Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison, 26 November 1782
Virginia Delegates to Benjamin Harrison
RC (Virginia State Library). In JM’s hand. Docketed, “Letter f’m Virga Del—Nov. 26. 82.”
Philada. Novr. 26th. 1782
Sir
In answer to your Excellency’s letter of the 8th. as far as it relates to Capt: Pierce,1 we inclose the late Acts of Congress making further reductions in the army,2 with the remarks of the Secy at War on the operation of those acts in the case of that officer.3 In the latter will also be found such information as the War office affords on the subject of cloathing for the Virginia troops.4
In pursuance of your request we sounded the disposition of the Superintendt. of Finance as to an acceptance of Tobo. from Virginia at the current prices in place of cash.5 His reply was that his Agent in consequence of instructions from him had made a proposition to that very effect to the amount of 60,000 Dollars, which had been lying some time before the Executive unanswered.6
A letter of the 19th. instant from Genl. Washington informs Congress that another account had been received at N. York of the evacuation of Charleston, the British part of the Garrison having proceeded to the West Indies, & the remaining part to Halifax; that the last division of the British fleet was about leaving N. York; that 25 transports from Qu[e]bec prepared before their sailing for the reception of troops, had arrived at that place, and that intelligence had come to him through two channels for which however he could not vouch, that an embarkation was actually on foot.7
Among the captives lately discharged from Canada and now returning to their several homes are included we understand near 200 of men women and children, who belong to the Kentucky and other back settlements of Virginia. A few of them have already reached this place through the benevolent assistance of the Commander in cheif. On the application of the Secretary at War Congress have authorised such further assistance as will convey them to their own State. The letter from the Commander in cheif above referred to speaks of a number of captives from the same quarter being brought to N. York in the transports from Quebec, and the same account is given by those now here.8 If the case of the latter had not been taken up where it was, it would have necessarily devolved on the hands of the Delegates. But although we have escaped this perplexity, it is not improbable that those who may be sent out from N. York will be thrown upon us, in which case9 draughts on the Treasury will we foresee be unavoidable. To resort to the Treasury of the U. S. for a supply would probably be unsuccessfull, and would certainly10 lead to remarks which need not be pointed out to your Excellency.11 We take the liberty of mentioning these circumstances, as well that the Treasury may be apprised12 of the contingent demand upon it, as that we may know the will of the State in this and similar cases.13
Your Excellency’s letter of the 16th.14 will be answered by the next mail.
We have the honor to be with sentiments of our respect Yr. Excelly’s obt. & hble servts
Jos: JonesJames Madison Jr.
2. Filed with the present letter in the Virginia State Library is a copy in a clerk’s hand of a resolution of Congress on 19 November, and of a resolution and directive of Congress passed the next day. For a summary of them, see Lincoln to JM, 22 November 1782, and n. 2. At the close of the clerk’s copy appears, “Extract from the minutes, Geo Bond Depy Secy.” The clerk directed the copy to “The Honble Mr. Madison,” who docketed it, “Resolves of Congress. Novem. 19th & 20th. 1782.”
3. See Lincoln to JM, 22 November 1782. Neither this letter nor a copy of it is filed with the present dispatch in the Virginia State Library.
4. See Harrison to Virginia Delegates, 8 November 1782, and n. 7.
6. For the governor’s reply to this statement, see Harrison to Virginia delegates, 7 December, and n. 2. See also JM to Randolph, 26 November 1782, and n. 2.
7. Congress received Washington’s dispatch on 25 November 1782 ( , XXV, 350–51; , XXIII, 753, n. 3). The information conveyed by Washington was accurate, except that the enemy did not completely evacuate Charleston until 14 December. On 18 November three British regiments in New York City were prepared to embark on the transports “lying in wait,” as soon as the expected news arrived that Rochambeau and his army had set sail from Boston. On 25 November “Admiral Lord Hood, with fourteen ships of the line,” proceeded from New York Harbor to Gardiner’s Bay, Long Island, where word was received that the “French squadron in Boston Bay is by no means ready to sail” (Bernhard A. Uhlendorf, ed., Letters and Journals of Baurmeister, pp. 538–39).
8. See Pickering to Virginia Delegates, 23 November 1782, and nn. 2 and 6.
9. Between this word and “draughts,” JM wrote and deleted “further.”
10. Immediately after this word, JM drew a line of ink through “expose Virginia.”
11. That is, on the grounds that Virginia had paid none of her financial quota for 1782, many members of Congress would oppose a request by her delegates for funds from “the Treasury of the U.S.” to aid her repatriated citizens.
12. Instead of this word, JM at first wrote and then deleted “prepared.”
14. Q.v. The delegates answered this dispatch on 3 December 1782 (q.v.).