1From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of letters to General Sullivan and Messrs Otis and Andrews, you will be informed of what I have written on the subject of Clothing—in consequence of the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 29th Ulto. The prospect of having the Army amply provided for, by your exertions, affords the highest degree of satisfaction—I am particularly happy to be informed that...
2From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two American Seamen who made their escape from a Prison-Ship at New York—report that the british fleet sailed ten days ago in quest of the French Squadron. This is an event of such importance and which from the nature of it admits so little of concealment—that I could not have been uninformed of it till now—supposing that it really happened; without the most unpardonable neglect in the Officer...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François-Clément Morand, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si le charmant poële de chauffage au charbon de terre, dont Vous avez eu la complaisance de me donner une gravure, etoit publié dans quelqu’un de vos ouvrages, il seroit actuellement a tout le monde, on en fairoit usage, et mention. Ayant envie d’en faire ce dernier usage, c’est adir, d’en parler, a la fin de mon ouvrage, et de le faire graver dans une...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will be surprised, that I did not keep my word or reather my resolution to come over to Paris. The reason was, that I undertook to finish a work upon the subject of the small pox and inoculation before I quitted this country, in which I was much interrupted by visitors and other avocations, which one can scarce avoid in a city as this, if a man has so...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Hubert Moreau, 5 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser deux lettres qui ont été remises par un inconnu au Suisse de M. le Comte de Vergennes. J’ai cru devoir vous les faire passer sans delai sous le Contreseing du Ministre. Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur Endorsed: Moreau Secr. de Cte Vergennes Notation: Versailles 5. 8bre. 1778. For a...
6From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your several communications of the 3d and 4th Inst. The relation of the two deserters is certainly of a serious complexion, could we confide in its reality. But the reasons for denying it any great degree of credit are not a few. Of the different observers in New-York and those places proper for attending to the motions of the fleet, not one has made any return of...
7From George Washington to Major Richard Howell, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Danbury containing the following paragraph “Two sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their escape from the Prison-ship last monday night arrived here. They declare, That the British fleet of men of war sailed ten days ago in quest of the French fleet.” I cannot suppose this account to be well founded because I have heard nothing of the kind from you; and I...
8George Washington to Major Richard Howell, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 5, 1778 . Orders Howell to check on rumor that British fleet has sailed in search of French fleet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Howell was a major of the Second New Jersey Regiment.
9To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 5 October 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days past, since the last post left us, Mr. Harvey presented me your favor of August the 30th, to which this is an answer; and which I shall direct to Williamsburg upon a supposition that the Assembly has called you there by the time the letter can reach that place. The hand bill you have seen was certainly written by Mauduit, and circulated under the auspices of administration. It was...
10From George Washington to William Livingston, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellencys favor of the 21 Septr this morning. By what means it has been So long delayed, I cannot conceive. The conduct of Crowel appears to me to have forfeited the protection he derived from the flag and to justify in point of right the detention of his person and the confiscation of the Vessel and her effects. The obligation of a flag is reciprocal. On...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Genl Gates of yesterdays date, I received the following intelligence—“Two Sailors belonging to Cape Cod—who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night, arrived here—they declare that the british fleet of Men of War, sailed ten days ago, in quest of the french fleet” —An event of this importance I think would not have escaped your notice—and I hope the report is...
12From George Washington to the President of the Maryland Senate and the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, 5 … (Washington Papers)
Among the various disputes upon the subject of rank in the Army, there have not been found any more difficult to settle, than the claims of this nature, in the Maryland line. These have been matter of employment for a Board of General Officers for several days, and, after all their care and assiduity, I fear, no arrangement that they can make, will prove entirely satisfactory. There is one...
13From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Our corrispondance seems to be at an end; but why it is so, I am at a loss to discover—In the Month of Augt last year, from the House of Mr H. Hill near Germantown (where I was then Incamped) I wrote you a Letter as long as my Arm; since which I have not received a line from you; but enquire at every oppertunity how you do. Many great and important changes have taken place in our Military &...
14From George Washington to John Rutledge, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to nominate Major Genl Lincoln (the bearer of this Letter) to Command the Troops in the Southern Department I take the liberty of recommending him to your civilities & friendship. In this Gentn you will find a worthy character, & a brave & attentive Officer—My best respects are tendered to Mrs Rutledge. I have the honr to be with great esteem & regard Dr Sir Yr...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of yesterday early this morning. Gen. Gates writes me of the 4th Inst. that “two sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare, that the British fleet of men of war, sailed ten days ago in quest of the French fleet.” Tho’ I think this relation somewhat improbable, and the fact of such...
16George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York ] October 5, 1778 . Regrets that Captain Edward Norwood cannot be reinstated. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
17From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have attentively considered the memorial you delivered me in behalf of a respectable number of officers in the Maryland line, requesting the restoration of Capt. Norwood —It gives me real pain, that I find myself obliged to refuse their request; but the duty I owe to justice and impartiality outweighs every other consideration. Notwithstanding the honorable testimony which is given of the...
18From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received a letter from Gen. Gates which has the following paragraph. “Two sailors belonging to Cape Cod who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare that the British fleet of men of war sailed ten days ago in quest of the french fleet.” Altho’ there is a certain want of probability in the relation, yet as it may be true, you will...
19From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 3d Inst. with its inclosure. In a letter from Gen. Gates of yesterdays date he has the following paragraph. “Two sailors belonging to Cape Cod who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare, that the British fleet of men of war, sailed ten days ago in quest of the french fleet.” There is some shew of a...
20George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 5 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fishkill [ New York ] October 5, 1778 . Discusses procuring clothing for Sullivan’s men. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose your Excellency a general Return of the sick & wounded in the Hospitals and army of the united States —and have the pleasure to inform you the Hospitals in this district a<re> in the best order & that thei<r> number will soon be reduced two or three, & they will only contain such as are proper objects for a chelsea . I flatter myself the Hospitals in the eastern...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The last inteligence I recd gives me great reason to think the Enemy are about to move—the inhabitants of Hackensack inform’d an Officer of Horse I sent out yesterday, that 100 Waggons pass’d that with Forrage to the Boats, & that 3000 Troops marched for New York. the Officers with them said they were to go immediately to the West India’s. I have a party down from whom I expect some thing to...
23To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope the measures you have taken will be effectual to the purpose of reenlisting the Army, because it is an object of great importance; and I readily admit the propriety of first trying those methods which promise fewest ill consequences. Danger will only arise from pressing such too far, and urging the experiment too long. I very much fear Sir, that the knowledge of depreciation has reached...
24To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 22d of Sept. and the 1st of October came to hand last Evening. I am exceeding sorry for Col. Baylors misfortune. The surprise is the worst part of the affair; and no Man will more sensibly feel upon the ocasion than the Col. should he recover. Col. Butlers and Major Lees surprise made upon the Chasseurs was a compleat one. These two events serves to shew how much...
25To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
About Eight oClock this Morning we were Alarmed with Accounts of the Enemy’s Advanceg, thro’ugh Hackensack. soon after that about 300 of them were on the heights behind Arent Schuylers house. both Accounts prove true. that Body which Come thro’ Hackensack halted on the heights near the head of the polyfly about one Mile S.W. from Hackensack and about four miles N.E. from hence, and there...
26To George Washington from Colonel Vienne, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall be very much oblig’d if your Excellency will be So good as to Send me a forlorn [furlough] for one year according to your Excellency’s promise to me, with a Certificate of my behaviour in the time I have been under your Command. I will Still be much oblig’d to your Excellency if you will be pleas’d to Send me these two pieces as quick as your Excellency’s time will permit it, because I...
27General Orders, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .