1From George Washington to John Hancock, 4–5 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 24th July accompanied by 284 Commissions, which are yet much short of the necessary Number. I am much honoured by the Confidence reposed in me of appointing the several Officers recommended in mine of the 10th ult.; and shall endeavour to select such Persons, as are best qualified to fill those important Posts. General Thomas has accepted...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Chase, 4 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Colo. Harrison yesterday having informed Me that a Constitutional Post Office is now established, and that You are appointed the Head of that Department, the present Deputies I doubt not will be removed, particularly in this City and Baltimore Town. Give Me Leave to recommend Mr. York as a Rider from Philadelphia. I never heard an Imputation on his Character and...
3General Orders, 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
It is with Indignation and Shame, the General observes, that notwithstanding the repeated Orders which have been given to prevent the firing of Guns, in and about Camp; that it is daily and hourly practised; that contrary to all Orders, straggling Soldiers do still pass the Guards, and fire at a Distance, where there is not the least probability of hurting the enemy, and where no other end is...
4To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
This covers the Observations as Usual. Capt. Morton who came out of Boston yesterday in the afternoon informs that a little before he came away the Generals went over the ferry to Bunker Hill to consult (as it was said) upon the propriety of taking possession of a considerable eminence in this Town a little West of Winnisimmit Ferry commonly known by the name of Greens Hill; and I am informd...
5From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favoured with yours of the 31st July—we have yet no certain Account of the Fleet which sailed out of Boston the 25th but if our Conjectures & Information are just we may expect to hear of it every Hour. I am now, Sir, in strict Confidence to acquaint you that our Necessities in the Articles of Powder & Lead are so great as to require an immediate Supply—I must earnestly intreat...
6From George Washington to a Committee of the Massachusetts Council, 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have an Extract of such parts of my Instruction’s as I conceive you want to be informed in —I did not know whether, as the proceedings of the Congress are not yet made publick, how far I was at liberty to communicate what I have—further I cannot go at present. I beg the favour of you to make a tender of my best respects to your honourable board & do me the justice to believe that...
7From George Washington to Lewis Morris, 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 18th Ulto by Messrs Ogdan & Burr, & wish it was in my power to do that justice to the merits of those Gentlemen which you think them entitled to—whenever it is, I shall not be unmindful of your recommendations —The two or three appointments with which I have been honour’d by the Congress were partly engaged before I receiv’d your Letter, & you will...
8From George Washington to the New Hampshire Committee of Safety, 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your publick Capacity, & the Hope that you will be both able & willing, to give us some Assistance, has led me to make this Application. The Situation of the Army, as to Ammunition, is by no Means what it ought to be. We have great Reason to suspect, the Enemy very soon intend to bombard our Lines; & our Stock of Powder is so small, as in a great Degree to make our heavy Artillery useless. I...
9From George Washington to William Trent, 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 22d Ulto came to my hands a few days ago —the hurry of business in which General Gates necessarily got Involved immediately upon his arrival at this Camp put your Memorandum out of his head; which was a matter of no consequence, as Colo. Mercer is already fully advertised of every circumstance relative to the Sale of his Estate. As I have none of the Papers with me, I cannot...
10From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured [with] yours of the 31st July informing me that the new Levies were coming forward with all Expedition; As the Enemy has lain longer inactive than I expected I hope they will arrive in Time to give us their Assistance. My Last Letter from the Honble Continental Congress recommends my procuring from the Colonies of Rode Island & Connecticut a Quantity of Tow Cloth for the Purpose...