In Obedience to the above Order of Congress, this Committee have enquired into the Premises, and, upon the best Information obtained, find, that the Commanders of the New England Army about the 14th. ultimo received Advice that Genl. Gage had issued Orders for a Party of Troops under his Command, to post themselves on Bunkers Hill, a Promontory just at the Entrance of the Peninsula of...
2To John Adams from William Gordon, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I begin upon a half sheet, as a quarter may possibly not hold what I have to write, but should I comprehend the whole within that compass, shall dock your allowance, the times demanding the utmost frugality as well as courage. Pray how many more burnings of towns are we to be abused with by the British Barbarians, ere the long suffering of the Congress is concluded, and every manly exertion of...
3To John Adams from William Gordon, 1 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is almost too late to congratulate you upon our regaining Boston; but I may give you joy of our not having as yet relost it. We ought by this time to have had the harbour fortified so strongly, that a fleet could not have ventured in to have insulted the town, without paying dear for it: but there has been strange not-doings. You will ask me, who is to blame? Should I answer without...
4To George Washington from William Gordon, 5 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Gordon, 5 May 1776. On 13 May GW wrote to Gordon : “I thank you for the Intelligence contain’d in your Letter of the 5th.”
5To George Washington from William Gordon, 19–20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am desirous of writing, tho’ without a flow of spirits. The reason of the last is not any disagreeable news to be transmitted from this neighbourhood; but an apprehension that the crisis is hastening which will deprive me of some valuable friends, nobly falling in the cause of the Continent, & what is more of Liberty. Heaven grant that their number may be small; & that they may be such as...
6To George Washington from William Gordon, 19 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been for some time past in pain for your Excellency, but still in hopes that You would receive a reinforcement sufficient & soon enough to prevent the enemy’s crossing the Delaware, or marching down by it on the Jersey side towards Philadelphia. Accounts yesterday relieved us from our anxiety, & have given us reason to conclude that the regulars have left Brunswick & gone down by water...
7To George Washington from William Gordon, 6 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The letter sent you the last month was brought forward by a report of the enemy’s having retreated from Brunswick by water to Amboy. This is built upon authentic intelligence received the last saturday. Having made my acknowledgments to the God of hosts, I now thank & congratulate your Excellency, for & on the success of our army the last thursday sennight. The enemy will from hence see, that...
8To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 26 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania After having finished the enclosed I alterd my design, and concluded upon sending it under cover to you, with request that you would forward it to Great Britain by a safe conveyance: if by the post via Holland, it may be best to put it under cover directed by an unknown hand, as the ministerial harpies at the London post office may have acquainted...
9To George Washington from William Gordon, 5 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The movements of the Post not having gained a thorough establishment, notwithstanding Mr Hazard’s having been employed in regulating them, your very obliging favour of Jany was not received in due time. I should be wanting as a friend, a member of the community, a son of liberty, & a disciple of Jesus, was I not to be constantly mindful of your Excellency. What can I do less than remember you,...
10To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 21 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I trouble you afresh with a packet designed for our friend Dr. Price. Be pleased to peruse the letter and papers ere you forward them to him. I wished to put both parties out of conceit with Mr. Hutchinson, which I think will be effected by what is in Edes’s papers, and will be confirmed in two or three subsequent ones. Such a man ought to have no...