52551To Benjamin Franklin from William Davies, 28 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am truly sorry that an unhappy occasion compels me to intrude at this time upon your more important concerns, and beg the circumstance may have sufficient weight to apologize therefor. My son William Davies, was lately taken in the ship General Washington, from this Port on a Cruize, by the British ship of War, Chatham and he with other Officers of the...
52552To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 28 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je me suis fait rendre compte, Monsieur des récépissés et reconnoissances qui ont été fournis successivement du montant des fonds dont le Roi a bien voulu faire le pret et l’avance pour le service du Congrès et des Etats-unis de l’Amerique, pendant les années 1778. 1779 et 1780. J’ai reconnu, Monsieur, que les quatre récépissés delivrés par Mrs. les Députés...
52553[Diary entry: 28 June 1781] (Washington Papers)
28th. Having determined to attempt to surprize the Enemys Posts at the No. end of Yk. Island, if the prospt. of success continued favourable, & having fixed upon the Night of the 2d. of July for this purpose and having moreover combined with it an attempt to cut off Delancy’s And other light Corps without Kingsbridge and fixed upon Genl. Lincoln to Commd. the first detachment & the Duke de...
52554General Orders, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Major General Lincoln Lieutenant Colonel C. Smith Major Rice Inspector - 2d Connecticut brigade The Commanding officers of the Picquets and other guards will be particularly attentive in examining the passes of soldiers and in detaining those respecting whose permissions there is any suspicion of deception untill they can be reported to an officer of the Day. Country...
52555From George Washington to Board of War, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 17th and 22d instants. It ought to be presumed that Mr Verna the British Dy Commy of prisoners comes to Elizabeth Town no oftner than his business requires, and except there can be proof stronger than suspicion that under cover of his office he carries on a correspondence with disaffected persons in Philada it will be indelicate to charge him with...
52556To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your not having heard from me lately, has not proceeded from a want of the most sincere respect or the warmest Attachment to your Person & the Common Cause, but from a conviction that every unnecessary Letter, adds to your Excellency’s allready intolerable Embarrassments. This design of this is principally to inform your Excellency that from special Information, The Enemy have in the Ship Yard...
52557To George Washington from James Clinton, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of yesterday, I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 25th inst. with its Enclosure, which I forwarded instantly agreeable to the address. I have already disposed of the New Levies in such a manner as to be able to move the Troops the moment I may receve your Orders, as they are constantly held in the most perfect readiness. As soon as the Eastern Militia shall...
52558From George Washington to Samuel Darby, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Col. Pickering informs there are now 24 Boats compleatly repaired at Wappings Creek. Be pleased to send a party to bring these instantly to Peekskill Creek: Let these Boats, and every Batteau at West Point, that is fit for service (including all those now used as ferry Boats, and on every other duty) be hurried to Peekskill with all possible expedition. The work must now cease, or the Men rest...
52559From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday favored with your Letter without Date. Had not the Enemy made the Movement which you mention, I should, by that Time, have given you Directions to have drawn your Brigade towards this River in present Circumstances, you will be pleased to draw together as much as possibly you can, the whole Brigade (except the Parties in the Clover) to one Point, at Morris Town, where you will...
52560To George Washington from Alexander Fowler, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was Honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 5th of May, and shall agreeable thereto specify my Charges against Mr David Duncan, the Assistant to the Deputy Quarter Master General, as soon as the Necessary Accounts and Vouchers are returned from Philadelphia, for which I have Wrote to the Quarter Master General as well as the Board of Treasury. I wish may it please your Excellency to...
52561From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys several Letters of the 20th & 21st instant—with their several Enclosures—sir Henry Clinton has indeed refused to make any Exchange of Genl Burgoyne in the Military Line, but upon my Consent to put the Prisoners taken at the Cedars upon a footing of Exchange equal with any other Prisoners of War—I know of nothing at present subsisting between Sir Henry...
52562From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The following is an extract of what I have just received from the Board of War in a letter of the 22d Inst. "The Board are unhappy to inform you that nothing is yet done in consequence of General Knox’s letter: immediately on the receipt of it they made the necessary estimates and applications to Congress for the following Sums—To the department of Military Stores £3794 Specie and for...
52563To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I Have the Honor to send you Copy of my letter to general greene. The ennemy Have Been so kind as to Retire Before us. twice I gave them a chance of fighting (taking Care not to Engage farther than I pleased) But they Continued their Retrogade motions—our Numbers are I think Exagerated to them, and our seeming Boldness confirms the opinion. I thought at first Lord Cornwallis wanted to...
52564From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, Sr., 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but the hurry of business, & a mind always on the stretch on acct of the variety of matter that is constantly presented to it, could have induced me to let your letter of the 24th of April remain so long unacknowledged. I shall not be able to write to you so fully at this time as I could wish, but this reason shall no longer prevent me from writing at all. I lament most sincerely, the...
52565From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary Genl of Issues is directed to take the most effectual measures to furnish the Armey with a Quantity of Hard Bread—for this Purpose, Six Bakers will be given him from here—You will be pleased to afford him every Assistance in your Power, that he may need—to accomplish this necessary Work. I am with much Regard sir Your most Obedt servt P.S. I find, that unless vigorous Measures...
52566From George Washington to Robert Morris, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 15th and 21st. Your opinion of the absolute necessity of a repeal of all tender laws, before a new species of paper, tho’ upon even so good an establishment, will gain credit with the public, is certainly founded upon reason and justified by experience. I am in hopes that most if not all the Legislatures have at length seen the fatal effects of those laws and...
52567From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Timothy Pickering, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Comand of His Excellency, I give you the followg Extract from a Letter just received from Genl Schuyler—dated Poughkeepsie 25th instant. "As our Boards are all of the Length of 14 feet, I find they will Work to the best Advantage if the Boats are 32 feet instead of 35 feet long—& that each Boat will require 12 lb. of 20d. Nails—14 lb. of 10d.—& 8 lb.—of 8d. Nails. If the Nails & Oakum...
52568From George Washington to John Pray, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yours of this day has been received. You will be pleased to send me immediately a State of the Detachment under your Comman d specifying particularly the num ber of Officers & Men in the Garrison & on the Water Guard. I am Sir Your Most Obed. Servt NjP : DeCoppet Collection.
52569From David Humphreys to Alexander Scammell, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency requests the favor of your Company at dinner tomorrow if you are not engaged. At any rate he wishes to see you some time to morrow without fail, & that you will bring with you, an accurate state of the Troops under your command, and also of Major Porter’s Detachment; noting the present strength, and the number of men who from weakness or any kind of inability, are not very...
52570From George Washington to John Stark, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
On your arrival to take the Comand of the Troops on the Northern Frontier, you will be pleased to advise with General Schuyler with respect to the Disposition of the Troops destined for the Defence of that Quarter. as that Gentlemans Knowlege of every Part of that exposed Country is very good, his assistance & Council may be very usefull to you—from this Motive I am induced to give you this...
52571From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed your Excellency will receive Copy of a Letter addressed to me from General Parsons, representg the Situation of the Troops of your Line of the Armey. I feel myself so distressed at this Representation, not only as it affects the Troops themselves, but from the Apprehension I have of the Consequences which may, from their feelings, be produced to the general Service; that, altho it is...
52572From John Jay to Floridablanca, 28 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys Request I have now the honor of again submitting to your Consideration a particular State of the Case of the unfortunate Americans, who after Capturing the Dover Cutter and bringing her safe to Santa Cruz in the Island of Teneriff the 15 th April 1780 have ^ not ^ as yet reaped the Fruits they expected from that successful tho’ dangerous Enterprize. Your...
52573Motion on Management of Navy, [28 June] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 28, fol. 137). Resolved That the management & direction of the navy be, untill a Secretary of Marine shall be appointed, committed to the Superintendt. of Finance, and that he be authorized to appoint such temporary agents as may be necessary to execute the business of that Department. JM’s service on the Board of Admiralty in 1780 had acquainted him with the problems...
52574Friday June the 29th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning brother Charles and I packed up our trunks, and I went to take leave of our riding master; in the afternoon Pappa came here but stay’d only ten minutes; we went to Mr. Lynch’s at about 4 o’clock; he asked us to go into water with him at 5 o’clock, we told him we would, we went then to take leave of Mr. Luzac. At five o’clock we went again to Mr. Lynch’s and went with him into...
52575From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 29 June 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 246–251. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:525–527. This letter consists of an English translation of the letter presented to the States General on 21 June by Louis Ernst, Duke of...
52576To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 29 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the pleasure to write you on the 8 May since when I am without any from you— I have had a Letter from Digges wherein he says that he intends to go to Passy to justify himself— but every day allmost produces fresh matter against him— I have a Letter from the Agent at Plymo Mr sawrey who complains that by Digges Order he furnished one Lambert a...
52577To Benjamin Franklin from William Jackson, 29 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I got to Amsterdam on tuesday morning— It has been thought adviseable to wait a few days that we may sail with a Dutch Squadron of 14 sail destined as a Convoy to the Baltic— The loss of the Ship Marquis de la Fayette, which is confirmed by Lloyd’s list,...
52578To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 29 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai reçu, M, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’hr de m’ecrire le 27. de ce mois, et à laquelle étoit jointe celle que vous a addressée M. Hartley. Je vois que cet anglais à le desir de venir en france pour avoir des entretiens politiques avec vous, et vous voulez bien me consulter sur la réponse que vous avez à lui faire. Vous êtes trop...
52579[Diary entry: 29 June 1781] (Washington Papers)
29th. Recd. a letter from the Marqs. de la Fayette informing me that Lord Cornwallis after having attempted to surprise the Virginia Assembly at Charlottesville and destroy some Stores at the Forks of James River in which he succeeded partially had returned to Richmond without having effected any valuable purpose by his manoeuvers in Virginia. In a private letter he complains heavily of the...
52580General Orders, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day Tomorrow Major General Howe Colonel Webb Major John Porter Inspector 1st Massachusetts brigade The Water-guard is in future to be furnished from Major Darby’s command which is for that purpose to be augmented immediately with a Captain, two subs., four serjeants, four Corporals and fifty oarsmen—Captain Pray’s detachment is to be relieved accordingly—the oarsmen to assemble on the...
52581To George Washington from David Cobb, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here last evening, 7 o’clock, and had the honor of waiting on his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, who arrived about noon with the first division of his Troops; after a long & perticular conversation, assisted by Count Chautleau, the Count de Rochambeau determin’d to sett off from this place on Sunday next & will get as far as Ridgebury that night, the next day, Monday, he’ll wait...
52582To George Washington from Henry Knox, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was at West point to day where I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor of Yesterday. I am sorry to learn by the extract of the letter from the board of War that things are not in a good train in Pennsylvania, especially as the prospects are so good from the eastward. I am very sorry that your Excellency has any doubts upon being able to carry into execution the plans which you have...
52583From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The last letter I have had the pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 3d instant—I have since that heard a thousand vague reports of your situation and that of the enemy, but none of them satisfactory. I fear some of your letters have miscarried—as from your usual punctuality, I am certain you must have written in that time. I hope your next will confirm the accounts which I have this day...
52584To George Washington from Thomas Sim Lee, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
We were honored with your Letter of the 7th Instant, and have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the General Assembly have passed a Law to raise two Battalions of Militia to be composed of 1340 effective Men including Non Commissioned Officers to serve until the 10th Day of December next. The State of Maryland sensible that it is of the utmost Importance to check the further Progress...
52585From Timothy Pickering to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Previous to General Schuylers demand for nails, I have ordered from Pensylvania all that could be spared from the immediate services of the posts in that state; in consequence, Colo. Miles, my deputy there, sent from Philadelphia— 487 lbs. spikes and deck nails 1099 30d. nails 2081 24d. do 5813 20d. do 587 12d. do which were forwarded from Trenton June 22d by teams to go thro’ to Kings’ ferry.
52586To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Platt having signified to me his intentions to quit my department, I immediately sought for a suitable character for the office of deputy quarter master to the main army; and after due inquiry, have fixed on lieut. colo. Dearborn. He has consented to serve: but being in the line of the army, he cannot be taken from thence without your Excellency’s approbation, which I now solicit. The...
52587To George Washington from John Pray, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favour of the 28th Inst. has just came to hand. The inclos’d are Returns of the Strength of the block house of Water Guards at Dobbs Ferry—When I tooke command of this post was orderd particularly to continue with the Water Guards, & take my Quarters at this place which is about 5 miles above the block house. The men in the Water Guard are exceeding good, & well diciplin’d to...
52588To John Jay from Robert Morris, 29 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
I did expect to have written you official letters before this time, having now received my Commission and fairly entered upon the duties of my Station, but Congress press business on me so exceedingly, that I cannot yet command the time necessary for writing all I have to say to you. This I write at the request of a most worthy man, my friend M r . John Ross, to whom Congress have made a...
52589Motion on Instructions on Treaty of Commerce, [29 June] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, IV, 359). Moved by JM and seconded by Meriwether Smith. Docketed, “Motion by Mr. Madison postpond, Additional instructions to the Minister plenipotentiary for negotiating a Treaty of Commerce with G Britain.” The motion given below represents a further effort by JM and his Virginia colleagues to have Congress revert to its original instructions, stipulating that the...
52590Notes from Congress’ Secret Journal on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, 29 June 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes from Secret Journal, 28 May 1781 , headnote. James Madison & M. Smith moved to instruct Minister for treaty of Commerce with G. B. not treat unless other points in old Ultm. as well as fisheries be ackd. & stipulated to U. S. on which Sul: Livermore no.—Lovel. Partridge. Osgood no—Var—ay Huntington ay, Sherman ay—Elsworth no—Witherspoon no Houston ay...
52591Saturday June the 30th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Cook came here and breakfasted with us and at half past six we went to the boat to go to Amsterdam; we had nothing very remarkable, going to Haerlem, where we arriv’d at half past ten o’clock. We went thro’ the city to the Amsterdam boat, we found that there was place in the Roof; we had one gentleman with us. We arriv’d at Amsterdam at half past one o’clock, brother Charles...
52592Abigail Adams to James Lovell, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
At length the mistery is unravelld, and by a mere accident I have come to the knowledge of what you have more than once hinted at. A Letter of Mrs. Shippen addressed to Mrs. A. but without any christian Name or place of abode, was put into my Hands Supposed for me, I opened and read it half through before I discoverd the mistake. Ought Eve to have laid it by then when so honestly come at? But...
52593Abigail Adams to Alice Lee Shippen, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of june 17 was put into my Hands last Evening, and tho not realy intended for me, I cannot but consider it as a fortunate mistake on two accounts not only as it explained to me the machinations of a Man, Grown old in the practise of deception and calumny, but as it give me an opportunity of an epistolary acquaintance with a Lady, whom a dear absent Friend long ago taught me to...
52594To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that unless the Specie he sent to Holland is stopt there, I shall not be in a Condition to...
52595From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that...
52596From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I received, my dear Friends, kind Letter of the 15th. Instant, and immediately communicated your Request of a Passport to M. le Comte de Vergennes. His Answer, which I have but just received, expresses an Apprehention that the Circumstance of granting a Passport to you, as you mention the Purpose of your coming to be the discoursing with me on the Subject of...
52597From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress You acquaint me that Bills have appear’d drawn on you in March last, and ask very properly if this can be reconciled to the obvious Dictates of Prudence & Policy?— It cannot. And if you are unable to pay them, they must be protested: For it will not be in my Power to help you. And I see that nothing will cure the...
52598To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous écris cette lettre pour vous apprendre de mes nouvelles et pour m’informer de vôtre sante. Je n’ai point eu de prix cette année, mais si l’on avoit fait un prix de bonnes notes je L’aurois eu; parceque je l’emportois sur tous ceux de ma bande ce prix ne se donne pas a St pierre mais pourtant cela marque que L’on s’est appliqué toute L’année. Les...
52599To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with concern we have by this mornings post the Confirmation of the Capture of the Marquis de la fayett. The loss sustaind by America by the nessessity they are under for the Goods shipt by that Vessel engages me into using this first opportunity of tendering you a considerable party of Broad Cloths with other nessessary furniture as linings & trimings...
52600To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Borde, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Bourdot the Admiralty Interpreter here for the English came to me yesterday, to show me a Letter he just received from Mr. Mumford to inquire & let him know, whether Captn. Jos: Conckling with his Brigg The Whim was gone from here, when, and wether loaded for account of his owner (mr. Jos: Packwood of New London) or was oblig’d to take freight, I can...