7051To George Washington from Daniel Parker, 8 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
Knowing it to be the Wish of your Excellency that the Army should receive some Part of the Pay due them from the United States previous to their being discharged from Service, and supposing the present State of the public Funds would render a Payment to any Considerable Amounts very difficult, if not Impracticable at this Period; We would propose to make Payment of a Sum equal to the Amount of...
7052To George Washington from Joseph Bellamy, 7 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Tories with us are privately assured by their friends in New York, The Tories in vermont are assured by their friends from Canada, That there is above 20,000 British Troops in Canada, ready to Come down upon us, as soon as the Ice is gone off the Lake —they Believe the story—This I am assured of, that they privately profess & appear to believe it. I am Your Very Humble Sevt ALS , DLC:GW ....
7053To George Washington from James Mease, 23 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 16 Instant on Tuesday covering a copy of one sent some time ago which I find hath some how miscaried—Agreeable to the commands of your Excellency of the 16th I immediatly prepared to set out for Head Quarters & should have been there before now but that I have been necessarily detained by the arrival of an Express from Boston on Thursday sent...
7054George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] September 10, 1778 . Instructs Gates to march to Danbury. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
7055From George Washington to John Jay, 29 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 24th I had the honor to inform Congress that a considerable embarkation of the enemy had taken place on the 21st— This intelligence I received through Major Lee, a channel in most cases, good; but from all my subsequent inquiries I have reason to believe he was mistaken in this instance. The movement among their Shipping going down the river to New York, and some stir among the...
7056N(1782)S. October. 1st. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
This day several gentlemen dined and supped here. Rainy stormy weather.
7057From George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 19 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 17th and am sorry to hear, that the information you have recd of the intent of the Enemy, to destroy the Salt works upon the Sea Coast of Monmouth County, will divert you from coming to the reinforcement of this Army; but these works are so truly valuable to the public, that they are certainly worth your attention. If you should have any force to spare, after protecting the...
7058From James Madison to Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1782 (second) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to “The honble Edmd. Randolph favd. by Dr. Tucker who will deliver it himself if he can—if not by the hand of Col: Monroe.” This cover was docketed by Randolph, “Novr. 12. 1782 J Madison.” On the fragment of a second cover there appears, certainly not in Tucker’s and seemingly not in Monroe’s hand, “[Ho]nble Edmund Randolph Esqr. Richmond.” Resolved...
7059To Benjamin Franklin from Gourlade & Moylan, 5 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Arms which were damaged on board the Ariel and left here by Captain Jones on his last departure, to be repaired, are now nearly finished & ready for shiping. The Marquis of fayette’s arrival here, being hourly expected, we request you will inform us, if it is your intentions, that those arms shou’d be loaded, with the other goods, on said Vessel: a...
7060To Benjamin Franklin from Elie de Beaumont, 15 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie instamment de vouloir bien m’adresser demain ou après demain une reponse pour Monsieur le Comte de Tressan. Il y a près d’un mois qu’il vous a ecrit, et vous êtes convenu avec moi le dimanche 6 de ce mois de m’ecrire deux lettres une plus courte pour lui en reponse a la sienne que je lui ferai parvenir a sa terre, et l’autre plus detaillée pour...
7061From George Washington to William Fitzhugh, 25 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th Ulto with its inclosures came safe to hand, though a little delayed on the way—the letters (to your Son) went immediately in to New York under cover to General Clinton, to whom I happened to be writing at the time. Your other favr the 15th Instt came by the last Post⟨. The⟩ letter to Perry will be forwarded in a day or two by our Commissary of Prisoners—the one from...
7062From Benjamin Walker to Lemuel Trescott, 25 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your two Letters one to Colo. Humphries and the other to the General were reced—the Contractors say they will instantly send a person to supply your detachment with Provision. His Excellency directs that Prisoners of War Exchanged or on Parole need not in future be sent to head Quarters—His instructions to be given to the officer who Releives you. I am sir DLC : Papers of George Washington.
7063General Orders, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
If any Gentlemen of the army can give information to the General, of shoes, stockings or leather breeches, in quantities, he will be exceedingly obliged to them—He will likewise be obliged to any of the General officers, for recommending proper persons to be employed in collecting these articles. General Smallwood, and the Colonels of the Maryland regiments are to meet to morrow morning, at...
7064To George Washington from John Hancock, 29–30 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive from the enclosed Resolves which I do myself the Honour of transmitting, that Congress have had under Consideration the State of Ticonderoga and have come onto sundry Re⟨solv⟩es on the Subject. I beg Leave to refer your Attention to them, and am particularly to urge that you immediately write to the Eastern States and request them in the Name of Congress to pursue every Means...
7065[15th of Feb. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
On the 15th of Feb. 1776. Sundry other Letters from General Lee, General Schuyler and General Wooster were referred to the Committee to whom the Letters received Yesterday were referred. On the same day Congress took into Consideration the Report from the Committee of the whole house, and after debate resolved that it be recommitted. Resolved that Congress will tomorrow morning resolve itself...
7066From Benjamin Franklin to Clifford & Teysset, 8 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 31st. past, and I immediately apply’d to M. de Chaumont, representing to him the ill Consequences that must attend the Return of those Bills to America protested. He took the Matter into Consideration, and it is but this Instant that I have received his Answer, which I inclose. As I think with you...
7067To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 28 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I landed the day Before yesterday the Eight and thirty mutiners, I am getting Ready for to Sail for Nantes as fast as Possible and Expect to be ready in Eight days thence. I have had here all the Iron work repair’d and nothing but the most necessary things have been done or had. I shall wait for your orders at Nantes in a forteen night if the wind Permits....
7068To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The more I have thought upon the subject of explaining the reasons and causes of our movements to the Army, and through them to the Country, the more I am confirmed in my opinion, of the propriety and necessity for it. Your Excellency will consider this is a great movement, and has been very rapid. The march of the Army has been very fatiguing. The teams of the Country have been impressed and...
7069From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The State commissary having come to me yesterday I sent him on to your Headquarters to provide subsistence for the troops and observe your orders in every thing. A waggon load of fixed ammunition and two feild peices have past this place for General Nelson. The residue (I beleive about two waggon loads) was ordered on to you yesterday. I am very happy to hear you have General Smallwood’s...
7070To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Fredericksburg, 9 October 1778 . “I do myself the honor to Communicate my sentiments on the subject of the different routs by which an army may penetrate into Canada from these States, and on the preparations requisite to be made in the quarter from whence an Army would march.” Schuyler favors the Lake Champlain route rather the routes by way of Lake Ontario to the west or Coos, Vt., to the...
7071From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to you on the 14th Instant, I had little doubt of receiving considerable support from the Militia of this State, and was taught to believe that a large part of the old Troops (coming on with General Lee) had reinlisted—In the first, I have every reason in the world to fear a disappointment—In the latter, I find myself woefully deceiv’d—It is easier therefore to conceive, than...
7072From David Humphreys to Elias Dayton, 4 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Before the departure of His Excellency the Commander in Chief for Philadelphia, he wrote a Letter to you, dated the 11th of July, of which he has received no acknowledgement, & therefore suspects it may have miscarried; the purport of it was, to relieve Capt. Dayton, to stop all Correspondence with Ward McMichael & every other person within the Enemy’s Lines, and to hold the Brigade in...
7073To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Gabriel Bouffé, Gabriel Bouffé, and Louis Guillaume le Veillard, 12 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Deux Particuliers desireroient acquerir une ou plusieurs parties de Terreins dans la Province de Pensilvanie pour chacun une Somme de Douze Mille Livre Tournois, ensemble Vingt quatre Mille Livres a Employer dont Douze Mille Livres pour et au nom de Gabriel Bouffé de Paris Douze Mille Livres pour et au nom de Pierre Gabriel Bouffé de Paris. Les dits Sieurs...
7074From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 19 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not doubting but the General Assembly will be glad to be informed of the Occurrences in the Carolina’s, I take the liberty of transmitting to them a Letter I have received from General Greene and some extracts from Letters received from Major McGill who is with the Southern Army. I have the Honor to be, &c., P.S. I must take the liberty of begging a return of Genl. Greene’s Letter when...
7075From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Cilley, Jr., 9 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial is to be held at Springfeild on the 15th April next for the trial of Mr Isaac Tichenor Dy Commy of purchases at Coos on sundry Charges exhibited against him by Colonel Hazen, and for the trial of Jacob Bailey Esqr. Dy Qr Mr Genl at Coos on a charge of neglect of duty exhibited against him by Mr Tichenor. After going thro’ the before mentioned trials, part of the Members...
7076From John Jay to José de Gálvez, 27 January 1780 (Jay Papers)
Permit me thro’ your Excellency, to have the honour of representing to his most Catholic Majesty, that on the sixth Day of February 1778 the respective Plenipotentiaries of his most Christian Majesty and the united States of America, by whom the treaties now subsisting between them were concluded did make and subscribe a secret article in the words following. Viz t . “The most Christian King...
7077To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Thomas Conway, 23 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Thomas Conway, 23 April 1778. GW wrote Gouverneur Morris on 18 May : “I am told that C—nw—y (from whom I have received another impertinent Letter dated the 23d Ulto demanding the commd of a division of the Continental Army) is, through the medium of his friends solliciting his Commission again.” Conway wrote Henry Laurens on 18 May, “I have wrote to you, Sir,...
7078To Benjamin Franklin from J. F. Frin & Co., 22 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons l’honneur de vous remettre ci joint une 4e. de change en votre propre Traite du 23 Juillet 1781 à 10 jours de vue sur M Richard Backe [Bache] de Philadelphie laquelle, ainsi qu’il est dit au dos d’icelle, doit etre payée en france; nous vous prions, Monsieur, de vouloir bien l’accepter & de nous la faire repasser ensuite; Cette Te [Traite] est de...
7079The American Commissioners to Sartine, 13 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 13, 1778: We are sorry for the delay in answering your letter of July 29. We are of opinion that the regulations are very good but wish to make the following observations. We propose that judges of admiralty in America because of the size of their jurisdictions be permitted to delegate their authority....
7080To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday the Secretary at War gave me the instructions, of which the enclosed is a copy. I am unable at present to determine how far it will be practicable to carry his orders into execution with the three years men, as we shall have no artificers, nor any other assistance, but what we shall derive from them I will however have the necessary estimates prepared and submitted to your...
7081To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 6 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform your Excellency that a Party under the Command of Capt. Cushing of the 1st Massachusett’s Regt went down the other Night to the Quarters of Col. Delancey, & brought off three Officers & seventeen Privates from within two or three Hundred Yards of their Work Number Eight—Col. Delancey had, luckily for himself, gone out upon some Occasion in the Eveg, & was...
7082A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in general Congress assembled, 28 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
When in the Course of human Events it becomes necessary for a People to advance from that Subordination, in which they have hitherto remained and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the equal and independent Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Man kind requires that they Should declare the Causes, which impell them to...
7083To Benjamin Franklin from Juliana Ritchie, 20 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Many proofs—that I have experienced of your good nature—& politeness—leads me to hope that I shall meet your kind pardon for the liberty I take in troubleing you with the enclosed letter which contains one for my husband; you’ll, add to my great debt of gratitude—by delivering it to Mr. Shaffer—before that gentleman leaves Paris. He will repay you the...
7084To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-François Le Brun: Two Letters, 18 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A friend of mine, an eminent marchant at Coruña in Spain and wellwisher to the cause of american Liberty has transmitted to me the Letter herein inclosed with prayer to have it delivered immediately in to the hands of Mr. Dean. But as I am totally unacquainted with the place where that gentleman is to be met with and afraid to have it trusted to any body...
7085From George Washington to John Rutledge, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lt Col. Laurens who will have the honor of delivering you this, has served two campaigns in my family in quality of aide De Camp. The whole tenor of his conduct has been such as to intitle him to my particular friendship and to give me a high opinion of his talents and merit. In the field, he has given very distinguishing proofs of his bravery upon several interesting occasions. His military...
7086To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of the Hessians left their camp at the landing this afternon, his account of their numbers & situation is very simelar to that we have often had from others. He informs there are no appearances of removing at present, they are waiting for a reinforcment which they daily expect—That the treatment they receive is so very different from what they expected, & so injurious, (were promised 16d....
7087From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I am just setting out for West point where I may remain for two or three days, You will take the command of the Troops in this Camp till my return. I have published this in orders and you will receive from the Adjutant General the disposition I have made for opposing the Enemy in case they should move against the post at west point. All I have to request at present is, that you will have a...
7088John Adams’ Credentials to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, 10 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, being Legally Assembled on the Ninth day of August instant, pursuant to Legall Warrants, made choice of the Honble. John Adams Esqr. to Represent them in a State Convention, appointed to be convened and held at Cambridge on the first day of September next, for the purpose of Framing a New Constitution. MS ( M-Ar : vol. 160, p. 190); docketed:...
7089From 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...
7090Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours 30 of July reachd me by Saturdays post, and found me with Johnny and Tommy quite Recoverd from the small Pox. When I first came to Town I was made to believe that the small pox was a very light disorder, and one might pass through it with little or no complaints. Some such instances no doubt there are, and Light it is in comparison of the Natural way, or what it formerly was. As I never...
7091To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Nairne, 19 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Knowing the intimacy, & friendship subsisting between your Excellency, & my Brother, I presume to solicit your interest in my unhappy situation, nothing but the disstresses of my family, & the cruel advantages, the owners of the Ship I command’d, are taken, can excuse this liberty, & the certainty of being inevitably ruin’d, If I remain here much longer. If...
7092To Benjamin Franklin from Antoinette-Thérèse Melin Dutartre, [10 May? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon papa voila mon abbé qui part pour Londres ou il doit demeurer quelques Semaines avant de Retourner en irlande. Voulez vous le charger de quelques commissions? Il S’en acquitera bien et avec grand plaisir: il ira vous voir de ma part. Avant Son départ Si vous pouvez Luy donner quelques lettres de recommendation, cela me fera plaisir, il meritte tout le...
7093To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 4 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to pay my respects to you the 17 & 23 Ulto. I have the pleasure to advise you of the arrival of One of the Ships I expected from Virginia she arrived at Rochforte, the 2d April having had a passage of only Twenty Nine days. The Captain writes me that he shall retain my Letters to deliver them to me himself. I expect the Ship here every Tide...
7094To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the Request of my Friend Colonel John Mitchell, I take the liberty of introducing to your Civilities, the Bearer Mr: John Rainey, who goes to France upon a Commercial Plan, should he require your Advice, or Assistance in procuring passports to Holland or elsewhere, I beg leave to recommend him to you for them— The Family continue well and join me in Love...
7095From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which I did myself the honor of writing to you the 16th I had only time to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 10th; since which I have had the pleasure of successively receiving your two others of the 14th & 17th. In the idea of an operation against New York it has always been a fundamental principle with me, that there ought to be a naval superiority to give such a prospect...
7096From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The habitual drunkenness of Colo. Warneck renders him in the opinion of the board unfit to be longer trusted with the execution of the duties of an engineer. Should he chuse (on your intimating this to him) to resign, the board are disposed to give him what assistance they may justifiably: otherwise it becomes necessary that you take proper measures for trying him by a proper court in order to...
7097From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Chevalier Mauduit Du Plessis will have the honor of delivering you this letter. In expectation that the war is at a conclusion in this Country and that another is kindling in Europe; he has determined to return to France to offer his service to his own Country. He waits upon Congress to obtain their concurrence for this purpose: I have given him a handsome certificate of his conduct in our...
7098To John Jay from John McKesson, 8 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform you that in pursuance of a Resolution of the Assembly on the second, and a concurrent Resolution of Senate on the 4 th . Instant (in both cases without a dissenting voice) your appointment as a Delegate to Congress is to be continued until thirty Days after the next meeting of the Legislature— M r . Allen in A late publication asserts, that all the Members of...
7099Abraham Whipple to the American Commissioners, 15 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library <Paimboeuf, June 15, 1778: I should be glad of orders about my prisoners. The old masts are being repaired; new ones are very expensive, and I shall be as frugal as possible. I could carry home clothing and arms if I knew the quantity and size of bales; the ship will be graved and ready in twelve days. My midshipmen have...
7100To Thomas Jefferson from Linctot, 2 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
L’honneur de la Com[mission] dont votre bonté ma pourveu et mon Zele sincere p[our] les Etats unies, mont engagé a me transporter dans mon département le plutot quil a été possible, pour y maintenir, suivant vos intentions, les nations sauvages dans nos intéret. Jay réussie a conserver pour quelque Temp les nations de Ouabache et quelque autre dans notre partie, leurs faisant esperer sous peu...