1783] ARSENAL AND MAGAZINE 38 499 Major Ried, in Consequence of the Resolution of Congress of 26th of May, has obtained my Permission to return to his Home. I shall Take time to Consider the Request of the Officers for any further procedure with him. I am etc." TO MAJOR GENERAL HENRY KNOX Head Quarters, June 10, 1783. Sir: I am favored with your Letter of the 8th inclosing the Instructions of the Secry at War on the subject of erecting an Arsenal and Magazine at West Point; the Plan I conceive is a very eligible one. As soon as we shall have passed through the present business of furloughing the Men engaged for the War, it is probable that the whole or at least a part of the Troops in this Cantonment will be removed to West Point: where such number as shall be judged expedient may be employed on that service. I am &c." 40 [MS. H.S.] To EGBERT BENSON, LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM STEPHENS SMITH, AND DANIEL PARKER Head Quarters, June 10, 1783. Gentlemen: I have been favored with your Letter of the 30th of May, containing several Queries respectg the Extent of your Commission. That you would find Embarrassments in the Execution of your Instructions is no more than I expected; but to remove, is not so easy as to foresee them. It is exceedingly difficult for me, not being a Witness to the particular Cases, or acquainted with the Circumstances which 38 'Maj. James Randolph Reid. 39 The draft is in the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr. "In the writing of David Humphreys. must fall under your View, in Course of the Evacuation, to give you a precise Definition or Character of the Acts which you are to represent as Infractions of the Treaty; nor can I undertake to give an official Construction of any particular Expression or Term of the Treaty; which must, in Cases of Ambiguity, or different Interpretations, be explained by the Sovereigns of the two Nations, or their Commissioners, appointed for that purpose. As your Instructions from me, are given in consequence of the Directions of Congress, and are grounded entirely on their Resolutions, which have been passed, in Compliance with Sir Guy Carletons own application; and for directg measures to be taken to obtain the Delivery of Property in possession or Controul of the British Troops; which latter Case, is not provided for by the Articles of the Treaty; I must be silent on the Subject; leaving it to your own good Judgment and Discretion to execute your Commission in the best Manner you can, from a critical Attention to the particular Circumstances and Acts which will fall under your View, compared with the Terms of the Treaty, and the Expressions of your Instructions. It however appears to me, that your reply to Mr Elliot," was very pertinent and proper; for as the power is not in our Hands, it matters very little for us to devise Modes, which we are not able to Controul; but which may be evaded by those who are the Executors, leaving to us, the part only of remonstrating, without the Means of prevention. Indeed this Observation may be said to apply to every Act to which your Instructions will extend; so that in fact, I see little more that you will be able to do, than to be Witnesses to the Various Acts which will probably pass under your Cognizance, in Course of the Evacuation, whether they are the public Acts of the Comr in Chief, or those "Andrew Elliot. He was royal Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of New York. 1783] OFFICERS' BAGGAGE 501 of Individuals; and which, if you judge them to be Infractions of either the Letter or Spirit of the Treaty, you are to represent to and remonstrate against to Sir Guy Carleton; leaving it with him, to give the Redress, or involve such Consequences as may Result from the Omission. I am &c.*2 GENERAL ORDERS 42 Head Quarters, Newburgh, Tuesday, June 10, 1783. Parole Boston. Countersigns Philada., Charlestown. The 1st. Massachusetts regt. will give the Guards tomorw. Tomorrow morning a Vessell will be ready at Newburgh to take on board the Baggage of the officers of the Massachusetts Line, eastward of the County of Worcester. They are desired to send returns of their names, ranks and quantities of baggage to the Quarter Master General by six o'clock this evening. AFTER ORDERS The strength of the Army in this Cantonment being considerably diminished by the number of men lately furloughed, the order of the 16th. of April directing a General, Field officers, and Quarter Master to be of the day; and also a regiment to parade every day for duty, is dispenced with. For the present there will be one field officer and an Adjutant of the day, and the guards only, will form on the Grand parade at 9 o'clock in the morning. "The draft is in the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr. |