Lovell, James (1737-1814) to Samuel Holten [incomplete]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.020.14 Author/Creator: Lovell, James (1737-1814) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter Date: 8 May 1781 Pagination: 2 p. ; 34 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Author inferred due to content and handwriting. Recipient inferred from content and from comparison to other items in the 1450.020 collection. Praises Massachusetts but laments the failure of the states to contribute to the common cause. States that foreign troops are garrisoning West Point because they can feed themselves and are paid. Reports that the Quarter Master had to sell some provisions in order to ship others to a skeleton of an army in need of food and supplies. Writes extensively about the dismal financial state, inflation, and depreciation of the currency. Complains that the other 12 states are not doing enough to help the situation. "The old continental is dying by yards and inches."
Lovell and Holten were Continental Congressmen from Massachusetts.
May 8, 1781.
Dear Sir
Your Favor of the 26. of April reached me yesterday - your Troops are coming on "in large numbers." The General [Washington?] informs you that Tents &c. will be much wanted; and the Court will make their "usual Exertions." Indeed, Doctor, I am persuaded that in a comparative View Massachusetts will appear to have been among the most vigorous States; but we are at this moment in the most disgraceful and hazardous Situation from the Backwardness of every individual State. Foreign Troops are to garison West Point because foreign Troops can feed themselves, and are paid. Our Quarr. Mastr. genl. has been obliged to sell some of his Provision to enable himself to transport the rest to a Skeleton of an Army in Want of the very Pounds of meat or Flour which he has been forced to part with. If you know of [struck: your of] a Compliance with one Requisition of Congress, in Time & Quantity, do let me have it that I may show it to the Delegates of the 12 States who cannot produce a single Instance.
We are in an Uproar here [2] about the Money. Sailors with Clubs parade the Streets instead of working for Paper. The Beer houses demand hard for a Pot of Drink; and all this because the Council have published that the difference between Silver and old Continental was 174, the latter having been sold 180 & 200 for one several Days. - Did Massachusetts sink its Quota by the 1st. of April? Some States had not then begun to sink a Shilling.
You say Mr. Partridge and Mr. Osgood are coming on: I ask with what money in their Pockets? That of our State is not counted money here. The old continental is dying by Yards not Inches, and if my Friends purchase Gold with their State money, they become Speculators, say all the Villains who have created the Necessity. - Are you not aware of the Perdition that awaits my Family while the Paper System goes on. I take a Thousand Dollars here whether in old or 5 & 5/7 State I draw for 1000 on 25 State. I lose the Interest on the 25 as I have twice or thrice done on 250 and I pay above 1500 for patching my Coat, &cc.
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