Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress

George Wythe (VA) and William Ellery (RI) exchanged verses on pieces of scrap paper during Congress, as evidenced by this page, which was addressed to "The Hon. William Ellery, Delegate for the State of Rhode Island, in Continental Congress, Philadelphia."

George Wythe returned to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia sometime in mid-September, 1776. By November, Congress was facing a split caused by the northern states offering additional pay to their soldiers, which the southern states could neither match nor afford. George Wythe, delegate from Virginia, addressed a short, humorous poem to William Ellery of Rhode Island, suggesting that the "Yankees" generosity would ruin Congress's efforts. Ellery responded in kind, and the two exchanged verses until Wythe left Congress to return to the Virginia Convention, in December.

The manuscripts were discovered in the collection of the Boston Public Library by W. Edwin Hemphill, who published an article on them in 1952: "George Wythe Courts the Muses: In Which, to the Astonishment of Everyone, That Silent, Selfless Pedant Is Found to Have Had a Sense of Humor."

Manuscript text, November-December 1776

"A Member of the Antinovanglian Faction to W. E.," by George Wythe (VA)

A member of the antinovanglian faction to W. E. To works supererogation By others, some owe their salvation. To what the good yankees are doing Their duty beyond, we owe ruin. Epigram by the ingenious George Wythe Esq For the two first Lines the author alludes to the Roman Catholics— In the two first last to the additional Pay, and Bounty of given to the Soldiers by the Eastern States.

Manuscript endorsed on the reverse as "1st Poem", page seven of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"A Novanglican to G.W.," by William Ellery (RI)

A Novanglian to G. W. As by works supererogatory Rom. Caths are saved from purgatory, So by what the Yankees good are doing Buckskins will save from utter Ruin.

Endorsed on the reverse as "To G. Wythe / Answer to / 1.st Poem", page three of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"Instead of Controlling Our Mary's Cross Humor," by William Ellery

Instead of controlling our Mary's cross humour You give what she asks you. Nay, you would do more For the First Virginia, instead of a manly nobly persisting Gives One up to Mary one Roll for enlisting. Mary then rising in her wild Demands The Virginia lays open the Claims about Lands Nay, more abounding in Supererogation, She too proposes the Mode of Taxation To leave as it was before it was debated For perhaps by this forward mighty Mary'll be sated. Pray, what is the Cause of this Indulgence so great Where Discord & Jarring subsisted of late? Ill tell you, my Friend, 'tis a truth very serious: Interest will join States of Sentiments various.

Manuscript endorses as "Poem Ans — WE / 2d", page five of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"For Farms in Utopia, the Moon, or Some Fairyland," by George Wythe

For farms in eutopia, the moon, or some fairyland, Compensations more worth were offered by Maryland. In this it's denied, Sir, our sister's cross humour'd, Whatever by juntos or patriots be rumour'd. Her brave men must fight, bleed, and suffer as others, Leave orphans their dear babes, and childless their mothers, Give full many a fair Penelope heartaches, Whilst their country of their virtuous earnings partakes A very small pittance. Why this noise and stir then, If, lest her shoulders bear too much of the burthen, She reject your unequal mode of taxation, Demonstrate by numbers, without relaxation, That ruin is doom'd her, and cries in distraction She'll yield to the old, not the new-english faction? With candor attend to her efflagitation, And these two demands grant without hesitation. Virginia must feel for any neighbour oppress'd, Cannot easy remain til the mischief's suppress'd; And

Page nine of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

And if slaves you include in your capitation, Is equally injur'd—claims like defalcation. E'ene while, it is true, we're somewhat contrarient, Yet interest will join those of sentiments variant. And why not? For thence flows that blessing transcendent All wish for devoutly, a state independent. Then cease to object to a sister we're tender, Indulgent with excess—unwilling to mend her, If we favour petitions founded on reason, With deference offer'd at convenient season. Fell discord had too long among us existed. From our councils cashier'd, if now re-enlisted, It with tories will league to puzzle our measures, And spoil us of freedom, most precious of treasures.

Manuscript endorsed as "G.W. 3d. / in Answr. to E.s 2d", page ten of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

Epigram, by William Ellery

Like a Babbler ambitious of some little Fame I follow when Freeman hath started the Game, But when hunted down poor Puss sinks & dies I give up to Freeman his Right to the Prize Let Wythe take the Laurel his Genius demands I ask but this Boon to be classed with his Friends. W. E.

Page eleven of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"With One Epigram, Though Well Hit Off" by George Wythe

With one epigram, though well hit off, You must not expect, Sir, to get off. I can't for my life give o'er scribbling, Except whilst I'm dreaming or quibbling. Scribendi tam dira cupido, Quam amor quo consumpta Dido. If Howe, hither marching, friend Ell'ry, Were near with his train of artill'ry And bells in the city were chiming, This strange cacoëthes of rhiming Would not cease. Tell me not, in answer, You can't write. It's known you well can, Sir, Proceed then; or haec tibi cura, I shall draw your caricatura. If who's the author, dubitatur? He's your correspondent, Nugator.

Manuscript endorsed Poem G Answer / to Epigram .4.", page twenty-one of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"Unless You Will Take One Line for Your Ten," by William Ellery

Unless you will take one Line for your Ten I never Shall pay you, and indeed I shan't then. For to form One good Clink, invita Minerva, I must ransack turn my poor Brains all quite topsy, turvy. While you with a Portion of Latin & Greek As n an An hundred good Lines can easily make As the Virginian Tully can speak. The Muses will readily yield up their Charms To the Poet that dreads not the Thunder of Arms They'll favour the brave the youthfull the blythe Will fly from an Ellery and caress a Wythe Compelled thus to rhime in my own Defense These Lines are dictated a Lege Natura Pray then forbear Sir, your Caricatura I most humbly submit to your Candour & Sense. What thus is forced from Me Lege magna Natura And beg you would forbear Sir your Caricatura

Manuscript endorsed "Answer E to / the Answr. to 4", page twenty-three of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"You've Not Only Quitted Your Arrear," by George Wythe

You've not only quitted your arrear, But check'd my poetical career. I flatter'd myself that Apollo Had told me the Muses to follow. But they to Parnassus retiring And frowning forbade my aspiring, Rejected my awkward addresses, Bestow'd on my rival caresses, Made mirth of my passion for soaring, And laugh'd at my anguish and roaring. Whilst you mount with wing pegasean And triumphint, sing Iö Paean, With eyes full of envy and surprise, The laurel I see becomes your prize. My latin and greek not a bawbee I value (Think not I bedaub ye With praise, though this seems that way leaning) When one of your couplets more meaning Fine sense and true humour you fling in, Than twenty of mine I can bring in. A

Page fifteen of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

Some mere poetaster call Tully, In for a naggering bully; Most others a speaker persuasive, In reas'ning though sometimes evasive Did you, making me his compeer, Sir, An irony mean, or a sneer, Sir?

Manuscript endorsed "Poem W.5", page sixteen of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"The Gen'rous Idea Your Last Piece Expresses," by William Ellery

The gen'rous Idea your last Peice [sic] expresses Instead of exal exciting my Ardour, depresses. The Muses I know by Experience are Gilts And he moves unsafely who moves upon Stilts. When my Fancy was young I asked of those Lasses To aid my Ascent up the Mount of Parnassus, They told me to follow, but as swift as the Wind They gained its high Top and left me behind. Thus jilted, I labour'd but quickly I found My Tread was too clumsy for poetick Ground. And wanting their Aid to assist my weak Passes I bid an Adieu to the Mount of Parnassus. Since that contented with Limitation Sometimes I've attempted an humble Translation, Inspired with an Ardour deriv'd from gay Bacchus, Of an Eclogue of Mars or some Ode of Flaccus. Sometimes too when a Genius hath started Ideas I've made use of his Hints ut nuper to videa. Like a Babbler ambitious of some little Fame I follow when Freeman hath started the Game, And But when hunted down poor Puss sinks & dies I give up to Freeman his Right to the Prize. Let Wythe take the Laurel his Genius demands I ask but this Boon to be rank'd class'd with his Friends.

Manuscript endorsed "WE. Answer / to 5", page twenty-five of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

Martial, Epigram XII.47, in Wythe's hand

In all thy humours, whether grave or mellow, Thou'rt such a touchy, testy fellow, Hast so much mirth, and wit, and splen about thee, There is no living with thee, or without thee. I remember to have seen this translation of an epigram of Martial.

Page thirteen of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"Those with Whom the Powers of Government Are Entrusted," by George Wythe

In this mix of prose and verse, Wythe seems to be trying to bring to light some complaint with Congress regarding a late ballot (perhaps with a remonstrance toward their agreement of secrecy), which he entreats the "college of censors" to inquire upon, despite one of the persons involved being as respected as Nestor of Greek mythology (but false as Milton's Belial):

Those with whom the powers of government are entrusted should be diligently watched; and when they act otherwise than they ought should at least be told of it. Their misdoings indeed cannot in many instances be discovered especially where they (a) 'In close recess and secret conclave sit!' But shall loud reports of misrule only astonish us, and vanish in air? As thunder rattling though the welkin flies, Then rumbling shudd'ring, undulating dies. And will the people, disturbed by them for a moment, settle again in halcyon tranquillity? As when a rock, by Polyphemus thrown, On some still lake falls splashing sinking down The floating circles ripple to the main, Disperse, and leave the surface smooth again. Forbid it, ye college of censors, to whose zeal and vigilance your country is so much indebted. Inquire into a late ballot, and animadvert upon the transaction, and upon those who were concerned in it, as they deserve, with your wanted prudence; although one of the persons may be he (a) 'Whose tongue drops manna, (b) thick as driven snow, (c) 'And from whose tongue words sweet as honey flow.'

Page nineteen of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

What ballot? and what was amiss in it? To the wise, Sirs, a word is enough. If, by this aenigmatical stuff, You would have me explain what I mean, 'Tis a false supernum'rary bean. (a) Milton (b) Homer (c) τοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ γλώσσης μέλιτος γλυκίων ῥέεν αὐδή Homer. This was addressed to the committee of safety inspection, and sent to a printer, who would not insert it his paper.

Page twenty of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

"A Commissioner, to the People of Philadelphia," by William Ellery

In this poem, Ellery chastises the conservative position of Andrew Allen, delegate from Pennsylvania, for his commonwealth's reluctance to support independence from Great Britain. The first letter of each line spells out "ANDREW ALLEN" (emphasized here). Ellery and Wythe apparently attempted to get the poem published, as there is another copy in Wythe's handwriting with the lines transposed to avoid obvious "libellus famosos" (libel), and a dramatized dialogue with a reluctant printer:

A Commissioner, to the people of P _ _ _ _ _ a Attend all ye People of ev'ry degree No longer pretend that your Country you'll free Declare for your Treasons a hearty Contrition Regard as you tender your lives Admonition E're too late to flee from impending Perdition Who like me to the King Allegiance will swear And future Submission to Congress forbear Leave all his old Friends to the Parliaments Fury Let Rebels be hang'd without Judge or Jury Escapes condemnation to gibbet or halter Nor needs forfeiture fear unless times should alter.

Page one of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

Copy of Ellery's "A Commissioner, to the People of Philadelphia," in Wythe's Hand, with dialogue

A C . . . . . . . . . . r to the people of P . . . . . . . . . . a Declare for your treasons a hearty contrition Who like me to the king allegiance will swear Attend all ye people of ev'ry degree Nor needs forfeiture fear unless times should alter. Regard as you tender your lives admonition Leave all his old friends to the parliaments fury No longer pretend that your country you'll free E're too late to flee from impending perdition Let rebels be hang'd up without judge or jury And future submission to congress forbear Escapes condemnation to gibbet or halter. A dialogue between [manuscript damaged] who wrote the above and a printer who was desired and refused to publish it. H. Not Print it! sir, why? P. Because it is nonsense. H. No prudent wight sure will then take offense. Words without meaning are quite harmless things. Minds of evil conscious of evil truth only stings. Most readers besides will skip such stuff over, Like advertisements where horses will cover. P. A slander perhaps— H. No—that is denied, Unless with letters initial supplied. Nay, still if the lines remain untransposed, Nothing unkind or sarcastic's inclos'd. P. What? initials?—Let me see—aye—they make it So plain that dunces alone can mistake it. If calumny foul, though sweet flowering verse, Or elegant prose, our devils disperse, Fines.

Page nineteen of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

Fines with vile durance, 'twould cost and expose us Worse pains to bear for libellus famosus. H. In these times of license leave off your shrugs, Nor prisons nor pillories fear, nor Pillories fear not, nor prisons or cropt lugs. P: Though pusillanimous call'd or a churl, Venture I will not to suffer like Curl.

Page twenty of Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.

See also

• George Wythe Courts the Muses
• Wythe to Samuel Adams, 1 August 1778

Further reading

• Fowler, William M. William Ellery: A Rhode Island Politico and Lord of Admiralty. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1973.

External links

• Read these poems in the Internet Archive.
• Boston Public Library, Special Collections.
• American Revolutionary War Manuscripts at the Boston Public Library, Internet Archive.