1From John Adams to James Warren, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 3d I received. I must confess, that I am at a Loss to determine, whether it is good Policy in Us to wish for a War between France and Britain, unless We could be sure that no other Powers would engage in it. But if France engages, Spain will and then all Europe will arrange themselves on one side and the other, and what Consequences to Us might be involved in it, I dont know. If...
2To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane having promissd to explain my ideas of the Situation In which I could ever be inducd to revisit Berlin, and Mr. Lee knowing from me what I expected on that Subject, are the reasons which have prevented a personal explanation with you on my part. I do assure you I feel infinitely more pain in solliciting a mode of serving my country than in...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Léonard-Louis Goueslard de Champigny, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En vous proposant de vive voix d’etablir dans votre patrie premierement une Manufacture D’Armes, secondement une fondrie D’Artillerie en cuivre, troisiemement enfin une fondrie D’artillerie en fer, dans laquelle non seulement on fondroit du canon; mais encore les crapaux destinés a monter les mortiers et Pierriers qui ne peuvent se monter sur des affuts de...
4To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, relative to a Variety of Subjects, are all that I have in Charge from Congress to forward at this Time. The additional Resolves respecting the Muster Masters were highly requisite to compleat that Department, and will, I trust, be punctually carried into Execution. You will perceive that Mr Ludwick is appointed to superintend the Baking Business in the Army, which I make...
5To John Adams from Henry Knox, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of a Line from you. I was in hopes to have seen you when I went to Boston but you had previously set out for Congress and I miss’d you on the road. Since my return from thence the duties of my department have taken up the whole of my time, which together with the fear of trespassing on your more important engagements has prevented my writing to...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Morris, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of Captain John Robarts of the Schooner Mary lately arrived from Charles Town South Carolina I beg leave to acquaint you with William Machmaster one of his Sailors, is now detained a Prisoner in this City, charged with having drowned one John Hoggins belonging to the same Vessell. The real circumstances are as follow. The said Machmaster and...
7General Orders, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Painter is to superintend the Artificers, and Works, in and about Morristown, until further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Congress on 18 Jan. 1777 resolved that Elisha Painter (d. 1781), whom it had appointed major of Col. Seth Warner’s Continental regiment on 5 July 1776, “be removed from any command” in that regiment because a dispute about his right to be major threatened to...
8From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Letter of the 29th Ulto, inclosing Sundry Resolves. Agreable to the directions of Congress, I have written to the States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and urged them to compleat and forward their Troops, destined for Ticonderoga, with all possible expedition. The Brigadiers gone there for the present, are Fermoy—Poor—Patterson & Learned. Nixon & Glover...
9From George Washington to Samuel Gray, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being unacquainted with the places proper for establishing magazines of Flour in Ulster and where that from the River should be removed, you will receive directions from Generals McDougall and Clinton upon the Subject, to whom I have written. I am Sir, &ca N.B. This Letter has respect to one written by Mr Trumbull to Mr Gray, leaving the place where the Stores should be deposited with the...
10From George Washington to John Langdon, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning Mr Champney delivered me your very agreeable favour, containing the Account of the Arrival of the Amphitrité with a large train of Field Artillery and other Military Stores from France. Mr Champney went immediately on to Philadelphia. I have wrote to Congress, pressing the necessity of the immediate removal of these truly valuable Articles from Portsmouth, to a place of...