The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-01-16 00:00:00, page 2

TO their Excellencies the President of Congrefs
£ and the Governor of .New-Jerfe,, to Generals
Smallwood and Gift, Colonels * Swoope, Grub, Donald-
Jon, and every ot^r officer who was present in that tour
of dwy, I appeal for their deci nation what was my be
haviour durhig that who'e period. One defeat I labour
under, in rctoileaing which, feme of you. Gentlemen,
will, I douhi no,, drop a tear. I cannot appeal to —
a Mcr^r. Neither can bapprai to a f Piper, who would
have i^wn as'ready a witnefc in fir/port of truth, as he
was of freedom.
T -the two net dibinpniihed characters, whom I then
almost daily f.w, and to the Colonels abovementioned, I
particularly appeal, as able to ratify the earned and re
peaDd efforts cade In me to appease the diffatisfadtions
of tier militia.and persuade them to maintain their pof, or
march .forward, as exigencies required—and with what
success thole eHint, were made, even after part of the
militia at a neighbouring post had broke up and returned
home,
I have every reason to believe, that many inhabitants
in oar lifter State of New-ferfey, whole cause I particu
larly pleaded on those affixing occasions, preserve to this
day a grateful remembrance of my cares and labors for
her welfare.
Let th * Gentlemen let every officer and private
who were there, fay What was my behaviour, when ,
noon intelligence rec< ived by Governor Livingfor., and
credited by us ail, " that we were to be attacked early
in the mcrning°--^our troops were federal times formed
before day break to receive cur enemies.
If any of you, Gentlemen, bill doubt whether I was
willing to face 'danger in your defence and for the pro
motion of your happiness, turn to the records of the last
Convention, where you will find these entries:
" Monday, dugu/l 12, 1776.
" A letter from Col nel Dickinson, informing of the
dTertion of two soldiers of his battalion, was read, and
ordered to be referred to the Council of Safety.
" Letters from General Mercer and Colonel Dickinfori,
relative to the desertions of the militia, were, by order
of Congress, bed before this House."
" Friday, Augttf 16, 1776.
" A letter was read, from Colonel Dickinson, at the
camp, complaining of the desertion of forhe of the affo
ciators^nd praying that the Convention would provide
some remedy in that case: Whereupon the House agreed
to the following refutations, viz.
" Whereas this Convention hath received informa
tion, that ftveral associators of this State have deserted
the camp in j he face of the enemy, and returned
home before the formation of the flying camp, and
without the leave of their Commanding Officers, to the
great danger of the PUBLIC, and evil example to
others: It is therefore
" Refolded lit. That all such associators as shall join
their refpeHive corps, at the camp from whence they
came, in eight days from this date, with such arms and ac
coutrgnents as they may have brought away with them,
shall be exempted from any punishment; and those who
neglect so to do, shall be apprehended, and sent under a
guard to the camp, there to be tried ; and in case of ab
sconding, or concealing their arms, that they be adver
tised in the public news-papers, and the reward of Three
Pounds offered for apprehending every such person. And
every associator, who shall hereafter desert his colours,
shall be treated as th fe who have already deserted, and
negled to join their refpedrve corps, agreeable to this
resolve.
" Refolded 2d. That the commanding Officers of the
companies or battalions of the militia of this State, who
are now on their mirch to New-'ferfey, do apprehend
all deferttrs they meet on the road, and convey them
under a guard to the Camp.
" Refolded 3d. That, notwithstanding the foregoing
resolutions, it is not the intention of this Convention to
detain the militia unnecessarily from home: The afreia
tors are therefore assured, that as soon as the flying camp
is formed, and the public safety will admit, they
shall be permitted to return home."
Thus careful and diligent was I in watching over and
guarding " the public Safety," from " the great
danger" that then threatened 1. Great indeed it was;
and it is impossible, but that many of you must perfectly
well remember to what a critical filiation our affairs were
thereby reduced. Let every man of you, Gentlemen,
nor in taverns or at the corners <f fireels, amidst the cir
culating curses of disappointment, but in his closet,
lay his hand upon his heart, and seriously ask, what it
thinks of me? You have brave men, sensible men amongif
you. Several such, of you, were then in service. Is it
not remarkable, that I, DEGRADED and insulted As I
was, fhoud be the only man of Pennsylvania, who
pursued and procured effectual measures, to remedy
the evil that was destroying “ the public safety,"
and to keep the militia, and of courJe himfelf, fill longer in
a place of evident danger ?
Look, if you please, at the Journals of Congress, of
" Monday, August 12, 1776,"^ and you will find that my
letter, laid before the Convention as above-mentioned by
order, was directed to General Mercer, and by him in
clofed in his letter to Congress; so that I had the honor of
co operating with him in the steps taken to retain the mi
litia in service, till the flying camp could be formed. Let
malevolence itfelf fit judge, and allot'me my share in
the 11most honorable dismission, which that brave
man afterwards gave us. §
# Contrition of Trelident DICKIN
SON's Address.
-ft Colonel jamet Pi,er, of Sbi,,tfourth, in Cumberland coun
ty, Pemfylvama, and afterwards of Hopewell townfllip, in the
countv of Bedford.
J Vol. 11. ' Page 306.
|| “GENERAL ORDER S.
Utad-Duarten, Ekzabetb-Tawn, ityb August, 1776.
" General Mercer desires his m ft grateful acknowledgments
may be Signified to the Ger t ernen ass ciators <f Pennsylvania, for
the great attention they have paid to every part of military duty,
while under his command.—He is happy to have it in his power
to relieve them, agreeable to order of Convention and hopes the
quota of men to be furnished by such battalions will be fpeedly
made up, in proportion to the numbers on duty here, that no de
-la, may be given to the molt honorable difmiflion of the remain
der."
§ Perhaps the zeal with which I afted for the service of my
country, throughout this tour of duty, may be further evidenced
* The names of many other officers are not remembered, and
therefore omitted.
1 remained with the militia to the end of our tour.
Toyou, Gentlemen, I appeal, if my conduct during that
tour was not yniverfdly approved. I confide in your
candor, for the fubßitution of another expression.
I retained my poll of Colonel for some time after my
return, at the f bicitath 11 of the officers, who were in
hopes that a better disposition towards me would suc
ceed. At length, on the 28111 of September, 1776, the
C invention, that had been summoned for the * " ex
pref, purples of forming a new government, appointing
Delegates in Congress, and a Council of Safety," Hepped
unnecessarily beyond the purposes marked out for them,
by those who called them, and confirmed the two Briga
diers over me. The next day but one, I resigned i/jJfrfo
ing my command of the firft battalion.
Even after this resignation, I would ftiil have accepted
the command again, if I could have perceived any fymp
torcs of a relaxation in my favour. But, it was evident
" S I R, Pertb-Amboy, fuy 30, 1776.
" I emclofe you a copy cf what the officers determined on ye
frerday, relative to the rations.---I have this m rning received
inttruaions from Head-Quarters, to have proper boats built, for
the purpose of tianforrting troops with fafe'y and expedition. —
I am told that Captain Manuel Eyres, cf your regiment, would be
a very proper person to direct this business.—We fl: old have at
lead twenty of them prepared.—The service requires that we
should as speedily as prfiib e fe: about this matter After con
futing with Captain Eyres, you will be atle to furnilh me with
such hints, as may greatly expedite the service. I am, Sir,
lour ms reffreEtful and your obedient Servant,
HUGH MERCER.”
Directed as before.
"SIR. Per b-Aml,, futy 20, 1776.
" Ve have t? dav had a Court or Enquiry or the Command
ing Officers cf Battalions; to rrAify, if possible, the d formers in
.the management of the C >miffiry's branch rs business.
I havr wrote to General WaJb'rgton It will give me pleasure
to remove the drcontents.— in the mean time take what me
thod ap ears to you meft likely to anther that purpose.
Signed and ad rffd us before---and thus endorsed by mflf Joon
afar receding if —
” Procured the troops Rationed here to be fatisfied with their
provisions. J. D."
" In cunGquence of your favour to-day, I have ordered am
munition ter the troops at EvcAatb-'K'wn, also tw^ pieces of
cannu , with their an.eg inerit of neceliay articles. They will
be wi h you to morrow, and I will do myfef the plealure cf
then paying you my ielpecT. I am very ferry y udo not find
people pLuatrd with such fprit as you wifn. General Wafeing
lor, under tie dread ot leaving An pay of the cvvry naked,
through the de ertion of such numbers, has directed me to fend
no more men, after Colonel Atlee's, to Nezu-York.
Si net R. MERCER.
To Colonel John Dickinson,
come and ng at Ehzabetb-Tron."
Thus endorsed by me - " jul, 30, 1776, I took all the
nec. Airy Reps on this letter collected a dozen of the mod
proper persons conferred with General Livingfion and them,
procured all the information I could, and sent Captain
Eyes and Mr, ffoua Mercercau, July gift, to General Meicer,
frhis final orders Wrote to him at large, with Rme material
intelligence I had received concerning the weak guard on New
ark Bay---Sect him the befi map of Staten-Island that has yet been
made, which I procured Mt. Mercereau to make. J. D.”
", The design was, an attack on Staten-Ifand."
"SIR, Woodbridge, Auguf 3, 1776,
" The account you gave me of the disposition of bat
talion hath appeared, the more I think or it, the more alarm
ing.---That no inconfideiate step may be taken, I have had the
opinion of the Field Officers and others here, on the occasion --
they j in unanimously in opir ion with me, that the orders slued
lad week, relative to such of the affuc°at <rs as should presume
to desert the service of their country at this critical time, ought
to be enforced." Signed and directed as before.
by the following extracts, from some of a great rubber of
original uppers n< w in my poileffion, and all relating to the bu
siness uh <g that tour.
"SIR, Perth-Amboy, Auguftn, 1776.
" I rece ved your favour by Mr. Brown, and in consequence
of you- intelligence have sent off an express with letters, one to
the Conven it n of N^w-ferfey, acquainting them of the defec
tion of numbers of the Pennfhania militia, and desiring them
to order out their militia, to guard the ferries, and take other
effectual fleps to secure the deserters---th e other to Con refs
advising them ot the unhappy disposition of the militia,
and desiring them to take such ftep® as might seem neceffa y on
the occasion as theft pans were like to be left exp fed to the enemy.---
In consequence of a requiliton from General WaJhington, I have
ordered a number cf troops to New-Yu?k --Colonel Miles, with
about 7co riflemen, marches this day---Colonel Atlee, with his
battalion and a number more, will march to-morrow.---To faci
iitate their march, I have thought some might be puffed over in
boats from Crane s ferry to B-vwn's ferry., on Hickinfack---theie
lore al the boats that car . be had up the river should be col
leaed.”Signed and direHed as before.
Thus enderfed by me --" This letter was received on the loth
of August, 1776, therefore dated wrong—consulted the Com
mittee on the measure proposed, who difappioved it Acquaint
ed General Mercer with the reasons."
"SIR, Pertb-Amby, Augu9 11, 1776.
“ I had intended to have ordered Colonel Grub's battalion, of
Lancafler county, to New-York but I have ordered them to
Elizabeth Town. You will use your utmost address to indu e the
" Te company seem determined to go off to-morrow
morning.---Their going will, ih my opinion, be followed by the
firft battalion, and the rest.---The present is a matter of infinite
consequence. If Colonel Dickinfen will cive his sentiments to
the battalion this afternoon, I am convinced it would be effectual
in quieting the present disturbance.”
Letter from an officer to me.
* Minutes of the Conference of Committees, held at Carpenters-
Ilall—p^s 36 and 41.
militia to perform their duty at this critical time, • >hen the fate
of America is so near being determined. Colonel Grub is very
willing to go any where. I have desired him to consult with
you on the defence of the Je # fry shore. Be so good, to point
out to him the ne'ceffity of strong guards oh Bergen-Deck."
Signed and direEled as above.
"S I R, Perth-Amboy, Augnftls, 1^76.
" I wrote to you a few hours ago, that Colonel Grub would
march with his battalion for Elixabetb-T van to-morrow morn
ing, which I hope will be time enough to reinforce your 1 off.---
This m rning I wrote to your brother, the General, to take the
most effectual measures to co-operate with us.”
“ S I R,
S I R,
Signed and direfled as before.
Several unhappy events afterwards took place, that
halteiied the execution of the second resolution. The
Britfb army, after maneuvering some time in New-fer
fey, advanced to the Delaware.
that too many f minds were inflamed and hardened.
Public affairs were managed, and in my opinion were like
ly to be managed, in this state, in such a manner, that I
thought I saw a fierce authority impending over it. Such
a command, under rulers in such a temper, was a “ dan
ger" I did not choose to encounter. My honor had been
repeatedly wounded by them. They might defray it.
An errrr, or even a misfortune in my military capacity,
.might have drawn down upon me the vengeance of those;
who were fufficientiy incensed and fixed in dominion to
wreak it upon me with impunity, perhaps, with applause
to themselves. I had reason to be convinced, that it
was determined to drive me into desperation and perdi
tion. My enemies were now in full poheffion of power
in Pennfilvama, and her former favorite was reduced to
a driregarded thing, fit only to signalize their military and
political iagacity or to receive orders from lately-inspir
ed Patriots, or their full-faith'd disciples. Excuse me%
Gentlemen, if I did not forefee that I should be treated
with toe juhice and humanity, wLi,b l»ey have fnee ma
nifefled towards me.,
I could not consent to stand like a chi pping-block be
fore them, to be hack'd by their tomahawks into such
shape, as might gratify their capricious fancy. I re
solved. in the firh place, never to be accountable to such
men for any military command—secondly, to seek my
fortune and a kinder usage in another State—and thirdly,
to serve as a volunteer in the next call of the militia of
the city and uelgubourbood, if it should happen before
my departure.
On the tenth day of December, 1776, it was generally
apprehended they would immediately take possession of
Philadelphia. I knew that Congress would adjourn to
f me other place, and on the twelfth they did adjourn to
Baltimore. I thought it ueceffary to remove my wife and
child farther from town; and that it was most advisable
that they should go to my farm in Kent, about eighty
miles from this city. They being thus placed out of im
mediate danger, I should be at liberty, and my mind re
lieved from so much of my anxiety on their account,
that I could join the militia in the mariner before men
tioned. In purf^nce of this plan, I wrote to a relation
in Philadelphia, requeuing him to ride up to my house at
Fair Hill, and attend his cousin, and the child, in their
journey. He was so kind as to come up directly. The
carriage was at the door, and nothing remained, but to
part. A feene ensued, that may be better imagined than
described.
f I was chosen a Member ct the firri Assembly after the Con
fliturion was termed, and in compliance with the declared sense
of the county ?! 'bihdelpbia,.which had done me the honor of
electing me, I m^d'the fo.lnwirg.propofol in behalf of myfelf
and ethers, to the Methbers who wete met on PFednefday, the
27th of November, 1776 "We will consent to the choice of
a Speaker, to lit vith the other Members, and to pass such a&s
as the emergency of public eftaus may require, provided, that
the other Members will agree to call a fee Convention for a full
and fa:r reprefentatiun of the Freemen of Pennfylvar.ia, to meet
00 or bes re the day of January next, for the purposes
of reviling he Corftitution formed by the late Convention, and
making such alterations and amendments therein as Shall by them
be thought proper—and making such ordinances, as the circum
flances of affairs may rencer „necessary; provided also, that no
part of the hid Constitution be carried into execution by this As
sembly—and provided, that this A ffenibly flrall be diffalved be
fore the day to be appointed for the meeting of the Convention.”
This propofol was rejected. The behaviour of some persons
on that dav, and the difagreea de circnmftance of entering into
contefis fcarcey to be avoided with Gentlemen I had for a long
time efteemrd, added to what had patied before, induced me to
decline any further opposition to the CQnfliiution---and I retired
from the Afl'enbly.'
Any perlon of humanity will easily conceive, what I
felt in such circumstances. I yielded. The accounts re
ceived of the behaviour of the enemy, in their progress
through the State of New-Jersey, were so flocking and
so * true, that J ihouU hive been guilty of inexpressible
cruelty, in expding a wife and infant to the outrages of
a soldiery intoxicated with success—more especially, as
the part I had taken, from the very beginning of the con
troversy, might have drawn diftinguithing insults and
injuries on those who were connected with me. I believe
there was not one man in or near Philadelphia at that time,
that had aßcd as publicly in the common cause as I had
done, who did not think himfelf indispensably bound to
remove, to some place of greater security, those dear and
hciplefs persons, who looked to him,al ne for care and
protection, and whose danger was inercafed by his own
conduit. I owed it to my country —to involve them in
such a danger. I owed it to them—to make a reasonable
provifipn for their fafety. I made the only one which I
could then devise.
We left home that afternoon, and, as I expected the di
rect road and the Ferry between this city and Chefer would
be much crowded, I passed the Schuylkill about a mile
above the Falls. The next day but one I reached Cbfer,
and lodged there, where the President of Congress alf.ftaid
that night, with his Lady, and an infant not a fortnight
old—a circumstance, that so evidently Shewed the nectf
fity of quitting the neighbourhod of Philadelphia expe
ditiously, even in the judgment of one of those who belt
knew the iitmdion of our affairs, as fufficientiy juftified
the care I was taking of ray family.
On the fxteenth of December, i arrived at my house in
Kent, where my tenant Spared me two rooms ; and 1 was
enough employed in procuring necessaries for those I
carried with me.
In the ye^r 1777, I executed in The Delaware State,
whit I had intended to Co in Pennsylvania. I became a
private in Captain Stepaen lewis's company; and in that
capacity served, with my mulktt upon my (boulder, du
ring the whole tour of duty performed that summer by
the militia of th.it State, when the Briti/b army landed
at the Head of Elk, and was advancing towards this city.
Picafe to recoiled th it the Convention of Saratoga was
in the latter part ot Ofylfe/, 1777, 1 Icrvedalfo in another
manner-rin riding from one place to another, to collect
arm^ and ammunition. For my+ zeal and diligence on
* Journals of C< ngrefs, Vol 111. page 143, &c.
I A trifling ciicamfhnce will Show my zeal at that time.
White the midi^a lay at Cbrifya Bridge, the enemy then being
in polleffion of Wilmington, the fort near the ferry, and rhe neigh
bourhood, we received intelligence that some ammunition, of
which we were in great want, had been left in the ferry-houfe,
on the New-Caftte fide of the river. I immediately went to Ge
neral Rodney, and offered, if he would give me a command cf 50