Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
I received your agreable Scrawl of Jany. 10th, & having decyphered it shall preserve the alphabet to explain your next. The Figures I am not yet Master of, there not being others to compare therewith so that I am uncertain with respect to the Date whether it was the 10th. or the 18th.1
I fully agree with You in thinking it necessary, that the Measures recommended by the Convention of the N. E. States for “preventing 352Monopolies & Oppression” must at all Events be adopted. Trade it is true will regulate itself in ordinary Times & with a fixed Medium, but when it happens that a Community can be but partly supplyed with the Necessaries & Conveniences of Life, It must be evident that without some Regulations the Merchant or Trader will have an unbounded power to demand of the Wealthy that portion of their Interest he pleases for his Commodities & that these will not only be unreasonably plundered of their Money, but that the Distress must altogether fall on the poor who will not be able to releive their Necessities untill all who have more property are fully satisfied. Add to this the Disadvantages of a fluctuating depreciating Medium and It is evident that the publick from Want of such Regulations must be loaded with Enormous Debts by Demands that will increase in propertion to the Extortion of the Merchants & Traders mentioned. Another Reason may evince the Necessity of such Laws when we consider that Foreigners have not only supplyed us wth. their Commodities at a most extravagant advance, but at the same Time have procured our produce at a much lower Rate than it was ever before sold at, whereby with a single Cargo a person may have secured to himself an independent Fortune. The Execution of such Laws are undoubtedly difficult but it being the Interest of such Multitudes to assist their Operations, the Refractory will undoubtedly be diligently watched. We have sent two Millions in Loan Office Certificates to the N.E. States, but I doubt of Success with the Interest offered of 4 per Ct. We have also sent them half a Million of Dollars to pay the Bounty which will probably reach you e’er this. The Lottery Tickets are left with the Managers; Why they are not sent to all the States I know not, but shall move for Enquiry.
I should be sorry to hear of the loss of Ticonderoga but have no great Expectations from Fortifications of any Kind; if we are superior without, the Enemy will be soon subdued within, & the reverse must necessarily happen unless we preserve the Superiorty mentioned.
I am glad to hear of the brass Foundery. Nothing is more essential than a good Train of Artillery & I hope you will push this Measure with Vigour.
With respect to the Howitzers I agree with You both in their Usefulness on board Ships & in Fortifications, & cannot entertain a Doubt that Congress mean to have them procured at all Events; if there should be Time I will propose to Congress your Query & transmit it with this Letter, otherwise I think You had best proceed & send them on agreable to former orders.
353Congress since their Session in this place have given General Washington large powers, which you have undoubtedly seen as they were transmitted to the several States; they have augmented the Army to 116 Batalions, & order’d 3000 Horse & as many of the Train to be forthwith raised. D. F. is to go from F. to the C. of M.2 & many other Measures with respect to foreign applications for Subsidies, & Treaties with other European powers, have taken place.
The president & our Colleagues are well, & return their Compliments. Mrs. Yard & Miss Lucy at philadelphia where Congress are pressing to return. As any Thing new Occurs shall inform You of it and remain for your very hum. serv.
P.S. I inclose the Resolution of Congress relative to the Howitzers. The Number mentioned for Tyond. are agreable to a late requisition from G. Schuyler. The Managers are directed to send on their Certificates without Delay. The Shot were not mentioned or Shells but must be sent of Course.
RTP to Elbridge Gerry, Jan. 18, 1777. See above.
“Dr. Franklin is to go from France to the Court of Madrid.”
Resolved, That Mr. R. T. Paine be desired to contract with Colo. Gridley for forty 8 Inch Iron howitzers upon terms that he shall judge reasonable & cause ten of them to be mounted & sent to Ticonderoga.
By Order of Congress
By the above resolve you will perceive Congress have desired you to agree with Colo. Gridley for forty 8 Inch Howitzers, upon reasonable 354terms. I must beg your attention to it, cannot enlarge at this time being much hurried, shall write you more fully by Express. I am Your most Obed. Hb. Servt.
I sent your Trunk by a Waggon with Money, which went off 11th Inst.