628 MR SMALL S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PROF. ADAM FERGUSON. 



missioners might not suffer from unnecessary delay, it was determined to send 

 the letter by the ordinary conveyance of the military posts, and it was accordingly 

 delivered on the same day to the American piquets by Lord Cathcart. 



The commissioners, while awaiting with considerable anxiety the reply of 

 Congress to their conciliatory letter, in which they proposed concessions of the 

 most liberal nature, gave an account of their proceedings to Lord George Ger- 

 main, Secretary of State for the American Department. In this letter they 

 plainly informed Government of the difficult position in which they were placed 

 by the unfortunate order for the evacuation of Philadelphia. They also admitted 

 that, in consequence of the state in which they found the country, they had 

 offered terms to the Americans of a more liberal nature than their instructions 

 allowed. 



These papers of the commissioners caused some dissatisfaction to the ministry, 

 and were not at the time made public. 



The following letter, addressed by Sir William Pulteney (brother of George 

 Johnstone) to Ferguson, is interesting, as showing the state of feeling in 

 England with reference to these proceedings of the commissioners : — 



•' London, 4th August 1778. 

 Dear Ferguson, — I was much obliged to you for your letter of the 19th June, 

 which arrived a fortnight ago, and was delivered by Mr Mackenzie, I enter 

 entirely into your sentiments, and those of my brother, concerning the unfortunate 

 order of .the 24th March. I have done all I can in consequence of the despatches 

 I have received, and I have hopes that I have not laboured in vain. I have 

 wrote a long letter to my brother, which will give you all the information that 

 seems to me material. Firmness, wisdom, and exertion were never more wanted 

 for any country than now. I approve much of the letter to Government, and 

 the letter to the Congress, and I believe they will meet with general approbation, 

 though the ministers do not, I guess, relish the first, and neither have been given 

 to the public. — I am, dear Ferguson, most affectionately yours, 



" William Pulteney. 



" I think it right to suggest to your private ear an observation or two. 

 Though I am not surprised at the heat with which the commissioners took up 

 the concealment of the order and the order itself, yet I have my doubts whether 

 it was prudent to let it transpire in America that they disapproved of the measure, 

 or that they were ignorant of it till they arrived. I can see many advantages 

 which might have resulted from their appearing satisfied, but none from the 

 contrary. It is true, the misery of the departed inhabitants and their complaints 

 must have made it next to impossible for the commissioners not to vindicate 

 themselves from having had any hand in the measure ; but I think it right to 

 make this observation with a view to the future. 



