adversary, prepared at all points, boasting of his strength, and of whom even mighty warriors "were greatly afraid."

As to inferior officers employed in the public service, we ANXIOUSLY desire to call your most vigilant attention to their conduct with respect to every species of misbehavior, whether proceedFor defraying the expenses of this uncommon ing from ignorance, negligence or fraud, and to the war, your representatives in congress were obliged making of laws for inflicting exemplary punishto emit paper money; an expedient that you knew ments on all offenders of this kind. to have been before generally and successfully practised on this continent.

We are sorry to hear that some persons are sɔ slightly informed of their own interests, as to sup. They were very sensible of the inconveniences pose that it is advantageous to them to sell the with which too frequent emissions would be attend-produce of their farms at enormous prices, when s ed, and endeavored to avoid them. For this pur-little reflection might convince them that it is pose they established loan-offices so early as in injurious to those interests and the general welOctober 1776, and have, from that time to this, fare. If they expect thereby to purchase imported repeatedly and earnestly solicited you to lend goods cheaper, they will be egregiously disappointthem money on the faith of United States. The ed; for the merchants, who know they cannot obtain sums received on loan have nevertheless proved returns in gold, silver, or bills of exchange, but inadequate to the public exigencies. Our enemies that their vessels, if loaded here at all, must be prosecuting the war by sea and land with implaca-loaded with produce, will raise the price of what ble fury and with some success, taxation at home they have to sell, in proportion to the price of and borrowing abroad, in the midst of difficulties what they have to buy, and consequently the landand dangers, were alike impracticable. Hence the holder can purchase no more foreign goods, for continued necessity of new emissions. the same quantity of his produce, than he could before.

But to this cause alone we do not impute the evil before mentioned. We have too much reason The evil, however, does not stop at this point. to believe it has been in part owing to the artifices The landholder, by acting on this mistaken calculaof men who have hastened to enrich themselves tion, is only laboring to accumulate an immense by monopolizing the necessaries of life, and to the debt, by increasing the public expenses, for the misconduct of inferior officers employed in the pub payment of which bis estate is engaged, and to lic service. embarrass every measure adopted for vindicating his liberty, and securing his prosperity.

As the harvests of this year, which, by the Divine Goodness, promise to be plentiful, will soon be gathered, and some new measures relating to your foreign concerns, with some arrangements relating to your domestic, are now under consideration, from which beneficial effects are expected, we entertain hopes that your affairs will acquire a much greater degree of regularity and energy than they have

The variety and importance of the business entrusted to your delegates, and their constant attendance in congress, necessarily disables them from investigating disorders of this kind. Justly apprehensive of them, they, by their several resolu tions of the 22d of November, and 20th of December, 1777, and of the 3d and 9th of February, 1778, recommended to the legislative and executive powers of these states a due attention to these interesting affairs. How far those recommenda tions have been complied with we will not underBut we should be highly criminal if we did not take to determine, but we hold ourselves bound plainly tell you, that those hopes are not founded in duty to you to declare, that we are not con-wholly upon our own proceedings. These must be vinced there has been as much diligence used in supported by your virtue, your wisdom, and your detecting and reforming abuses as there has been diligence. From the advantage of those seats in the In committing or complaining of them.

With regard to monopolizers, it is our opinion, that taxes, judiciously laid on such articles as become the objects of engrossers, and those frequently collected, would operate against the pernicious tendency of such practices.

hitherto had.

national council with which you have honored us, we have a pleasing prospect of many blessings approaching this our native land. It is your patriotism must introduce and fix them here.

In vain will it be for your delegates to form plans of economy; to strive to stop a continuation

of emissions by taxation or loan, if you do not To our constituents we submit the propriety zealously co-operate with them in promoting their and purity of our intentions, well knowing they designs, and use your utmost industry to prevent will not forget, that we lay no burthens upon them, the waste of money in the expenditure, which your but those in which we participate with them-a respective situations, in the several places where happy sympathy, that pervades societies formed it is expended, may enable you to do. A discharge on the basis of equal liberty. Many cares, many of this duty, a compliance with recommendations labors, and may we not add, reproaches-are for supplying money, might enable congress to peculiar to us. These are the emoluments of our give speedy assurances to the public that no more unsolicited stations; and with these we are content, emissions shall take place, and thereby close that source of depreciation.

if you approve our conduct. If you do not, we sball return to our private condition, with no other regret than that which will arise from our not having served you as acceptably and essentially as we wished and strove to do, though as cheerfully and faithfully as we could.

Your governments being now established, and your ability to contend with your invaders ascertained, we have, on the most mature deliberation, judged it indispensably necessary to call upon you for forty-five millions of dollars, in addition Think not we despair of the commonwealth, or to the fifteen millions required by a resolution of endeavor to shrink from opposing difficulties. No. congress, of the 2d of January last, to be paid into Your cause is too good, your objects too sacred, the continental treasury before the 1st day of Janu- to be relinquished. We tell you truths, because: ary next, in the same proportion, as to the quotas you are freemen who can bear to hear them, and of the several states, with that for the said fifteen may profit by them; and when they reach your millions. enemies, we fear not the consequences, because It appeared proper to us to fix the first day of we are not ignorant of their resources or our own. next January for the payment of the whole; but, as it is probable that some states, if not all, will raise part of the sums by instalments, or otherwise, Before that time, we recommend in the strongest determination. manner the paying as much as can be collected as soon as possible into the continental treasury.

Let your good sense decide upon the comparison, Let even their prejudiced understandings decide upon it, and you need not be apprehensive of the

Whatever supposed advantages from plans of rapine, projects of blood, or dreams of domination, Though it is manifest that moderate taxation, may heretofore have amused their inflamed fancies, in times of peace, will recover the credit of your the conduct of one monarch, the friend and procurrency, yet the encouragement which your ene-tector of the rights of mankind, has turned the mies derive from its depreciation, and the present exigencies, demand great and speedy exertions.

scale so much against them, that their visionary schemes vanish, as the unwholesome vapours of the night before the healthful influence of the sun.

We are persuaded you will use all possible care to make the promotion of the general welfare An alliance has been formed between his most interfere as little as may be with the ease and Christian majesty and these states, on the basis of comfort of individuals; but though the raising the most perfect equality, for the direct end of these sums should press heavily on some of your maintaining effectually their liberty, sovereignty constituents, yet the obligations we feel to your and independence, absolute and unlimited, as well venerable clergy, the truly helpless widows and in matters of government as of commerce. orphans, your most gallant, generous, meritorious conduct of our good and great ally towards us, in officers and soldiers, the public faith and the com-this instance and others, has so fully manifested mon weal, so irresistibly urge us to attempt the his sincerity and kindness, as to excite on our part appreciation of your currency, that we cannot with correspondent sentiments of confidence and affechold obedience to those authoritative sensations. tion.

On this subject we will only add, that, as the

The

Observing the interests of his kingdom, to which rules of justice are most pleasing to our infinitely duty and inclination prompted his attention, to be good and gracious Creator, and an adherence to them most likely to obtain his favor, so they will ever be found to be the best and safest maxims of human policy.

connected with those of America, and the combina tion of both clearly to coincide with the beneficent designs of the Author of Nature, who, unquestionably, intended men to partake of certain rights and

portions of happiness, his majesty perceived the, modation, with respectful addresses, to that once attainment of these views to be founded on the despised body, the congress, whose humble sup.

single proposition of a separation between America and Great Britain.

The resentment and confusion of your enemies, will point out to you the ideas you should entertain of the magnanimity and consummate wisdom of his most Christian majesty on this occasion.

plications, ONLY for peace, liberty and safety, they had contemptuously rejected, under pretence of its being an unconstitutional assembly. Nay more; desirous of seducing you into a deviation from the paths of rectitude, from which they had so far and so rashly wandered, they made most specious offers to tempt you into a violation of your faith They perceive, that selecting this grand and just given to your illustrious ally.Their arts were idea from all those specious ones that might have as unavailing as their arms.-——————Foiled again, and stung with rage, embittered by envy, they confused or misled inferior judgment or virtue, and had no alternative, but to renounce the inglorious satisfied with the advantages which must result and ruinous controversy, or to resume their former from that event alone, he has cemented the harmodes of prosecuting it. They chose the latter. mony between himself and these states, not only by establishing a reciprocity of benefits, but by Again the savages are stimulated to horrid massacres of women and children, and domestics to the eradicating every cause of jealousy and suspicion. They also perceive, with similar emotions, that the murder of their masters. Again our brave and moderation of our ally, in not desiring an acquisi. unhappy brethren are doomed to miserable deaths tion of dominion on this continent, or an exclusion in gaols and prison-ships. To complete the of other nations from a share of its commercial sanguinary system, all the "EXTREMITIES of war" advantages, so useful to them, has given no alarmare, by authority, denounced against you.

to those nations, but, in fact, has INTERESTED them Piously endeavor to derive this consolation from in the accomplishment of his generous undertak- their remorseless fury, that "the Father of Mercies" ing, to dissolve the monopoly thereof by Great looks down with disapprobation on such audacious Britain, which has already contributed to elevate defiances of his holy laws; and be further comforted her to her present power and haughtiness, and with recollecting, that the arms assumed by you, threatened, if continued, to raise both to a height in your righteous cause, have not been sullied by insupportable to the rest of Europe. any unjustifiable severities.

In short, their own best informed statesmen and writers confess, that your cause is exceedingly favored by courts and people in that quarter of the world, while that of your adversaries is equally reprobated; and from thence draw ominous and well-grounded conclusions, that the final event must prove unfortunate to the latter. Indeed, we have the BEST reason to believe that we shall soon form other alliances, and on principles honorable

and beneficial to these states.

Infatuated as your enemies have been from the beginning of this contest, do you imagine they can now flatter themselves with a hope of conquering you, unless you are false to yourselves?

Your enemies, despairing however, as it seems, of the success of their united forces against our main army, have divided them, as if their design was to harass you by predatory, desultory operations. If you are assiduous in improving opportunities, Saratoga may not be the only spot on this continent to give a new denomination to the baffled troops of a nation, impiously priding herself in no. tions of her omnipotence.

What nation ever

Rouse yourselves, therefore, that this campaign may finish the great work you have so nobly carried on for several years past. engaged in such a contest under such a complica tion of disadvantages; so soon surmounted many of them, and in so short a period of time had so When unprepared, undisciplined, and unsupport- certain a prospect of a speedy and happy coned, you opposed their fleets and armies in full clusion? We will venture to pronounce, that so conjoined force: then, if at any time, was conquest remarkable an instance exists not in the annals to be apprehended. Yet, what progress towards of mankind. We well remember what you said it have their violent and incessant efforts made? at the commencement of this war. You saw the Judge from their own conduct. Having devoted immense difference between your circumstances you to bondage, and, after vainly wasting their and those of your enemies, and you knew the blood and treasure in the dishonorable enterprise, quarrel must decide on no less than your lives, they deigned, at length, to offer terms of accom- liberties and estates. All these you greatly put

Encouraged by favors already received from infinite goodness, gratefully acknowledging them, earnestly imploring their continuance, constantly endeavoring to draw them down on your heads by an amendment of your lives, and a conformity to the Divine Will, humbly confiding in the protection so often and wonderfully experienced, vigorously employ the means placed by Providence in your hands, for completing your labors.

Fill up your battalions-be prepared in every part to repel the incursions of your enemies-place your several quotas in the continental treasurylend money for public uses-sink the emissions of your respective states-provide effectually for expediting the conveyance of supplies for your armies and fleets, and for your allies-prevent the produce of the country from being monopolizedeffectually superintend the behavior of public officers-diligently promote piety, virtue, brotherly love, learning, frugality, and moderation-and may you be approved before Almighty God worthy of those blessings we devoutly wish you to enjoy.

to every hazard, resolving rather to die freemen by fatal experience, that force and artifice alone than to live slaves; and justice will oblige the will never subdue the stubborn spirit of liberty, impartial world to confess you have uniformly have long depended on the failure of our public acted on the same generous principle. Consider credit to accomplish their views of conquest: the how much you have done, how comparatively little rapid depreciation of our paper currency, princiremains to be done, to crown you with success. pally owing to the not imposing taxes in due time, Persevere, and you ensure peace, freedom, safety, as somewhat adequate to the public demands, glory, sovereignty, and felicity to yourselves, your and the abilities of the people to pay, had given children, and your childrens' children. foundation to the opinion, that these states, from the want of money to support the war, would at length give up the contest, and bend to the galling yoke of Britain. The event, however, we trust will discover this opinion to be as vain and delusive, as many others entertained by our inveterate foe. plan for calling in their bills of credit, by taxes or The congress has recommended to the states a otherwise, which has been adopted by this and several other of the states. Taxes, equally laid, quickly collected, and faithfully applied, are necessary to give efficacy to the plan, and to restore, and when restored, to preserve public credit.Experience has taught us the necessity of taxation: a free people, seeing that necessity, and the im portance of victory, on which their liberty depends, needs no exhortation to submit, even with cheerfulness, to the heaviest tales: reflect, that these will be but temporary, and the benefits resulting from them most extensive and permament; if adequate and timely exertions are made, the war, probably, may be speedily ended, and will not leave us incumbered with a load of debt, under which the present and future generations must otherwise inevitably labor: by timely and due exertions we shall avoid the evils inseparable from a great national debt. The taxes hitherto imposed cannot be complained of as very burthensome: our present debt, when compared with our probable resources in peace, is far from being alarming; a lingering war, however, besides consuming our inhabitants, wasting our resources, accumulating expense, will subject our country to the cruel and Friends and countrymen! A free people, from wanton devastations of an enemy, who never yet whom the trust and powers of government are used even transient victories with moderation. delegated to a representative council, for the What strong incentives to the most vigorous and better management of the public interests, have spirited efforts are deducible from these refleca right to be informed at all times, but more tions! Rise then into action with that ardor which, especially in great emergencies, of the true situa- despising, overcomes all difficulties, and which tion of their affairs. Duty, therefore, as well as led you, destitute of money, of allies, of arms and inclination, prompts us to lay before you the soldiers, to encounter one of the most powerful exigencies and the danger of this, in common nations in Europe. Single, and unsupported, raw with our sister states; to disclose our wants, our and undisciplined, you baffled for three succesive resources, and the means of calling them forth in years the repeated attacks of numerous and veteran support of the justest cause and noblest ends a bands. Shall we now, when strengthened by a people can contend for. The enemy, convinced mighty alliance, droop and desert the field, to

Done in congress, by unanimous consent, this twenty-sixth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.

ATTEST.

JOHN JAY, president.

CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.

ANNAPOLIS, July 7, 1780.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

which honor, the stongest ties, the dearest interests, battalion should not be raised in time, we have of humanity, point; to which victory itself invites directed the militia to be called out in classes, to us? A warlike, potent, and magnanimous nation, supply the place of regular troops: your duty, has espoused our cause with all that warmth of your interest, and no doubt your inclination, will friendship, and is determined to yield us power-impel you to second the views of your representaful aid, a respectable land and naval force may be tives; without your co-operation, in vain may we daily expected on our coast from France, ready to make laws, or concert plans for the general cause; act under the orders of our patriotic general. How these must remain as dead letters, unless inspiritdisgraceful would it be to this state, were it any ed by your zeal and activity. We have the honor ways accessary in laying that great, and good man, to represent men who, sensible of the blessings of under the humiliating necessity of avowing to our liberty, must know, that the continuance of them allies an inability to undertake any enterprise of con rests altogether on the successful issue of this war. sequence against the common enemy; particularly, You feel not, indeed, at present, those distresses, if that weakness should proceed, not from the real which our brethren, whose country is the immeinability of this, and the other states, but from diate scene of action, are exposed to; their calamithe supineness, or the want of spirit in their peo ties, therefore, possibly may make a lighter imple! We have hitherto done our duty, the gene- pression on your minds. Contemplate, we beseech ral has acknowledged our exertions, and we entreat you, the ravages committed by the British forces on you, by all that is dear to freemen, not to forfeit the plains of Jersey; behold the dwellings of the the reputation you have so justly acquired; let us poor and rich in flames, or reduced to ashes; the set an example of fortitude, perseverance and disfruits of a long and laborious industry swept in interestedness: these virtues form the character of stantly away as by a torrent; view the helpless true republicans: beware, lest an inordinate love infant, the aged parent, the tender virgin, victims of riches should mark too strongly ours; remem-to the savage fury, and unbridled lusts of an ber, that you entered upon this war, not through insolent soldiery; view these scenes of horror and choice, but necessity; not to acquire wealth, or dismay; rouse, and revenge these wrongs, for these power, but to preserve liberty and property: re.we too in our turn shall feel, if we refuse our aid member, that your cause is righteous, that you to drive these spoilers and invaders from our land: had not recourse to arms, until the bayonet uplifted emulate the conduct of the brave militia of our to your breasts, a discretionary surrender of all that sister states; the proofs of courage and patriotism, is valuable to man, was demanded with menaces of which they have exhibited, you cannot but applaud, hostile force, and with all the insolence of conscious and therefore must wish to imitate, and, if possi power: remember too, that you have pledged to ble, surpass. each other your lives, your fortunes, and your sacred honor, in defence of those rights, without the enjoyment of which, life is but misery, and go

vernment a curse.

The prize we are contending for is inestimable; the blood of those heroes, which has been shed in this just and glorious cause, the inviolable ties of plighted faith, the necessity of conquering, The general has called upon us to complete our gratitude to our illustrious general, and to the battalions, and for a reinforcement of 2205 militia, brave men under his command, all, conspiring, call to join him with all expedition. Considering the aloud for our redoubled efforts. Our army is approach of harvest, and attentive to your ease and weak, and reinforced it must be, to act on the convenience, we have offered to raise an additional defensive, or offensively, as circumstances may battalion, in lieu of the militia, and we have the require; reinforcements, proportionable to those Batisfaction to inform you, that the general has demanded from this, are to be furnished by the approved the offer, on condition that this battalion other states. The fall of Charlestown, and the be ready at the place of rendezvous by the last distress of our brave friends in that quarter, have of this month at farthest. By the law, printed for infused fresh vigour into the councils of America; your information, and with which we intreat your ready compliance, you will perceive that we have held out the most liberal encouragment for recruits, upon principles of equality and justice. If, from negligence, indifference, or the dread of danger and fatigue, motives too degrading to be imputed to freemen, or from any other cause, this

let us, like the Romans of old, draw new resources and an increase of courage, even from defeats, and manifest to the world, that we are then most to be dreaded, when most depressed.

By order of the general assembly,

DAN. of St. THO. JENIFER, Pres. Sea
JOSIAS BEALL, Spr. Ho. Del.