19491From George Washington to William Livingston, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since Col. Reed left this I have Received certain Intelligence from the Hook that about forty of the Enemies Fleet have arrived there, and others now in sight that there cannot be a doubt but the whole fleet will be in this day and tomorrow, I beg not a moments time may be lost in sending forward such parts of the Militia as Colo. Reed will mention. We are so very weak at this post that I must...
19492To George Washington from the Officers and Soldiers of the Second Brigade, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 29 June 1776 . “The excerable Conspiracy wherein the Murderer and the Incendiary were engaged to destroy your Excellency & the whole Army, of which Providence has led you to obtain a seasonable Discovery, inspires us with an inveterate abhorance of the Measures of that people from whom we never wished to be seperated, untill the multiplied Injuries of our parent state, compell’d us...
19493To George Washington from Daniel Tillinghast, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Lippit of this Town, who is just arrived at Boston from Hallifax, we have certain accounts, that General Howe with his Troops & fleet sail’d from Halifax 10th Inst: no person was allow’d to leave the Town till 4 days after, he says the Fleet consists of about 150 Sail & that they left near 1200 Sick at Halifax. As there is a Boat just about to push of from here for New York, I tho’t...
19494To John Jay from George Washington, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
Gen l. Washington presents his Complim ts. To M r. Livingston & M r . Jay—thanks them most cordially for their kind Information & Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes.— He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after...
19495To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I write this for the express Purpose of requesting that if possible you will give your Attendance in Congress on Monday next. I know full well that your Presence must be useful at New York, but I am sincerely convinced that it will be absolutely necessary in this City during the whole of the ensuing Week—A Declaration of Independence, the form of a Confederation of these colonies, and a Scheme...
19496VII. The Constitution as Adopted by the Convention, [29 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
In a General Convention. Begun and holden at the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg, on Monday the sixth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, and continued, by adjournments to the day of June following: a constitution, or form of government, agreed to and resolved upon by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations of Virginia. Whereas George...
19497John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 30 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 17th. I received by Yesterdays Post. Am much obliged, to you for your judicious Observations of the Spirit of Com merce and Privateering, and many other Subjects, which I have not Time to consider, at present. I mean to express my Sentiments of them in this Letter. You tell me a Plan is forming for immediately erecting a Foundery. I wish you would oblige me so much as to...
19498General Orders, 30 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Brigadiers are to order the officers and men belonging to their several Brigades (not on duty) to march from their respective regimental parade to their alarm posts at least once every day that they may become well acquainted therewith, they are to march by such routes as are least exposed to a fire from the shipping and it is expected that all officers from the highest to the lowest, will...
19499From George Washington to William Burnet, 30 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor by Mr Treat & cannot but consider the Officer of Mr Franklyn’s guard extremely blameable for his Conduct. It is certainly his Indispensable duty to Conduct Mr Franklin to the place the Convention have Ordered without delay. The circumstances you represent—his Letter to his Lady and the whole complexion of the case afford a strong presumption—nay much more, full evidence that...
19500From George Washington to the Captain of William Franklin’s Guard, 30 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I understand that the Convention of New-Jersey did resolve that Govr Franklin was an Enemy to the Liberties of America, and that he should be conducted under a safe Guard into Connecticut, & for that purpose he was committed to your Charge—I have this morning Recd Information that you have Halted with him at Hackensack —I would enjoin it upon you to set off Immediately and carry the resolve of...
19501From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 29th early this morning with which you have been pleased to honor me, together with the Resolves for a further augmentation [of] our Army. The Battallion of Germans which Congress have ordered to be raised, will be a Corps of much service, and I am hopefull that such persons will be appointed Officers as will complete their Inlistments with all...
19502To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 30 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the twenty third instant I received last Evening, and shall carry your Orders into execution as soon as possible. The General Assembly of New Hampshire some time since applied to me for the powder which that Colony lent the Continent last Summer, I referred them to your Excellency for an Order, but since the retreat of General Sullivan they have urged the great necessity of...
19503From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, [ca. 30 June 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
I this day received information that the Convention had been pleased to reappoint me to the office in which I have now the honor to be serving them and through you must beg leave to return them my sincere thanks for this mark of their continued confidence. I am sorry the situation of my domestic affairs renders it indispensably necessary that I should sollicit the substitution of some other...
19504To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a true State of the three detatched Companies of Colonel Clintons Regiment Stationed at the East End of Long Island we have two Feild Peices Mounted on Feild Carriages but no Ammunition for them If we had a supply of that Article also Ladles Rammers and Worms for them I fancy they would be of Service to us if the Enemy Should ever take it in their Heads to visit us. the...
19505Notes of Witnesses’ Testimony concerning the Canadian Compaign, [1–27 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Blake. July. 1. 1776. He lives at Montreal. A merchant. Has lived there almost from the year 1760. Was a great scarcity hard cash, could not supply troops with clothes or food, wood. He lent 471–18–9 and 394–15–3 in January. If had been cash in Canada, provisions might have been had. He has lent individuals of army 130. half Joes. Continental bills would not have passed in Canada. A...
19506[Monday July 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 1. 1776. A Resolution of the Convention of Maryland, passed the 28th. of June was laid before Congress and read: as follows: That the Instructions given to their Deputies in December last, be recalled, and the restrictions therein contained, removed, and that their Deputies be authorised to concur with the other Colonies, or a Majority of them, in declaring the United Colonies free...
19507From John Adams to Archibald Bulloch, 1 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Two Days ago I received, your Favour of May 1st. I was greatly disappointed, Sir, in the Information you gave me, that you Should be prevented from revisiting Philadelphia. I had flattered myself with Hopes of your joining Us soon, and not only affording Us the additional Strength of your Abilities and Fortitude, but enjoying the Satisfaction of Seeing a Temper and Conduct here, Somewhat more...
19508From John Adams to Samuel Chase, 1 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour by the Post this Morning gave me much Pleasure, but the generous and unanimous Vote of your Convention, gave me much more. It was brought into Congress this Morning, just as We were entering on the great Debate. That Debate took up the most of the day, but it was an idle Mispence of Time for nothing was Said, but what had been repeated and hackneyed in that Room before an hundred...
19509To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 1 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
We are full of anxious Expectation here. Howe has sail’d from Hallifax, it is suppos’d for N. York, and is probably there before this Time, for he left the former place on 10th June as we have been inform’d by several Masters of Vessels arriv’d here. Just after receiving this Advice we were alarm’d with an Account of the Plot at N. York. The Discovery seems very fortunate, and the whole may...
19510To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 1 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor of dining with your Lady, all well. Having an opportunity by my Friend Dr. Craigie, I Steal a few moments from the public, just to thank you, Mr. Paine, and other my good Friends for their many Friendly Letters respecting public matters. They have had good effects; and this assurance will, I hope, encourage you all in persevereance. I am not able to write, unless by...
19511General Orders, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General Court Martial whereof Col. Parsons is President is dissolved—A General Court Martial of the lines consisting of one Colonel, one Lieut: Colonel, one Major and ten Captains to sit to morrow morning at Ten O’Clock to try all such prisoners as shall be brought before them—All Witnesses and other persons concerned to attend the Court—Field Officers for the above General Court Martial...
19512To George Washington from Colonel James Clinton, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Just now Purchased from Capt. Peter Vredenburgh Nine hundred good Inch white pine Boards and fifty Pitch Pine Plank for the Use of this and Fort Montgomery to Answer the purpose of Tents Agreable to Your Directions of the 25th of June Last I have given him a Receipt for the same and Agreed he Shall Receive on his Arrival in New York the Market price they now Sell for. I hope Lieut....
19513To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by the Express on Saturday last, since which nothing has Occurr’d worthy your Notice —The sole Reason of Troubling you with this is to Acquaint you that in Consequence of your orders to Capt. Peters he proceeded with Major Rogers to this City, & Call’d on me Saturday last, & in the Evening of that day I Reliev’d him of his Charge, & put Major Rogers under Guard at the Barracks,...
19514To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Monsr Antoine Felis Wiebert, a French Gentleman, who brings such ample Recommendation of his Skill, as an Engineer, that the Congress are desirous of having him placed in a Situation, where he may have it in his Power, to shew it. And, indeed, this is all he requests himself; being very willing, after his Abilities shall be put to the Trial, that his future...
19515To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the happiness to congratulate You on a very signal success (if I may not call it a victory) which We have gain’d over the mercernary Instruments of the British Tyrant—I shall not trouble you with a detail of their manœuvres or delays—but defer it to another time when I have more leisure to write and you to attend—let it suffice that having lost an opportunity (such as I hope will never...
19516To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
On Friday Evening I received a Line from General Sullivan, Copy whereof I have the Honor to inclose; by the Contents your Excellency will perceive that we have Reasons to believe the next will announce his Arrival at Crown point. Yesterday Morning General Gates introduced a Mr Avery to me, who applied to me for Money to carry on the Commissary General’s Department here—I asked if Mr Livingston...
19517From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favors of the 20 & 23 Ulto and am happy to hear of the further success of our armed Vessels in the Capture of the Transport with the Highland Grenadiers. If they have been fortunate enough to take the 11 Ships mentioned in your last I suppose we are in possession of a large share of the Highlanders Ordered against us. I am extremely sorry for your Indisposition & wish to afford...
19518From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 1 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
I returned to this City about Noon this Day from Eliz h .Town, & to my great mortification am informed that our Convention influenced by one of G. Morris vagrant Plans have adjourned to the White Plains to meet there Tomorrow. This precipitate ill advised Retreat I fear will be not a little injurious to the publick—The Prosecution of the Late Discoveries of Gov r . Tryons Plot will be delayed,...
19519From Thomas Jefferson to William Fleming, 1 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of 22d June came to hand this morning and gratified me much as this with your former contains interesting intelligence. Our affairs in Canada go still retrograde, but I hope they are now nearly at their worst. The fatal sources of these misfortunes have been want of hard money with which to procure provisions, the ravages of the small pox with which one half of our army is still down,...
19520From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 2 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of 17 June is now before me. It contains an elegant and masterly Narration of the late Expedition against the British Men of War, in Nantaskett Road, and its happy and glorious Event. I am a little mortified however that my good Friends and Neighbours the Militia of Braintree, Weymouth and Hingham, did not execute their Part with So much Activity, as they ought. But the...
19521General Orders, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Genl Mifflin is to repair to the post near Kingsbridge and use his utmost endeavours to forward the works there—General Scott in the mean time to perform the duty required of General Mifflin in the orders of the 29th of June. No Sentries are to stop or molest the Country people coming to Market or going from it but to be very vigilant in preventing Soldiers leaving the army. Col. Cortlandt of...
19522To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Bullitt, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
My having Early in Life ingaged in the Last war under you, and the present one we are Ingaged in, appearing to be an affair that will not be Verry Shortly Settled Induces me to Solicit your Notice and patronage, in obtaining a promotion of rank in Some measure adequate to my Long Service and rank Last war, in this I Flatter myself with your Notice to Congress, as otherwise I may pass...
19523To George Washington from the Massachusetts General Court, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General Court in Compliance with the resolve of Congress appointed Committees to go into the several Counties of Plymouth, Bristol, Worcester, and Berkshire, to raise from the Militia two thousand men, destined to New York, a Copy of which Resolve we inclose you, & immediately on receipt of your Letter of 28th Ulto the General Assembly sent away Expresses to their several Committees...
19524To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I find the Works well advanced but not in a State of Defence—The Teems allotted to them have been taken off—some of them sent to Town for Materials & there detaind—others necessarily employd in ha[u]ling up the powder (which is now stord in the best place I could find) and provisions from the Landing. From the Colonels Reports the Mens Arms are in a most alarming Situation—Col. Magaw has not...
19525To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
An Hour after the Post was gone the Express arrived with Your Favor of the 28th Continued to the 29th. I am extremely happy that Your Excellency approved of the Orders given to General Sullivan. None of the Expresses I sent to the Eastward to hasten on the Militia, & to try to procure Carpenters, are yet returned, Mr Giles one of the Council of New Hampshire who brought me some Money arrived...
19526To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have from time to time Endeavoured to give your Excellencey the Earliest Intelligence of our movements in this Quarter but the Distance is So great that we are under necessity of making many without having your Excellencys advice; in my Last I mentioned that I Should remain with the Army at Isle au Noix till your Excellen[c]ey’s pleasure Could be known. This I Supposed would Serve to Cover &...
19527To George Washington from Joshua Wentworth, 2 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was Honour’d with your favor of 15t. Ulto ⅌ post, Inclosing resolves of The Honble Continental Congress wch fully answers the purpose of my request to Stephen Moylan Esq., and shall persue, a mode consistant toe the resolves—and as they point the line of duty shall Omit troubleing Your Excellency any further—I shou’d not have been so pressing to Mr Moyland had I been posses’d of the...
19528Proposed Resolution for Rotation of Membership in the Continental Congress, [before 2 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
To prevent every danger which might arise to American freedom by continuing too long in office the members of the Continental Congress, to preserve to that body the confidence of their friends, and to disarm the malignant imputations of their enemies It is earnestly recommended to the several Provincial Assemblies or Conventions of the United colonies that in their future elections of...
19529John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of June 17. dated at Plymouth, was handed me, by Yesterdays Post. I was much pleased to find that you had taken a Journey to Plymouth, to see your Friends in the long Absence of one whom you may wish to see. The Excursion will be an Amusement, and will serve your Health. How happy would it have made me to have taken this Journey with you? I was informed, a day or two before the...
19530John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Had a Declaration of Independency been made seven Months ago, it would have been attended with many great and glorious Effects. . . . We might before this Hour, have formed Alliances with foreign States.—We should have mastered Quebec and been in Possession of Canada. . . . You will perhaps wonder, how such a Declaration would have influenced our Affairs, in Canada, but if I could write with...
19531Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
A Lame Hand still prevents me the free use of Either the Nedle or the pen. Yet I take up the Latter and Attempt a Line or two just to Let my Dear Friend know that both myself and Family are in better Health than when she was at Plimouth. I Enclose a Number of papers which Came to hand yesterday from Philadelphia, with Directions to send them to the foot of Pens Hill when Read. I also send...
19532Thomas Hartley to the Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress, 3 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Crown Point, July 3, 1776: In the engagements near Three Rivers on June 8 the sixth Pennsylvania battalion, of which I have the honor to be lieutenant colonel, lost Colonel Irvine, Lieutenant Edie, and almost eighty privates, most of whom are prisoners. On June 21 Captains McLean, Adams, and Rippie, Lieutenants McKerran, McCallister, and Hogg, Ensigns Lusk...
19533To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 3 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Gladly once more Welcom you To your own home though I Lament the occation hope by this you have Recoverd your Health and the Pheteiuge [Fatigue] of So Disagreeable a Tuor and have Resumd the Chearfull agreeable BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Pray God to Preserve you long a Blessing to your family Friends and Injurd Country. We have Disagreeable accounts from N. York...
19534To Benjamin Franklin from Frederick William de Woedtke, 3 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Woedtke died shortly after writing this letter. It is part of a series that he addressed to Franklin; the earlier ones have been lost, and another on July 4 is in large part illegible. His French bears out Father Carroll’s comment that the Baron had picked up just enough polish to accentuate his awkwardness. The handwriting is on a par with the spelling,...
19535General Orders, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Director General of the Hospital having laid before the General, a plan of conduct for the surgeons and Mates of the regiments, by which, in case of action, they will do their duty with greater ease and benefit to the service: And the General much approving thereof; they are to attend the Director General and each take a Copy of said plan, to which they are strictly to conform—The...
19536To George Washington from the Elizabethtown Committee of Safety, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Morning we have been Alarmd with a Party of the Enemy landing on Staten Island & proceeding to the point within two Miles of this Town where they took off the plank of a Draw Bridge & retreated to a House about a Mile from the Bridge. From the best intelligence we can get there are several Parties on the Island. The few remaining Militia we have are Collecting, but we are in distress for...
19537To George Washington from the Fredericksburg Precinct Committee of Safety, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Whereas at a Meeting of the Committee of Fredricksburgh Precinct July 3d 1776 a Gentleman of Carractor appeared before Said Committee and declared volontarily that in Conversation with a disafected Person he was told that the Ministerial Party had a Post rid to the northward from New York to carry News as Constantly as the other Posts and that Said Post was lately gone to the northward And the...
19538From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you and on the same day, several Ships more arrived within the Hook, making the number that came in then a hundred & Ten, and there remains no doubt of the whole of the Fleet from Hallifax being now here. Yesterday evening fifty of them came up the Bay, and Anchored on the Staten Island side. their views I cannot precisely determine, but am extremely...
19539To George Washington from Captain Ephraim Manning, 3 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Last Night about 12 oClock I recd your Excellencies Orders to give my Assistance in taking the Stock of[f] Staten Island—beg leave to inform your Ex[c]ellency, that by the Advice of all my Officers, I left the Island Yesterday about 3 oClock P.M. the Inhabitants being unfreindly & the Enemy so near & my Party so small, had I staid any longer we must have fallen into their Hands, as they were...
19540To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 3 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 3 July 1776. On 4 July GW wrote to Mercer : “I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of Yesterday & this morng.”