26581From a Committee to Inspect Beef, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
We the subscribers being appointed a Committee to Inspect the Beaf drawn for Genl Learnard’s Brigade, under the Command of Colo. Bailey Commandant, we have examianed the Beaf and Judge it not fit for the use of human beings, unwholesome & destructive to nature for any person to make use of Such fude. DS , DLC:GW . A note signed by Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb beneath the text of the letter reads:...
26582From George Washington to Joseph Galloway, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 18th by Mr Potts. Commissioners being appointed by the legislative Authority of this State to take cognizance of and to dispose of the personal property of those who have willingly gone over to the Enemy, it is not in my power to grant a licence for the removal of any of your effects. I have not the least objections to Mrs Galloways going to Philada and I shall be ready...
26583From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening received your Favor of the 7th Inst., and am happy to find the first account of the arrival of the Ship with Artillery &c. fully confirmed. This Event is fortunate & interesting, as it not only manifests the strong attachment of France to our Cause, but also makes us respectable in point of Artillery. I doubt not of your attention to secure the Stores, and wish your care of...
26584To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 17th Inst. I troubled Your Excellency by the hand of Messenger Jones. Under this Cover Your Excellency will receive two Acts of Congress of Yesterday’s date respectively—one for regulating & restricting the terms of payment for past unliquidated & future supplies of provisions & other necessaries for British Prisoners. The other requesting Your Excellency to inform Congress the intended...
26585Orders to Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Whereas the Enemy in their late excursions have carried off most of the Horses belonging to such of the inhabitants of the Counties of Philada and Chester as have been within their reach, whereby they have been enabled to increase their number of their light Dragoons. Therefore in order to prevent their making the like advantages in future and at the same time to enable us to remount our...
26586To George Washington from John Potts, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the decision of the present most direful and unhappy contest cannot in any degree be affected by or depend upon the distress which individuals must suffer by a seperation from their nearest and most indearing connections And as the benevolent & humane Character of your Excellency is universally acknowledged I am encouraged (altho personally a Stranger) to address you for permission to...
26587From George Washington to John Potts, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Answer to your Letter, delivered me by Major Jamieson, When Mrs Potts applies she will have my permission for herself and children to go into Philadelphia. As to your Household furniture, I cannot consent to their removal, they being under the cognizance and direction of the Legislature of the State. The Bearer will escort you tomorrow morning as far as Our pickets. I am Sir Your Hble servt...
26588Proclamation on Threshing Grain, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
By virtue of the power and direction to me especially given, I hereby enjoin and require all persons residing within Seventy miles of my Head Quarters to thresh one half of their grain by the first day of February and the other half by the first day of March next ensuing, on pain in case of failure of having All that shall remain in Sheaves, after the periods abovementioned, seized by the...
26589To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Franziscus Scheffer, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is now a year, since we were taken prisoners; a time, the length of which, we have felt the more heavier, for the disagreeable situations, we have been thrown into, on account of our distance from the army. Want of pecuniary and other supplies exposes us so frequently, and especially now, to the greatest inconveniences; That we are obliged Sir, to lay our circumstances open to you, and to...
26590To George Washington from an Unknown Person, 20 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from an Unknown Person, 20 Dec. 1777. In his letter to an Unknown Person of 6 Jan. 1778, GW writes that “I recd yours of the 20th decemr.”
26591From George Washington to Nathaniel Whitaker, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 24th of September inclosing a discourse against Toryism, came safe to my hands. For the honour of the dedication, I return you my sincere thanks, and wish most devoutly that your labour may be crowned with the success it deserves. You also have my gratefl Thanks for your affectionate wishes. With great Esteem and Respect, I am, Reverend Sir, Your mo. obt & obliged hble servt...
26592Reculès de Basmarein & Raimbaux to the American Commissioners, [before 16 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society The house of Basmarein & Raimbaux was going through difficult times. A dynamic man in his early thirties, Basmarein was full of schemes; he had helped Lafayette make his getaway on the Victoire , organized a packetboat service, opened a branch in Charleston, sent more than sixty ships to America in eighteen months. But his losses were tremendous, possibly...
26593To John Adams from James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
That you may excuse my vile manner of doing business, know that I am freezing in my little room this morning so that I can scarcely hold my pen, but, I am, here, in quiet. The sealed packet sent before contained Triplicates of Octr. 31st Novr. 1 and 8 which last were only an Introduction of the Bearer Col: Ewen, and an Annunciation of Mr. Laurens’s Election as President so that his Draughts...
26594To John Adams from James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
After the Resolve for stopping Burgoyne had passed, some were of opinion that a State of Facts found by the Committee should have preceeded the reasoning. Perhaps you will judge that it is already too laboured a report. I inclose for your own use the State of Facts alluded to which did not enter into the business of Congress; but was only talked of. We have intelligence now that 2 Hoits...
26595From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; copy: Yale University Library I see in a Vote of Congress shown me by Capt. Franval, that Mr. Deane is disown’d in some of his Agreements with Officers. I, who am upon the Spot, and know the infinite Difficulty of resisting the powerful Solicitations here of Great Men, who if disobliged might have it in their Power to...
26596From Benjamin Franklin to [Robert Morris?], 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library I remember that long before I was ordered here, you once did me the Honour to say, you should not dislike being sent to France with me. Since my being here, I have frequently wish’d that Appointment had taken place. I think I should have pass’d my time more comfortably. We are now five of us in this City, all honest and capable Men (if I may include myself in that...
26597William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have this day renderd an account to Mr. Deane of the Sums disbursd by me on the Public service; I would have given it in sooner, but that I wishd and hopd to have had it in my power to have reimbursd the Whole. I render it to Mr. Deane because the money was cheifly expended under his orders and directions. I offer to become accountable to the Honorable the...
26598Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, [21 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee’s Compliments. Mr. Girard appeared much surprizd at the doubt about the frigate, as he had sent the necessary Dispatches to Passi yesterday which made it plain that no alteration had taken place respecting the frigate at Bordeaux. He thinks Mr. Beaumarchais shoud be desird to bring in his Account, and that we shoud send it to Count V. who will...
26599General Orders, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The field officers who are appointed to superintend the business of hutting, are to call upon Col. Meade at Head Quarters for the model of the huts, and directions about placing them. Four Carpenters, and five expert axmen, from each division are to parade at General Sullivan’s quarters at three o’clock this afternoon —Genl Poor’s and Glover’s brigades to be considered as one division. The...
26600To George Washington from Richard Caswell, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Mr Charles Forbes was not long since an Ensign in the British Service, had taken some disgust on account of the treatment he received from some of the Officers, and thereupon left the service, went to Bermuda—and from thence came into this state, with a design of entering into the Service of the United States, of America, by the advice of the Council of State he hath been permitted...
26601From George Washington to Major John Clark, Jr., 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 18th and 19th and last night with that of the 20th The inclosed, which you will be kind enough to carry or send to Genl Potter immediately, as it is of consequence, among other things directs him to look into the matter of Mr Trumbulls provision and to have it restored to him. Genl potter is somewhere between Radnor and Merion Meeting. If you will...
26602To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of this Date, a Spy from the City & the Express arrived a few Minutes ago, the former confirms the account of the Enemy’s intention to plunder, they intend to visit Derby, Marple & Springfield Townships this Week, so says “Mr Nat. Vernon in confidence to Mr Joshua Humphreys of Philada.” Yesterday six large flat bottom’d Boats (with about 70 Privates) returned from...
26603To George Washington from General William Howe, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have deferred answering your Letter of the 28th November, daily expecting to receive the promised List of Prisoners in your Possession, which I was sorry to find Mr Boudinot had no Knowledge of when he met my Commissary on the 2d Instant; but having directed a Letter to be written to him on that Subject, I trust he will not longer delay so necessary a Communication, more particularly when I...
26604From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Clark has wrote to me several times about some provision that a Mr Trumbull was sending in to Philada by his permission as a cover to procure intelligence, this provision was seized by Colo. Rankin and has been since detained by him. I desire you will give order to have it delivered for unless we now and then make use of such means to get admittance into the City, we cannot expect to...
26605To 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 .]
26606To John Adams from Henry Marchant, 22 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ we are withdrawn from the Grand Congress and are about Eighty miles Assunder, yet I would hope to hold a little litterary Congress this Winter. I am retired upon my Farm in the Wood. The Publick Cause however now and then draws me out—but I have not that Chance of knowing how the Ship sails as you have, and I would beg now and then You would give me an Extract from the logbook. I was...
26607From 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...
26608From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library; eight copies, five incomplete: National Archives; incomplete copies: Harvard University Library, South Carolina Historical Society I received yours of the 15th and am concerned as well as you at the Difference betwen Messrs. Deane and Lee but cannot help it. You need however be under no concern as to your Orders being only from Mr. Deane. As you have...
26609To Benjamin Franklin from W Hayes, 22 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I flatter myself an explanation of the Inclos’d paper, with you will be a sufficient excuse for the Liberty I have taken; to Sollicit you in favor of an Orphan; whose Father I belive had the Honor of a place in your esteem, which was the late Mr. Huske M:P: for Malden in Essex; who unfortunately Died in this Town in very Indigent Curcumstances, in...
26610General Orders, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The good of the service requiring at this time, the attention of officers and soldiers to duty, the General orders, that no furloughs be granted to officers above the rank of Captain, but from himself; nor to those below rank, but from the Major General, or Officer commanding the division, they belong to: Non-commissioned Officers and privates may be furloughed by their respective Brigadiers,...