[37] Ibid., XI, 308, 309.

[38] Rhode Island Colonial Records, VIII, 640, 641.

[39] Ibid., 358-360.

[40] Moore, "Historical Notes," 19.

[41] Manuscripts in the Archives of Massachusetts, CXCIX, 80.

[42] Moore, "Historical Notes," 20.

[43] Laws of the State of New York, Chapter XXXII, Fourth Session.

[44] Sparks, "Correspondence of the American Revolution," III, 331.

[45] Moore, "Historical Notes," 20.

[46] Ibid., 21.

[47] Taking up the Southern situation, Hamilton in 1779 wrote Jay as
follows:

"_Dear Sir_: Colonel Laurens, who will have the honor of delivering
you this letter, is on his way to South Carolina, on a project which I
think, in the present situation of affairs there, is a very good one,
and deserves every kind of support and encouragement. This is, to
raise two, three, or four battalions of negroes, with the assistance
of the government of that State, by contributions from the owners, in
proportion to the number they possess. If you should think proper to
enter upon the subject with him, he will give you a detail of his
plan. He wishes to have it recommended by Congress to the State; and,
as an inducement, that they would engage to take their battalions into
Continental pay.

"It appears to me, that an expedient of this kind, in the present
state of Southern affairs, is the most rational that can be adopted,
and promises very important advantages. Indeed, I hardly see how a
sufficient force can be collected in that quarter without it: and the
enemy's operations there are growing infinitely serious and
formidable. I have not the least doubt, that the negroes will make
very excellent soldiers with proper management: and I will venture to
pronounce, that they cannot be put in better hands than those of Mr.
Laurens. He has all the zeal, intelligence, enterprise, and every
other qualification, requisite to succeed in such an undertaking. It
is a maxim with some great military judges, that, with sensible
officers, soldiers can hardly be too stupid; and, on this principle,
it is thought that the Russians would make the best soldiers in the
world, if they were under other officers than their own. The King of
Prussia is among the number who maintain this doctrine, and has a very
emphatic saying on the occasion, which I do not exactly recollect. I
menti