apart, they were distributed to the compositors, and Mr. Stevens left the office with the assurance that the job would be done and 100 copies of it printed in sheets by Monday morning at nine o'clock. Mr. Stevens, leaving, took with him the single lithograph print contained in the book (it was a rough map of our Southern coast, the Gulf of Mexico and the islands the Antilles and the Bahamas), drove at once to a lithographer's and made the same arrangements with him to have a hundred copies of the lithograph plate ready at the same time on Monday morning. He then drove to a case-maker and binder, made the same arrangements to have a hundred cases ready in which to insert the book on Monday morning at nine o'clock, and then he went home assured that he controlled the situation. On that Monday morning, at the hour appointed, he appeared at the printer's office and took into his hands. the sheets of the copies printed complete (even to the typographical errors in the original copies), and drove to the lithographer's, where he secured the copies of the lithograph print, and with the whole drove to the case-maker's, where he deposited his load. Four copies of the work were "assembled," and, as well as time permitted, stitched and put into four cases, and Mr. Stevens with them drove to Downing Street and to the office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and delivered, before 12 o'clock of that day, the last day pursuant to the Treaty, two copies of the American case to Lord Tenterden, the Under Secretary, who had been named as the British Agent. He then drove to General Schenck's office and returned to him one of the other copies reproduced in the place of the one which he had taken on the previous Saturday, and told General Schenck the story of what he had done,

Well," said I, "Mr. Stevens, that is a most interesting and wonderful story. Of course it has been told and gone well into history?" "No," said he, never, save to a few persons, and you are one of that few, and it must never go into print as long as I live." "And," said I, of course the United States Government repaid you the expense of what you had done?" To which he replied: "Never a cent of it." I said: "Why, what do you mean?" Said he: "I never presented any bill or claim for it. The fact is that before Parliament assembled that evening the news of the service of the American case on the British Government was well known to many, and the next day I was called upon by many, to obtain copies of it, and I sold to members of Parliament for a pound apiece every copy that I had to spare, and I realized more

than enough to cover the expenditure." "Well," said I, "how do you account for the failure of the Washington authorities to comply with the terms of the Treaty?" "Oh," said he, "when the next steamer arrived the bundle came. Instead of committing so important a matter to the hands of a special messenger to bring it across the Atlantic, or sending the number of necessary copies at the time that a single copy was sent to General Schenck and a single copy was sent to me, the bundle was entrusted to the custody of an express company, and as it was thought, in time for the last steamer; but the express messenger, knowing nothing of the importance of the package, treated it like any other, and it reached New York after the steamer had sailed."

To understand the importance of the act performed by Mr. Stevens, we must remember that it saved the arbitration at Geneva to us, and that the award of that tribunal to America for the depredations of the Alabama, the Sumter and the other Rebel vessels was a round sum of $15,500,000.

RALPH E. PRIME.

YONKERS, N. Y.

(Anyone who has not already read Admiral Smith's article in our January number, ought to read it, while Colonel Prime's story is fresh in his mind.—ED.).

LETTERS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON TO GEORGE

AND JAMES CLINTON.

XVI

WASHINGTON TO GENERAL CLINTON, JUNE 2, 1779

Two page quarto. Washington realized the importance of this war on the frontier, but had to leave its direction practically entirely to the two generals in charge. The right wing, under Clinton, went up the valley of the Mohawk as far as Canajoharie, then turning southwest; while Sullivan took the left wing up the Susqeuhanna. At the date of this letter Washington was not sure of Clinton's plans.

"Dear Sir, I have to acknowledge your favour of the 23d May.

The taking of two light three pounders in place of the artillery of the brigade, as you propose will depend entirely on the place of your junction with General Sullivan. If on the Susquehannah there will be no necessity to carry any artillery whatsoever, as General Sullivan has made adequate provision. If the other route is determined on I have no objection to your moving with these two pieces.

I do not conceive much danger from letting the mortar remain in Albany. Should I find that it can be employed I shall give orders on the subject.

If Major Wright and the officers you mention have behaved up to the spirit of their parole; and there are no reasons to suspect them; it might be as well to continue their indulgence. But should it be otherwise you will have them properly restricted."

Entirely unpublished.

XVII

WASHINGTON TO GENERAL CLINTON, JUNE 10, 1779

Two page folio. This letter from Smith's Clove continues Washington's suggestions contained in his preceding letter in connection with the junction of Clinton's forces with those of General Sullivan. The letter, excepting Washington's own signature, is entirely in the autograph of Alexander Hamilton. The letter retains Washington's seal.

"Sir, I have received your two favours of the 20th of May and 6th of June. I hope before this you will have received instructions from General Sullivan, respecting the precise line of conduct you are to observe. Whether your destination shall be up the Mohock River or to form a junction in the first instance with the main body at the Head of Susquehannah, is a point I have left to him to decide and to give you directions accordingly. But as the preparations on the Susquehannah are completed and the main body all in motion towards Wyoming it is essential you should be ready to move either way at the shortest notice. Should there be any delay on your part, when you are required to commence your operations, the consequences may be very disagreeable. I therefore leave it with you to make whatever further preparations you think necessary to enable you to comply with a sudden call. The Quarter Master is directed to consult you and execute your orders. The providing teams or pack horses beforehand depends on the ease or difficulty of procuring them in a hurry-I leave it to you to do as you think proper; and I expect that you will be at all points prepared, instantly to comply with the orders you may receive from General Sullivan, for the purpose of a perfect cooperation either way.

In respect to what Col'l. VanSchaik mentions of his being deficient in the means of rewarding the Indians for their services, if he should mean only a want of money, you will give him a warrant on the pay master for the necessary sum. If he means articles of cloathing &c. you will be pleased to make an application to the Commissioners for Indian affairs who I dare say will do everything in their power to supply him."

Entirely unpublished.

XVIII

WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOR CLINTON, JUNE 24, 1779

One page folio. This letter from New Windsor is not alone of much historical interest but of importance as evidence (if indeed such further evidence is needed) of the original source of these letters. While this letter is not published in the Clinton volumes and is missing from the manuscripts bought by the State of New York, the enclosure which was sent with it and is referred to in this letter was preserved, and is printed in the Clinton volumes (vol. v, p. 95). In it General Greene gives a vivid and interesting account of the repulse of the English at Charleston. Count Pulaski had arrived at Smith's Clove on the 7th. On the 11th the English attacked Charleston. According to Greene they "left 653 upon the ground," while the Americans lost but two men in the action.

"Dr. Sir, That I might be more convenient to the works at West Point, I removed my quarters to this place on Monday last. I have only to add upon this subject that I shall be happy to see your Excellency here, as often as your leisure will permit.

There has been no official account received from Charles Town as yet that I know of; but I have no doubt but that there has been an action there, and that the issue has been in our favour. The inclosed is a copy of a letter I just received from General Greene, in which the affair is so particularly related that it is hardly possible it can be destitute of foundation. I trust we shall have in a few days the fullest confirmation."

Entirely unpublished.

XIX

WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOR CLINTON, JUNE 28, 1779

One page folio, with extract of letter to General Sullivan, two page folio, and draft of Governor Clinton's answer to Washington, on third page. Letter franked by Washington, and Washington's seal in perfect condition. These items relate to General Sullivan's expedition against the Indians. The letter of Washington to Sullivan is published in Sparks, vol. vi, p. 275. The Clinton letter to Washington, written on the third page of Washington's letter to Clinton, which is entirely unpublished, adds greatly to the value of this item.

(Washington's letter) :

"Head Quarters, New Windsor, June 28th, 1779. "Dr. Sir, I have the honor to inclose you an extract from my letter of the 21st to Gen. Sullivan by which you will perceive I have informed him that Lieut. Col. Pawling with a part of his command will join Gen. Clinton at Ononquaga and proceed on the ulterior operations of the expedition. As you left the matter to my determination whether the party should return or proceed on the Western service after effecting the primary object I have preferred the latter as the safest. By some intelligence from Canada received through Col. Hazen concurring with what Col. Van Schaick communicated some time since, it is said that 1500 men were sent early in the spring to the posts on the Lakes. Though I don't give intire credit to this account, yet as it may be true, I am willing to strengthen the expedition as much as possible, to avoid an accident. I am to request your Excellency will give directions to L't. Col. Pauling accordingly."