SAMUEL TUCKER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read July 1, 1776.]

Trenton, New-Jersey, June 30, 1776.

SIR: At the repeated solicitation of Captain Thompson and Mr. Alexander MacCulloch, I beg leave to trouble you with their letter as enclosed, open, as from their particular circumstances they call up the feelings of humanity.

Mr. Thompson is an infirm old man, has a wife and four children, and, as far as I can judge, has but little to support them.

Mr. MacCulloch lost his wife at Quebeck, has two daughters left, and his all is in Quebeck, as he informs me. All they seem to desire is, that if an exchange of prisoners should take place, that, from their particular circumstances, they may be among the first.

Our Convention continue sitting at Burlington, and propose rising this week, unless something of importance should occur to prevent. I came from thence this morning; and have the honour to be your most obedient, humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.

Burlington, New-Jersey, June 29, 1776.

SIR: A current report prevails here that, in consequence of the cartel entered into between General Arnold and Captain Forster, an exchange of prisoners is like to take place; and as we are in another channel than that of the Army, we are under some apprehensions that we may be forgotten; we therefore have taken this early method of troubling you, entreating you would be pleased to direct that our names may be inserted amongst those who are to be exchanged, should such a thing take place. Our families, property, &c., being within the garrison of Quebeck, we hope your general well-known humanity will gain us your powerful weight on this occasion.

Please excuse this liberty, and we are, most respectfully, sir, your most humble servants,

ZACH. THOMPSON, Captain Naval Dept. and Master Ship-builder at St. Johns. ALEX. MACCULLOCH, D’y Com’y General for the Province of Quebeck, made prisoner at Chambly.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

EDWARD THOMAS TO GENERAL WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.

DEAR GENERAL: Being called into this part of the country upon some private business of my own, and having the general good always at heart, I have taken some pains to inquire as to the state of the new levies, and, from what I can collect, I believe the companies in this County are not above half full, although some of the companies have augmented the bounty to eight pounds Proclamation money. In Somerset I believe it is not much better.

There are numbers of tenants that say if they are taken away at this season of the year, they may as well knock their families in the head, for that they will be ruined. At a muster some time past in order to recruit men, one-half of two companies came with clubs. Colonel Johnson was knocked down by them, and was afterwards obliged to retreat. The same day one of the Captains was much beaten by them. —— has been to Congress, and has obtained an order for taking them up. When the Militia collected they dispersed, and several that were called Tories have since appeared to be staunch Whigs, and as long as they are kept in fear, I suppose will continue such.

EDWARD THOMAS.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO WILLIAM BURNET.

New-York, June 30, 1776.

SIR: I received your favour by Mr. Treat, and cannot but consider the officer of Mr. Franklin’s guard extremely blameable for his conduct. It is certainly his indispensable duty to conduct Mr. Franklin to the place the Convention have ordered without delay. The circumstances you represent, his letter to his lady, and the whole complexion of the case, afford a strong presumption, nay, much more, full evidence, that he means to escape, if possible. He says in his letter “that during his respite, the time between his writing and getting an answer from Congress, something may turn up to make his removal improper, and at any rate to gain time will be of advantage.” I have written to the Captain of his guard upon the subject; and as Mr. Franklin has evidenced a most unfriendly disposition to our cause; as the Colony Convention have ordered him to Connecticut for refusing to comply with such terms as they deemed necessary and proper for him to enter into to procure his liberty; as he does not propose to sign the parole which they formed, but has proposed several alterations, —I am of opinion your Committee should interfere in the matter and give immediate orders to the officer of the guard to proceed with him in execution of the duty wherewith he is charged; and further, if you apprehend there is the least danger of his being rescued, or of the guard appointed to escort him being remiss in their duty, that your Committee should appoint a strong escort for the purpose, and direct them to assist in performing the views of the Convention, and conduct him securely to the place fixed upon to receive him.

I have enclosed the letter for the officer of the guard, which, having read, you will seal and transmit him.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Dr. William Burnet, Chairman of Committee of Essex County, New-Jersey.

P. S. I am of opinion that if Mr. Franklin should con sent to give the parole required by Convention, the officer has no power to take it unless he has been instructed by them to do it, and should not delay proceeding with him if that proposition was made, much more on account of what has been. The letter he designed for Mrs. Franklin should be taken care of; it may be of service.

Head-Quarters, New-York, June 30, 1776.

SIR: I understand that the Convention of New-Jersey did resolve that Governour Franklin was an enemy to the liberties of America, and that he should be conducted, under a safe guard, into Connecticut; and for that purpose he was committed to your charge. I have this morning received information that you have halted with him at Hackensack. I would enjoin it upon you to set off immediately, and carry the resolve of the Convention into execution. Delays are dangerous, and should any accident happen, you never could answer your neglect to our much injured country. I would, therefore, again repeat to you, that it is my advice, immediately on receipt of this, to set forward on your journey with Governour Franklin, and make all possible despatch for the place you are ordered to. Governour Franklin once had his choice, and chose Connecticut, and it is not for you to hesitate on frivolous pretences, but do your utmost to execute the orders you have received in every particular.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Captain of Governour Franklin’s guard.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read July 2, 1776.]

New-York, June 30, 1776.

SIR: I had the pleasure of receiving your favour of the 29th early this morning, with which you have been pleased to honour me, together with the resolves for a further augmentation of our Army.

The battalion of Germans which Congress have ordered to be raised will be a corps of much service, and I am hopeful that such persons will be appointed officers as will complete their inlistments with all possible expedition.

I shall communicate to Colonel Stephenson and one of his Field Officers what you have requested, and direct them to repair immediately to Philadelphia. It is an unlucky circumstance that the term of inlistment of these three companies, and of the Rifle battalion, should expire at this time, when a hot campaign is, in all probability, about to commence.

Canada, it is certain, would have been an important acquisition, and well worth the expenses incurred in the pursuit of it. But as we could not reduce it to our possession, the retreat of our Army with so little loss, under such a variety of distresses, must be esteemed a most fortunate event.

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