1651To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 20 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici Monsieur Les Ciseaux que je Vous ait promis. Vous Voyez que je Multiplie autant que je le puis Les Moiens de me rapeller a Votre souvenir, pardonnéz Moi charmant homme les petites ruse que Linteret de Mon Coeur Me suggere, ce sont les seule dont je sois Capable; en changeant de chemise, en vous promenant, et en ecrivant, vous Voila forcés de songér a...
1652To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 8 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot imagine what has prevented my hearing from you for these two month relating to the Cartel. I therefore send you a copy of a letter from the board of Sick & Hurt to me of Novr 15 1779 wch is the place where we left off & where we stick now. I wish I cd expedite things but it is not in my power. You see where the matter has been Stopt these two...
1653From Thomas Jefferson to Turner Southall, Robert Goode, John Banister, William Call, and William Greene Munford, 15 … (Jefferson Papers)
For the future protection of the Stores and Country on James River it has been thought necessary to erect a defensive work at Hood’s. Among other requisites forty labouring Slaves are wanting for two months. After trying the exertions of the ordinary Officers to procure them we have been able to procure 13 only, who are to be at the place on Monday next. I must therefore resort to the aid of...
1654[Diary entry: 9 February 1780] (Washington Papers)
9th. Wind fresh in the Night from the Westward—day clear & not very cold. The wind continued Westerly all day.
1655To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 15 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a Letter from Major Lee by which you will perceive that two Men had deserted from the first Post he visited this morning & perhaps others will be found gone from the other Posts. I was utterly unacquainted with your Excellencys intentions of releiving Major Gibbs or I should have represented the necessity of keeping Those Troops on the Lines who...
1656From George Washington to Louis-Philippe de Rigaud, marquis de Vaudreuil, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of yesterday, I have received the inclosed (Genl. Fromans letter of Septr 3d) intelligence from the Coast of New Jersey—from that, and from the inclosed New York Paper, it would seem as if the whole of the British Fleet that sailed from the West Indies, were not intended to remain upon this Coast—I shall continue to transmit you further intelligence as it comes to my hands. I...
1657From Thomas Jefferson to William Harrison, 20 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Lieutenant Bradford brings out three hundred thousand Pounds for you. Two hundred thousand had been sent by Captn. Cherry to Genl. Clarke just before. Whether he will be able to spare any of that to you I know not. We had it not in our power to send more at this time. I had inquiry made at the Auditors Office whether Captn. Berry had obtained any Warrant for Money there and found he had not. I...
1658General Orders, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Maxwell[,] Major Thayer[,] Brigade Major McGowan Two Battalions of Eighty Files each to manœuvre tomorrow morning at the usual hour and Place from Maxwell’s and Stark’s Brigades—Each of those brigades to give two Field officers for this duty—General Hand to Command. Some inconveniencies having been represented in adhering to the order of...
1659From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Charles Stewart, 24 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires me to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of yesterday, and thank you for the intelligence contained in it. He hopes you will soon be able to send him a confirmation with more certain particulars. I am Dr Sir Your most Obedt ALS , Mrs. Cecily Symington, Cooperstown, New York. Stewart was commissary general of issues from June 18, 1777, to July, 1782.
1660From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 20th and 24th instants; the latter by Mr Harkermir who gives a melancholy account of the distresses of the inhabitants at the German Flatts. To defend an extensive frontier against the incursions of a desultory Enemy is next to impossible; but still if you think the addition of another Regiment, ill as I can spare it, or a change of position in the troops...
1661From George Washington to James Wilkinson, 19 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the wretched & miserable condition of many of the Troops for want of their Cloathes, Many of them being absolutely naked, I must urge again in the most earnest terms, that you will use every possible & Instant exertion to have the Cloathing as formerly directed, brought forward that it may be delivered. The public service as well as the dictates of humanity require that it should be done...
1662General Orders, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a division Court Martial (Feby 13th 1778.) whereof Lieutt Coll Sprout was president, Lieutt Austin Alden of Coll Brewer’s Regiment, tried for behaving in many instances unbecoming the Character of an officer and gentleman, 1st in taking Jack Brown’s allowance of Whisky and drinking it and then refusing to pay for it—2nd In messing, frequently drinking & sleeping with the soldiers—3rdly—For...
1663From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 16 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have at last recieved Letters from Mr. Dana. Mr. Sayer arrived in town yesterday with Letters to me, and dispatches for Congress, which I shall transmit by the best opportunity. Three days before I had recieved a Letter which came by Sea, but had been almost four Months upon the passage. Mr. Dana appears to be in good Spirits. He has communicated himself to the Marquis de Verac, and has been...
1664To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 28 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives As the Marquis De la Fayette will deliver this, we refer you to his Conversation in addition to the Gazettes for an Account of the Movements of the Enemy. He will doubtless gain some further Knowledge of them before he leaves Boston than what we are now possessed of. We shall speedily have Opportunities of forwarding...
1665To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Saint-Auban, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Vous nous avez fait l’honneur, Monsieur, de nous promettre a m. de st. auban et a moy que Vous nous feriez celuy de venir diner avec nous a notre retour de la campagne que nous avons quittée depuis 15. Jours. M. de st. auban n’auroit pas laissé passer ce temps, sans vous aller rappeller cette promesse s’il n’en eut eté empesché par un gros rhume. Dans la...
1666Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 1 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These with my due Respects on my Arrival may serve to inform your Honours, that after a very fatigueing Passage of forty two Days I arrived at this port with Joy, having the pleasure of landing the Honble: John Adams Esqr. safe in the City. By Richard Palmes Esqr. the Capt. of Marines under my Command I send you inclosed a Copy of my Instructions and...
1667From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 25 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. Lawson writes me word that he can march 1000 men to-day or to-morrow to reinforce Genl. Greene if he can be aided with arms. I inclosed you yesterday a letter from Colo. Banister informing me there were 400 good Continental arms at Petersburg, of which he seemed to wish about 150. The state stock being already exhausted, I could only inform Genl. Lawson that I would take the liberty of...
1668To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The first & second division of the Troops are arrived at this place; the third under command of Colo. Gist will not be here in less then five or six Days—the fatigueing March the Troops have had this extreem bad weather, the reduced situation of the waggon & artilery Horses, together with sundry repairs wanting to the waggons, has induced me to halt them here till the rear gets up—when I shall...
1669To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkinson, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to receive the grateful Homage of a sensible Mind, for your condescension in exposing to me M[ajo]r Genl Gates’s Letters which Unmask his Artifice & efforts to ruin me. The Authenticity of the Information recd thro Lord Stirling I cannot confirm; As I solemnly assure Your Excellency I do not remember the Conversation which passed on that occasion, nor can I recollect particular...
1670From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 22 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Lord Cholmondeley having kindly offer’d to take a Letter from me to your Lordship, I embrace the Opportunity of assuring the Continuance of my ancient Respect for your Talents and Virtues, and of congratulating you on the returning good Disposition of...
1671To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1957) I wrote you last Post a particular Letter relative to Mr de Chaumonts affairs since which I find they are publicly known & the alarm is general. Every man who has taken my Bills on him in this Place have mentioned to me his stoppage of payment, but I am happy to find they have great Confidence...
1672Virginia Delegates in Congress to Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (New York State Library, Albany). Except for JM’s signature, this letter is entirely in the hand of Theodorick Bland. It is with much concern that we have learnt from Your Excellencys and the Baron de Steubens letters to Congress, the Misfortunes our Country has sufferd from the Invasion under the command of the detestable Arnold, and that he has ventured with impunity even to our Capitol....
1673To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 20 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Israel Putnam, 20 Sept. 1779. On this date, GW wrote Putnam: “I have your favr of this morning respecting Capt. Lyman.”
1674To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, Sr., 31 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The above is a Coppy of mine of the 28 ultimo by Cap. Adams. This will be delivered you by my son, whom the Council of this State have Employed at the Continental expence to proceed to France and to deliver You a number of Letters which they have lately received, from the Secret Committee of Congress. I think myself happy that he will be under your Eye and...
1675George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 14, 1778 . Informs Gates that Army is marching to Haverstraw. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1676To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of yesterday and without loss of time forwarded the Letters to Genl Wolcott and Colo. Moylan Several Measures are adopted for the obtaining intelligence hope Some of them will Succeed. I send one Prisoner of war and three Deserters, one from the legion, one from the Queens rangers and the other from the 71st Regt the latter from Verplanks Point this morning each of the...
1677To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Navy Board, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency has been inform’d that a Redoubt was erected on Province Island opposite Fort Mifflin, also another at the Mouth of Schuylkill. They are throwing up other Works in different parts of the Meadows—We believe they have not more than five hundred Men in the Meadows—We are inform’d that a number of our Troops are now near the Ferries on Schuylkill; If a body of them were order’d to...
1678From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 13 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
This Letter is intended to go, by Monsieur Le Veillard, a Young Gentleman bound to America, with Design to travail with engage in the service of Mr. Holker or to lay the Foundations of a mercantile House either in France or America, as Circumstances may be. I have the Pleasure to know his Father and his Family and the young Gentleman very well: They are all worthy and amiable, and have on many...
1679To Benjamin Franklin from William Robeson, 22 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having for sometime past Resolved on my Return to America, and for this Purpose had Sollicited my good & Worthy Friend Mr. Williams, to procure me a Passage in the M. D L Fyatte, Which he was so Politely Civil as to do, but the detention or Delay of this Ship, has far Exceeded my Exspectation, and her departure Seems at so great a distance that my Mind is...
1680To George Washington from La Luzerne, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I flattered myself that the Cloathing destined for the Army under the command of your Excellency had at length arrived in the River, in the Vessel of Paul Jones or in one of those coming under his Convoy, but I regret infinitely that You have not yet that satisfaction. A passenger arrived in one of this Convoy told me that when this same little squadron, which left France the 8th October,...