1Henry Laurens, Richard Henry Lee, and John Adams to Joseph Trumbull, 5 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Resolve of Congress which you will receive under this Cover will shew you that we are appointed a Committee and for what purposes. We request you to transmit to us by the earliest good opportunity the fullest intelligence in your late department of Commissary General and you will further oblige us by adding any further information properly authenticated relative to the enquiries which we...
2To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have in charge from Congress to transmit to your Excellency the inclosed Resolution of the 20th Ult: relative to the Conduct of Major General Sullivan in the late expedition to Staten Island—which will be made public here as soon as a printing press can be set to work this is expected to be in a few days. I likewise inclose a Certifieed minute from the Journal of Congress shewing Your...
3To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you yesterday in a Letter which from unavoidable delay will accompany this. I now forward two Extracts from the Minutes of Congress both dated the 4th Inst.—One containing an Order founded upon a Report from the Marine Committee relative to the Continental Frigates & other Navigation at & near Borden Town submitted to your Excellency for approbation & in that...
4To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you the 4th & 5th by the conveyance of the Express Wm Jones since which Your Excellency’s dispatch under the 1st & 3d Currt with several inclosed papers reached me, were immediately Reported to Congress & Committed to the Board of War. My present duty is to forward the following recited Minutes & Resolves. Of the 1st Inst: for observing the 18th December next as...
5To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 13–15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 7th I have had the honour of reporting to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 8th & 10th Currt. The Chairman of the Treasury Board in answer to my pressing intreaty for dispatch to replenish your Military Chest has desired me to inform your Excellency—“that from the removal of the Office from Baltimore & philadelphia the Money department has been greatly obstructed...
6To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honour of writing to you the 13th to 15th Inst. I have received no other Commands from Congress your Excellency with except the two Inclosed Resolves. the 15th Inst. relative to Clothing & Blankets for the Army. the 17 Inst. for appointments to Rank in the Army the Chevalier Duportail, Messrs Du Lemoy, dela Radierre & Govion—Commissions in obedience to the Resolve are granted &...
7To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last I had the honour of writing to you was dated the 19th. Your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th in which was inclosed Copy of a paper from Mr Zantzinger & a Return of deficiencies in Clothing for the Army came Since to hand & have been presented to Congress—& by their order Committed to the Board of War & Treasury from whence no Reports have yet come up, I am thereby left without...
8To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer Your Excellency to my last trouble unacknowledged of the 22d by Jones. Your favor of the 23d containing the Six papers refered to I had the honour of receiving in the minute I was Sitting down to pay my present respects, the whole Shall be duly presented to Congress to morrow. I am ordered to convey to your Excellency the undermentioned Resolves which will be found covered...
The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to all who shall see these presents send greeting. Whereas a trade upon equal terms between the subjects of his most Christian majesty the king of France and the...
10To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the 26th Currt by the Messenger Barry I paid my respects to your Excellency & conveyed Such Orders as I had then received from Congress —pretty late last Night Jones brought in your Excellency’s favors of the 26th & 27th which Shall be presented to Morrow, in the mean time I dispatch Franis Seall with the undermentioned Resolves of Congress —a packet containing one hundred Commissions —two...
11To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency Yesterday by Thos Seale —this Morning I reported to Congress your Excellency’s Letter of the 26th 27th November together with the Copy of General Sr William Howe’s, which came inclosed in it. I am now charged to inform Genl Gates, the Council of Massachusetts Bay & Genl Heath, that it is the Resolution of Congress, the Troops of Lt Genl Burgoyne...
12To John Adams from the President of the Congress, 3 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
The 28th. Ultimo I had the honour of writing to you by the Messenger Frederick Weare and of transmitting a Vote of Congress by which you are appointed a Commissioner at the Court of France. Inclosed under this Cover you will find a Commission executed agreeable to the Order of Congress. You have no doubt heard or will hear before this can reach you of the little affair which happened last Week...
13To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last trouble of the 1st Inst. Your Excellency’s favor of that date reached me & was reported to Congress—I have at present only to transmit a Resolve of Congress of the 3d Inst. calculated for effecting the Exchange of the Baron de St Ouary now a prisoner with the Enemy in Philadelphia or to obtain for him treatment Suitable to his Rank in the french Army. Congress have taken under...
14To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 12 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you the 8th Inst. by Messenger Barry. Your Excellency will find under this cover an important act of Congress calculated for availing your Excellency’s Troops & for depriving those of the Enemy, of the benefit of provisions adjacent to Philadelphia. I beg leave to refer your Excellency to the paper and that you will be pleased to excuse brevity as I am confined...
15To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had this Morning the honour of receiving Your Excellency’s dispatch dated 14th & 15th Currt inclosing Copy of a Letter from Lt Genl Burgoyne, which, without reading them through, I sent directly to Congress, from whence I am this moment charged with a Resolve, formed, I presume, as the present necessary direction for a reply to the British General’s application to your Excellency. The...
16To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 17th Inst. I troubled Your Excellency by the hand of Messenger Jones. Under this Cover Your Excellency will receive two Acts of Congress of Yesterday’s date respectively—one for regulating & restricting the terms of payment for past unliquidated & future supplies of provisions & other necessaries for British Prisoners. The other requesting Your Excellency to inform Congress the intended...
17To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency the 20th by Messenger Macklosky Since which I have not received any of your Excellency’s favours nor any Commands from Congress to be transmitted to you. General Conway is so polite as to afford me an opportunity of conveying a Packet to your Excellency which I received last Evening from Majr General Gates—at the Same time I send the...
18To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 24 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency yesterday by General Conway; I now inclose a Resolve of Congress of the 22d Sent in to me last Night, directing, all Gold & Silver which shall be received for provision or other necessaries supplied British Prisoners, to be paid immediately into the Continental Treasury —To this I will take the liberty of adding extract of a Letter dated Nantz the...
19To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency yesterday by Colo. Boudinot. This Instant was brought to me a Resolve of Congress dated the 24th in favor of Colonel Barton, which will accompany this. I have in obedience to that Act signed & delivered to Colo. Barton a Commission of Colonel in the Army—that Gentleman will be bearer of this & intends immediately to wait on your Excellency in...
20To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I presume that before this can reach your Excellency, you will have received from a Committee of Congress consisting of the Board of War & three other Members, to whom your Excellency’s Letter of the 22d Decemr was committed, an account of the measures adopted & put in operation for better supplying the Army with provision. This Evening your Excellency’s Letter of the 26th Decemr was brought...
21From Henry Laurens, with Appended Note of John Adams to Richard Cranch, 5 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of Addressing you on the 28th. November and 3d. Ultimo in Official Letters from Congress. My present business is to intreat your protection to the inclosed Packet from Baron Kalb which he intimates to me is intended to be of particular service to these States. You will be pleased either to take it under your immediate care if you intend within a few Weeks to embark for France...
22To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I was honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 1st Inst. I presented it this Morning to Congress but have received no other Commands except to acquaint Your Excellency that Colonel Scammel by an Unanimous ballot is elected Adjutant General in the Army which will further appear by the inclosed Certified Act of the present date. I shall likewise inclose a Resolve of Congress of...
23To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since the date of my last the 5th Inst. I have been honoured by the receipt of Your Excellency’s Several Letters of the 2d 4th 5th & 9th all which, together with Copy of a Letter to Major Genl Gates have been in course reported to Congress—a Sealed packet under Your Excellency’s direction to Genl Gates, I forwarded to day to Reading where I expect it will meet the Genl. Your Excellency will...
24To John Adams from Henry Laurens, 15 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured on the 7th. Instant by the Receipt of your favour of the 9th. Ultimo by the hands of Mr. Thaxter. I desired that Young Gentleman to call on me the Morning after he arrived intending to have conversed with him and to have aimed at some plan for procuring a suitable employment for him, but I found that by the Interest of other friends he had been introduced into the Secretary’s...
25To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive by the present conveyance a Letter which I had the honour of writing the 14th & was returned to me with a Report that Susquehana was impassable. Congress having upon further consideration judged it impolitic & unnecessary to inform the Court of Great Britain authentickly of the suspension of Genl Burgoyne’s embarkation until such information shall proceed from him,...
26To John Adams from the President of the Congress, 22 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
On the 19th. Instant I had the honour of receiving and presenting to Congress, your favor of the 23d. Ultimo—the Contents of which afforded great satisfaction to the House. It is now the wish of every friend to American Independence to learn speedily of your safe arrival at the Court of Versailles, where your sagacity, vigilance, integrity and knowledge of American affairs are extremely wanted...
27To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 19th Inst. ⅌ Messenger Ness—I have received Your Excellency’s several favours of the 12th & 13th. The former is Committed to the Marine Committee, from whence I understand a Report will be delivered, this day or to morrow. Monsieur Duplessis who will be the bearer of this & also of two hundred & fifty signed Commissions which he is so good as to take charge of—returns to...
28To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The 22d Inst. I had the honour of writing to your Excellency by Lieut. Colo. duplessis whose assurances induces me to beleive he has travelled as expeditiously as any of our post Riders. Inclosed your Excellency will receive an Act of Congress of yesterday relative to the Legal distribution of prize Money arising from Captures made on the Water by detachments from the Army, & in a seperate...
29To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency the 25th by Messenger Jones. Inclosed under Cover with this Your Excellency will receive an Act of Congress of the 21st Inst. relative to the treatment of prisoners of War, prefaced by a recital of an Act of the 19th formerly transmitted—also a number of Copies to be disposed of as Your Excellency shall judge proper. I have the honour to be &ca....
30To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
While I was sitting in Congress yesterday a Member came in & delivered me the inclosed paper just in its present State except the broken Seals, the Gentleman’s declaration as he was putting the thing into my hand, that he had picked it up on the Stairs, was a sufficient alarm—I passed my Eye cursorily over the pages, put them into my pocket & intimated to the House, that it was an anonymous...
31To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 3 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last trouble was under the 27th Ulto by Messenger Barry. Your Excellency’s favor of the 31st together with Genl Foremans memorial came to hand last night, I presented it to Congress & the Subject matter will be taken under consideration this Morning. Inclosed your Excellency will find an Act of Congress for appointing a Major Genl under Your Excellency’s direction to proceed with Marquis...
32To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 7 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of presenting in due course Your Excellency’s favours of 31st Ulto & 3d Inst. to Congress—the former, which introduced Genl Foreman’s Memorial on Salt Works remains unconsidered & no day appointed. the latter was sent immediately to the Board of Treasury. I have at present no other Commands from Congress but to transmit—An Act of the 5th Inst. adopting a plan for filling the...
33To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer Your Excellency to a Letter which I had the honour of writing to you yesterday & last Night. Your Excellency will receive herewith an Act of Congress of the 5th Inst. extending the furlough of Colo. Tho. Dyer and also an Act of the 3d Inst. & 5 Copies for obliging all Officers Military & Civil holding appointments under Congress to qualify themselves for acting in their...
34To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 13 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency by Messenger Barry under the 8th Inst. Inclosed with this Your Excellency will be pleased to receive An Act of Congress of the 9th for restraining Malconduct in Continental Officers Civil & Military & for correcting an abuse in the Civil Line in appointing Supernumeraries. I have the honour to be with great Re[gar]d. LB , DNA:PCC , item 13....
35To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honour of transmitting to your Excellency, papers collected as Evidence, by the Committee appointed to enquire into the Causes of the Loss of Tyconderoga & Mount Independence, those Members of the Committee who had the papers in hand for Inspection & arrangement & from whom I received them, have informed me there were Several which they had not intended to have troubled Your...
36To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the 13th Inst. to your Excellency by Sharp, I have received the Honour of your Excellency’s Several favours of the 3d & 8th continued to 14th Inst. together with the divers Letters & papers referred to in the latter—these were all presented to Congress & remain under consideration. Inclosed herewith Your Excellency will receive Acts of Congress under the 5th 6th & 9th for...
37To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency the 19th by Barry —Under the present Cover Your Excellency will be pleased to receive—An Act of Congress of the 19th for seperating the Troops included in the Convention of Saratoga & for other purposes. of the present date for appointing by Your Excellency’s Order a Major Genl to releive Major Genl Spencer in the Comand of the Troops at Rhode...
38To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last was on the 21st Ulto by Messenger Millet since which I have not been honoured with any of Your Excellency’s favors. Under Cover with this Your Excellency will receive the following Acts of Congress— 1 of the 26th February—for filling up the Battalions of Continental Troops. 2 An Act also of the 26th ffebry—for ascertaining the Amount of demands for supplies of necessaries by the...
39To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The present Messenger will deliver to your Excellency with this, a Letter which I had the honour of writing the 1st Inst. & which has been detained by Susquehana. Inclosed herewith Your Excellency will be pleased to receive the following Acts of Congress. 1. 2d March. for appointing a Quarter Master General & two Assistant Quarter Masters general & for other purposes in that department. 2d. ...
40To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to your Excellency was under the 5th Inst. by sharp, the same day your Excellency’s favor of the 27th Ulto came to hand & was presented to Congress, but I have received no Commands respecting the Contents. Inclosed herein Your Excellency will receive two Acts of Congress of the 7th Inst. 1. for restricting the power of granting furlough’s. 2. for holding a general Fast on Wednesday 22d...
41To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to your Excellency was dated the 10th Inst. ⅌ Messenger Barry. Inclosed with this your Excellency will receive an Act of Congress of the 13th. Ordering Colonel Harrison’s Regiment of Artillery from Virginia to join the grand Army without delay—And authorizing your Excellency to order Major Genl Marquis delafayette & Major General Baron de Kalb to rejoin the Army. & also to recall Colo....
42To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 15 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last Night Sharp arrived with your Excellency’s several Letters under the 7th 8th & 12th Inst. containing the sundry papers referred to, which shall all be presented to Congress to Morrow. I return Sharp immediately with the inclosed Letter which had been lying a day for want of a proper Messenger, & as there appears to be a degree of solicitude that the Marquis delafayette & Baron de Kalb...
43To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 21 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to your Excellency was under the 15th by Sharp in which I had acknowledged the receipt of Your Excellency’s favours of the 7th 8th & 12th & which I now repeat because I have heard nothing since, of that Man who in common course should have been at Camp on the 16th. within three days past I have had the honour of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s several dispatches of the 14th...
44To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency on the 21st Inst. by Fred. Weir. This will inclose Duplicates of Acts of Congress of the 19th January & 18th March—also an Act of the 23d for accepting the Resignation of Colonel Webb. Colo. Armand who promises to deliver this with great expedition will not afford me time to send to the Secretary’s Office for the dates of two of Your Excellency’s...
45To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 29 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 25th by Colonel Armand I have had the honour of presenting to Congress your Excellency’s favours of the 24th & 24th Inst. the former Committed to the Board of War & not reported—the latter came under Cover from Colo. Lewis of Virginia accompanied by his Commission which Congress have received & accepted that Gentleman’s resignation—Congress by an Act of the 24th Inst....
46To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency Yesterday by Genl duportail. At reading the Journal this Morning Congress reconsidered the Act of the 28th for authorizing Count Pulaski to raise a seperate Corps & expunged the words “Prisoners &” which stood in the last Sentence & your Excellency will receive within the present Inclosure a Copy of the Act as now amended. I likewise inclose an Act...
47To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 4 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 30th Ulto ⅌ Barry I had the honour of receiving & presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favour of the 29th of that Month which having been taken under consideration the Inclosed Act was this day Resolved—for empowring Your Excellency when you shall judge it necessary to call on the States of Maryland Pennsylvania & New Jersey for Five Thousand Militia Men, Armed &...
48To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 8–9 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency the 4th by Jones, since which I have presented to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 1st 3d & 4th. Upon reading the first I took occasion to intimate to Mister Duer the distressed situation of his friend General Scuyler as described by the General himself in a late Letter of 15th March & this Morning suggested again to the House the demands...
49To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 14 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the directions of Congress, I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant. Congress with great concern perceive that your sensibility is wounded by their resolutions. Placing the firmest confidence in your prudence, abilities and integrity they wish to preserve that harmony with you, which is essential to the general weal. You may rest assured that far from...
50To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 17 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency the 14th by Barry. I am now to present & refer Your Excellency to two Acts of Congress which will accompany this. 1. of the 14th for empowering the Commissary of purchases to appoint & remove subordinate Officers & for divers establishments & regulations in that department. 2. of the 15th for appointing the Honorable Major General Gates to the...