1To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 10 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with Yours and have sent to collect all our Packhorses (for the Waggons are gone forward) and propose sending off forty, if so many are to be found, loaded with Flower—They will be at CumberLd on Teussday night; And a further suply, may be afterwards sent when the General’s pleasure is known with regard to your march. I could have wishd to inform you of the generals arrival here....
2To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 11 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have sent thirty Pack horses and one Waggen loaded with Flour, amounting to about Seven Thousand Wt; More would have been sent, had horses or Waggens been here. By intelligence from Major Halket I find the General leavs Loudon to day, so that Colonel Bouquet may be expected from the Westward before the Genl arrives here; And a further suply sent your forces if their stay at CumberLd makes it...
3To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 15 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform you that General Forbes arrived Yesterday at Juniata Crossing, and is looked for here by twelve OClock; It is but this minute I understood he had left Fort Loudoun; It seems the Generals health exceeds our Expectations, as he bears the Journey well & has proceeded with great expedition these two days past. Your Letters were forwarded immediatly on my receiving...
4To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 21 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
Ever since I understood that the Land whereon Mrs Washington lived joining Mr Hunters was for Sale I have had an Inclination to purchase it, but till now was not in circumstances to propose the matter to you—I have heard that the Tract contains about 600 Acres and that it is held at £3 ⅌ Acre—If these are your lowest terms, I would not dispute them, were my terms of Payment agreable to...
5To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 6 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of 28th March relating to the Land adjoining Mr Hunters I should have acknowledg’d last Week; but had hopes of seeing you here at the Race —The Terms of Two Thousand Pounds will suit me at five annual payments—I expect to discharge the Debt sooner, but as you are willing to let the money remain in my hands on Interest—will accept of that Indulgence—Be so good to inform me when I...
6To 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.”
7To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 4 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 4 July 1776. On this date GW wrote to Mercer : “I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of Yesterday & this morng.”
8To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
On examining Bergen Neck I found some stock of black Cattle & Horses still remaind there—and that some familys on the Point held an Intercourse with the Enemy—Col. Ford assured me he would have all those removed to day—His force amounts to no more than 350, and those begin to be dissatisfyd at remaining on Duty while the Militia of the Neighborhood are dismissd —after leaving proper Guards at...
9To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Nothing extraordinary has happened here; The Frigate that appeard yesterday under Sail standing towards the Town is now out of View—supposd to be in Princes Bay—At this Post & the Blazing Starr are posted about 1000 of the N. Jersey Militia—They begin to be so anxious to return to their Harvest, under the apprehension of their familys being without support, if they continue longer that I have...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 14 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Morning Lord Howe sent Lt Reeve of the Eagle Man of War, with a flag of Truce to this Post—He delivered me the Letters which accompany this —Nothing worthy your attention has happened here since I had the honor to re[c]eive your Instructions of the 11th Inst. by Mr Ross —The Enemies Guards in our view continue without any new movement—From their Number it is probable that two Regiments...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just now receivd a Letter from the Honble Mr Hancock containing the Orders of Congress that I should march the Troops which are to compose the flying Camp & militia, wherever the Service requires—in subordination to your Instructions —When I formerly mentioned Brunswick as a proper place for that Camp, my Idea of the Intention of raising & collecting an Army here, was the Security of...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of Col. Reeds Letter and the Plan shewn me by Major Knowlton I have reconoitred the Enemie’s Posts and last night had the Assistance of Capt. John Mercerau to bring some Intelligence from Staten Island —He undertook the Service very cheerfully—told he could go very secretly to his Brother in Laws House who it seems resides back in the woods, remote from the Parties along Shore;...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 18 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
If nothing unlooked for interveens I intend to prosecute the Plan mentioned in my Letter by Major Putnam—to Night —We hope to defer the Attack till Break of Day—but if discovered before that time—our operation will commence sooner—From our being able to discover no unusual movements in the Enemies Quarters, it is presumable they have no hint of being surprizd—Our men are drawing together near...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
After making such preparations as our Circumstances would admit off—I marched about eight o Clock yesterday Evening to the Mouth of Thompsons Creek with the Continental Troops under the command of Major Knoulton—The Rifle Battalions were to follow—The Wind & Tide being against them, the Boats could not be so soon brought to us as we expected—In the mean time the weather became too tempestuous...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 24 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a Return of the Troops In this Colony —two Battalions joind yesterday—We are told of numbers being on the Way from Philadelphia—in a few days the Harvest will be secured when Genl Livingstone will have it in his power to call in a considerable body of militia to take post along the Jersey Shore—And these Troops may be employd in such other Service as you judge proper—Proper persons...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 25 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a Return of the Troops in New Jersey—There was a very capital Error in the Return of Yesterday—thro’ the carelessness of my Clerk. The Position of the Enemy continues the Same as when I wrote last—I have sent to such of the Counties here as had not compleated the Levies for the Army at New York to give all possible Assistance & forward such men as were inlisted—such of those Troops...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 26 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I find by intelligence from our Guards at So. Amboy that some Shallops five in number that passed us yesterday from Fresh Kill were full of Soldiers, who appeard on Deck after getting round Billups Point into Princes Bay—As the Shallops passed our Field Peices played on them—but with little effect—the Enemy returnd the Cannonade briskly during the Space of an hour with four, Six, and Twelve...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 26 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I mentioned this Morning the unusual appearance of a flag being hoisted on the Light house—I had not then understood that Any Ships were seen in the Offing—but find by a Person just now from So. Amboy that some have been seen—and Now Six have come into the Hook. I am Sir your Excellencys most obedt st A Deserter from the Asia, examined att Eliza. Town—says that 10 Ships arrived Some Days...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 27 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Heard, Genl Roberdeau have considered with me the Plan proposed for Attacking the Posts on Staten Island—Two things we entirely agree in—Namely that the Number of Troops proposed are by no means equal to the Undertaking—We cannot rationally suppose the Enemies Force on the Island to be less than 10,000—where these are cheifly posted we have no intelligence to be depended on—Several out...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 29 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
A very great dissatisfaction prevails among the Troops here, and all the Several Posts from hence to Newark on account of the Quality of the Provisions and the great inatention paid by the Commissaries in serving the Rations. We have here three Commissaries of equal Powers in this Service, namely Mr Lowrie Mr Dunham and Mr Ogden —The Services performed by Mr Dunham have fallen more immediately...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 30 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favoured with yours of yesterday—and shall sett about preparing boats with all possible expedition Your favours by Major Ross were extreamly acceptable—Since his arrival Col. Griffin has joind me, very much to my Satisfaction —Only four Companies intended for the Flying Camp have arrived since my last—And a Battalion of Associators consisting of 350—Those last I have sent on...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 31 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This morning two Negros were brought to me, who made their Escape last night from Staten Island—and were taken up by our Guards at So. Amboy—Their Examination contains nothing new but is sent enclosd for your perusal —By the Report of the Commanding Officer At the above mentioned Post it appears that Thirty Nine sail of Square riggd Vessels, three of them men of War have come in from Sea...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 5 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Letter of the 1st Inst. which I did not receive till the Evening of the 3d I came here yesterday to have an Interview with Genl Livingstone & Col. Dickinson. By the Return of the Troops on duty here your Excellency will see that the whole force of the Flying Camp is as yet only Two hundred and Seventy four Rank & file. I understood that the Pensyl. Militia were to remain...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 7 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is some Intelligence from a Deserter who swam over to us —his account that the heavy baggage of the Troops was ordered on board shows an Intended movement of the Troops from Staten Island—By this information no foreign Troops have yet arrived—I will endeavour to procure some Intelligence tonight. I have the honour to be Sir your Excellencys Most obed. St ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 8 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your favour this morning and am very glad to find Mr Madison & Johnston here, who are immediatly from Staten Island—They intend to pay their respects to your Excellency; it will therefor be improper to take your time with relating what you will hear from those Gentlemen—That some Attempt will speedily be made with the greater part of the Enemies force, is confirmed by all Accounts—I...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 9 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencys Letter—Col. Miles will march with all his Riflemen —The two Battalions will make about 700—As we have numbers of Rifle men lately arrived—it seemd to me more for the Service to order the 2d Batn and it will be more agreable to the men—I hope they will be in time to render you essential Service—A Cowardly, infamous Spirit of Desertion, prevails here too...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 10 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received the favour of two Letters from your Excellency this forenoon —In consequence of them Shall push forward to N. York as many of the Troops as I can prevail on to march—Col. Attlees Battalion of Musketry will march this Afternoon —Col. Miles’ two Battalions of Riflemen set out this Morning—A Tender of 10 Carriage Guns came up this Morning—to Billups point—was under Sail about an hour...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 11 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
About Twelve hundred Spears are sent off agreable to your orders by Mr Tilghman—I shall push on as many of the Flying Camp & Volunteers as possible but cannot as yet ascertain the Number. Every assistance we can procure will be given to facilitate the passage of the Troops att all the Ferries. The Tender I mentioned Yesterday keeps the same Station hitherto—We perceive no remarkable Alteration...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave to Introduce to your Excellencys notice—Colo. Attlee of the Pennsylva. Troops—His experience and Attention to every part of the service entrusted to his direction—will I am perswaded secure to him your Regard—Col. Burd will march this Afternoon with about Three hundred men of the Flying Camp—including One Compy of Rifle men, Volunters, from CumberLd—Commanded by Capt. Steel. I...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was att Eliza. Town when your Letters of the 13 & 14 reached me —The Men who had been prepared to join the Army at N. York lay at New ark—The Posts along the Jersey Shore opposite to Staten Island are sufficiently Guarded—and more Troops are dayly arriving—If you approve of it a Body of four hundred men well accoutred from the Delaware Country may be stationed at Powlis Hook & five hundred...