1From John Adams to Daniel Hitchcock, 24 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the Twenty Second is before me. You mention, the Delicacy of appointing, an Officer of the Same State over another. And you put the Case of Coll Varnum and yourself. I have been a long Time puzzled to account, for Varnums Standing on the List of Colonells before you, whom I know to be many Years older than that Gentleman, has been represented to me to be. I have heard, this young...
2From John Adams to William Tudor, 24 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of 18 and 19 of August are before me. I am much obliged to you for them, and am determined to pursue this Correspondence, untill I can obtain a perfect Knowledge of the Characters of our Field Officers. If the Colonell quits the Regiment Austin will certainly be promoted, unless Some Stain can be fixed upon his Character, Since he has been in the Army. His Genius is equal to any...
3To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams mentioned to me last evening that you wanted to know the state of our forts, the number of men we have to support the lines and the number of cannon in the town and vicinity of Boston. She desired I would write upon those matters. We have on Fort Hill in Boston a square fort about an hundred feet Curtin with four Bastions, a good ditch with pickets therein; a small fort at...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas McKean, 24 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I heard your Letter read in Congress relating to the Disposition of the German Troops; and understanding from Col. Ross, that they are canton’d on the Island opposite to the Jersey Shore, I send you herewith some of the Resolutions of the Congress translated into their Language, as possibly you may find some Opportunity of conveying them over the Water,...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Fraser, 24 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I took the liberty of addressing Some lines to you about two months ago, as I never was favour’d with an answer, perhaps they did not reach, even if they did, I am not Surprised that matters of importance shoud prevent any attention to them; however as it was about business of the utmost consequence to myself and the peace of my Family, I hope you will excuse me if I...
6General Orders, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
All the intrenching tools are to be collected, and delivered in to the store. Officers who have given receipts will be called upon, as they are answerable for them if there should be any deficiency. The General has appointed William Grayson Esqr. one of his Aide-du-Camps; he is to be obeyed and respected accordingly. In Case of action, any orders delivered by Col. Moylan Quarter Master...
7From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The irregularity of the Post prevents your receiving the early and constant Intelligence it is my Wish to communicate. This is the third Letter which you will, probably, receive from me by the same Post. The first was of little or no consequence, but that of yesterday gave you the best Information I had been able to obtain of the Enemy’s Landing, and movements upon Long Island. Having occasion...
8To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The late Conduct of Lord Drummond is as extraordinary, as his Motives are dark and mysterious. To judge the most favourably of his Intentions, it should seem, that an overweening Vanity has betrayed him into a criminal Breach of Honour. But whether his Views were upright, or intended only to mislead and deceive, cannot at present be a Matter of any Importance. In the mean Time, I have the...
9To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Order to Ease Head Quarters as much as Possible, And on Account of our Distance from thence, General or Garrison Court Martials have been Appointed at this Post for the Tryal of Offenders, Brigadier General Mifflen has Sent me the Inclosed this Day, But I pause Untill I Know your Excellency’s Pleasure (which I Desire you would be pleased to Signify as Soon as Convenient) whether the before...
10From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received Your Favor of the 18th with its several Inclosures on Thursday by Mr Allen. My Letter of the 13th does not, nor was It meant to contain the most distant Hint of Your Entertaining Doubts or Suspicions of my Not having communicated to Congress, such Parts of your Letters as were Material. It was only designed to answer Yours, where You say, since my Arrival here, You had not written...
11From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last the Enemy landed a body of Troops supposed to amount, from the best accounts I have been able to obtain, to eight or nine thousand men at Gravesend Bay on Long Island, ten miles distant from our works on the Island, and immediately marched through the level and open lands to Flat-Bush where they are now incamped. They are distant about three miles from our Lines, and have...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Carter Nicholas, 24 August 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I was pleased with the Receipt of your favour Yesterday, being a little apprehensive that Mr. Walton’s Note might have miscarried, as I had heard nothing of it. The Amount will stand charged in my Books as so much remitted to our Delegates, as do all the Bills and Money, which I have sent them at different times. I know nothing of the State of the Accounts with the Committee of Safety and...