6501To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 1 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Want of proper intelligence from my recruiting Officers has been my principle reason for not giveing your Excellency a proper return before this, and I am yet unable to do it with that accuracy I wish, the whole of my returns amount to One Hundred and Thirty four, a number of the Officers out a considerable distance from this, have yet made me no returns, that I cannot but hope my number is...
6502To John Jay from Robert Morris, 1 April 1777 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed letters came by a French Ship to New Hampshire & were sent under Cover to me by M r Langdon with many others, I believe they are from England, and wish they may convey agreable Tidings. Last Week a Brig t arrived here with 6800 Muskets & 2100 Gun Locks, another in Maryl d With 633 bbls Powder & this ship into Portsmouth brought with her about 12,000 Muskets, 1000 bbls Powder a...
6503From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [ca. 1 April 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Horseley enlisted for 2 years in a company raised in this county for one of the Virga. battal’s of 1775. In the winter now past, and before his time was out, he was unfortunate enough to desert from the service. Having had lesure to repent he some time ago made application to me through a third person to advise him what to do. I let him know that (his life being forfeited) there was...
6504Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I sit down to write tho I feel very Languid; the approach of Spring unstrings my nerves, and the South winds have the same Effect upon me which Brydon says the Siroce winds have upon the inhabitants of Sicily. It gives the vapours, blows away all their gaiety and spirits and gives a degree of Lassitude both to the Body and mind, which renders them absolutely incapable of performing their usual...
6505John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me your kind Favour of March 8. 9. 10, with a Letter inclosed for from each of my Sons. But where is my Daughters Letter? That is missing. I regret the Loss of it much. You think I dont write Politicks enough! Indeed I have a surfeit of them. But I shall give you now and then a Taste, since you have such a Goust for them. By a Letter of 17. Jany. Dr. Franklin, Mr. Deane...
6506Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours by Docto. Jackson I received last week, he had letters to Others likewise. I waited on him with some Others att his lodgings. Mr. Jonathan Williams Offering his servise, itt was not worth while for more to be concerned. I recommended him to a person att Salem, and to Our Kindsman Tufts att Newbury, who writes me he has undertaken to dispose of a quantity and whose fidellity may be...
6507To Alexander Hamilton from the New York Committee of Correspondence, 2 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
We received Your’s of the 29th. Ultimo and are extream⟨ly⟩ sorry to hear of your Indisposition. In our last we expressed an Apprehension that the Enemy might possibly make Hudson’s River their first Object; not only because they could open their Campaign there earlier than they could go to Pensilvania as in one Case their Army would move by land and in the other by Water; But because having...
6508From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, [2 April 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, April 2, 1777. On April 5, 1777, Hamilton, writing to the New York Committee of Correspondence, stated: “Since my last I have had the pleasure of receiving your reply to my two favours of 29th. Ulto. & 2d. current.” Letter of April 2, 1777, not found. ]
6509The American Commissioners to Lord Stormont, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : the Johns Hopkins University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Public Record Office. We did ourselves the Honour of writing some time since to your Lordship on the Subject of Exchanging Prisoners. You did not condescend to give us any Answer, and therefore we expect none to this. We however take the Liberty of sending you Copies of certain Depositions, which we shall...
6510“Model of a Letter of Recommendation of a Person You Are Unacquainted with,” 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Morristown National Historical Park The Bearer of this who is going to America, presses me to give him a Letter of Recommendation, tho’ I know nothing of him, not even his Name. This may seem extraordinary, but I assure you it is not uncommon here. Sometimes indeed one unknown Person brings me another equally unknown, to recommend him; and sometimes...
6511From Benjamin Franklin to [Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot, Baron de l’Aulne], 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Cenis being at Bourdeaux, will easily find Ships there bound to some Part of North America, as I am told that scarce a Week passes, in which a Vessel does not sail thither from that Port. He should get the Assistance of some Merchant in agreeing for his Passage, and in purchasing the Provisions for his Voyage: And he ought to take a Sum of Money with him to...
6512From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and AL (draft): Library of Congress As I see that the Congress has resolved upon raising 3000 Horse for the ensuing Campaign I hope M. de Cenis the bearer of this Letter, may be of great Use in forming some of the Troops, as he is acquainted with that Service, having been a Captain of Dragoons. He goes over at his own Expence, without the least Encouragement or Promise from me, which indeed...
6513Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I had the pleasure of writing to you yesterday since which Capt. Adams is arrived express for [from] Boston and now setts off with his packets for Paris. If I did not think myself absolutely obliged to stay here untill I have orders to return I should be tempted to set off with him, as a few hours Conversation might...
6514To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recieved a note from the post office of Paris, that a lettre directed to me has been put in the bureau without the postage being payed, and is therefore not forwarded. I have immediately given ordres to my banker to pay the postage. As I have reason to suspect, that this lettre is yours, the more so, as the last lettre I recieved from you, has had the...
6515General Orders, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
6516From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this day favd with yours of the 26th last Month and a few days ago with that of the 11th. It is needless for me to say much upon a subject, which must undoubtedly give you a good deal of uneasiness. I confess I was surprized when I did not see your Name in the list of Major Generals, and was so fully of opinion that there was some mistake in the matter, that I (as you may recollect)...
6517From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Proctor did me the honour to deliver your favour of the 31st Ulto. I have to lament that the Expressions intended to thank the late Council of Safety for easing me of a part of the heavy load I bear in forming our new Army, could be so misunderstood by your Board. I rejoiced at hearing that they had not only appointed their Officers in the first instance; but had arranged them likewise;...
6518From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you last, I have recd the inclosed from Genl Mcdougal which contains a full account of the late affair at peekskill. Every prudential step appears to have been taken by the General, and as good a disposition made as his small Number of men would admit of. I have heard nothing further respecting the embarkation of Troops which I mentioned in my last, I am in...
6519From George Washington to Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yr favrs of the 29th Ulto & without date, the last inclosing a Return of yr Regiment —I wish it had borne a more agreeable aspect; but I trust no pains will be spard & no means left untried to complete it. Genl McDougal transmitted me a full Account of the late Affair at Peekskill. I wish the state of our Treasury admitted of my sendg you the Sum of Money you wrote for; But We have been...
6520From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 29th Ulto was delivered to me Yesterday by Mr Laurence. The loss we have sustained in Commissary’s and Quarter Masters Stores is to be regretted, as they are most useful to the Army and not to be replaced at this time, the Commissary’s particularly. I had repeatedly guarded him against suffering any large quantities laying near the Water in such places as were accessible to the...
6521Paper from Lieutenant Colonel William Walcott, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Whereas General Washington did in his Letter to General Howe, bearing Date the Thirtieth Day of July 1776, declare that he was authorized to propose, and he did in the said Letter accordingly propose a general Exchange of all Prisoners of War in the Manner & upon the Terms following; viz: “Officers for Officers of Equal Rank; Soldier for Soldier; and Citizen for Citizen.” To which Proposal His...
6522John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
As you seem so inquisitive about Politicks, I will indulge you so far (indulge, I say, observe that Word indulge! I suppose you will say it ought to have been oblige) as to send you a little more News from abroad. As foreign Affairs are now become more interesting to Us than ever, I dare say your political Curiosity has extended itself e’er this all over Europe. The Agent of the King of...
6523To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 3 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I scratch a Line in utmost Hast—Your kind Letter I receiv’d by Mr Jackson the Day after sending one to you. Your Tickets sell rapidly. Your Loan Office will fill apace. I wrote to you, or Mr Adams on the American Navy. Manly’s Character rises here. He has sail’d to Cape Ann for some Men there and has press’d thro great Difficulties to get out—something must be done to expedit Matters in that...
6524To John Adams from James Warren, 3 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure Yesterday of receiving your favours of the 15th. and 18th. of March. There are few things I wish for more than A War between Britain, and France &c. I am therefore greatly pleased with the Accounts you have of the probability of it. Such has been the situation, of matters for some time that I could not see how it could be Avoided, and yet my Impatience makes me Uneasy at the...
6525From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, [3 April 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, April 3, 1777. On April 8, 1777, the New York Committee of Correspondence wrote to Hamilton: “Yours of the third came safe⟨ly to hand⟩ this Day.” Letter not found. ]
6526The American Commissioners to Lord Stormont, 3 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , November 4–6, 1777. In answer to a letter which concerns some of the most material interests of humanity, and of the two nations, Great Britain, and the United States of America, now at war, we received the enclosed indecent paper, as coming from your Lordship, which we return, for your Lordship’s more mature consideration. The paper was the reply, written on...
6527To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [3 April? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I think it will be Necessary To have a Copy of the Contract with Mr. Chaumont sent to Mr. Williams and also to the Secret Committee. As you have [ torn ] Original I wish they may be made out to go by the Express. I am Sir Your most Obedient and very humble Servant Addressed: To / The Honl / Benja Franklin Esqr / [ illegible ] Passy The copy of the contract...
6528General Orders, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
It having been observed that the Waggoners, and those who have the care of the public Horses, use them very cruelly, by riding them extreemly hard upon all occasions, it is therefore recommended to the Quarter Masters, and Waggon-Masters, to give strict orders against such practices in future, which, if continued after such notice is given, the offenders shall be liable to immediate...
6529From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 18th of last Month. The late ample arrivals of Arms at Philada and at portsmouth, added to those which we before had, puts us out of all further uneasiness on account of that necessary Article. The Eleven hundred and Seventy six stand which you recd from the continental Agent at Boston, will be very near the number wanted for your two continental Battalions when...
6530From George Washington to Colonel Jedediah Huntington, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 25th last Month inclosing a Return of the State of your Regiment. I am not only sorry to find your number so low as 250 men, but I do not apprehend from the tenor of your Letter that there is a probability of your being soon compleat. I however desire you to march all the men that are fit for duty immediately to peekskill, there to wait my further orders, and to leave...
6531To George Washington from Colonel James Livingston, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a Copy of a Resolve respecting my raising a Regiment in the United States, by which your Excellency will perceive the Commander in Chief in this Department, was to recommend proper Officers under me to Congress—The List of Officers was accordingly made out and sent to Congress by General Schuyler the 18t. of Decr last, & in Consequence of which, I got Orders to recruit, and...
6532From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Letters of the 20th & 29th Ulto will convey evident proofs to you, of my extreme sollicitude respecting the Assembling of our Troops—& yet, as I have but too much reason to believe that dissipation in some, and the comfortable enjoyment of domestick pleasures in others, have had an unhappy Influence upon the Conduct of the Recruiting Officers, I must again repeat the urgent necessity there...
6533From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 26th Ulto inclosing proceedings of a Court Martial upon Nagel, Key and Querry, who are sentenced to suffer Death, for desertion. The plea, of ignorance of our law, is frivolous, and if admitted, we should never convict a Criminal. Examples must be made, to put a stop to that prevailing Crime, or we may as well disband the Army at once, I therefore desire that the...
6534From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having been favoured with an Answer to my letter to you on the 3d Ulto I flattered myself that the Order it contained “that you would have innoculated all the Recruits of the two Regiments to be raised by Rhode Island as fast as they inlisted,” had been executed. But a letter from Governor Cook dated the 18th Ulto informs me that You are taking Methods to have the Regiments innoculated as...
6535To George Washington from John Hancock, 4–8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves of Congress, which I have the Honour of transmitting, will naturally claim your Attention from their great Importance. The Regulations relative to the Payment of the Troops and the Department of the Paymaster General, will I hope be the Means of introducing Order and Regularity into that Part of the Army; where, it must be confessed, they were extremely wanted. General...
6536General Orders, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The detachments, commanded by Capts. O’Harra, Bicker, Talbot and Selin, to hold themselves in readiness (with two days provision) to march to morrow morning. They will receive their orders from Major Genl St Clair. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Henry O’Hara was a captain in the 2d Canadian Regiment. Anthony Selin (d. 1792) was a captain in Ottendorf’s independent corps, and Jeremiah Talbot (d....
6537To George Washington from William Livingston, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favor of the 1st Instant by General Forman. I apprehend your Excellency mistakes the Clause in our Militia Act respecting the Appeal in Case of a Fine. You seem to represent it as if the Delinquent was excused from paying the Fine till the Determination of the Appeal against him—But that is not the Case—The Act is however extremely deficient; and it...
6538To George Washington from Colonel David Mason, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Orders of the 12th of March last came to hand this Day The contents of which I Duly Notice and shall to the Utmost of my Power comply with; The State of my Regiment I cannot give your Excellency an exact account of at this time, but will inform you of the Number of Men that marched from this Station to day and Tomorrow, which will be about two Hundred and eighty, and I hope to have at...
6539To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
some of The Troops of this State began their March to join the Army Yesterday. they probably will arive at the North River about next Tuesday or Wednesday, the Number I am not able to inform your Excellency as they march from distant Parts of the State & are to rendezvous at Danbury where I expect Lt Col. Butler will take the Command of the Party; I shall be able by next Post to give the...
6540To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Price, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Orders dated Morris Town March 12th this day and have Accordingly inclosed you a return of the State of my regiment and am very Sorry it is not in my Power to send you a much better one you will I make no doubt be much Surpriz’d when I tell you I have not more than four Commissioned Officers belonging to my regiment which are myself and three Lieutenants the others Commissioned...
6541To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 5 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have neither seen nor heard of any Resolution of Congress approving or disproving of the Laboratory being fixed at Springfield. If the Congress approves thereof it will be necessary for them to say so there being now an Order for it’s being fixed at Brookfield and the Council of the Massachusets State commissioned to provide the materials for the erection of the necessary Buildings at that...
6542From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, 5 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last I have had the pleasure of receiving your reply to my two favours of 29th. Ulto & 2d. current. I am happy enough to be able to inform you that my indisposition, which was the occasion of my brevity when I last wrote, is now removed. The opinion I advanced respecting the Enemy’s not moving before the beginning of May seems to be Shaken, though not entirely overthrown by some...
6543To Benjamin Franklin from Peter P. Burdett, 5 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon the News of your arrival in France I did myself the honor of writing to you at the particular request of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Baaden, as well as from the pleasure I felt upon your return to Europe. This letter in all probability never reached your hands, or if it did, the multiplicity and importance of your present engagements,...
6544To Benjamin Franklin from Aimé (or Amé)-Ambroise-Joseph Feutry, 5 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Feutry aura L’honneur de se trouver demain dimanche chez Monsieur de Francklin &c. à Passi; il a celui D’envoyer encore un mémoire en attendant plusieurs autres qu’il va copier incessament. Il assure ici Mr. de Francklin de ses sentimens d’estime, de Respect, et de l’envie extrême qu’il a de Jouir un moment du bonheur de voir un homme aussi vertueux que...
6545General Orders, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial to sit to morrow at 9 O’Clock, for the trial of Lieut. Carnes of Col: Martins Regt, and such other prisoners, as may be brought before them—All Evidences to attend. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Zophar Carnes of Morris County, N.J., served as a captain in Gen. Nathaniel Heard’s brigade of New Jersey militia levies during the summer and fall of 1776, and on 28 Nov. 1776...
6546To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received Intelligence this Evening from a person of undoubted Veracity (who has followed me for that purpose) that a Woman who has a Son in Goal in this State (Pennsylvania) has been sent in to the Enemy, with Letters of Advice from a Club in the County of Bucks, so secreted about her person, that it would be almost impossible she should be discovered. That she had, or was to get a pass...
6547From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton or the Commanding Officer at Fort Montgomery, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
In order to shorten the March of the Massachusett’s Regiments intended for this quarter, They are directed to take their Route thro’ the Greenwoods to Kinderhook, Claverack or Red hook, from whence they are to fall down to Fort Montgomery by water. If none of the Enemy’s Vessells should be in Haverstraw bay, they may proceed down the River by Water, and disembark at Peek’s kill or in Jersey,...
6548From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 5 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 5 April 1777. Gates wrote GW on 19 April : “I had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant from Morris Town.”
6549From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from Monsr le Chevr de Dreudhomme de Borre, with the papers annexed to it, were received this day by the Eastern Mail —It appears that by an agreement with Mr Dean he is to have the Rank and Pay of a Brigadier General in our service—I imagine by this, that he is a Man of real Merit—If you think proper to confirm Mr Dean’s appointment, be pleased to inform me of it, and return the...
6550From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25th March. I have had no request as yet from the Council of your State, for part of the new arrived Arms, to put into the hands of such of your Troops as were ready and only waited for them, but I desire that as many as are necessary, may be immediately drawn, and the Troops forwarded. So that there can be no further plea for delay upon that head. One thing I must...