CHAPTER XXI.

State of the Country in 1779-80........ Correspondence with General Washington........Commission for establishing Prices.........Letter of Samuel Adams..........of Judge Sullivan........Rechosen a Delegate in Congress........ General Arnold's Accounts........Letter concerning him.

WHATEVER might have been the general expectation of peace, intelligent statesmen considered it indispensable to prepare for war. It was their maxim that among nations negotiation is best carried on by displaying the means of offence, and that respect is better obtained from an enemy by possessing the power to enforce it.

There were others, however, who if they did not entertain a different opinion, were yet unwilling to act up to the requirements of policy. They could not bring themselves to make the exertion and sacrifice which the condition of the country required. Every where there was a listlessness and torpor among the people. They had made great and wearisome efforts. Fortune had crowned their arms, and a whole British army were prisoners of war. This had been followed by an alliance with France; and from the exertions of their friends they were willing to hope for advantages, which their own efforts had but par

tially procured. They were exhausted by the demands, which had been made upon them, and caught with avidity at the hopes of escaping from additional toil. Victory, alliance and negotiation might excuse them, it was supposed, from any fear for the future.

The country was in a condition that rendered any great exertion difficult, if indeed it was practicable. Depreciated currency, diminished agriculture, a cessation of the fisheries and loss of navigation and trade combined to take away the means of aggression. What has since been aptly called "a war of threatenings" fatigued the population by requiring exertions, that in the end added nothing valuable to the common defence, and disheartened those, on whose patriotism as well as personal contribution the country most relied.

The necessity, nevertheless, of a vigorous prosecution of the war was not diminished, and the penalty of a failure was to lose all advantages, which the accumulated sufferings of past years had acquired.

General Washington, impressed with this necessity, had urged congress to prepare for more than a nominal army, and had reiterated his opinions in private communications to the principal mem

bers.

MR. GERRY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 12, 1780.

DEAR SIR,

The requisitions to the several states for reinforcements to the army proposed in your letter of 18th November, are not yet adopted by congress, and a further application from your excellency appears to me would be useful in promoting that important business. A report has been long since made on the subject and been several times under the consideration of congress, but an opinion has been lately suggested, and I fear with too much effect, that the number of men enlisted for the war is already sufficient, and that reinforcements are not necessary for an army in this quarter.

Should this sentiment prevail or the requisitions be much longer delayed, we shall probably have an inactive campaign if not greater misfortunes, and renew the uneasiness of the court of France, who last year remonstrated in very friendly but expressive terms against the delays of military preparation for that campaign. As the measures of our good ally for the establishment of our independence as well as those of our common enemy against it are prosecuted with vigour, it appears to me that we are urged by every principle of policy, generosity and honour to be equally vigorous and decisive.

I hope the measures taken and such as are under the consideration of congress for obtaining supplies of provision, will effectually relieve the want of the army, which I confess distresses me exceedingly.

I am, sir, with every sentiment of esteem and respect, your most obedient servant,

ELBRIDGE GERRY.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MR. GERRY.

HEAD QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, JAN. 29, 1780. DEAR SIR,

I received your obliging letter of the 12th. I am sorry to find that congress had not at that time made any requisitions of men from the states, as it appears to me that the army without reinforcements, by the expiration of the enlistment of so many men and of the service of the new levies as they are called, will be much more reduced than will be compatible with our interest and policy. It was in part from the probability, that such an idea as the one you suggest to have obtained with some, might take place, that I was induced to mention in my letter of the 18th of November, the essential difference between an army on paper and its real efficient force, and to illustrate the point by contrasting the column of the present fit for

duty in the return transmitted, with that of the total.

The hopes indulged from the beginning of the contest to the present day from time to time that a peace would soon take place, have been the source at least of great expense, and they may still prove so, and the means of protracting the

war.

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy; and from this persuasion and the effect you justly observe. the contrary on our part might have on the mind of the court of France and also on that of Spain, I think it would be right for us to hold forth at least every appearance of preparation and vigour, and really to do what our abilities and the circumstances of our finance may well justify. The latter I own is a most important consideration, but I cannot judge how far the state of it may or may not require retrenchment and a spirit of economy or indeed inactivity in our affairs. You will, however, perceive by a letter to congress of the 18th by Baron Steuben, that I have again mentioned my opinion of the propriety of placing the army on a more respectable footing than it will be at the opening of the campaign without their interposition; and that I have offered the same in my letter to you, Mr. Livingston and Mr. Matthews.

With respect to provision the situation of the army is comfortable at present on this head, and I