121[Diary entry: 5 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
5. Dined at Mr. Richard Penns. On a Committee all the Afternn. This was the committee appointed on 3 June to estimate the amount of money needed to be raised.
122[Diary entry: 5 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
5. Raining more or less all day. Wind abt. No. Et.
123[Diary entry: 6 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
6. At Mr. Willm. Hamiltons & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.
124[Diary entry: 6 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
6. A little lowering and in the Mid day warm.
125[Diary entry: 7 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
7. Dined at the City Tavern and spent the Evening at home. GW’s committee to estimate the amount of money to be raised today gave its report, which was referred to the committee of the whole ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 2:81). GW made a number of purchases on this day, including “5...
126[Diary entry: 7 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
7. Lowering all day—especially in the Evening. Cool.
127To George Washington from James Cleveland, 7 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
These lines Comes to Let you know how I go one With improven First I Cleard & got in Corn a bote 20 or 25 acares or More Which is More than I rote Before I have bult as Much as Would be praised To a bout 160 Pounds by the Men that is to prais⟨e⟩ It as the lands is hard to Clear & rail timber very Schase I find from Expearance that buld in is the Best Way I have rote so Much a bout the sarvents...
128[Diary entry: 8 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
8. Dined at Mr. Dickensons and spent the Evening at home.
129[Diary entry: 8 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
8. Lowering in the forenoon but clear afterwards and warm.
130[Diary entry: 9 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
9. Dined at Mr. Saml. Pleasants and went to hear Mr. Piercy preach.
131[Diary entry: 9 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
9. Clear after the Morning and very warm.
132[Diary entry: 10 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined at Mr. Saml. Griffens. Spent the Evening in my own Room.
133[Diary entry: 10 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
10. Lowering Morning but clear afterwards. A
134[Diary entry: 11 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
11th. Went to Church in the forenoon & then went out & Dined at Mr. H. Hills. Returnd in the Afternoon.
135[Diary entry: 11 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
11. Very warm with little or no wind in the forenoon—a thunder gust in the Afternoon & cooler.
136[Diary entry: 12 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
12. Dined at the City Tavern & Spent the Evening at my lodgings.
137[Diary entry: 12 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
12. Warm with Showers about Noon—Cooler afterwards.
138[Diary entry: 13 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
13. Dined at Burn’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodging’s.
139[Diary entry: 13 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
13th. Clear but somewhat Cool.
140[Diary entry: 14 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
14. Dined at Mr. Saml. Merediths. Spent the Evening at home. After Congress resolved that “six companies of expert rifflemen, be immediately raised in Pensylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia . . . That each company, as soon as compleated, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army,” it named...
141[Diary entry: 14 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
14. Very warm—being clear & the wind Southerly.
142[Diary entry: 15 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
15. Dined at Burns’s in the Field. Spent the Eveng. on a Committee. Congress resolved today “that a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 2:91). GW, nominated by Thomas Johnson of...
143[Diary entry: 15 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
15. Clear, and Cooler than Yesterday.
144To George Washington from Martha Washington, 15 June 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Martha Washington, 15 June 1775. On 18 June 1775 GW wrote to his wife : “I have receivd your Letter of the 15th.”
145To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 15 June 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Parke Custis, 15 June 1775. On 19 June 1775 GW wrote to Custis : “I have receiv’d your Letter of the 15th Instt.”
146[Diary entry: 16 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
16. Dined at Doctr. Cadwaladers. Spent the Evening at my lodgings. GW was informed officially in Congress of his appointment as general and commander in chief, and he read his acceptance speech “standing in his place.” He refused the salary which Congress had voted, asking only that his expenses be paid. Other resolutions on this day set up an establishment of major generals, brigadiers,...
147[Diary entry: 16 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
16. Cooler, wind Easterly, & somewhat lowering.
148Address to the Continental Congress, 16 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
The President informed Colo. Washington that the Congress had yesterday, Unanimously made choice of him to be General & Commander in Chief of the American Forces, and requested he would accept of that Appointment; whereupon Colo. Washington, standing in his place, Spake as follows. “Mr President, Tho’ I am truly sensible of the high Honour done me in this Appointment, yet I feel great...
149[Diary entry: 17 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. Dined at Burns’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.
150[Diary entry: 17 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. Clear and warm with but little Wind & that So.
151From 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.”
152[Diary entry: 18 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
18. Dined at Mullens upon Schoolkill. Spent the Evening at my lodgings. Thomas Mullen opened a tavern called Vauxhall, at Passyunk on the Schuylkill River, in 1775. His wife, Peggy Mullen (d. 1774), had run the famous Beefsteak House on Water Street which GW probably had visited the previous year (see entry for 12 Oct. 1774 ; JACKSON Joseph Jackson. “Washington in Philadelphia.” Pennsylvania...
153[Diary entry: 18 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
18. Very warm, and but little wind—clear.
154From George Washington to Martha Washington, 18 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am now set down to write to you on a subject which fills me with inexpressable concern—and this concern is greatly aggravated and Increased when I reflect on the uneasiness I know it will give you—It has been determined in Congress, that the whole Army raised for the defence of the American Cause shall be put under my care, and that it is necessary for me to proceed immediately to Boston to...
155From John Adams to George Washington, 19 June 1775; 20 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
In Complyance with your Request, I have considered of what you proposed, and am obliged to give you my Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men, Such, whose Judgment and Integrity may be most relyed on. I mean the Committee on the State...
156To George Washington from John Adams, 19–20 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Complyance with your Request, I have considered of what you proposed, and am obliged to give you my Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men, Such, whose Judgment and Integrity may be most relyed on. I mean the Committee on the State...
157[Diary entry: 19 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
19. Dined at Colo. Rieds. Spent the Evening at Mr. Lynch’s. Thomas Lynch, Sr. (1727–1776), a South Carolina planter, was a member of the Continental Congress 1774–76. He had served for many years in the South Carolina legislature and was a member of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. Silas Deane, a Massachusetts delegate for Congress, wrote that Lynch was “plain, sensible, above ceremony, and...
158[Diary entry: 19 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
19. Very warm in the forenoon but cooler much afterwds. Wind shifting Northerly.
159Commission from the Continental Congress, 19 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I n C ongress T he delegates of the United Colonies of New-hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode-island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle Kent & Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina T o G eorge W ashington Esquire W e reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, conduct and fidelity Do by these presents constitute and...
160From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 19 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am now Imbarkd on a tempestuous Ocean from whence, perhaps, no friendly harbour is to be found. I have been called upon by the unanimous Voice of the Colonies to the Command of the Continental Army—It is an honour I by no means aspired to—It is an honour I wished to avoid, as well from an unwillingness to quit the peaceful enjoyment of my Family as from a thorough conviction of my own...
161From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 19 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been called upon by the unanimous voice of the Colonies to take the command of the Continental Army—It is an honour I neither sought after, or was by any means fond of accepting, from a consciousness of my own inexperience, and inability to discharge the duties of so important a Trust. However, as the partiallity of the Congress have placed me in this distinguished point of view, I can...
162From George Washington to the Officers of Five Virginia Independent Companies, 20 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am now about to bid adieu to the Companies under your respective commands, at least for a while—I have launched into a wide & extensive field, too boundless for my abilities, & far, very far beyond my experience—I am called by the unanimous voice of the Colonies to the command of the Continental army: an honour I did not aspire to—an honor I was sollicitous to avoid upon full conviction of...
163From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 20 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am now to bid adieu to you, & to every kind of domestick ease, for a while. I am Imbarked on a wide Ocean, boundless in its prospect & from whence, perhaps, no safe harbour is to be found[.] I have been called upon by the unanimous Voice of the Colonies to take the Command of the Continental Army—an honour I neither sought after, nor desired, as I am thoroughly convinced; that it requires...
164The Massachusetts Delegates to George Washington, 22 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
In Complyance with your Request We have considered of what you proposed to us, and are obliged to give you our Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men; Such, whose Judgment and Integrity, may be most rely’d on; the Committee on the State...
165Instructions from the Continental Congress, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Congress This Congress having appointed you to be General & Commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies and of all the forces raised or to be raised by them and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service and join the said army for the defence of American liberty and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair with all expedition to the colony of...
166To 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...
167To George Washington from the Massachusetts Delegates, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Complyance with your Request We have considered of what you proposed to us, and are obliged to give you our Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men; Such, whose Judgment and Integrity, may be most rely’d on; the Committee on the State...
168From George Washington to Martha Washington, 23 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
As I am within a few Minutes of leaving this City, I could not think of departing from it without dropping you a line; especially as I do not know whether it may be in my power to write again till I get to the Camp at Boston—I go fully trusting in that Providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve, & in full confidence of a happy meeting with you sometime in the Fall—I have...
169To George Washington from Valentine Crawford, 24 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I [am] verey Sorrey to Enform you I Recved a Letter from Mr Cleaveland of the 7th of June wherein he Seems to be in a good dale of destress[.] five of the Sarvents has Run a way and plagued him a good dale[.] the[y] got to the Indens towns Butt by the Esesten [assistance] of one Mr duncan a trador he has got them again and he has Sent three of them up By a Man he had hired with a Letter to My...
170From George Washington to the Continental Congress, 25 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Rain on Friday Afternoon & Saturday—the Advice of several Gentlemen of the Jerseys & this City, by no Means to cross Hudsons River at the Lower Ferry, and some other Circumstances, too trivial to mention, prevented my Arrival at this Place untill the Afternoon of this Day. In the Morning, after giving General Schuyler such Orders as, from the Result of my Enquiry into Matters here, appear...