Letter to Thomas Bee from John Mathews, April 26, 1778
Dublin Core
Title
Letter to Thomas Bee from John Mathews, April 26, 1778
Creator
Date
April 26, 1778
Subject
Description
John Mathews contacts Thomas Bee after arriving in York Town, updating him on financial concerns about the Continental Army
06/18/2019
600 dpi, 24-bit depth, color, Epson Expression 10000XL, Archival masters are tiffs.
Contributor
Bee, Thomas
Cox, Danielle
Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the Charleston Library Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Special Collections Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Charleston Library Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Format
image/jpeg
Type
StillImage
Source
Ms. 14, Thomas Bee Correspondence, 1778-1780.
Language
English
Identifier
ms14let01
Text Item Type Metadata
Transcription
York Town April 26, 1778
Dear Sir -
I arrived here the 21st ins’t after a most disagreeable journey indeed.
I inclose you a paper which will not a little amuse you, and I imagine some parts will not a little surprise you. Compare the speech of the minister with the last speech from the throne. Lee is exchanged. Tryon was imprudent enough a few days ago to write to Washington inclosing several of the acts, desiring him to disperse them through his camp. When the acts were posted up in Philadelphia, the officers tore them down in a most riotous manner, swearing they were all cheated for they were promised the Rebels should be conquered and their estates divided amongst them. The Physic begins to work you see, all we have further to do is to give them one good dose more this campaign, & the business is done. The speech, the acts, the exchange of Lee (which did not happen till after these acts came out, he had been out on parole some time before) the solicitude to disperse these acts amongst our people, all seem to show these damned villains are heartily sick of the business. However Congress takes it up is a different point of view as all meant to throw dust in our eyes, and are preparing for a vigorous campaign. I think these maneuvers of the enemy will have this good effect. The House of Bourbon has all along been jealous of our still hankering after an accommodation and alliance with Great Britain, which has kept them very cautious in their conduct towards us. These acts tend immediately to that purpose and being so suddenly, and I may say, unexpectedly posed upon them will oblige them instantly to declare themselves what part they mean to take with us, for they have been playing fast and loose with us too long. However before these acts made their appearance we have had greater reason to think they would do something this summer, than we have yet had, but this belief arises merely from hearsay, for we
have not had one line from our ambassadors since last May, yet the information comes through such a channel that we have some reason to give credit to it. I do not think Lord North altogether insincere, nor do I think he would be incorrigibly obstinate against admitting our Independency. You will observe these remarkable expressions in his speech. “The first proposition is attended with too great an expense of men and money an expense which conquest itself would not balance,” again “Independency with cordial love between us is one thing, with a union with our enemies fatal.” I think this last sentiment means a great - deal. I could make many other observations on it, but time on my paper (for I assure you it is a scarce article here) will not allow me. Another inducement I have to believe Lord North earnestly wishes peace and would not be totally averse to Independency is, the formidable appearance France particularly now means, and which will prevent his sending a man to America this year. Though we have had a most promising account of 32,000 to be raised in different parts of the kingdom for that purpose. So far France certainly renders us some service. You will observe the Report of the Committee speaks doubtfully of the validity of the two acts, but that was before we received these from Tryon, which are certified by him to have actually passed. The report fully shows you the idea of Congress in this important subject, as this is a matter of as great and momentous concern as any that can come before Congress (except that of real Treaty). I would therefore wish my conduct on every such occasion to be known to my country, and leave to their judgment whether I am right or wrong. I do therefore declare that the whole report met with my most hearty concurrence. I could therefore wish, if commissioners should come out this summer (as I really believe they will) and they have such powers as Congress, can consistently treat with them upon, that a special meeting of the Legislature should be called upon this most important subject, that their delegates may know their sentiments and receive instructions accordingly. I just drop a hint to you that you may be prepared for such an event, I have not consulted any of my colleagues on this subject, but I think the necessity of such a measure is so self evident, that they must concur with me in this opinion. I am sure I should not think myself justified in stirring our step in this business without. I have not time to add more than that I am Dear Bee, with sincere esteem, Yr. most obed. Serv.
(signed) Jn°. Mathews
P.S. 27th We received an express late last night, (for though Sunday we are obliged to do business three nights out of five that I have been in Congress
Dear Sir -
I arrived here the 21st ins’t after a most disagreeable journey indeed.
I inclose you a paper which will not a little amuse you, and I imagine some parts will not a little surprise you. Compare the speech of the minister with the last speech from the throne. Lee is exchanged. Tryon was imprudent enough a few days ago to write to Washington inclosing several of the acts, desiring him to disperse them through his camp. When the acts were posted up in Philadelphia, the officers tore them down in a most riotous manner, swearing they were all cheated for they were promised the Rebels should be conquered and their estates divided amongst them. The Physic begins to work you see, all we have further to do is to give them one good dose more this campaign, & the business is done. The speech, the acts, the exchange of Lee (which did not happen till after these acts came out, he had been out on parole some time before) the solicitude to disperse these acts amongst our people, all seem to show these damned villains are heartily sick of the business. However Congress takes it up is a different point of view as all meant to throw dust in our eyes, and are preparing for a vigorous campaign. I think these maneuvers of the enemy will have this good effect. The House of Bourbon has all along been jealous of our still hankering after an accommodation and alliance with Great Britain, which has kept them very cautious in their conduct towards us. These acts tend immediately to that purpose and being so suddenly, and I may say, unexpectedly posed upon them will oblige them instantly to declare themselves what part they mean to take with us, for they have been playing fast and loose with us too long. However before these acts made their appearance we have had greater reason to think they would do something this summer, than we have yet had, but this belief arises merely from hearsay, for we
have not had one line from our ambassadors since last May, yet the information comes through such a channel that we have some reason to give credit to it. I do not think Lord North altogether insincere, nor do I think he would be incorrigibly obstinate against admitting our Independency. You will observe these remarkable expressions in his speech. “The first proposition is attended with too great an expense of men and money an expense which conquest itself would not balance,” again “Independency with cordial love between us is one thing, with a union with our enemies fatal.” I think this last sentiment means a great - deal. I could make many other observations on it, but time on my paper (for I assure you it is a scarce article here) will not allow me. Another inducement I have to believe Lord North earnestly wishes peace and would not be totally averse to Independency is, the formidable appearance France particularly now means, and which will prevent his sending a man to America this year. Though we have had a most promising account of 32,000 to be raised in different parts of the kingdom for that purpose. So far France certainly renders us some service. You will observe the Report of the Committee speaks doubtfully of the validity of the two acts, but that was before we received these from Tryon, which are certified by him to have actually passed. The report fully shows you the idea of Congress in this important subject, as this is a matter of as great and momentous concern as any that can come before Congress (except that of real Treaty). I would therefore wish my conduct on every such occasion to be known to my country, and leave to their judgment whether I am right or wrong. I do therefore declare that the whole report met with my most hearty concurrence. I could therefore wish, if commissioners should come out this summer (as I really believe they will) and they have such powers as Congress, can consistently treat with them upon, that a special meeting of the Legislature should be called upon this most important subject, that their delegates may know their sentiments and receive instructions accordingly. I just drop a hint to you that you may be prepared for such an event, I have not consulted any of my colleagues on this subject, but I think the necessity of such a measure is so self evident, that they must concur with me in this opinion. I am sure I should not think myself justified in stirring our step in this business without. I have not time to add more than that I am Dear Bee, with sincere esteem, Yr. most obed. Serv.
(signed) Jn°. Mathews
P.S. 27th We received an express late last night, (for though Sunday we are obliged to do business three nights out of five that I have been in Congress
or have sat till nine and ten o’clock so that you may imagine our business not trifling) from the General, informing us that he had just received an account that he could depend on that the Commissioners from England were daily expected in Philadelphia. They are Lord Amherst, Admiral Keppel and Gen. Murray. From such men I am sure we can expect nothing decisive, neither of whom have one single qualification requisite for such a business. They come out with their full military commissions also. On such conduct and such men I could say much but time will not permit. Genl. Howe is certainly recalled and Clinton to take the command.
26th April 1778 So. Carolina
The Honbl. Thomas Bee, Esqre in Charles Town
South Carolina
26th April 1778 So. Carolina
The Honbl. Thomas Bee, Esqre in Charles Town
South Carolina
Collection
Citation
Mathews, John, “Letter to Thomas Bee from John Mathews, April 26, 1778,” Charleston Library Society Digital Collections, accessed May 17, 2024, https://charlestonlibrarysociety.omeka.net/items/show/1317.