Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 7, May 1 1777-September 18 1777
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George Walton to To: Lachlan McIntosh

Philadelphia 1st May 1777

   "The preceeding subject having necessarily drawn me into the mention of this man [B. Gwinett] (1) I cannot readily dismiss him; not from any partiality to his virtues, but from an abhorrence of his vices.(2) Mark him at the first moment of his arrival in that Country & trace him (if it be possible to follow him thro the great variety of his shiftings & turnings) down to the present crisis; and you will find no criterion by which you might fix any character. A mere Proteus in principle, he makes virtue subservient to his vices; to cover the multitude of the latter he affects to be possessed of the former. With the loudest clamorings for Liberty he would ruin the Country whose cause he pretends to advocate; and with the warmest declaration of Friendship he would stab the most virtuous of Characters. Counteract one machination and he will have recourse to another. Disgrace him for discovered crimes, he will seek a palliation and founds a reestablishment in the delusions of Patriotism. Has he not deserted all parties with which he was ever known to be engaged? Has he ever professed a friendship (save one perhaps [Lyman Hall]) but to betray? (3) Did he not consent to put you at the head of a Regiment when he could not keep it himself with a premeditated intention to ruin you? Did he not betray the trust of his Country when he was here [Philadelphia] respecting arms and ammunition for the second & third Battalions of Georgia Troops & Denying me the necessary support in getting them sent from hence or procuring an order on our Agent in Martinique to send a Vessel to Georgia with them, either of which could have been obtained. He without my knowledge applies to the secret committee; and assuring them with his accustomed confidence that he could mighty easily get them at the Mole, Hispaniola & I don't know how many places they readily furnished him with 20,000 dollars for the purpose of supplying these Battalions with Arms &c and they were to be ready long before the troops were raised.(4) Whether he has performed this



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contract with the United States let Colonels Elbert & Screven declare. Thinking the continent, the State & myself ill used in this business I mentioned the matter with all the attendant circumstances in a public letter(5) to my late worthy friend Mr President Bulloch who I am informed sent the letter to the convention. The secretary delivered it to the Speaker (Mr Gw -- -tt) and he suppressed it. The iniquity of the proceeding speaks so loudly that it calls for vengeance &c &c. This self elected Demaacque [Demagogue] is dispised more or less every where. His election by his own vote is detested beyond measure. If he has not fascinated the senses of the whole people and has not the power of preserving the infatuation, he must, sooner or later atone for these things," &c &c.


Note: Tr(DLC). Headed: "Extracts from another Letter of George Walton to General McIntosh dated Philadelphia 1st May 1777."

1 Names in brackets, here and below, appear at the foot of the Tr, keyed with asterisks.

2 For Walton's earlier criticism of Georgia President Button Gwinnett, see Walton to McIntosh, April 18, 1777.

3 For Gwinnett's special friendship with Hall, see Charles F. Jenkins, Button Gwinnett: Signer of the Declaration of Independence (New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1926), p. 62.

4 For more details about Gwinnett's contract, see Secret Committee Minutes of Proceedings, July 12, 1776.

5 Not found.