1[Tuesday. September 17th. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday. September 17th. 1776. The Committee appointed to confer with Lord Howe, agreable to the order of Congress, brought in a report in Writing, which was read as follows: In Obedience to the orders of Congress, We have had a meeting with Lord Howe. It was on Wednesday last upon Staten Island, opposite to Amboy, where his Lordship received and entertained Us, with the Utmost politeness. His...
2[Tuesday September 17. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday September 17. 1776. Sundry Resolutions being moved and seconded, in Addition to those passed Yesterday, relative to the New Army. After debate, Resolved that they be referred to the Board of War. A Letter of the 10th. from Brigadier General Lewis, was read: Also a Letter from James Forrest was read, and referred to the Board of War. Congress took into Consideration the Plan of treaties...
There shall be a firm inviolable and universal peace and a true and sincere friendship between the most serene and mighty prince Lewis the Sixteenth, the most Christian King, his heirs and successors and the United States of America; and the subjects of the most Christian King and of the said states; and between the countries, islands, cities and towns situate under the jurisdiction of the...
4To John Adams from John Winthrop, 17 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of —— but it is so old a date, that I am ashamed to put it down. I should have answerd it seasonably, and congratulated you on the glorious Declaration of Independence which has long been the object of my wishes, as well as yours. But by all the accounts I have had, I have been expecting you here from week to week. This Declaration you have at last obtained, tho I...
5To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I don’t wish to Complain when the Public Service will not be injurd by Silence: two Things must be attended to in the new raising Army or in my Opinion the Men will not engage in the Service; the One is that Ample Provision be made for the Sick, who the last Campaign have been Scandalously and inhumanly neglected, and made a Sacrifice to Points of Honor between Phi sicians of different...
6The Committee of Conference: Report to Congress, 17 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
DS : New York Public Library; DS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress The committee returned to Philadelphia on the morning of September 13. On the same day it gave an oral report to Congress, and was asked for a written one as soon as possible. The latter was presented on the 17th, and the same committee was ordered to publish it with other documents relating to the...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot forbear expressing to you the Pleasure I receivd from hearing you were appointed by Congress with others to confer with Lord and Genl. Howe. The Subject of this Conference we do not as yet certainly know, but suppose it was desird on their Part for something more than settling an Exchange of Prisoners. I am not sorry our Enemies appear so eager for...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart Partridge, 17 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Would my Vanity permitt me to think, my long Silence Requier’d an Apology, I might justly Plead ill Health, and want of Spirets, (not want of affection) has deprived me of the Honor and Pleasure, of writing to you before this Time, but I now take up my Pen, to beg the Favour of your kind assistance to the two Gentlemen Messrs: Austen, and Barrett, they are...
9General Orders, 17 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General most heartily thanks the troops commanded Yesterday, by Major Leitch, who first advanced upon the enemy, and the others who so resolutely supported them —The Behaviour of Yesterday was such a Contrast, to that of some Troops the day before, as must shew what may be done, where Officers & soldiers will exert themselves—Once more therefore, the General calls upon officers, and men,...
10From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 17 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received the honor of your favor of the 6th Inst. by Messrs Collins, Babcock & Stanton, and should have acknowledged It before now, had I not been prevented by the peculiar Situation of our Affairs. I communicated my Sentiments to those Gentn upon the Subject of your Letter and the several propositions that were before me, who I doubt not will make a full and due report of the same to you...
11From George Washington to Colonel John Glover, 17 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the receipt of your letter communicating the intelligence from Col. Durkie, respecting the desertion of the militia from Powles hook, I have ordered Col. Williams regiment of militia, amounting to about five hundred men, to march immedy, as a reinforcement to Col. Durkie; Col. Knox will direct what shot & shells, are to be sent over, & I shall give orders that boats be prepared to transport...
12From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Some advices lately recieved from Powle’s hook, has made it necessary that Col. William’s regiment, should march to that post as a re-inforcement to Col. Durkie; it will be proper therefore they should be immedy put in motion towards Mount Washington, where they are to cross. Yr hhble Servt LS , in William Grayson’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers.
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 17 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receved just now the favour of Col. Graysons Letter of Yesterday and in consequence shall send off a Detachment of the Men inlisted for the Flying Camp—to Powlis Hook—The Melitia of Pennsylva. and New Jersey stationed on Bergen and at Powlis Hook have behaved in a scandalous Manner—running off from their Posts on the first Cannonade from the Ships of the Enemy—Att all the Posts we find it...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Lightfoot Lee, 17 September 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Our affairs at N. York have not much alter’d since your departure, the Militia of the eastern states have mostly left it, and probably improved the Army. The Enemy having by every motion shewn a design to get above our troops, Genl. Washington is busy in removing his stores from the City, and collecting his forces at and about King’s bridge, but we fear he has been interrupted by the Enemy, as...