Middletown transcript., 1917-02-17
0ld Letters ThrowNew Liqht
on onAmericanRewlut1on 2'.,
Enemies ofWQshtng7on
and FrunkM almost
succeeded TN zvyeck1ng
Me struggling cause.

some descendants of Robert
I33t} Morris, the financier of the
Revolution, worked their way
to an unused attic. Having decided
to dispose Of an old desk, curiosity
caused them to search its drawers,
with the result that q pile of yellow
and faded letters, written by the men
who created the nation, was uncov-
cred. A glance through them showed
their 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
intrigues and backbiting ranged
through the whole governing and Off
cial classes. Washington's place as
cOmmander-in-chief was resented by
some, Franklin was alleged by his
companions in France to be too old
and too indolent, one who should be
sent home. Congress was removed to
Baltimore before there was any neces-
sity for the change, and the delegates
murmured at being compelled to live
in town where there were such poor
accommodations.
Morris evidently was regarded as
the true friend Of both Washington
and Franklin, and to him came the
tales Of the intrigues against them and
how the fate Of the war hung In the
balance for a 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
held.
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 in league to get rid of
Washington. The r. Fl. L. noted
in the letter is, Of course, Richard
Henry Lee.
'We have story circulating here"
Harrison wrote, "that there has been
q motion made in Congress to divide
the command Of the army and that r.
II. L. was at the bottom Of it. 1t
makes much noise, and If true, will ef
fectually do his business. We are also
Informed that Genl. Washingtons char
acter has been attack'd publicly by S.
& ]. 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 l 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 it 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
right, and that it can't be obtained by
implication. I shall be glad of your
opinion on the matter.
THE Men Of War still keep us
Blocked up and 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 1 fear will share the same
fate on the stocks, which will be a
most deadly stroke to me, If they do
stay the Winter, 1t will be on acct.
Of the Frigate at Baltimore which they
seem determined not to let proceed to
Sea.
I'VE have not a word Of News, nor
any thing that I 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, 1778,
Harrison says: