26561To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
since the reception of your favor I dispatched several Spies into the City, to endeavor to find the intended hour of the Enemy’s march; one of them this moment returned from Philada, which place he left at three oClock this afternoon, at that time, they were leading about three hundred Horses covered with Blankets on the Commons, & were very busy throwing up a ditch from the Road above Middle...
26562From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday Evening I was honored with your favor of the 6th Instant, and am much obliged by your exertions for Cloathing the Virginia Troops. The Articles you send shall be applied to their use agreable to your wishes. It will be difficult for me to determine when the Troops are supplied, owing to their fluctuating and deficient state. However I beleive there will be little reason to suspect...
26563From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, 19 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 19 Dec. 1777. In his letter to GW of 20 Jan. 1778 , Nelson writes “Your favor of the 19th Ultimo should not have remain’d so long unanswer’d.”
26564To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In my preceeding representations I have been particular respecting the present State of the Cavalry, the means by which it may be augmented & compleated —but on this head I must necessarily know your Excellencys determination—The advantages that would arise from a Superiority in Cavalry are too obvious to be unnoticed—It may be further observed that during this war, the Country will daily...
26565From George Washington to George Read, 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd information, which I have great reason to beleive is true, that the Enemy mean to establish a post at Wilmington for the purpose of countenancing the disaffected in the Delaware State, drawing supplies from that Country and the lower parts of Chester County, and securing a post upon Delaware River during the Winter. As the advantages resulting to the Enemy from such a position are...
26566From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
With the Division lately commanded by Genl Sullivan, you are to March immediately for Wilmington, and take Post there. you are not to delay a moment in putting the place in the best posture of defence, to do which, and for the security of it afterwards, I have written in urgent terms to the President of the Delaware State to give every aid he possibly can of Militia —I have also directed an...
26567The American Commissioners to [Gérard], 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The Persons going out with the dispatches are Mr. Simeon Deane and Mr. Anthony Knap both of New England. They will set out this Evening for Bordeaux, and will follow Your Orders, which You shall send; inclosed You have a Letter of Credit for the Captn. of Your Ship. We have the honor to be with the utmost respect Sir Your most Obedient and...
26568Gérard to the American Commissioners, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Connecticut Historical Society; AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai recu la lettre que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’ecrire avec celle qui y etoit jointe et dont je suis chargé de vous remercier. Voici le paquet dont les deux passagers voudront bien se charger. Il est adressé au Commissaire ordonateur de la marine. On ne lui mande pas leurs noms, et celui de Deane...
26569The American Commissioners to Simeon Deane, [20 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Pennsylvania Library You will receive herewith a Packet for Monsr. L Moyne Commissaire &c. at Bourdeaux, and also a Packet for the Committee of Congress for Foreign affairs. You are directed to go for Bourdeaux without loss of Time and on your arrival within one Post of the City that you send forward your Servant to Mons. Le Moyne informing him that you have a Packet for...
26570The American Commissioners to the Massachusetts Council, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library We are much obliged by your Favour of the 24th. October which brought us the first Intelligence of the Defeat and Surrender of Bourgoyne’s Army, which gave great Joy not only to us but to this whole friendly Nation. In return we can only tell you at present, that our Affairs hear wear the most promising Appearance, and that we have little Doubt of seeing...