11751From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have so often, and so fully communicated my want of Arms to Congress that I should not have given them the trouble of receiving another Letter upon this Subject, at this time, but for the particular application of Colo. Wain of Pensylvania who has pointed out a method by which he thinks they may be obtain’d. In the hands of the Committee of safety at Philadelphia, there are, According to...
11752From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 30 Ulto and observe what Congress have done respecting the Settlement of the Paymasters accounts. This seems expedient as he is out of office, and I am certain will be attended with but little, if any difficulty, nothing more being necessary than to compare the Warrants with his Debits, and the receipts he has given with his Credits. I wish every other...
11753General Orders, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Colonels, and commanding Officers of Regiments are again reminded, of the propriety of immediately providing their men with cloathing, and necessaries; that they may be ready to march, or embark, upon the shortest notice; The General wishes to impress this strongly, upon the minds of the Colonels; because no Excuse will be taken to delay their departure, the moment that it becomes...
11754To George Washington from Adam Babcock, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I heard a few Days since that your Excellency had fitted out an Armed Vessel under the Command of Capt. Perrit to Cruise to the Southward—should that be the Case—I beg leave to propose that a Vessel I have fitted out commanded by Capn Brooks may go out in Company with Her, which will make them both quite secure against any Thing they may chance to meet with in getting off the Coast, except...
11755To George Washington from Preeson Bowdoin, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Matthews was some time last Fall sent a prisoner by Lord Dunmore, in a Sloop from Norfolk bound to Boston, but on the passage was retaken by the Lee privateer, & carried into some part of New England, this Gentleman since his Return to Virginia told me that he had inform’d your Excellency that the Sloop in which he was retaken had been partly the property of myself & Brother, but...
11756To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favor in which you assure me that you will recommend this unhappy Colony to the Continental Congress hath been laid before the General Assembly, to whom it gave great Satisfaction. I inclose you a Copy of Colo. Babcock’s Dismission. The Office of Brigadier General is still kept vacant, in Hopes that the Brigade will be put upon the Continental Establishment, and that a...
11757To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the four Battalions raised last Year in this Colony have been allowed but a single Ration; nor have they had any allowance for billetting Money even while they were recruiting. The Expences they were exposed to in the Northern Campaign were great; far beyond those in the English Colonies; owing to the high Charges attending the Carriage of the Necessaries they wanted on that...
11758From George Washington to the New York Committee of Safety, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer to your examination Joseph Blanchard & Peter Puillon who were yesterday apprehended, the former on suspicion of carrying on a correspondence with persons on board the King Ships, the Latter of having supplied them with some provision in violation of & contrary to the regulations which have been adopted for preventing such practices. There are witnesses against both which...
11759To George Washington from Brigadier General William Thompson, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place the 4th Instant and have since been detain’d by bad weather and contrary winds. Greaton’s Patterson’s and Bond’s Regiments have been gone from here some days—Greaton’s and Patterson’s have left Ticonderoga and I expect Bond’s will be also gone from there, before Poor’s can reach that place—I hope to set out Tomorrow-morning with the last of my party, and expect in ten...
11760To George Washington from Philip Van Rensselaer, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I think it my Indispensible duty to acquaint You that the small Arms now in the store unfit for service, Cannot be made fit for service this season by the Armorers in this place & the Neighbouring places—I aply’d to General Thompson for his Armorers, but he was of Oppinion that they would be wanted in Canada—I therefore give you this Early notice, & beg that some Armorers may be Sent as soon...
11761General Orders, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Every Regiment encamped in the Line, and every Regiment in the Brigade, upon Long-Island, exclusive of their Quarter, and Rear-Guards; are to mount a picquet every evening at Retreat beating, at Sun-sett; consisting of one Captain, two Subalterns, three Serjeants, one Drum, one Fife, and fifty Rank and File; They are to lay upon their Arms and be ready to turn out at a minute’s notice. One...
11762From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a quarter after Seven this Eveng, I received by Express a Letter from Thos Cushing Esqr., Chairman of a Committee of the Honorable Genl Court, covering one to them from the Committee of Salem, Copies of which I do myself the Honor to lay before Congress, that they may Judge of the Intelligence contained therein, and direct such measures to be taken upon the occasion as they may think proper...
11763To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you by Mr Palfrey on the 30th of last Month, I have not been honored with any Commands from Congress relative to your Letters, except the enclosed Resolve which I am ordered to forward to you. I have the Honour to be Sir your most obedt and very humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 12A. Hancock here struck out the words “under the Hand of the Secretary” on both copies...
11764From George Washington to Colonel Alexander McDougall, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor upon the Subject of Rations and agreable to your request have Inclosed a List of Rations allowed the Officers of the Regiments before Boston —those in service the 1st of July have been allowed from that time, Others appointed to Office since, from the dates of their Commissions. Having never given any direction about the Officers alluded to, or any Others except those...
11765To George Washington from Colonel Isaac Nicoll, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Recieved your two letters of April 25th and May the 4th the 5th of this Instant, your Excellancy may rest Asshured that I shall do Every thing in my power to Forward the Works. it would be of great Service if the Congress would Order a Few Hogshead of Rum hear so that the Fateauged party might have a gill a peace ⅌ Day as the Fateauge is hard, My Orders are that Every Man Except the Sick,...
11766General Orders, 8 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
John Fowler, Soldier in Capt. Winship’s Company, in Col. Nixon’s Regiment, tried at a late General Court Martial, whereof Col. Huntington was President, for “Deserting from his guard and being three days absent from his regiment without leave,” is found guilty by the court, and sentenced to receive Twenty Lashes, upon the bare back, for the said offence. Timothy Dawney, Soldier in Capt....
11767To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 8 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 3d April I received a few days since & should have Answered by the last Post but was obliged to go to Chambly to give Directions about some Gondeloes building there. I heartily Congratulate you, on the success of your Arms against Boston & am sorry it is not in my power to give you a more pleasing Accot of our Affairs in this Country, which wear no very favourable aspect at...
11768From George Washington to Adam Babcock, 8 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Adam Babcock, 8 May 1776. Babcock’s letter to GW of 6 May is endorsed in Stephen Moylan’s writing: “Ansd the 8th 1776.”
11769To George Washington from Major General John Thomas, 8 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on my arrival at the camp before Quebec, which was on the first instant, I examined into the state of the army, and found by the returns there were 1900 men. Of this number only a 1000 were fit for duty, Officers included; the remainder were Invalids, chiefly confined with the small pox. Three hundred of the effective were Soldiers whose inlistments expired the 15th Ultimo, many of...
11770General Orders, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
11771To George Washington from Landon Carter, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
If ever friendship gave vigor to the nerves of declining Age it will do it now—to enable me to acknowledge the receipt of your Favor March 27. I assure you I endorsed it the history of the evacuation of Boston. A mere Magnum in Parvo; and I read it with great pleasure to all our friends around. Permit me to say that you have made good the Prediction of my first acquaintance with you. A...
11772From George Washington to Thomas Cushing, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 3d Instt on Tuesday Evening, covering that of the Committee of Salem to your Honorable Court, and Judging the Intelligence Interesting and important, I immediately forwarded Copies of both to Congress by the Express, for them to give such order & direction respecting It, as they might think proper & requisite. I have not yet received their Answer, as soon as I do,...
11773From George Washington to Major Christopher French, 9 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Major Christopher French, 9 May 1776. French’s letter to GW of April 1776 is endorsed in Stephen Moylan’s writing: “ansd 9th May 1776.”
11774From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I was on the Road from Cambrid[g]e to this Place, I received a Letter from a Gentleman who subscribed it, Le Baron de Colbiac . He therein mentions that he was a Captain of Dragoons in the French Service, that he comes to offer his Service to the United Colonies, that he attempted to come about the latter End of November, was taken by an English Frigate commanded by Capt. Young with 160...
11775From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th Ulto from Williamsburg (the first I have receivd from you since you left this City) came to my hands by the last Post. I thank you for your kind congratulations on our Possession of Boston—I thank you also for your good wishes in our future operation’s—and hope that every diabolical attempt to deprive Mankind of their Inherent Rights and Priviledges, whether made in the...
11776From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 27 & 28 ultimo Came in Course to hand, I am glad that you have given your attention to the works, which I doubt not, are by this time Completed. it will give me pleasure to hear that they are, for should these accounts of Hessian & Hanoverian Troops Comeing over prove true, it is possible the enemy may make some attempts to regain a footing in your Province. I have...
11777To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Mr Harrison’s Letter of the second Instant, I am acquainted that you have been informed “the Regiments stationed on Dorchester Heights and Bunker Hill have not been employed in carryin[g] on the works for the defence of Boston,” which Representation is an injurious falsehood; and I beg to be informed who made it. I have paid the strictest attention to your Instructions, and constantly...
11778General Orders, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Colonel of Artillery, constantly to employ the whole of the officers, and men off guard, in placing the Guns upon their proper platforms, providing a sufficient quantity of filled Cartridges, and fix’d Ammunition for each Gun; seeing the Shot, Rammers, Spunges and Ladles with all the necessary Atraile , brought to the Batteries where they are to be used, and continually keeping as many...
11779From George Washington to Preeson Bowdoin, 10 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Preeson Bowdoin, 10 May 1776. Bowdoin’s letter to GW of 6 May is endorsed in Stephen Moylan’s writing: “Phila. May 6th 1776. ansd Do 10th.”
11780To George Washington from Ensign Duncan Campbell, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the treatment I have met with since I left General Schuyler, I am under the Necessity of aplying to Your Excellency for redress: being fully convinced from Your General Character, that you will do me all manner of Justice. I beg leave to lay before Your Excellency a true state of some Arms I had in my Custody belonging to the Officers of the 26th Regiment taken Prisoners in Canada. The...
11781To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 5th and 7th Inst., which I had the Honour of laying before Congress. By the enclosed Resolves you will perceive the Sense of Congress upon some Parts of your Letters. The others are under the Consideration of different Committees. As soon as I am authorized, I will do myself the Pleasure of immediately transmitting the Result....
11782To George Washington from John Langdon, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed you, by George Marchant who says he’s one of the Riflemen that went from Cambridge, under General Arnold to Attack Quebeck, was taken prisoner, crossing the river at that place, sent to England in Irons, has just return’d, by way of Hallifax, from whence he made his Escape with some others in a small Boat, he arrived at Old York, yesterday, when he inform’d the Committee of...
11783To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The most compendious method to give you an idea of the state of your Province is to inclose to you the result of a Council of Officers every article of which is approv’d by your Convention —We have just receivd an express from N. Carolina informing us of the arrival of eight large Transports in Cape Fear River on the whole containing as it is suppos’d, about two thousand Men—I had before, on a...
11784From George Washington to George Mason, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The uncertainty of my return, and the justice of surrendering to Mr Custis, the Bonds which I have taken for the Monies raised from his Estate and lent out upon Interest. As also his Moiety of his deceased Sister’s Fortune (consisting of altogether of Bonds &c.) obliges me to have recourse to a friend to see this matter done, and a proper memorandum of the transaction made. I could think of no...
11785To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Favor of the 3d instant, by Mr Bennet; which was delivered on Wednesday Evening, General Sullivan arrived here at six that Afternoon, half an Hour before that I returned from Fort George, having embarked General Thompson with the last of his Brigade, on the Morning of the preceeding Day. Immediately on the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the...
11786To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Canada Post is just arrived and has brought me the Enclosed, I was requested by the Commissioners to seal & forward that to Congress There can be no Impropriety in Your Excellency’s perusing It, I have therefore left It open to be sealed before It leaves You. The little Quantity of Provisions at Quebec is truly Allarming, they will receive all that was at the Posts above, by General...
11787To George Washington from Samuel Stringer, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Upon a receipt of orders yesterday to prepare for Canada with the Hospital under my Direction, I laid before General Schuyler a State of my Establishment, consisting (by resolve of Congress last Septr) of only four Mates besides myself, which he once before laid before that Honble Board without the desired Effect; whereupon he has now requested me to apply to you for a Reinforcement, or...
11788To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
after a Voyage of four Days I arrived at this place where I found Stark & Reeds Regiments who had by order of General Schuyler been Detained here for Boats none of which were then in Readiness for the Troops—General Schuyler arrived here on the Evening of the Eighth Instant I waited on him Immediately he Informed that the Coming of So many Troops was So unexpected that he had not Batteaus to...
11789From George Washington to Lund Washington, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I am not able to form any Idea of the time of my return, and as it is very reasonable and just that Mr Custis should be possessed of his Estate, although it is not in my power (circumstanced as I am at present) to Liquidate the Accounts and make a final settlement with him, I have wrote to the Clerk of the Secretary’s Office for Authentic Copies of the last Accounts which I exhibited...
11790General Orders, 11 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
All Officers, non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers, belonging to the regiments at present encamped, are on no pretence (sickness excepted) to lay out of their respective encampments. Col. Wyllys’s regiment, to march to morrow morning, at eight o’clock, and encamp on the ground, marked out for them in their brigade. The Regiment and Company of Artillery, to be quarter’d in the Barracks of the...
11791To George Washington from James Bowdoin, 11 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Bowdoin, 11 May 1776. GW refers in his letter to Bowdoin of 10 June to “your Letter of the 11th Ulto.”
11792To George Washington from the Continental Congress Secret Committee, 11 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Complyance with an order of Congress passed Yesterday, We forward by the bearer hereof Ten Tons of Gun Powder which Your Excellency will cause the proper officers to receive and upon this & every similar Occasion We beg the favour of a line from You or the Commissary, acknowledging the receipt of such Powder or other stores as We may send to your department. We have The Honor to be Your...
11793From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 4 & 7 Instt with their several inclosures, & am exceedingly glad that before the Resolution respecting Lt Colo. Ogden came to hand, I had ordered him to Join his Regiment, and had quelled a disagreable spirit both of mutiny and desertion which had taken place & seemed to be rising to a great degree in consequence of It—In order to...
11794To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 11 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I found It impossible to leave Town to Day as I had intended, It is lucky That I did not, for I just now received an Express from Fort George advising me that amongst the Nails I had ordered from Canada there were very few of those wanted for the Bottoms of the Boats; This Account has plunged me into almost Inextricable Difficulty, as I can procure only four hundred Weight in this Town, I have...
11795General Orders, 12 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Carpenters, Boat Builders, and Painters, who were selected for the public service this morning, by Major Genl Putnam, are to parade to morrow morning at Sunrise, in the Street opposite to Genl Putnam’s, where they will receive his orders. Corpl John Crossly of Capt. Ledyards Company, in Col. McDougall’s regiment, tried at a late General Court Martial, whereof Col. Huntington was president,...
11796To George Washington from Ensign Peter Clayes, 12 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
[New York] May 12, 1776 . “Being the officer of the guard at the old City-Hall over the prisoners confined by order of the Provincial Congress, I was very disagreeably surprised by a very tumultuous noise, occasioned by the mob bringing a certain Charles Oliver Bruff , on suspicion of being a Tory, who is now in my custody.” Asks for GW’s orders regarding Bruff. Force, American Archives Peter...
11797To George Washington from Commodore Esek Hopkins, 12 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Captn Jones in the Providence I have sent you as many of your Officers and Soldiers as I could Collect but some of them that I took onboard are Sick and some have left the Fleet, for what Reason I can’t tell. Shall Collect as many of those that are left behind as soon as possible and send them by the first Opportunity and Advertize the Remainder as Deserters tho’ the Officers tell me they...
11798To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 12 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Boston, 12 May 1776 . “The Bearer has this moment arrived with some accounts from England, I have directed the Asst Q. M. Genl to furnish him with a Horse and money to carry him to New York, which Horse he is to deliver to the Q. M. Genl at New York.” LS , PHi : Dreer Collection; LB , MHi : Ward Papers. The bearer was undoubtedly George Merchant who arrived at GW’s headquarters with his...
11799General Orders, 13 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major Genl Putnam, with the Brigadiers General, Spencer, and Lord Stirling, to examine, and make report of the proper places to be fixed upon for the particular alarm posts of each regiment. Col. Webb’s, and Col. Nixon’s regiments to be muster’d, wednesday morning at eight o’Clock, upon their regimental parades, in the front of their encampment. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The following...
11800From George Washington to captured British naval officers, 13 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to captured British naval officers, 13 May 1776. The letter that four captured British naval officers at Providence wrote to GW on 5 May is endorsed in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing: “Ansd 13.”