1To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 10 May 1772 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Horatio Gates, 10 May 1772. On 3 July GW wrote Gates : “Your favour of the 10th of May came to my hand.”
2From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 3 July 1772 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 10th of May came to my hand Pretty soon after Mr Cars Return from Wmsburg, but having Mislaid it for a time, you are kept out of an Answer till now. And even now, the information I am able to give in respect to your Enquiries, will prove Very Unsatisfactory. That there will be something (tho. nothing Considerable) left for the Residuary Legatees, after the Debts & Legacies...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General Horatio Gates, 17 June 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brigadier General Horatio Gates, 17 June 1775. On 22 June Gates wrote to GW : “Last night I was Honourd by the receipt of your Obliging Letter of 17th Instant.”
4To George Washington from Brigadier General Horatio Gates, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
Last night I was Honourd by the receipt of your Obliging Letter of 17th Instant, I shall Obey your Commands with all possible Expedition, & hope to be in philadelphia Thursday next, & wish earnestly to find you there. I must take the Liberty to entreat it of you, not to leave the Congress, until you are provided not only with all the Powers, but all the Means, their Power can bestow, if it is...
5Instructions to Reuben Colburn, 3 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
You are to go with all Expedition to Gardnerstone upon the River Kenebeck, and without Delay proceed to The Constructing of Two Hundred Batteaus, to row with Four Oars each; Two Paddles and Two setting Poles to be also provided for each Batteau. You are to Engage a Company of Twenty Men consisting of Artificers, Carpenters, and Guides to go under your Command to Assist in such Services as you,...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 7[–8] November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thursday last I had the pleasure to send a Copy of General Lee’s Letter to Lord Thanet, and on Monday [another of?] one to General Howe, both these I suppose you received [ torn .] I made strickt inquiry as you directed me after [ torn ], and find he died, and was buried about a Week before [ torn Cam?]bridge, the Ten Dollars you paid into my Hands [ torn...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 5 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society For this Week past Fortune has Smiled upon Us from All Quarters, and last Night, word was brought out of Boston by some Inhabitants who left it Yesterday, that a Vessel was Just arrived there from Quebeck. The Master of which Declared that Our Troops, Assisted by near 6000 Canadians, took Possession of that Capital a day or Two After the Middle of November;...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 7 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Pleasure to write you upon Monday by Express. I now inclose to you, a Copy of General Lees Letter lately sent to General Burgoyne which if you approve of it may be publish’d in the News paper. I long to send you Lees and my Opinions of the measures to be pursued in Consequence of the Conquest of Canada, that is the Military Measures, somany...
9Plan for Attacking Boston, 18–25 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to Your Excellency’s Orders, we have considered the Matters referred to Us, & beg leave to recommend the following Signals to be given from Roxbury, in Case of any Movement of The Enemy to Distress our People at Dorchester Hill: Signal in Case the Enemy begin to Embarque, a Flagg on Roxbury meeting House; If they Actually Land at Dorchester Two Flaggs, One, over the Other; In case...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be deliverd to you by The Baron de Woedtkee, who appears to be a Gentleman, and a Veteran Charectors you will esteem him for he has with him other recommendations to your Notice, from some of your Paris acquaintance; if I had never fallen out with Royalty for any other reason, I should detest it, upon the poor Barons account, for the Tyrannical...
11To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 8 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Monday Night Two Thousand men under the Command of Brigadier General Thomas took possession of Dorchester Heights; a vast Quantity of Materials being previously Collected, especially Chandiliers, and Fascines, our Troops were soon covered, and long before day, began to Break Ground to thicken their defences against The Enemys Cannon. To Conceal our design, and divert the Enemys Attention, a...
12From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 23 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure, a few days ago, of your Favour of 8th. Instant, for which I esteem myself under great obligations to you. We rejoice here at the Prospect there is of your driving the Enemy from Boston. If you should Succeed in this I hope effectual Measures will be taken to fortify the Harbour, that the Navy may never enter it again. I think the Narrows may be So obstructed that large...
13To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 23 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellent Letter of the 23d: of March, and one by Mr. Dana, are now before me. How any Mortal can entertain an Idea that Liberty, and Safety, can be secured without Independency, I have no Conception; this half Faced policy, may amuse Timid Statesmen, Treacherous Whiggs, and the Tools of Designing Scotchmen; but not one Honest, Sensible, determin’d American can be deceived by it; go on to...
14From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 27 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the Twenty third, I received Yesterday, and it put me into a good Humour, the Benefit of which I feel to this Moment, and shall continue to experience a long Time. Was you idle enough to read the Tales in the London Papers and Magazines, a few years ago concerning the Cock Lane Ghost, and the others concerning a Man of Six feet high who leaped into a Quart Bottle and corked...
15To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 4 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 27th: of April was put into my hands by Colonel Clinton, we had much conversation together upon the Critical and political State of this Country; He thinks with You, and I; and has besides a very Uncommon share of Knowledge, and penetration; I shall endeavour to Cultivate his Friendship, and Acquaintance. The Six Regiments under General Sullivan, are Saild for Albany, with a...
16From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 18 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
We have ordered you to the Post of Honour, and made you Dictator in Canada for Six Months, or at least untill the first of October. — We dont choose to trust you Generals, with too much Power, for too long Time. I took my Pen, at this Time, to mention to you the Name of a young Gentleman, and recommend him to your Notice and Favour. His Name is Rice. This Gentleman is the Son of a worthy...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will be presented you by The Chevallier de Kermovant, who left Old France the Sixth of April, and arrived about Fourteen days ago at Stonington by the Way of Cape François; he desires me acquaint you that his Views are truly patriotic, and that he neither Seeks reward, or Honour, but as he shall Merit; he has Letters for you, and Doctor Rush, they probably will...
18To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
By the Letters you will by this Post receive in Congress from the Brigadiers Sullivan, and Arnold, it appears to me, that Our Army in Canada are in the Utmost Peril of being lost. An unadvised Step taken in the Sending Genl. Thompson with a Large Detachment to Attack the Enemys post at the Three Rivers, has ended in Defeat, and Disgrace, with The Loss of Thompson, Col. Irwine, and 3 Principal...
19Orders and Instructions to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable Continental Congress reposing the greatest Confidence in your Wisdom & Experience have directed me to appoint you to the very important Command of the Troops of the United Colonies in Canada: with a Power to appoint a Deputy Adjutant General, a Deputy Quarter Master General[,] a Deputy Muster Master General & such other Officers as you shall find necessary for the Good of the...
20To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of the Letter with which I have charged Mr Lewis to the president of The Honourable The Continental Congress; it is too disagreeable a Tale to dwell on, I shall not therefore enlarge upon it; I beg the Favour Mr Lewis may have your Orders not to Delay in New York, but proceed immediately to Philadelphia. General Sullivan has probably by this Time seen your Excellency, he...
21To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 17 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer, and my Letter to Mr. Hancock will acquaint you that I am no Dictator here, and consequently have it not in my power to serve Mr. Rice. I desire if Chase is return’d to Congress, he may know, how much I have been Deceived, and Disappointed in being removed from a place where I might have done the Publick Service, and Fix’d in a Scituation where it is exceeding Doubtfull, if it will...
22From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I expected ’ere this to have heard from you; as I have not, I will open the corrispondance by expressing my exceeding great concern on acct of the determination of your board of General Officers, to retreat from Crown Point to Ticonderago; assigning (contrary to the opinion of all your Field Officers) for reason, that the former place is not tenable with your present force, or the Force...
23To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 29 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Schuyler, who left us the 10th Instant, promised me to give Your Excellency a very particular Account of the State of the Northern Army; I conclude he has done it, but it might not have reach’d your Hands when the post left New York the 19th Instant; Your Excellency’s Letter of That date, is now before me. The Board of General Officers mentioned by your Excellency, were Assembled by...
24To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour to Transmit to Your Excellency, a General Return of the Troops immediately under my Command. it is as perfect as the Circumstances will Admit, but the Numbers at the General Hospital at Lake George, & upon both Communications, where Correctness is not attended to, with that Diligence required by good Discipline, obliges me to send it somewhat imperfect to Your...
25From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 13 August 1776; 18 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of 24 June, and 17. July, are before me. I wish with all my Heart that you were Dictator at Ticonderoga, as much as it was intended you Should be, in Canada. Not for the sake of promoting Mr. Rice, nor any other particular Person, but for the good of the Service in general. Let me ask you however, by the Way, whether, Rice would not do for a Judge Advocate in that Department? I...
26From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday morning received your Letter of the 29 Ulto by Bennet the Express and am extremely sorry to find the Army is still in a sickly and melancholy State—The precaution taken to Halt the Reinforcements at Skenesborough, which are destined for your Succour, is certainly prudent—they should not be exposed or made liable to the Calamities already too prevailing, Unless in cases of extreme...
27To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 23 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have the Satisfaction to acquaint You that immediately after my Arrival here I appointed Mr. Rice a Major of Brigade. He is a most deserving young Man and will do Honour to the profession. The Inclosed from Lieutt. Col. Baldwin I have the pleasure to send You, and entreat you will endeavour to procure him the Rank he Requests. I can assure You Sir he is a most Excellent Officer, and the Only...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Horatio Gates, 28 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard University Library The Congress being advised, that there was a probability that the Hessians might be induced to quit the British service by offers of land, &c., came to two resolves for this purpose, which, being translated into German and printed, are sent to Staten Island to be distributed, if practicable, among those people. Some of them have tobacco marks on the back,...
29To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive your Excellencies Letter of the 14 Instant which is all I have been favoured with since that of the 19th of July. I have at length the Satisfaction to send a pretty correct General Return of the Army in this Part of the Northern District of America; a Copy of my last Letter to General Schuyler, which is in the Packet, will explain the Return to your...
30To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 3 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented your Excellency by Major Hubley, who acted as Brigade Major to the Baron De Wedtke, being desirous to go to Philadelphia upon his Private Affairs, I have granted him permission, He is a Young Gentleman of Character in his Profession, and as such I introduce him to your Excellency. Brigade Major Scull accompanies Major Hubley, he goes to New York at the request of...