1John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of yours of from Boston, and am happy to find that you have been able to do so well, amidst all your Difficulties.—There is but one Course for Us to take and that is to renounce the Use of all foreign Commodities. For my own Part I never lived in my whole Life, so meanly and poorly as I do now, and yet my Constituents will growl at my Extravagance. Happy should I...
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 2, 1777. Discusses danger of stationing large forces at Yorktown and Hampton. States that plan to stop shipping on rivers is not effective. Recommends use of light companies. Describes position of enemy. Sends information concerning battle of Oriskany and retreat from Fort Schuyler. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers,...
3Receipt to Captain Caleb Gibbs, [2 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
paid at Mr James in Cecil Aug 26th for Lodging &c &c £6 Amt. the within 6.6.6 £12.6.6 Wilmington Sept. 2. 1777 Received the above of Capt Gibbs ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Gibbs was an aide-de-camp to George Washington and captain and commander of Washington’s Guards. Having embarked from New York on July 23, 1777, with fifteen thousand troops, Sir William Howe...
4To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Larguier des Bancels, 2 September 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Rochefort, September 2, 1777, in French: The justice of your cause and our long standing animosity against the British bind our nation to yours, and I expect at any moment a treaty of friendship between them. My sojourn here has brought me daily stories of Frenchmen going to America, where I am sure they are welcome; can you tell me whether they go with...
5To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de La Merville, 2 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre probité et votre Reputation me Repondent de votre honneteté sur un procedé qui ne peut vous appartenir. Le nommé le noir qui est encore a mon service me demande son congé disant que vous l’avés arreté a 200 l.t. de gages et d’autres proffits. Comme il a ma livrée sur le corps il ne peut estre en monsieur frankelin de prendre a son service un valet...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Trezarrieu, 2 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We print this letter, from the Spanish Mediterranean port of Alicante, because it is the first example of a type that soon became common. As the likelihood grew that American independence would be maintained, Trezarrieu’s isolated request for a consulship gave place to a flood of applications. These we shall résumé together in future volumes as we now...
7General Orders, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress having desired the Commander in Chief to detach from the militia, as soon as possible, such a number of workmen, as he should think necessary, to repair with dispatch, the arms now in the city of Philadelphia; The Brigadiers of the militia are earnestly desired to make immediate enquiry, in their several brigades, for such workmen, and without a moments delay,...
8From George Washington to Colonel Armand, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have a complaint lodged against your Corps by a number of the reputable Inhabitants in the Neighbourhood of Elk. As I find that your men cannot be restrained from committing Violences while in the Country, I desire you will immediately march them up to this Town. I am Sir Your hble Servt. Copy, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This remonstrance, which has...
9To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Complaints made to you against my Corps, are the more personal as I derive the Command of it from Your Excellency, as I love and respect this Corps in the light of a Gift which comes to me from you, and as it is my constant Attention to render it as well as myself worthy of your Favour; if Your Excellency previous to casting Reproaches upon me, with respect to which from my Ignorance of...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General John Cadwalader, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Letter of the 28th last, in consequence of which I have taken the Command of the Militia on this Shore—If the Gentlemen arrive here to take the Command, agreeable to the resolution of Congress, I shall pay you a Visit at Head Quarters—The want of arms in these upper Counties dispirits the Inhabitants very much—Every thing has been done to collect the Companies, but from their...
11To George Washington from the Continental Congress Intelligence Committee, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have the honor to send your Excellency herewith a number of hand bills published by order of Congress, in that form, for the more easy dispersion thro the army, that the troops may be made acquainted with and emulate the conduct of their brave northern and eastern brethren. Wishing you health and success we are with much esteem and regard your Excellencies most obedient humble servants...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
the most expeditious manner of Carrying on the Works requisite to secure the Camp is to fix the troops upon the ground Where they are to incamp, the engineers Deal out to each brigade the Work to be Done, and the Brigadeers are answerable for the execution of the Work it is understood that the engineers ride along the Line and give the necessary Directions that the Works might be regular. I...
13To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a letter from Mr Levi Hollingsworth relative to the situation of the Stores in that quarter —General Mughlenburg has marched with his detachment to cover the removeal of the Stores—If your Excellency thinks any additional force is necessary it shall be sent immediately—I wait your further Orders and am your Excellencies Most Obedient & very humbl. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Robert Hanson...
14From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel James Hendricks, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 31st Ulto to Mr Harrison has been laid before me. My motive for wishing you to continue in the Sixth Regiment was founded on a report that you could readily engage All or most of the Privates in it to serve dureing the War. This I considered as a happy circumstance; But as it may make little difference Whether you remain in that, or have the First, and as Colo. Elliot has...
15From George Washington to Colonel David Mason, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find, from yours of the 13th Ulto that the six new Virginia Battalions are likely to be compleated by means of drafts and inlistments. All the Recruits who have not had the small pox should be innoculated before they join the Army, for altho’ there are few of the Continental Troops but have had that disorder, yet as we constantly have Militia with the Army we cannot safely...
16To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 2 Sept. 1777. GW wrote in his first letter to Maxwell of this date : “I have your two favs. of this date,” and in his second letter to Maxwell of this date, GW wrote: “I am just favd with yours of this Evening.”
17From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your two favs. of this date. In consequence of the remonstrance from the Inhabitants near Elk I have commanded Armands Corps to repair immediately to this place. If any of the people who have been injured can point out the particular persons either Officers or Soldiers they shall be made Examples of—As several accounts seem to agree that the Enemy mean to come out tomorrow Morning, I...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just favd with yours of this Evening. I do not know where the Sign of the Buck is, I therefore cannot say whether it will be proper for you to leave your present post to go and attack the party that is said to be thereabouts. If it is upon your left as I suppose it is, it will be by no means proper, because while you were gone down, the Enemy might advance from Grey’s Hill to Christeen...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Yesterday mornings post, I received Your favor of the 22d. Ulto. It gave me great pleasure to hear of your Appointment, and I wish you to accept my Congratulations upon the occasion. The want of Military experience, you mention, is no Ob[s]tacle to your serving your Country in the Capacity in which you have undertaken. In our infant state of War, it cannot be expected, we should be perfect...
20From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 15th of last month. The frequent captures you make with your little parties have a very good effect and ought to be encouraged. With respect to the exchanges you propose, it is not in my power to interfere in the matter. Elias Boudinotte Esqr. has been appointed Commissary General of prisoners and every thing relating to them must pass through his hands....
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty some days since to Suggest the Selecting 2′500 or 3′000 of our best Armed and most Disciplined Troops (exclusive of the Reserve) who should hold themselves in Readiness on the Approach of the Enemy to make a Regular and Vigorous Assault on their Right or Left flank—or such part of their Army as should then be thought most expedient—and not wait the Attack from them. This Sir...