Mifflin, Thomas

Autograph letter signed ("T. Mifflin"), 3 pages (12 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 328 x 194 mm), Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 21 November 1776, to Robert Morris in Philadelphia, docketed on integral address leaf; formerly folded, lightly browned, dampstained at center fold, tear in fore-margin of second leaf from seal touching an ampersand. Light blue half-morocco clamshell box, gilt-stamped title on spine.

Urgent news of the capture of Forts Lee and Washington, criticism of Greene and Washington.

Thomas Mifflin (1744–1800) was a genius at logistics and supply, a strength threatened by his wish to resign his post as Quartermaster to serve in the infantry. Mifflin led a brigade of Pennsylvania continentals during the early part of the New York City campaign, covering Washington's difficult nighttime evacuation of Brooklyn. Troubles in the Quartermaster's Department demanded his return to his old assignment shortly afterwards, a move which bitterly disappointed him. He also brooded over Nathanael Greene's emergence as Washington's principal adviser, a role which Mifflin coveted. Mifflin's last military action came during the Trenton-Princeton campaign. As the Army's position in northern New Jersey started to crumble in late November 1776, Washington sent him to Philadelphia to lay the groundwork for a restoration of American fortunes. Mifflin played a vital, though often overlooked, role in the complex resupply of the tattered American forces once they reached safety on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River.

The present letter was written in the thick of the Trenton-Princeton campaign to Robert Morris, whose loan was able to keep the army together in this critical time.  He writes: "Several Gentlemen are just come in from Hackinsack — they say that the Enemy landed the Night before last at Dobbes Ferry a large body of men who marched immediately towards Fort Lee ... that Fort Lee was yesterday abandoned with its principal stores & artillery ... that General Washington has retird[!] to Hackinsack Bridge with all the Garrison of Fort Lee ... that our entrenching Tools are all lost ... The unhappy affair of Mount Washington has totally changed the Face of the Campaign and may probably enourage the Enemy to push forward until they are rebuffed ... The situation of Philad[elphi]a is in my opinion critical — An Action in New Jersey will undoubtedly preceed[!] the Attack of that place — but if the Action should turn against us, Philad[elph]a will in a few Hours after it, Shake to her Centre. I wish to see or hear of some Preparations to withstand Such a probable event — I do not mean to alarm, but in my Opinion the obliging that City & many Counties of Pennsylvania to submit to the Tyrant this Winter would not be an Event unparalleled in History."

Mifflin goes on to express his doubts about Greene's defense of Fort Washington: "The bad policy of attempting to make a Stand at Mt. Washington is now evident - I have talkd heretofore about it & about it - I have abased the project and was never more surprised or shagrined than when I heard that port was reinforced instead of being dismantled & abandond" and makes a veiled swipe at General Washington: "But you gentry at Philad[elphi]a love Fighting & wish to see Matters put to the Hazard. Conquer your passion for brilliant actions with raw undisciplined Troops or you will have one half of your territory."

In the next months, his open criticism of Greene and Washington created a perception among the staff at Valley Forge that Mifflin was no longer loyal to Washington. Mifflin led the effort to remove Washington as commander, known as the "Conway Cabal."