1681To George Washington from George Clinton, 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th on the Day following. I immediately communicated it to the Legislature; and am happy in being enabled to inform You that, altho’ within two Days of their annual Dissolution, they readily entered on the Business recommended to them and passed a Law for completing their continental Battalions. I dare not venture to pronounce...
1682To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the intelligence I this moment received from Colls Butler & Parker. I am your Excellencys Obedient Servt Sprague transcript , DLC:GW . Scott wrote and signed a note on the cover of the letter: “pass the Bearer to Head Quarters” (MB). The enclosure, a letter to Scott from colonels Richard Butler and Richard Parker, dated “New Rochelle [N.Y.] ½ past 10 OClock,” reads: “We find the...
1683To John Adams from John Jay, 26 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I hope I may by this Time congratulate You on your safe Arrival, and happy meeting with your Son at amsterdam. M r. Laurens is here, & in better Health than I have heretofore seen him since he left America— His Stay will probably be short, for his Permission to return creates Doubts in his Mind as to the Propriety of his continuing to act with us, unless by our particular Request; and M r...
1684To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Georg Joseph Vogler, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu l’honneur tant au Musée de Paris, dont je suis membre, qu’à Passi chez vous même, de vous expliquer quoîque bien faiblement ma Theorie nouvelle musicale ainsi que mon Instrument le Tonometre approuvè par l’academie des Sciences. Vous avez bien voulu m’accorder vos suffrages et encourager un auteur qui paroit pour la premiere fois en France. J’ose...
1685From John Adams to James Warren, 6 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Jackson, by whom this will go, is a Manager of the State Lottery, and is bound to the New England states, to forward the Sale of the Ticketts. He wishes to be recommended to proper Persons for the Purpose. If you can assist him with your Advise you will do a public service. I can give you no News—but the Skirmish at Spanktown. This State of Pensilvania, have at last compleated their...
1686To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just Coming from Versailles where I went à hunting with the king, and I Do take this first opportunity of inquiring for the state of your health— I hope you are free by this time from your troublesome Gout— I make no doubt but that you knew last Night of the Senegal being taken by our troops— that Advantage I think is interesting for the Allied powers,...
1687To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 19 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency will receive enclosed, the Copy of a Resolve of the 17th Instant, recommending to the several Legislatures to enact Laws making further Provision (as specified in the Resolve) to guard against the Abuses and deceitful Practices of the British, by making Use of Papers and Clearances they may take in American Vessels. The Measures recommended in this and the former Resolve of the...
1688To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of intelligence received yesterday morning from the westward that the Fleet of Transports which were lately in the Sound, and supposed to be coming this way, had sail’d towards newyork, General Count de Rochambeau express’d his pleasure that the militia which had arrived and were on their march for his support, (except those detached for three months) should return home. I...
1689From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received a confirmation of the arrival of a hostile fleet consisting of 19 ships, 2 brigs, and 10 sloops and schooners. The advance of the fleet were yesterday morning in Warrasqueak bay, and just getting into motion up the river with a favorable wind and tide. Their destination from the intelligence of deserters and some captured mariners whom they put on shore is some...
1690To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 1 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 280–1. I write to you one line by this mail only to tell you that I have seen the Minister since I last wrote to you, and that he never did entertain the idea one Moment of any propositions being thrown out on your part in the least degree inconsistent with...
1691Notes on Debates, 3 December 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782 , ed. n. After a verbal report of the Committee above mentioned, who acquainted Congress that in a conference with Mr. Livingston he professed a willingness to remain in office till the 1st. of Jany. to give time for the choice of a Successor, Mr. McKean proposed the Resolution, which stands on the Secret Journals; several...
1692To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Brillon de Jouy, 4 [May] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
al: American Philosophical Society M. Brillon presente ses respects a Monsieur franklin. Il le prie de lui dire ce qu’il pense sur la proposition suivante. M. Hennet ami de M. Brillon qui a deja fait quelques fournitures d’armes pour le congrés, ayant appris l’arrivée de Messieurs de la Virginie demande s’il pouroit se reclamer auprés d’eux de Monsieur franklin pour leur offrir ses services....
1693To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I wish for your Excellency’s instruction as to the inclos’d Ac[coun]t, which I should be glad you could return me by Express. The claim has merit, the officer from Every account I have had (and that Reputable) did in an Extraordinary manner Exert him self, & serve the cause, and was at an Extraordinary Expence & in my opinion ought to have his Acct Allow’d I am Dear sir most Respec[t]fully...
1694To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 13 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did not write you last Tuesday as I had it not in my power to inform you with any certainty on the Subject my Letter was intended for. I can now assure you the Marquis de la Fayette will not leave home this summer. Monsieur de la Touche with the Eagle and some other Frigates have by this time sailed, with sundry Vessels under Convoy, having on board Stores Cloathing &ce for both Armies. A...
1695[Diary entry: 23 January 1780] (Washington Papers)
23d. Wind westerly & little of it. Air fresh & no thawing even in the Sun South of the House.
1696To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 22 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A considerable time has elapsed since I had the honour of conversing with you on the subject of the Proclamation, and Manifesto of 3d. Octr. issued by the British Commissioners in America. Every attempt should be made to prevent their carrying their bloody purposes into execution. The more I think on the subject, the more I am convinced that it would be proper for the Representatives of our...
169713th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Artaud dined out. Mr. D. went to take a ride in the afternoon. Finished the 2d. Volume of Robertson’s history of Charles 5th. 479. pages, and begun the third. Cloudy weather, and Rain.
1698Richard Cranch to John Adams, 24 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Sister Adams informs me that you complain that your Friends this way neglect writing to you. I believe a share of the Blame belongs to me, and shall now endeavour to make some amends. We have lately had several little Expeditions from this quarter against the Enemy, a particular account of which, as near as I can collect it from those who were present, I shall give you.—On the 11th. Inst. in...
1699From George Washington to George Measam, 10 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 15th Feby I imagined that the Agents would not have waited for orders to make up the linen proper for shirts, and that suitable for Overalls. The stock of these Articles cannot be too great, as they are in constant demand, and what are not used in one Campaign will keep over to the next without the least danger of damage, which is not the case with woolen Cloathing....
1700To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
By the enclosed Letter from M. De Sartine expressing his Majestys Desire that the Alliance should be retained here a little longer, you will see that I am under a kind of Necessity of disappointing you in your Intentions of making your Passage immediately in that Vessel; which would be more unpleasing to me but for these Considerations, that possibly it may be safer for you to go in a Ship...
1701John Adams to Peter Boylston Adams, 15 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have an Account of the Politicks of the Town of Braintree; but it is an imperfect one. I wish you would write me, a clear, and distinct one. . . . I am told there was a Tie, between your Hon. Brigadier General and You, and that, in order to get a Decision in his Favour he was obliged to declare that he would leave the Board for the Sake of serving the Town. I should be glad to learn a little...
1702From John Jay to Margaret Cadwalader Meredith, 12 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
It is a delightful Evening, and I am just returned from a long solitary walk to pay my Respects to you. While the Court were enjoying a Bull Feast, I amused myself in the Gardens and ornamented Grounds which surround me, some of which are beautiful; but I forbear describing them or the Reveries they suggested. M rs . Jay is at Madrid, and her Absence makes me feel the Force of the Reflection...
1703From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
As it is more than probable that the road Leading to Danberry is out of order, I would wish you to send a party under a proper Officer to repair it, as far as that place, that should you receive orders to move on, you may have as little hindrance as possible. I am Sir Yr Mo. Obet Sert LS , in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, NHi : Gates Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Brig....
1704To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, 28 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le Mis. De la fayette fait Ses compliments à Monsieur franklin et le prie de lui faire lhonneur de Venir diner chez luy jeudy prochain en Sa maison Rue de Bourbon. May 1. The other American peace commissioners went as well: Butterfield, John Adams Diary , III , 117. Having reached the age of majority (25 years), Lafayette was able to purchase a house on the...
1705From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Deshayes, 27 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I understand from his Excellency M. De Sartine that you have taken Care of such poor Americans as arrived at Cherbourg from England, and been at some Expence in relieving them. Please to accept my Thanks, and send me your Account that I may reimburse you. And as you have been so good as to Offer a Continuance of these kind Offices of Humanity I hereby assure you...
1706From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, enclosing Clark’s Commission, 22 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the pleasure of inclosing you a Brigadier General’s commission. The laws having given us power to appoint a General officer only for special purposes, and not a perpetual one, has obliged us to express the particular occasion of this appointment . Besides this I thought it necessary to give you an exemplification of your former commission which was perpetual. I wish you in every...
1707To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Ponteney with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An consequance de ce dont nous sommes convenus ansemble le jour que j’ait eu l’honneur de diner avec vous, Monsieur, chez Mr. de la faye, j’ait celuy de vous anvoier la notte et les echantillions des marchandise que mon mari peut fournir vandues sur le port a auxonne pour de la etre transportees par la saône et le Rhône a arles, soit pour etre ambarquees...
1708To George Washington from George Clinton, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received the enclosed Letter from Genl Schuyler to your Excellency which agreable to his Direction I have perused & now forward by the same Express who handed it to me. This Letter with one which the Express is charged with from Brigr Genl Clinton will I presume give your Excellency all the Intelligences from the Northward and render it unnecessary to communicate the Particulars...
1709From Alexander Hamilton to William Duer, 6 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this is Mr. Malmedi a french Gentleman of learning, abilities and experience. I believe he thinks himself intitled to preferment and comes to Congress for that purpose. At the recommendation of General Lee he was made Brigadier General by the State of Rhode Island, and filled the station to the satisfaction of his employers, as appears by a letter from Governor Cook, speaking of...
1710From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I request that you will join the Army as soon as you can. I wrote you upon this subject before we marched from Middle Brook, but as you have not arrived—It is probable my Letter has miscarried or that it did not come to hand till very lately. I am Dr Sir with great regard Yr Most Obedt servant LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, PHi : Wayne Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript ,...