26311From George Washington to James Craik, 24 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
A French fleet and army may possibly arrive in a short time at Rhode Island. At the request of Mr De Corni, Commissary of War to His Most Christian Majesty, (wishing to make previous to their arrival the necessary provision of hospitals and refreshments for the sick) I am to desire you will without delay proceed to Providence in the State of Rhode Island and undertake the care of this...
26312State of Matters Laid Before the Committee at Headquarters, c.25–31 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The plan adopted by the committee in their late circular letter to the States is a very judicious preliminary step—but something more definitive ought to be done. Offensive operations—on our part—are doubtless expected—We should in the first place then settle the number of Men requisite for the greatest enterprize we can undertake, and against the whole force the enemy can bring together. That...
26313George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 25 May 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 25, 1780 . Approves of circular letter which the committee plans to issue to the states, but wishes to have greater emphasis placed on problem of obtaining men. Considers drafting only “efficacious” means of obtaining men. Copy, in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26314[Diary entry: 25 May 1780] (Washington Papers)
25th. Warm—The Wind blowing fresh from the West, or So. West—Exceeding dry and dusty with appearances of rain in the afternoon—but none fell.
26315General Orders, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Stark[,] Major C. Stewart[,] Brigade Major 2d penna Brigade The Criminals now under Sentence of death are to be executed tomorrow morning Eleven o clock near the Grand parade: Fifty men properly officered from each brigade to attend—The Camp colour men from the Pennsylvania—Connecticutt and York Lines under the direction of a Serjeant from...
26316To George Washington from the Board of War, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress having entered into the Inclosed Resolution of the 21st of April; The Board have been considering of such Methods of carrying it into execution as would be most advantageous to the Public, and at the same time be most likely to procure an immediate Supply to the Prisoners: They have attempted to get the Bills negociated in New York, but the demands of the persons they applied to, were...
26317To George Washington from Henry Champion, Sr., 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency, this State have adopted the Measures Recommended by Congress Regulating the Comys Dept., & have done me the Honor to appoint me their superintending Comy, but have Change’d the Chief of my Assistant Purchasers, those New appointed (tho very good men) are not so Experience’d, & Cannot go on at this, the most Critical Junction to advantage at first Setting out, I...
26318From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of the 23d & 24th which accompanies this—I have also directed the Issuing Commissary Colo. Stewart, to forward a Hundred Barrells of flour from hence without delay to New Windsor to be conveyed from thence by Colo. Hay to Albany to Colo. Vanschaick, as a further supply for Fort Schuyler. I hope it will not be long before it arrives at Albany, from whence I have requested Colo....
26319From George Washington to the Committee at Headquarters, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have attentively considered the circular letter to the different States which you did me the honor to communicate for my perusal, and I am happy to find, that my ideas perfectly correspond with those of the Committee. The view they have given of our situation is just, full & explicit; The measures they have recommended are well adapted to the emergency and of indispensable necessity. I very...
26320To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis de la fyette, and Monsieur de Cornie, have made several propositions to me, for furnishing for the use of the French Army expected, a certain number of Waggons, draft, and saddle Horses; and they wish me to employ the Continental Agents, and such others in the business as I may think necessary. I wish to know whether your Excellency will approve of my undertaking the business, as I...
26321From George Washington to William Greene, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Craick, Assistant Director General of the Hospitals in our Army, will have the honor of delivering this Letter to your Excellency. This Gentleman comes to providence to provide Hospitals and such refreshments as may be wanted in the first instance for the Sick, which may be on board the Fleet of His Most Christian Majesty when it arrives. The Doctor will consult with Your Excellency...
26322To George Washington from Alida Livingston Hansen Hoffman, 25 May 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alida Livingston Hansen Hoffman, 25 May 1780. On this date, GW wrote Hoffman regarding her “letter of this date.”
26323From George Washington to Alida Livingston Hansen Hoffman, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It gives me sincere pain to inform you that I cannot comply with the request contained in your letter of this date. In consenting to Mrs Ogdens coming out in the first instance, the feelings of humanity, & not my powers were consulted—the latter were exceeded—I was prompted to the measure from the peculiar situation in which you were represented to be, at the time. This I thought might justify...
26324From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Two favors of the 22d Instant. The distresses of the Troops under yr Comd give me great pain and what adds to it is, I have it not in my power to administer to their relief. Our situation here is equally melancholy—for the Troops on several days have been entirely without meat—and at best on half & quarter allowance for a considerable time. I very sincerely hope that You...
26325To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have been lately out to Horse Neck—I warn’d the Officer of Militia of it, for I had Intelligence of their Intentions—Their Guard however was surpris’d—three were kill’d & two wounded, several Inhabitants carried off & two Houses burnt —They have been, & are collecting Horses from Long Island & elsewhere, & by the Choice they observe in the selecting them, they are for Men, not Teams,...
26326To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Being suddenly disappointed in my expectation of retiring from this place by land in company with Colonel Ternant—I have scarcely a moment for paying Your Excellency my respects and informing that I am in the number of prisoners by Capitulation—It is the greatest and most humiliating misfortune of my life, to be reduced to a state of inactivity at so important a juncture as the present —My...
26327From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote requesting You to join me at this Camp, some events have taken place, which will make it necessary for me to alter the arrangements I then had in contemplation. This being the case, You will be pleased to remain for the present where You are till You hear from me. I am Dr sir with great regard & esteem Yr Most Obedt st LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, CSmH ; Df , DLC:GW...
26328To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with yours of the 18th last evening—& will in consequence render myself in Camp the latter end of next week —when I shall esteem myself honored by any commands you may please to favor me with. We have nothing new from Charles town—the Investiture was compleated on the 28th Ultimo —all rank’s of people are anxiously waiting the event, may it be favorable, & may your Excellency put...
26329[Diary entry: 26 May 1780] (Washington Papers)
26th. Wind fresh from the Westwd. Very warm—dusty & dry—Also hazy with appearances of Rain but none fell.
26330General Orders, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Irvine[,] Major Reid[,] Brigade Major Church For manœuvring tomorrow Colonels Livingston and Johnston, Lieutenant Colonels Sumner and Hay; Adjutants from the 2nd Pennsylvania and Hand’s Brigades; Colours as usual Brigade Major Bradford to attend the Formation &ca The Battalions to be formed on the Grand Parade at Six o clock in the Morng....
26331Proclamation of Pardon, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esquire, General and Commander in Chief of The Forces of The United States of America. Whereas Emanuel Evans soldier in the 3d Cornelius Nix soldier in the 1st And Thomas Brown soldier in the 2nd Jersey Regiments—Also Joseph Infelt & John Earhart Soldiers in the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment—likewise Matthew Bell Soldier in the 2nd James Hanly soldier in the...
26332To George Washington from the Board of War, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colo. Connolly has a son about ten years old who is an ensign in the 17th regt British. His parents are anxious to get him into New York to put him to school. His father wrote a letter to your Excellency requesting your permission for his going in on parole: but as that letter may have miscarried, and the lad’s mother has repeatedly importuned us on the subject, We beg leave to ask your...
26333From George Washington to Henry Champion, Sr., 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
We are in a situation of extremity for want of meat. The Troops on several days have been entirely destitute of Any—and for a considerable time past—they have been at best at half—at Quarter—at an Eighth allowance of this essential ⟨Arti⟩cle—This distress produced a mutiny last night in the Connecticut line. I entreat your best & every exertion to give us relief. I am Dr sir, with great regard...
26334To George Washington from James Duane, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have Intelligence from Charles Town which leaves it in our possession as lately as the 3d or 4th Inst. and we may from the Silence of the Enemy at New york extend our Hopes to the 10th or 12th. The best and most direct account is to our Friend Mr Jones from Gen Woodford. He has this moment promised me to communicate it to your Excellency which he will do much better than I can from my...
26335From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I wish you to write to Providence for a return of the number of Boats there, & their condition—also to direct that they may be put in order without loss of time. Doctor Craick who is going to that quarter will afford you an opportunity of writing —You will likewise be pleased to give the same directions respecting those in Connecticut & Delaware Rivers. I am Df , in Richard Kidder Meade’s...
26336To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that a party of the British came from Statten Island last nigh[t], in boats and escorted by some gun boats to cover their landing, and embarking if necessary; they landed near New Ark about break of day, but made no surprise on the Troops; they came into the Town between break of day and sunrise, it is supposed they had from 200 to 270 Men and one Field piece....
26337To George Washington from Captain William McMurray et al., 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
We the subscribers Officers in the Corps of Sappers & Miners, hoped and expected, when we solicited and accepted Commissions in said Corps, that we should find our duty a species of service, well worthy the ambition and zeal of those who wish to acquire Military knowledge. Had the first and sixteenth articles of the regulations of the Corps been put in practice, we firmly believe it would have...
26338To George Washington from Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning a letter without Signature was found in the Rear of this Brigade with complaints of want of provisions, and intimations that if matter was not redress’d immediately, the troops would march into the Country —Roll Call was attended as usual without any appearance of disturbance, at which time I mention’d the letter and caution’d the Officers to exert themselves in case any...
26339To George Washington from Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a Return of the 2d & 4th Regt L[igh]t D[ragoons] for the month of May 1780 —Your Excellency has been informed of the manner in which my Regt has been cantoned thro’ the winter past —Without public Magazines, & wholly dependant on the exertions of the Civil Authority, our Supplies of forage have been very short & precarious—Under these disadvantages, however, by the close...
26340From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite pain I inform You, that we are reduced to a situation of extremity for want of meat. On several days of late the Troops have been entirely destitute of Any—and for a considerable time past they have been at best, at a half—a quarter—an Eighth allowance of this essential Article of provision. The men have borne their distress with a firmness and patience never exceeded—and...
26341From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27–28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite pain I inform Congress, that we are reduced again to a situation of extremity for want of meat. On several days of late, the Troops have been entirely destitute of any, and for a considerable time past they have been at best—at half—a quarter—an Eighth allowance of this essential article of provision. The men have borne their distress in general with a firmness and patience...
26342[Diary entry: 27 May 1780] (Washington Papers)
27th. Very warm and extreme⟨ly⟩ dusty. The Wind in the forepart of the day blew fresh from the South West. Afterwards it got more to the West or No. West. Clouds & appearances of Rain but none fell here.
26343General Orders, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Colonel Stewart[,] Major Leavensworth[,] Brigade Major Clinton’s Brigade A Corporal and six men from the 1st pennsylvania Brigade with two days provisions and their Arms to be sent tomorrow morning seven o clock to General Greenes Quarters in Morristown: They will receive their orders from him. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Maj. Nicholas Fish was the brigade...
26344From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
From the opinion I entertained of your services I was sorry to hear in the first instance when the matter was communicated to me, that You were about to leave the Army & had actually resigned your Commission to the Quarter Master General. An event is soon to take place which will still encrease my concern on this head. We have every reason to expect, that an Armament composed of Land & Sea...
26345To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have used every Endeavour since I left Camp to procure and forward Provisions, and have met with some success —the Merchants of this City have lent me two hundred Barrels of Beef and Pork, I have purchased one hundred barrels, and taken Sixty Head of Cattle from the Graziers below this City, hope to make up two hundd more in this and Lancaster County—two hundred Barrels of Pork came from...
26346From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive Your Letter of the 22d Instant. The exertions of the Board to relieve our distresses and the good Offices of the Merchants were most timely. The Army never stood in greater need of them. On several days the Troops have been entirely destitute of provision of this kind—and at best they have only received for a considerable time past, but an Eighth—a...
26347To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency concerning Jones and the Negro, I consulted two Lawyers and some Magistrates, they say, that there is a Law of the State that their crimes will come under, as a misdemsnor but will not afect their lives. Jones is a young lad, of about 21 Years of age, has the carracter of being very innofensive, and rather soft before this spring; that he has gone over 4 or 5...
26348To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 28 May 1780–7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The quæries which Your Excellency has stated, and on which you have done me the honor to request my opinion, are on a Subject so exceedingly Interesting and Important that I feel my Inability to consider It [a]s extensively as you wish, I shall however attempt to state my Ideas on the Occassion, and to regard It in every point of view I am able. It seems requisite in order to enable us to...
26349George Washington to George Clinton, 28 May 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1780 . Informs Clinton of march of the New York Brigade and the brigade’s need for supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26350George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 May 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1780 . Instructs Howe to convey the New York Brigade from Kings Ferry to Newburgh. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26351George Washington to Joseph Reed, 28 May 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1780 . Discusses the “circumstances of our allies as well as our own” and emphasizes necessity of cooperation with France. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26352[Diary entry: 28 May 1780] (Washington Papers)
28th. Clear morning and rather Cooler than yesterday—the wind being pretty fresh from the No. West—but warm afterwards with but little of it.
26353General Orders, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Hubly[,] Major J. Moore[,] Brigade Major Stark’s Brigade The Pennsylvania Division Hand’s and Stark’s brigades give the Morristown Guards & fatigue this Week. A Detachment from the Line to parade tomorrow at Guard mounting with three days provisions their blankets and 40 rounds ⅌ man: Major Talbot will take command of them: a...
26354To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
As the Forage to be furnish’d by the different States will be wanted for the use of the Army and should be hastend to such points as it may most probably be consumed at, it will be necessary to apply to the executive Authority of the States of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania, not only to hasten the delivery of the Forage at the places name’d by your Excellency, but to give their...
26355To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Opinion you are pleased to entertain of my past Service and my Capacity to be of further use, in Case of active Operations, does me the highest honour. I should not have proposed to retire if the Situation of my Accounts had not required my Attention to settling them, but the prospect of such a happy Event as the receiving powerful Aid from France to Co operate with us, will make it...
26356From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the intelligence from Your Excellency communicated to me by General Schuyler, I have put the New York Brigade under orders to march tomorrow morning for the North River. They will proceed to Kings ferry, and from thence in boats to New burgh—where sloops with provisions must be ready to convey them to Albany. General Schuyler will give Your Excellency a ful⟨la⟩ccount of our...
26357To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
From New York I understand they are in daily expectation of a French fleet upon the coast—They are busily employ’d in building a large fort at Cuyler’s hook —the naval force very small not more than one frigate and three or four privateers in the harbour. The Galatea on tuesday last brought into the harbour, the privateer ship Harrison and sailed again the day before yesterday on a cruise....
26358To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I herewith send your Excellency the Estimates which Colonel Hamilton requested me to furnish yesterday. The want of full information upon several points, from the deranged state of the Quarter Master’s department for some time past, prevents my being as exact as I could wish; but I believe the Estimates are sufficient to ground the applications upon for all such articles as the states are to...
26359To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this evening Honored with yours of the 15th Instant handed to me by the Honble Mr Bowdoin, no endeavours shall be wanting to obtain the intelligence required, a Flag is now in the Harbour from Hallifax, a Gentleman who came in the Flag and is to return, has business to transact with Mr Bowdoin, I have requested mr Bowdoin to ask Several questions respecting the works, Garrison Ships &c....
26360From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the late incursion of the enemy upon the frontiers of New York, I have determined to march the Brigade of that state to its relief. It will commence its march tomorrow; and will probably arrive at Kings ferry on Wednesday evening —I wish you to have a sufficient number of boats at that place ready to receive the troops on their arrival and convey them with their baggage to...