1From George Washington to George Clinton, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last evening recd the inclosed from Congress with a request that I would take measures for carrying the plan recommended by Colo. Hartley into execution. The advices which I have just recd from different quarters bear the strongest marks of an immediate evacuation of New York. These considerations induce me, should it be deemed expedient, to make an addition to Colonel Cortlands command by...
2To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
To the objects His Excellency General Washington proposed on the 16th inst: to the Consideration of a Board of General officers, My observations are as follows. It has been my opinion ever Since last month of may & Still is, that the Enemies will leave New-york & Rhode Island States, & employ their Forces to protect their kingdoms & West Indies, the defense of which Seems rather more natural...
3To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having most attentively examin’d the several important Objects, which Your Excellency recommended to the consideration of each Member who Composed the late Council of War, I find from the uncertainty of Your Excellencys intelligence, respecting the Designs of the Enemy; That two opinions are to be Given. The One; in Case The Fleet, & Army now in, and near New York, & upon Rhode Island, should...
4To George Washington from George Measam, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Measam, 19 Oct. 1778. Measam wrote GW on 20 Oct. : “In my last of yesterday I advised your Excellency that I had sent off nearly all the Blankets in this Store 6 Bales and a Hhd remaining.”
5To George Washington from the Magistrates and Selectmen of Norwalk, Connecticut, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have to acknowledge your Excellency’s Favour of the 15th Instant, and esteem it a signal Favour that the Supreme command of the Continental Army is committed to a Gentleman of your Excellency’s Ability and Justice; And an Advocate for the support of Civil Authority. We are averse to excite any Contention between the Inhabitants and Army, but would gladly cultivate harmony and the most...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of yesterdays date; if you think the intelligence of the evacuation of Kings bridge and the intermediate posts between that and New York, may be depended upon—it will be proper to order A respectable detachment of horse to move down that way—in order to make more particular inquiries and discoveries of what is going forward—the officer commanding this party...
7To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In order the better to Satisfy my self with regard to the Strenght and number of the Enemy’s fleet I came here about an hour ago, I find from a very Intelligent person formerly <a> Captain <of> a merchant Ship, that the Number of Ships at the Hook this morning was about 130. fifteen of their Capital Ships 10 or 12 frigates, they began to Weigh Anchor about nine oClock this morning. when I came...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General John Stark, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By recent intelligence from the city of New York, there are the strongest appearances of a general evacuation. Where the force of the enemy will be next directed can only be the subject of conjecture; but it is generally supposed, if they operate again any where in the United States, it will be against Boston and the French fleet. Should this event take place, your influence near the seat of...
9To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 19 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, United States Naval Academy Museum I hope you will find the within letters entirely free from asperity or ill Nature. I have been and am, in the Eyes of Brest and of the French Fleet, considered as having incurred your Displeasure and being consequently in Disgrace. The Commissioners’ refusal of my Bill, my Journey to Paris...
10George Washington to Brigadier General John Stark, 19 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 19, 1778 . Orders Stark to Providence. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
I have received, gentlemen, the two letters that you did me the honor to write regarding Mr. Izard’s complaint about the goods captured on the ship, the Nile. In my letter of 7 October, I indicated that the government would intervene only in such cases where the laws were insufficient and that such an intervention would be unnecessary and uncalled for when the legislation was clear and...
12To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You have been informed of my unfortunate Surprize of the 28th ultimo, & I make no Doubt of the Circumstances, but I think it my Duty to make them known to you, & at the same Time, to justify my Conduct. On the 26 of Septr I was at Paramus with the Regt, where we had been four Days. I directed Major Clough the 26th to send the Quarter-Master out to provide Quarters for the Regiment within four...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are forthwith to proceed to Albany and take the command at that place and its dependencies—The forts on the frontiers, and all the Troops employed there will be comprehended under your general command and direction—Besides the garrisons, there are at this time Warners Regiment—Aldens, the fourth Pensylvania Regiment under Lieut. Colo. Butler and the rifle corps, late Morgan’s—now commanded...
14To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Poor’s Brigade will halt this night at Newtown; and in Obedience to your Orders received Yesterday Evening by the bearer, The Late Learned’s Brigade will march to morrow morning by the same route; General Poor being unable to go with the Troops, his Brigade will be Commanded by Colonel Hazen, and the late Learneds by Colonel Bailey. Your Excellency’s Commands, in respect to Discipline,...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the information which your Excellency on the 16th Instant was pleased to give to the Board of General Officers, and the propositions then given for their consideration and opinions. The first query or proposition, vizt “Whether it will be prudent and adviseable to make a Detatchment of the Main Army towards Boston, and if so of what force?” was so fully discussed at the time...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General John Nixon, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon mature deliberation of his Excellency’s Questions Laid before the council of war—relative to the Disposition of his Army this Winter —I would beg leave to Suggest my Thoughts in the following Manner with my reasons for the Same. as to the whole of the army being in a Compact Body—there are Some Difficulties which operate against it—which (in my opinion) Counter ballence the advantages...
17To George Washington from Richard Peters, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Peters, 19 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Peters on 11 Nov. : “I have been honored with yours of the 19th 27th 28th and 29th Ulto.”
18From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Between Eight and Nine OClock last night, I received your Lordship’s favor of the 16th Instant, accompanied by another inclosing Two papers. The intelligence you conveyed is very interesting, and it appears the more so, as the late accounts from Genl Scott, though not so particular as those given by Captain Clunn, correspond with it. I shall expect to hear from you frequently, as every...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Excellencys favour of this days Date. Previous to which, I had sent off Colo. Gist with his Corps towards Tarry town and below I have another party of about 250 who is to march at three oClock in the morning on the wards Road whilst Majr Lees whole Corps will advance under the Cover of these two parties and make what Discoverys they Can. I have already given orders that in case the...
20Sartine to the American Commissioners, 19 October 1778: résume (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two) <Marly, October 19, 1778, in French: I have received your letters about Mr. Izard’s complaints. The ship with its cargo has been declared a valid prize; for the government to meddle with the law would create a dangerous precedent. If Mr. Izard’s request is in conformity with the treaties his claim will be...
21From Thomas Jefferson to John Hancock, 19 October 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
In a late conversation with Mr. T. Adams since his return from Congress I find, what indeed might have been well supposed that the state of the Continental finances was not the most flourishing. The establishment of banks in Europe for the purpose of maintaining our credit there, as well as here, and by that means of enlarging our supplies by way of loan may perhaps meet with the attention of...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 19 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Le Cte. de Vergennes fait ses Complimens à Mr. Franklin et le remercie des nouvelles de l’Amerique qu’il a bien voulu lui communiquer, elles ne sont pas a beaucoup près satisfaisantes, les accidens semblent venir au secours des Anglois. Si M. Le Comte d’Estaing a du quitter Rodhes Island pour se rendre à Boston, ce ne sera sûrement pas sans pouvoir justifier...
23George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 19 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 19, 1778 . Orders Hand to Albany and sends details of the proposed expedition against Anaquaga. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
24Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 19 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, les deux Lettres que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire au Sujet de la reclamation que fait M. Izard des Effets pris Sur le batiment le Nil. Je vous ai observé par ma Lettre du 7 de ce mois, que l’Autorite devoit Seulement Suppléer aux Loix lorsqu’elles etoient insuffisantes; et qu’elle devenoit inutile et déplacée lorsque la Legislation etoit claire et précise. Vous...
25General Orders, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
As Coll Greaton is unable to attend the Court Martial whereof he was yesterday appointed President, Lieutt Coll Smith will preside in his room. Major Murphy is appointed an Additional Member of the Court which will sit tomorrow morning nine ôClock at the usual Place. A General Court Martial of the Line whereof Coll Bradley is appointed President will assemble at the President’s Marqui next...