The Benson signal., 1917-02-17
- sN1zl1A1zAl
[alsl.]


P:;%S.. some descendants of Robert
l4kSakJ Norris, the financier Of the
Revolution, worked their way
to an unused attic. Having decided
70 dispose Of an old desk, curiosity
caused them to search it's drawers,
with the result that a pile Of yellow
and faded letters, written by the men
VINO created the nation, was uncov-
sred. A glance through them showed
Cnelr great Importance, says Joseph
jackson in the Public Ledger.
A reading Of some of the letters
SHOWS that there will have to be re-
arrangement Of values of some of the
leading characters of the Revolution.
In the letters we see how cabals and
ntr1gues and backbiting ranged
through the whole governing and Off
clal classes. Washington's place as
eommander-in-chief was resented by
some, Franklin was alleged by his
companions In France to be too old
ana TOO 1ndolent, one who should be
sent nome. Congress was removed to
baltlmore before there was any neces-
SHY Tor the change, and the delegates
murmured at being compelled to live
In town where there were such poor
accommodations.
Norris evidently was regarded as
the true friend Of both Washington
ana FRANKLIN, and to him came the
tales OF the intrigues against them and
now the fate Of the war hung in the
balance for time, for had Washing
ton been deprived of his command the
whole campaign would have been
thrown into confusion and into the
arms of the British commander. Had
Franklin been removed from France
at the instigatiOn of his companions,
the support that eventually made the
nation free would have been with
neld.
1t is very we'll known, of course,
that John Adams had declared that
he was sick Of the Fabian system and
that he thanked God that it was an
other and not Washington that re-
ceived the glory for the Saratoga con-
ventiOn. But, in a letter written by
Benjamin Harrison, one of the sign
ers of the Declaration, under date of
Williamsburg, Va, December 18, 1777,
1t Is found that both Samuel and John
Adams were i'm league to get rid of
Washington. The r. II. L. noted
in the letter is, of course, Richard
Henry Lee.
I'VE have story circulating here"
Harrison wrote, that there has been
motion made in Congress to divide
the command of the army and that r.
II. L. was at the bottom of it. It
makes much noise, and if true, will ef-
fectually do his business. We are also
Informed that Genl. Washington's char
acter has been attack'd publicly by S.
& j. Adams, and that the Genl. has
been so inform'd.
"Your being sent to Camp gives me
some reason to fear that these reports
may be true, and that my worthy
Friend resents such treatment, know
his Value & would not loose him.
If we do, America will repent it by
the loss Of her Liberty. The Confed-
GRAFTON is unanimously agreed to by
both Branches Of the Legislature.
"There is one part of it 1 confess
l couldn't have wish'd to have alter'd,
which gives the Congress power Of
regulating the Trades, and of course
granting a monopoly Of the whole, or
any part of 1t to any Nations it
pleases, tho some Of our cOnnoisseurs
say they have no such power, there
being no express grant of it, which
they say is necessary to constitute the
implication. 1 shall be glad Of your
opinion on the matter
"The Men Of War still keep us
Blocked up and 1 dare say will do so
all the Winter, in which case many
Vessels will rot with their Loads in
them, and yours amongst the Rest, and
my Ships l fear will share the same
fate on the stocks, which will be
most deadly stroke to me, if they do
stay the Winter, it will be on acct.
of the Frigate at Baltimore which they
seem determined not to let proceed to
Sea.
"We have not word of News, nor
any thing that l know of worth your
Notice, except that this Country will
act an Example 1 hope to the rest of
her Sister States, by sending her full
quota of Troops, and raising as much
money as the People can bear. If all
the rest do so we may once again meet
with joyful countenances and Cheerful
Hearts"
In letter dated February IS, 1878,
Harrison says: