January 1-December 31, 1781 265

This is a conjuncture that calls for the most serious consideration
of these States, Congress have not a doubt in their minds but that
each State in the Union is determined to support the confederacy
that has been so solemnly entered into through every difficulty &
hand it down unimpaired to their posterity. Under these impressions
Congress can with confidence call on their constituents for such
exertions as are proportionate to the truly critical situation of our
affairs. The plan of operations for the present campaign having
been preconcerted on the principle of obliging the enemy to abandon
their possessions in every part of these States; therefore an unequivo-
cal compliance with the demands heretofore made by Congress for
provisions, men & money, are what we have at present to ask for,
should these means be expeditiously & punctually put into our hands,
we have the most pleasing prospect of putting a speedy and happy
issue to the war; by driving the Enemy from their present posses-
sions in every part of these States: but at all events, to confine them
to the sea coasts; in order to give as little room as possible to the
enemy's claim of uti possidetis which will undoubtedly be most Stren-
uously insisted on by them in the course of the negotiation. A claim
totally inadmissible on our part — of course that nothing should be
left unessayed by these States to prevent the embarrassments that
such a claim must inevitably produce of consequence it is become
indispensably necessary by our immediate and under providence suc-
cessfull efforts, to place ourselves in such a situation as to enable our
negotiators to speak a firm & decided language becoming the char-
acters of ministers of free sovereign & Independent States. We con-
clude with observing that from the foregoing communications we
are so thoroughly convinced of the most Strenuous exertions of
every State in the union to accomplish the great objects herein pointed
out, that Congress will immediately proceed to carry into full execu-
tion their plans adopted for defeating the ambitious views of our
enemies; and be prepared to accept of peace, upon no other terms
than the Independence of the thirteen United States of America in
all their parts.

June 1
Red Book
No. 7
Letter 4
[Indorsed
"Secret"]

[Sam. Smith, Balt., to Gov. Lee.]

I am honor'd with your Letter of yesterday — the appointment by
your Excell^y & the Hon. the Council — I Consider as the greatest
favor, & hold myself under particular obligations to your Board for
this Singular Mark of their politeness, as well as for many other
favors I Have receiv'd from them.
On Considering the resolves indoS^td by your Excell^y & your Ex-
cell^ys Letter, I think it will be Impossible to procure the Clothing here
or elsewhere on the Terms mention'd the Venders will still have but
the Credit of the State for payment, this they have had & Complain
much of, It will buy nothing here, should I attempt purchases in

June I
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 87