Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 15, April 1 1780-August 31 1780
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Philip Schuyler to To: Robert R. Livingston


My Dear Sir
Philadelphia April 23rd 1780

   When you mentioned your Intention to return to our State as soon as Mrs. Livingston should be In a Condition to travel I made no opposition, but Since your departure hence the necessity of your Returning here has so forcibly Struck my mind that I should deem myself Inexcusable and failing in duty to my Country If I did not


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urge you to lay aside Every thought of leaving us In the present Critical not to say extreamly distressing Conjuncture. The Intelligence we yesterday receivd from South Carolina the particulars of which Mr Mathews will transmit You, (1) will Evince to you that we ought not to Entertain a Belief that Charles town is even now In our possession. The loss of that place perhaps of that whole state will superadd to the difficulties we already Abundantly experience; In such Conjunctures we have Occasion for the aid of Every man of Abilities In public life, we have Occasion for an uncommon Stock of Wisdon and Vertue and you that know how little of either pervades our directing Council must not quit the Stage and leave the political Ship to the danger of becoming a wreck thro the Incompetency of the pilots. I need not tell you that our affairs are running rapidly to Some violent Crisis, that the present disorders do not seem to admit of remedy In the ordinary Course of things, that a Convulsion now would Indefinitely prejudice our affairs both at home & abroad as It will evince a want of means or a want of Wisdom to apply them, and that either would bring our cause Into discredit, perhaps totally ruin ....(2)

   Let me Intreat you to take a ride to Morris Town the soonest you possibly can.

   I faithfully executed the Commission you charged me ....(3)


Note: RC (NHi: Robert R. Livingston Papers). In the hand of Philip Schuyler.

1 see the following entry.



2 Ms torn; approximately seventeen lines missing.



3 MS torn; remainder missing.