101Resolution on Land Grants, [27 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency the Governor having by proclamation bearing date the 21st. day of March in the present year declared that his majesty hath given orders that all vacant lands within this colony shall be put up in lots to public sale and that the highest bidder for such lot shall be the purchaser thereof, and shall hold the same subject to a reservation of one half-penny sterling per acre by way...
102To George Washington from James Balfour, 25–26 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
My Partner Mr Barraud writes me that he has procur’d ev’ry thing in your Order that cou’d be got—I have been confin’d to my Bed for near Six Weeks occasion’d as the Old Women say by a Stone Bruise on my Heel be what bruise it may it had liked to have carry’d me to my long Home thank God I am now out of all danger tho’ still confin’d to my Bed—this has retarded sometime sending for the Flour....
103To Benjamin Franklin from James Kinsey, 26 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the favor of Mr. Wister I transmitt the Votes and Laws of the last Session of Assembly, Which I hope will be delivered safely to you together with this inclosing a Duplicate of the petition to the King. In my last I Stated Mr. Wilmotts Affair fully, hope he will see by it that the Colony has not been to blame and that he will speedily receive his Money....
104[Diary entry: 26 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
26. Stay’d at Wilton all day.
105[Diary entry: 26 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
26. Wind Easterly with Misting Rain all day.
106To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Quincy, Sr., 25 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society My dear Son has repeatedly acknowledged your friendly Reception and Patronage of him, since his Arrival in London: Be pleased, therefore, to accept of my gratefull Sense of your Goodness to him; with my ardent Wishes, that your united Endeavors to preserve your native Country from impending Ruin may be attended with Success. You would hardly be perswaded...
107[Diary entry: 25 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
25. Returnd to the Convention in Richmond. Dined at Galts & went to Mrs. Randolphs of Wilton. Today the convention accepted an amended report of the defense committee, which recommended that each county “form one or more voluntier Companies of Infantry and Troops of Horse,” that every infantryman have a rifle or firelock and a tomahawk and “be cloathed in a hunting Shirt by Way of Uniform,”...
108[Diary entry: 25 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
25. Wind Northerly & somewhat Cool but not unpleasant.
109From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 25 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
Mr Smith deliverd me your Letter of the 16th; but as one is generally in a hurry & bustle in such places, & at such times as these I have only time to acknowledge it, & add that it would have given me pleasure to have met you here —I shall refer you to Mr Smith for an Acct of our proceedings up to this day, & you cannot fail of learning the rest from the Squire, who delights in the Minutiæ of...
110Report of Committee to Prepare a Plan for a Militia, [25 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed to prepare a plan for embodying arming and disciplining a militia for the purpose of putting this colony into an immediate posture of defence have had the same under their consideration and agreed to a report as follows. The Committee propose that it be strongly recommended to the colony diligently to put in execution the Militia law passed in the year 1738 entitled ‘An...
111[Diary entry: 24 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
24. Dined at Galts & spent the Evening & lodgd at Mr. Saml. Duvals. The convention decided on this day to send seven delegates to the Second Continental Congress ( VAN SCHREEVEN William J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record . 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83. , 2:371). Samuel Du Val (1714–1784) lived near Shockoe Creek at...
112[Diary entry: 24 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
24. Clear & warm in the forenoon—Wind very fresh from the So. West. In the afternoon Wind shifting to the No. West & Cooler.
113Draft of Resolution concerning Adherence of New York to Articles of Association, [24 March 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Ordered that certain paragraphs in the public papers, said to have been the votes of the house of representatives of New York be read. The house of Convention taking into their consideration that the said province of New York did by their delegates in General Congress solemnly accede to the compact of Association there formed for the preservation of American rights, that a defection from such...
114[Diary entry: 23 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
23. Dined at Mr. Patrick Cootes & lodgd where I had done the Night before. At this day’s session Patrick Henry proposed resolutions “that this Colony be immediately put into a posture of Defence.” After much debate, in the course of which Henry gave his “liberty or death” speech, the resolutions passed by a close vote. GW was appointed to a committee to “prepare a Plan for embodying, arming...
115[Diary entry: 23 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
23. Cloudy & Chilly—with appearances of Snow—wind being Easterly but none fell. Afternn. clear.
116To George Washington from Valentine Crawford, 23 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Came to this place on fryday Evening and I Should have Com down Sooner But I Never Recved your Drafts till a fews days before I Came down and thinking you Might be gon to the Con grass I thought it advisable to Send them to you by Capt. Rutherford as you Might Meet with Mr Lewis there and have the plats Examenid by Lewis your Selfe. I hope you will Excuse My Not breng down all My acounts and...
117From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin: Journal of Negotiations in London, 22 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AD and copy: Library of Congress When Franklin at long last set sail for home, memories of the past months were churning inside him. He spent much of the voyage recounting, in the guise of a letter to his son, the events that had crowded upon him since the previous summer and particularly since early December. He had with him a mass of papers with which he documented his journal; the bulk of...
118[Diary entry: 22 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
22. Dined at Galts Tavern & lodgd at a House of his providing. The convention concluded the day’s deliberations by voting unanimous approval to “the proceedings and Resolutions of the American Continental Congress” and unanimous thanks to their seven delegates ( VAN SCHREEVEN William J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record . 7 vols....
119[Diary entry: 22 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
22. Cold all day with the Wind fresh from the No. Wt.
120[Diary entry: 21 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
21. Dind at Cooleys Tavern in Richmd. & returnd to Colo. Carys. The convention spent this day’s session hearing reports from their seven delegates to the First Continental Congress and discussing the proceedings of that congress ( VAN SCHREEVEN William J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record . 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83. ,...
121[Diary entry: 21 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
21. Very Windy all day from the West, & turnd much Cooler.
122To George Washington from Thomas Cresap, 21 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have just now Received Yours of Feby 7 last , wherein You tell me that the Executors of Your Brother have been lately informed of my having taken Possession of some Lands belonging to him, which Information is not true; for I only claim my Own which I have been always in Possession of, And the very Person who made that Complaint has Rented it of me these two Years past and being called on...
123Franklin’s Remarks on Judge Foster’s Argument in Favor of the Right of Impressing Seamen, [before 17 September 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Copy with autograph additions: Library of Congress Sir Michael Foster (1689–1763) was one of the most respected jurists of the eighteenth century. In 1743 he was recorder for the city of Bristol, a judicial post that required him to prosecute criminal cases such as the one which led to his discussion of the Royal Navy’s right to impress or forcibly recruit sailors. On April 25, 1743, Alexander...
124Memorandum for Mrs. Stevenson, [on or before 20 March 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Dr. William Hewson, Philadelphia, Pa. (1957) Franklin, like so many travelers embarking on a long voyage, had been unable to deal with everything before his departure; and as usual Mrs. Stevenson took care of tidying his affairs. But she was much more deeply involved in them than this memorandum indicates. He left owing her four years’ rent at £100 per annum, and she covered additional...
125VIII. (cont.). To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 20 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
Wales was a little portion of the island of Great-Britain, which the Saxons were never able to conquer. The Britons had reserved this tract of land to themselves and subsisted wholly by pasturage, among their mountains. Their princes however, during the Norman period, and untill the reign of king Edward the first, did homage to the crown of England, as their feudal sovereign, in the same...
126[Diary entry: 20 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
20. Reach’d Richmond abt. 11 Oclock. Dind at Mr. Richd. Adam’s. Went to Col. Archy Carys abt. 7 Miles in the Aftern. The Second Virginia Convention was called to order at the Henrico Parish Church in Richmond, built in the 1740s on Indian Town Hill and set in a yard which in time became bounded by Broad, Grace, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets. In 1772 a north wing was added, and it was...
127[Diary entry: 20 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
20. Lowering and very warm with the Wind fresh from the So. West.
128From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 19 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I leave Directions with Mrs. Stevenson to deliver you all the Massachusetts Papers, when you please to call for them. I am sorry that the Hurry of Preparing for my Voyage and the many Hindrances I have met with, prevented my meeting you and Mr. Bollan, and conversing a little more on our Affairs before my Departure. I wish to both of you Health and Happiness,...
129To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 19 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre derniere lettre m’ayant eté remise par Mr. Williams m’a fait un plaisir singulier. L’avantage qu’il a de vous appartenir de si près formoit un prejugé bien favorable pour lui, sa physiognomie ne previent pas moins en sa faveur, les qualités de son esprit et la douceur de ses moeurs y repondent parfaitement. Il se fait aimer generalement icy des hommes...
130To Benjamin Franklin from John Fothergill, 19 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and extract: Library of Congress Be kind enough to take the charge of the inclosed and convey them at thy leisure. [ Deleted ] is a staunch Anti American. I have received a letter from him to day by way of Liverpool which hurts me much. Get him, Jas. Pemberton and two or three more together, and inform them, that whatever specious pretences are offerd, they are all hollow and that to get a...
131[Diary entry: 19 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
19. Dined at Roys at the Bolling green and lodged at Hanovr. Court House. Hanover Court House, now Hanover, is 15 miles north of Richmond. In 1781 there was a “very fine and large inn here” ( RICE Howard C. Rice, Jr., and Anne S. K. Brown, eds. The American Campaigns of Rochambeau’s Army, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783 . 2 vols. Princeton, N.J., 1972. , 2:101).
132[Diary entry: 19 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
19. Clear and very pleasant with but little Wind and Southe[rly].
133[Monday March 18.] (Adams Papers)
Monday March 18. Order of the Day again. Mr. Harrison reported no Resolution.
134To John Adams from John Waite, 18 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
A sacred regard to the american association on the one hand and an earnest desire not to injure my fellow subjects in Great Britain on the other is the reason of my writing you at this time to request your advice for my future conduct and also to confirm or set me right in my judgment in a Late affair that has happened in this Port. The case is as follows a Vessell arived here from Bristol the...
135From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Todd, 18 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Library of Congress Dr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Todd, and sends the above Extracts of Letters from Mr. Foxcroft to show what reason Dr. F. had to suppose the Accts might now have been settled. In reply to the preceding letter. Above, Nov. 2, 5; Dec. 7, 1774; Jan. 4, 1775.
136David Barclay to James Pemberton, 18 March 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extracted from ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This letter and Fothergill’s to Dartmouth above, February 6, seem to be the only comments by British negotiators on why their efforts failed. Whereas Fothergill expressed his despair before the game was played out, Barclay retained some hope until after the middle of February. The plan that he produced on the 16th elicited a number of...
137[Diary entry: 18 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
18. Clear and pleasant—in Fredericksburg all day.
138[Diary entry: 18 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
18. A White as well as a black frost.
139From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter P. Burdett], 17 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Being about to embark for America this Line is just to take leave wishing you every kind of Felicity, and to request that if you have not yet purchased for me the Theatrum Machinarum , you would now omit doing it, as I have the Offer of a Set here. But if you have purchased it, your Draft on me will be duly paid in my Absence by Mrs. Stevenson, in...
140To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 17 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: General Post Office, London Mr. Todd presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and sends him an extract of a Letter to Messrs. Foxcroft and Finlay of the 9th. of Decr. last concerning the Balance remaining in his Hands to which he has not as yet received an Answer, but makes no doubt when it comes it will clear up every Difficulty in settling his Accounts finally with this...
141[Diary entry: 17 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. Reachd Fredericksburg first dining at Mr. James Hunters—detaind by Wind. GW’s host was probably James Hunter, Sr. (d. 1785), then of King George County.
142[Diary entry: 17 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. A frost & cold—Wind very hard all day from the No. Wt.
143To George Washington from Richmond County Independent Company, 17 March 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Independant Company of Richmond County present their most respectful Compliments to Colo. Washington and beg leave to inform him that they have unanimously chosen him their Commander, should they be obliged to have recourse to Arms to defend their King and Country; they flatter themselves from their Assiduity they shall be able to make a tolerable appearance some time in the Summer, and...
144From James Madison to William Bradford, 17 March 1775 (Madison Papers)
This I expect will be delivered to you by the Revd. Mr Samuel Smith who will inform you of every thing respecting our affairs that I could let you know by Letter. I wrote to you very lately by Mr David Hoops in answer to yours contain[in]g a few lines from Mr Irvin. If it should fail of coming to you it will be proper I should know of it because I there mentioned what I desired as to Dunlap &...
145To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, [before 16 March 1775] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions …, LXV (1775), pp. 277–9. Presuming the mode of raising water by its momentum may be new and useful to many individuals, induces me to send you the inclosed plan and description of a work, executed in the year 1772, at Oulton, in Cheshire, the seat of Philip Egerton, Esq. for the service of a brewhouse and other offices, and is found to...
146From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Bessborough, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library Dr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Lord Bessborough, with Thanks for the obliging Invitation, which he should embrace with Pleasure, but that he expects to be at Sea on that Day in his Way to America, being to embark on Sunday next. He wishes sincerely to Lord Bessborough every kind of Felicity, and shall always retain a grateful Sense of the many...
147Proposed Memorial to Lord Dartmouth, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ADS and copy: Library of Congress; draft and copy: American Philosophical Society Franklin’s patience was finite, and its limits had been reached. Failure of the negotiations he may have taken in stride, for British intractibility was too familiar to leave him much hope of compromise; but British arrogance was something else again. On March 16 he was in the gallery when the House of Lords...
148To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress D: Barclay’s respects, and acquaints Dr. Franklin, that Dr. Fothergill desires the favor of his Company Tomorrow Evening at half past 7 Clock, when D B will meet him if that Time is agreable to Dr. Franklin. Addressed: Doctr. Franklin / Cravenstreet Endorsed: March 75 The purpose of this last meeting was a sad one, to send word by BF to their American friends that the...
149To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Walpole, 16 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Library of Congress Franklin’s anger at the ministry did not rob him of all circumspection. Before he sent the above memorial to Dartmouth he showed it to Thomas Walpole, who “lookt at it and at me several Times alternately, as if he apprehended me a little out of my Senses.” The American asked him to get a second opinion from Lord Camden; Walpole did so, and returned the...
150[Diary entry: 16 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
16. Went to Dumfries to review the Independant Company there. Dind & lodged with Mr. Leitch. Spent the Evg. at an Entertt. at Grahams. GW reviewed the Independent Company of Cadets of Prince William County. Andrew Leitch, a merchant of Dumfries, was a member of the Prince William County Committee ( VAN SCHREEVEN William J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to...