7051The American Commissioners: Three Covering Notes for Captured Mail, 10–11 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): University of Virginia Library; (II) two copies: University of Virginia Library; (III) copy: Harvard University Library The first fruit of Gustavus Conyngham’s cruise in the Surprize was the capture of the Prince of Orange , the packet from Harwich to the Netherlands. She yielded some two thousand letters, dispatches, and bills of credit, which were forwarded to Franklin. Some...
7052John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Day before Yesterday, I took a Walk, with my Friend Whipple to Mrs. Wells’s, the Sister of the famous Mrs. Wright, to see her Waxwork. She has two Chambers filled with it. In one, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, is represented. The Prodigal is prostrate on his Knees, before his Father, whose Joy, and Grief, and Compassion all appear in his Eyes and Face, struggling with each other. A...
7053John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have at last accomplished a troublesome Piece of Business. We have chosen a Number of additional Ambassadors. Mr. Ralph Izzard of S. Carolina, a Gentleman of large Fortune, for the Court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Mr. William Lee, formerly Alderman of London, for the Courts of Vienna and Berlin. LbC ( Adams Papers ). There is no indication that this letter was sent or received. JA...
7054From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 10 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 7th. was brought me this Morning. My Meaning was that if the Conduct of our Army, had depended on me, I should have taken more Pains to have obtained exact Information of the Enemies Numbers, and our own, and should have considered every Indication of the Enemies Intentions of coming to Philadelphia more particularly. Altho, there is no doubt that Congress have Authority to direct...
7055To John Adams from Henry Knox, 10 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for your two favors, one of the 25 Ultimo and the other of the 6 instant both of which I have received. I know not in what condition the Furnace at Salisbury is, but, from the reports which I have had of the Ore, I should suppose they must be bungling workmen indeed if they do not succeed. Shall I enquire into the management of it, and, if practicable, endeavor to get some...
7056To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Paulze, 10 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je joins ici, Monsieur, coppie de la lettre que j’ai recue hier. Comme j’ignore si M. Lee est de retour en france et que je ne connois pas son ecriture, je ne repondrai à cette lettre qu’après que vous m’aurés assuré qu’elle est bien de celui, dont elle porte le nom. J’en envoye cependant coppie à M. le comte de vergennes et je le prie de prendre les...
7057General Orders, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
It having been observed, notwithstanding former orders to the contrary, that some officers make a practice of riding the Continental horses, as well as those, belonging to the inhabitants, in the neighbourhood, of the army: The Commander in Chief positively declares, that, if any officer, in future, will dare to presume, to ride any horses, either public, or private, property, without leave...
7058To George Washington from William Gordon, 10 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Gordon, 10 May 1777. GW wrote Gordon on 29 June : “I am rather asham’d to be so long in debt for your favor of the 10th Ulto.”
7059From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you on the 5th Instt nothing material has occurred. Inclosed, you will be pleased to receive a General Return of our Forces in Jersey, the 6th Instant, which is the first, I have been able to obtain with any degree of accuracy. I have not heard from Genl DeHaw’s since his promotion. As soon as I was informed of it, I wrote & requested him to repair to Camp,...
7060To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress at this Time, except the enclosed Resolve, founded upon Complaints which, if not immediately enquired into and redressed, must be productive of the most fatal Consequences to the Army. Nothing can so effectually lay the Foundation of Discontent, and of Course encourage a Spirit of Mutiny and Desertion among the Soldiers, as withholding their Pay...
7061From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favrs of the 26th and 30th last Month. Colo. Conway and the two Gentlemen who accompanied him are gone forward to Congress, who, I make no doubt, will provide for them in a manner suitable to their merits. The Board of War have sent orders to the Continental Agents, at Boston, Portsmouth and providence, to remove all the military Stores, Arms &ca in their possession, from those...
7062To George Washington from James Hill, 10 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Hill, 10 May 1777. GW in his letter to Hill of 12 Jan. 1787 refers to “a letter of your own . . . dated the 10th of May 1777.”
7063From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be delivered to you by the Chevalier D’annmours, who, if I am not mistaken in my judgment, has something more in view than preferment. In the course of two days conversation with him, he appears to me, to be a man of superior abilities to the common run of his Country men, who have visited us—He is sensible & judicious, &, as far as I am capable of judging, well Instructed in...
7064From George Washington to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer and Nicholas Thomas, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 18th instant inclosing the Arrangement of the Officers of your Seven Battalions as settled by General Assembly 1st April 1777. I hope this arrangement will prove satisfactory to all the Gentlemen in nomination, but should any disputes or difficulties arise, I shall endeavour to have them settled upon the most impartial Scale. The impediments to the recruiting...
7065From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
So little room is left for doubting the Enemy’s designs are up the North River, that (notwithstanding proper Preparations for such an Event have been the frequent Subject of my Letters to you, which I am assured will claim a just share of your serious Attention) I can not help writing again on this head—Let me therefore, in order that no Measure for Defence may be left untried, desire you to...
7066To George Washington from Robert Morris, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not taken the liberty of giving You any trouble for sometime past and indeed I never do it but with great reluctance because I know how much Your attention & time must be engaged in the most important pursuits. The bearear of this the Marquis Armand de la Rouerie is entitled to my Warmest recommendations because he brought from his own Country letters to me that I am obliged to attend...
7067From George Washington to Richard Peters, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 7th instant inclosing Genl Gates’s Letter to Congress. A proper attention has been paid to the importance of the passes upon Hudsons River, for the Security of which a large part of the Eastern force is ordered to Peekskill and that neighbourhood, there to wait, untill the intentions of the Enemy are more fully known. You will be pleased to transmit Major...
7068To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just receiv’d your favour of yesterday —there are a number of the Maryland & Virginia troops have been laying at Bristol some time. I this day took the liberty of ordering them up, & soon as any part of them arrive I shall immediately, give orders to Major Smith who commands a detachment of the 9th Pennsya Regt to march —Capt. Sewards Compy of Artillery arriv’d here this morning—the Company...
7069From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Charles Scott, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The third, Seventh, Eleventh, and fifteenth Virginia Regiments are to compose your Brigade; the duties of which you are immediately to enter upon, and to make yourself master of the true State of those Regiments, as early as possible. The necessity of occupying so many Posts, as we at present do, will prevent your drawing the Brigade into compact order, till further orders; but the Regiments...
7070From John Jay to Richard Morris, 10 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed is a Copy of the Constitution of this State, which I am persuaded you will read with Pleasure. By the Section, the appointment of Clerks of Courts is vested in their respective chief Judges. The Convention having appointed me to the first Place on the Bench, affords me an opportunity of acknowledging the friendly Obligations you have often conferred on me; particularly the first...
7071To Benjamin Franklin from [Ferdinand Grand], [on or after 11 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Grand arrive de Paris avec Mr. Boux, pour avoir L’honneur de voir monsieur Franklin cet aprés midy, chez lui ou chez Mr. Grand comme Monsieur franklin aimera le mieux. Monsieur Deane viendra aussy entre 3 et 4 heures. Mr. Grand sera bien aise de voir monsr. Carmikael á son retour de Versailles et avant qu’il aille à Paris. Addressed: a monsieur /...
7072George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 11 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 11, 1777. States that Major General Nathanael Greene and Brigadier General Henry Knox will inspect posts under McDougall’s command. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
7073To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 11 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Kingston, New York, May 11, 1777. On May 12, 1777, Hamilton wrote to Morris: “I have received the pleasure of your favour of yesterday’s date.” Letter not found. ]
7074General Orders, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 3rd 7th 11th & 15th Virginia Regts are to compose a Brigade, under the command of Brigadier Genl Woodford: And the 4th 8th 12th & 16th Virginia Regts, are to compose another, under the command of Brigadier Genl Scott. Benjamin Day Esqr: is appointed Brigade Major, to Genl Woodford, and Samuel Shaw Esqr: is appointed Brigade Major, to Brigadier Genl Knox; both to be respected and obeyed as...
7075To George Washington from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777. GW wrote Forman on 15 May : “I am favd with yours of the 11th.”
7076From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed, that the Cloathing for Col: Shepherd’s Regiment of Massachusetts, in pursuance of the Original Plan, has been sent on to Tionderoga, but as the Destination of this Regiment, among Others has been altered, You will send back the Cloathing for It, as expeditiously as possible to Albany; giving Directions to have it immediately transported thence to Peeks Kill, where the Regiment...
7077To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd the Honor of yours of the 16th Ulto and 2d Instant. I wrote your Excellency in a former Letter that Mr Langdon had consented to deliver the Cannon, Ordnance & Military Stores lately arrived at Portsmouth to Mr Barber, which he has since done. They are now forwarding with all possible despatch. Inclosed is the Return of what has been sent on in the course of the last week, Ten...
7078From George Washington to William Livingston, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this day honoured with yours of the 2d instant, as I was a few days ago with that of the 30th April. previous to the Rect of it, I had desired Mr Boudinot, to demand Mr Fells release for that of Mr Hugh Wallace, Colo. Philipse or Mr Jauncey whose paroles we have and who are all Counsellors of the State of New York. If they refuse this, I shall call upon one of those Gentlemen to return to...
7079From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Major General Green. He and General Knox are sent by me to review the posts under your command, and their appendages; and to give their advice and assistance towards putting every thing in the most defensible state possible. The vast importance of these posts and the great probability that the enemy will direct their operations against them make me anxious for...
7080To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 5th Inst. I was honord with the Rect of your letter of the 23d of Aprl—I have order’d all the Troops in this State who are of the Continental Army to N. Haven, & Danbury; in the western Parts of this State; Govr Trumbull desire’s me to post them there untill he shall receive an answer to a letter he has sent your Excellency, respecting the Defence of this State; As their March to...