6951To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 2 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of April 22d. came to hand a few days since. General Lincoln is deservedly acquited from any blame. It is as you observe impossible to guard against the intrigues of the Tories and the Negligence of the Militia. However I hope with you that few such surprises will take place. I most sincerely lament the great inattention and indifference that appears among the People in general...
6952From Benjamin Franklin to ――― Adoubeden with a Covering Note to ―――, 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (two drafts): Library of Congress It would be a pleasure to me if I could comply with your Request to place your Son in our American Army. But it is absolutely not in my Power. Some old experienc’d Engineers and Officers of Artillery have been desired from Europe, but they have long since been engag’d and gone. And we have so many young Gentlemen, Natives of our Country, who are desirous...
6953The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives On April 17, 1777, Congress renamed the committee of secret correspondence the committee for foreign affairs, and we adopt the new title at the beginning of this volume. The commissioners, however, did not learn of the change for months to come, because they received no word from the committee until September. The present...
6954To Benjamin Franklin from [David Hartley], 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have striven, to the utmost of our limited powers, for reconciliation between Great Britain and America. If that is become impossible, let us, at least, not relax our endeavours to obtain peace . Upon what ground wou’d it be possible to establish peace? By your letter to Lord Howe, which has been lately published here, as well as from all other accounts,...
6955General Orders, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
6956Council of War, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers held at Baskenridge the 2d day of May 1777. Present His Excellency the Commander in Chief[,] Majors Generl Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] Stephen[,] Lincoln[,] Brigadrs Maxwell[,] Knox. His Excellency, the Commander in Chief, stated to the Council, the situation & strength of the Army under his Immediate command at the several posts in Jersey, laying before them...
6957From George Washington to Brigadier Generals George Clinton and Alexander McDougall, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of having regular Magazines of Provision for subsisting the Army, wheresoever It may act, and the late destruction of the Stores at Danbury, have induced Congress to take the matter into consideration & to come into the Resolves which accompany this. By these you will perceive, that One object of their deliberation was, to have immediate measures taken for the removal of the...
6958To George Washington from the Continental Congress Secret Committee, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
We are obliged to trouble your Excellency with the enclosed letter for Mr Boudinot containing a remittance of Six hundred pounds Sterlg for the use of the Continental Prisoners in New York as we do not know Mr Boudinots address & we have left the letter unsealed for your perusal, We preferred Mr Franks’s bills as they are drawn on the Contractors in England, & may probably be the more readily...
6959From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning favoured with yours of the 21st and 22d instants, containing the pleasing accounts of the late arrivals at Portsmouth and Boston. That of the French Ship of War with Artillery and other military Stores is a most valuable acquisition. It was my intent to have all the Arms, that were not immediately wanted by the Eastern States, removed to Springfeild, as a place much safer...
6960To George Washington from William Livingston, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Excellency’s Requisition of the 29 ult’mo (which I had the honor of receiving last night,) for ordering 1000 of our militia to join General Heard at Pompton, I have this morning directed General Winds to detach 600 from Morris Sussex Hunterdon & Sommerset, & General Newcomb 400 from Gloucester Salem & Cumberland to continue in Service 4 weeks from the time they join the...
6961To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th of April & shall take every Possible Method for raising & forwarding the Quota of Men orderd from this State. The Loss of our Stores at Danbury is an Event very Alarming to the Country. I hope the Effect will not be fatal to the Army: by the Examination of Sundry disaffected Persons: we have Reason to beleive a Second Descent is soon to be made...
6962From George Washington to Col. Edward Stevens, 2 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Edward Stevens, 2 May 1777. Stevens referred in his letter to GW of 15 May “to your Letter of the 2nd Inst.”
6963From John Adams to James Warren, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 3d I received. I must confess, that I am at a Loss to determine, whether it is good Policy in Us to wish for a War between France and Britain, unless We could be sure that no other Powers would engage in it. But if France engages, Spain will and then all Europe will arrange themselves on one side and the other, and what Consequences to Us might be involved in it, I dont know. If...
6964To John Adams from Henry Knox, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of a Line from you. I was in hopes to have seen you when I went to Boston but you had previously set out for Congress and I miss’d you on the road. Since my return from thence the duties of my department have taken up the whole of my time, which together with the fear of trespassing on your more important engagements has prevented my writing to...
6965George Washington to the Massachusetts Legislature, 3 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 3, 1777. Transmits congressional resolve concerning defense of Ticonderoga. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6966George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 3 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 3, 1777. Approves detention of Seward’s company. States that the sailing of British ships from Amboy, New Jersey, necessitates further attention to British movements on North River. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Captain Thomas Seward, Third Continental Artillery.
6967George Washington to Meshech Weare, 3 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 3, 1777. Transmits congressional resolve concerning defense of Ticonderoga. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress. Weare was president of New Hampshire.
6968To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane having promissd to explain my ideas of the Situation In which I could ever be inducd to revisit Berlin, and Mr. Lee knowing from me what I expected on that Subject, are the reasons which have prevented a personal explanation with you on my part. I do assure you I feel infinitely more pain in solliciting a mode of serving my country than in...
6969To Benjamin Franklin from Léonard-Louis Goueslard de Champigny, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En vous proposant de vive voix d’etablir dans votre patrie premierement une Manufacture D’Armes, secondement une fondrie D’Artillerie en cuivre, troisiemement enfin une fondrie D’artillerie en fer, dans laquelle non seulement on fondroit du canon; mais encore les crapaux destinés a monter les mortiers et Pierriers qui ne peuvent se monter sur des affuts de...
6970To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Morris, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of Captain John Robarts of the Schooner Mary lately arrived from Charles Town South Carolina I beg leave to acquaint you with William Machmaster one of his Sailors, is now detained a Prisoner in this City, charged with having drowned one John Hoggins belonging to the same Vessell. The real circumstances are as follow. The said Machmaster and...
6971General Orders, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Painter is to superintend the Artificers, and Works, in and about Morristown, until further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Congress on 18 Jan. 1777 resolved that Elisha Painter (d. 1781), whom it had appointed major of Col. Seth Warner’s Continental regiment on 5 July 1776, “be removed from any command” in that regiment because a dispute about his right to be major threatened to...
6972From George Washington to Captain Caleb Gibbs, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 27th Ulto is now before me. Mr Harrison having lost, or mislaid your Letter from Newtown, I have no Acct of what you did, or meant to do, respecting our Baggage; which I wish was arrived; such parts I mean, as is intended to follow the Camp. neither have I heard any thing of Captn Lewis (or his Troop) whom I desired might come on to this place. I must desire you to urge...
6973From George Washington to Samuel Gray, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being unacquainted with the places proper for establishing magazines of Flour in Ulster and where that from the River should be removed, you will receive directions from Generals McDougall and Clinton upon the Subject, to whom I have written. I am Sir, &ca N.B. This Letter has respect to one written by Mr Trumbull to Mr Gray, leaving the place where the Stores should be deposited with the...
6974From George Washington to Colonel William Grayson, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of 22nd April I received Yesterday, by which I observe that your Regiment is not so forward as I expected it to be. You mention that Mr McCarty has got his compliment of Men. I think he is intitled to a first Lieutenancy, and as there have been some removals and resignations, make no doubt but it will be in your Power to promote him to it. I am well informed, from various parts of...
6975From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Letter of the 29th Ulto, inclosing Sundry Resolves. Agreable to the directions of Congress, I have written to the States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and urged them to compleat and forward their Troops, destined for Ticonderoga, with all possible expedition. The Brigadiers gone there for the present, are Fermoy—Poor—Patterson & Learned. Nixon & Glover...
6976To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, relative to a Variety of Subjects, are all that I have in Charge from Congress to forward at this Time. The additional Resolves respecting the Muster Masters were highly requisite to compleat that Department, and will, I trust, be punctually carried into Execution. You will perceive that Mr Ludwick is appointed to superintend the Baking Business in the Army, which I make...
6977From George Washington to John Langdon, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning Mr Champney delivered me your very agreeable favour, containing the Account of the Arrival of the Amphitrité with a large train of Field Artillery and other Military Stores from France. Mr Champney went immediately on to Philadelphia. I have wrote to Congress, pressing the necessity of the immediate removal of these truly valuable Articles from Portsmouth, to a place of...
6978From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your detention of apart of Capt. Sewards Company of Artillery, for the reasons you assign, is intirely agreeable to me; and you will observe the same rule with respect to others which shall be coming on in the same circumstances. I should be glad to hear such further particulars of the Danbury expedition, as may have come to your knowlege, that bear the marks of authenticity. I am Dear Sir...
6979From George Washington to Jeremiah Dummer Powell and Meshech Weare, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of advices, received by Congress of the preparations making by General Carleton to pass the lake and attack Ticonderoga, before our force is drawn together at that post, they have come to the following resolution, which I transmit to you by their direction. “Resolved, That General Washington be directed to write to the Eastern States, from whence the troops to be employed at...
6980From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favor of the 30th Ultimo; and am obliged to You for the Trouble You have taken, in transmitting the Resolves of Congress, and in explaining the Reason on which they are founded. These appear to me solid & judicious; & I shall take immediate Measures, so far as depends upon me, to have the Resolutions carried into Execution with Dispatch, with such Improvements as shall seem to...
6981From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Mrs Washington never receiv’d the Jallop and Calomel you promised her—As the Small Pox, by my last advices from home, has got into my Family—and I suppose not less than three hundred Persons to take the disorder, I must beg you to furnish the bearer with so much of the above Articles for my use as you shall judge necessary; & it will exceedingly oblige Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Servt...
6982From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of 24th of April I received Yesterday, with the arrangements &ca inclosed. It is with concern I understand, that the recruiting Service has been so materially injured by the ineffectual Measures fallen upon by your Legislature and the removal and resignation of Officers. Until the Regiments, or at least a Majority of them join us, it will not be in my power to fix the Rank referred...
6983John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed with this you have an Evening Post, containing some of the tender Mercies of the Barbarians to their Prisoners. If there is a Man, Woman or Child in America, who can read these Depositions, without Resentment, and Horror, that Person has no soul or a very wicked one. Their Treatment of Prisoners, last Year added to an Act of Parliament, which they have made to enable them to send...
6984General Orders, 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
6985To George Washington from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 4 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 4 May 1777. Gibbs docketed GW’s letter to him of 1 May in part: “Answerd. 4 May.”
6986To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Attention of the Enemy appears of late to be much turned upon this State, We have for some time been repeatedly advised of it, & now realize it, a few days since They landed at Fairfield to the number of near three thousand it is said, under Genl Erskine & made a forced march to Danbury about twenty two miles & there burnt & destroyed 1700 barrels of Pork, 50 Do Beef, 700 bushels of wheat,...
6987To George Washington from James Warren, 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of your favour of the 15th of March last, and feel myself greatly Obliged by the kind reception you were pleased to give my last disturbance, The Countenance you then gave me, the polite manner in which you have Encouraged me to An Undertaking of the same kind, & the hopes I have of doing some service to the Common Cause have Emboldened me again to Interrupt your Excellency,...
6988To John Adams from James Warren, 5 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have no late Arrivals no foreign Intelligance. The Affair of Danbury has wholly Engrossed the Conversation here for a week past, and we were never able to determine whether what we heard was true or false, or even that there had been an Expedition there till Yesterday, when we were beyond a doubt Ascer tained of the loss of the Stores there, and the Indelible Stigma fixed on the N. England...
6989To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An express is going to Nantes at twelve o Clock this Day. I pray to see you previous, to determine on what sum shall be paid Capt. Bell, who is about to leave Nantes, and go into the service of the Gentlemen who are sending to him express. And he will be uneasy to have it determined upon. I am Sir your most Obedient and Very Humble Servant Addressed: To /...
6990General Orders, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief directs, that the strictest attention, and obedience, be paid throughout the Army, to the following resolutions of the Hon’ble the Continental Congress—viz. Resolved. That there be one Physician and Surgeon General, for each seperate Army, who shall be subject to the controul of the Director General, and Deputy Director General, of the District wherein he...
6991From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 1st instant by Capt: Lush, with Copies of the proceedings of the Courts Martial upon the case of Capt: Martin and those of Several persons accused of treasonable practices. As the proceedings against the latter, can be only sent for my opinion, I having no right to interfere in the matter, I would recommend the execution only of the most notorious, and such,...
6992From George Washington to the Continental Congress Secret Committee, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Letter of the 2d Instt, covering One for Mr Boudinot, which shall be delivered him. I wish the Bills transmitted to him, had been for a larger Sum, and I trust, in a few days they will be followed by Others or a Supply of Money. Mr Boudinots address, is, Commissary Genl of prisoners, in the Army of the United States of America. I have the Honor to be with...
6993From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your letter of the 3d Inst., with its inclosures. General Arnolds promotion gives me much pleasure; he has certainly discoverd in every instance where he has had an opportunity, much bravery, activity and enterprise; But what will be done about his Rank? he will not act most probably under those he commanded but a few weeks ago. I trust the appointment of Mr...
6994To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Mullen (accompanied by Monsr Du Bouchet Brother in law to Col. Conway) who came from France in the Ship Amphitrite—He appears to be a very good Officer, & I think would make a most excellent Major of Brigade, if your Excellency should think it proper. The Assembly of this State have Resolved to complete their 15 Battalions by Draught, which is to be made on...
6995To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favors of the 1st 3d, and that to General Clinton and me, inclosing resolves of Congress. Colonel Huntington of the first instant, and the News Paper inclosed, will give the best intelligence I am po[sse]ssed of, relative to our respective losses at Danbury. As to the Stores it is extreamly difficult to obtain a state of their loss. I have not been able to get a return...
6996To George Washington from John Rutledge, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after receiving your Favour of March 17th, I confer’d with General Howe, on the Subject—He will give you, at large, the Reasons why it does not seem proper, to attempt the Reduction of St Augustine, with what Forces may be spared from Georgia & this State. Had it appeared practicable, & expedient, you may be assured, that I would, most chearfully, have afforded all the Assistance...
6997Abigail Adams to John Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tis ten days I believe since I wrote you a Line, yet not ten minuts passes without thinking of you. Tis four Months wanting 3 days since we parted, every day of the time I have mournd the absence of my Friend, and felt a vacancy in my Heart which nothing, nothing can supply. In vain the Spring Blooms or the Birds sing, their Musick has not its formour melody, nor the Spring its usual...
6998Enclosure: List of American Losses at Danbury, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
1700 Barrells Pork 50 Do: Beef 700 Basketts Wheat 7 Hhds. Rum 6 Do: Bread 11 Tierces Claret 3 Quarter Cask Wine 12 or 1700 Wheat—Rye & Corn 12 Coile Rope 10 Waggons 1600 Tents mostly old The above is a true State of our Loss, in the affair at Danbury. 20 Men killed. 5 Missing. 17 Houses burnt. A Party that went out to bury the Dead have returned, and Report, that they have buried 62 Regulars....
6999John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have no News here but what comes from you—except that all is well and quiet at Ticonderoga, that We have four Thousand Troops there, and that they were not afraid of Carlton. The Connecticutt People have given Sir Wm. Erskine a Concord and Lexington Drubbing. But I am very angry at our People for mak ing a Magazine, so near the Water and among such a Gang of high Church Tories. The Loss...
7000John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
The only Reason why I omitted to write you when I wrote to your Brothers, was because I thought you was as yet too young to be able to read Writing, not because I had less Affection for you than for them: for you may rely upon it, you have as great a share in your Fathers Esteem and Affection as any of his Children. I hope you will be good and learn to read and write well, and then I shall...