1775. they were both constituted commissioners for restoring CHAP. VII. peace to the colonies, and granting pardons, with such exceptions as they should think proper to make. Lord Howe, who had been detained some time in England, soliciting an enlargement of his powers as commissioner, arrived at Halifax about a fortnight after his brother had left that place, and lost no time in proceeding after him to Staten Island, which he reached the twelfth of July.* General Washington soon received evidence of the difficulty attending his efforts to preserve this important river from an enemy possessing so powerful a fleet as was now to act against him. Two frigates passed his batteries, without injury, and sailed up towards the high lands; the passes of which were of essential importance, and were very weakly defended. It was apprehended that on board these frigates might be a small body of troops, and arms for the numerous disaffected of that country, with whose aid, sudden possession might be taken of these important positions. It was impossible still further to weaken the army at New York, for the defence of these passes, and therefore the militia were called upon to maintain them. The frigates, however, did not make the attempt which was apprehended from them; but, by retaining this station, they cut off the communication, by water, between the army at New York and that at Ticonderoga. To remove this interruption, a plan was formed to set the frigates on fire, by means of a fire-ship. This plan, though considerable address and * Ann. Reg.. courage CHAP. VII. 1776. Circular Letter of Lord Howe. courage were manifested in the attempt, failed in the execution; and only a tender was burnt. The frigates returned, but this fact demonstrated a truth which the general had before believed, that a ship with a fair wind would pass his batteries at pleasure, unless stopped before them by obstacles in the channel. Notwithstanding the declaration of independence had now been made, Lord Howe determined, while the troops from Europe were arriving, to try the influence of the powers for pacification which had been committed to him. He sent on shore, by a flag, a circular letter, dated off the coast of Massachussetts, addressed severally to the late governors under the crown, inclosing a declaration, which he requested them to make public; and which announced to the people his authority to grant pardons to any number or description of persons, who, during the tumult and disasters of the times might have deviated from their just allegiance, and who might be willing, by a speedy return to` their duty, to reap the benefits of the royal favour; and to declare any colony, town, post, or place, in the peace and under the protection of the crown, and excepted from the penal provisions of the act of parliament, prohibiting all trade and intercourse with the colonies. This letter also contained assurances that the meritorious services of all persons who should aid and assist in restoring public tranquillity in the colonies, or in any parts thereof, would be duly considered. These papers were immediately transmitted by the Com mander 1776 mander in chief to Congress, who resolved that they should CHAP. VII. "be published in the several gazettes, that the good people of the United States might be informed of what nature were the commissioners, and what the terms, with the expectation of which, the insidious Court of Britain had sought to amuse and disarm them; and that the few who still remained suspended by a hope, founded either in the justice or moderation of their late King, might now, at length, be convinced, that the valour alone of their country is to save its liberties." About the same time that these papers were put into circulation, Lord Howe sent, with a flag, a letter addressed to "George Washington, Esq." which the general refused. to receive, as “it did not acknowledge the public character with which he was invested by Congress, and in no other character could he have any intercourse with his Lordship.” This dignified proceeding was highly approved by Congress, in a particular resolution, which also directed, "that no letter or message be received, on any occasion whatever, from the enemy, by the Commander in chief, or others the commanders of the American army, but such as shall be directed. to them in the characters they respectively sustain." As there was some difficulty in recognising either the civil or military character conferred on individuals by the existing powers in America, and yet it was desirable, either. for the purpose of effecting a pacification, or of dividing still more the Americans, if a pacification should be impracticable, to open negotiations, and hold out the sem blance 1776. CHAP. VII. blance of restoring peace, the commissioners cast about for means to evade this preliminary obstacle to any discussion of the terms they were authorized to propose; and, at length, Colonel Patterson, adjutant-general of the British army, was sent on shore, by General Howe, with a letter directed to George Washington, &c. &c. &c. He was introduced to the general, whom he addressed by the title of "Excellency;" and, after the usual compliments, entered on business, by saying, that General Howe much regretted the difficulties which had arisen respecting the address of the letters; that the mode adopted was deemed consistent with propriety, and was founded on precedent, in cases of ambassadors and plenipotentiaries, where disputes or difficulties about rank had arisen. That General Washington might recollect he had, last summer, addressed a letter to "The Honourable William Howe." That Lord and General Howe did not mean to derogate from his rank, or the respect due to him, and that they held his person and character in the highest esteem; but that the direction, with the addition of &c. &c. &c. implied every thing which ought to follow. Colonel Patterson then produced a letter, which he said was the same that had been sent, and which he laid on the table. The general declined receiving it; and said, that a letter, directed to a person in a public character, should have some description or indication of that character, otherwise it would be considered as a mere private letter. It was true the etceteras implied every thing, and they also implied any thing. That the letter to General Howe, alluded to, was 1776. was an answer to one received from him under a like ad- CHAP. VII. dress, which, having been taken by the officer on duty, he did not think proper to return, and therefore answered in the same mode of address; and that he should absolutely decline any letter, relating to his public station, directed to him as a private person. Colonel Patterson then said, that General Howe would not urge his delicacy further, and repeated his assertions, that no failure of respect was intended. Some conversation then passed, relative to the treatment of prisoners; after which, Colonel Patterson said, that the goodness and benevolence of the King had induced him to appoint Lord Howe and General Howe his commissioners, to accommodate the unhappy dispute at present subsisting: that they had great powers, and would derive much pleasure from effecting the accommodation; and that he wished this visit to be considered as making the first advance towards so desirable an object. General Washington replied, that he was not vested with any powers on this subject, by those from whom he derived his authority; but he would observe, that, so far as he could judge from what had as yet transpired, Lord Howe and General Howe were only empowered to grant pardons: that those who had committed no fault wanted no pardon; and that the Americans were only defending what they deemed their indubitable rights. This, Colonel Patterson said, would open a very wide field for argument; and, after expressing VOL. II. 3 н |