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Chapter seven -President Who? Forgotten Founders by Stanley L. Klos - Samuel Huntington 1st President of the United States of America

Chapter Seven


by: Stanley L. Klos

Published by Evisum, Inc

Copyright 2004 All Rights Reserved including the rights of reproduction in whole or in part in any form
 

Samuel Huntington
1st President of the United States
in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to July 6, 1781
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
 


President of the Continental Congress
September 28, 1779 to February 28, 1781
 

By: Stanley L. Klos

 

SAMUEL HUNTINGTON was born on July 16, 1731 at Scotland, Connecticut, the son of a Puritan farmer. The date 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

 

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 successfu 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.”

Huntington refuted and condemned Arnold’s betrayal making a public spectacle of signing the Presidential Order to erase the traitor’s name from the register of continental officers. This didn't phase Arnold one bit as the British, fresh from victories on all land fronts, were making things miserable for the States on the high seas.

An example of the challenges Huntington faced on the seas as President is evidenced in his letter to Caesar Rodney, the President of the Supreme Council of Delaware. The letter is dated   November 13th, 1780 only 6 months after General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered his command to British in Charleston, South Carolina. The British, who now effectively controlled the important ports of New York, the Carolinas and Georgia, were making liberal use of papers and clearances that they took from this great southern "prize." In this letter, a beleaguered President Huntington asks Caesar Rodney to support his resolution, adopted at the urging of Minister of France, to deal with the problem of British Spies and their disruption of our trade with France and other allies.

“Congress having received Information from the Honorable the Minister of France, of Inconveniencies & Injuries received by our Allies, resulting from the Abuse the British make of Papers & Clearances they take in American Prizes, by personating the Officers & Commanders named in such Papers, being fully acquainted with the Language & Manners of our Officers & Seamen &c. In Compliance with the request of the Minister of France, Congress have adopted the enclosed Resolution in Order to detect such Abuses in future; and I am to request your Excellency's Attention to the necessary Measures for carrying the same into effectual Execution.”

Four days later Samuel Huntington’s turned back to the South informing General Washington of recent news received by Congress concerning Britain's plans to conquer Virginia that if successful, would place the most populous Southern State in the hands of the enemy:

"I enclose your Excellency Copy of a Letter of the 10 Instant, just received from Governor Jefferson, with the Copy of an intercepted Letter (referred to in the Governors) from General Leslie to Lord Cornwallis; which in some Measure discovers the Designs of the Enemy at the Time they landed in Virginia."

In this same month George Washington was facing desperate times as his ill-supplied and starving Continental Army was, in several incidents, plundering private property.  Washington was forced to immediately order General Wayne to spend valuable military resources safeguard the:

"persons and properties of the inhabitants. They have, from their situation, borne much of the burthen of the War and have never failed to relieve the distresses of the Army, when properly called upon."

The theft of goods and service by the Continental Army, Washington writes,

"are as repugnant to the principles of the cause in which we are engaged as oppressive to the inhabitants and subversive of that order and discipline which must Characterize every well regulated army."

General Washington's November 6th, 1780 general orders were:

"Head Quarters, Totowa, Monday, November 6, 1780. It is with infinite regret the Adjutant General is obliged once more to take notice of the disorderly conduct of the soldiers arising in a great measure from the abuse of passes: the whole country is overspread with straggling soldiers with the most frivolous pretences, under which they commit every species of robbery and plunder. In a ride he took the other day he found soldiers as low as Aquakanung bridge on both sides of the river and as far as he has ever yet gone round the environs of camp the roads and farm houses are full of them. To remedy these evils and to have the army ready for any sudden emergency the General does in most express and positive Terms forbid all but General Officers, and Officers commanding Regiments to grant passes; and not more than eight from a regiment are to be given by the latter in a day, and those only to Soldiers of orderly conduct."

Despite Huntington and Washington's steadfastness measures continued to worsen for the Continental Army and the Disunited States of America. On December 20th British Brigadier General Arnold departed New York City with 1600 men. His plans were to invade Virginia, disrupt the state government while seeking to capture the author of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Thomas Jefferson.

As Arnold began the launch of his campaign south, the British advanced northward fresh from their victories in the Carolina’s towards Virginia.   Desperation rippled through the ranks even seizing Washington's Pennsylvania troops who mutinied on January 1, 1781 seeking refuge in Staten Island. Washington ordered the New Jersey Continentals to march and position themselves between the mutinying Pennsylvania troops and the British on Staten Island to thwart any possible defections to the enemy. British General Henry Clinton learning of the mutiny immediately dispatched messengers through the lines to the Pennsylvania Continentals to insure them they would be welcomed in the British ranks.  The mutineers, realizing they would have to fight their way through the New Jersey Militia to defect, seized the messengers and turned them over to President Huntington. The messengers were tried and hung as British spies by the Continental Congress ending the mutiny.

Meanwhile, Benedict Arnold's plundering naval expedition of 27 ships landed two weeks later in Richmond on January 14, 1781.  They showed no mercy, burning the city as they search for Virginia’s leadership. Arnold’s men forced Thomas Jefferson and government officials to flee Richmond into the hills of Central Virginia. Jefferson learned of the impending invasion just in time to vacate Richmond from James Madison.  Madison in his letter to Jefferson also blamed the 13 States' failure to ratify the Articles of Confederation was at the heart of this 1780-81 Revolutionary War crisis:

In a letter from his Excy. Genl. Washington dated New Windsor Decr. 27th 1780 we have the following Intelligence-

"Another embarkation has taken place at New York supposed to consist of two thousand five Hundred land forces, whose destination is not yet known the fleet fell down to the Hook on Wednesday last."

Our Conjecture is that they are destined to the Southward, and indeed all the Enemy's political & military maneuvers seem to indicate their Intention of making a Vigorous effort against the Southern States, this Winter. We are Sorry to inform yr. Excellency that we receive very little Authentic Intelligence of the Steps which are taking to counteract those vigorous operations, that we are in a great measure uninformed of the progress that has been made in raising the new army, and on what terms, of what has been, and will be, done in establishing Magazines for its Support, and above all, of the measures perusing to cancel the old money and give an effectual Support to the new, by providing for its punctual and final redemption with Specie. This is a crisis at which we conceive a most assiduous application to these great objects to be necessary, and (next to the completion of the Confederacy which is perhaps the Basis of the whole) of the first importance to America therefore highly importing us to know, as the measures of so large a state as ours cannot but have considerable effects on the other states in the Union."

Despite the fact that Congress was working feverishly to redress the Continental Army's grievances of no pay and scarce supplies the New Jersey militia mutinied on January 20th. Fearing the total dissolution of the Army, George Washington was forced to deal with the new crisis in a most severe fashion.  The Commander-in-Chief ordered General Robert Howe from West Point to suppress the mutiny and immediately execute the most extreme ringleaders. This stopped the mutiny, Washington reported to Samuel Huntington:

Ringwood, January 27, 1781.

Dr. Sir: I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the measures concerted for quelling the mutiny in the Jersey line were this morning carried into full execution. The mutineers were unexpectedly surrounded and awed into an unconditional surrender with little hesitation and no resistance. Two of the principal actors were executed on the spot, the rest pardoned. The spirit of mutiny seems now to have completely subsided and to have given place to a genuine repentance. This was very far from being the case previous to this step, notwithstanding the apparent submission which the assurances of redress had produced; they still continued insolent and refractory and disobedient to the commands of their officers. A general pardon was promised by Colonel Dayton, on condition of an immediate and full return to duty. This condition was not performed on the part of the mutineers and of course they were not entitled to the benefit of the promise; besides which the existence of the Army called for an example.

 President Huntington, through painstaking diplomacy, encouragement and a firm commitment to independence, was worked even harder on  persuading the States, through their Delegates, to meet their necessary quotas of men, dollars and provisions. He was successful and the resources that began to pour in are what enabled Washington and his Generals to continue waging what many Americans believed to be a lost war for freedom. Samuel Huntington re-focused on the last State's failure to ratify the 1st Constitution that was a slippery slope undermining the revolutionary war effort. Determined to achieve the ratification necessary to form the United States, Huntington brokered legislation and sent this circular letter to each of the states:

“Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed an Act of Congress of the 6 Instant, adopting the report of a Committee; together with Copies of the several Papers referred to in the report.

I am directed to transmit Copies of this report and the several Papers there in mentioned to the Legislatures of the several States, (1) that they may all be informed of the Desires & Endeavours of Congress on so important a Subject, and those particular States which have Claims to the Western Territory, & the State of Maryland may adopt the Measures recommended by Congress in Order to obtain a final ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

Congress, impressed with a Sense of the vast Importance of the Subject, have maturely considered the same, and the result of their Deliberation is contained in the enclosed report, which being full & expressive of their Sentiments upon the Subject; without any additional Obervations: it is to be hoped, and most earnestly desired, that the Wisdom, Generosity & Candour of the Legislatures of the several States, which have it in their Power on the one Hand to remove the Obstacles, and on the other to complete the Confederation, may direct them to such Measures, in Compliance ... Samuel Huntington, President”

Maryland, thanks to Samuel Huntington and others brokering land successions from New York and Virginia in the Ohio Valley, passed an act to empower their delegates to subscribe and ratify the Articles of Confederation on January 30th, 1781. It was on the Kalends of March, amidst all this Revolutionary War chaos, that President Huntington accomplished what fellow Continental Congress Presidents John Hancock, Henry Laurens and John Jay failed to do;  achieve the unanimous ratification of the Articles of Confederation. After four long years of ratification consideration, from 1778 to 1781, the “Perpetual Union” known as the United States of America, at last, became a legal reality.  The last entry in the old Continental Congress Journals reported on March 1st, 1781:

"Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia."

I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America".

II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.

III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever ..." (for the entire text please visit the appendix – Articles of Confederation)

By virtue of this ratification, the ever fluid Continental Congress ceased to exist. On March 2nd "The United States in Congress Assembled" was placed at the head of each page of the Official Journal of Congress. The United States of America’s perpetual union, which was conceived on July 2, 1776, proclaimed on the 4th, re-formulated on November 15, 1777 had finally been born on March 1, 1781 under the watch of President Samuel Huntington. The elated Minister of France was the first to address Samuel Huntington as His Excellency the President of the United States in Congress Assembled”. On March 7, 1781 the Pennsylvania Gazette in Philadelphia reported:

"IN pursuance of an Act of the Legislature of Maryland, intituled, 'An Act to empow­er the Delegates of the State in Congress to subscriber and ratify the Articles of Confederation,' the Delegates of the said State, on Thursday last, at twelve o, signed and ratified the Articles of Confederation; by which act the Confederation of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was compleated, each and every of the Thirteen States, from New Hampshire to George, both included, having adopted and con­firmed, and by their Delegates in Congress ratified the same.
 

This happy even was immediately announced to the public by the discharge of the artillery on land, and the cannon of the shipping in the river Delaware. At two ohis Excellency the President of Congress received on this occasion the congratulations of the Hon. the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, and of the Legislative and Executive Bodies of this State, of the Civil and Military Officers, sundry strangers of distinction in town, and of many of the principal inhabitants.
 

The evening was closed by an elegant exhibition of fireworks. The Ariel frigate, commanded by the gallant John Paul Jones, fired a feu de joye, and was beautifully decorated with a variety of streamers in the day, and ornamented with a brilliant appearance of lights in the night.
 

Thus will the first of March, 1781, be a day memorable in the annals of America, for the final ratification of the Confederation and perpetual Union of the Thirteen States of America --- A Union, begun by necessity, cemented by oppression and common danger, and now finally consolidated into a perpetual confederacy of these new and rising States: And thus the United States of America, having, amidst the calamities of a destructive war, established a solid foundation of greatness, are growing up into consequence among the nations, while their haughty enemy, Britain, with all her boasted wealth and grandeur, instead of bringing them to her feet and reducing them to unconditional submission, finds her hopes blasted, her power crumbling to pieces, and the empire which, with overbearing insolence and brutality she exercised on the ocean, divided among her insulted neighbours."

The New Journal of the United States in Congress Assembled reported on March 2, 1781:

The ratification of the Articles of Confederation being yesterday completed by the accession of the State of Maryland: The United States met in Congress, when the following members appeared: His Excellency Samuel Huntington, delegate for Connecticut, President ...

 

 

The March 2, 1781 circular letter (depicted above)  that President Samuel Huntington sent to each of the states stated:

Dear Sir,

 

By the Act of Congress herewith enclosed your Excellency will be informed that the  Articles of Confederation & perpetual Union between the thirteen United States are formally & finally ratified by all the States.

We are happy to congratulate our Constituents on this important Event, desired by our Friends but dreaded by our Enemies.

 

Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant
 

Samuel Huntington, Preft.

 

His Excellency, President Reed
 

The office, President of the United States in Congress Assembled was now established by the Articles, and the term was limited to one year by the appointment (election) of the delegates:

to appoint one of their members to preside, provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years;

A form of this method of election was later incorporated into the U.S. Constitution of 1787 with the people of each state voting for electors (delegates). The Electors, in turn, vote for the President of the United States which, in 2000 resulted in George W. Bush winning the U.S. Presidency despite loosing the popular vote.

 

In 1781 Samuel Huntington, had already served as President of the Continental Congress for 17 months. The Articles, the first U.S. Constitution, limited all presidencies to a term of one year. Since there was no operating constitution prior to 1781 Huntington was determined to be eligible to serve one year as 1st President of the United States under the Articles. Upon the urging of his fellow delegates he agreed and accepted the unanimous call to serve as President of the United States in Congress Assembled.

 

On March 12, 1781, only eleven days after the formation of the Perpetual Union, this US Treasury Report utilizes the title "President of the United States in Congress Assembled" for first time in the Journals of Congress. -Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The First use of the title President of the United States was recorded into the Journals of the Unites States in Congress Assembled was by the Treasury Department with the issuance of the above letter stating:

Treasury Office March 12th. 1781. The Board of Treasury to whom was referred the letter from the Honble. the Minister of France to Samuel Huntington his Excellency the President of the United States in Congress assembled on the subject of the affairs of the late Monsieur De Coudray dated the 4th. instant beg leave to report as follows ........

The Presidency and Perpetual Union of the United States had been born.  Four score years later on July 4, 1861 President Abraham Lincoln, under the 2nd U.S. Constitution, would use the Articles of Confederation's language against South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia's attempt to secede from the United States. It was the unanimous "Perpetual Union" verbiage in the Articles that provided President Lincoln with the legal authority, not granted in the US Constitution, to Preserve the Union.
 

"The express plighting of faith by each and all of the original thirteen in the Articles of Confederation, two years later, that the Union shall be perpetual is most conclusive." - Abraham Lincoln's Address to Congress in Special Session 4 July 1861.
 


 

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