24951To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Trezarrieu, 2 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We print this letter, from the Spanish Mediterranean port of Alicante, because it is the first example of a type that soon became common. As the likelihood grew that American independence would be maintained, Trezarrieu’s isolated request for a consulship gave place to a flood of applications. These we shall résumé together in future volumes as we now...
24952General Orders, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress having desired the Commander in Chief to detach from the militia, as soon as possible, such a number of workmen, as he should think necessary, to repair with dispatch, the arms now in the city of Philadelphia; The Brigadiers of the militia are earnestly desired to make immediate enquiry, in their several brigades, for such workmen, and without a moments delay,...
24953From George Washington to Colonel Armand, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have a complaint lodged against your Corps by a number of the reputable Inhabitants in the Neighbourhood of Elk. As I find that your men cannot be restrained from committing Violences while in the Country, I desire you will immediately march them up to this Town. I am Sir Your hble Servt. Copy, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This remonstrance, which has...
24954To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Complaints made to you against my Corps, are the more personal as I derive the Command of it from Your Excellency, as I love and respect this Corps in the light of a Gift which comes to me from you, and as it is my constant Attention to render it as well as myself worthy of your Favour; if Your Excellency previous to casting Reproaches upon me, with respect to which from my Ignorance of...
24955To George Washington from Brigadier General John Cadwalader, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Letter of the 28th last, in consequence of which I have taken the Command of the Militia on this Shore—If the Gentlemen arrive here to take the Command, agreeable to the resolution of Congress, I shall pay you a Visit at Head Quarters—The want of arms in these upper Counties dispirits the Inhabitants very much—Every thing has been done to collect the Companies, but from their...
24956To George Washington from the Continental Congress Intelligence Committee, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have the honor to send your Excellency herewith a number of hand bills published by order of Congress, in that form, for the more easy dispersion thro the army, that the troops may be made acquainted with and emulate the conduct of their brave northern and eastern brethren. Wishing you health and success we are with much esteem and regard your Excellencies most obedient humble servants...
24957To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
the most expeditious manner of Carrying on the Works requisite to secure the Camp is to fix the troops upon the ground Where they are to incamp, the engineers Deal out to each brigade the Work to be Done, and the Brigadeers are answerable for the execution of the Work it is understood that the engineers ride along the Line and give the necessary Directions that the Works might be regular. I...
24958To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a letter from Mr Levi Hollingsworth relative to the situation of the Stores in that quarter —General Mughlenburg has marched with his detachment to cover the removeal of the Stores—If your Excellency thinks any additional force is necessary it shall be sent immediately—I wait your further Orders and am your Excellencies Most Obedient & very humbl. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Robert Hanson...
24959From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel James Hendricks, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 31st Ulto to Mr Harrison has been laid before me. My motive for wishing you to continue in the Sixth Regiment was founded on a report that you could readily engage All or most of the Privates in it to serve dureing the War. This I considered as a happy circumstance; But as it may make little difference Whether you remain in that, or have the First, and as Colo. Elliot has...
24960From George Washington to Colonel David Mason, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find, from yours of the 13th Ulto that the six new Virginia Battalions are likely to be compleated by means of drafts and inlistments. All the Recruits who have not had the small pox should be innoculated before they join the Army, for altho’ there are few of the Continental Troops but have had that disorder, yet as we constantly have Militia with the Army we cannot safely...
24961To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 2 Sept. 1777. GW wrote in his first letter to Maxwell of this date : “I have your two favs. of this date,” and in his second letter to Maxwell of this date, GW wrote: “I am just favd with yours of this Evening.”
24962From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your two favs. of this date. In consequence of the remonstrance from the Inhabitants near Elk I have commanded Armands Corps to repair immediately to this place. If any of the people who have been injured can point out the particular persons either Officers or Soldiers they shall be made Examples of—As several accounts seem to agree that the Enemy mean to come out tomorrow Morning, I...
24963From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just favd with yours of this Evening. I do not know where the Sign of the Buck is, I therefore cannot say whether it will be proper for you to leave your present post to go and attack the party that is said to be thereabouts. If it is upon your left as I suppose it is, it will be by no means proper, because while you were gone down, the Enemy might advance from Grey’s Hill to Christeen...
24964From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Yesterday mornings post, I received Your favor of the 22d. Ulto. It gave me great pleasure to hear of your Appointment, and I wish you to accept my Congratulations upon the occasion. The want of Military experience, you mention, is no Ob[s]tacle to your serving your Country in the Capacity in which you have undertaken. In our infant state of War, it cannot be expected, we should be perfect...
24965From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 15th of last month. The frequent captures you make with your little parties have a very good effect and ought to be encouraged. With respect to the exchanges you propose, it is not in my power to interfere in the matter. Elias Boudinotte Esqr. has been appointed Commissary General of prisoners and every thing relating to them must pass through his hands....
24966To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty some days since to Suggest the Selecting 2′500 or 3′000 of our best Armed and most Disciplined Troops (exclusive of the Reserve) who should hold themselves in Readiness on the Approach of the Enemy to make a Regular and Vigorous Assault on their Right or Left flank—or such part of their Army as should then be thought most expedient—and not wait the Attack from them. This Sir...
24967To John Adams from Andrew Henshaw, 3 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I this day had the pleasure to converse with the Hon. Mr. Warren who appears desirous to serve me. He informs me the present Establishment for the Navy Board is only one Clerk. I would not presume to dictate, but beg leave to suggest that the Business must be very extensive and whether there will not be ample Employ for both a Secretary and Clerk. Several Gentlemen of Character have spoke to...
24968To John Adams from Joseph Nourse, 3 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Resolves of Congress, directing every board to deliver into the secretary’s Office, all original Letters referr’d to them address’d to Congress, I have with the advice and direction of Mr. Peters deliver’d in all Papers up to the 1st. Instant. Mr. Houston is arranging them, and preparing to have copies made out for the Committee, and desires me to inform you, he will be happy to see you,...
24969George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 3, 1777. Discusses possibility of British attack on Maxwell by enemy party sent to Bohemia, Delaware. Orders Maxwell to send information about enemy in that area. In postscript, orders Maxwell to retreat to Christiana Bridge. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24970From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Gontier de Biran, who will have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Merit and Distinction at this Court, as a Gentleman of Family, and of excellent Character for his Morals, Prudence, and Attention to the Duties of his Profession as a Soldier. He is desirous of improving himself in that Profession, under...
24971To Benjamin Franklin from William Day, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with the Greatest pleasure I embrace this Conveyance, per Monsier Rochette who says he has the Honour of being personally Known to You, and has promised to deliver my Letter himself. The Thought that it was my duty (to inform You of the Occurrences of my Cruize) must appologize for my Freedom of troubling a Gentlemen of Your Character with a scrawl,...
24972To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Vicomte de Tarride, 3 September 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Pau in Béarn, September 3, 1777, in French: The vicomte de Tarride, a young man of twenty-two, was réformé after three years’ service and decided to join the Americans. About a month ago he sailed from Bayonne on a Boston ship. I hope I may ask for him your protection and letters to your countrymen. If you think proper, I will send the duc du Châtelet’s...
24973General Orders, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
John Parker Esqr. is appointed paymaster to the 8th Pennsylvania regt in the room of John Boyd Esqr. resigned. As the enemy’s motions will be sudden, and perhaps rapid, the General positively orders the commanding officers of corps to keep their men in camp, by no means suffering them to ramble about, out of the verge of it—The discharge of two field pieces is to be considered by the...
24974From George Washington to the Continental Congress Intelligence Committee, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of yours of Yesterday with a Number of Hand Bills giving an account of our successes to the Northward. They shall be distributed among the Soldiery, and I doubt not but they will answer the good End which is intended by them. Every peice of favorable News circulated in this manner thro’ the Camp will certainly inspirit the Troops. I refer you to my letter to Congress for the...
24975To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing in Charge from Congress at this Time, but to transmit the enclosed Resolves, to which I must refer your Attention. General Sullivan’s Expedition on Staten Island having ended in the Loss and Defeat of a considerable Number of the Troops under his Command; the Congress have directed a Court of Enquiry to be instituted relative to the Expedition. You will please to order Colonel...
24976From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this minute returned to Head Qrs, where I found your favor of this date with the Resolves respecting Genl Sullivan and Colo. Richardson’s Battallion. I had conversed with Genl Sullivan upon the Subject and observed to him, that it was necessary an inquiry should be had relative to the Affair of Staten Island, as his conduct was censured & much dissatisfaction prevailed. He was sensible of...
24977From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The late Resolution of Congress for sending Genl Smallwood and Colo. Gist from this Army, to arrange and command the Militia of Maryland, now called to the Feild, and the frequent applications I had, before the arrival of those Gentn at this place, to send Officers to the Eastern Shore to take the direction of the Militia assembling there, give me reason to beleive, that the regulations, in...
24978To George Washington from William Livingston, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was just now honoured with your Excellencys Favour of the 1st Instant, as I arrived at this place to meet the Assembly. I am surprized at Mr Troup’s pretension of his leaving the Enemy to come into this State with design of taking the Benefit of our Act of Grace, & of referring in Proof of that Assertion, to Philip Schoop & his Mother, for the three following reasons, which I think render it...
24979To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 3 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Maxwell on this date : “Yours of three oClock this morning, I have received.”
24980From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of three oClock this morning, I have received. I do not think you have much to fear from the party that has been sent over to Bohemia, who lie greatly to the Southward of you & too remote from where you now are, easily to injure you. It is im[a]gined the design of their going there is to extend across from Bohemia river to Apoquiminy, by which means, they will prevent the Eastern shore...