31To George Washington from Thomas Contee, 11 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received your Terms for the Brigantine Farmer and her Apparel, the New Boat Excepted, I agree to your proposal and Capt. Bradstreet will take her in Charge when or as Soon as you please. The Eighty pounds Bills will be paid you on receipt of the Vessel and the Cash you may rely on by or before the first day of May next. I am Sir your very humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . The letter is...
The cases of Wales and Ireland are not yet exhausted. They afford such irrefragable proofs, that there is a distinction between the crown and realm, and that a country may be annexed and subject to the former, and not the latter, that they ought to be thoroughly studied and understood. The more these cases, as well as those of Chester, Durham, Jersey, Guernsey, Calais, Gascoine, Guienne, &c....
33[Diary entry: 10 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
10. At home all day alone.
34[Diary entry: 10 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
10. Lowering all day with the wind at No. Et.
35To George Washington from James Cleveland, 10 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
With much Difictualy I got out the fifth Day of April to Gilbert Simpsons; Wheare I found all the Hands but under Stood that ther Was but two Cannues—Next Day I Went to Magr Crawfords to see Stephenes & And Crawford Stephenes told me that he had been there Tenn Dayes, getting the tules I asket him how did you Expect to git Down he said he had made the hands Digg one ⟨Weich⟩, he said made...
36[Diary entry: 9 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
9. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Doctr. Craik and Mr. Danl. Jenifer came in the Afternoon and stayed all Night.
37[Diary entry: 9 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
9. Again Cool, & Wind still at No. East.
38To George Washington from William Preston, 9 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 27th Ult. came to hand yesterday with my Fee & that to Mr Floyd with which we are Sattisfied. Henderson I hear has made the Purchase & got a Conveyance of the great and Valluable Country below the Kentucky from the Cherokees. He and about 300 adventurers are gone out to take Possession, who it is said intends to set up an independant Government & form a Code of Laws for...
39[Diary entry: 8 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
8. Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast. Mrs. Washington & self rid to the Mill.
40[Diary entry: 8 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
8. Rather Cool, Wind, what there was of it at No. East.
41[Diary entry: 7 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
7. Mr. Adam went away after Breakfast. I continued at home all day.
42[Diary entry: 7 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
7. Pleasant forenoon, but rather cool & Raw afterwards notwithstandg. the Wind was Southerly.
43To George Washington from George Digges, 7 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
My Father & Mr Hawkins will take four hundred Bushel of your Salt, & I will copy a few Advertisements to be put up in this Neighbourhood—your Vessel may come along side of our Warf, which I apprehend wou’d be more Convenent for the people that may want to purchase. The family Join in Comptts to all at Mt Vernon, with Dear Sir Your Mos. Od. Sert ALS , DLC:GW . GW’s brigantine Farmer arrived at...
44[Diary entry: 6 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
6. All the above Gentlemen except Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast. Mr. R. Adam came in the Evening & stayd all Night.
45[Diary entry: 6 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
6. A hard frost—day colder & wind harder from the same Quarter than yesterday.
46From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 6 April 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George William Fairfax, 6 April 1775. On 30 June 1786 GW wrote Fairfax : “The letters of ... 6th of Apl and 31st of May 1775 ... contain a full, & accurate acct of every thing that had occurred relative to your business.”
47To George Washington from Edward Snickers, 6 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Receved a letter from youre miller in Regard to the whet I Sent Last to youre mill whare in he is under Sum mistake to think the whet Belonged to Mr Wormley for the whet wase my propertey but it Came from one of Mr Wormley quorters as he wase in Due me for whet I Sent him Last fall from my plantashon in Loudon to Soe and youre miller wase much in the Right to waye it and Give a Resait for...
48To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 6 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of yesterday, I have looked cursorily over all the charters in my office. Of those sent by Mr. Montagu the three which seem to concern the matter you are considering are the same that are in the appendix to Mr. Stith’s history and the other which is all that I have of them besides is an ordinance relating to the appointment of a council in England for the affairs of the colony....
49Speculation on the Speed of Ships, 5 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
MS : Library of Congress During his homeward voyage Franklin took time off from writing his journal of the peace negotiations in London to return to a question that had intrigued him for years: why do westbound ships have a longer crossing of the Atlantic than eastbound? Almost three decades earlier he had advanced a tentative answer in terms of the earth’s rotation; he now sketched a new one...
50[Diary entry: 5 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
5. At home all day with the above Gentleman.
51[Diary entry: 5 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
5. Wind very fresh and Cold from the No. West all day.
52From George Washington to George Mercer, 5 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
The writing of this Letter, has been delayed longer than I expected, for the following reasons—want of opportunities of Collectg the inclosed papers—want of a conveyance to forward them afterwards—the necessity of comparing, & examining the Sales, and making some alterations with respect to the purchasers—executing Deeds for the Land &c. This delay, I conceived, could be attended with no great...
53From George Washington to Edward Montagu, 5 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
My Letter of the 4th of December to Colo. Mercer (dispatched by the first opportunity that offered after the close of his Sales) would inform you of the total amount thereof; & that the contest between Miss Wroughton and Messrs Dick & Hunter, respecting a preference of Mortgages, would, more than probable, be avoided. I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 29th of August,...
54To George Washington from William Grayson, 5 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your favor of the 2nd of Aprill; in answer to which, it is the desire of our Officers, that if they can’t be furnished with such sashes, as are proper; they would not incline to have any; but this matter is altogether left to yourself, as the person most capable of determining; with respect to the mode of conveying the arms from Philada to this place; I cannot at this time...
55To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 5 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know that the terms on which the crown engaged to grant the lands in Virginia are contained in any other charter than that by Car. ii. the 10. of Oct. 28 of his reign. The original, I believe although the seal is not now to it, I found in my office; and I understand it is recorded in the Secretary’s office. A copy of it I now inclose to be sent by the first opportunity. In the mean...
56To John Adams from William Tudor, 4 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
The interesting Advices we rec’d here on Sunday, and which the Papers will acquaint You, have had almost as great an Effect on People in this Town, as the Arrival of the Port Bill produc’d. The Women are terrify’d by the Fears of Blood and Carnage. The Merchants are dispirited, by the Expectation of Lord North’s Bill for the Prevention of the Newfoundland Fishery; and the Trading to any Parts...
57To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 4 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
At the same time that I make my Gratful Acknowledgment, for the instructive sentiments and Friendly hint, Contained in yours of the 15th March I must ask your indulgence so far as to Favour me with your opinion (by my son who will Call on you on Monday Next) of the present dark and Gloomy aspect of public affairs. Is there no hope that the Dread Calamity of Civil Convulsions may yet be...
58To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 4 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very agreable favour of the 4th. of Janry. I rec’d by the last Packet informing of your having drawn on me for the Ballance of our Acct. as it Stands in your Books a Copy of which I rec’d by a Ship Via Philada. Mr. Bache will inform you that at his desire the Bill was paid in Philadelphia when due. The Acct. as you say may be easyly rectify’d when we...
59[Diary entry: 4 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
4. Mr. Tilghman Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Danl. Carroll & Mr. Fitzgerald came down to Dinner & the two last returnd in the Aftern.
60[Diary entry: 4 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
4. Misting, & Raining more or less all day with but little Wind and that Southerly.
61To George Washington from John Dickinson, 4 April 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Dickinson, 4 April 1775. On 13 April GW wrote Dickinson that he had received “your favour of the 4th Instt.”
62To James Madison from William Bradford, 4 April 1775 (Madison Papers)
Though the business that at present surrounds me on every side, makes writing inconvenient, yet I cannot let Mr. Hoops return without a few Lines to one I value so much. [Mr Dunlap’s paper &c] I send with this Furguson which I could not get for less than 12/ tho’ you will perceive it is somewhat soil’d. I also send the friendly address &c. & The other side of the Question. I dare not add more...
Give me leave now to descend from these general matters, to Massachusettensis. He says “Ireland who has perhaps the greatest possible subordinate legislature, and send no members to the British parliament, is bound by its acts, when expressly named.” But if we are to consider what ought to be, as well as what is, why should Ireland have the greatest possible subordinate legislature? Is Ireland...
64To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 3 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you the other day about an hundred pounds which the Constitutional Society here had orderd to be given for releif of the poor sufferers in Boston and now inclose you Mr. Olivers letter respecting that business. I presume you are fully informed from other hands of all the public transactions here since you left us. Therefore shall only beg you to...
65To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Warren, 3 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (facsimile): Massachusetts Historical Society Altho’ I have not the pleasure either of a personal or epistolary acquaintance with you, I have taken the liberty of sending you by Mr. Dana a pamphlet which I wish was more deserving of your notice. The ability and firmness with which you have defended the Rights of Mankind and the Liberties of this Country in particular have rendered you dear...
66[Diary entry: 3 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
3. Mr. Wilper went away. Mr. Magowan & self walkd into the Neck.
67[Diary entry: 3 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
3. Wind at No. Wt.—fresh & Cool all the forepart of the day—latter part moderate—Wind Southerly.
68From George Washington to Thomas Newton, 3 April 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Newton, Jr., 3 April 1775. Newton wrote GW on 12 April : “I Received your favor of 3d instant.”
69From George Washington to Lord Dunmore, 3 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
At second hand, I learnt from Captain Floyd, that the Surveys made by Mr Crawford under the Proclamation of 1754 (expressly agreeable to an order of Council of the 15th of Decembr 1769) and for which your Lordships Patents under the Seal of the Colony, hath actually been obtained, are now declared null & void. The information appearing altogether incredible, I gave little attention to it,...
70To George Washington from Gilbert Simpson, 3 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Reced your letter by Mr William Stephens dated in March in Which I find you are verey Much disturved at the Cost of your Mill and I find that after all My Care and troble To Serve you in a thing of this kind to the great disadvantage of my plantation as Well as the discruttion of my Bedind and houshold furneture—And that all for Notting Except that of incuring your ill Will and being Censurd...
71To George Washington from Dennis Stephens, 3 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have had the mortification of Seing a letter from under your hand directed to Mr Gilbert Simpson dated march, the purport of which demonstrates, to me that I have incur’d Your displeasure greatly by Amiting my duty with Respect to your mill, What you perticularly seem to alledge is my Extravigance in drinking and also that She never will be finis’d which allegations I humbly acknowledg were...
72[Diary entry: 2 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
2. At home all day. Mr. Magowan went to church & returnd to Dinner. Mr. Wilper came in the Afternoon—as did Captn. Curtis also. Philip Curtis was the captain of GW’s brig Farmer , just arrived at Mount Vernon from a voyage that had carried 4,000 bushels of “Indian Corn” to Lisbon and returned with 3,000 bushels of salt from the Turks Islands in the Caribbean ( P.R.O. , T.1/512, ff. 196, 197).
73[Diary entry: 2 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
2. Wind in the same place, and weather Cool.
74From George Washington to William Grayson, 2 April 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Grayson, 2 April 1775. On 5 April Grayson wrote GW that he had “the honor of your favor of the 2nd of Aprill.”
75From John Adams to the Reverend Caleb Gannett, 1 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
It is not easy for me to determine whether it be best, to carry the Cause before the Governor and Council as a Court of Chancery or before the King and Council—because, I dont know enough of the Character and Sentiments of the Governor and Council. They may be all Episcopalians, and so much prejudiced, as to render an Application to them, fruitless. Nor am I able to say, whether, the Cause can...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; draft: British Museum I wrote you in Septr and Aug: last, and it is a great While indeed since I have had the Pleasure of a Line from you. The Anxiety and Distress bro’t upon us by the Port Bill and other Acts, and the Troops and Ships of War station’d here have been great; and much Art and Pains have been employ’d to dismay us, or provoke us to some...
77[Diary entry: 1 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
Aprl. 1. At home all day, Mr. Magowan came here.
78[Diary entry: 1 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
Apl. 1. Cool, with the Wind at No. Wt.
79Note on Franklin’s Sketch of How to Force a Wheel Round by Gunpowder, [before March 1775?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society For some years we have been trying and failing to answer two questions about this sketch: why and when was it made? The device as described would obviously never produce continuous rotation, if that was the intent; and a wheel that turned in spasms would have limited use. As for the date, no clue to it has appeared in the edited correspondence; one may of...
80[March 1775] (Washington Papers)
Mar. 1st. Cloudy all the forenoon with a little Rain. Clear afterwards. Wind very fresh all day from the No. West. Mrs. Barnes, & Miss Betcy Ramsay came in the Eveng. as did Mr. Morda. Red. Betcy Ramsay was Mrs. Sarah Barnes’s granddaughter. 2. Morda. Red went away after Breakfast. Doctr. Jenifer & wife & Mrs. McCarty came to Dinner & stayd all Night. Dr. Walter Hanson Jenifer’s wife Ann was...