction of en
closing an Act of Congress, by which their high
Confidence, placed in your Excellency s wisdom
and Judgment since the War has ceased, very
Manifestly Appears
I have the honor to be with every Sentiment of
respect & Esteem
Your Excellency s
Most Obedt & very Hble SeiV
ELIAS BOUDINOT.
His Excellency Gen 1 WASHINGTON.
(Endorsed)
Princeton i7th Sept r 1783,
from BOUDINOT, the President of Congress
enclosing a Resolve for admission to the secret
papers of Congress. 1
BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas in pursuance of a plenipotentiary
commission, given on the 28th day of September,
1782, to the Hon Benjamin Franklin, a treaty of
amity and commerce between his majesty the
King of Sweden and the United States of
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Letters to
Washington, vol. Ixiv. p. 177.
A PROCLAMATION. 393
America, was on the 3d day of April, 1783, con
cluded by the said Benjamin Franklin,vwith a
minister plenipotentiary, named for that purpose,
by the said King ; and Whereas the said treaty
hath been duly approved and ratified by the
United States in Congress assembled, and a trans
lation thereof made in the words following, to
wit (See Treaty, page 241.)
Now therefore, to the end, that the said treaty
may with all good faith be performed and ob
served on the part of these states ; all the citizens
and inhabitants thereof, and more especially all
officers and others in the service of the United
States, are hereby enjoined and required to gov
ern themselves strictly in all things according to
the stipulations above recited.
Done in Congress, at Princeton, this 25th day
of September, in the year of our Lord 1783, and
of our Sovereignty and independence the eighth.
ELIAS BOUDINOT, President. 1
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HONORABLE ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
PRINCETON Sep 27" 1783
DR SIR
Your polite favour of the i2th inst. reached me
a few days since - - The Conduct of your People
not only give me great Pain, but threaten greatly
to involve us in another War ; indeed my Dr Sir
I am suspicious our Troubles are not yet at an
end, the Prediction of our Enemies I am afraid
1 Journal of Congress, edition of 1800, vol. viii. p. 279.
394 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
will be too suddenly verified, neither our Legisla
tures nor People at Large are acting with Pru
dence The Storm is gathering I dread the
explosion nothing but wisdom & firmness &
temperate Councils will prevent the impending
Blow.
It is true your Judges have not been officially
informed of the preliminary art cls , and tho it has
frequently been insisted on in Congress, yet the
partial Circumstances of your State being prac
tically yet in the hands of the British prevent the
Measure and the whole union is suffering a par
tial Evil for the good of your State, and yet you
are preventing every measure we can take for the
general good because we will not sacrifice your
state for the common benefit your Judges know
the preliminary articles as well as ever they will
& altho as Lawyers they cannot regard them, yet
surely in every point of view they would be justi
fied in not doing any thing in opposition to them,
when Nothing is necessary to Accomplish this
end but delay However they must & will judge
for themselves but they will most certainly repent
it at all events Our Last Letter from Mr L. was
dated the 3 Aug* and from the whole of his In
telligence, I believe that the Preliminary Articles
in per Verba, form the Definitive Treaty, at last
- The English Ministry press for a resident at
S l James from America I wrote you lately pr
Post & enclosed a medal Rec d from Dr Franklin
I add another herein together with a Letter for
COPY OF TREATY SENT. 395
Mr Montgomery enclosed to me from Amster
dam Nothing further done with regard to your
late office Your affair has been mentioned & I
hope to get it determined next week I am
much obliged by your kind assurance relative to
my unhappy sister Mrs. B. joins me in the
kindest wishes for Mrs. Livingston & your hap
piness
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
ROB T R. LIVINGSTON.
HONORABLE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO HIS EXCELLENCY
ELIAS BOUDINOT, ESQ.
PASSY 27 September 1783.
SIR:
Mr. Thaxter, late Secretary of Mr. Adams, who
is charged with all our dispatches, that were in
tended to go by the French packet boat, writes
from L Orient, that, though he arrived there two
days before the time appointed for her sailing, he
missed reaching her by four hours ; but another
light vessel was fitting, and would sail the 2ist.
instant, in which he hoped to arrive at New York
nearly as soon as the packet. 2 We shall send
duplicates by the next from hence.
In the mean time I enclose a printed copy of
the definitive Treaty, which I hear is ratified.
Indeed, we have the ratification of the prelimi
naries. Mr. Hartley, when he left us, expected
to return in three weeks, in order to proceed with
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
2 Owing to the contrary winds the packet put back and Mr. Thaxter
sailed in her on the 26th.
396 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
us in forming a treaty of commerce. The new
commission, that was intended for us, is not yet
come to hand. With great respect, I have the
honor to be, Sir, c.
B. FRANKLIN. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
PRINCETON Oct ist 1783
SIR
Permit me to ask the attention of your Hon
orable Society to an Extract of a Letter I rec d
lately from the Honble. Wm. Carmichael Secre
tary to the Legation from these States at the
Court of Spain
MADRID 13 March 1783
Since my residence in this Capitol, I have
written several long Letter to the Phil-society in
which among other things I recommended to its
attention, the nomination of Persons in this coun
try as honary members. I know not whether
these letters ever came to hand, for which reason
permit me to suggest to you whether the nomina
tion of the most distinguished literary Characters
in the different Countries of Europe might not
be useful - - The suffrage of the republic of Let
ters contributed to give us a Celebrity during the
War, and this union formed with its Chiefs in
various Countries will secure useful connections
to our Minister, as well as to the American youths
who may travel for Instruction Should this
1 See Franklin s letter to the president of Congress of November i, in
Sparks Works of Franklin.
PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 397
Idea meet your approbation I would take the
liberty of recommending the Count de Campo-
manes, Fiscal of the council of Castile Dr
Gasper Jove Lanosabbe Guavia, Secretary of
Academy of History &c &c.
As I have no doubt of the attachment of your
Society to the Interests of America, and their real
desire of aiding in every thing that will advance
her Reputation & dignity I shall make no apol
ogy for the Liberty I have taken in thus laying
before you an application that may possibly ben
efit our Common Country
If you should think proper to take any resolu
tions in Consequence of this information, I shall
forward the result to our Minister at the Court
of Spain with great pleasure
I have the honor to be with every sentiment of
respect & the most earnest wishes for increase
of experimental knowledge and the prosperity of
your most useful & honorable society,
Your most obdt & very Hble Servt
E. BOUDINOT. 1
To the President or vice President
Philosophical society in Philadelphia.
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL CARLETON.
P. TOWN, Oct I st 1783
SIR
Will your Excellency excuse me for calling
your attention one moment from more important
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
39^ ELIAS BOUDINOT.
Business to a request in favor of a widow & num
ber of children
The principles of Humanity & Benevolence I
am sure will fully apologize to your Excell y for
this Liberty. My Brother in Law the Late
Honble. Rich d Stockton Esq. who Lived in this
Town in the years 1776-7 had the misfortune to
have his whole personal estate seized here by the
british Troops under the Command (I think) of
the present Lord Harcourt His Title Deeds -
Bonds Acct Books, and other Papers therewith,
personal Property to the Amount four or five
Thousand Pounds were taken away The Deeds
Bonds Ace 1 Books & papers would be a great
acquisition to the Widow & Children if they
could be possibly obtained, and they cannot be of
the least use to any other person. Shall I beg
the favour of your Excell y to give orders for an
Inquiry to be made if any of these Articles could
be found by any of the officers under your Direc
tion to have them transmitted to me I hope
your Excely will excuse the trouble I give the
Liberty I take on this occasion
I have the honor &c.
ELIAS BouDiNOT. 1
For Gen 1 CARLETON.
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
CHAPTER XXI.
Mr. Boudinot to His Excellency P. J. Van Berckel, minister from the
Netherlands ; his arrival subject of congratulation ; Mr. Boudinot s
steward to furnish every accommodation ; Congress immediately in
formed of his arrival; to appoint day for audience. Mr. Boudinot
to Hon. Robert Morris, regarding audience. To Colonel Frelinghuy-
sen for same purpose. To General Dickerson for escort of troop.
In Congress. Speech of minister. Letter from their High Mighti
nesses. The President, Mr. Boudinot, replies to Mr. Van Berckel.
Mr. Boudinot to commissioners. Recapitulation from last letter; seat
of government; Treaty; Baron Steuben sent to Canada; regarding
fortifications ; arrival of minister from Holland ; effects of mutiny ; hav
ing seen peace established and signed both preliminary articles and
definitive treaty, happy to retire to private life ; Mr. Mifflin elected to
fill the chair. Proclamations. Cessations of hostilities. Contract
with His Christian Majesty. Thanking the army. Mr. Boudinot to
Hon. Andrew Elliot, offering services and acknowledging his benevolence
and liberality to captives.
AMID the various pressing and important mat
ters which called for attention Mr. Boudinot was
obliged to arrange the details for a ceremonious
reception of the Minister from the Netherlands.
We learn from these letters that, owing to some
mishap, His Excellency was none too well pleased
on his disembarking, and Mr. Boudinot strives to
make amends and to dispel the little cloud on the
diplomatic horizon. Affairs were in some confu
sion, owing to the removal of Congress from Phil
adelphia to Princeton. He sends, however, in
every direction for the proper persons to do honor
to the occasion : to General Dickerson, for a
400 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
troop of horse as an escort; to Colonel Freling-
huysen, begging him to come prepared to read
His Excellency s credentials in Low Dutch; and
urges the presence of such other military officers
and officers of state as may be available.
No doubt this important event was one also of
great local interest, and must have been the means
of calling together many of Jersey s noted ones.
We can imagine our worthy ancestors relaxing
from the strain of war, assembling in the college
hall at Princeton indulging in hearty congratula
tions and in hospitable invitations. The picture
must have been an imposing one : here were con
gregated many of the most distinguished men of
the Revolution to receive the first foreign ambassa
dor who came to us now an acknowledged nation.
MR. BOUDINOT TO HIS EXCELLENCY P. J. VAN BERCKEL.
His EXCELLENCY
P. J. VAN BERCKEL, ESQ.
MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY FROM THEIR HIGH
MIGHTINESSES THE STATES GENERAL OF THE
UNITED NETHERLANDS.
PRINCETON 24" October 1783.
SIR
It was not till this evening that I had the honor
of your Excellency s letter of the 19" inst. by
which I have the happiness of being informed of
your safe arrival after a very tedious passage.
Permit me, most sincerely to congratulate your
Excellency on this happy event, big with the best
consequences to both our nations
THE MINISTER FROM HOLLAND. 401
As soon as your arrival was but rumored here,
my Steward was ordered to do every thing in his
power, to furnish you with my house and any
thing he had in his power for your accommodation.
I hope he has fulfilled my expectations.
This will be handed to you by Mr. Sterett, my
Secretary, who is sent for this purpose that you
may be informed of my being honored with your
favour.
Congress will sit tomorrow, when I shall an
nounce to them the news of your Excellency s
arrival, which, I am assured, will give them very
great pleasure. Their determination on the sub
ject of your audience shall be transmitted without
delay.
My Secretary will proffer you every service in
his power, and at the same time personally assure
your Excellency of my joy on your safe arrival and
the pleasure I shall take in making your residence
with us as agreeable as this Infant Country will
admit.
I have the honor to be &c
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO HON. ROBERT MORRIS.
THE HONORABLE ROBERT MORRIS, Esq.
PRINCETON, 25" October 1783.
SIR
A public audience being determined for the
Honorable The Minister Plenipotentiary from
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 15, p. 252.
402 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
their High Mightinesses, The States General
of the United Netherlands on Thursday next, I
take the earliest opportunity of enclosing you the
act of Congress for this purpose by which you will
see that you have an important part in the cere
mony assigned to you by Congress. Our pecu
liar circumstances made this necessary. The Sec
retary at War is absent but I shall send an
express for him, and expect he will be here on
Monday, so that you will be so kind as to execute
whatever is to be done in the City, and Genl
Lincoln, I doubt not will do his part here till your
arrival.
E. B.
NOTE. A letter, containing the same informa
tion as the above, was dispatched to the honorable
Major General Lincoln. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO COLONEL FREDERICK FRELINGHUYSEN.
COLO. FREDERICK FRELINGHUYSEN,
PRINCETON 29" October 1783
The Minister Plenipotentiary from the United
Netherlands is arrived, and is to have his public
audience at this place on Friday next at noon.
His credentials are in low Dutch, and it is neces
sary that we have a proper person to read them
over in that language, in public at the Audience,
before a translation is read.
Congress have directed me to ask that favour
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 255.
TO GENERAL PHILEMON DICKINSON. 403
of you as the most proper person we can think of.
Shall I beg a compliance with this request? Be
so good as to let me have a line by the bearer,
who is sent Express for this purpose. If any
accident should prevent your being here early on
Friday morning, be so good as to recommend
some proper person on this occasion, lest we
should be disappointed on that important event.
I enclose a copy of the Credentials, that you
may prepare a translation at leisure.
Yours &c.
E. B. 1
MR. BOUDINOT TO GENERAL PHILEMON DICKINSON.
(Private)
P. T Oct. 291783
DEAR SIR,
Congress have agreed to give the Minister
plen from the United Netherlands, his public
audience on Friday next at noon. He is to pass
through Trenton tomorrow noon As he has
o
been rather disgusted with his reception at his
first landing, I wish to pay him every proper
mark of respect, at his entering into this State.
Could you not get the Troop of Horse in your
Neighborhood to turn out & escort him from the
Ferry thro the Town It would give reputation
to the character of our State abroad and it would
be increasing ... of the business if the Gent n of
Trenton were to wait on him, as he passed thro,
the Town.
1 MSS. Archives, Department of State, Washington, D. C., Papers of
the Continental Congress, No. 16, p. 260.
404 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
I thought it my duty as a Citizen of Jersey to
give you these few hints which you can improve
as you think proper.
Suffer me to congratulate you on the public
Honor paid you by your country Mrs B. &
Miss Susan join me in best compliments to Mrs
Dickinson
I have the honor to be
E. B. 1
The Hon We Genl DICKINSON.
From "Journal of Congress," Friday, October
31, 1783, is the following :-
" According to order, the Hon. P. J. Van
Berckel, Minister Plenipotentiary from their high
Mightinesses the States General of the United
Netherlands, was admitted to an audience. And
upon being introduced, he addressed Congress in
a speech, of which the following is a translation :
" GENTLEMEN OF THE CONGRESS : Previous to
My laying before you the Commission with which
their high Mightinesses the States General of the
United Netherlands have honored me, permit me
to express the joy I feel on finding Myself this
day in this Assembly, and meeting those illustri
ous men whom the present Age admires, and
whom posterity will always point to as Models of
patriotism, and whose merits eternity itself can
alone recompense.
"While all Europe kept its eyes fixed on your
exploits, their high Mightinesses could not refrain
1 Pennsylvania Historical Society.
SPEECH OF MR. VAN BERCKEL. 405
from very seriously interesting themselves therein,
recollecting as they always did the dangers and
difficulties to which their fore-fathers were sub
jected, before they could free themselves from
the yoke in which they were enthralled. They
knew better than any other the worth of indepen
dence, and they knew how to set a just value on
the greatness of your designs. They applauded
your generous enterprise, which was inspired by
a love of your country, conducted with prudence
and supported with heroic courage, and they re
joiced at the happy success which crowned your
labors.
" In order to convince you of their affection,
and the part they take in whatever regards your
republic, My Masters have charged me to congrat
ulate you on the accomplishment of your desire,
which had for its object the power of your ow T n
absolute will, and the enjoyment of that inestima
ble and natural treasure which places you in the
rank of sovereign and independent powers.
" How flattering is it to me to find myself this
day the organ and interpreter of the sentiments
and dispositions of My Masters, and to have it in
my power to assure you, on their behalf, that there
is nothing which they more ardently wish than
the happiness of your republic and the establish
ment of the union of your States. May this
Union, founded on the principles of true patriot
ism and a love for the public good, be cemented
in such a manner, that neither false Ambition,
406 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
jealousy, or private interest, may ever be able to
do it the least injury. May the administration of
a wise and prudent government, dispense happi
ness and plenty among the people and give them
a glory extending from pole to pole, and as last
ing as ages.
" Gentlemen, Their high Mightinesses are not
content with sending Compliments of congratula
tion, which are in themselves unfruitful, but being
convinced that an intercourse of Commerce and
Mutual "good will, are the surest means of binding
closer those Sacred bonds of friendship, which al
ready unite you together ; they have commanded
me to assure you, that they have nothing nearer
at heart than to labour effectually to render this
friendship fruitful and profitable and to contribute
as far as possible to the aggrandizement of an
ally, from whom they promise themselves the
same efforts. This is a sketch, but a very feeble
and imperfect sketch of the Sentiments of My
Masters, whose Sincerity Surpasses expression,
but which is however manifested in the letter
which I shall have the honor to deliver you.
This, gentlemen, is the purpose of the Mission
with which they have honored me. May it be in
my power worthily to answer their expectation,
and at the same time to gain your affection and
confidence, which are so necessary for the Success
of my undertaking. As to Myself, without guile
and without artifice, I shall always conduct myself
with that rectitude, candor, and cordiality, which
LETTER FROM THEIR HIGH MIGHTINESSES. 407
form the distinguishing character of a true repub
lican, and which is at the same time the best
security for My attaining the point of My Ambi
tion, which is that of gaining the Approbation of
Congress, the friendship of its Members, and the
esteem of the United States of America.
" He then delivered the letter from their high
Mightinesses the States General of which the fol
lowing is a translation :
" To THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CON
GRESS ASSEMBLED.
"Our Friends and Allies, With very great satis
faction did we, by the reception of the honorable
Mr. Adams, your Minister with our State, ac
knowledge the independence of your Republic,
and with equal and much greater delight have \ve
received the pleasing tidings of the conclusion of
the preliminary articles of peace, by which the
Court of Great Britain has declared you free
and independent states. We have long ardently
wished for this happy period, having for several
years past, with sorrow seen the troubles and
difficulties with which you \vere obliged to strug
gle. And we do most cordially congratulate you
on this happy event, sincerely taking a share in
your present agreeable situation.
" To give a testimony of our sentiments in this
respect, and to convince you of our unfeigned
esteem, we have thought it proper to send to you
an envoy extraordinary ; we have for that pur
pose chosen a gentleman of distinction, whose
408 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
personal qualifications are in great repute among
us ; the honorable Mr. Peter John Van Berckel,
burgo- Master of the City of Rotterdam, and a
deputy in our Assembly. We hope and trust
that you will graciously receive this gentleman in
quality of our Minister plenipotentiary, and when
he shall have the honor to deliver you these pre
sents, and to enter into further negotiations with
you, that you will give full faith unto him as unto
ourselves, being assured that he will not be able
to express in terms too strong the Sentiments of
esteem and reverence which we have for a long
o
time possessed for that wisdom, courage and per-
severence by which you have rendered yourselves
famous throughout the world.
" May God grant that your rising republic may
become more and more prosperous ; that it may
increase in lustre and glory, and subsist to the
end of time.
" We shall at all times rejoice in your increas
ing felicity; and we desire nothing more ardently
than that we may maintain the strictest friendship
and correspondence with you, for the good of the
subjects and inhabitants of both countries.
" This letter being read, the president M r Bou-
dinot returned the following answer to the Min
ister :
" SIR : In a contest for the rights of human na
ture, the citizens of the United States of America,
could not but be impressed with the glorious ex
ample of those illustrious patriots, who, triumph-
MR. BOUDINOTS REPLY TO THE MINISTER. 409
ing over every difficulty and danger, established
the liberties of the United Netherlands on the
most honorable and permanent basis. Congress,
at an early period of the war sought the friend
ship of their high Mightinesses; convinced that
the same inviolable regard for liberty, and the
same wisdom, justice and magnanimity which led
their forefathers to glory, was handed down unim
paired to their posterity ; and our satisfaction was
great in accomplishing with them a treaty of
Amity and Commerce on terms, so acceptable to
both nations.
" With the sincerest pleasure, Sir, we receive the
honorable testimonials of Confidence and esteem
of their high Mightinesses, and their affectionate
congratulations on the success of our efforts in
the sacred cause of liberty.
" We assure you, Sir, that it is our earnest de
sire, to unite with their high Mightinesses in
every Measure which can promote the Most un
reserved Confidence, and the most friendly inter
course between two nations, which have vindi
cated their freedom amidst the most trying scenes
of danger and distress, and have been equally
blessed by the gracious interposition of Divine
Providence, with that Sovereignty and indepen
dence so essential to their safety and happiness.
" Governed by the same ardent love of Free
dom, and the same Maxims of policy, cemented by
a liberal system of Commerce, and earnestly dis
posed to advance our mutual prosperity, by a
4IO ELIAS BOUDINOT.
reciprocity of good offices ; we persuade our
selves that the most friendly and beneficial con
nexion between the two republics will be pre
served inviolate to the latest ages.
" It adds, Sir, greatly to our pleasure on this
interesting occasion, that their high Mightinesses
have employed as their Minister, a gentleman so
highly celebrated for rectitude and patriotism and
from whose illustrious family these United States
have received the Most distinguished proofs of
regard and friendship." 1
FROM MR. BOUDINOT TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
PRIXCETOWN Oct. 2; th 1783
To THE HON BLE COMMISSIONERS
GENTLEMEN
Previous to my leaving the Chair of Congress,
I take the liberty again to address you, merely as
an individual that you may not be left totally
without Information until the Choice of a Minis
ter for foreign Affairs shall take place. I have
pressed Congress much on this subject, and am
fully convinced of the difficult Situation you must
be in for want of Information from this important
Office I have the honor of acknowledging the
rec 1 of your several favours of the My last
addressed to you, was on the 15* of July giving
you a minute account of the Mutiny of the Soldiers
1 From Journals of Congress, from April i, 1782, to November i, 1788,
inclusive, vol. iv. pp. 309, 310, 311.
LETTER TO COMMISSIONERS. 4! I
in Philadelphia and of our subsequent removal
to this Place since which we have remained
here tho. in but indifferent Circumstances of ac
commodation Congress lately have determined
to fix their place of Residence at the Head of the
Delaware over the Falls of Trenton -They take
in contemplation to fix another place the Falls of
Potomack near Georgetown and to sit alternately
at each Place year about They have also deter
mined to adjourn on the 8 th Nov r to Annapolis for
their temporary residence They have also passed
several important Acts lately, which you will see by
the several Proclamations contained in the News
papers which I do myself the honor of transmit
ting herewith from the month of Sep* 2 cl
Congress have not yet taken the Appointment of
a minister for foreign Affairs under Consideration,
as their Time is principally taken up with previous
measures of a Peace arrangement both Civil &
Military It will now be put off till the removal
to Annapolis I shall add to this Letter (I be
lieve) several Acts of Congress In consequence
of a Report on your last Official Letter we have
been most Anxiously (looking (?)) for the Defini
tive Treaty which is really a matter of much more
importance in this Country than it is in Europe
-The States at best cannot be convinced that
Peace is made to any Purpose without this wel
come Act, and the Conduct of the British in these
States has confirmed them in the Opinion We
lately sent Baron Steuben to Canada to settle
412 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
with Gen 1 Waldenson the Time and manner of
delivering up & receiving the Posts and fortifi
cations on the Frontiers whenever .that Gen 1 should
be ready so to do He was refused even a confer
ence on the subject Gen 1 Waldenson declaring
that he knew of no Peace between Britain and
America, that his orders were to cease Hostilities
which he had carefully done but could go no
further The Baron thinks they are planning
their schemes in Canada for holding the Frontier
Posts for a year or two longer which would prove
ruinous to these States rendition of them must be
urged without delay. The Minister from Hol
land is arrived and to receive his public Audience
on Friday next.
The Effects of the Mutiny in Philadelphia are
all done away The Sergeants who were con
demned to die, rec d Pardon from Congress in the
very last moment of despair this has had a good
Effect and the Army have been disbanded without
any bad consequences but unhappily without
Money.
Nov. i st Yesterday we gave public audience
to M r Van Berckel Just before the Ceremony
began Col Ogden arrived with the News of the
completion of the Definitive Treaty, this gave a
large addition to the general Joy that was already
great on the occasion of the Day M r Van
Berckel appears to be a person very much suited
to the Manners of our People and I am very
much mistaken if he does not do great honor to
TO HONORABLE ANDREW ELLIOT. 413
his Commission I shall endeavour to enclose his
address and our answer Nov r 3 d - -This Morn
ing Congress met & made choice of a new Pres
ident for the ensuing Year General Mifflin was
unanimously chosen, tho absent I suppose he will
take the Chair in a day or two I feel myself
very happy in having filled up my year and that
after having devoted myself altogether to the
Public Service for near eight years, I am like to
retire to private Life under the blessings of so
glorious a Peace My Presidentship has also
been honored by the Signature of both Prelimi
nary Articles & Definitive Treaty which has
greatly compensated for all my other Sacrifices.
E B. 1
Commissioners
Private
Amid his other cares he finds time to write
TO THE HON. ANDREW ELLIOT.
PRINCETON, Oct. 29, 1783.
SIR:
Being lately informed with some degree of cer
tainty, that you mean to leave the City of New
York for Europe with the British Troops, and not
knowing whether it was matter of choice or from
any apprehension of your remaining being disa
greeable to the State, permit me Sir, to offer you
any services in my power, and to assure that as
far as I can judge, your stay will be both agreeable
and pleasing to any State where you may think
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
414 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
proper to reside, and to promise that I will
undertake to obtain the most ample acknowledge
ment of this Temper from the Government of
either of the States you may think proper for this
purpose, if you should require it : having been
fully convinced of the rectitude of your conduct
throughout the late disagreeable contest and
having experienced the happy effects of your lib
erality and benevolence to multitudes of our un
happy citizens who have suffered captivity by the
fortune of war, I could not withhold my testimony
to your goodness and contribute my mite in giving
you Election as to your residence in this country
as far as was in my power.
I have the honor to be with every sentiment of
esteem, & respect, Sir,
Yours, &c.
E. BOUDINOT. 1
The Honorable ANDREW ELLIOT Esq.
New York.
BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED :
To all who shall see these presents, send greet
ing: Whereas, Benjamin Franklin, our Minister
Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, in pur
suance of the powers in him vested, did, on the
25th day of February, in the year 1783, with
Charles Gravier de Vergennes, &c. Counsellor
of the King in all his councils, commander of his
orders, minister and secretary of State &c. vested
with full power of his most Christian Majesty for
1 Elias Boudinot s letter book.
PROCLAMATIONS. 4 1 5
the purpose, enter into, conclude and sign a con
tract between his most Christian Majesty and the
United States of North America, in the words
following, viz (Here insert the contract at large)
Now know ye, That we the said United States
in Congress assembled, impressed with a lively
sense of the assistance and affection manifested
by his most Christian Majesty in the above con
tract, have ratified and confirmed, and by these
presents do ratify and confirm the said contract,
and every article thereof, and we do hereby em
power our minister plenipotentiary at the Court
of Versailles, to deliver this our ratification in
exchange for the ratification of the said contract
on the part of his most Christian Majesty. In
testimony whereof, we have caused our seal to be
hereunto affixed, witness his Excellency Elias
Boudinot, president, this 3i s t day of October,
1783, and of our sovereignty and independence
the eighth. 1
BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED I
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas it hath pleased the Supreme Ruler
of all human events, to dispose the hearts of the
late belligerent powers to put a period to the effu
sion of human blood by proclaiming a cessation of
all hostilities by Sea and land, and these United
States are not only happily rescued from the dan-
1 Journal of Congress, edition of 1800, vol. viii. p. 331.
41 6 ELI AS BOUDINOT.
gers and calamities to which they have been so
long exposed, but their freedom, sovereignty and
independence ultimately acknowledged. And
whereas in the progress of a contest on which the
most essential rights of human nature depended,
the interposition of Divine Providence in our
favour hath been most abundantly and most
graciously manifested, and the citizens of these
United States have every reason for praise and
gratitude to the God of their salvation. Im
pressed, therefore, with an exalted sense of the
blessings by which we are surrounded, and of our
entire dependence on that Almighty Being, from
whose goodness and Bounty they are derived, the
United States in Congress assembled, do recom
mend it to the several States, to set apart the
second Thursday in December next, as a day of
public thanksgiving, that all the people may then
assemble to celebrate with grateful hearts and
united voices, the praises of their Supreme and all
bountiful Benefactor, for his numberless favours
and mercies. That he hath been pleased to con
duct us in safety through all the perils and vicis
situdes of the war ; that he hath given us una
nimity and resolution to adhere to our just rights,
that he hath raised up a powerful ally to assist us
in supporting them, and hath so far crowned our
united efforts with success, that in the course of
the present year, hostilities have ceased, and we
are left in the undisputed possession of our liberty
PROCLAMATIONS. 4 I 7
and independence, and of the fruits of our Iand 5
and in the free participation of the treasures of
the sea ; that he hath prospered the labour of our
husbandmen with plentiful harvests ; and above
all, that he hath been pleased to continue to us
the light of the blessed gospel, and secured to
us in the fullest extent the rights of conscience
in faith and worship. And while our hearts over
flow with gratitude, and our lips set forth the
praises of our great Creator, that we also offer
up fervent supplications, that it may please him
to pardon all our offences, to give wisdom and
unanimity to our public councils, to cement all
our citizens in the bonds of affection, and to in
spire them with an earnest regard for the national
honor and interest, to enable them to improve
the days of prosperity by every good work, and
to be lovers of peace and tranquillity, that he may
be pleased to bless us in our husbandry, our com
merce and navigation, to smile upon our semi
naries and means of education, to cause pure
religion and virtue to flourish, to give peace to
all nations and to fill the world with his glory.
Done by the United States in Congress as
sembled, witness his Excellency Elias Boudinot,
our president, this iSth day of October, in the
year of our Lord 1783, and of the sovereignty
and independence of the United States of Amer
ica the eighth. 1
1 Journal of Congress, edition of 1800, vol. viii. p. 312.
418 ELIAS BOUDINOT.
BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas in the progress of an arduous and
difficult war, the armies of the United States of
America, have eminently displayed every military
and patriotic virtue, and are not less to be ap
plauded for their fortitude and magnanimity in
the most trying scenes of distress, than for a series
of heroic and illustrious achievements which exalt
them to a high rank among the most zealous and
successful defenders of the rights and liberties of
mankind. And whereas by the blessing of Di
vine Providence on our cause and our arms, the
glorious period is arrived when our national inde
pendence and sovereignty are established, and we
enjoy the prospect of a permanent and honorable
peace ; we therefore, the United States in Con
gress assembled, thus impressed with a lively
sense of the distinguished merit and or>od con-
o o
duct of the said armies, do give them the thanks
of their country, for their long, eminent, and faith
ful services. And it is our will and pleasure, that
such part of the federal armies as stand engaged
to serve during the war, and as by our acts of the
26" day of May, the 11" day of June, the 9" day
of August, and the 26" day of September last,
were furloughed, shall, from and after the 3d day
of November next, be absolutely discharged by
virtue of this our proclamation from the said ser-
PROCLAMATIONS. 4 1 9
vice : and we do also declare, that the further
services in the field, of the officers who are de
ranged and on furlough in consequence of our
aforesaid acts, can now be dispenced with, and
they have our full permission to retire from ser
vice, without being longer liable from their pre
sent engagements, to be called into command.
And of such discharge and permission to retire
from service respectively, all our officers, civil and
military, and all others whom it may concern, are
required to take notice, and to govern themselves
accordingly.
Given under the seal of the United States in
Congress assembled, witness his excellency Elias
Boudinot, our president in Congress, this 18" day
of October in the year of our Lord 1783, and of
the sovereignty and independence of the United
States of America the eighth. 1
1 Journal of Congress, edition of 1800, vol. viii. p. 213.
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