1778 Letters of Cornelius Harnett
Mar 20 1778 I have been laid up with the Gout which has prevented my writing to your Excellency for some time past, having had it in my right hand. Nothing has as yet been Determined on in Congress relative to calling out the Militia of No. Carolina. The Army remains still at Valley Forge, & we have been for some time alarmed with the Great Scarcity of flesh to feed them. My friend Burke thinks this an Artificial Scarcity. In this, we differ much in opinion, as I am convinced the want is real, as we have not been able as yet, to lay up any Magazines of Provisions, & have had only sufficient to supply the immediate wants of the Army; I am firmly of Opinion if we fail at all in the Vigour of our Operations, it will be owing to this circumstance; & by that means I fear the war may be prolonged, and our Army reduced to the necessity of carrying on a defensive war only. I hope I may be mistaken, many Gentlemen think I am. The Provisions not coming on as fast as we wish, may perhaps be owing to the badness of the weather, which has rendered the roads almost impassable. How my colleague (Penn) will get on, I know not. He is the bearer of this & I beg leave to refer you to him for further information in regard to Congress Matters. General Washington has it much at heart to Open the Campaign with Virginia before the Enemy can possibly receive reinforcements.
Virginia has empowered her Delegates to ratify the Confederation. The Members from Massachusetts have also private Letters informing them that their State has also done it; I do not hear of any other States doing it as yet. Connecticut wish the Quota to be fixed by the number of people in each State; every Other Objection of theirs has little weight.
Every Member of Congress seems to wish for a Confederacy except my good friend Burke, who laughs at it as a Chimerical Project; it does not strike me in that point of view. I think that unless the States Confederate A door will be left open for Continental Contention & Blood shed, and that very soon after we are at peace with Europe. I heartily wish I may be Mistaken.
- June 27: Congress adjourns to return to Philadelphia
- July 2: Congress reconvenes in Philadelphia, first at College Hall, then at the State House
Sept 15th 1778 to Richard Caswell: I must take the liberty once more to press your Excellency to forward as speedily as possible the State’s accounts and vouchers. I am daily told that No. Carolina has received more money from the Continental Treasury in proportion, than any other State in the Union. In vain do I tell them that we never had a Military Chest established in our State, or a Pay Master; that the expence of drawing out a considerable part of our Militia to quell a very dangerous Insurrection in the very heart of our Country, another very expensive expedition against the Cherokees; the raising, paying, clothing and subsisting Ten Continental Battalions, for a considerable space of time, has been defrayed out of the Treasury of our State. To this they only answer why don’t you produce your accounts? I wish this may be done, as I am confident the Continental Treasury must be largely indebted to us.
Despite the infusion of foreign and domestic loans to pay for a war of independence, the United Colonies were unable to establish a well-organized agency for financial administration. (Dept. Treasury)
Nov 28 1778 The President has no doubt informed you of the views of Congress, should the enemy not think proper to make an attack on Charles Town. I am not at liberty at present to communicate it, as the injunction of secrecy is not yet taken off. I should imagine your Excellency would have influence sufficient to induce the late Levies to march forward this winter, and that so early as possible, with some Volunteers from the Militia. I am one of those old Politicians who had much rather see my neighbour’s house on fire than my own, but at the same time would lend every assistance in my power to quench the flame. St Augustine, during the continuance of this War (from her situation) will constantly have it in her power, not only to destroy our poor frontier State of Georgia by land but to embarrass and almost ruin the trade of the four Southern States by their Privateers. Genl. Lincoln whom I had not the pleasure to see, will communicate to you the views of Congress, and I hope may inform them of what may be expected from our State, after consulting with you.
Genl. Howe is ordered to Head Quarters. The little ridiculous matter he has been concerned in in South Carolina, with regard to a female, has induced the Delegates of Georgia and South Carolina to desire his recall. Congress complied with their request, but do not intend to enter into the private amours of their Generals. I hope our friend (should the War continue) will have an opportunity of displaying his abilities (which Congress acknowledge) in the field of Mars; as well as of Venus.
I have mentioned several times to your Excellency my desire of remaining at home. I am too old to be sent here; it behooves the State to send men of much greater abilities than myself. I am now not many years from 60.
1779 Letters of Cornelius Harnett
“The paper currency issued by the Continental Congress continued to sink precipitously in value, as inflation undercut the patriotic cause. During one ghastly period in 1779, the continental dollar shed half its value in three weeks. Silver coins disappeared, driven out by nearly worthless paper money, and the state governments were also going broke (Chernow 137).
Aug 31 1779 The successes of the combined Fleets of France & Spain in the West Indies may oblige the Commander in Chief at New York to send strong reinforcements to the British Islands, which will help these States greatly. It is thrown out that the Enemy intend to carry on no more than a depredatory War against these States, for the present, laying aside the Idea of Conquest. It, therefore, no doubt behooves the several States to guard well their Sea coasts. Your Excellency will no doubt be particularly attentive to this circumstance. I would wish the State I have the honor to represent had been more attentive to the procuring Arms to put into the hands of our people. I fear should any attack be made upon us that we shall be exceedingly deficient in this useful Article for defence. Surely something is done at the mouth of Cape Fear River—a very small battery of heavy Cannon there would protect us (at least) from small Cruisers.
Sept 14 1779 It is supposed Spain has had her eye on the Floridas. I think she has, and from thence am induced to believe she will make some advantageous offers to the United States, provided they will guarantee those provinces to her at the conclusion of the War. This is a matter which may require great deliberation, and the question may turn upon this point, whether it may be more for our advantage to have the Spaniards or the English for our neighbours. The Independence of America is, we think, secured by Spain’s entering into the War, and nothing remains for us to do but to keep a good army in the field and support the public credit, and this depends solely on the patriotic exertions of the several States; but it is needless for me to dwell on this great subject, as it will be so fully and judiciously discussed in the Circular letter which your Excellency will very soon receive.