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remark of Gen. Lafayette, The departure of the French fleet was the subject of deep feeling at the time, but it was generally thought "politic to be delicate upon that point." Congress, upon a letter from Count D'Estaing, resolved, "That his Excellency Count D'Estaing hath behaved as a brave and wise officer, and that his Excellency and the officers and men under his command, have rendered every benefit to these states, which the circumstances and nature of the service would admit of, and are fully entitled to the regards of the friends of America."

RESOLVED, That the President transmit the foregoing resolution to hist Excellency, the Count D'Estaing, and inform him that Congress entertains. the highest sense of his zeal and attachment, manifested in repeated instances, and particularly in his spirited offer to lead the troops under his command from Boston and to coöperate against Rhode Island."

Possibly, policy had a hand in drafting these resolutions. Justice drafted the following, which were passed September 9th, 1778:

RESOLVED, That the retreat made by Major General Sullivan, with the troops under his command, from Rhode Island, was prudent, timely and well conducted, and that Congress highly approve of the same.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of Congress be given to Major General Sullivan, and to the officers and troops under his command, for their fortitude. and bravery displayed in the action of August 29th, in which they repulsed the British forces and maintained the field.

RESOLVED, That Congress have a high sense of the patriotic exertions made by the four Eastern states, on the late expedition against Rhode Island.

On the same day a motion was made to institute an inquiry into the causes of the failure of this expedition, which was set aside and not acted on.

The capture of the galley Pigot, which had been stationed by the British in the passage east of the island of Rhode Island, by "Major" Talbot, captain of the sloop Hawk, was

made the subject of legislative action by the General Assem

bly and also by Congress. pounders and forty-five men.

a man.

The Pigot carried eight 12"The Hawk" had fifty men,

who boarded the Pigot and captured her without the loss of The commander of the Pigot expressed much chagrin and mortification that he was taken by an "egg-shell," as he termed the Hawk, "though she was commanded by a Major." At October session, the General Assembly passed a vote of thanks to Major Talbot and his associates, " for the signal service done their country in capturing" the Pigot, and in December voted a silver-hilted sword to Major Talbot, and a similar one to Lieutenant William Helme, as testimonials of regard for their gallantry in this encounter. Congress, November 14th, "as a reward of his merit, and for the encouragement of a spirit of enterprise," presented Major Talbot with the commission of lieutenant colonel in the army of the United States.

WILLIAM ELLERY TO Gov. GREENE.

YORKTOWN, May 30th, 1778.

SIR: From the movements of the enemy and sundry intelligence received, there are strong reasons to believe that they intend to quit their present quarters at Philadelphia, and, from concurring circumstances, it is apprehended they mean to rendezvous at some post or place eastward of Hudson river. If the fleet should be bound to the West Indies, they may rendezvous in our commodious bay, in which case, unless our shores should be well guarded, the troops may make incursions into the country, and lay it waste.

Gen. Sullivan will, without doubt, collect the forces under his command, and post them in such places as he judges will best recure the country and prevent surprise. Inclosed are the last Lancaster and York papers, which will give you all the news we have. A letter to the President of Congress hath announced your election to the place of Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, on which occasion your Excellency will permit me to salute you. It gives me great pleasure to see our late worthy Governor succeeded by a gentleman so eminently distinguished for his patriotic firmness, and steady regard for the rights of mankind.

Heartily wishing that your Excellency may enjoy health and spirits, to enable you to discharge the arduous duties of your office agreeably to your own wishes and the expectations of the public,

I am, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's

Most obedient and very humble servant,

WILLIAM ELLERY.

Gov. GREENE TO HENRY MARCHANT.

WARWICK, STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c., }

June 2d, 1778.

DEAR SIR: Before this reaches you, it is very probable you will have heard that a large body of the enemy, on the night of the 24th of last month, landed at Warren towards break of day, and from thence marched to a place called Kickemuit, where lay our flat bottomed boats, and burned about seventy or eighty. They then proceeded back to Warren and burnt the meeting house, parsonage house, Caleb Child's house, as also the magazine, in which was a considerable quantity of powder, and partly burnt one of our galleys, and a new privateer that lay in the harbor. They then proceeded to Bristol, where it is said they burnt twenty dwelling houses and a considerable number of other buildings; and then embarked on board their boats, carrying with them about sixty prisoners, among whom was Sylvester Child and Parson Thompson, of Warren. On the 31st following, being perhaps flushed with their former success, they again landed at Fall River, with a body of about one hundred and fifty, and burnt one house and a mill, and were proceeding no doubt to burn the remainder of the mills, as there are two corn mills, two saw mills, and a fulling mill upon the same stream, near to where they burned the other; but as there was a bridge to pass to the other mills, which our people took up, and then placed themselves behind a wall and. began to fire upon them, they retreated with the loss of one man killed, and one mortally wounded, who I hear is since dead.

These alarms have greatly distressed this State, more especially as our sister states have neglected finding us any troops, for a very considerable time past, and as, by the means of our shores being so very naked, the enemy embrace the opportunity of discovering their savage intentions, wherever any opportunity offers. In consequence of the foregoing, our Assembly has been convened, and they have enacted, that our State battalion shall be filled up to the number agreed on by the convention at Springfield, by the tenth of this instant; and in the mean time, have ordered out a considerable part of our militia to do duty on the shore As we go on, I see nothing but

that there is the greatest appearance of this State's being entirely laid waste. On the one hand, as we are almost entirely neglected by our sister states, by having our country destroyed by the enemy; and, on the other, by keeping the most considerable part of our militia on duty, (for we have but about nine hundred, including officers, now on duty,) we shall be prevented from raising the necessaries of life. They have also enacted that the bills emitted by this State shall, after the first day of July next, cease to pass as a currency, and that the certificates, which we have received in consequence of a warrant from Congress on the Loan Office, are to redeem £45,000 of them, and the remainder, which amount to about £60,000 more, the treasurer is to issue his notes in lieu of, payable on three years at six per cent. per annum. The latter sum, including the £90,000 which our treasurer has heretofore issued his notes for since the commencement of the present war, in consequence of money expended in behalf of the United States, amounts to about the same sum, or nearly that, including what we have been obliged to furnish the Deputy Clothier General with, as he has not been able to collect any from any other quarter, besides many other necessary expenses, which have accrued since forwarding our account by Mr. Collins to Congress, and which was then due from the United States to us. Now considering that to be the case, you will naturally discover what an amazing debt our little distressed State is now paying the interest of, when, in fact, if we could have a proper adjustment of our accounts, nearly the whole amount would in justice belong to the United States to pay. If we are obliged to continue in the way I have pointed out, exclusive of paying our proportion of the Continental debt, and be obliged to defend that part of the State which is much damaged, and which is not yet in the hands of the enemy, against a body of near 4000 of them, I think, I dare to prophesy that it is very probable that this State will be out of the hands of the present possessors in a very little time.

The disappointment we met with at the return of Mr. Collins by his not bringing the amount of our account against the United States, has induced me to write the above, as Mr. Ellery mentioned in his letter by Mr. Collins, that it was with much difficulty that he obtained what he did, and that unless we shall hereafter send forward some proper person to Congress with our vouchers, he thought it would be fruitless to apply for any further sum. Now, unless the accounts of the United States in general can be properly adjusted, I confess I am at a loss to discover which way Congress can know by inquiring into our accounts singly, what our proportion of the debt is; but on the other hand, if they want to know whether the vouchers we have will properly sustain the charges contained in our account, I think it may be prudent for you to apply to Congress to know

their sentiments, when there may likely be a proper time for us to send forward some person with our vouchers, in order that we may have an opportunity of giving them the best satisfaction in our power. The resolve of Congress respecting the commander of armed vessels strictly adhering to instructions of Congress, was published in the Providence Gazette, of the 30th of May, as also the address to the inhabitants of the United States, which please, after making my compliments to the President, to acquaint him with. As I am not as yet informed of your setting out for Congress, of course I have not heard from your family lately, but conclude they are well.

I am, with great respect, your obedient, humble servant,

WILLIAM GREENE.

SIR:

MESSRS. ELLERY AND MARCHANT TO Gov. GREENE

YORKTOWN, PENN., June 8th, 1778.

Mr. Marchant arrived at this town the sixth instant. The situation of Mr. Ellery's family necessitates his return in a few days. Confederation, it is expected, will be taken up soon; and if Congress should determine that, immediately upon the completion of that business, no state can be represented without two members, the State we have the honor to represent may not have that share in the common councils of the states which our interest and circumstances require. Solicitous this may not be the case, we hope one of our colleagues will soon give his attendance.

We lament the waste and destruction made upon our State, by that more than savage barbarity peculiar to Britons. But we are utterly at a loss to account for that cruel desertion of our sister states which has thus laid our State bare to the insults and ravages of our enemies. This is a subject we feel most pungently, and shall not fail to endeavor to excite in Congress a common feeling with us, that, if possible, some steps may be taken for our relief.

It is expected the enemy will very soon leave Philadelphia, but for what quarter is uncertain. We hope the New England states will hold themselves in watchful readiness. The enemy ought to be expected in every quarter that, so let them come wherever they will, they may meet with a proper reception.

A large ship from France, with upwards of fifty guns is arrived to the Southward, with large supplies for our army. We enclose to your Excellency, the last York papers, and are,

Most respectfully your Excellency's

Most obedient and humble servants,

WILLIAM ELLERY.
HENRY MARCHANT.

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