1From Benjamin Franklin to [d’Haudouin], 29 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society No Orders are received from America to send an Officer to replace M. de Coudray. There is no doubt but his Place is long since filled; and I cannot give the smallest Encouragement to any Person to go over with that Expectation. My Thanks however are due to the Gentleman for his obliging Offer. And I have the Honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble...
2Gourlade & Monplaisir to the American Commissioners, 29 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Nous nous empressons de vous informer que les deux frégates du congrès Le Raleigh et L’Alfreid ainsi que le Shloup le Mars sont appareillés cet après midy, sur les Trois heures avec un Bon vent de nord èst qui promet de favoriser Beaucoup leurs projèts. Nous ne devons pas vous Laisser ignorer qu’elles sont accompagnées de La frégatte Du Roi La Silphyde dont...
3James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 29 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Ships Raley and Alfred are now at Sea. They parted this afternoon about three o’Clock with a fair wind which appears likely to continue, and will I hope enable them to get well clear of the Land before day light tomorrow. Captain Holmes in his Sloop went under their convoy, and a French Sloop of War saild at the same time, the Commander of which told...
4Ingenhousz to Baron von Pichler, 29 December 1777: Extract (Franklin Papers)
Extracted from AL (draft): Yale University Library This letter paraphrases what must have been a long one from Franklin, now missing, that was written shortly after he received the news of Saratoga. The paraphrase makes clear that Austin, the carrier of that news, had brought a great many more details about the campaign, some of them anecdotal, than appear in the dispatches we publish; these...
5General Orders, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief earnestly exhorts the officers of every rank to use their utmost exertions to have the huts completed as soon as possible, that the troops may get comfortably lodged. He also directs a gill of spirits to be served this afternoon to each non commissioned officer and soldier. And as officers may find it difficult and expensive to procure spirits for their own use in camp,...
6Circular to the States, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting you the inclosed Return, which contains a State of such of the New York Regiments, as are in the Army immediately under my command. By this you will discover how deficient—how exceedingly short they are of the compliment of Men, which of right according to the establishment they ought to have. This information I have thought it my duty to lay before you, that...
7To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I lately wrote yr Excely of four prisoners confined in this Guard for Carrying Provisions on different roads toward the Philada Market, and that I wou’d Send them to you for tryal —Upon Examining the prisoners & farther reflexion, I thought it unnecessary to trouble you with them, especially as in my Opinion none of them stood in the Shoes of a proper Victim—I have therefore I believe...
8From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Sullivan who will deliver this was bearer of a Letter to me from Col. Gibson Commanding Officer at Fort Pitt, in which the Garrison is represented as exceedingly distressed for want of Cloathing and I am sollicited to give such directions as may facilitate the procuring a Supply —I have in consequence written to you on the subject, and have no doubt that every thing on your part will be...
9To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Coll fitzgerald mentionn’d to me yesterday that your excellency Wish’d to Know the method I intended to proceed upon in the new office to Which I was appointed. the first stepp, is to take your orders concerning the instruction of the troops the returns of Which Models, are to be sent to the Different Regiments concerning the Cloathing, arms, rations, Regimental pay Books, &c. &c. are not yet...
10From George Washington to Colonel John Gibson, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Sullivan has deliverd me your Letter of the 5th Instant inclosing a Return of the Garrison at Fort pitt—and desiring me to give such directions to Capt. Sullivan as may facilitate the procuring a Supply of Cloathing for that part of the 13th Virginia Regimt which is with you—I am sorry that I can do no more in this business than represent the distress of the Garrison to the Board of War...