1731General Orders, 23 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Colonels and commanding Officers of the new established Regiments, will each of them receive on Monday next from the Adjt Genl a Warrant for Eight hundred Dollars, to pay their men for their Blankets; an exact Account of the distribution of this money is to be kept, and render’d when called for, particularizing the mens names, the Companies they belong to, and the towns they come from. The...
1732Circular to the New England Governments, 23 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the great pains taken by the Quarter Master General, to procure Blanketts for the Army, he finds it impossible to procure a Number Sufficient—he has tryed the different places to the Southward without Success, as what were there are engaged to Supply the wants of the Troops in each place. Our Soldiers are in great distress & I know of no way to remedy the evil than applying to...
1733To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 23 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
[Watertown, Mass.] 23 December 1775 . Recommends for commissions several officers named in an enclosed letter from Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge. LS signed by William Sever, DLC:GW . Woodbridge’s undated letter to the council requests commissions for four officers whose names were omitted from the council’s letter of 24 Oct. to GW ( DLC:GW ).
1734To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 Dec. 1775. On 4 Jan. 1776 GW wrote to Reed : “I have recd your obliging favours of the 19th & 23d Ulto.”
1735To George Washington from Lund Washington, 23 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 26th Novmbr I have recceve’d—in it you Express a desire to have your mill swamp cleard up for meadow in Consequence of a former letter (which you think may be a missg one) I was determine’d to have all the spare hands imploy’d in it this fall & winter, but we have had such repeated Rains that it is really impossible to worck in it—I have endeavour[ed] to keep the Coopers in...
1736To George Washington from William Watson, 23 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Capt. Samuel Jackson comes with six prosoners, a Midshipman & five Sailors put by Capt. Talbot of the Nigar Frigate on board the Brigantne Peter, which Brigtn. was taken by sd Frigate about 18 days ago, near the Island of Barmudas, and orderd into Boston—This Brigantine was Retaken last Wednesday by our people, and was bra’t into this Port—Capt. Jackson the Bearer of this will...
1737From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 23 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
I have now the Pleasure of informing you that the New York Convention has at Length made some Provision for their Delegates viz t . 4 Dollars p r . Day for their Attendance on the last, and this Congress, so that I shall not be so great a Sufferer as I once apprehended. The Allowance indeed does by no Means equal the Loss I have sustained by the appointment, but the Convention I suppose...
1738From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 23 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Since writing my last to You, I find the Congress will not adjourn even for the Holy days, They have not indeed so determined but that seems to be the opinion of the majority of the members Where does M r . Alsop stay—should any Thing happen to one of us the Colony would be unrepresented. For my Part I wish some of the absent Gent. would return, we but just make a Quorum—Did not this...
1739Report of Committee to Ascertain Unfinished Business before Congress, 23 December 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed to examine the journals and state what business remains still before Congress unfinished, have agreed to the following report. Dft ( DLC : PCC , No. 23). Endorsed by Charles Thomson: “No. 1. Report of the Comee appointed to examine the Journal. Decr. 23. 1775.” The paper underwent several stages of amendment, which could not be fully represented except by a facsimile....
1740General Orders, 24 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
By order of his Excellency General Washington, a Board of General Officers sat yesterday in Cambridge, and unanimously recommended the following Rations to be delivered in the manner hereby directed. Viz: Corn’d Beef and Pork, four days in a week. Salt Fish one day, and fresh Beef two days. As Milk cannot be procured during the Winter Season, the Men are to have one pound and a half of Beef,...
1741To George Washington from Phillips Callbeck, 24 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Winter Harbor, District of Maine 24 December . “I should but ill deserve the generous treatment Your Excellency has been pleased to shew me had I not gratitude to acknowledge so great a favor. . . . Fearfull I should encroach on Your Excellency’s time I have declined giving You a detail of the continued distress and persecution that has attended me since I had the Honor of taking my leave—I...
1742From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 15th Instant came Yesterday to Hand, with Copies and Extracts of your late Letters to Congress—I have with great Attention perused them—I am very sorry to find by several paragraphs, that both you and General Montgomery incline to quit the Service—Let me ask you Sir, when is the Time for brave Men to exert themselves in the Cause of Liberty and their Country, if this is not?...
1743To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 24 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
As this day has given me Some respite, from the Hurry of Public Business, I embrace the favorable moment to give you some intelligence on our common Concern. The Convention who Elected our Continental Delegates, being unanimous in that choice, and the last Congress having in a full House recognized that act; it was Judged inexpedient by the Present convention, (as they are ^ not ^ a full...
1744General Orders, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
1745To George Washington from Jonathan Glover, 25 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Jonathan Glover, 25 Dec. 1775. A memorandum of a letter to Glover of 26 Dec., which Stephen Moylan apparently wrote on behalf of GW, begins: “Acknowledged rect of his of the 25th relative to the sloop Sally” ( DLC:GW ).
1746From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to address myself to you the 19th instant, Since which I have received undoubted information—that the genuine instructions given to Connolly have not reached your hands—that they Are very artfully Concealed in the tree of his Saddle & coverd with Canvas So nicely, that they are Scarcely discernable—that those which were found upon him are intended to deceive—if he was...
1747Enclosure: Estimate of Army Expenses, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Gross Calculation of the Sum wanted to pay off the Army upon the Old establishment & to pay One Months pay advance to the New Established Regiments, with other necessary Contingent and Incidental Charges. To the pay of 34 Old Regiments for the Months of October, November & Decemr, Averaged a[t] 3500£ each Regiment £ 119000 To the Regiment of Artillery for the same time 3960 To the pay 27...
1748From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, 25 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Fielding Lewis, 25 Dec. 1775. On 4 Feb. 1776 Lewis wrote to GW : “Your favour of the 25th Decr I have recd.”
1749To George Washington from James Lyon, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
You doubtless remember to have seen an application from the committee of safety in this place, for leave to go against Nova Scotia, which might probably have been taken then with very little difficulty: But we were informed, that such an expedition could not be carried on at that time, with proper secrecy; & that there was imminent danger from the Kings ships. The same difficulties may,...
1750From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last your favours of the 7th, & 11th as also the 8th are come to hand—the first last Night—the 2d by Wednesdays Post; for the several pieces of information therein contain’d I thank you. Nothing new has happened in this Quarter since my last, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold Weather & considerable fall of Snow; which, together, have interrupted our work on Litchmeres...
1751To George Washington from Lieutenant Henry Edwin Stanhope, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yr Excellency will no doubt be much surprised at being troubled by one, who is an entire Stranger to You; neither should I have been prompted to it but by the Desire of my enlargement, which I dont doubt but yr Excellency will grant, when the Circumstances are made known, viz. (that Captn Wallace offered some Prisonners in Exchange for me). The Respect with which I have ever heard yr...
1752From George Washington to Lund Washington, 25 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 25 Dec. 1775. On 17 Jan. 1776 Lund Washington wrote to GW : “Your Letter of the 25th Dembr I have got.”
1753Resolution to pay post-riders, 26 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
26 December 1775. Resolution to pay post-riders. M-Ar :207, p. 311–315. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,] American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs , Washington, 1837–1853; 9 vols. , 4th ser., 4:1242–1243. ( M-Ar :207, p. 311–315. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,]
1754Resolution appointing members to a joint committee to determine how bills of credit were to be signed and numbered, 26 … (Adams Papers)
26 December 1775. Resolution appointing members to a joint committee to determine how bills of credit were to be signed and numbered. M-Ar :207, p. 316. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,] American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs , Washington, 1837–1853; 9 vols. , 4th ser., 4:1243. (...
1755Resolution to pay John Davis a sum in behalf of Edward Johnson, a petitioning soldier, 26 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolution to pay John Davis a sum in behalf of Edward Johnson, a petitioning soldier. M-Ar :207, p. 317–318. ( M-Ar :207, p. 317–318).
1756Resolution to approve committee report recommending payment to the Committee of Supplies for its services, in response … (Adams Papers)
26 December 1775. Resolution to approve committee report recommending payment to the Committee of Supplies for its services, in response to its petition. M-Ar :207, p. 319–321. ( M-Ar :207, p. 319–321).
1757To Benjamin Franklin from George Ross, 26 December 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, December 26, 1775: Pardon my asking your support in obtaining for my son James, now a captain in a company of the rifle battalion, a majority in one of the four battalions about to be raised. I shall be obliged for your friendship in the matter.> For James Ross’s rifle company see Pa. delegates to the Lancaster County committee above, July...
1758General Orders, 26 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Court of enquiry, consisting of Major Genl Putnam President, and Brigadiers Genl Heath, Sullivan, & Greene members, held by Order of His Excellency the General, to examine into the Cause of a Complaint exhibited by a number of Field Officers, and others in Genl Sullivan’s Brigade, against the Commissary General, Joseph Trumbull Esqr.—The Articles in the Complaint were . . . First, “For not...
1759From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 26 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, 26 Dec. 1775. On 27 Jan. 1776 Bassett wrote to GW : “Your favour of the 26 of Decr is just come to hand.”
1760From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 26 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 6th Instt did not reach this place till Saturday Afternoon. the Money which accompanied it, came seasonably, but not (as it was so long delayed) in quantum Sufficit—our demands at this time being peculiarly great for pay, and advance to the Troops—pay for their Arms—Blanketting &ca Independant of the demands of the Commissary & Quarter Master General. Lord Dunmores Letters...
1761Resolution to approve appointment of a committee to assist the commissary general in procuring military supplies, 27 … (Adams Papers)
27 December 1775. Resolution to approve appointment of a committee to assist the commissary general in procuring military supplies. M-Ar :207, p. 326. ( M-Ar :207, p. 326).
1762From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, 27 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library It was with great Pleasure I learnt from Mr. Jefferson, that you were settled in America; and from the Letter you favour’d me with, that you like the Country, and have reason to expect Success in your laudable and meritorious Endeavours to introduce new Products. I heartily wish you all the Success you can desire, in that, and in every other Undertaking that may...
1763General Orders, 27 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Regimental Quarter Masters are forthwith to settle with and give receipts to the Commissary General, or his deputies, the day they next draw, they are to take the whole of the Provision & weekly allowance, then due. The Colonels, who have purchased Cloathing at the Qr Mr General’s Store, for the Use of their Men, are directed to discharge their respective Debts, out of the Monies they are...
1764To George Washington from Matthew Thornton, 27 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 23d Instant Respecting the Great want of Blankets for the Army, I Receeiv’d this Day; & Communicated the Same to the Congress now Setting, Who Immediately went into the Consideration, And Resolv’d to take the Most speedy and effectual method, in order to purchase all that Can be Spared within this Colony; tho’ we are fearful whether any Considerable Number can be Obtaind:...
1765Resolution to liberate Henry Middleton and George Price, prisoners in the Plymouth jail, 28 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
28 December 1775. Resolution to liberate Henry Middleton and George Price, prisoners in the Plymouth jail. M-Ar : 164, p. 228. ( M-Ar : 164, p. 228).
1766Resolution ordering committee for purchasing saltpeter to deliver it to Richard Devens, 28 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
28 December 1775. Resolution ordering committee for purchasing saltpeter to deliver it to Richard Devens. M-Ar :207, p. 329. ( M-Ar :207, p. 329).
1767Recommendation to towns to promote the manufacture of saltpeter, 28 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
28 December 1775. Recommendation to towns to promote the manufacture of saltpeter. M-Ar :207, p. 330. ( M-Ar :207, p. 330).
1768Resolution to approve payment to Committee for the Poor of Boston to assist those at Shirley Point, 28 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
28 December 1775. Resolution to approve payment to Committee for the Poor of Boston to assist those at Shirley Point (see Joseph Ward to JA , 3 Dec., note 1 , above). M-Ar :207, p. 331. ( M-Ar :207, p. 331).
1769Achard de Bonvouloir to the Comte de Guines, 28 December 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extracted from AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Paris The committee of secret correspondence had been in existence less than a month when it was approached by the Chevalier de Bonvouloir, an agent of the French court. The discussions that ensued, which this letter reports, set in train major developments on both sides of the Atlantic. At Versailles Bonvouloir’s report...
1770General Orders, 28 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
As the time is just at hand, when the Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Rhode Island Troops (not again inlisted) will be released from their present Engagement, the General recommends to them to consider, what may be the Consequence of their abrupt departure from the lines; should any Accident happen to them, before the New Army gets greater Strenght, they not only fix eternal disgrace upon...
1771Resolution ordering the Milton committee to deliver Thomas Hutchinson’s furniture to Mrs. Deborah Cushing, 29 December … (Adams Papers)
29 December 1775. Resolution ordering the Milton committee to deliver Thomas Hutchinson’s furniture to Mrs. Deborah Cushing. M-Ar : 207, p. 332. ( M-Ar : 207, p. 332).
1772Samuel Hopkins to Thomas Cushing, 29 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
The degree of acquaintance I have with you, through your indulgence; and your known candour, condescention and goodness, encourage me to address you on an affair, which, in my view, is very interesting, and calls for the particular attention of the honorable members of the Continental Congress. They have indeed manifested much wisdom and benevolence in advising to a total stop of the slave...
1773The Cumberland County Committee of Correspondence to the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 29 December 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Text printed in Samuel Hazard et al. , eds., Pennsylvania Archives (1st series; 12 vols., Philadelphia and Harrisburg, 1852–56), IV , 693. <Carlisle, December 29, 1775: We understand that troops are to be raised in this province, and believe that we can recruit a complete battalion in this county; we enclose a list of officers whom we recommend. Having officers and men acquainted, when a corps...
1774George Ross to the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 29 December 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, December 29, 1775: The bearer, Samuel Atlee, was the eldest captain in the Pennsylvania service when the troops were disbanded at the end of the last war. He told me this morning that he intended to ask the committee of safety to recommend him for command of one of the battalions to be raised on order of the Congress. His character as a...
1775To Benjamin Franklin from Israel Gilpin, 29 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My kinsman Doct. George Gilpin informs me that Severil of the manufactorys is like to Suffer for want of Stone or ground Coal Such as the glass work and blacksmith who is imployd in making Iron work for the Coloneys Ships &c. I think it is very provible if Strict Sarch and inquiry was made Coal mout bee had but am not sirtin but prohaps it wold Not bee a...
1776General Orders, 29 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary General having estimated the value of the different Species of Provisions, which constitute a Ration under the Continental Allowance, and finding it to amount to seven pence, half-penny lawful money—The General having seen the said Estimate, approves of it, and orders that they be settled with accordingly. The General was in great hopes that a sufficient Sum of money, would have...
1777To George Washington from the Gloucester Committee of Safety, 29 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
At the request of Mesr Jacob Green & Co. owners of the Sloop Speedwell Cory Master lately taken by Capt. Broughton and sent into this Harbour we have, maturely considered the within Inclo. Accot so farr as its carried out and are of opinion that the Charges are reasonable and that the Losses were sustained And are further of opinion that the Captors in Justice should pay it with the remainder...
1778From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 29 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Having never considered the four Independant Companies, which have been doing duty at Braintree, Weymouth & Hingham in the same point of view, as the rest of the army, Altho some Orders may have gone to or for them, Thro the hurry of business, nor Included them in my returns to Congress, according to the Brigade Majors report from Roxbury, I do not think myself Authorized to direct pay for...
1779Resolution concerning payment of military companies at Braintree, Weymouth, and Hingham, 30 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
30 December 1775. Resolution concerning payment of military companies at Braintree, Weymouth, and Hingham (see Josiah Quincy to JA , 2 Jan. 1776, note 1 , below). M-Ar :207, p. 337. ( M-Ar :207, p. 337).
30 December 1775. Resolution approving a new levy of men for the seacoast forces. M-Ar :207, p. 351–352. ( M-Ar :207, p. 351–352).