Fort Mifflin

Head Quarters at Peter Wentz's, October 16, 1777.

Sir: I have been duly honoured with your favours of the 12th and 13th Inst. with their several Inclosures.

In respect to the Resolution directing a flag to be sent to Genl. Howe, I am inclined to think, that the information upon which it was framed was without foundation. The Letters which have come from our Officers, who have been lately taken, generally mention, that their treatment has been tolerably good; and such privates, as have escaped, have said nothing in the course of their examination of their having been compelled to work. For these reasons I have taken the liberty to decline sending the Flag.1 At the same time Congress may be assured, If our Prisoners suffer any wrongs, I shall take every means in my power to have them redressed, as soon as I am apprized of them.

It is with the highest satisfaction I congratulate Congress on the Success of our Arms at the Northward in the Action of the 7th. An event of the most interesting importance at this critical juncture. From the happy train in which things then were, I hope we shall soon hear of the most decisive advantages.

We moved this morning from the Encampment at which we have been for six or seven days past, and are just arrived at the Grounds we occupied before the Action of the 4th. One motive for coming here, is to divert the Enemy's attention and force from the Forts. These they seem to consider as Capital objects and from their operations mean to reduce if possible. At present their designs are directed against Fort Mifflin and the Chevaux de frize. I have therefore detached a further Reinforcement to the Garrison.

I yesterday thro' the hands of Mrs. Ferguson2 of Graham Park, received a Letter of a very curious and extraordinary nature from Mr. Duche3 which I have thought proper to transmit to Congress. To this ridiculous, illiberal performance, I made a very short reply by desiring the bearer of it, if she should hereafter, by any accident, meet with Mr. Duche, to tell him I should have returned it unopened, If I had had any idea of the contents, observing at the same time, that I highly disapproved the intercourse she seemed to have been carrying on and expected it would be discontinued. Notwithstanding the Author's assertion, I cannot but suspect that this Measure did not originate with him, and that he was induced to it, by the hope of establishing his interest and peace more effectually with the Enemy. I have the honor etc.4

1. 1. Congress having been informed that American prisoners of war were compelled to work on the Philadelphia fortifications by the British, resolved that General Washington send a flag of inquiry to General Howe and take such measures as seemed proper with British prisoners. This proceeding is stricken out in the Journals of the Continental Congress and in the margin is written "false intelligence."
2. 2. Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson. She is the same person who approached Joseph Reed with a suggestion of bribery to desert the American cause.
3. 3. The Rev. Jacob Duché. He wished Washington to recommend that the Declaration of Independence be rescinded and that he declare an immediate cessation of hostilities If Congress would not look favorably on such a course, Duché blandly advised Washington to "Negotiate for America at the Head of Your Army." The following extract is typical of the entire letter: "Perhaps it may be said, that it is 'better to die than be Slaves.' This indeed is a splendid maxim in theory: And perhaps in some instances may be found experimentally true. But where there is the least Probability of an happy Accommodation, surely Wisdom and Humanity call for some Sacrifices to be made, to prevent inevitable Destruction. You, well know, that there is but one invincible Bar to such an Accommodation. Could this be removed, other obstacles might readily be overcome. 'Tis to you, and you alone your bleeding Country looks, and calls aloud for this Sacrifice. Your Arm alone has Strength sufficient to remove this Bar. May Heaven inspire you with the glorious Resolution of exerting this Strength at so interesting a Crisis, and thus immortalizing Yourself as Friend and Guardian of Your Country! Your penetrating Eye needs no more explicit Language to discern my meaning."Duché's original letter (14 pages on folio-size paper) is flied with this of Washington in the Papers of the Continental Congress. A copy of it, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton and Tench Tilghman, is in the Washington Papersin the Library of Congress.
4. 4. In the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison.