Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
A letter from General Lee, dated Williamsburg, 10 May with three papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:1
Resolved, That the said letter with the papers enclosed be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. R H Lee, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Middleton,2 Mr. Paine, and Mr. Wolcott.3
Journals of the Continental Congress, 4:368
The committee on this letter reported back to Congress on May 21 and recommended immediately undertaking an expedition against Detroit while suspending one against Niagara. Congress, however, resolved to postpone any further consideration until the arrival of General Washington. Washington had suggested both of these targets in a letter to John Hancock on Apr. 19 (Journals of the Continental Congress, 4:373; The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, 4:87).
Arthur Middleton (1742–1787) trained for the law in England but upon his homecoming to South Carolina turned to planting. He was active in provincial politics, followed his father, Henry Middleton, as a delegate to the Continental Congress (1776–1777 and 1781–1782) and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Between his terms in Congress, Middleton served in the army and was held a prisoner by the British from May 1780 to July 1781 (
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Oliver Wolcott (1726–1797), graduated from Yale in 1747 and following military service in the Seven Years War was sheriff of Litchfield County, Conn., for 20 years. Wolcott was a delegate to the Continental Congress (1776–1778 and 1780–1783). He was one of the commissioners of Indian affairs for the northern department in 1775 and a signer of the Declaration of Independence the following year. He divided his time between Congress and the army, being commander of the 14 Connecticut regiments sent for the defense of New York in 1776 and in command of a brigade that took part in the defeat of General Burgoyne in 1777. After the war he was lieutenant governor (1786–1796) and governor (1796–1797) of Connecticut (
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I sent a Letter to the post Office for you last Saturday, but a Circumstance that happen’d last Evening, relative to our privateers, obliges me to write you again. As Capt. Muckford, (the same that took the Prize Ship on Fast Day) was going out on another Cruize yesterday afternoon being accompined down the Harbour by the Washington Privateer, Muckford got aground by Point Shirley; in this scituation they were attack’d, about 8 or 9 o’Clock in the Evening, by 13 Boats & 3 Schooners belonging to the Man of War. An engagement ensued, in which the Americans, ever noted for their Intrepidity, repuls’d the Enemy with great Loss, their Boats & Dead Men being found in plenty on Deer Island shore this morning, & the Decks of the Privateers where cover’d with the hands & fingers of the Enemy. Our prize Ship is at the Wharf unlaiding her Cargo.
You won’t forgit our Friend Mr. Russell; if their can be such a post as Auctioneer for the Agents in this Provence it wou’d be agreeable to him.
Do be so good as to send me your Philadelphia papers. In haiste I am Your Sincere Friend