51From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Congress, that I was this minute advised by Mr Roberts that the Enemy evacuated the City early this morning. He was down at the Middle ferry on this side, where he received the intelligence from a number of the Citizens, who were on the opposite shore. They told him, that about Three Thousand of the Troops had embarked on board Transports. The destruction of the...
52From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last night at 11 oClock, I was honored with your despatches of the 3d. The Contents afford me the most sensible pleasure. Mr Simeon Deane had informed me, by a line from Bethlehem, that he was the Bearer of the Articles of alliance &ca between France and the States. I shall defer celebrating this happy event in a suitable manner, untill I have liberty from Congress to announce it publickly. I...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens: Two Letters, 31 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS , copy and two transcripts: National Archives; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; copies: Connecticut State Library, Harvard University Library, Yale University Library; transcripts: University of Pennsylvania Library, Charles E. Feinberg, Detroit, Michigan (1960); (II) ALS : South Carolina Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress My Colleague, Mr. Deane, being...
54From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Favors of the 4 & 5 Inst., and with the Resolutions and papers to which they refer. I have taken measures to communicate the New Establishment of the Army through the Line, and the sooner the arrangements can be made the better. Should there appear further regulations necessary, I shall take the liberty to offer my Sentiments respecting them. My principal...
55From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 25 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will be pleased to receive a Copy of a Letter of the 23d Instant from General Sullivan, which came to hand about half after three OClock this morning, with the several papers to which it refers, Copies of which are also transmitted. By these Congress will perceive, our prospects are much changed with respect to the operations against Rhode Island, and that the issue, as things are...
56From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 8th which was duly recieved. I must take the freedom to hint to you, that if in the packets transmitted by this conveyance there are any Letters for persons, with whom you are not acquainted, or in whose firmness and attachment you have not an entire confidence, it may not be improper to open them. This I am persuaded would be the case; However I am the more...
57From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 10 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of a very agreable private Letter from you, while in Paris, which I answerd, having executed your Orders, as soon as received. Whether you received my Answer I dont know. I have had a Stormy Voyage, but not more so than the Scaene you have been in, at Land. I wish I may have escaped with as much Hon our, as you have done: but have little Reason to believe it, for I can...
58From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 14 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you on the 6th Instant, by favor of the Marquiss Fayette, I received your Letter of the 2d with it’s Inclosure. I do myself the honor of transmitting you an Account of the Engagement, between the French and British Fleets on the 27th of July, as published by the British Admiralty Board; I received a printed Copy of it last night from New-York, which I have...
59From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 6 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday Evening I received your Excellency’s favors of the 30th ulto & 1st Inst. with their several inclosures. I will direct the best & cheapest disposition, I can, to be made of the cavalry for their accommodation in Quarters—and will instruct the Forage Master on the occasion. The remittance to the Pay Master which you mention, I presume has come to hand, having been applied to by him,...
60From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 2 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me from Lyon the 24th. past. I wonder a little at Mr. Adams not acquainting you whether your Name was in the Commission or not. I begin to suspect from various Circumstances that the British Ministry elated perhaps too much by the Success of Admiral Rodney, are not in earnest to treat immediately,...
61From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Baron De Steuben will have the honor of delivering you this. He waits upon Congress on the subject of the Inspectorship, which he is extremely anxious should be put upon some decided footing. He appears to be sensible of some difficulties in the plan formerly proposed and which I had the honor some time since to transmit my observations upon; and desirous that they should not prove an...
62From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Honor of your Letter of the 13 Instant with its Inclosure. The recommendation & authority to the several States in the Instances pointed out by the Resolve, if they are duly attended to, will produce many valuable consequences. The abuses complained of are but too prevalent, and require a reform. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most Obedient servant...
63From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 31 May–1 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your favor of the 25th Inst. by Doctor Scudder, and that of the 29th yesterday afternoon, with the inclosures and packet to which they referred. I shall inform Major Lee of the New arrangement of his corps and will appoint the officers required. Major Beatty is not in camp. The letter addressed to him shall be sent by the first opportunity, to Princetown, where I...
64From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Count Kolhowski, who will have the honor of delivering you this, is a Polish officer, who is desirous of entering into our service. I inclose Your Excellency two letters in his favour from Doctor Franklin and Mr Deane; added to which he is recommended to me by Count Pulaski, as a brave and useful officer, who served under him in Poland. He wishes him to be placed in his legion with the rank of...
65From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the Ulto I had the honor to receive your Favor of the 27th with the Copies alluded to. As the proceedings of Congress in this instance seem to imply, that our Unfortunate people in the hands of the Enemy are to be victualled by us, I have only to wish that the Supplies may be constant & plentiful. I have transmitted your Letter to Mr Boudinot who is out of Camp, and have requested his most...
66From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty, by the conveyance now offered me by Captain Riley, to transmit to Congress the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Major General Lee. The Inclosed papers comprehend a request by General phillips, for an Officer to go to Canada by way of the Lakes, on the subject of Cloathing for the Convention Troops. I do not conceive myself at liberty to answer General Heath...
67From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favour of the 6th, yesterday, with the inclosed copy of a letter from the President of the Council of New Jersey, relative to an expected attack upon the Western frontier of that state. I have just received a letter from General Hand, giving intelligence of an attack upon Colonel Alden’s regiment at Cherry-Valley, effected by surprise, in consequence of which,...
68From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving yours of the 2d at this place. I have forwarded the Brevet to Capt. Simonot, and shall take such measures in regard to Colo. Fleury’s letter as shall seem proper, upon my arrival at Middle Brook, for which I set out again tomorrow. Upon leaving Elizabeth-town I directed Colo. Harrison to inform you of the intelligence I had received, and which I thought demanded my...
69Henry Strachey to the American Peace Commissioners, 5 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two) Knowing the Expectation of the King’s Ministers, that a full Indemnity shall be provided for the whole Body of Refugees, either by a Restitution of their Property, or by some stipulated Compensation for their Losses, and being confident, as...
70From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Major General the Marquis de la fayette, the generous motives which first induced him to cross the Atlantic, and enter the Army of the United States, are well known to Congress—Reasons equally laudable now engage his return to France, who in her present circumstances claims his services—His eagerness to offer his duty to his Prince and Country, however great,...
71From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Major Wemp, who has the care of some Warriors from the Senecca Nation. The inclosed copy of a Letter from our Commissioners will shew, that they are come to obtain the release of Astiarix, Another Warrior, who was taken on the Frontiers of Virginia. I never heard of the circumstance, till I was informed of it a few days ago by a Letter from General Schuyler. As...
72From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
John Temple Esqr. will have the honor of presenting this to your Excellency. I do not know what Mr Temple’s views are; but it seems he has some application to make to Congress. I never had till now the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with him, but from the terms in which Mr Bowdoin speaks of him, as your Excellency will perceive by the inclosed letter, and from other recommendations I have...
73From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Congress, that the report of the Commissioners coming, according to intelligence received yesterday by a Person of Philadelphia, is confidently believed, and it is there thought, that they will very soon arrive. I think it almost certain, that the matter will not be delayed, as the conduct of Ministry in not sending them immediately after their former propositions has...
74From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to Congress by Genl Putnam. He arrived from Connecticut the day after I came into the Neighbourhood of this Camp. As I have not received any Resolution of Congress, respecting the Court of Inquiry, which they directed and which was transmitted them, on the subject of the posts in the Highlands, taken last year, I am at a loss in what point of view to consider him. He...
75From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit to Congress a copy of a Letter from General Howe, which I received at three O’Clock this afternoon. The contents are exceedingly interesting to the unhappy prisoners in his hands. I thought it my duty to forward ’em immediately, and I must request that Congress will be pleased to inform me, as soon as possible, what line of conduct I am to pursue upon this...
76From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
On friday evening I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 7th Instant, with it’s inclosures. The vote of approbation and thanks, which Congress have been pleased to honor me with, gives me the highest satisfaction, and, at the same time, demands a return of my sincerest acknowledgements. The other resolution, I communicated, with great pleasure, to the Army at large in Yesterday’s...
77From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 17 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Altho I have delayed till now to give you the trouble of a line, I am not the less impressed with a sense of your politeness and civilities to me while I had the honor of being under your roof. I shall think myself very happy if any poor Cottage, of which I happen to be Master, can be favourd with your Company. We have nothing new in this quarter—but are told that something great and good is...
78From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Between Fredericksburg and this place, where I arrived yesterday afternoon, I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s several favors of the 26th 27th & 28th in due order, with their several Inclosures, which shall have my attention. My being on the road from the time of their coming to hand till yesterday, prevented me from acknowledging them before. As many inconveniences would attend the...
79From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the inclosed Letter open for me to read. It appears to be from one, who had a remarkable kind of Benevolence towards the U. S. Such as has memorably appeared through the whole War, in almost all Countries, I mean the benign Inclination to be American Agents Jobbers, Officers, Ambassadors, Generals and Kings. Inclosed is a Copy of Fitzherberts Commission. Pray inclose it to...
80From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 12 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress I should sooner have paid my Respects to you by Letter if I had not till lately expected you here, as I understood it to be your Intention. Your Enlargement gave me great Pleasure; and I hope that the Terms exacted by the late Ministry will now be relax’d; especially when they are informed that you...
81From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that on sunday morning the left wing of the Army moved towards the North river—The right followed yesterday; and the second line which forms the rear division, is also now in motion. I shall advance, as fast as I can, consistently with the circumstances of the weather and the health of the Troops. The Enemy, from the advices of our parties of observation, were...
82From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with yours of the 6th Inst. inclosing copies of your answers to Lord Howe and General Clinton. The originals I sent in early this morning by a flag. I have the honor to transmit you a duplicate of a letter I received from Sir Henry Clinton for the purpose of procuring a passport for Doctor Ferguson (the secretary to the Kings Commission) to Congress, with my answer to him; on...
83From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 19 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit you a Copy of a Letter from General Sullivan, dated the 17th Instant, which I just now received with the Letter Inclosed. It appears that Count D’Estaing was still out with his fleet—but yet that the General was in high spirits and entertained the strongest hopes of success. I flatter myself they are well grounded— and that in the course of a few days he will...
84From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 15 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
By a certain anonimous Letter you have had a Specimen of the infernal Arts which have been and are practised, to create Misunderstandings among American Ministers. There has been an uninterupted succession of them ever since I have been in Europe. Whether they are to be attributed to Inventions of Our Ennemies or to Still baser Intrigues of pretended Friends, or to impudent Schemes of...
85From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that I am now in Jersey and that the Troops are passing the River at Coryel’s; and are mostly over. The latest intelligence I have had respecting the Enemy, was yesterday from Genl Dickinson. He says they were in the morning, at Mores Town and Mount Holly, but that he had not been able to learn what rout they would pursue from thence; nor was it easy to...
86From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of laying before Congress the inclosed Copies of a paragraph and Schedule, contained in a Letter from General Heath, which I lately received. These will apprize Congress, if they are not already informed, of the supplies of provision and wood wanted by the Count D’Estaing; and will naturally lead to a consideration of the ways and means to be pursued for furnishing them, as...
87From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 24 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : South Carolina Historical Society Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Lawrens, has recd his Packet for Mr Livingston, and will forward it by the Courier, who will not leave Paris ’till Thursday, being to wait for Count de Vergennes Dispatches: so that any thing else that Mr. Lawrens may wish to send, will be time enough if it is here by Tomorrow Night. Addressed: His Excellency /...
88From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting you a Copy of a Letter I this minute received from General Sullivan. I congratulate Congress on the repulse of the Enemy—and only wish our Troops may be able to effect a retreat, which seems the most eligible measure they can pursue, in the present situation of things. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem sir Yr Most Obedt servt LS ,...
89From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor yesterday evening of receiving your very important favor of the 10th instant. Colonel Laurens, one of my aids, will set out this morning with a letter to the French Admiral the Count d’Estaing inclosing a copy of yours, and such other information as I have been able to collect. Its further purpose is for the establishing a convention of signals in case of co-operation; or to...
90From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 31 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your several favors of the 14th 19th 22d & 25th Inst. in due order with their Inclosures, which shall have my attention. My application in preparing and digesting matters for the consideration of the Committee who are now in Camp prevented me acknowledging them before. The packet for Governor Livingston which accompanied the first Two, I transmitted him the next day by...
91From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive your favor of the 20th Instant. I take the liberty of transmitting you a Copy of a Letter, which this minute came to hand from Genl Sullivan, advising of the Count D’Estaing’s arrival. He omitted to inclose the Admirals Letter to which he refers and therefore, I can give no further intelligence than what the Copy contains. From the suffering of the fleet...
92From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit the Copy of a letter from Brig: General Hamilton to Genl Heath. I did not chuse to grant the request without the concurrence of Congress; tho’ at the same time I think it may be safely done. It will save the trouble and expence of another escort at a future day. I shall be glad of the determination of Congress as speedily as possible as the Flag Vessell...
93From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Lee of the light Dragoons and the Officers under his command having uniformly distinguished themselves by a conduct of exemplary zeal, prudence and bravery, I took occasion on a late signal instance of it to express the high sense I entertained of their merit, and to assure him that it should not fail of being properly noticed. I was induced to give this assurance, from a conviction,...
94From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing Major John Clark, the Bearer of this, to your notice. He entered the Service at the commencement of the War and has for some time past acted as Aid de Camp to Major Genl Greene. He is active, sensible and enterprising and has rendered me very great assistance since the army has been in Pennsylvania by procuring me constant and certain intelligence of the...
95From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 3 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society This Line is just to acquaint you that the Definitive Treaty between England and the United States was signed this Morning at Paris, and the others are suppos’d to be sign’d at the same time at Versailles. I shall write to you fully in a Day or two. With great & sincere Esteem, I have the honour to be Dear Sir, Your most Obedt & most humble Servt...
96From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 10 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Campbell of the 13th Virginia Regiment will have the Honor of presenting you with this. He is now on his way at the earnest sollicitation of General McIntosh to serve in the Western department and waites on Congress to obtain, if they shall think proper, a Commission for a Lieutenant Colonelcy in the Virginia Line, to which he has been intitled in the ordinary course, since the 20th of...
97From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you, that agreably to the Resolutions transmitted in your Favor of the 31st Ulto, I shall undertake the reform of the North Carolina Batallions in Camp, as soon as circumstances will admit. I sincerely wish the Legislatures of the several States had passed Laws, adopting the generous policy, recommended by Congress in their Resolution of the 23d of April. I am assured, by...
98From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to hear this morning by a Letter from General Sullivan of the 31st Ulto, that he had effected a retreat to the main, the preceding night, without any loss, either of men or Stores. As he has written to Congress fully upon the subject, and I feel their anxiety to hear it, I shall not detain Major Morris longer than to observe, that I think the retreat a most fortunate—lucky...
We have rec d . your Letter of the 9 Aug t . last Inst. and entirely approve of the Packets having proceeded on her Voyage immediately on your leaving her. We fear however that our consenting to your Proposition of going over to England in her, caused you more Trouble than convenience; especially as it deprived you of your carriage at a time when you had a Journey to make. We have perused your...
100From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your Excellency’s two favors of the 14th & 15 Inst. with their several inclosures. The consideration of Doctor Conolly’s case, with the resolution of Congress, I have transmitted to Sir Henry Clinton. In my letter of the 16th I communicated to your Excellency the attempt on Fort Alden, by the savages. I have since received the inclosed dispatches confirming that disagreeable...