1John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
This Morning, We have heard again from the Fleet. At 9 o Clock at Night, on the 14. Inst. upwards of an hundred Sail were seen, standing in between the Capes of Cheasapeak Bay. They had been seen from the Eastern shore of Virginia, standing off, and on, for two days before.—This Method of coasting along the shore, and standing off, and on, is very curious. First seen off Egg Harbour, then...
2To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Albemarle, Va., 21 August 1777. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and others, Princeton, 1950-. , 2:27–29. Jefferson suggested applying for a loan from the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who reportedly had a considerable hoard of crowns in his treasury. Philip Mazzei was recommended as a suitable agent to negotiate the loan. Jefferson...
3General Orders, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The whole army is to march to morrow morning, The General is to beat at half after three; the Troop at half past four; and at five o’clock the troops are to begin their march. The Major Generals, Quarter-Master General and Commissary General will receive their orders at Head Quarters, at five o’clock this afternoon—An orderly man from each regiment of horse to attend at the same time for...
4Council of War, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers, held at Neshamini Camp, in Bucks County the 21st day of August 1777. Present His Excellency, the Commander in Cheif, Major Generals Greene[,] Lord Stirling[,] Stephen[,] Marquis Fayette[,] Brigadiers Genl Maxwell[,] Knox[,] Wayne[,] Muhlenburgh[,] Weedon[,] Woodford[,] Scot[,] Conway. The Commander in Cheif informed the Council that the British Fleet left the...
5From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the Time, which has elapsed, since Genl Howe departed from the Capes of Delaware, there is the strongest reason to conclude, that he is gone either far to the Eastward or Southward, and with a design, to execute some determined plan. The danger of the Sea, the injury his Troops & Horses must sustain from being so long confined, the loss of time, so late in the Campaign, will scarcely...
6From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you on the 12th instant on the subject of the Militia under the command of Genl Newcomb, I have recd another letter from him which you have enclosed. By this it appears that the Men were not employed in any way while they were at Red Bank, and that they are now anxious to get home to their farms as they see no immediate occasion of their Services—As I had in some measure put...
7To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon the Resignation of Mr Philips as Commissary of Hydes, the Congress have been pleased to appoint Mr George Ewing in his Place, who is ordered to carry into Execution the Plan you have proposed; which I make no Doubt he will do with Application and Success. Your Favour of yesterday I had the Honour of receiving with the Inclosures from General Schuyler, and am extremely pleased to hear that...
8From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with yours of this morning containing several peices of intelligence of the Fleet’s having been seen off the Capes of Virginia on the 15th instant. I shall in Consequence of this information halt upon my present ground till I hear something further. Colo. Pinkney of South Carolina paid me a Visit two days ago, he informed me that the Military Stores in Charles Town and...
9From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose you a Copy of Doctr Franklin’s Letter in favor of Count Pulawski of Poland, by whom this will be handed to you. I some time ago had a Letter from Mr Deane, couch’d in terms equally favorable to the Character & Military Abilities of this Gentleman. How he can with propriety be provided for you will be best able to determine—he takes this from me, as an...
10From George Washington to William Livingston, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress which I have just received, directing me to call on you for one thousand Militia from the State of New Jersey to releive a like number of the Militia of the State of New York at present in garrison at the Forts upon Hudsons River, who are to march to the reinforcement of the Northern Army. The requisition makes no mention of any...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are to hold the Brigade under your command, in readiness to March early on Friday Morng next by the Route of Princeton —You will not begin to March untill you hear further from me. I am &ca Df , in John Fitzgerald’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The following day was a Friday. Nash’s brigade was stationed at Trenton.
12From George Washington to John Page, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this Afternoon honored with your Letter of the 15th. The Order of the Board of Council to the Regiment at Alexandria, in consequence of the Advices they had received, I think perfectly right, and I shall write to the Commanding Officer of it, by this Conveyance, to remain there, subject to the direction of Congress—Your Board or Myself. The conduct of Genl Howe is extremely embarrassing....
13To George Washington from Richard Peters, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Bland informed me that the Enemy had thrown into the Rariton on their Departure from Brunswick two Cannon—one of 32 the other of 24 —If these Cannon could be raised & sent on to this Place they would be very useful in the Defence of the Chevaux de Frize as we have no spare Guns of that Weight of Ball. I mentioned this Matter to the Board who gave it in Direction to me to request your...
14From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a few Days ago favored with your’s of the 13th and Yesterday with that of the 15th. I immediately forwarded the Letter to Congress, who, I dare say, will be satisfied with your Reasons for remaining some little Time at Albany for the purposes you mention. I do not know that any particular Charges are exhibited against you, or in what way Congress intend to take the Matter up—I observe by...
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 21 August 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 26. came safely to hand. I wish it were in my power to suggest any remedy for the evil you complain of. Tho’ did any occur, I should propose it to you with great diffidence. after knowing you had thought on the subject yourself. There is indeed a fact which may not have come to your knolege, out of which perhaps some little good may be drawn. The borrowing money in Europe (or...