The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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WEDNESDAY, JANY. 15 |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
WEDNESDAY, JANY. 15
A letter dated the 19th. of December from Genl. Greene was
recd. notifying the evacuation of Charleston. It was in the first
place referred to the Secy. of Congs. for publication; excepting
the passage which recited the exchange of prisoners, which being
contrary to the Resolution of the 16 of Ocr. agst. partial exchanges,
was deemed improper for publication. It was in the next place
referred to a come., in order that some complimentary report
might be made in favor of Genl. Greene & the Southn. army.
Docr. Ramsay havg. come in after this reference and being uninformed
of it, moved that a committee might be appointed to
devise a proper mode of expressing to Genl. Greene the high
sense entertained by Congress of his merits & services. In support
of his motion he went into lavish praises of Gl. Greene, and
threw out the idea of making him a Lieutent. General. His
motion being opposed as somewhat singular and unnecessary
after the reference of Genl. Greene's letter, he withdrew it.
A letter was red. from Genl. Washington inclosing a certificate
from Mr. Chittenden of Vermont acknowledging the receipt of
the communication which Gl. Washington had sent him of the
proceedings of Congress on the [fifth] of [December.][29]
On that day Congress resolved, that, whereas the people inhabiting the
west side of the Connecticut River commonly known as the New Hampshire
Grants had undertaken to exercise jurisdiction over certain persons who professed
to be citizens of New York, such proceedings were highly derogatory to
the authority of the United States and dangerous to the confederacy. It was
ordered that restitution be made and that a copy of the resolutions be sent to
Thomas Chittenden, Esq., of Bennington, to be communicated to the people.
—Journals of Congress, iv., 112.
| The writings of James Madison, | |