1From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20–26 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a time when the Army is about to undergo a material change —when Congress and the States individually, are disposed to establish it upon the best principles for the equal Administration of justice, and the preservation of the rights of the Officers, I am perswaded it will not be deemed presumptuous in me to offer any opinion, which in my judgment, may serve to promote either of these ends...
2John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
You are now at an University, where many of the greatest Men have received their Education. Many of the most famous Characters, which England has produced, have pursued their Studies for some time at Leyden. Some, tho not many of the Sons of America, have studied there. I would have you attend all the Lectures in which Experiments are made whether in Philosophy, Medicine or Chimistry, because...
3John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just received a Letter from Mr. Thaxter and another from your Brother, and should have been equally pleased with one from you. Write me as often as you can, and let me know what Professors you Attend and what Instructors attend you, whether you understand the Lectures &c. The Lectures upon the Greek of the New Testament, I would have you all attend, and those upon Euripides, Sophocles,...
4To John Adams from Joseph Mandrillon, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Le Professeur Henners à Utrecht vient de m’ecrire que Le libraire Wild a fait emprisonner Mr. Cerisier Sous le pretexte qu’il veut qu’il acheve son ouvrage à Utrecht et non à Amsterdam, ce procedé Est indigne comme il est injuste, comme je ne peux sortir avant midi je me hâte de vous en informer J’ecris La même chose à Monsr. de Neufville obligez-moi, Monsieur, d’agir de concert avec...
5Joseph Mandrillon to John Adams: A Translation, 20 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Professor Henners in Utrecht has written to inform me that the bookseller Wild has imprisoned Mr. Cerisier under the pretext that he can only do his work at Utrecht, not at Amsterdam. This proceeding is as undignified as it is unjust. As I cannot leave at mid-day, I have written hastily to inform Mr. de Neufville of the same thing. Oblige me, sir, by acting in concert with him and, through...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Major James McHenry, [16–20 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you Dear Mac for your poetry and your confidence. The piece is a good one—your best. It has wit, which you know is a rare thing. I see by perseverence all ladies may be won. The Muses begin to be civil to you, in spite of Apollo and my prognosis. You know I have often told you, you wrote prose well but had no genius for poetry. I retract. Adieu. Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C....
7To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 20 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure of writing you a day or two ago by the Shelala Capt. Holmes, on board of whom I have put 2 Barrels of Pippins & one large Barrel of Nuts, I also sent you the 2d. Sets of your Interest Bills; I now inclose you the third. We are just informed that Capt. Smith in the Kensington is arrived at Boston, having been chased in there, by a Frigate,...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington, 20 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I have the Honor to inform you that the Honorable Francis Dana Esquire is appointed to repair to the Court of Petersburgh in the Character of Minister from these United States. He will communicate to you his Powers and Instructions, and avail himself of your Information & Advice on the Subject of his Mission. And provided he shall proceed to that Court you are to supply...
9To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 20 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress A few days since—by the Chevr. De Chatteleaux I had the honor to receive your favor of the 19th. of March introductory of him, and thank you for bringing me acquainted with a Gentleman of his merit, knowledge, and agreeable manners.— I spent several days very happily with him at our Camp near the Great Falls of Passaic in...
10General Orders, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The court of enquiry whereof Colonel Hazen is President will assemble next wednesday the 27th instant at West point at the request of Lieutenant Colonel Antill to examine into his conduct while with General Sullivan in his expedition to Staten Island. Application to be made immediately by those lines and regiments which have made their cloathing returns for their first dividend of cloathing....
11To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour’d with your Excellency’s Favor of the 10th inst. as also with one from the Governor. Agreeable to Instructions contain’d in them, I have directed five Officers to proceed, without Loss of Time, to the three upper Counties of this State, on the recruiting Service; and have sent four to Poughkeepsie to be disposed of as the Governor may think proper. Major Davis also waits his...
12To George Washington from Captain Destouches, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Jai L’honneur d’informer votre Excellênce qu’une partie des farines qui avoient eté achetées dans L’etat de Newyorck pour L’approvisionnement de L’Escadre du Roi, ont eté arrêtées par ordre du Gouverneur de cet Etat, pour etre employées a pourvoir aux besoins de votre armée. ce motif est trop respectable pour que je me permette aucunes plaintes a cet egard; cependant j’observerai a votre...
13To George Washington from Lewis Ford Dunham, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
As one of the Jersey Regts are about to be reduced of course it must make one Supernumery Surgeon. Barnet the Eldest Dunham the next & Elmer the 3rd Elmer wishes to Continue Barnet & Dunham agrees he should the contest between Barnet and Dunham which has the right of retireing Dunham claims it upon the principles of being the next youngest. If your multiplicity of more important matters will...
14From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
A few days since—by the Chevr De Chatteleaux I had the honor to receive your favor of the 19th of March introductory of him, and thank you for bringing me acquainted with a Gentleman of his merit, knowledge, and agreeable manners. I spent several days very happily with him at our Camp near the Great Falls of Passaic in New Jersey before the Army removed to its places of Cantonment the...
15From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely unhappy that our want of Magazines, and precarious mode of supply, subject us, to such repeated inconveniences and distresses; but hope the flour from Ringwood or Red hook will arrive soon, to give at least a temporary releif. By the general Return of the Issues, I observe the number of Rations to be much greater than I apprehended, & that they do not diminish in the proportion,...
16To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The last evening I was honored with yours of yesterday, shall attend to its injunctions. Enclosed is Major Darbys opinion of the model of a flat bottom’d boat of the best construction for the convenience of men, and transportation of the boats on Carriages. Capt. Welles who has the charge of the Guards Boats informs me, that the number of boats is insufficient, and that additional ones of a...
17Expense Account as Delegate in Congress, [20 December] 1780 (Madison Papers)
MS (Virginia State Library). In this instance, unlike on 25 September ( q.v. ) when JM forwarded an expense account to the Virginia Auditors of Public Accounts, he either wrote no covering letter to them or it has been lost. The statement given below covers the quarter from 20 September to 20 December 1780 and is taken from a double-size master sheet on which Madison recorded his debits and...
18To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, with Reply, 20 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A requisition is made for a hhd. of spirits to be Sent to Chesterfield Ct. house, to be issued at the reduced prices, to the officers there. I have inclosed an order on the Commissary of Stores for a hhd., tho’ I am doubtfull it will not meet with your Excellency’s approbation, as I understand the pay in the new money was to take place the first of August last, and also I have heard, the...
19To Thomas Jefferson from George Muter, 20 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Richmond ], 20 Dec. 1780 . A letter from Mr. Avery to TJ, concerning Golden Ward , was handed to Muter yesterday. Muter has no further evidence on Ward’s case than “the depositions enclosed from >Mr. Avery in his former letter.” Avery, Capt. Maxwell, and Muter are all of opinion that it will be best to discharge Ward and allow him to return to the Eastern Shore, “provided he...
20To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 20 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Frederick Town [ Frederick, Md. ], 20 Dec. 1780 . Capt. [Edmund] Read of the light dragoons representing his troop to be unfit for duty for want of clothing and accouterments has been permitted to go to Richmond in order, if possible, to get them equipped. Lt. [George] Brent’s resignation has been accepted, and his vacant commission must now be filled up. “I am under the Disagreeable Necessity...