1Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
How dear to me was the Signature of my Friend this Evening received by the Boston a ship more valued to me than all the American Navy besides, valuable for conveying safely my choisest comfort, my dearest Blessings. “I Love the place where Helen was but born.” You write me that you have by several vessels convey’d me tokens of your Friendship. The only Letters I have received from you or my...
2To John Adams from Thomas Cushing, 21 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I embrace this Oppertunity by the Brigantine Saturn Rene Maillett Master (which I have dispatched for Nantes) to Acquaint you that your Family are well. I have lately, in Company with Mrs. Adams and a few Other Freinds, been to Visit Count D Estaing and his Fleet at Nantaskett, where we were Agreably and politely entertained. The Count has met with a series of Disappointments since his...
3John Langdon to the Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Courier d Europe Captain Raffin being ready to sail for France, I have taken the Liberty to mention a matter to you that I think will be of Advantage to our Allies as well as profit to me. My haveing a personal acquaintance with two of your Honors, Encouraged me to take this Liberty. The British Navy were in most part furnished with Masts from this Port. I have lately furnished the Count...
4George Washington to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 21 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 21, 1778 . Asks Stirling to investigate existing “commerce” between enemy and inhabitants of New Jersey. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
5George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 21, 1778 . Introduces Lieutenant Colonel Mauduit du Plessis, who wishes to leave country. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
6American Prisoners in Dinan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the under Subscribed Persons having Received Your kind favour of the 15 Inst: who are the only [Santuaries?] under God we Rely on, nor do we desire our liberty from other hands than yours; being in Reallity Americans, who are farr from Imposeing upon Your Clemency (or this Goverment) and willing to Stand or fall by our Countrys Cause, as we are well...
7John Langdon to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Portsmouth, N.H., October 21, 1778: Since the Courier de l’Europe , Captain Raffin, is ready to sail for Europe, I take the liberty of mentioning a matter advantageous to our allies and profitable to me. The British Navy was mostly furnished with masts from this port; lately I have sent to Boston all the masts for d’Estaing’s squadron. Please mention to...
8James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Captain Thomas Bell in a private Vessel belonging to Philadelphia with Tobacco, is arrived here this moment from said Town, which he left the first, and it’s Bay the 10th of September last. He Brings dispatches both for you and for Government which the Commissary will forward for you with his Letters to Versailles. I therefore mention it that you may send...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Neveu d’un de mes bons Amis, jeune homme bien né, et bien elevé et qui se destine au commerce est pret à partir pour Charlestown dans la Sud Caroline. Je vous prie avec instance de vouloir lui donner quelque lettre de recommandation pour ce pays-là. Je vous en serai fort obligé. Je comptois avoir l’honneur de vous voir hier au College royal et de vous en...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the first half of September Deane was optimistic that congressional approval of his conduct as commissioner would permit his quick return to Europe. Between September 19 and October 15, however, that optimism was undermined. On those two dates Henry Laurens presented to Congress letters he had received from Ralph Izard criticizing the conduct of...
11To Benjamin Franklin from ———, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur franklin est suplié de vouloir bien se rappeller l’Engagement pris avec Madame helvetius de diner aujourdhuy mercredy a auteüil chez M. hebere ou il sera toujours desiré avec la meme ardeur. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin / a Passy In an unknown hand. BF started to draft an answer on the address sheet of Dubourg’s letter of the same day:...
12From Benjamin Franklin to the Abbé Martin Lefebvre de La Roche, [21 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Bibliothèque Nationale; copy: Duke University Library M. Franklin n’oublie jamais aucune Partie ou Me. Helvetius doit être. Il croit même, que s’il etoit engagé d’aller à Paradis ce matin, il ferai Supplication d’ètre permis de rester sur terre jusqu’à une heure et demi, pour reçevoir l’Embrassade qu’elle a bien voulu lui promettre en le rencontrant chez M. Turgot. Addressed: A Monsr. /...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel W. Stockton, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From your kind permission given when I had the honor of seeing you last, I take the liberty of requesting your care of a letter for me, which my worthy friend Mr. Dumas of the Hague writes me, came to his address, and which he enclosed to the Plenipotentiaries &c. at Passy, a day or two before I left Paris, supposing it would find me there. I shall be much...
14To Benjamin Franklin from George Swaller, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is to inform I am and American Born in Baltimore and served my time to the say to Mr. Isaac Vanbevres Justice of Peace living upon falspoint. And I was taken in a Brig called the rizing States taken by the Terrible a Ship of 74 Guns belonging to the Englinsh and was sent to the Aspital being unwel from whench I made my Escape and was taken by the press...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire hier. Je connois assez les dispositions presentes de la Hollande pour croire que votre presence n’y avanceroit pas plus vos affaires que le fait l’ami secret avec lequel vous étes en Correspondance. Vous avez sans doute beaucoup de Partisans dans cette republique qui font des voeux pour le...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Jérémie Witel, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter provides the only contemporary evidence of an incident which would come back to haunt Franklin in 1782 and 1783: his subscription to, and subsequent reluctance to pay for, a pirated Swiss edition of the Encyclopédie . On February 11, he had received a visit from Jean-Pierre Duplan, co-director of the Société Typographique de Lausanne, whose firm...
17The Continental Congress to Louis XVI: Letter of Credence for Franklin as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, [21 … (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): National Archives; LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Archives du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, National Archives, South Carolina Historical Society The Principles of Equality and Reciprocity on which you have entered into Treaties with us, give you an additional security for that good Faith with which we shall observe them from...
18General Orders, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lieutt Samuel Richards is appointed Pay-Master to the 3rd Connecticutt Regiment—Lieutt William Adams to the 4th—Lieutt John Shearman to the 6th and Lieutt Richard Sill to the 8th from the 7th of September last. Purity of Morals being the only sure foundation of publick happiness in any Country and highly conducive to order, subordination and success in an Army, it will be well worthy the...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency desired Intelligence might be had from Canada I have sent Four Men three of which are French, who were Recommended by Colo: Hazen and appear to be Exceeding good men, they were sent to the Neighbourhood of Quebec and to Return the 10th Novr also One Party to St Charle’s on Sorrell, another to Chambalee all well Recommended the last to return the last of this Inst., also Two...
20From George Washington to George Clinton, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is of the utmost importance that we should be thoroughly acquainted with the resources of this State in regard to Flour. Can it be procured in any considerable quantity, it will not only save the immense expence that arises upon the transportation from Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, but it will enable us to lay up suitable Magazines, which I fear we shall not be able to establish...
21To George Washington from George Clinton, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of yesterday. The Account it contains of the hostile Intentions of the Enemy so perfectly agreeing with that communicated in Colo. Hartley’s Letter and other Intelligence is thereby rendered indisputable. My Brother General Clinton will have reached your Excellency before this with a Description of the different Routes to Chemung and a short Plan for...
22From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed came to my hands by the last Post. The Enemy have been very busy since their return from the Jerseys in Imbarking Troops—Nine Regiments are compleated to their full establishment by drafts from some others which are reduced, & these I am perswaded are destined for the West Indies—Whether the rest of the Troops will remain in New York—return to England—or go to Hallifax is yet...
23From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the intelligence which I had the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency yesterday—I hasten to communicate what farther has been received from the Posts of observation—inclosed is the substance of my last report from thence, bearing date the 19th. It gives me singular pleasure to congratulate with Your Excellency upon the Marquis de Bouille’s Success in the conquest of the...
24To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 16th of this month—and I hope that you will have been so good as to read with your usual indulgence my imprudent dispatch of yesterday on the subject of the Marquis de la fayettes Cartel—it was not only my tender friendship for him which dictated it—I regard him not only as my friend, but as a General Officer who...
25To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last night I was favoured with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday’s date. General Paterson’s Brigade are just Marched for Newtown, on their way to Hartford, and will proceed according to the following Route, exactly as poor’s, & the late Learned’s were Ordered, vizt: Miles “Wednesday 21st from Danbury to Newtown 9 Thursday 22nd from Newtown to Woodbury 10 Fryday 23rd from...
26From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just now favoured with your letter of this instant. The motions and movements among the enemy still continue to point the same way with the late information which I transmitted. I am Sir Your most obt servt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, NHi : Gates Papers. See GW to Gates, 20 October .
27To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon examination into the state of the Forage department I find there is wanted 200 Men to mann a number of Battaues which are to go up the River single and then be lashed together and come down double. Six tuns of Hay may be brought upon two Battaues in this way. The weather is now good for the business and the greater exertions are necessary as the Time will be short. There is Fifty Fatigue...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours by Genl Clinton. I have furnished Genl Schuyler with the Resolve of Congress directing the Expedition to Chemung, and desired him in conjunction with Governor Clinton and yourself to take the matter fully into consideration, that if thought practicable at this season of the Year it may be undertaken, if not, that I may stand justifiable to Congress for laying it aside. You...
29From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I transmitted you, by a letter of yesterday, all the intelligence I then had, respecting the movements of the enemy in New-York. I now send you by this conveyance, extracts of a letter from Lord Stirling, and the report of a spy, which contain my latest information upon the subject. I am D. Sir. Your most hble servt p.s. I have the pleasure to inform you, that the taking of Dominica by the...
30From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you this morning the inclosed Resolve of Congress came to my hands. As Sir Henry Clinton never complied with the request of granting passports for the transportation of Flour by Water it becomes necessary that the Convention troops should, without loss of time, be put in motion for Charlotteville in Virginia agreeable to the order of Congress. You will be pleased to signify...