6951George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Green, 28 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 28, 1777 . States that in Baron d’Arendt’s absence, Fort Mifflin is to be under command of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6952George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 28 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 28, 1777 . Orders Varnum to Woodbury to cooperate with those already there for the relief of Fort Mifflin and the garrison at Red Bank. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
6953Council of War, 29 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Whitpain Township [ Pennsylvania ] October 29, 1777 . Hamilton recorded the minutes of this meeting. D , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6954To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 30 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
It having been judged expedient by the Members of ⟨a⟨ Council of War held yesterday, that one of the Gentlemen of my family should be sent to Genl: Gates in order to lay befor⟨e⟩ him the State of this Army; and the Situation of the Ene⟨my⟩ and to point out to him the many happy Consequences that will accrue from an immediate reinforceme⟨nt⟩ being sent from the Nothern Army; I have thought ⟨it⟩...
6955From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 2 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I lodged last night in the neighbourhood of New Windsor. This morning early, I met Col: Morgan with his corps about a mile from it, in march for Head Quarters. I told him the necessity of making all the dispatch he could so as not to fatigue his men too much, which he has promised to do. I understood from Col: Morgan that all the Northern army were marching down on both sides the River, and...
6956To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 2–3 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fort Mifflin on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] November 2–3, 1777 . Describes the erection of a battery on the British ship Augusta. Complains of his lack of authority at the fort. Copy in writing of John Laurens, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This MS is entitled “Major Fleury’s Journal and Letter to Colonel Hamilton.” Fitzpatrick in his Calendar of the Correspondence of...
6957To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 4–8 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fort Mifflin on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] November 4–8, 1777 . Acknowledges receipt of “His Excellencys order authorizing me to exercise the functions of Engineer at Fort Mifflin.” Copy in writing of John Laurens, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Fitzpatrick in his Calendar of the Correspondence of George Washington with the Officers John C. Fitzpatrick, Calendar of...
6958From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson’s brigade, which is the one you propose to send is, by far, the weakest of the three now here, and does not consist of more than about 600 rank and file fit for duty. It is true there is a militia regiment with it of about 200, but the term of service for which this regiment is engaged is so near expiring, that it would be past by the time the...
6959From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 5–8 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, November 5–8, 1777 . On November 9, 1777, Hamilton wrote to Putnam : “I wrote to you from Albany.” Letter not found .]
6960From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [6] November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here yesterday at Noon and waited upon General Gates immediately on the business of my mission; but was sorry to find his ideas did not correspond with yours for drawing off the number of troops you directed. I used every argument in my power to convince him of the propriety of the measure, but he was inflexible in the opinion that two Brigades at least of Continental troops should...
6961From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot forbear Confessing that I am astonishd. and Alarm’d beyond measure, to find that all his Excellency’s Views have been hitherto flustrated, and that no single step of those I mention’d to you has been taken to afford him the aid he absolutely stands in Need of, and by Delaying which the Cause of America is put to the Utmost conceivable Hazard. I so fully explaind to you the Generals...
6962From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 10 November [1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here last night from Albany. Having given General Gates a little time to recollect himself I renewed my remonstrances on the necessity and propriety of sending you more than one Brigade of the three he had detained with him, and finally prevailed upon him to give orders for Glover’s in addition to Patterson’s brigade to march this way. As it was thought conducive to expedition to...
6963To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Enoch Poor, 11 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York, November 11, 1777 . On November 12, Hamilton wrote to Washington : “By a letter … of yesterday, General Poor informs me… “ Letter not found .]
6964From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been detained here these two days by a fever and violent rheumatic pains throughout my body. This has prevented my being active in person for promoting the purposes of my errand, but I have taken every other method in my power, in which Governor Clinton has obligingly given me all the aid he could. In answer to my pressing application to General Poor for the immediate marching of his...
6965From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 November 177[7] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival in this quarter, I have been endeavouring to collect the best idea I could, of the state of things in New York in order the better to form a judgment of the probable reinforcement gone to General Howe. On the whole, these are facts well ascertained, that New York has been stripped extremely bare; That in consequence of this the few troops left there and the inhabitants are...
6966From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 15 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived at this place last night and unfortunately find myself unable to proceed any further. Imagining I had gotten the better of my complaints while confined at Governor Clinton’s & anxious to be about, attending to the march of the troops, the day before yesterday I crossed the ferry in order to fall in with General Glover’s brigade which was on its march from Poughkepsie to Fish Kill. I...
6967To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 15 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your several favours from the time you left me to that of the 12th. inst. I approve intirely of all the Steps you have taken, and have only to wish that the exertions of those you have had to deal with had kept pace with your Zeal and good intentions. I hope your health will before this have permitted you to push on the Rear of the whole reinforcement beyond New Windsor....
6968To Alexander Hamilton from Hugh Knox, 10 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The fine, impartial, laconic & highly descriptive account you favour’d me with of the last Years Campain, in your letter of March last, excited in me, & many of your other friends here, an earnest desire of farther accounts from your pen of the succeeding fortunes of the Great American War; A War which will, one day, shine more illustriously in the historic page, than any which has happened...
6969From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 22 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
During my stay in this place, I have received intimations that certain officers high in command in this quarter have been guilty of practices, equally unjust, disgraceful to the Army, and injurious to the common cause; I mean seizing the property of the inhabitants of this State, and converting it to their own use, without any compensation either to the right owners, or to the State. A...
6970To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 22–23 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ December 22–23, 1777 . On December 28 Clinton wrote to Hamilton : “I was favoured with the Receipt of your Letter of the 22d Instant some Days since and returned a short Answer to it by the Express who brought it.” Letter not found .]
6971To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Stevens, 23 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho’ I have written you so repeatedly since my Arrival in Scotland, without having ever received an Answer, and ‘tho’ I am, at present, uncertain whether you have escaped those Dangers, to which you have been so long exposed in Defence of the glorious Cause in wh: you are engaged; yet so anxious am I to hear Something concerning you, and to convince you that I still retain the most sincere and...
6972To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 28 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I was favoured with the Receipt of your Letter of the 22d Instant some Days since and returned a short Answer to it by the Express who brought it; but as I have Reason to believe you had left Peeks’ Kill before he got there I conclude my Letter has not been received. I have not a Doubt but that there have been such unjust and dishonorable Practices committed on the Inhabitants as you mention...
6973Pay Book of the State Company of Artillery, [1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The Continent of Europe is 2600 miles long and 2800 miles broad. The Dutch in the Greenland fishery have from 150 to 200 sail and ten thousand seamen. It is ordered that in their public prayers they pray that it would please God to bless the government, the Lords, the states, and their great & small fisheries. The Dutch were computed by Sir Walter Raleigh to have 3000 ships & fifty thousand...
6974Account of Expenses of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton and Captain Caleb Gibbs, 30 October 1777–20 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Account of Expences of. Colo. Hamilton. & Captain Gibbs. to Albany & back again—set off from Skippack road, 15. miles from Phila: Returnd. to Valley Forge— Sent by His Excelly. Genel. Washington on public service. 1777. October 30th. Cash paid at Corrells. ferry Lodgg—Sup. horses— £1.19. 6 31 at Crossroads N. Jersey 6. 6 Novr— 1— at Chester.— 1. 17.4—2d at N. Windsor ferry 8/6 2. 5.10 4 at...
6975To Alexander Hamilton from Major Nicholas Fish, 22 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, January 22, 1778 . Requests written discharge for Captain Barent J. Ten Eyck, Second New York Regiment. LS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. Fish, a major in the Second New York Regiment, subsequently became a close friend of H and a prominent New York Federalist. At the end of this letter, H wrote: “One of the Gentlemen below is requested to transact the...
6976From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [before 29 January 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
There are still existing in the army so many abuses absolutely contrary to the military constitution, that, without a speedy stop is put to them, it will be impossible even to establish any order or discipline among the troops. I would, therefore, propose the following Regulations; submitting to His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, to distinguish such as may be published under his own...
6977George Washington to the Committee of Congress with the Army, 29 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge, January 29, 1778 .] Discusses proposed changes in military establishment. Submits questions concerning foreign officers, use of Indians to fight British, Colonel Daniel Morgan’s Riflemen, use of Negroes as wagoners, pay for prisoners, and proper gradation of punishments. LS , in the writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; two drafts in writing of H,...
6978Receipt to George Washington, 29 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] January 29, 1778. Receipt for payment of $100 by Washington to Hamilton for Hamilton’s expenses at Morristown. DS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6979To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Alexander Scammell, [January 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is the remaining part of the Instructions first given to the Officers superintending Hospitals when the[y] were sent off, which I forgot to give you last Evening, when I gave you the first part. The additional Instructions which I gave last evening are all copied off, ready to be sent to the Office⟨rs⟩ at the several Hospitals. Please to inform me, whether they are agreable to the...
6980Remarks Concerning the Office of Inspector General, [January–March 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge, January–March, 1778. ] Describes purpose and proposed organization of the department of inspector general. Recommends Baron von Steuben for inspector general and suggests other men as assistants. D , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. This document is found undated among the letters of April, 1781. Fitzpatrick dates it January, 1778, and...
6981George Washington to William Livingston, 2 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 2, 1778. Discusses detection of plot to assassinate Livingston. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6982George Washington to Thomas Bond, 3 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 3, 1778 . Refuses Bond’s request that Bond’s father be permitted to visit in territory held by enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomas Bond was the son of Dr. Thomas Bond, a Philadelphia physician who had helped to found the Pennsylvania Hospital.
6983From Alexander Hamilton to Commodore John Hazelwood, 5 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
It is his Excellency’s desire, that you have all the public boats below the falls, removed as expeditiously as possible to Coryells ferry, or higher, as you may think necessary for their safety. Their present situation exposes them to being destroyed or taken without much difficulty, and we should feel the loss of them. I am Sir Your most Obd Serv ALS , George Washington Papers, Library of...
6984George Washington to Henry Champion, 7 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 7, 1778 . Discusses Army’s need for meat. Instructs Champion to purchase all that is available. Has directed Major General Israel Putnam to use salt provisions available but to send on all cattle. Df , in writing of H and Robert Hanson Harrison, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Champion was deputy commissary general of purchases.
6985George Washington to Brigadier General John Nixon, 8 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 8, 1778 . Asks Nixon to send return of Connecticut troops to Jonathan Trumbull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6986George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 8, 1778 . Asks Putnam to send return of Connecticut troops to Jonathan Trumbull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6987From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 9 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
General Howe has just made a proposition, towards a general exchange of prisoners, or rather has acceded to our former propositions on that subject. His Excellency commands me to inform you of this and to desire your immediate attendance at Camp, which is indispensably necessary. I am with great regard Dr Sir Your most Obdt serv ADfS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress....
6988From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 13 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the honor of writing to you, immediately after my arrival at Head Quarters, in answer to two letters I found here, from you. There is a matter, which often obtrudes itself upon my mind, and which requires the attention of every person of sense and influence, among us. I mean a degeneracy of representation in the great council of America. It is a melancholy truth Sir, and the...
6989George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Haskell, 13 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 13, 1778 . Orders Haskell to rejoin regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Haskell, Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment, was in Massachusetts on furlough.
6990George Washington to Colonel Morgan Lewis, 13 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 13, 1778 . Asks for a return of stores in Lewis’s department. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lewis was deputy quartermaster general of the Northern Department.
6991George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 14, 1778 . Regrets inability to “ratify” sentence of court-martial held by Gates’s order, but will leave ultimate decision to Gates’s judgment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Gates was at this time president of the Board of War.
6992George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley, 14 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 14, 1778 . States that proceedings of the court-martial sent to Headquarters by Hubley are illegal. Encloses the proper authority to retry the accused. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Hubley was a lieutenant colonel of the Tenth Pennsylvania Regiment.
6993George Washington to George Clinton, 16 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 16, 1778 . Describes sufferings at Camp because of lack of food and clothing. Asks Clinton to do all that is possible to forward supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6994George Washington to Colonel Henry Hollingsworth, 16 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 16, 1778 . Asks Hollingsworth to aid Captain Henry Lee in securing supplies from Head of Elk and Dover. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Hollingsworth was deputy forage master general.
6995George Washington to William Livingston, 16 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 16, 1778 . Is sending Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman to Livingston to present picture of distressing state of the Army. Repeats request to Livingston to help relieve situation by sending goods stored in New Jersey. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6996George Washington to Brigadier General John Lacey, 18 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 18, 1778 . Suggests methods to stop communication between Philadelphia and surrounding countryside. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lacey was a brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Militia.
6997George Washington to the Inhabitants of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, 18 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 18, 1778 . Asks inhabitants to supply cattle. Promises a “bountiful price.” Df , in writings of Gouverneur Morris and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6998George Washington to Patrick Henry, 19 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 19, 1778 . Describes distressing situation of Army. States that unless effective measures are taken, another campaign may prove impossible. Requests Henry to send all available supplies to Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Henry was governor of Virginia.
6999George Washington to the Board of War, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Asks that artillery at Farmington and Albany be forwarded to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The draft is indorsed to “Genl. Horatio Gates, President of the Board.”
7000George Washington to William Duer, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses impossibility of an enemy attack on Valley Forge. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Duer was a delegate from New York to Congress.