7021The American Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Harvard University Library The Commissioners from the United States of America desire to represent to his Excellency the Count de Vergennes, that they have received Intelligence of a Vessel belonging to the States having been taken by the Culloden, an English Ship of War, close on the Coast of France; and that the same...
7022Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I recvd. your favour per Courier with the several packets mentioned in the List. I thank you for the honour you do me in committing your dispatches to my Care and I will do my best endeavour to execute the Business to your satisfaction. Had the Wind been fair Capt. Adams would have sailed immediately but it has been...
7023To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Gabriel Montaudoüin de la Touche, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai lû avec grand plaisir dans la Gazette de Leyde une reponse qu’on pretend que vous fîtes a L’Amiral howe au sujet des propositions dont il se disoit chargé pour les affaires de L’Amerique. Cette lettre est bien forte de logique. La comparaison de L’empire Britannique avec un beau vase de Porcelaine est delicieuse. Vous avés battu L’Amiral a platte...
7024To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Some time since I received a Letter from Mr. Dubourg offering to interest me in his Contract, my answer to that I inclosed to you: Mr. D has not since written a syllable in return. Several Letters have passed between Mr. Alexander and me and from him I have received the outlines of the plan; the conditions I...
7025To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Monsieur Tardiveau is connected in Business with Monsieur Tarvouillet Merchant in this place and proposes to settle in Philadelphia. For this purpose, he wishes to obtain a Letter of Introduction from you and in consequence has desired Mr. Montaudouin to write to you in his Favour. Mr Tarvouillet is a Gentleman who has shewn me a great deal of...
7026To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you and Inclosed mr. Platts Case with a newspapr. But as yet had no answr. We Considr you our Comon Father and we all look up to you for, and in behalf of M. Platt whos Case Calls on all America to Se Justic done to a Inocent young man, now Lying in Iorns in Newgate for no other Crime then being Born in America. May god Despose your heart to...
7027General Orders, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief, upon considering the report of the Court of inquiry, held on the conduct of Capt: Bond and Lieut: Brackinridge, both of the 4th New-Jersey Regt, respecting a charge brought against them by a certain Dennis McCarthy, thinks the accusation frivolous, and groundless; And that both those Gentlemen are to be considered as good officers, and friends to their...
7028From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed, to General Wayne, requires him to hasten to me as speedily as he can, after the receipt of my letter. His presence in this quarter cannot be dispensed with. The Pensylvania troops, daily coming in, are without any General officer of their own state, to command them; and my intention is, as far as circumstances will permit, to arrange the different troops, under the respective...
7029From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 5th: You make mention of a letter of Colo. Huntingdons of the 1st instant which you have not inclosed, there are a few lines from him of the 30th April, but they only respect a peice of intelligence of the Enemy’s having landed at Frogs point on their way down the Sound. I have a long time seen and felt the ill Consequences of the want of Arrangement in the...
7030From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 2nd Instt and am happy to hear, the order for drafting of men, is likely to be attended with so much success. The loss of the Stores at Danbury, is to be regreted, but I cannot consider it, in the important light you seem to do. Those at Derby are to be removed, by a Resolve of Congress, and I hope, the work is begun ’ere now, having wrote Generals...
7031To George Washington from Richard Peters, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of transmitting you the enclosed Papers by Order of the Board by whom I am directed to inform you that all the Military Stores Arms &c. in Possession of the Continental Agents at Boston, Portsmouth, & Providence are ordered to Springfield in Connecticut [Massachusetts] as a Place of greater Security where they are to be subject to your Excellency’s Directions. The Agents...
7032To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your Excellency’s letter by Col. Lee, conferring upon me the office of adjutant general: And since, notwithstanding all my objections, ’tis your Excellency’s pleasure, I am happy to declare my acceptance of it. At the same time I am constrained, from my real feelings; again to express my fears that I shall fall short of your Excellency’s expectations. Few people are...
7033To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency favor of the 3d—I[t] gives me Great pleasure that You approve of the Measure alluded to in my last but one. Inclose You such a Return as I have been able to procure. Major Livingston is gone to Bristol & will send Your Excellency a Return of what Troops may be there. Be pleased to order the inclosed to be forwarded by the first Conveyance to Kingston. I am...
7034From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 12th Ultimo, desiring, that so soon as any other General Officer should arrive at Tionderoga, you would immediately leave it and repair to my Head Quarters. I must now repeat that desire, as your presence here is very much wanted; and I shall expect, that after the receipt of this, you will hasten to join me with all the expedition you can. The Troops from Pennsylvania are...
7035To John Adams from James Warren, 8 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you a Letter which will Accompany this with A design it should have gone by last Monday’s post, but he gave me the Slip. Nothing very Material has occured since. We had Yesterday very Agreable Accounts of A late Action in the Jersies. If it proves true, it is a good begining. Our Fleet is still in the harbour. We have had Easterly winds and thick weather almost constantly for A...
7036To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 8 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society They say that the Count of falkenstein is to be present tomorrow at five aclock at the Assembly of the Society of Emulation for encouragement of the arts, that shall be held at the General of the Premontrés house, Hautefeuille street. If you please assist at the same assembly as well as unknown as he himself, I will expect your coming in the vicinity at the...
7037General Orders, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As few vices are attended with more pernicious consequences, in civil life; so there are none more fatal in a military one, than that of GAMING; which often brings disgrace and ruin upon officers, and injury and punishment upon the Soldiery: And reports prevailing, which, it is to be feared are too well founded, that this destructive vice has spread its baneful influence in the army, and, in a...
7038From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to find that a late resolve of Congress of the 2nd instant, has restored you to the continental army. The importance of the Post at Peeks Kill and its appendages has become so great that it is now necessary, to have a Major General appointed to the command of it, you will therefore immediately repair to that Post and take charge of it, till a general arrangement of the army can be...
7039To George Washington from Lieutenant General Heister, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
New York, 8 May 1777 . “You have had the kindness some Time ago to allow Mr Miller Lieutenant & Paymaster in the Hessian Corps under my Commands, & 3 non commissioned Officers to pass to Philadelphia with a Transport of small Uniformes & Money for the Hessians, who are taken by Your Troops & confined in that City & some other Places in that Part of the Country.” Heister requests GW’s...
7040From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Board of War, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the last return of the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, I discover a number of Vacancies, which for want of a knowledge of Gentlemen competent to the duties of an Officer I can not fill up—I must therefore beg the favour of You to perform this important business for me. The distractions occasioned in Battalions by irregular Promotions and bad Appointments are too generally known not to have...
7041From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 9 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 2d Instant, came duly to hand. The Indifference of the People about recruiting the Army, is a Circumstance, which ought to make Us, consider what are the Causes of it. It is not, merely the Melancholly, arising from the unfortunate Events of the last Campaign, but the Small Pox, and above all the unhappy State of our Finances, which occasion this Evil. There are other...
7042To John Adams from Donold McDonold [i.e. Joseph Ward], 9 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I suppose you have heard we have not taken Brunswick. If any one says we have he belies us. We are however defending ourselves, first against hunger; secondly against thirst; (which often attacks us severely by reason of our heating our coppers, and hard swearing which dries the lungs excessively) thirdly against impertinent fellows who prye into our business, and ask saucy questions, such as,...
7043The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
7044To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot refuse to the earnest application of a very respectable friend here, to trouble you with this Line of Introduction of Monsr. Le Comte de Fontette Sommery Chevalier d’Honneur of the Parliament Here. His office implies a Gentleman of Distinction, and His Personal Character Corresponds to it. The nature of His business I can Say nothing about, and...
7045General Orders, 9 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
7046From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Colo. Conway, an Irish Gentleman, in the service of France, who came passenger, in the Amphitrite and was introduced to me Yesterday, by a Letter from Mr Deane & One from Genl Heath, Copies of which are transmitted. This Gentleman waits on Congress, to obtain an appointment in the Army of the States, & from Mr Dean’s recommendation, is an Officer of merit. He...
7047From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is Copy of a letter which was handed to me by M. Mottin de la Balme from Silas Dean Esquire: For a more particular account of his Merit and Services, I must refer you to himself. I have sounded him, as to his expectations, and find that nothing under a Lieutenant Colonelcy of Horse will content him. If you should, from his own account, or from what you can collect from others,...
7048To George Washington from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 9 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 9 May 1777. GW wrote Heath on 18 May : “Your favour of the 9th instant by Capt: Mullen is this day handed me.”
7049From George Washington to James Mease, 9 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The following Extract from Mr Young’s Letter, one of your Clerks in Philadelphia, to Mr Kemper, I transmit for your consideration. P.S. Since the foregoing, Mr Mease has yours by the post, and he directs me, positively to forbid the fine Goods being given out at Morris Town, but to those of the Generals Family alone, say 20 or 30 Shirts and 3 or 4 dozen Hose. He tells me, they cannot be viewed...
7050From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 9 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 9 May 1777. Putnam wrote GW on 10 May : “I just receiv’d your favour of yesterday.”