Whipple, William (1730-1785) to John Langdon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00194 Author/Creator: Whipple, William (1730-1785) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 April 1776 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 21 x 32.6 cm. Order a Copy
William Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the newly established Continental Navy with fellow Congressman Langdon. Refers to supplying guns to soldiers, and mentions a United States flag with "thirteen stripes red & white for the field, & a Union." Advises Langdon not to resign his Congressional seat in order to accept an appointment as a Continental Naval Agent, stating "such a step would have an avaricious appearance, & on the other hand there can not be a greater evidence of Patriotism than preferring the public good, to ones private interest ... I by no means can advise to your resigning your seat in Congress." Requests that Langdon transmit a list of nominations for officers of an unspecified ship. Discusses details regarding canvas being transmitted to Langdon (possibly for use in making a flag). Fragile and slightly torn in creases. For a related discussion of the Continental Navy, refer to GLC00336.
Congress established the Continental Navy 13 October 1775. Langdon resigned his Congressional seat in June 1776 to become a Marine agent for Continental prizes and superintendent of the construction of several ships of war.
Philadelphia 29 apr 1776
Dear Sir
I received yours of ye 15th inst by which I find some of my letters respecting guns canvas he had not come to hand, I am doing every thing in my power to forward these matters & flatter myself shall be able to obtain an order for the canvas (by this port) to be forwarded from (struck: Philadelphia) Providence or New?London, I can say nothing about the guns, but what I have already wrote you, the colours have thirteen stripes Red & white for the field, & a Union. As to the Agency I wrote you that I had nominated you in Committee where there was no objection, nor did I imagine there wod be in Congress but I was mistaken, for when the nomination came before Congress, there was objections from every part of the room, on account of your being a member it was proposd to be put off which I did not object to, finding I shod not be able to carry it at that time There has since been a motion that no member of Congress shall hold any lucrative office, if this shod not obtain I shall make another attempt. You say you'd resign your seat in Congress rather than not have [2] the Agency. If my advice can have any weight with you, you certainly will not. Such a step would have an avaricious appearance, & on the other hand there can not be a greater evidence of Patriotism than preferring the public good, to ones private interest. I shod be very sorry that any Person who has stood forth in the glorious cause of Liberty shod take a step that will in any measure destroy the lustre, of so glorious a character as that of a true Patriot. I heartily wish to see every place of Public trust filled by such persons as will [inserted: best] serve the Public interest for which reason I shod be exceeding glad if your present desires might be gratified, but I by no means can advise to your resigning your seat in Congress, if the nomination of another person shod be urgd I shall be much at a loss who to propose it shod be a person of great integrity a good accountant a stanch friend to the cause & one who will give close attention to the business but I hope shall have the assistance of a coleague in this matter if I can't get you appointed, which I really do not expect. [3] Pray send a list of proper persons for officers for the ship. Thompson I think is a very good man. There must be three Leiuts, a capt & two Leiuts. of Marines. The Master must be a very good man. I hope we shall have such men as will do Honor to the Colony There has been no mention of Flaggs nor do I immagine there will be any appointment for some time, if there shod you may be assured I shall not be unmindful of my Friend The Committee have promis'd me an order to morrow morning for the Canvas to be forwarded from Providence, that is very heavy canvas as for light canvas I don't know where its to come from, I shall send you the name of the ship next post & hope you will have the canvas soon after this reaches you.
I am with great sincerity
Yours
Wm: Whipple
J Langdon Esqr
[4] Captain
3 Leiuts
Master
3 Mates
Surgeon
2 Mates
Capt Marine
2 Leiuts
These officers must be appointed by Congress or Committee the others such as Boatswain, Carpen, Gunners &c &c will I suppose be left for you to appoint
[docket]
Mr. Whipple, Esq.
Letters
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