1John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Chaumont has just informed me of a Vessell bound to Boston: but I am reduced to such a Moment of Time, that I can only inform you that I am well, and inclose a few Lines from Johnny, to let you know that he is so. I have ordered the Things you desired, to be sent you, but I will not yet say by what Conveyance, for fear of Accidents. If human Nature could be made happy by any Thing...
2To John Adams from William MacCreery, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure lately to hear of your safe arrival at Paris, and that you were, on the 13th. Instant presented to his Majesty. Hope you have got safe thro’ the fateigues of ceremony attending Courts, which is so apt to be disagreeable to Republicans. It gives me great pleasure, and it will afford yourself not a little satisfaction, that you are not disposed to find fault with customs and...
3Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to Inform your Honours of my Situation, which is now lying with my mainmast out and condemned. I thought proper to get a Jury sufficient to Condemn it, which Consisted of three Captains of Merchent Ships and Six Carpenters and Mr. Brondfield. Till the present Gentlemen, I’ve waited for your Honours Orders, with a clean hold, but this Day for fear of being hurried, I’ve began to take...
4James Jay to the American Commissioners, [25 April? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society When a man is seriously attached to a public Cause, and has uniformly given the most decisive proofs of that attachment, he cannot be indifferent to the treatment he receives from those who have the management of Affairs. Men sometimes flatter themselves that they may pass off what they please on the weakness or credulity of others. It is only to undeceive...
5John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Mainmast of the Boston was yesterday Surveyd and Condemnd unfit for Service. That no accident happend to the Ship from the defect on the Passage is very fortunate in One part it was it had not three Inches hold and in two others the Splitt went half throw. We have met with a Mast that will replace it and will be got ready with all posible dispatch. Some other alterations the Captain thinks...
6Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 25 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 25, 1778: I had my mast condemned by a jury of six carpenters, three merchant captains, and Mr. Bondfield. You would have told me, I assume, if you intended to load cargo; I have therefore begun to take in ballast. The King’s officers are enticing men from me for the army; I retrieved five today who were about to embark for St. Martin’s....
(I) and (II) ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 25, 1778: The mainmast of the Boston has been condemned and will be promptly replaced. The Captain requires an iron hearth for cooking; the stone one he had is broken. I hope you will approve.> Per mine of this date you would be advised of our proceedings tutching the Boston. Captain Le Mair desireing I would second the many...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 25 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I could not fail to take the opportunity of writing a line by Mr. Williams, tho I can give you but a very short letter, just to tell you that I and my little ones are well: I wish I could say the same of my mother. She has had her leg bad again which lowers her spirits. I was obliged to come to town and should have been very uneasy if I had not left my...
9To Benjamin Franklin from F. Franklin Laboureau, 25 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This woman’s identity is tantalizing. She gives no substantial clues to whom she is. She mentions one man, and another two years later mentions her; but they are only names to us. After this letter she wrote Franklin two others that survive; each adds a bit of detail but leaves her story in shadow. One of January 22, 1781, repeats her request for an...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 25 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and two transcripts: National Archives; transcript: South Carolina Historical Society It is with the utmost astonishment that I find myself so often obliged to remind you of your engagement to me. You have repeatedly given me the strongest assurances that you would justify your conduct to me in writing, but you have not kept your word. Dr. Bancroft,...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 25 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai rendu Compte au Roi Mr. du Contenu de la lettre que Vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire hier, et sa Majesté me Charge de Vous temoigner toute sa Satisfaction de Votre empressement a Nous informer de l’objet de Vos Conferences avec M hartley. Le grand art de l’Angleterre fut toujours de Chercher à diviser; c’est un bon Moyen en effet...
12From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Congress, that the report of the Commissioners coming, according to intelligence received yesterday by a Person of Philadelphia, is confidently believed, and it is there thought, that they will very soon arrive. I think it almost certain, that the matter will not be delayed, as the conduct of Ministry in not sending them immediately after their former propositions has...
13From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having had so short Notice of this Opportunity, I can only have the Honour of writing a few Lines, and of inclosing a few News Papers. If the Dispatches of the Commissioners, have not met with uncommon ill Fortune you must before this Time, have received the important News of the Treaty, as well as authentic Information of the Agonies of G.B. Whether she will plunge herself, with uniform and...
14From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your obliging favor of the 18th Inst., only Yesterday evening. I thank you much for the explanatory hints it contains and could have wished it had come to hand a little sooner. I have many things to say to you, but as the Express, who will deliver you this, is going with dispatches that will not admit delay, I shall content myself with taking notice of one matter, that appears to me...
15From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 16th inclosing a return of the prisoners taken by the enemy near Coopers Ferry —The Disposition which you have made of the men under your command I have no doubt is founded on a knowledge of the Country, and calculated to answer the ends in view. Your Quarter master is furnished with an order to procure the number of arms required, at Trenton or Easton —I...
16From George Washington to Thomas Turner, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Altho^ I am not much accustomed to accept presents, I cannot refuse one offered in such polite terms as accompanied the Pistols & furniture you were so obliging as to send me by Captn Fauntleroy. They are very elegant, & deserve my best thanks, which are offered with much sincerity. The favourable Sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me, & the obliging and flattering manner in which they...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency Questions for consideration—handed to the Generals dated the 20th Inst. I have carefully considered. The first General plan of operation proposed, Viz. the recovery of Philadelphia, in my opinion is the most eligible and promises the most permanent success, I would recommend at first to begin with Blockadeing the City, till Billings Port and some other places in the Jersey was...
18To George Washington from Steuben, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
With regard to the first question —We are to examine whether the Enemy may expect formidable Succours—if that be the case we ought to reinforce the army with the greatest dispatch, and strike a daring blow before those Succours arrive—The enemys force is estimated at 10000 men—if ours is under 20000 rank and file, the enterprise would be hazardous, and by exposing ourselves to a general action...
19To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The former Board, addressed your Excellency on the Subject of General Thompson’s Exchange for a Brigadier General Hamilton captured at Saratoga & now at Cambridge. You were pleased to undertake the Negotiation of the Matter & for that Purpose transmitted a Copy of the Board’s Letter to General Heath. General St Clair has conversed with Brigadier Hamilton who is very desirous of being...
20To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The only hope that the Enemy can ever have of subjugating this Country is by possessing themselves of our Capital Cities , distressing our trade—destroying our Stores, and debauching one part of the Comunity to lend their Aid to subjugate the other. These appear to be the great out lines of their plan, upon which they have hitherto regulated all their Operations; and they have never varied...
21To George Washington from Morgan Connor, 25 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Morgan Connor, 25 April 1778. GW wrote Connor on 12 May , “I have duly received your two favours of the 25th of April and 6th of May.”
22To George Washington from William Gordon, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I cannot omit the opportunity, Col. Henley’s return to the camp gives me, of congratulating your Excellency on the late glorious news from France. (I sent you the last thursday sennight the conversation that passed between me & Genl Burgoyne the 1st instant.) Dr Cooper had a letter from Dr Franklin which he shewed me, & from that I gather’d that He & I together had no small hand in forwarding...
23To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The present questions are the most difficult to resolve upon that have been proposed since I have been in this army—there must be as much civil policy as Generalship in the operations of the next campaign—on the other hand our forces, stores, magazines, ressources of every kind (I mean those which we schall get in the camp) are far from being ascertained—we do’nt know how many men we may...
24To George Washington from Jeremiah Dummer Powell, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to enclose you the Resolutions of the General Court of this State, Respecting the filling up the fifteen Battalions belonging to the Massachusetts State; and for Reinforceing that part of the American Army on North River, agreeable to the recommendation of the Honorable Congress &c. We could wish it had been in our power to have sent a much larger reinforcement to your Army,...
25Ap. 25. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Chaumonts with Company.
26General Orders, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Court Martial whereof Coll Craige is President is dissolved, and another ordered to sit in a Hut near General Varnum’s Brigade, Genl Huntington’s late quarters next monday ten ô Clock in the forenoon for the Trial of all Prisoners brought before them—Coll Febiger is appointed President—Each Brigade gives a Captain for the Court. Lieut. Coll Gibson of the 13th is appointed to the Command of...
27[April 25. Saturday.] (Adams Papers)
April 25. Saturday. Dined at Mr. Chaumonts with Company.