26501To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Boudet, 15 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lyons, December 15, 1777, in French: An unfortunate Frenchman, whom cruel losses over the years have overwhelmed, addresses a virtuous Englishman and asks for refuge among his countrymen. I came here in 1759, the youngest son of a large Montpellier family, to work in a textile firm and then in a house trading with Spain, and lost the fruit of my labor. In...
26502To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Isaac Peuch, 15 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En qualité de Sujet d’un Etat libre qui a tout sacrifié pour se procurer l’independance, j’ai admiré plus d’une fois les efforts surprénnans et généreux de vos Compatriotes pour se procurer les mêmes avantages et se délivrer d’un joug qui auroit certainement été aggravé, à mésure que les Oppresseurs auroient trouvé de facilité de l’appesantir. Comme...
26503General Orders, 15 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A field officer from each brigade, is to inspect immediately, all the men of his brigade, now with the baggage, and take from thence, to their brigades, every man who is able to do duty in the line—Major Snead is (till further orders) to take charge of the men remaining after this for the baggage guard, and report any who are left with the baggage contrary to this order. After Orders. The...
26504To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 15 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., c.15 Dec. 1777. On 16 Dec. GW wrote Clark that “Your Messenger went away before I got home yesterday, or I should have answered your letter.”
26505Orders to Commissaries and Quartermasters, 15 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Congress December 10th 1777. Resolved. That General Washington should for the future endeavour as much as possible to subsist his Army from such parts of the Country as are in its vicinity and especially from such Quarters as he shall deem most likely to be subjected to the power or depredations of the Enemy, And that he issue orders for such purpose to the Commissaries and Quarter Masters...
26506From George Washington to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 15 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 15 Dec. 1777. Heath’s letters to GW of 23 , 26 , and 27 Nov. are each docketed in part “Ansd 15th Decemr.”
26507From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 2d instant—I am much obliged for the attention you have paid to my requests thro’ General Putnam, and I shall ever acknowledge the readiness with which you have always afforded any assistance from Your State, when demanded immediately by myself. I was never consulted in the least upon the Rhode Island Expedition, and I cannot therefore pretend to say who were...
26508Draft of a Bill to Give the Articles of Confederation the Force of Law, [after 15 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas certain articles of confederation and perpetual union were on the day of last proposed by Congress to be entered into between the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusettsbay, Rhode island and Providence plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylva, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, and Georgia, in these words following to wit ‘Article I. the stile &c....
26509Bill for Dividing the Counties of Augusta and Botetourt, [16 December 1777–12 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[Whereas] it is represented to this present Session of Assembly by the Inhabitants of Augusta and Botetourt Counties that they labour under great Inconveniencies by Reason of the great Extent of the said Counties and Parishes Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly that from and after the first Day of February next the said County and Parish of Augusta shall be divided by a Line...
26510Bill Indemnifying the Executive for Removing and Confining Suspected Persons, [16–26 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas on the late appearance of a hostile Fleet in the Bay of Chesapeake, a large Body of Militia were collected and arrayed, and to prevent the dangerous Consequences which might have been produced by a Communication of Intelligence, to the Enemy, it became necessary for the Governor and Council, for the public safety, to remove and restrain, during the Imminence of the Danger, at a...
26511Adams’ Minutes of the Trial: New Hampshire Court Maritime, Portsmouth, 16 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Sewall. 3 Causes sett forth. Resolve of Congress, 25 Novr. 1775. March 23d. 1776. Law of N. Hampshire, principally relyd on. In June 1776. 1777 April 19. Septr. 5, 1776. Vessell and Cargo the Property of Sherja. Bourne, who thought it safest to go to E ngland and take shelter under the Wing of his Majesty K. George. Register, in the Name of S. Bourne, 3 Aug. 1776. Invoices from Lane Son &...
26512Oliver Whipple’s Minutes of the Argument: New Hampshire Court Maritime, Portsmouth, 16 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Libel sets forth three Facts as Causes of Condemnation viz. 1st. That the Property of Brig and Cargo belonged to some Inhabitant or Inhabitants of great Britain. 2d. That at the Time of the Capture She was Carrying Supplies to the Enemy. 3d. That the Property on Board was British Manufacture. NB They then indeavour to introduce a fourth Cause of Condemnation viz. that the Brig made a...
26513Dumas to the American Commissioners, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Envoyé le supplément de la Gazette fançoise de Leide No. 100, où est inséré l’extrait de la Gazette de Boston, savoir la lettre du Général Gates, Capitulation de Burgoyne, et Lettre du Général Washington. Détaillé mes opérations à cet égard, par rapport à l’avertissement du Gazettier de Rotterdam du 13e. où il promettoit ces pieces pour...
26514Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library My last to Mr. Dean in answer to his of the 8th. informed you that I intended to go to Painbeuf, to give you a fuller account of the Lion, but various affairs have prevented. I have now ordered every article that relates to that Ship to be collected and sent on board with the utmost dispatch and by the end of this Week I intend she shall be compleat in...
26515John Young to the American Commissioners, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recived Yours of the 2d instant from Mr. Maylon [Moylan] along with the Dispatches for Congress which I will secure readey for Sinking in case of danger according to Your Orders. When the dispatches came to hand I was all clear for sea, and now onley wates for a favorable opportunity. Ther is certin information of seven saile of English Cruizers off Bil:...
26516To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have seen Sir Geo. Grand who was Yesterday at Versailles, and this morning with Mons. De Sartine; I find it impossible for me to go out this Afternoon, as I must be engaged every moment in Business. I must pray you to excuse me to Marechal Maillebois. He put into my hands a Memoire of one Millin de la Brosse, which I forgot to shew you, but I sent a...
26517To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the same Manner as I have seen People boast themselves of the Honour they have had of lodging in their House such and such a King, or worthy Personage, or of the Connexions they may have had with them, let them be ever so small; in the same Manner I shall henceforth boast of the honour you do me by the Letter in which you are so Kind as to give me the...
26518General Orders, 16 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The tents are to be carried to the encampment of the troops, and pitched immediately. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Muhlenberg’s orderly book contains different orders for this day’s general orders: “In aid of the supplys of cloathing imported by Congress they earnestly Recommended to the Sevel States to Exert their utmost Endeavour to procure all kinds of cloathing for the comfortable...
26519From George Washington to Major John Clark, Jr., 16 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Messenger went away before I got home yesterday, or I should have answered your letter. Altho’ I would not grant permission to all those who want to go into Philada to get paid for what they were plundered of, you may allow it to those on whom you can depend and from whom you expect any intelligence in return. I have directed that all passes granted by you shall be sufficient for the...
26520To George Washington from James Mease, 16 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you Excellency that I left White marsh the day after the Army moved, in order to get some necessaries which my family stand in need of removed from this place to Lancaster, & have had the misfortune of being confined by sickness ever since I came here occasioned by a severe cold caught either at or on my journey to Camp. I am sorry to acquaint your Excellency that I find...
26521To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evening favd with your two Letters of the 28th Ulto and 2nd Inst: with a Remonstrance from Mr Drake inclosd that peice I do aver is made up of Falcity and Misrepresentation, at least what has ever come to my knowledge. I have ever Acted as near your Excellency’s Orders of last Winter as was in my power—nor has any property been disposd of for the Benefit of the Captors, unless such...
26522To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 16 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am set down to inform of the Enemy’s manœuvre, on the night of the 14th inst., not having it in my power to make my report with any Degree of accuracy before. Having recd intelligence by one of my Dragoons, that a Party of the Enemy’s horse were on the opposite Side of the Schuylkill, I conjectured that they might have a Design to cross at some of the upper fords, & come down upon our rear....
26523Bill for Dissolving the Vestries of the Parishes of Meherrin and St. Anne, [16 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it hath been represented to this present general assembly, that by the death and resignation of sundry members of the vestries of Meherrin parish, in the county of Brunswick, and of the parish of St. Anne, in the county of Albemarle , there is not a sufficient number of members to hold a vestry in either of the said parishes , by which means the business of the same hath been for a...
26524To Benjamin Franklin from “John Webb,” 17[–24] December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I never expected such ingratitude for my past time and services as I have met with, which I am pretty sure you are unacquainted with. I should not have remained in Dunkirk after you had been so kind as to send me remittance had not Mr. Coffin told me that he had some orders from Mr. Carmichael to make me stay there untill there should be something...
26525To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Williamsburg, Va., 17 December 1777. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and others, Princeton, 1950-. , 2:120–121. Noting that Virginia had ratified the Articles of Confederation, Jefferson described the concern among some in the state over Art. 9, which gave power to the congress to enter into treaties of commerce. Opponents...
26526To John Adams from James Lovell, 17 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Decr. 2d. Resolved that a Commission be made out for Mr. J. Adams similar to that heretofore granted to the Commissioners at the Court of France. The date of the Commissions upon the 27th. was an error of the Secretary. But He as well as the president and others think it of no consequence. In Congress Decr. 17th. 1777 Resolved that Genl. Washington be directed to inform Genl. Burgoyne the...
26527The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 17 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress We received your several Letters from Nantes and Portsmouth. We shall be glad to see you here, as soon as is consistent with your Affairs, in order to consult with you on the Matters mention’d in your Instructions from the Congress, &c. We are, with Esteem Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servants Addressed: To / John Paul Jones Esqr / Nantes Endorsed: Paris...
26528John Thornton to the American Commissioners, [17] December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I arrived here yesterday, and delivered this morning all the letters, except those of Lord North and Sir Gray Cooper; what ever advices I shall receive from Mr. H[artley] shall be punctually follow’d. I have the honor to be Gentlemen Your most Obedient Servant: My letters, if you should send any direct No. 57 Newman Street Oxford Road. Notation: Thornton...
26529To Benjamin Franklin from Doerner, [17 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Dartmouth College Library Mr. John James Doerner who sets off for Bordeaux to Morrow in Company of Mr. Märck to establish a House of Commerce at Charles-town North-America. If Doctor Francklin is so obliging and favour Messrs. Doerner and Marck with Letters of introduction for the honorable Congress and Gentlemen at Charles-Town, for some places in the Province of Virginia &ca.; Doerner...
26530To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Millon, 17 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, December 17, 1777, in French: I render you homage as the man whom the public credits with authorship of the Pennsylvania constitutions. Articles 1, 2, 9, and 15 of Chapter I rouse my keenest admiration. Article 2 proves that I am not alone in considering intolerance the most destructive force in any society. Article 9 is the work of that rarity, a...
26531To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot, Baron de l’Aulne, 17 [December?] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Turgot accepte avec grand plaisir la proposition que lui a fait faire Mr. Franklin par Mr. Quesnai de St. Germain de le dedommager Samedi du plaisir dont les engagemens de Mr. Franklin le privent pour Vendredi. Toutes les occasions de voir Mr. Franklin luy sont precieuses, et il est impatient de temoigner aux amis de la liberté sa joye de leurs succès....
26532To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Wright, 17 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty in the Name of my Mother (who is at present from Home) to return you my most gratefull thanks for your kind Letter in behalf of Mr. P——— which I have just Receivd with the highest Pleasure, in hearing from you Sir, and Gratitude for Him, as it is a Suply I am sensible will be Doubly Wellcome to him at this Time. My Mother is now at Bath...
26533General Orders, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief with the highest satisfaction expresses his thanks to the officers and soldiers for the fortitude and patience with which they have sustained the fatigues of the Campaign—Altho’ in some instances we unfortunately failed, yet upon the whole Heaven hath smiled on our Arms and crowned them with signal success; and we may upon the best grounds conclude, that by a spirited...
26534From George Washington to Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was, a few days ago, honored with yours of the 25th Novemr. The packets for Sr William Howe and the letters for Gentlemen in his Army were immediately forwarded to Philada. As I did not conceive myself at liberty to answer either of your requests without first consulting Congress, I have transmitted a Copy of your letter to them and have desired their determination as speedily as possible....
26535To George Washington from the Continental Navy Board, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Recommendation ⅌ Col: Worthington, we have done every thing in our Power to forward the Work in Hand. I have the Pleasure of assuring you that every thing goes on with Secrecy & Dispatch, to the Satisfaction of the Artist. We expect he will be enabled in a Day or two to try the important Experiment. We have the Honour to be with all Esteem & Respect Your Excellency’s...
26536From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with Yours of the 23d & 27th of November. If the Recruits intended for Lees and Jackson’s Regiments have not had the small pox, and are not marched when this reaches you, I desire they may be inoculated before they join the Army. After the repeated directions, which I had given to have All the Recruits who had not had that disorder innoculated the moment they were inlisted, I was...
26537To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Burgoyne recd the information of the Resolve of Congress of the 1st Decemr (restricting the embarkation of his Troops to the port stipulated by the Convention of Saratoga and no other) with no small disopointment. I had before given him my opinion that an alteration would never be allowed; but he flattered himself otherwise. He is now anxiously waiting an answer to his Letter some time...
26538To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had this Morning the honour of receiving Your Excellency’s dispatch dated 14th & 15th Currt inclosing Copy of a Letter from Lt Genl Burgoyne, which, without reading them through, I sent directly to Congress, from whence I am this moment charged with a Resolve, formed, I presume, as the present necessary direction for a reply to the British General’s application to your Excellency. The...
26539From George Washington to Major General William Phillips, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Gulph Mills, Pa., 17 Dec. 1777 . GW “presents his Comps. to Major Genl Philips and begs leave to inform him that his letters were forwarded to Philada immediately upon the receipt of them.” Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Tilghman drafted this letter beneath the draft of GW’s letter to John Burgoyne of this date . William Phillips (1731–1781), a British...
26540To John Jay from Marinus Willett, 17 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
Hitherto hath the Lord helped us, is an acknowledgment as honorable as it is ancient, but never more properly adapted to the situation of any people then it is at present to the inhabitants of this Continent, for never where a people more remarkable blessed with signal interpositions of divine favour; how suddenly, have we beheld our most gloomy prospects to brighten? And how conspicuous has...
26541From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 17 December 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress will receive by this post our approbation of the Confederation . It passed the house of Delegates on Monday and the Senate on Tuesday last. Tho’ our house of delegates is almost wholly of those who are truly zealous, yet there have ever been a few who have endeavored to throw obstructions in our way. Objections to this important instrument came therefore not unexpectedly. The most...
26542To John Adams from Archibald Campbell, 18 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Heman Allen of Salisbury has transmitted to me the inclosed Copy of a letter from Mr. Bowdinot Commissary General of Prisoners for the American Army; wherein he is pleased to signify that he is willing to accede to my being immediately exchanged for Colol. Ethen Allen, incase the matter could be accomplished by my writing to Newyork. The experience I have already had of the inefficacy of...
26543The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; attested copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library; copy and transcript: National Archives Since our last of Nov. 30, a Copy of which is herewith sent you, we received your Dispatches of Oct. 6. from York Town. They came to us by a Packet from Boston, which brought the great News of Burgoynes Defeat and Surrender, News that apparently occasion’d as much...
26544The American Commissioners to John Ross, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We Recd: yours giving an Acct. of the Arrival of the Goods on which we had not made any Insurance. From the Situation of your Affairs when you wrote Us last, we presume that Your Ship, Capt. Green is ready for sailing. Capt. Nicholson will also be ready in a few Days, We have therefore to propose to you that They go in Company as Capt. Nicholson will be...
26545To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, [18 December? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous renvoier, Monsieur, la Gazette de Boston; j’en ai traduit la lettre de M. Washington qui m’a paru bonne à publier pour opposer aux détails anglois qui vont sans doute paroître; j’ai retraduit aussi suivant la liberté que vous m’en avez laissée la capitulation de Burgoyne; il me paroîtroit actuellement nécessaire de joindre à ces deux...
26546From Benjamin Franklin to [La Rochefoucauld], [18 December? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque municipale de Mantes I return the Letters, having in one mark’d with Crayon the Parts I think of most Importance; and in the other with Ink the Parts that ought not to be translated. Perhaps Abridgements would be better than Translations. I leave them to your Judgement. I am with the greatest Respect your Grace’s most obedient humble Servant See the first note on the...
26547Ameloo, Willemsen and the Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society De jour en jour nous nous sommes flattés de recevoir reponce à la notre du 20 Novembre dernier, et nous ne savons à quoi attribuer ce Silence. Apres votre lettre satisfaisante nous n’avons pas hesités un seul moment de confier nos interets dans vos mains. Nous vous avons parlés sans le moindre deguisement, et nous vous repetons sur tout ce qu’il y a de plus...
26548To Benjamin Franklin from Doerner, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Doerner Jur. presents his most respectfull Compliments to Doctor Francklin, and in complyance of his kind promise to supply him with Letters of introduction to the honourable Congress of the united States of North-America, to Gentlemen of consequence at Charles-town, and to others in the provinces of Maryland and Virginia; takes the liberty to send for the...
26549To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society La Douairiere du Duc de Deux ponts demande à Monsieur le docteur franclin son appui pour faire passer un de ses neveux en Amérique et lui obtenir un poste militaire dans l’armée de la République. Ce jeune homme nommé M. de fontevieux a une vocation décidée pour les armes et surtout pour le service des vaillants Americains. Parfaitement bien né du côté du...
26550To Benjamin Franklin from Pageant veuve Rivaud, 18 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Tournus in Burgundy, December 18, 1777, in French: I beg you to forward a letter to my son in New England. I have received two of his, and he is extremely uneasy at having heard nothing from me and my family. He is one of the engineers that the government selected to send to America. I am a mother who has lost her companion in joy and sorrow; the only...