2011To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excelys favr of the 31st I recd the 1st Novr and The same Morning I recd an Answar from The Counsil of Safety to a Letter I had wrote to Govr Livingston Respecting The Conduct of Brgr Genl Newcomb—The Counsil of safety in their Letter to me enclosed one for Genl Newcomb which they assured me contain’d Their orders to him to make me returns of his Brigade and receive my orders—I...
2012From Tench Tilghman to John Pray, 19 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency recd yours of the 17th New York papers inclosed. If you can obtain a giving an account of the actual evacuation of town be pleased to send it immediately up, as it is of consequence to His Excellency to have that matter ascertained. Be pleased to send the inclosed to Major Smith. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2013Benjamin Rush to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I set down with great pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from Mr. Adams dated February 8th, with a poscript from you, which through a Mistake, or neglect in the post Offices did not reach me ’till the 10th. of this instant. I hope it is not too late to thank you for them both. The remedies you have demanded to releive the anguish of your mind occasioned by parting with your dear...
2014To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour of the 22 Instant with the Judgement of the Mifflins Prize Goods, and Mr Coulougnac’s Proposals about furnishing Cloth &c. Agreeable to your desire I have conversed with him and find that he realy can furnish at good Prices, but he has no great Quantity by him at present. I have taken some Patterns...
2015Abraham Whipple to the Commissioners, 19 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing you July 31 from Paimbeufe where I had been wind bound for fifteen days. The Boston had not joined me Then. She afterwards did and August 8th we proceeded for Brest in Company. Contrary winds proving unfavourable detained us at Sea till the 14th when we arrived at Brest. I here found that Lt. Simpson had strictly attended to my Orders of July 24th and done every...
2016To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have seen your Excellencys favor of this date directed to General McDougall, and myself. For my own part I can have no objections to any service your Excellency shall think proper to employ me in, and I know of nothing to prevent my being in readiness to meet the Gentlemen from the Enemy, by the 16th or 18th instant. There will be some arrangements necessary on our side with respect to the...
2017To Benjamin Franklin from Count Andreas Peter von Bernstorff, 8 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives; press copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Si Vous etiés un Homme moins connû et moins consideré, j’aurois eté fort incertain au Sujet de la Lettre que jai eu l’honneur de recevoir de votre part, et qui ne m’est parvenue qu’au 31. du Mois de Janvier. J’aurois pû la regarder comme une demarche...
2018From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 8 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I arrived here on Friday Evening, and the next morning was unanimously chosen by the General Assembly a Delegate for the ensuing Congress, which is to meet on Wednesday. You will have heard before this reaches you of the Commencement of a Civil War; the End of it perhaps neither myself, nor you, who are much younger, may live to see. I find here all Ranks of...
2019From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomas, 16 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed you have a much larger supply of oil than will shortly be necessary for your works and the Continent being distressed at their tannery here for that article, be so good as to lend Majr. Claiborne so much as he may want and you can spare, which he will replace. I am Sir Your very humble servt., RC ( Vi ); addressed by TJ: “Captn. Thomas Warwick”; endorsed. This letter was...
2020From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with your letter of yesterdays date this evening. I have informed Governor Livingston with as many of the circumstances of Hatfields case as have come within my knowlege, and directed Lord Stirling to furnish him with such as he has relating to this subject. You will be pleased without further delay to deliver both Hatfield and the vessel he was in, to the civil magistrate with...
2021From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been successively honoured with your Excellency’s dispatches of the 12th 13th & 16th and shall duly attend to the contents. Your Excellency, probably by this time, has heard of the revolt of the Jersey Troops in imitation of the Pensylvania line. Advice that this had been the case with a part of them, with an expectation of its becoming general, reached me the night before last—their...
2022From George Washington to Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 10th of last month, with the enclosed papers. I must recall your attention to what I have before said on the subject of your intended attack. You must be sensible that the most serious ill consequences may and would, probably, result from it in case of failure; and prudence dictates that it should be cautiously examined in all its lights,...
2023The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 22 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have just now the Honour of a Lettre from M. De Sartine dated the 19, which We suppose is his Excellencys Ultimatum concerning your Effects taken in the Nile, and We therefore take the earliest opportunity to inclose you a Copy of it that you may be able to take your Measures in Consequence of it, in which We...
2024General Orders, 8 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
The General was highly pleased with the appearance of the first Massachusetts Brigade yesterday under Arms, and was very well satisfied with thier Manoeuvering: the firing might have been better, and he fears the Locks or flints of the Musketts were in bad order, as many of them missed fire—the Officers commanding the Light Infantry should impress upon the men the necessity of taking...
2025From George Washington to George Clinton, 29 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to find by the Report of the Baron Steuben there is no probability that we shall be put in possession of the Western Posts this fall—in consequence of this information and the late season of the year I have directed the Movement of the Troops to be stopped, & the preparations to be suspended until farther Orders. Major Giles (who is the bearer of this Letter) having occasion to...
2026Horneca, Fizeaux & Co. to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 7 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have just received from Mr. Whitall the book containing the promissory notes from Congress, along with their coupons and your signatures. Now all we require to begin their negotiation is your orders and instructions relative to the expenses and allowances that we may grant the buyers in addition to the stipulated 5 per cent interest. We have the honor to be, very respectfully, gentlemen,...
202773. A Bill against Conspirators, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Be it declared and enacted by the General Assembly, that conspirators be they that do confederate or bind themselves by oath, covenant, or other alliance that every of them shall aid and bear the other falsely and maliciously to move or cause to be moved any indictment or information against another on the part of the commonwealth, and those who are convicted thereof at the suit of the...
2028General Orders, 18 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the trenches tomorrow Major General the Marqs de la Fayette Brigadiers Muhlenberg & Hazen Major General the Marqs de la Fayette’s division will mount in the trenches tomorrow. After Orders. This days relief of the Trenches is countermanded untill further Orders. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2029From Benjamin Franklin to Filangieri, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri The Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me in August last, came to my Hands when I lay ill of two painful Disorders, which confin’d me near three Months, and with the Multiplicity of Business that follow’d oblig’d me to postpone much of my Correspondence. I have yesterday receiv’d a second Letter from you, and I now without farther Delay sit down to...
2030To Benjamin Franklin from ——— and ——— de Monregard, 7 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Madame de Monregard, et leur fils acceptent avec le plus grand plaisir la proposition de Monsieur Franklin d’avoir l’honneur de diner chez luy samedy prochain 13. de ce mois, et ils s’y rendront avec grand Empressement. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / A Passy. The only year of BF ’s residence at Passy when the seventh of February was a Sunday.
2031To George Washington from William Livingston, 3 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Livingston, 3 Sept. 1779. On 7 Sept., GW wrote Livingston: “I yesterday recd your favr of the 3d Inst.”
2032From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Forsyth, 9 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It being once settled that you are the person to receive the provisions from the commissioners of the provision law, I am perfectly satisfied on that head. I inclose you a List of the posts at which these provisions have been directed to be stored, and the counties which are at liberty to send to each post, as also twenty copies of orders on the several commissioners to make the delivery to...
2033George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Directs Heath to appoint a court of inquiry to examine the conduct of Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick and Major David S. Franks. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2034To George Washington from George Reid, 23 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Indisposition of Lieut. Saml Adams of the N. Hampr. Regt is such, that he is renderd unfit for any kind of duty—If your Excellency thinks it Consistent I wish he might be Indulg’d with leave to visit his Friends . Colo. Dearborn will represent his case more particularly. I am Sir Your most Obedt Hble Servt PHi : Gratz Collection.
2035From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 28 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit Your Excellency the Extract of a Letter of the 23d Instant, which I received to day from Colo. Vanschaick. This will inform Your Excellency, that the Indians have lately made Two incursions on our Frontiers & taken Five of the Inhabitants of Tryon County & killed one & captured a Guard of Thirteen Militia posted at Skeensborough. I wish I had no other intelligence...
2036From George Washington to John McDonald, 2 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have reced your favor of the 25th feby requesting permission to go to Maryland on a Visit. It will always give me pleasure to grant every possible indulgence to Gentlemen in your situation that can be granted with propriety and I am extremely sorry the request you now make cannot be considerd of that nature. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2037To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 15 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency (the 10th Ulto) that I had Adjusted my Account with General Burgoyne, & that his paymaster had accepted his Bill, to pay the Amount at his return from Newport which he has punctually Complied with, so far as he was Obligated to pay hard Money; Amounting to £9244. 2s/. which I have sent on, to the Honble Board of Treasury at York Town. £4098 which he was to pay in...
2038General Orders, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The following is the formation of Nixon’s, Paterson’s, Larned’s & the North-Carolina Brigades which is to take place immediately for the present Campaign. R. & F. Greaton’s Regt ⎧ ⎨ ⎩ ⎫ ⎬ ⎭ forms one battalion and furnishes for the Light Infantry–- 24. Nixon’s— forms one battalion and furnishes— 30. Putnam’s— forms one battalion and furnishes— 38. ⎫ ⎬ ⎭
2039From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 23 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour, written after your Return from Spa and am very glad you had so pleasant a Tour and found So agreable a Reception. I find that my Friend in Philadelphia, reprinted the Letters on the Spirit and Resources of Great Britain: after which they were again printed in Boston, and much admired. A Gentleman from Boston, tells me, he heard there, that they were written by one...
2040To Benjamin Franklin from John Willson and Stephen Hamson, 9 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the Undernamed persons being Natives and Subjects of America, take the Liberty to Inform you of our Disagreeable Situation as finding no Redress Elsewhere— We Were on the 15th Octr. 1780 on A Schooner from Marblehead bound to Cadiz Onfortunatly taken by An English Cruizer Called the Albert, the Captn. of Which thought proper to Leave three of Our Ships...
2041To Thomas Jefferson from Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 2[2] June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre dont V. E. m’a honoré au nom de l’assemblée generale de Virginie ainsi que l’expedition autentique de l’acte que cette assemblée a passé pour ratifier les traités conclus entre le Roi mon maitre et les 13. Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale. Je M’estime heureux d’avoir à transmettre à S. Mté. un temoignage aussi autentique de la facon de penser et des procedés d’un...
2042From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the Copy of a Letter from Mr Loring British Commissary of Prisoners to our Commissary of prisoners respecting the measures which have been taken in the Case of Lieutenant Govener Hamilton and the enemys intentions of retaliation in Consequence. By this your Excellency will be able to Judge how far it may be expedient to relax in the present treatment...
2043From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 86, 17 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Writer on the Consequences of American Independence, Subjoins a Comparison between the United States, and the West Indies. He says the Exports from England was in 1771 £ s d To North America 4,586,882: 15: 5 £ To Dominica 170,623: 19: 3 To St Vincents 36,839: 10: 7 To Grenada 123,919:
2044To George Washington from Joseph Allyn Wright, 14 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Upon the repeated applications of Doctor Jedh Ensworth Surgeons Mate of the 3d Connt Regiment, I find myself under the disagreable necessity of recommending him to Your Excellency for a discharge from the service, but as his reasons appear sufficient and as the Regiment will not be immediately injured except on the loss of a skillfull, attentive Physician, I could wish that he might be...
2045From George Washington to Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 19 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 19 Nov. 1777. Smith’s letter to GW of 16 Nov. is docketed in part “Answd 19th.”
2046Sunday 9th. (Adams Papers)
Cloudy weather. We din’d at Palentia Palencia which is a city as Large as Corunna. At about 7 oclock P.M. we arrived at Torre quemada Torquemada which is 7 Leagues from Parades de naba.
2047To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu avec autant de reconnoissance que de plaisir le précieux present que vous venez de me faire et qui augmente mes richesses sur les Langues de l’Amerique. Je suis bien faché de n’avoir pas connu plutot cet ouvrage, j’en aurois tiré grand parti dans un Memoire que j’ai fait imprimer dans mon 8me. volume, qui va paroitre dans le courant de ce mois; ce...
2048James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 21 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I most sincerely rejoice with you on the safe Arrival of Mr. Adams in Spain after so short a Passage tho’ attended with some Hardships. In addition to the News in the Prints I venture, upon some confidential assurances from the worthy Genl. Lincoln, to excite your Hopes as to our affairs in that Quarter. It is recommended to redeem the continental Currency at 40 for 1 and to model the Tender...
2049To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 13. de ce mois, celle que vous avez écrite à l’agent des Etats unis à l’Orient et je me suis empressé de lui faire passer le Commissaire de la Marine dans ce port. Je doute qu’elle soit arrivée assez promptement pour que cet Agent ait remis au Capitaine du Navire Anglois...
2050To George Washington from Louis-Philippe de Rigaud, marquis de Vaudreuil, 20 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre que Votre Excellence m’a fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 16 du Ct. M. le Gouverneur hancock en a recu une de la même date du gouverneur de Providence et du Commandant des Milices qui l’informent que les Anglois se disposent a embarquer des troupes a Newyork et que leur dessein est d’attaquer Newport ou Boston. J’ai peine a croire que l’Amiral Pigot fasse une pareille...
2051To Benjamin Franklin from ——— De Reine, 26 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les harricots que j’ai eu lhonneur de vous donner hier chez Madame, Sont originaire du cap de bonne Esperance, ils ont étés recoltés a versailles. Ce un tres bon farineux, Surtout a l’huile et au vinaigre, en verd et Sec. Cette espece d’harricot, Monsieur, propagera beaucoup, et je Suis tres persuadé quil reussira tres bien en amerique, ou ils deviendront...
2052From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honour to communicate to the General Assembly an Ordinance of Congress of the 5th. Day of April last for establishing Courts for the Trial of Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas; also certain Resolutions of Congress of the 16th. and 23d. of March on the mode of paying Debts and [furnishing] Supplies of Money and of the 20th. of April relative to that Part of Colo....
2053From George Washington to Meshech Weare, 12 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having lately been obliged to make a very considerable detachment from the troops in the vicinity of West point, I have been under the necessity of calling upon the neighbouring States to send forward the new Levies which have been raised, and of urging them to compleat their Quotas as expeditiously as possible. The same reasons urge me to make the same requests of your State, and to desire...
2054From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the Inclosed Declaration, which I have the honor to Transmit you, that Congress of late have been employed in deliberating on matters of the utmost Importance. Impelled by necessity and a repetition of Injuries unsufferable, without the most distant prospect of releif, they have asserted the claims of the American Colonies to the rights of Humanity and declared them Free...
2055To George Washington from Frederick Visscher, 30 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
We the Magistrates, and Military Officers of the Town of Schenectady, in behalf of ourselves and it’s other Inhabitants: do most humbly congratulate your Excellency, on your Arrival in this Place. Permit us also to congratulate your Excellency, on the signal success of the american arms, during the present War. We have reason to bless and adore that Providence, which has hitherto preserved...
2056From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 11 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Excellency’s favor of the 6th. I have no intelligence of Admiral Arbuthnots arrival at New York or at Sandy Hook—perhaps he may be standing at a greater distance from the Land than heretofore, to avoid the gales of wind which may be commonly expected upon the coast at this season —I received the following from New York yesterday, whether the men of War alluded to were the...
2057George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 11, 1779. Asks Gates to cooperate with Baron von Steuben. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
2058General Orders, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Brigadier General Hazen Lieutenant Colonel V. Dyck Major Rice Brigade Major Aorson A subaltern from Hazen’s brigade to be sent to Williamsburg’s Hospital to relieve Captain Pike of Muhlenbergs brigade now there. He will take the directions of the Officer ordered to superintend. Lieutenant Blair of Muhlenberg’s brigade and the Party at present under his command will remain...
2059To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 20 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of having recived your Excellencys Letters of the 1st and 7th Instant. My Friend B cannot tell me any thing more of the Anonymous Letter, but that He receivd it by the foreign post, and that it cost 10 d. The post mark does not appear on it. B had sent a Copy of it to Mr L. It was therefore the Subject of a Conversation between us. Wherein He declared his Disbeliff, and...
2060To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Reinhold Forster, 27 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce to Your acquaintance the Bearer Mr. Loder, first Physician to the Duke of Saxe Weimar a Man remarkable for his natural & acquired talents & one of the first Anatomists of our Germany. The happy moments which my Son has passed in Yr. company & the civilities You honoured him with as well as the condescendence & Kindness You are used to...