13751To James Madison from Jacquelin Ambler, 10 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover addressed to “The Honobl. James Madison of Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “May. 10. 1783.” To my great mortification Mr. Newton is not yet come to the Assembly and, altho’ I wrote pressingly to him last week to send me the Bill, I have received no Answer. I hinted in my last the probability of your drawing from Mr. Newton’s Bill a part of the Arrears...
13752To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 10 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this moment honor’d with a Letter from Mr. Lovell, who acknowledges the Reception of Your Excellencys Favor of the 13th. Sepr. and from which, he has extracted & transmitted to me, few Lines:— by which, I percieve that, as Mr. Gerard was at the date of your Letter, & had for several preceeding Months, been absent, you had not been able to obtain...
13753To George Washington from Thomas Nelson, Jr., 2 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the agreeable intelligence of the arrival of Count de Grasse with his Armament announced to me at Camp yesterday. My Happiness could not have been increas’d by any thing but the information communicated to me in your Letter of 27th past. An Event so unexpected, and so much wish’d, cannot but be productive of the most happy consequences to this Country. I think I can venture to assure...
13754John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 30 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By last Post I was honor’d by William Lee Esq. with his Deputation of Commercial Agent for the Secret Committee of Congress at the Ports of Bayonne Bordeaux Rotchfort and La Rotchell. Permit me in that Character to assure you of my steddy adherence to the instructions I have and may receive and to a due observance of any Orders you may please to command,...
13755To George Washington from Major Justus Christoph de Meibom, 7 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
About nine months ago I did myself the honour to apply to Your Excellency for leave to send an officer into New York in order to bring out our pay and cloathing. Your Excellency was pleased to give me for answer, that circumstances would not admitt of complying with my request for that time All my endeavours to transact my business in writing having prouved ineffectual to this very time; I...
13756From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 27 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I opened the inclosed to take out the letter for the commanding Officer at Albany, having an opportunity of sending it immediately there by Colo. Armand. I forgot to desire you to give orders to the drivers of all Cattle and to the conductors of all cloathing and Stores coming from the Eastward to cross the Delaware at Easton and not come down as low as Sherrards or Correyels ferry as usual....
13757Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1782 (Franklin Papers)
During the period of this volume, Franklin attempted to settle his accounts with his landlord, le Ray de Chaumont. We publish the successive versions of these accounts, and we provide an overview of the dispute in a headnote to the first of them, [before April 26]. The following previously identified accounts still apply: VI and VII ( XXIII , 21); XII ( XXV , 3); XVII ( XXVI , 3); XIX and XXII...
13758To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 19 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor of writing you by last Post relative to a Quantity of warlike Stores I wished to take on Freight for America, & hope in due time to be favored with your Excellency’s Answer. I now enclose your Excellency a Draft on Monsieur Grand for 330 Livres in part of the 600 you was pleased to lend me, I did not perceive till this Morning a Mistake had...
13759To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, 26 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Dean vient de me dire, Monsieur, que vous alliez demain à Versailles; ainsi je n’irai point vous chercher à Passy, comme je l’avois compté; mais, comme je pars demain pour aller passer quinze jours à Rouen où est mon Régiment, je vous serois bien obligé, si vous avez bien voulu jetter les yeux sur la traduction de la Constitution de Delaware, de vouloir...
13760From George Washington to Colonel Nathaniel Gist and Officers of the Virginia Line, 24 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday and am sorry for the uneasiness which has taken place on so disagreable a subject. I assure you I have not heard any charges against your Brigade in particular relative to the transaction of the night of the 15th. I have only heard it said in general terms that some of the common soldiers had embezzled part of the Articles taken upon that occasion and...
13761To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee on the Pennsylvania Line, 10-11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
We are Happy to inform Your Excellency that the terms offerd to the Pennsylvania troops are at length finally and as we believe cordially and Satisfactorily agreed on; and tomorrow we expect the Pennsylvania line will be arranged in its former order, Constitutionally, no Concession has been granted them that the critical Situation of our affairs did not Warrant and Justice dictate. As an...
13762To George Washington from William Livingston, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly could not be prevailed upon to agree to more than 1000 Men to be raised for reinforcing General Putnam, unless I take some of those to be called out by General Forman to join the Army under your Excellency’s command; which I suppose would not be adviseable. The Council of Safety will quit this place to morrow for Quaker Town (a most ominous Appellation!) whither your Excellency...
13763To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of this date I have Just now recd and am but very lately returned from near Woodbridge I did suspect the Enemy would be out to day after yesterdays Truce, and found it so when I was at Colo. Potters Quarters about 9 oclock. I had given Orders sometime ago that the whole of the Eastern Division except those on scouts & Picquets should Assemble at some apointed parade...
13764To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Musée de Blérancourt About a Week ago Captain Read brought us, what made us all very happy, a Letter from you, of the 4th. October; we had been so long without hearing from you, that we esteemed it quite as a New years Gift. It was delivered us the day after your birth day, When, by your account to Doctor Bond, some time ago, you must have got back to the Age of Sixty three— We have...
13765To George Washington from Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 2 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Connecticut Line have taken their huting Ground near Constitution Island. I shall by Tomorrow Night discharge the most, if not all, the short Levies under Colour of their wanting Cloaths. The Line will hut in the Form they are to assume the first of January—The Arrangement is so nearly completed as that it will be done at that Time without any Difficulty—and; I beleive, to great...
13766To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 20 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 20 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Sullivan on 3 March : “Notwithstanding your letter of the 20th Ult. was directed to be forwarded in the most expeditious manner, yet it did not reach me till last night.”
13767To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 22 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a person to be depended on Who left New york yesterday—a Brigade consisting of the 15th 17th not exceeding 700 men & he believes the 36th & 4th embarked on the 20th at Night & he Supposes Saild up the N. River yesterday Morng to destroy Genl McDougal. The rest of the Advices not So important, & not yet digested I refer at present, & am wt. great Respect Sr your most Obt LS , DNA:PCC , item...
13768Friday June the 22d 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went to Mr. De la Lande and Fynje’s; din’d at home. Mr. Guild din’d Here. After dinner I went to Madam Cha banel’s with the coach; she went to take a ride; we went through a village call’d Diem en , and went to Mr. Hartsinck’s country seat. We stay’d there a little while and then return’d in to town to Madam Chabanel’s, Mr. Brailsford came there soon after; and brother Charles...
13769To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas: Two Letters, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Avant de nous hazarder à vous présenter Mr. Jean de Neufville, Négociant d’Amsterdam, pour faire des affaires avec lui, nous nous sommes consultés longtemps, l’ami de Mr. De Chaumont & moi, & nous avons pris toutes les précautions & informations prudemment possibles, pour nous assurer de la propriété d’une telle démarche. Notre Ami, sous lequel...
13770To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 30 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I examined the country directed by your Excellency yesterday. I find a position most convenient for an army on the road by Captain Marsailles to Col. Dey’s. Having passed Marsailles house one mile, you arrive at the junction of the Paramus & Dey’s road. Here commences the position I allude to, & continues along Deys road. a very copious branch of water runs close to the camp in front—smaller...
13771From Thomas Jefferson to Simon Nathan, 9 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your obliging offer of serving the State in the purchase of Supplies for the Officers and Men stationed at Pittsburg is accepted, and a Memo of such Supplies as are now wanted is herein inclosed. I am Sir Your most obedient Servt., RC ( Vi ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ. Addressed by the clerk: “Simon Nathan Esqr.” Endorsed in several hands, probably upon or after being turned in by Nathan...
13772To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted for Your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 25th, the former receiv’d three days since, and the latter while I was in Congress this Morning; this takes my immediate attention—I feel convinc’d that had Your Excellency named a sum in Gold and apply’d for it to Congress, an order for the Amount would have pass’d without hesitation—but from circumstances which I have more than a few...
13773George Washington to Colonel Morgan Lewis, 31 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Robinson’s [ New York ] July 31, 1780 . Empowers Lewis to impress “Boards, plank and scantling” in Albany. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lewis was deputy quartermaster general of the Northern Department.
13774From George Washington to Virginia Legislature, 5 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to assure you that I very sensibly feel the honor conferred upon me by your Address of Thanks of the 4th of January—The approbation which you have been pleased to express of my past conduct cannot but ensure a continuance of my endeavours to merit your good opinions. I shall, with peculiar pleasure, communicate to the Officers and Men composing the Army of our illustrious Ally the...
13775Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 14–17 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency having gone this Morning to visit our posts beyond Kings bridge and the Several passes leading from Frog’s point and the Necks adjacent, I have the honor to inform you by his command, that no interesting event has taken place since his Letter by Yesterdays post. Every days intelligence from the Convention of this State, holds forth discoveries of New plots, and of new...
13776To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Lafreté, 1 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon ami M. Gallard de Bayonne, est chargé, mon Cher Papa de vous voir, et a beaucoup de choses à vous dire; Je vous prie, ou Monsieur votre fils, de me faire savoir le jour et l’heure où il pourra avoir l’honneur de vous voir à Passy. Vous me feréz plaisir de le recevoir avec bonté, et l’écouter avec attention. Il est fort instruit, et entrera avec vous...
13777From John Adams to James Warren, 3 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
It may not be a Mispence of Time to make a few Observations upon the Situation of Some of the States at this Time. That Part of New York which is yet in our Possession is pretty well united, and pretty firm. The Jerseys have recovered from their Surprize, and are lending as much Assistance as can well be expected from them. Their Assembly is now Sitting, and are Said to be well disposed to do...
13778May 26. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Bertins the Secretary of State at his Seat in the Country. Dr. F., his G. Son and I rode with Mm. Bertin, the Niece of the Minister, in her Voiture with 4 Horses. This was one of the pleasantest Rides yet. We rode near the back side of Mount Calvare, which is perhaps the finest Height near Paris. Mount Martre is another very fine Elevation. The Gardens, Walks and Water Works of...
13779To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, 18 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our friend Saint Hutton offers me a chance for getting a letter to you, which tho I have long’d a long while for, & have not had, or you w’d have stood a chance for one of my superiour epistles which I know you did not dislike because you always answer’d. Why did you come to my native country? Or continue so long time in it, and then so quarrel with some ,...
13780To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Turin, 7 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Chateau de Glaye, near La Ferté-Bernard, Maine, February 7, 1778, in French: Your knowledge of the natural world makes me hope that you will help some one who since his retirement from service has given himself to the study of natural history. I should like to acquire live animals and birds of both sexes to breed in France. Any success I may have, even if...
13781To George Washington from William Brown, 30 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Several reasons, which, with me at least appeared of sufficient weight, have induced me within these few weeks to retire from the service of the army—I purposed before my departure to have waited on your Excellency at Head Quarters, & personally to have taken leave of my much esteemed acquaintance there; but the latter being rather an unpleasing task, I now beg leave to pay my respects to your...
13782Edward Carrington and Richard Claiborne: Plan for the Quartermaster’s Department in Virginia, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the irregular manner in which the Quarter Masters Department for the State of Virginia has hitherto been conducted, has been attended with many delays and inconveniencies both to the people and to the public service; and it being expedient that a new disposition should be made to remove those difficulties agreable to the late System for the Quarter Masters department, established by...
13783From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 13 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 8 th . Inst. is now before me. did you know how much Satisfaction a Line from you gives me, you would not think of apologizing for the frequency of your Letters. I am much obliged to you for your Hints respecting the Command of a certain Post. They are useful and will determine my Conduct, tho some folks here may not coincide with me in opinion. I must confess that I think...
13784From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Two Letters, 28 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress I received a few Days since by the Marquis de la Fayette, your several Letters of Nov. 27. Dec. 3 et Dec. 4. with the Papers referr’d to, the reading of which gave me great Satisfaction, as they show the Steps you are taking with so much Zeal, Judgment & Activity for putting into good Order our Finances, & restoring the Public Credit. My Notice of this...
13785To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pearson Low, April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania May Please your Honour Mr. Franklin to excuse my Impertinence for Writeing to you. I am at present In distress at St. Mallous haveing Deserted the English Prisn Three times this war I have not money nor cloths to Shift my Self and can not find any of my Contry[ men ] here. The Last time I deserted it was at plymouth. I pased for an English man and shipt...
13786General Orders, 1 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The honorable the Congress having been pleased by a late resolution to annex the Mustering Department to that of the Inspection of the Army —‘Till the business is more perfectly arranged the Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors of brigades are requested to muster the troops in the divisions & brigades to which they are respectively attached in the manner it has been usually done—The Musters both for...
13787From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 26 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote Nelson on 28 Nov. acknowledging his “kind favor of the 26th of last Month.”
13788To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of Writing to your Excellency the 25th. I sent the letter to McHenry to forward. there is Nothing New in this Quarter; the Severity of the Weather seems to have Stoped the Chanels of Intelligence. The distress of the Army for want of forrage had Come to the last Extremity, indeed the very existance of it depended on an immediate relief, and however disagreable the Measure,...
13789To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 23d inst. I have received. The Governor being at Borden Town, I sealed, & forwarded his letter to him. Our Assembly, has adjourned untill May next. I am enabled, by the Powers vested in me, to call into actual Service, the whole force of this State, on any emergency—but cannot march the Troops into a Neighbouring State, without an Order from the Assembly, or the...
13790From George Washington to William Livingston, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Moment had the Honour to receive your two favours of the 3d Inst. With pleasure I will forward your Letters to Mr Jay by the first Opportunity. How can an Assembly of Gentlemen, Eyewitnesses to the distresses & Inconveniences that have their principal source in the Want of a well regulated Militia, hesitate to adopt the only remedy that can remove them! And stranger still, think of a...
13791To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 30 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
agreable to your Excellency’s Orders the Regiment, has arrived at this place there are no proper tools for mending the roads in this town but have orderd those at Minisink to Meet us at Col: Strouds, as there are various roads from this, Leading thro’ the great Swamp to Wyoming am at Some loss which road your Excellency may have in View for us to take and repair. Shall be much Obliged to be...
13792To George Washington from Joseph Trumbull, 9 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Majr Hoops, is appointed Deputy Issuing Commissary General for this Department, he came here to take up his Department he meets such difficulties, arising from the Strictness of Congress new Regulations, as make it impossible to enter on his Duty, the particulars he can inform Your Excellency—You know the distress I have long been in, & which I have mentioned to Your Excellency—I...
13793From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The State of Virginia have determined to undertake an expedition, which I have ever had in view, and which I wished to carry into execution by a Continental force—but you are sufficiently acquainted with the situation of our Affairs, both as to Men and supplies, to know that it has been impossible to attempt it—It is the reduction of the Post of Detroit—His Excellency Governor Jefferson...
13794John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have this Morning been out of Town to accompany our Generals Washington, Lee, and Schuyler, a little Way, on their Journey to the American Camp before Boston. The Three Generals were all mounted, on Horse back, accompanied by Major Mifflin who is gone in the Character of Aid de Camp. All the Delegates from the Massachusetts with their Servants, and Carriages attended. Many others of the...
13795From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Abraham Skinner, 14 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency directs me to put the inclosed under Cover to you, and to inform—that the passports of your Duputy will not be sufficient for Prisoners to go within the Enemy’s Lines upon parole—But in the present Instance you can exchange the persons in Question on the Spot. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
13796From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 9 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours respecting Mr Archer a few days ago, but I have been so exceedingly engaged that I have not had leisure to answer it before this time —It would give me great pleasure to make provision for a Gentleman of Mr Archers merit in a way that should be perfectly satisfactory to him, and could your request in his behalf be granted without infringing the establishmt of your Corps, I should...
13797To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 7th Inst: from Morris Town; Upon my Arrival here, I dispatched without any delay, Your Excellency’s first Letter to General Wayne; he immediately repaired to Albany, and is gone from hence, whether to Morris Town, or Philadelphia, I cannot say, as he did not seem determined. Major Troup, upon being disappointed in procuring...
13798To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh et al., 16 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society To His Excellency the Honorable Bengimin Franklin Ambassador to the united States of america at Paris The Memorial of the prisoners on board the patience brig. who were taken by the american Ship of War Ranger commanded by John Paul Jones Esqr. and Brought in to Brest the 7th day of May last Sheweth that your Excellency’s Memoriallists. whilst they were...
13799From Benjamin Franklin to the Chevalier de Cambray-Digny, [before 27 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Valentine Giamatti, “Le Chevalier de Cambray in America, 1778–1783” (unpublished doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, 1940), p. 149. Dr. Franklin requests the honour of Mr. Cambray’s Company at dinner on Sunday the 29th inst. Passy, June 1783 The favour of an Answer is desired A military engineer who served with distinction in the American army and spent two years as a...
13800To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Le Breton de la Loutière, 31 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettes moy De faire part à votre Excellence D’un petit ouvrage que je viens D’imprimer Sur La guerre presente. Jattends avec Empressement La victoire Derniere Et complette De vos ètats unis pour achever de celebrer toute Leur gloire Et Leur indépendance. Je tascherai Si vous Le trouves Bon De Leur témoigner Dans La personne De Leur Digne plénipotentiaire...