1From George Washington to Philip Van Rensselaer, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 6 Inst. & am of Opinion as you have not a sufficient number of Armourers at Albany to repair the whole of the Arms in your possession that whatever more you have than can be repaired in a Conven[ien]t time, had better be sent immediately to the Armourers here—This will save much time which wou’d be lost were the Armourers to goe from hence & return again. I am &c....
2From George Washington to Nathaniel Woodhull, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I have no dou⟨bt of the Willingness of the⟩ Militia of this City to Join ⟨in Its defence against the⟩ Attempts of the Enemies of America; It is ⟨highly necessary⟩ in order to avoid confusion in the time of any ⟨alarm⟩ that the Posts of the Several Regiments of Mi⟨litia be⟩ fixed on in Conjunction with those of the Conti⟨nental⟩ Army, and that they be allotted to the Brigades ⟨most⟩...
3From George Washington to Clark & Nightingale, 17 May 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clark & Nightingale, 17 May 1776. On 27 May Clark & Nightingale wrote to GW : “Your Favour of the 17th Instant . . . We have Rec’d.” This letter was apparently very similar to GW’s letter of this date to Nicholas and John Brown.
4General Orders, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Wolverton’s Company of New-Jersey, is to join Genl Greene’s brigade—the Captain to take his orders from the General, respecting his post. An exact return of the pikes to be made without delay; and of the state of the arms in each regiment and corps, specifying the number of each kind, wanting to compleat. The damage done to Mr house yesterday by the bursting of one of the cannon, to be...
5To George Washington from Valentine Rathbun, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Richmond [Mass.] 17 May 1776. Asks GW “to consider that it is of the last, utmost importance to the cause, that the Militia be furnished with ammunition without loss of time.” Force, American Archives Peter Force, ed. American Archives . 9 vols. Washington, D.C., 1837–53. , 4th ser., 6:504. Valentine Rathbun (1724–1814), a prominent Baptist and Patriot leader in Berkshire County, made this...
6From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 17 May 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Having arrived here but lately I have little to communicate. I have been so long out of the political world that I am almost a new man in it. You will have heard before this reaches you of the naval engagement in the Delaware. There are letters in town it is said from General Sullivan which inform that the lower town of Quebec is taken and a breach made in the wall of the upper; but I do not...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14 Instant I received this morning and am exceedingly sorry for the sad reverse of fortune in our Affairs in Canada—they are rather alarming, But I still hope our vigorous exertions will be attended with success, Notwithstanding the present unpromising appearances, & that we shall yet acquire & maintain possession of that Country, so important to us in the present contest. I...
8To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the Armed Schooner Franklin, Captain Mugford this day took and bro’t into this Harbour a large Ship from Cork, Several other armed Schooners were in company. A Bill of Lading I have inclosed, by which you will see that she is a very valuable Prize; she carried four three pounders, and is about three hundred tons burthen. She came out the...
9John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have this Morning heard Mr. Duffil upon the Signs of the Times. He run a Parrallell between the Case of Israel and that of America, and between the Conduct of Pharaoh and that of George. Jealousy that the Israelites would throw off the Government of Egypt made him issue his Edict that the Midwives should cast the Children into the River, and the other Edict that the Men should make a large...
10From George Washington to Nicholas Brown and John Brown, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d you have a Letter from Robert Morris Esqe Chairman of the secret Committee of Congress containing an Order for fourteen Musketts. The great necessity we are under for Arms, and your known attachment to the Cause will I doubt not stimulate you to forward them with all possible Expedition. I am Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servant LS , in William Palfrey’s writing, RPJCB ....