Commander-in-Chief United Colonies of America George Washington: March 1, 1781 - December 23, 1783
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON was born on July 16, 1731 at
Scotland, Connecticut, the son of
a Puritan farmer. Thedate of July 16th differs from the official
Congressional Biography as during the restoration of the tomb a
207 year old plaque
was discovered with the bodies stating:
His
Excellency
Samuel Huntington Esq.
Governor of the State of Connecticut
was born July 16th
AD 1731
and died January 5th AD 1796
aged 64 years
Both Martha and
Samuel Huntington were re-interred on November 24, 2003 Old Norwichtown
Cemetery, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut (see editorial below).
President Huntington was a
self-educated man who, at age sixteen, was apprenticed to a cooper. He taught
himself Latin at night and devoured every book on law he could find. At
twenty-seven he was admitted to the bar and relocated to Norwich, a larger town
offering more opportunity to build a law practice. Within one year he met,
courted and married Martha Devotion the local minister's daughter. The law
practice and the couple flourished together in Norwich.
In 1764, Huntington was elected to
the provincial assembly and in quick succession became a justice of the peace,
the King's Attorney for Connecticut, and a member of the colony's council. He
was elected to the second Continental Congress of the United Colonies of America
representing Connecticut
in Philadelphia.
A deliberate man, Huntington worked
methodically for independence often tempering the passions of his fellow New
England Delegates. He was described by a fellow delegate as:
He is a man of
mild, steady, and firm conduct and of sound methodical judgment, tho' not a man
of many words or very shining abilities. But upon the whole is better suited to
preside than any other member now in Congress.
After signing the
Declaration of Independence, Huntington served in the Continental Congress for
three more years. Huntington, who was skeptical of entrusting large powers to
individual or groups. Consequently scholars have aligned him with the
Adams-Lee faction in the Continental Congress who shared the same philosophy of
politics. Sanders write in his Huntington biography,
“He cast his vote
against half pay for seven years for officers of the army; was not in favor of
recalling Izard from abroad, but voted for the recall of William and Arthur Lee,
and did not believe that Jay should be instructed to abandon the free navigation
of the Mississippi, if he deemed it necessary.”
Huntington was elected
President of the Continental Congress on September 28, 1779 as a replacement to
John Jay, a staunch conservative, who sought and was granted the position of
Foreign Secretary of the Continental Congress. In a September 29th letter to
Clinton the former President, John Jay, approved of Huntington’s election
clearly indicating he did not alienate the Conservation Faction of Congress.
Arthur Lee wrote to Elbridge Gerry a year later that, “Toryism is triumphant
here. They have displaced every Whig but the President”. Clearly the son of
a Connecticut farmer made a miraculous transformation from a country lawyer to
the Continental Congress Presidency.
Huntington presided
over the Confederation Congress during a critical period in the War for
Independence. His commitment to Independence and his Presidency is renowned
among scholars as his unwavering leadership held our nation together during the
following succession of military losses, sedition and unprecedented military
defections:
October
10th, 1779 - American attempt to recapture Savannah, Georgia fails.
Winter of 1779-80 - the coldest of the war and provisions for Washington and his
army were scarce in Morristown, New Jersey, causing a mutiny.
May 12, 1780 - British capture Charleston,
South Carolina May 1780 - Former Continental
Congress President Henry Middleton pledges his allegiance to the crown after the
Fall of Charleston. May 29, 1780 - British
crush American troops at Waxhaw Creek. August 16, 1780
- British rout Americans at Camden, South Carolina
September 25, 1780 - Major General Benedict Arnold's plans to cede
West Point to the British discovered. January 1, 1781
- Mutiny of unpaid
Pennsylvania soldiers.
January 14, 1781 - Benedict Arnold burns
Richmond. March 15, 1781 - British win
costly victory at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina
April 25, 1781 - General Greene defeated at Hobkirk's Hill, South
Carolina May 15, 1781 - Cornwallis clashes
with Greene at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina June
6, 1781 - British hold off Americans at Ninety Six, South Carolina
July 6, 1781 - General Anthony Wayne repulsed
at Green Springs Farm, Virginia
Stan Klos delivers the Keynote Address
at the
Re-Entombment of
Martha and Samuel Huntington
By the fall of 1780
three years had elapsed since Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga and the
subsequent treaties with France were in jeopardy. The fortunes of the Americans,
instead of improving, had grown worse to the point of desperation. France’s aid
was waning due to States' failure to act under one constitution, the southern
Continental Army had been annihilated, American money wasn’t worth a
“Continental” and credit abroad hung on the dwindling fortunes and talents
of patriots like Robert Morris and Haym Salomon. The founding constitution
passed in 1778 had yet to form the “Perpetual Union”
of
the United States of America due to the failure of all thirteen states to ratify
the binding Articles of Confederation. Legally, the nation that sought foreign
recognition and aid was not united at all.
The army, clothed in
rags, half-starved and not paid, was ripe for mutiny; desertions to the British
lines averaged more than 100 a month. The British launched a southern spring
campaign and successfully captured the key southern ports. Even former
Continental Congress President Henry Middleton surrendered with the fall of
Charleston, South Carolina re-declaring his loyalty to King George III. George
Washington wrote during this period "he had almost
ceased to hope."
It was on March 31,
1780 that Huntington presided over another challenge to the war effort, the
court-marshal of General Benedict Arnold known as the Charming Nancy Affair.
Arnold had sent twelve military wagons belonging to the state of Pennsylvania on
an eight day trip to get a cargo of goods from the Charming Nancy, a
schooner. General Arnold entered into a business relationship with the
schooner's owners that when the goods were sold in Philadelphia he would make
half the profits. The Executive Council of Pennsylvania, upon learning of the
profiteering, brought formal charges against Arnold before Congress. Samuel
Huntington was forced to take off his legislative hat and act as "Chief
Justice" presiding over the hearing took almost the entire day. The verdict
was guilty on two of the eight counts.
George Washington who
respected General Arnold's tenacity and courage as a fighter executed a military
sentence by a gentle reprimand. It was shortly after this that Benedict Arnold
sought the command at West Point through his friend General Philip John Schuyler
who believed the patriot deserved an important military post in the face of the
conviction. Both Schuyler and NY Delegate Livingston lobbied Huntington, the
Commander-in-Chief and in August Washington approved the command with the
backing of Congress. The stage was now set for a betrayal that is now legendary
in American History. Benedict Arnold would use this post, granted to him by his
most influential political and military benefactors including President Samuel
Huntington and George Washington, as the means to betray the States and end the
war in Great Britain's favor.
In the summer of 1780,
as the Commander of West Point, Arnold was now in a key position to deal a
cancerous blow to the Continental Army. Stung by what he believed to be military
injustices to his past commands and reputation, he was suitably recruited by
British Spy Major John Andre and American loyalist, Beverley Robinson.
Influenced by his surroundings of what he believed incompetence, Arnold was
readily persuaded that the war was lost and lives were being needlessly wasted.
It was his destiny, he now believed, to act out a part in the Revolutionary War
similar to General Monk who was a key player in the restoration of Charles II to
the British throne. Arnold believed the surrendering of West Point would cripple
the efforts of Continental Army as it was a crucial trade and supply route to
the Northeast. Together with Britain’s success in the southern campaign, the
loss of West Point would force the Continental Congress to abandon their cause
for Independence.
On July 15, 1780
General Arnold asked for 20,000 pounds and a commission as brigadier-general in
return for successfully ceding West Point to Britain. Arnold wrote to British
General Clinton, "A personal interview with an officer that you can confide
in is absolutely necessary to plan matters." The officer Arnold requested
was John Andre and the arrangement was accepted. Arnold began to devise plans to
turn over West Pont and provide the British with valuable military intelligence.
On the night of
September 21, 1780, Arnold met with Major Andre who came ashore from the British
sloop "Vulture," anchored in the Hudson just south of West Point. Arnold
turned over important documents and parted company with Andre who spent the
night at the house of Joshua Hett Smith a loyalist he met years earlier. The
following night the "Vulture" was detected and bombarded from the shore
by American artillery, forcing its withdrawal down the river. Andre donned an
American uniform for the treacherous land escape through enemy lines. Smith
accompanied Andre until he deemed they were in British territory. .Soon after
Smith parted; Andre was stopped by a trio of American spies, dressed in British
uniform. Andre commanded them to give way and they then revealed themselves as
soldiers of the Continental Army. They searched the startled Andre and
discovered he had a pass signed by General Arnold. They discovered
Arnold's papers of betrayal hidden in his boot and arrested Andre as a British
spy. General Arnold, upon learning of Andre’s capture, fled to the British at
New York, a disgraced and hated traitor with West Point remaining in the
Continental Army's hands. On September 26, 1780 George Washington wrote this
letter to the Continental Congress:
"Robinson's House
in the Highlands, September 26, 1780. Sir: I have the honor to inform Congress
that I arrived here yesterday about 12 o'clock on my return from Hartford. Some
hours previous to my arrival Major General Arnold went from his quarters which
were at this place; and as it was supposed over the river to the garrison at
West-point, whether I proceeded myself in order to visit the post. I found
General Arnold had not been there during the day, and on my return to his
quarters, he was still absent. In the mean time a packet had arrived from Lt.
Colonel Jamison announcing the capture of a John Anderson who was endeavoring to
go to New York, with the several interesting and important papers mentioned
below, all in the hand writing of General Arnold. This was also accompanied with
a letter from the prisoner avowing himself to be Major John André Adjt: General
of the British army, relating the manner of his capture, and endeavoring to show
that he did not come under the description of a spy.
From these several
circumstances, and information that the General seemed to be thrown into some
degree of agitation on receiving a letter a little time before he went from his
quarters, I was led to conclude immediately that he had heard of Major André's
captivity, and that he would if possible escape to the enemy, and accordingly
took such measures as appeared the most probable to apprehend him. But he had
embarked in a barge, and proceeded down the river under a flag to the vulture
ship of war, which lay at some miles below Stony and Verplank's points.
He wrote me after
he got on board a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy. Major André is not
arrived yet, but I hope he is secure and that he will be here today. I have
been and am taking proper precautions, which I trust will prove effectual, to
prevent the important consequences which this conduct on the part of General
Arnold was intended to produce. I do not know the party that took Major André;
but it is said, it consisted only of a few militia, who acted in such a manner
upon the occasion as does them the highest honor and proves them to be men of
great virtue. They were offered, I am informed, a large sum of money for his
release, and as many goods as they would demand, but without any effect. Their
conduct gives them a just claim to the thanks of their country, and I also hope
they will be otherwise rewarded. As soon as I know their names I shall take
pleasure in transmitting them to Congress. I have taken such measures with
respect to the Gentlemen of General Arnolds family as prudence dictated; but
from every thing that has hitherto come to my knowledge, I have the greatest
reason to believe they are perfectly innocent. I early secured, Joshua Smith,
the person mentioned in the close of General Arnolds."
George Washington's
letter arrived in Philadelphia on the 28th. Samuel Huntington responded from
Philadelphia at 7pm
"I am honored with
your Excellency's Despatches of the 26 Instant, which will he laid before
Congress in the Morning. (1) We had before received Intelligence from General
Greene that General Arnold was gone over to the Enemy. Immediately Orders were
given to search & seize his Papers & Effects to be found here, which was
speedily executed, but I am not yet advised of what particular Discoveries have
been made. With Congratulations on your Return to the Army,"
This defection was a
real blow to President Huntington as Arnold, a fellow Norwich patriot, was well
loved and respected in their hometown. Benedict Arnold, on the other hand,
showed no shame in what he had done and wielded propaganda through the
newspapers to justify his betrayal. On October 7th Arnold was successful in
publishing the following Address "in which he has the effrontery to avow, and
attempt by flimsy arguments to justify, his perfidious Treachery."
To the INHABITANTS
of AMERICA.
I SHOULD forfeit
even in my own opinion, the place I have so long held in yours, if I could be
indifferent to your approbation, and silent on the motives which have induced me
to join the Kingarms.
A very few words
however shall suffice upon a subject so personal, for to the thousands who
suffer under the Tyranny of the Usurpers in the revolted provinces as well as to
the great multitude, who have long wished for its subversion, this instance of
my conduct can want no vindication, and as to that class of men who are
criminally protracting the war from sinister views at the expence of the public
interest, I prefer their enmity to their applause. I am therefore only concerned
in this address to explain myself to such of my countrymen, as want abilities or
opportunities to detect the artifices by which they are duped.
Having fought by
your side when the love of our country animated our arms, shall expect from your
justice and candor, what your deceivers with more art and less honestly, will
find it inconsistent with their own views to admit. When I quitted domestic
happiness for the perils of the field, I conceived the right of my country in
danger, and that duty and honour called me to her defence. A redress of
grievances was my only object and aim, however I acquiesced in a step which I
thought precipitate, the declaration of independence: to justify this measure
many plausible reasons were urged, which could no longer exist, when Great
Britain with the open arms of a parent offered to embrace us as children, and
grant the wishes for redress.
And now that her
worst enemies are in her own bosom I should change my principles, if I conspired
with their designs: yourselves being judges, was the war the less just, because
fellow subjects were considered our foes? You have felt the torture in which we
raised our arms against a brother, God incline the guilty protractors of these
unnatural dissentions, to resign their ambition, and cease from their delusions,
in compassion to kindred blood.
I anticipate your
question, was not the war a defensive one until the French joined in the
combination? I answer, that I thought so. You will add was it not afterwards
necessary, till the separation of the British empire was compleat? By no means,
in contending for the welfare of my country I am free to declare my opinion,
that this end attained, all strife should have ceased.
I lamented
therefore the impolicy, tyranny and injustice, which with a sovereign contempt
of the people of America, studiously neglected to take their collective
sentiments of the British proposals of peace, and to negociate under a
suspension of arms, for an adjustment of differences, as a dangerous sacrifice
of the great interests of this country to the partial views of a proud antient
and crafty foe. I had my suspicions of some imperfection in our councils, on
proposals prior to the Parliamentary Commission of 1778; but having then less to
do in the cabinet than the field, (I will not pronounce peremptorily as some
may, and perhaps justly, that Congress have veiled them from the public eye:) I
continued to be guided in the negligent confidence of a soldier. But the whole
world saw, and all America confessed that the overtures of the second commission
exceeded our wishes and expectations, and if there was any suspicion of the
national liberality, it arose from its excess.
Do any believe we
were at that time really entangled by an alliance with France, unfortunate
decaption! and thus they have been duped, by a virtuous credulity in the
incautious moments of intemperate passion to give up their felicity to serve a
nation wanting both the will and the power to protect us, and aiming at the
destruction both of the mother country and the provinces. In the plainness of
common sense, for I pretend to no casuistry, did the pretended treaty with the
Court of Versailles, amount to more than an overture to America? Certainly not,
because no authority had been given by the people to conclude it, nor to this
very hour have they authorized its ratification. The Articles of Confederation
remain still unsigned.
In the firm
persuasion therefore, that the private judgment of any individual citizen of
this country is as free from all conventional restraints, since as before the
insidious offers of France, I preferred those from Great Britain, thinking it
infinitely wiser and safer, to cast my confidence upon her justice and
generosity, than to trust a monarchy too feeble to establish your independency,
so perilous to her distant dominions; the enemy of the Protestant Faith, and
fraudulently avowing an affection for the liberties of mankind, while she holds
her native sons in vassalage and chains. I affect no disguise, and therefore
frankly declare that in their principles, I had determined to retain my arms and
command for an opportunity to surrender them to Great Britain, and in concerting
the measures for a purpose in my opinion, as grateful as it would have been
beneficial to my country: I was only solicitous to accomplish an event of
decisive importance, and to prevent as much as possible in the execution of it,
the effusion of blood.
With the highest
satisfaction I bear testimony to my old fellow soldiers, and citizens, that I
find solid ground to rely upon the clemency of our sovereign, and abundant
conviction that it is the generous intention of Great Britain, not only to leave
the rights and privileges of the colonies unimpaired, together with their
perpetual exemption from taxation, but to superadd such further benefits as may
consist with the common prosperity of the empire. In short, I sought for much
less than the parent country is as willing to grant to her colonies as they can
be to receive or enjoy.
Some may think I
continued in the struggle of these unhappy days too long, and others that I
quitted it too soon -- To the first I reply, that I did not see with their eyes,
nor perhaps had so favourable a situation to look from, and that to our common
master I am willing to stand or fall. In behalf of the candid among the latter,
some of whom I believe serve blindly but honestly --- in the bands I have left,
I pray God to give them all the lights requisite to their own safety before it
is too late, and with respect to that herd of censurers, whose enmity to me
originates in their hatred to the principles, by which I am now led to devote my
life to the re-union of the British empire, as the best, and only means to dry
up the streams of misery that have deluged this country, they may be assured
that conscious of the rectitude of my intentions I shall treat their malice and
calumnies with contempt and neglect.
B. ARNOLD. New
York, October 7, 1780."
The Founders were
enraged over Arnold’s letter and ordered a thorough investigation into his
service as a Continental General. In mid-October President Huntington wrote
Governor Trumbull of Connecticut of the initial findings:
"The treason of
Benedict Arnold hath been a topic of much conversation, and many of his
scandalous transactions are brought to light that were before concealed.”
In this powerful, historic work, Stan Klos unfolds the complex 15-year
U.S. Founding period revealing, for the first time, four distinctly
different United American Republics. This is history on a splendid scale --
a book about the not quite unified American Colonies and States that would
eventually form a fourth republic, with
only 11 states, the United States of America: We The People.
Unauthorized Site:
This site and its contents are not affiliated, connected,
associated with or authorized by the individual, family,
friends, or trademarked entities utilizing any part or
the subject's entire name. Any official or affiliated
sites that are related to this subject will be hyper
linked below upon submission
and Evisum, Inc. review.
Please join us in our mission to incorporate The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America discovery-based curriculum into the classroom of every primary and secondary school in the United States of America by July 2, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday. , the United States of America: We The
People. Click Here
