1John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have not yet the least Intimation of Howes Design. He is wasting away the Time. Let him aim at what Object he will, he will have scarcely Time to secure that, and will have none left to pursue his Advantage, if he gains any. Burgoine I hope will be checked, and driven back. I hope the New Englandmen will now exert themselves, for it has cost Us, severe Conflicts, to get Affairs in that...
2To John Adams from William Gordon, 7 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
This day 7-night I transmitted under cover to Mr. Hancock a number of anniversary sermons, printed at the request of the General Court, some of which were directed to those members of the Congress whose names I was acquainted with, others I requested might be directed, my design being to present one to each; yours I hope will be duely received. The particular occasion of my writing is not the...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I last Evening had the pleasure of your favour of the 2d. I am with you exceeding anxious for the Safety of your State, though the Numbers of the Enemy have very little part in producing the anxiety; the panic in the army (I am afraid pretty high up) and the want of zeal in the Eastern States are the only alarming Considerations, for tho Burgoine should be weak in numbers as I suppose him, if...
4Release of Officer from German Battalion, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp Near German Town [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Certifies that “Monsieur Bernard Pally De Couseau, Ensign in the German Batalion, is by his own request permitted to leave said batalion.” ADS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
5George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Notifies Gates that Du Bouchet has been given permission to serve under Gates in the Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City. Denis Jean Florimond Langlois de Mautheville, Chevalier du Bouchet.
LS and two copies: American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Inclosed are duplicates of Commissions and Instructions for William Lee and Ralph Izard Esqrs and Triplicates of Letters No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Since our last No. 6 a Variety of Circumstances in the military Department have happened, many of which are so intricate and unfinished as not to...
7Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Mr. DeSeGray has informed me of his sending an Account of the Seize and quantity of Cordage Sufficient for a Ship of 64 or 74 Guns I think it Needless to add any thing on that head. We are now all ready and Clear for Sailing, only wait your Orders, Our powder is Stop’d in the Magazine and will not be deliver’d without a positive Order from the Minester...
8Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library The Day my last was written I purchased the Ship in question for 55500 Livres and by her excellence and fitness for our purpose, I hope she will sufficiently make up for the Loss of the Duc de Chartres. I have this Day drawn on Mr. Grand in 6 different Drafts for 15000 Livres and have advised him accordingly, which please to desire him to honour; this makes...
9To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Gentleman who will have the Honor of delivering you this Letter is Monsr. de Karsaint, who commands one of his Majesty’s Armed Vessels that has been Some time past Stationed in these Seas. He is a particular Friend of the General’s and of mine and has Strongly importuned me for a Letter of Introduction to you. Particular Circumstances would not permit...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Laignel Sauvage, 7 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Calais, August 7, in French: A local shoemaker offers two thousand pairs of shoes at 3 l.t. 12 sols the pair; do you want them? I advanced four Louis to Mr. Meulens, an officer in the Berwick regiment who wanted to go to Liége and had no money, and who is now in the American service; please repay me if you can. Nowhere are shirts cheaper than here; I offer...
11Silas Deane to [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library Your’s of the 2d. we have considered. M. de Melleville came to See us and tho’ we consider this Conduct in the Same Point of Light as you do, yet as there is Room for a Dispute, and as the Merchants appear in his favor at Nantes We think it better to give up the Vessel and take Care of Such Shuffling People in future. It is vexing for Men of Spirit and...
12II. Major General Nathanael Greene’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia is an object of such magnitude, the prejudices of the People in the surrounding States so strong, in its fervor, as to its importance, and consequence, the manufactories & supplies for the Army so numerous in that City, that the loss of it would so effect the Country, and the Army, that very great injury would arise to the common cause of America. to prevent so great an evil, it...
13III. Joseph Reed’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall make no Apology for troubling you with the following Hints because I well know that the Goodness & I may truly add the greatness of your Mind would induce you to listen with Patience & even Chearfulness to the Suggestions of the meanest Soldier if properly presented. Whether Philadelphia is the present Object of Attack is yet a Question & every one reasons upon it as his Fears Hopes &...
14IV. Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Wayne’s Opinion of the Defences necessary for the River and Land in case the Enemy should Attempt the Reduction of Phila. The Works, as Contracted by Agent De Coudre to be Compleated and Supplied with Six or Eight pieces of Artillery and men Sufficient to fight them with about 500 Troops—One Redoubt on the High Ground at Darby Creek Sufficient to Contain 200 men. the fleet fire ships &...
15General Orders, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial held the 18th and 19th days of July last, the following soldiers were tried for various crimes, and acquitted—viz. Timothy Brannon and William Smith of the 6th Maryland regiment—William Foster and Adam Brooks of the 10th Virginia—Isaac Proctor of the 15th Virginia, Richard Roach of the 4th Pennsylvania and William Montgomery of Col. Spencer’s Regiment. Joseph...
16To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Relying upon your words bidding me to have an intire Confidence in you, I entreat Your Excellency to give this Letter a favorable Reception. I have just discover’d since my absence that there is a great deal of Discontent in my Regiment, and altho’ I am perfectly convinced, that no one can complain either of my conduct towards him or on any other account, I believe however that the Discipline...
17To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We the Subscriber beg leave to represent to your Excellency that all Regimental Officers conceive themselves greatly oppress’d by a Resolve of Congress which obliges them to draw their Provision with the men. The Resolve deprives them of the few conveniences which might be had without any disadvantage to the Publick from the Commissaries Store besides it oppresses the men, the officers picking...
18From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening, I received a Letter from Genl Schuyler of the 1st Inst., a Copy of which and of its Inclosures, I do myself the Honor of transmitting you. By these you will perceive, that Our affairs, at the Northward, have experienced no change for the better; On the contrary, that they are in a more unpromising train. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most Obedt servant...
19From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 4th instant. We are yet intirely in the dark as to the destination of the Enemy, the Fleet has neither been seen or heard of since they left the Capes of Delaware on this day week. If they had intended back to the Hook, we must have heard of their arrival there long before this time, as the Winds have been constantly fair. As the sickly season has commenced to the...
20From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 1st Instant I received last Night—Those of the 26h & 28th Ultimo came safe to Hand and in due Order. As Congress have advised you of their Inclination that you should come to Head Quarters, and as it is probable you will be on your Way when this reaches you I presume it unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the Subject of your several Letters or to add more at this Time than...
21To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Joined my Division Three Day Since, but am Exceeding weak & what is Still more afflicting I am Extremely apprehensive that I Shall never perfectly Recover Doctor Jones Says that my Excessive Fatigue has So much Injured The whole Nervous System that nothing but a Long Continuation of the Cold Bath Accompanied with a Strick Regimen can Restore me to a perfect State of Health—all Solid Food &...
22To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday received a Letter of the 3d instant from General Putnam inclosing a Copy of yours to him of the 1st instant advising that the Enemy’s Fleet on the 31st ulto sailed out of the Capes of Deleware on an eastern Course—requesting all possible Assistance to prevent the Enemy’s possessing themselves of the Passes in the Highlands. Previous to this in Pursuance of a former Requisition from...