In Obedience to the above Order of Congress, this Committee have enquired into the Premises, and, upon the best Information obtained, find, that the Commanders of the New England Army about the 14th. ultimo received Advice that Genl. Gage had issued Orders for a Party of Troops under his Command, to post themselves on Bunkers Hill, a Promontory just at the Entrance of the Peninsula of...
462Address by Pennsylvania and Virginia Delegates in Congress to the Inhabitants West of Laurel Hill, 25 July 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress <Philadelphia, July 25, 1775: We are concerned about your continuing boundary disputes. We do not inquire into their origins or merits but, as representatives of two of the colonies united to defend the liberties of America, have the duty to remove if we can every obstacle that prevents Americans from co-operating to that end. This is our motive for earnestly...
463General Orders, 25 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Continual Complaints being made that Soldiers of regiments and Companies, after inlisting in one Company and regiment, have gone and enlisted in another insomuch that it would engross the General’s whole time to hear the disputes upon this subject: For the future, any Officers who have any dispute in regard to the men reinlisted, are to apply to the Brigadier commanding their brigade, who will...
464To George Washington from John Dickinson, 25 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommends “Mr Moylan a friend of mine [who] informs me that he intends to enter into the American Army.” Morven M. Jones, “Brevet Brigadier-General Stephen Moylan,” in Potter’s American Monthly , 6 (1876), 14. Although the letter is printed with the dateline “P hiladelphia , July 26th 1775,” the endorsement, which is said to be in GW’s writing, reads “From Jno. Dickinson Esqr. 25th July...
465To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 25 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am in formed By Josep groves from Boston to Day that the Shiping gon out is Bound for Block Island fishers Island and Long Island in order to Cil and Destroy all that Comes in thair way with Six hundrud men[.] the man i will Send to you as Soun as may Be[.] I am your humble Servent ALS , DLC:GW . The date is taken from the docket, which is in Joseph Reed’s writing. Dodge did not date the...
466From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 25 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
On the other side you will receive a Copy of my last, dated at Philadelphia the 31st of May, and to which I refer. I shall say very little in this Letter, for two Reasons; first, because I have received no Letter from you since the one dated in June 1774, and therefore (having wrote often) can have nothing to answer; but, principally, because I do not know whether it may ever get to your...
467To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 25 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
There was Information forwarded to Head Quarters yesterday P.M. of the Sailing of 13 Ships from Boston, I Sent one Capt. Davis Down the Harbour to watch their Motion, and he reports on his return that they put to Sea & Stood their Course about E.S.E. which appears as if they were bound to the Southward: that Course would Lead them out by Cape Cod, & to the Chops of the South Chanel —I am Sir...
468I. Jefferson’s Draft Resolutions, [25 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
The Congress proceeding to take into their consideration a resolution of the House of Commons of Gr. Br. referred to them by the several assemblies of New Jersey, Pennsylva. and Virga., which resolution is in these words ‘that it is the opinion &c.’ are of Opinion That the colonies of America possess < an > the exclusive < right > privilege of giving and granting their own money; that this...
469Virginia and Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress to the Inhabitants West of Laurel Hill, 25 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have arisen and still continue among you concerning the boundaries of our colonies. In the character in which we now address you, it is unnecessary to enquire into the origin of those unhappy disputes, and it would be improper for us to express our approbation or censure on either side: But as representatives of two of the colonies united,...
470To Thomas Jefferson from George Gilmer, [26 or 27 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 5th Inst. this instant came to my hands in our encampment in Wallers Grove , the account of the battle at Charles town is pleasing, I wish it is true. It appears astonishing to me that some armed Vessel has not attempted to bring in powder &c. it certainly is practicable and wants proper encouragement only to put it in execution. Do order some of those Privateers to all the...
471Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 26 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I forgot in my last epistle, to desire you to speak to the Phila. printer’s of the News paper’s generally sent this way for to send me One, weekly which as the posts are now regulated, comes here a Thursday Afternoon, the Hartford post arriving att Cambridge a Wednesday Night. Your two Peices Issue’d by your Congress meets with general Applause—but we want to see that to the King and as itt is...
472From John Adams to James Warren, 26 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I can never Sufficiently regret, that this Congress have acted So much out of Character, as to leave the Appointment of the Quarter Master General, Commissary of Musters and Commissary of Artillery to the General; As these officers, are Checks upon the General, and he a Check upon them: there ought not to be too much Connection between them. They ought not to be under any dependance upon him,...
473From John Adams to James Warren, 26 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I shall make you sick at the Sight of a Letter from me. I find by Edes’s Paper that Joseph Pearse Palmer is Quarter Master General. I confess I was Surprized. This office is of high Rank and vast Importance. The Deputy Quarter Master General whom we have appointed for the New York Department, is a Mr. Donald Campbell, an old regular officer, whom We have given the Rank of Collonell. The...
474Editorial Note on the Founding of the Post Office, 26 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
One of the first institutions to suffer from the colonists’ rising hostility to Britain was the royal Post Office. As early as 1773 enterprising postriders in New England were establishing routes of their own in defiance of the law. “It is next to impossible to put a stop to this practice,” wrote a new surveyor general, “in the present universal opposition to every thing connected with Great...
475General Orders, 26 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
It is recommended to the Commanding Officers of Corps, that all coverings made of Boards, be built in the form of barracks and in the most advantageous manner, at the same time so contrived as to be warm and comfortable in cold weather. All Passes to be discontinued for the future, and no person to be admitted into the Lines, unless introduced by an Officer, who can vouch for him, or by Order...
476To George Washington from Colonel Donald Campbell, 26 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
After congratulating You on your safe Arrival at Camp & remaining undisturbed by the Ministerial Army I embrace this Opportunity to Acquaint you that I have the Honor of being Unanimously Appointed by the Honorable Continental Congress to be Deputy Quarter Master General with the Rank of a Colonel in the Army of the United Colonies, and have been directed to Attend General Schuyler to the...
477From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 26 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had an Account that three Men of War and Nine Transports had sailed out of Boston—and in the Evening I received a Note the Copy whereof is inclosed. The great Distress they are in at Boston for fresh Provisions makes it extremely probable they may make some Depredations along the Coasts: I have therefore thought it proper to give you the earliest Notice that the Owners of those...
478From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 26 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
In my hurry, Yesterday, I forgot the principal thing I had in view, when I sat down to write to you, and that was, to inform you of the indispensable necessity you must now be under of appointing another Attorney. The nature of the business I am now engaged in (which alone is full sufficient to engross the time and attention of any one Man) and the distance I am removed from your business, as...
479To George Washington from the Virginia Delegates, 26 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
“We recommend our Countryman Mr Edmund Randolph to your patronage and favor. . . . You will readily discern Sir, how important a consideration it is, that our Country should be furnished with the security and strength derived from our young Gentry being possessed of military knowledge, so necessary in these times of turbulence and danger.” LS , in Richard Henry Lee’s writing, DLC:GW . The...
480From the Virginia Delegates in Congress to George Washington, 26 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
With the most cordial warmth we recommend our Countryman Mr. Edmund Randolph to your patronage and favor. This young Gentlemans abilities, natural and acquired, his extensive connections, and above all, his desire to serve his Country in this arduous struggle, are circumstances that cannot fail to gain him your countenance and protection. You will readily discern Sir, how important a...
481From John Adams to James Warren, 27 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have this Day, made an establishment of an Hospital and appointed Dr. Church Director and surgeon and have done themselves the Honour of unanimously appointing the Honourable James Warren Esqr of Plymouth in the Massachusetts Bay, Paymaster General of the Army. The salary of this officer is one hundred Dollars Per Month. It is an office of high Honour and great Trust. There is...
482General Orders, 27 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
John Trumbull Esqr. being appointed Aid: D. Camp to his Excellency the Commander in Chief; He is to be obeyed as such. A Court of enquiry to sit to morrow Morning at eight OClock, in the Tutor’s Chamber (Mr Hall) to examine into a Complaint exhibited upon Oath, in the public newspapers against Mr Benjamin Whiting, now a prisoner in the College; All Evidences and Persons concern’d to attend the...
483To George Washington from George Clinton, 27 July 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Clinton, 27 July 1775. On 25 Aug. GW wrote to Clinton : “Mr White presented me with your favour of the 27th Ulto.”
484To George Washington from Captain Joshua Davis, 27 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Persuant to your Exelencys orders I Make Return of all The Boats Taken for the Coleneys Servis in manner following, Viz. Whale boats 96 Long boats 4 Yalls 4 Moses boats 11 Bay boats 1 Gundlos 1 Sum total 117 ALS , DLC:GW .
485From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Nothing material has occurr’d in either Camp since I had the Honour of addressing you on the 21st Instt by Express. But on Tuesday 3 Men of War & 9 Transports sailed out of Boston Harbour & stood a Course about E.S.E. One Groves who came out of Boston the same Evening informed the Officer at one of the Out Posts, that the Transports had on Board 600 Men & were bound to Block Island, Fishers...
486From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday a Deputation from the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire attended me with a Request that three Companies raised in that province, and now posted on Connecticut River at and between the two Cohhess commanded by Capts. Timothy Reedle, James Osgood & John Parker might be continued for the Security of the Frontiers of that Province on the Continental Establishment. As it did not appear...
487From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 27 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
On the 2d Instt I arrived at this place after passing through a great deal of delightful Country, covered with grass (although the Season has been dry) in a very different manner to what our Lands in Virginia are. I found a mixed multitude of People here, under very little discipline, order, or Government—I found the Enemy in Possession of a place called Bunkers Hill, on Charles Town Neck,...
488John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Your two last Letters had very different Effects. The long one gave me vast Satisfaction. It was full of usefull Information, and of excellent Sentiments. The other relating to the ill Usage you have received from Hayden gave me great Pain and the utmost Indignation. Your generous Solicitude for our unfortunate Friends from Boston, is very amiable and commendable, and you may depend upon my...
489From John Adams to William Tudor, 28 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Lux, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Smith, with Mr. Cary, all from Baltimore, are bound as Voluntiers to the Camp. Beg the Favour of you, to treat them complaisantly and show them all you can consistently with the Labours of your honourable tho troublesome office. Shall endeavour to get you a Commission this day, and Such an appointment that you will not be a Looser at the Years End. I hope to get you a...
490Advertisement by the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 28 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , August 2, 1775. Early in May the voluntary organizations of associators took form in Pennsylvania, and by the end of June the Assembly endorsed them, promised to arm and pay them, and created the committee of safety to supervise the working of the new system. On July 18 Congress embodied in a series of resolutions a plan for organizing, supplying, and...