24501From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received intelligence by express that the enemy’s fleet yesterday morning about 8 OClock sailed out of the Capes in an Eastern course. This surprising event gives me the greatest anxiety, and unless every possible exertion is made, may be productive of the happiest consequences to the enemy, and the most injurious to us. I have desired General Sullivan’s division and the two...
24502To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 27th Instant I received Yesterday Morning, at Fort Miller, on my Way to this place with the Army which I moved by the unanimous Advice of all the General Officers—The most unaccountable panic has seized the Troops that was ever heard of—A few Shot from a small party of Indians has more than once thrown them into the greatest Confusion—The Day before Yesterday three hundred of...
24503From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By an Express this Moment received from Cape May, The Enemy’s Fleet put to Sea yesterday Morning at Eight OClock and were out of sight Three Hours when the Express came away. From this Event, it appears, Genl Howe has been practising a deep feint merely to draw our attention and whole force to this point. I am to request, that you will countermarch the Division under your command and proceed...
24504From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Letter just received from Brigadier General Maxwell informs me of the desertion of one of your light horse —this disagreeable Circumstance will naturally put you upon your guard; but I desire that you will farther make very particular Scrutiny into the Characters of your men and if you shall find any more suspicious ones among them—that you will immediately dismount them and order them to...
24505John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
By an express last night from Cape May, We learn that the Fleet went out of the Bay, the Morning before, i.e. on Thursday Morning and put to Sea, and went out of Sight. What this Man is after, no Wisdom can discover. Last night another Express says the Fleet appeared off the Capes again, i.e. part of it, upwards of one hundred Sail. After all these Feints and Maneuvres, it is most likely he...
24506New England Delegates to George Washington, 2 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
As Congress have authorized your Excellency to send a proper Officer to take the Command in the northern Department; We take the Liberty to signifie to your Excellency that in our Opinion, no Man will be more likely; to restore, Harmony, Order and Discipline, and retrieve our Affairs in that Quarter, than Majr. Genll. Gates. He has on Experience acquired the Confidence, and stands high in the...
24507To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, 2 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I wish I Could beleive as You do with respect to the Enemies Strenght, but in order to do this I must prefer loose Conjectures to the Greatest Variety of Concurring testimoneys—That prisoners may Endeavour to Deceive I think probable, but that a number of Men should agree to tell a Similar tale, & give like Answers to questions without knowing what those questions will be, I Cannot beleive,...
24508Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have just received your favour of the 28th Ultimo and shall take care to observe all your Directions with the greatest Exactness, but I must first inform you of a most vexatious turn our Affairs relative to the Duc de Chartres are about to take unless we can sufficiently oppose the Design. When I bought this Ship...
24509To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, [2 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee presents his Compliments to Doctor Franklin and informs him that he shall set off for Nantes tomorrow forenoon and will with pleasure take care of any thing he has to send there. Addressed: Honble. Benjamin Franklin / Esqr. Passi Notation: W Lee. to BF. no date. He must have changed his mind and taken off soon after writing this note. He left on the...
24510To Benjamin Franklin from Seth Paddack, 2 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You must have Heard of My Arival last December in a Paltry Brig Belonging to Mease & Caldwell of Philadelphia. I Came in that Vessel With a Promise of having a Good Ship filled from Nantes in a warlike manner to Go Back. At My Arival I found it all a farce. I Quited the Vessel and Enterd. with Capt: Bell one of his first officers in a Private Ship of war...
24511From George Washington to the Commanding Officer on March to Peekskill, N.Y., 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Express last Night, I inform’d you of my having rec’d intelligence, that the Enemy’s Fleet had left the Capes, & sailed towards the Eastward; and in consequence thereof directed you, without losing a moment to return with the two Brigades under your Command, and rejoin Genl Putnam. The utmost dispatch is absolutely necessary; for there is every reason to suppose the Enemy’s movements will...
24512To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honr of Transmiting your Excely An Acct of the Enemies Fleet’s sailing, Nothing of Importance has Come to my Knowledge—The Cork Fleet Consisting of 34 Sail Left Sandy hook on Tuesday Morning Last. The Accts respecting the Situation of our Northern Army as handed to us at this place is so Various as to Induce me to beg the favr to have the Accts from Some one of your Excelys...
24513To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to Inclose you sundry Resolutions of Congress, to which beg leave to Refer you. I have the honour to be Sir Your very hum. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions, passed between 29 July and 1 Aug. 1777, concern a variety of matters related to the military and to the defense of Philadelphia. Resolutions of 29 and 30 July, and 1 Aug., order an inquiry into the...
24514To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have had no certain intelligence of the Fleet since I wrote your Excellency on Yesterday Many doubt whether any considerable number of large Ships were seen at all, and suppose it was only a number of Cruizers with their prizes. We have a number of Boats in the Bay, and persons by Land, upon the whole I beleive the Report has but little foundation, and was chiefly Imaginary, I thought it my...
24515To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed are Copies of two Letters one from Salem & the other from Glocester from which it appears that the Information respecting the British Fleet being off Cape Ann is not to be relyed on. Should we gain any certain Intelligence respecting them Your Excellency may Depend on being regularly informed thereof. Any Information from You advising the Situation of the Army under Your Command...
24516From the New England Delegates to the Continental Congress, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
as Congress have authorized your Excellency to send a proper Officer to take the Command in the northern Department, We take the Liberty to signifie to your Excellency that in our Opinion, no Man will be more likely to restore Harmony, Order & Discipline, & retrieve our Affairs in that Quarter, than Majr Genll Gates, He has on Experience acquired the Confidence, & stands high in the Esteem of...
24517To George Washington from Preudhomme de Borre, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received Several Letters from your Excellency in my road & I executed his orders exactly, the Last ordered me to go to philadelphia With the Division I move on to morrow morning from bound brook & I hope to cross the Delaware river after to morrow, I march Since Eight Days Without rest. The 31 July the Court martial hath condemned a guilty tory to be hanged I confirmed this Sentence to be...
24518From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 Aug. 1777. On 4 Aug. Putnam wrote GW that “I Recd yours of the 1st Inst. last evening & your favour of the 2nd this moment.”
24519To George Washington from George Walton, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Despairing of an opportunity of personally communicating a peice of business, in your present perplexing situation, I beg leave to take this method of doing it. The exposed state of Georgia calls aloud for a pretty formidable force to defend it; for this reason congress have not forbid Col. White recruiting deserters from the british Army. I have been informed that there are a considerable...
24520George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 3, 1777 . Orders De Borre to remain at Bound Brook until enemy arrives at “the Hook” and then to proceed to Peekskill. Condemns De Borre’s execution of a Tory. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. De Borre arrived in America in March, 1777, and enlisted in the American Army as a volunteer. He resigned in the same year.
24521George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
City Tavern [ Philadelphia ] August 3, 1777. Orders Nash to hold troops and vessels in readiness. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Francis Nash, Brigadier General in the Continental Army from North Carolina, died October 17, 1777, of wounds received at Germantown on October 4.
24522Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 3 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered by Monsr. Becard a Very Worthy and respectable Merchant of this place and is disposed to enter into the American Trade. As he will Confer with you personally on this Subject, I shall refer you to him for the particulars of his Intentions on this head. As this Gentleman has been very Kind in rendering me every Service in his power at...
24523To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Haineville, 3 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <August 3, 1777, in French: Her son has been captured on an English vessel and later imprisoned in Boston; she asks for a quarter-hour in which to explain how he got there and why he is kept from returning to see her before she dies, and signs herself “femme haineville.” > BF apparently gave her some encouragement. On Aug. 10 she wrote again, as he had...
24524From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The conduct of the Enemy is distressing, and difficult to be understood. Since my last, directing you to proceed to Peekskill, their Fleet, or a pretty considerable part of it, has appeared off the Capes of Delaware, as we were yesterday advised by express. In this state of incertainty about their real object & designs, I think it advisable, that you should halt your own and Colo. Ogden’s...
24525To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Inclos’d Resolves have just pass’d Congress, to which I beg leave to Refer you, and am with much Esteem Sir Your most Obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions of this date all relate to the northern department. The first resolution directs GW to appoint a general officer to replace Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler as commander of the northern department. The second resolution requests...
24526From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of this date with its inclosures is now before me. At the same time that I express my thanks for the high mark of confidence which Congress have been pleased to repose in me by their Resolve authorizing me to send an Officer to command the northern Army, I should wish to be excused from making the appointment. For this, many Reasons might be mentioned, and which, I am persuaded will...
24527From George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
As from a variety of contradictory circumstances, the Enemy’s real intentions still remain ambiguous and uncertain, I would not have you at present embark yr troops as before directed, but keep them in a state of continual readiness, for the purpose against further orders. The vessels should also be in constant readiness that there may be no cause of delay when it shall be necessary to make...
24528To George Washington from Richard Peters, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of Regiments & Companies are separately & constantly applying for Arms & Necessaries. A few have produced the Ajut Generals Signature to their Returns of Deficiencies. The Demands are so great that there are not a sufficient Number in the Store to supply them. Each is anxious to get the whole of his Demand & let others shift as well as they can. There should be some Plan fallen...
24529From George Washington to Preudhomme de Borre, 3 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Preudhomme de Borre, 3 Aug. 1777. GW begins his second letter to Preudhomme de Borre of 3 Aug.: “I this day sent you orders by express to halt wherever it should find you.”
24530From George Washington to Preudhomme de Borre, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this day sent you orders by express to halt wherever it should find you; and not to proceed any further towards the Delaware, until you had orders from me for that purpose, nor to return towards Peeks-Kill, unless you should have certain information that the enemy’s fleet were arrived at the Hook, or had gone further Eastward, in which case you were to go back to Peeks Kill, as expeditiously...
24531From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Express last Night from Cape May, we are informed that the Enemy’s Fleet were seen again after they first dis-appeared, from whence some people conclude that their going off, was to gain more sea Room to weather the Shoals of Cape-May; and that they will still come up Delaware: Under this uncertainty (as it is terrible to march and counter-march the Troops at this season) you are desired to...
24532To John Jay from James Duane, 3 August 1777 (Jay Papers)
I enclose you a Letter from France for yourself and another to M r . Platt which ^ last ^ you’l be pleased to forward with my respectful Compliments. General Howe and his grand fleet to the utter Astonishment and Vexation of the People here have disappeard as every necessary preparation for his Reception was made. He has left us to guess at his next Attempt— General Schuyler to humour the...
24533John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Favour of July 23, came by the Post, this Morning. It revives me, to hear of your Health, and Welfare, altho I shall be, and am disappointed of a Blessing, which I hoped to enjoy. But this is the Result of Wisdom superiour to ours and must be submitted to with chearfull Resignation. The Loss of Ti. has occasioned as loud Complaints and as keen Resentment in Philadelphia as in Boston....
24534To John Adams from John Lowell, 4 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Babcock of Newhaven informs me that he wrote you respecting our maritime Laws, and the Application of them to the Case of the Countess of Eglington, which John Brown of Providence is endeavouring to bring before Congress; but fearing he had been mistaken in his Recollection of these Laws, and so may have misrepresented them, he has desired me to set the Matter in its true Light, lest the...
24535George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] August 4, 1777. Forwards Congress’ appointment of Gates to the command of Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
24536George Washington to The New York Council of Safety, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 4, 1777 . Warns of danger of popular attitude toward fall of Ticonderoga and the advance of General John Burgoyne. Does not wish to aid Northern Department by weakening main Army. Laments lack of aid that has been given by the eastern states, but is assured that presence of Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Major General Benedict Arnold will induce a change. Advises that...
24537General Orders, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
In the present marching state of the army, every incumbrance proves greatly prejudicial to the service; the multitude of women in particular, especially those who are pregnant, or have children, are a clog upon every movement —The Commander in Chief therefore earnestly recommends it, to the officers commanding brigades and corps, to use every reasonable method in their power, to get rid of all...
24538Circular to Various States, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The great expence & Loss of time that has attended the recruiting service in most of the states, & the little advantage derived from it has induced Congress to recommend the executive Powers of each to adopt certain new Regulations for promoting this Important & essential Business, & for taking it entirely out of the Hands of the Officers of the Army. The Resolve on this subject & the...
24539From George Washington to Brig. Gen. David Forman, 4 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. David Forman, 4 Aug. 1777. Forman’s letter to GW of 2 Aug. is docketed in part “Ansd 4.”
24540To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will please to put in Orders who the several Officers wanting Stores of any kind are to apply to for Orders on me or the Comissaries of Stores—Capt. Watkins is Commissary of Ordnance Stores—Capt. Gostelowe Comy of Arms & Accoutrement &c. &c. (Thos. Butler Esqr. Public Armourer under the immediate Direction of the Hon. the Board of War). Your Excellencys most Obed. Very Hum....
24541From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed copy of a letter from Congress, that they have appointed you to the command of the army in the Northern department, and have directed me to order you immediately to repair to that post. I have therefore to desire you will, in persuance of their intention, proceed to the place of your destination, with all the dispatch you can, and take upon you the command of...
24542To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have it in Charge from Congress to inform you, that they have this Day appointed General Gates to the Command of the Army in the Northern Department, and to direct, that you immediately order him to repair to that Post —Any Instructions that may be necessary, shall be sent after him with the utmost Expedition. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect Sir your most obed. & very hble...
24543To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be Handed to you by the Count de Puluski General de Larme de la Republique de Poloigne, who has Come over to Serve in the great american Cause. Since my last we have Sent on near Three Hundred full Barrels of Powder, and a number of arms to Brookfield, A number of Shells 10 and 8 Inch with Some other Heavy articles are at Cambridge the Removal of which far by land will be very...
24544From George Washington to John Langdon, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Two Favors of the 12th & 17th Ulto have been duly received. I am happy in the arrival of the Packet from Nantes after so good a passage. I suppose the Accounts transmitted by the Commissioners are of importance, but I am not yet informed of the particulars. The Captains intelligence is agreable, and I wish much to hear it confirmed by a Declaration of War. We have been for some time and...
24545To George Washington from John Laurens, 4 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Laurens, 4 Aug. 1777. On 5 Aug. GW wrote to Laurens that “Your favour of Yesterday came to my hands late in the Afternoon.”
24546To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I met General Schuyler the 30th ultimo; a mile or two above Fort miller, just after the General officers had in council resolved to remove the army to Saratoga, as a place more tenable and convenient for disciplining the troops; I hope he will have it in his power there to make a stand, and be able soon to attack the British troops, or at least some parties of them, with success, And give a...
24547From George Washington to the New York Council of Safety, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored by your several favours of the 25th 27th and 30th of July. The misfortune at Ticonderoga has given a very disagreeable turn to our affairs, and has thrown a gloom upon the happy prospect, which the campaign previous to that event afforded. But I am in great hopes the ill-consequences of it will not continue long to operate; and that the jealousies and alarms, which so...
24548To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recd yours of the 1st Inst. last evening & your favour of the 2nd this moment, In consequence of the Intellgience & Directions therein given Expresses were early this morning Sent to Govr Trumbull Genl Woolcut & Silliman urging in the Strongest manner the necessity of Speedily reinforcing this Post by the Militia —like Expresses have been Sent to Govr Clinton & to the Cols: of the Militia of...
24549From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 4 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edward Rutledge, c.4 Aug. 1777. When writing to Rutledge on 5 Oct. 1778 , GW says: “In the Month of August last year from the House of Mr. H[enry] Hill near Germantown (where I was then encamped) I wrote you a Letter as long as my arm” ( DLC:GW ).
24550To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
the Commanding officiers of the Corps Composing General Fermois Brigade having repeated their Request to be ennexed to other Brigades declaring that however high their Esteem of his military abilities might Be yet as They Could not understand his Language nor he Theirs, they had already laboured under inconveniencis and apprehended greather, I Communicated Thus to general fermoise and advised...