Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 7, May 1 1777-September 18 1777
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Thomas Burke to To: Richard Caswell


Sir
Philadelphia May 2d 1777

   I wrote you the day before yesterday by an Express going to Charlestown, and after I had sealed up the letter, some intelligence was opened in Congress, which I wrote on a slip of paper and put into the cover. I doubt not you will receive it.(1)

   Mr Cochran of Cross Creek going home to day gives me an opportunity of giving you all the intelligence relative to that affair, which has been a little mischievous, and threatens consequences much more considerable than have happened. The inclosed paper contains the whole, as it was laid before Congress; except a few expressions of General Arnold, complaining of the behaviour of the Connecticut Militia, and of the supineness of the country which suffered such an insult without resistance or proper revenge. You will easily perceive that publishing such things would have no good effect.(2)

   As Mr Cochran sets off at three to-day, and I shall be all the intermediate time engaged in Congress, I shall not have time to write by him to any friend who may be in the Assembly. I must therefore entreat you to give the members of Assembly this intelligence in the most public manner you can.

   An insulting letter written by the Captain (3) of one of the Continental Frigates to the Governor of Maryland has excited great indignation in Congress. The Officer is suspended, and ordered in five days to make such satisfaction as the Governor and Council shall accept, or, failing, to be dismissed the service Every Gentleman (a few only excepted) seemed to feel his own State injured in this insult, and they were determined that nothing less should do, than what would satisfy Maryland, and convince Officers that they were very far inferior to the



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   Magistrates of States, and must treat them with the most profound respect. I never had more hopes of Congress than I have now. All seem sensible that the honour and dignity of the Magistrates of the States ought to be preserved sacred and inviolable; whether for applying the force of the States, or restraining abuses, and suppressing ambition.

   Your Excellency knows enough of my political creed to believe that this disposition is exceedingly pleasing to me. I have not time to add more, but that I have the honor to be, Your &c,


Thos Burke


Note: Tr(Nc-Ar).

1 This "intelligence" concerned the recent British raid on Danbury, Conn. See Burke to Caswell, April 30, 1777.

2 On May I Congress read an April 30 letter from Washington to President Hancock containing numerous enclosures describing the Danbury raid and directed the cornmittee of intelligence "to publish such extracts from them as they judge proper." Later, however, Congress rescinded this order and erased it from the journals. See JCC, 7:319-PCC, item 152, 4:12145, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 7:493-94.

3 James Nicholson.