3411To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have recieved so many Applications from the Inhabitants along the Sound, Woodbridge & Amboy relating to the defenceless State of their Borders, the whole Militia being sent to New York, that to allay their Fears (with the Approbation of Genl Mercer, who had stopped them at New Ark Ferry, when they were ordered to assist Genl Herd) I ordered Major Duyckink with 600 Middlesex...
3412To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I forwarded the inclosed early this morning, but thro’ a mistake of the express was this moment returned to me. Since which I am honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of this Day, part of which is answered by the enclosed Letter. Every thing in my power shall be carefully attended to, for the public Good. We have plenty of Provision, I am informed it will continue. I forgot to mention in my...
34136 July., 6 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
6 July. The congress resolved that Carpenter Wharton be appointed commissary to the militia being sent from Pennsylvania to New Jersey; that William Sherman Jr. be named paymaster for Col. Seth Warner’s regiment; and that Maj. Robert Rogers be sent to New Hampshire “to be disposed of” as that government thinks best ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental...
3414Jasper Yeates to Franklin and James Wilson, 6 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, July 6, 1776: I received your favor this afternoon, and think it my duty cheerfully to accept the appointment by the Congress. My company is under marching orders to Trenton, and I am uneasy about leaving it; but I shall be happy to render my country any service in the position assigned to me. Please...
3415General Orders, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter-Master-General to have all the empty Casks, which have been collected, filled with fresh Water, to be changed occasionally. The General hopes the officers and soldiers will improve this opportunity, to get their Arms in the best Order for service—as they cannot tell how soon, or how suddenly, they may be called forth. Two hundred men properly officered (exclusive of the number...
3416To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress, for some Time past, have had their Attention occupied by one of the most interesting and important Subjects, that could possibly come before them, or any other Assembly of Men. Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Posterity, in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able,...
3417To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Henshaw, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Long Island [N.Y.] 6 July 1776 . Asserts right to command a regiment. “In the present Campaign I was appointed a Lt Col., under Col. Little, which reduced the Rank I formerly held in the Service, & exposes me to be Commanded by many, who have been on Command under me. . . . I have no doubts in my Mind, Sir, but that you will take my Case into Consideration, and grant me the Rank I have...
3418To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This moment an express arrived from Major Duyckinck, a copy of whose Letter I enclose to save time —I should be glad of some immediate directions what to do with the prisoners, as in the mean time I am obliged to keep them under Guard. I am acquainted with but one of them, John Smyth Esqr: who is a man of so great integrity that I think great faith might be given to his Word —If they are to...
3419From George Washington to Brigadier General William Livingston, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of this Date inclosing Major Duyckinck’s Letters was this Moment received. The known Dissafection of the Poeple of Amboy & the Treachery of those of Staten Island who after the fairest Professions have shewn themselves our inveterate Enemies induced me to give Directions that all Persons of known Enmity or doubtful Character should be removed from Places where they might enter into...
3420From George Washington to Colonel Gold Selleck Silliman, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Governor Trumbull having informed me in a Letter of the 3d Instt that he had ordered Three Regiments of the Militia Light Horse to march to the defence of this place under the command of Lieutt Colo. Seymour, lest the other Troops from your Colony should not arrive in time for succour, & at the same time requesting If there service is unnecessary or can be dispensed with that I would Signifye...
3421From George Washington to Daniel Tillinghast, 6 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Daniel Tillinghast, 6 July 1776. Tillinghast’s letter to GW of 29 June is docketed in part “Answered 6th July.”
3422To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this day wrote the Continental Congress, That [“]the Antient Laws of this Colony enable the Colonels of the Militia to call out their respective Regiments upon any Alarm Invasion or Appearance of an Enemy by Sea or Land, giving Notice to the Captain General or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Occasion thereof; This with a General Order to them to call out their Regiment⟨s⟩...
3423To George Washington from Colonel William Woodford, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with yours of the 10th of November and should long ago have thanked you for your kind advice therein contained, together with your polite assurance, of your thorough approbation of my appointment, but supposing you too much engaged in your important office, I feared I might be troublesome; this, and not want of respect alone occasioned my silence. Have ever since made the subject...
The enclosed Memorial was Yesterday given me by Mr Pell with a Request that I would transmit it to the Congress. He appears much hurt at being omitted in the Arrangement of officers intended for the Regiment lately ordered to be raised in this Colony; and I sincerely wish he had less Reason to think himself neglected. He is a fine, spirited, young Gentleman; of one or two and twenty, of an...
3425From John Jay to Edward Rutledge, 6 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your friendly letter found me so engaged by plots, conspiracies, and chimeras dire, that, though I thanked you for it in my head I had no time to tell you so either in person or by letter. Your ideas of men and things (to speak mathematically) run, for the most part, parallel with my own; and I wish Governor Tryon and the devil had not prevented my joining you on the occasion you mentioned....
3426To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 6 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote last week to Col. Nelson I promised to write to both of you by this Post, a circumstantial Account of the State of Things here, but the whole Week has slipt away in the Hurry of Business, without my being able to spare a single Minute for that Purpose and I am now as much in Want of Time as ever, the Post being about to set out in a few Hours, in which Time I am to wait on our new...
3427Abigail Adams to John Thaxter, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
As you have always expressd a desire to have the small pox with my family I write to let you know that we go next thursday. If you chuse to enter as part of my family at 18 Shillings per week, paying your d octo r for innoculation which I hear is a Guiney you may send me word immediately. I will find a Bed and Bedstead, but should be glad if you could take 2 pair of sheets and a counterpain....
3428John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment folded up a Magazine, and an Evening Post and sent it off, by an Express, who could not wait for me to write a single Line. It always goes to my Heart, to send off a Packett of Pamphletts and News Papers, without a Letter, but it sometimes unavoidably happens, and I suppose you had rather receive a Pamphlet or News Paper, than nothing. The Disign of our Enemy, now seems to...
3429John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
It is worth the while of a Person, obliged to write as much as I do, to consider the Varieties of Style. . . . The Epistolary, is essentially different from the oratorical, and the Historical Style. . . . Oratory abounds with Figures. History is simple, but grave, majestic and formal. Letters, like Conversation, should be free, easy, and familiar. Simplicity and Familiarity, are the...
3430From John Adams to Joseph Reed, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday your Favour of the 4th. Instant was handed me by the Post. Am much obliged to you for it, and will give all the Attention I can to its Contents. Am not certain that I know the Gentleman whom you recommend by the Name of Henshaw—but I believe I do. There are several very worthy Men of that Name: which of them this is, I am not clear. The Difficulty is that We dont know what Vacancies...
3431From John Adams to James Warren, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Congress has been pleased to establish a War Office, and have done me the Honour to make me a Member of that Board, which lays me under obligation to write you upon the subject of Flints. Congress has impowered and directed the Board to employ a Number of Persons, wherever they can find them, to manufacture Flints, and also to enquire in the Several Colonies, for the proper Flint Stone. It...
3432To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Want of particular confidential Acquaintance with the Delegates from the State of Connecticutt, occasions you more Trouble than I should think myself at Liberty to give you; As I am Sure what I at any Time say to you will be taken in good Part and as well intended however in any Points we may differ in Opinion; therefore I disclose my Sentiments without Reserve, if they are of any Service I am...
3433To John Adams from William Tudor, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am to acknowlege your Favour of the 24th. of June and to apologize for not having wrote you more than twice since I have been at York. Indeed I expected before this to have had the Pleasure of seeing You at Philadelphia. Where I have been long sollicitous to get in order to prevail on Congress to establish a new Set of Articles for the Government of their Forces, the present Regulations...
3434General Orders, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
A working party of one hundred and fifty men properly officered to go to Kingsbridge to morrow, to march at six OClock from the parade; they are to take two days provision with them, after which they will draw out of the Stores there—to take their arms and tents with them and when they get there Genl Mifflin will give them orders. As the enemy may make an attack early in the morning, when...
3435From George Washington to Colonel James Clinton, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received yours by Major Ranselear, and am pleased to find you are makeing the necessary preparations to repel the Enemy in Case of an Attack—I hope you will be able to get Arms sufficient for the Men under your Command who are destitute, but if not you are to dismiss all those whom you cannot equip, (I mean to confine myself to the Militia wholly) as it is equally absurd and unjust, to keep...
3436To George Washington from Brigadier General William Livingston, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Swan of the new Levies just going off for the City, I take the Liberty of enclosing a Rough Draught of the Sound & Jersey Shore from Elizabeth Point to Amboy, with an Abstract of the different Posts I have directed along the same. Altho’ this may not be of any essential Service, yet I thought it not amiss, as it might give You an Idea of what I had done, that your Excellency might...
3437From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 7 July 1776 . Acknowledges the General Court’s letter of 2 July and thanks its members for their “compliance with the requisition of Congress” and “your kind wishes for my success.” LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, owned (1973) by the Rare Coin Company of America, Chicago; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
3438From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 3d and 4th instant and return you my sincere thanks for your kind intention to afford me every assistance in your power at this truly critical and alarming period. The situation of our affairs calls aloud for the most vigorous exertions, and nothing else will be sufficient to avert the impending blow. From four prisoners taken the other day we are...
3439From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Received your favour of the 30th Ulto and doubt not but the powder claimed by the Assembly of New Hampshire was lent the Continent—The Exposed Situation of their Frontiers renders every precaution necessary for their defence. I think It would be proper to send a Quantity of it to some safe place on the Communication, betwixt this & Boston there to be ready in Case of Accident—or If it should...
3440From George Washington to William Watson, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Received yours of the 19th U[l]to and directd the papers you wrote for to be Transmitted you, but find upon enquery they are not among any in my possession now—Colo. Moylan who used Generally to Receive & Examine the papers Appertaining to the prizes, being Called upon, Says that previous to his Departure from Cambridge, he made up all the prizes papers and put them in Such a Channell as he...
3441Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 8 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
You will hear by this Conveyance, itts probable that the small pox is likely to spread here chiefly by Innoculation As 4. or 500. I suppose are already received itt and people that have moved Out several times now tarry, Amongst which is Mrs. Edwards.—I am just agoing to set Out for Salem and am to meet Mr. Cranch and Mrs. Adams att Roxbury to settle About both families coming in and Cousin...
34428 July., 8 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
8 July. The congress resolved that George Washington have the power to call to New York the continental regiments in Massachusetts not bound for Ticonderoga; that Washington have permission to employ as many Indians as necessary from the St. Johns, Nova Scotia, and Penobscot tribes; and that the commissary general have full power to supply the armies on the lakes and at New York respectively...
3443To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 8 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paca can show You the Declaration of our Convention, different from the one in December. We have declared the Throne vacant, and by the Omnipotence of our Power, in the Stile of the Papal Chair, We have absolved the people from their Allegiance—this too before You have done it. I hope the Congress will not be offended with our advancing before we received their Orders. Our Colony will...
3444To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 8 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Small pox having of late spread much in the Town, it was judged impracticable to prevent its going through the Town, and on Friday last the General was inoculated, and gave permission to the Regiments in Town to inoculate. We have taken every precaution to prevent the Troops at the Posts out of Town from taking the distemper, and disposed matters in the best manner we can for defence in...
3445The Committee of Secret Correspondence to [Silas Deane], 8 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The North American and United States Gazette (Philadelphia), October 12, 1855. With this you will receive the Declaration of the Congress for a final separation from Great Britain. It was the universal demand of the people, justly exasperated by the obstinate perseverance of the Crown in its tyrannical and destructive measures, and the Congress were very unanimous in complying...
3446General Orders, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The new Levies from Connecticut, and New-Jersey, daily arriving—a Report is to be made every day to the General, of the Number arriving by the commanding officer of each corps, in order that proper arrangements may be made. All officers are required to be careful that their men are acquainted with orders, that they may not plead ignorance. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
3447Council of War, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Conference of General Officers and others at Head Quarters July 8 1776 Present His Excell⟨y⟩ the Genl[,] General Puttnam[,] General Heath[,] Gen. Spencer[,] Gen. Green[,] Gen. Scott[,] Gen. Wadsworth[,] Col. McDougal[,] Mess: Randolph[,] Green & Dennis & Dewer A Proposition having been made to the General to sink Hulks in the North River at Tappan Bay in order to stop the Enemy’s...
3448From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 8 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 8 July 1776. Custis wrote GW on 8 Aug. : “Your Letters of the 8th & 24th Ulto came safely to Hand.”
3449From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Congress having resolved to raise a Regiment of Germans to counteract the designs of our Enemies, I must beg leave to recommend to their notice John David Wilpert, now a first Lieutenant in Col. Shee’s Battallion, to the office of Captain in said Regiment. I am personally acquainted with him and know that he Joined the Virginia forces under my command in the year 1754 and continued in service...
3450To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of enclosing sundry Resolves of Congress, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention, and which are so explicit, that I need not enlarge. In obedience to the Commands of Congress, I have wrote to Generals Schuyler & Gates and have recommended a mutual Confidence, and Harmony in their military operations. Their joint Labour & Exertions are requisite in that Quarter; nor...
3451From George Washington to Brigadier General William Livingston, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday with the Inclosures is recieved. Col. Puttnam went over yesterday & after doing what is necessary at Bergen will proceed to Eliza. Town & from thence to Amboy—He is our principal Engineer & may [be] depended upon for Skill & Industry. The Deserter whose Examination you sent was brought over last Evening—two others from the Fleet came up this Morning—their Accounts...
3452To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
On examining Bergen Neck I found some stock of black Cattle & Horses still remaind there—and that some familys on the Point held an Intercourse with the Enemy—Col. Ford assured me he would have all those removed to day—His force amounts to no more than 350, and those begin to be dissatisfyd at remaining on Duty while the Militia of the Neighborhood are dismissd —after leaving proper Guards at...
3453From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Seymour, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
By a letter from his Honor Govr Trumbull received on the 5th Inst. I was informed he had ordered three Regiments of Horse on to this place (under your Command) with all possible dispatch, and was desired in case they were not wanted to inform Colo. Sillaman thereof, accordingly I wrote Colo. Sillaman acquainting him, it was my desire the Men might come on provided they could leave or send back...
3454From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 8 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
For news I refer you to your brother who writes on that head. I enclose you a copy of the declaration of independence as agreed to by the House, and also, as originally framed. You will judge whether it is the better or worse for the Critics. I shall return to Virginia after the 11th of August. I wish my successor may be certain to Come before that time, in that case, I shall hope to see you...
3455[Monday July 15. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 15. 1776. A Letter from Mr. Jay and two Letters from the Convention of New York of the 11th with sundry Papers inclosed, among which were the following Resolutions In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York White Plains July 9. 1776 Resolved Unanimously, that the Reasons assigned by the Continental Congress for declaring the United Colonies free and independent...
3456To George Washington from Certain Inhabitants of New York City, 9–14 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 9–14 July 1776 . “Your Memorialists are of Opinion that suffering Tories to remain in this City or near it on Long Island & Shrewsbury &ca will be attended with much danger. . . . Your Memorialists therefore pray your Excellency that orders may be given for the removal of dangerous persons from this City and other Places to some distant parts in the Country, that the minds of your...
34579 July., 9 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
9 July. The congress named officers for the Virginia Rifle Company and resolved that money be sent to Virginia and Maryland for the rifle companies ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:529; Note: An additional resolution immediately following and concerning the appointment of William Palfrey to the...
3458From John Adams to Samuel Chase, 9 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 5th came to me the 8th. You will see by this Post, that the River is past and the Bridge cutt away. The Declaration was yesterday published and proclaimed from that awfull Stage, in the State house Yard, by whom do you think? By the Committee of Safety,! the Committee of Inspection, and a great Crowd of People. Three cheers rended the Welkin. The Battallions paraded on the common,...
3459To John Adams from Jonathan Mason Jr., 9 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Whether to act in a civil or military department, many are the disadvantages attendant upon those who are just entering upon the stage of Life—The universal confusion throughout all America—This I doubt not, being intended as the Era of a glorious independancy, tho’ of happy consequences, yet they have cast a temporary veil upon the prospects of the rising Generation. The mature have a task...
3460General Orders, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
John Evans of Capt: Ledyards Company Col. McDougall’s Regiment—Hopkins Rice of Capt: Pierce’s Company Col. Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at the usual time & place. Passes to go...