801To George Washington from John McKesson, 9 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since the Committee of Safety adjourned this afternoon, I am informed that one parcel of Powder landed at the East End of Long Island belonged at & was sent to New London but that a larger parcel was soon after landed at some small distance and forwarded to the owners in Rhode-Island—I could not be well informed of the Quantity in either parcel; but tho’t it my Duty to give you this...
802From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 6th Inst. is now before me, Our State of Ammunition disables us from availing ourselves of our present Stations as I would wish to do & requires every Assistance that can be given it: you will therefore on the Receipt of this be Pleased to forward Whatever can be spared from the Necessities of the Colony, And the more Expedition you can use the more acceptable it will be....
803General Orders, 10 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
804To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 10 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
This moment reported me from the Whitehouse Guard that a deserter had made his escape into Bunker Hill—Two Centries fird at him but he made his escape I believe unhurt—As it is uncertain who it is or what he is I have thought proper to alter the Parole & Countersign for these Guards which if your Excellency Approves youl please to signify it at the return of the Sergeant—If this deserter has...
805From George Washington to James Warren, 10 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Bayler waits upon you to receive the Specie prepared for Col. Arnold. You will at the same Time be pleased to pay him so much Continental Money as will make up the whole Sum £1000 lawful: A regular Warrt will be sent you in a Day or two which there are some Inconveniences in drawing at present. I am Sir Your most Obed. Hble LB , in Joseph Reed’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript ,...
806From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 10 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
So little has happend since the date of my last that I should scarce have given you the trouble of reading this Letter, did I not immagine that it might be some satisfaction to you to know that we are well and in no fear or dread of the Enemy. Being, in our own opinion at least, very securely Intrenched, and wishing for nothing more than to see the Enemy out of their strong holds, that the...
807To John Adams from James Warren, 11 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I please myself with the probability that before this you are safely arrived at Philadelphia, after having fine weather for Journeying. I hope you will not be disappointed in your wishes with regard to the Spirit and Temper of the Congress. I should have wrote you before if I had been well, but from A Cold I took in the long storm we had here, have been much Indisposed since you left us. Am...
808General Orders, 11 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Col. Ebenezer Bridge of the 27th Regt of foot, in the service of the United Colonies; tried at a General Court martial, whereof Brigd. Genl Green was president, for “misbehaviour and neglect of duty, in the Action at Bunkers-hill, on the [1]7th of June last”; The Court are of opinion that Indisposition of body, render’d the prisoner incapable of action, and do therefore acquit him. Ensign...
809Council of War, 11 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Cambridge Septr 11th 1775 Present His Excelly General Washington Major Genl Ward Lee Puttnam Brig. Genl Thomas, Heath, Sullivan Spencer, Green. His Excelly having communicated by Letter & verbally to the Generals for their Consideration a Proposition of making an Attack upon Boston, by Boats assisted by an Attempt on the Roxbury Lines —assigned the...
810To George Washington from Captain Gideon Foster, 11 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
“Begs Leave to Resign his Command⅌” of a company in Colonel John Mansfield’s regiment, “being at this time in an ill State of Health & finds his disorder increasing on him, & . . . his intrest being in a different Situation from what he Expected when he Engaged in the Service whereby he is like to be a great sufferer in his Estate.” He recommends Captain John Baker as his successor. ALS ,...
811To George Washington from Major William Raymond Lee, 11 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Return of the Officer of the Day. Parole Lancaster Countersign Middleton. Went the Rounds, Visited Guards & Centries and found all Vigilent & Alert. ALS , CtY : Miscellaneous Collections—Obadiah Johnson. Although no other returns from officers of the day directed to GW have been found for the siege of Boston, GW may have received such reports daily. William Raymond Lee (1744–1824), a merchant...
812From George Washington to Lund Washington, 11 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 11 Sept. 1775. On 15 Oct. 1775 Lund Washington wrote to GW : “I recieve’d on Sunday last two Letters . . . dated 7th & 11th of Septmbr.”
813From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 12 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have this Day received your Favours per Capt. Falconer, of which more in my next. With this I send you a number of Newspapers and Pamphlets, by which you will see Things are become serious here. Your Nation must stop short, and change its Measures, or she will lose the Colonies for ever. The Burning of Towns, and firing from Men of War on defenceless Cities...
814From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I this Day receiv’d yours per Capt. Falconer, and am vastly oblig’d by your Industry in Packing and Dispatching my Things. Their Arrival makes me very happy; tho’ they are not yet come on shore. I have not before written to you, imagining you would hardly be found there; but now I find by Mr. Alexander’s Letter (to whom my best Respects) that he advises you to...
815General Orders, 12 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
816To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 12 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are the Observations of yesterday & to day. I have observed that the Boat at Charlestown Ferry have passed more frequently than usual last Night & this Morning Those from Boston to Charlestown being deeply Loaded with Soldiers & those the Contrary way with none. Nothing Remarkable Since my Last. I am Your Excellencys Most Obediant & Very Humb. Servnt ALS , DLC:GW . Joseph Leach’s...
817To George Washington from Perez Morton, 12 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Request, I am directed by the Board to inform your Excellency, that in consequence of your Excellency’s Letter to the Board, relative to the great Increase of Prisoners here, they apprised the 3 other Colonies of New England, thereof by Letters to their several Assemblies —In Consequence of Which they have received for answer, from Govr Cooke of Rhode Island, that their...
818To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 12 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 12 Sept. 1775. On 13 Oct. 1775 GW wrote to his brother John Augustine : “Your favour of the 12th Ulto came safe to hand.”
819From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 13 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I write but seldom to you, because at this time the most innocent Correspondence with me may be suspected, and attended with Inconvenience to yourself. Our united Wishes for a Reconciliation of the two Countries, are not I fear soon to be accomplished; for I hear your Ministry are determin’d to persevere in their mad Measures, and here I find the firmest...
820General Orders, 13 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The thirty three Riflemen of Col. Thompsons Battalion, tried yesterday by a General Court Martial, whereof Col. Nixon was president, for “disobedient and mutinous Behaviour”; are each of them sentenced to pay the sum of Twenty Shillings, except John Leamon, who, over and above his fine, is to suffer six days imprisonment—The Pay Master of the regiment to stop the Fine from each man, out of...
821To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Walker and Others, 13 September 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
After a very disagreeable, wet and fateagueing Journey, we got here on the 10th Inst. the day appointed for opening the Treaty, but found scarcely any Indians here. We have dispatched runners to meet them and hope they will be in soon. We are told that the Shawnese and Delawares are on their way, but can not hear a tittle of the Wiandotts, from which circumstance ’tis feared that they have...
822The York County Committee to the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 14 September 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Text printed in Samuel Hazard et al. , eds., Pennsylvania Archives (2nd series; 19 vols., Harrisburg, Pa., 1879–93), XIV , 539–40. <In committee, York, September 14, 1775: We return you the number of associators whose names we have received, 3,349; there are others whose names we do not know. We cannot list precisely the nonassociators, but will do so as soon as possible. Those of them whose...
823General Orders, 14 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the General Order of the 7th Instant, the enquiry into the Conduct of Dr Church, the Director General of the Hospital, and the respective Regimental Surgeons, has been held in Genl Sullivan’s Brigade; that being finish’d, the General orders the like to be held forthwith in Genl Green’s brigade. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
824From George Washington to Colonel Benedict Arnold, 14 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
You are intrusted with a Command of the utmost Consequence to the Interest & Liberties of America: Upon your Conduct & Courage & that of the Officers and ⟨Soldiers⟩ detached on this Expedition, not only the Success of the present Enterprize & your own Honour, but the Safety and Welfare of the whole Continent may depend. I ⟨charge⟩ you therefore and the Officers & Soldiers ⟨under⟩ your Command...
825Instructions to Colonel Benedict Arnold, 14 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
By his Excellency George Washington Esqr. Commander in Chief of the Army of the United Colonies of North America. Copy, in Thomas Mifflin’s writing, DLC:GW ; copy, DNA:PCC , item 152; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169; two copies, NjMoHP ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The copy in PCC, item 152 was enclosed in GW to Hancock, 21 Sept. 1775 . Arnold’s detachment left Cambridge between 11 and 13 September....
826To George Washington from Captain John Baker, 14 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
“Whereas Some Deficulty has arose between him & Joseph Pettigill who Shall Command the tenth Company in the 38 Regiment Command[ed] By Colonel Baldwin,” the matter was referred to “three officer[s] in Sd Regimt who brought in their award in favour of Sd Pettingall.” Baker asks to be discharged from the service. LS , DLC:GW . For a discussion of the various Capt. John Bakers in the Continental...
827Address to the Inhabitants of Canada, 14 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The unnatural Contest between the English Colonies and Great-Britain, has now risen to such a Heighth, that Arms alone must decide it. The Colonies, confiding in the Justice of their Cause, and the Purity of their Intentions, have reluctantly appealed to that Being, in whose Hands are all human Events. He has hitherto smiled upon their virtuous Efforts—The Hand of Tyranny has been arrested in...
828To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 14 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with a Letter from Govr Trumbull in Answer to mine proposing a Voyage to Bayonne, in which he informs me that the Council of the Colony of Connecticut are summoned to meet this Day to take the Scheme into Consideration. This Sir is the Time to exert ourselves in sending to Europe for Powder, as the Vessels may perform their Voyages and return upon this Coast in the Winter, when...
8291775. Septr. 15. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Archibald Bullock and John Houstoun Esquires, and the Revd. Dr. Zubly, appear as Delegates from Georgia. Dr. Zubly is a Native of Switzerland, and a Clergyman of the Independent Perswasion, settled in a Parish in Georgia. He speaks, as it is reported, Several Languages, English, Dutch, French, Latin &c. —is reported to be a learned Man. He is a Man of a warm and zealous Spirit. It is said that...
830To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 15 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Mr. Dashwood who arrived Yesterday in the Harriott Packet Captn. Lee I rec’d a most Friendly and Polite Letter from our mutual good Friend Ld. Le Despencer wherein He approves of every step I have taken in those troublesome times, which if I mistake not will give you pleasure. I am very sorry to find by a Letter from your Son that some People has had the...
831General Orders, 15 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Col. John Mansfield of the 19th Regt of foot, tried at a General Court Martial, whereof Brigdr Genl Green was president, for “remissness and backwardness in the execution of his duty, at the late engagement on Bunkers-hill”; The Court found the Prisoner guilty of the Charge and of a breach of the 49th Article of the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Army and therefore sentence him to...
832To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 15 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency I have Just Returnd to Chelsea am Informed that the Kings troops at Bunker Hill have thrown up a Short peice of Brest work with two Embrasures nearly oposite Greens Hill Point I have not Seen it my Selfe but prepose to go down directly & take a View of it, and if it appears formidable or Materially deferant from this account I shall Inform your Excellency by...
833To George Washington from John Collins, 15 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to a Vote of the Committee of Inspection for this Town, I inclose you a true Copy of an intercepted Letter from the late Govr Hutchinson to a Gentleman in this Colony, only omitting the Names of that Gentleman, and the Bearer of the Letter, both of whom are Friends to the Liberties of America. The Letter was laid before the Committee the last Evening; and although it is of an old...
834To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 15 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I observe that in the Cambridge Paper of Yesterday there is an Extract of a Letter from Bermuda to New York giving an Account that upwards of 100 Barrels of Powder had been taken out of the Magazine, supposed to have been done by a Vessel from Philadelphia and another from South-Carolina. This Intelligence appears to me to be true; and I beg to know your Excellency’s Opinion of it as soon as...
835To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letter of the 8th instant ⅌ Express who was detained by sickness, and did not deliver it ’till the 12th in the Evening, and my own bodily indisposition is some hindrance. Your peremptory requisition is fully complied with, all our new levies will be at your Camp, with all convenient Expedition. At the time they were by your direction to remain in the Colony on...
836From John Jay to Stephen Rapalje, 15 September 1775 (Jay Papers)
We are inform d . that a considerable Quantity of Drugs & Medicines are in y r . Possession belonging to a Gent. in England or Ireland. The Congress are desirous of purchasing such of them as may be of use to the Army, & I am desired to apply to you for that Purpose—Be so kind therefore as to inform me by the first opportunity whether you will dispose of them. Be assured that y r . Compliance...
8371775 Sept. 16. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Walking to the Statehouse this Morning, I met Mr. Dickinson, on Foot in Chesnut Street. We met, and passed near enough to touch Elbows. He passed without moving his Hat, or Head or Hand. I bowed and pulled off my Hat. He passed hautily by. The Cause of his Offence, is the Letter no doubt which Gage has printed in Drapers Paper. I shall for the future pass him, in the same manner. But I was...
838[Jacob Beninghove’s Bill for Tobacco.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. John Adams To Jacob Beninghove s d To 1 Carrot pigtail Tobacco 2 6 To 6 lb. Cutt Do. @ 12d per lb. 6 0 To Earthen pott 0 4 8 10 M-Ar : vol. 210; accompanied by a duplicate; neither is receipted.
839General Orders, 16 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
James Finley Serjt in Capt. Price’s Company of Rifle men, tried by a General Court Martial for “expressing himself disrespectfully of the Continental Association, and drinking Genl Gage’s health”—The Court sentence the Prisoner to be deprived of his Arms and Accoutrements, put in a Horse Cart, with a Rope round his neck, and drum’d out of the Army and rendered for-ever incapable of serving in...
8401775 Septr. 17th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Smith, Mr. Imlay and Mr. Hanson, breakfasted with us. Smith is an Englishman, Imlay and Hanson N. Yorkers. Heard Sprout Sproat , on 3 Tit. 5. Not by Works of Righteousness, which We have done, but according to his Mercy he saved us, through the Washing of Regeneration and the Renewing of the holy Ghost. There is a great deal of Simplicity and Innocence in this worthy Man, but very little...
841Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I set myself down to write with a Heart depressed with the Melancholy Scenes arround me. My Letter will be only a Bill of Mortality, tho thanks be to that Being who restraineth the pestilence, that it has not yet proved mortal to any of our family, tho we live in daily Expectation that Patty will not continue many hours. A general putrefaction seems to have taken place, and we can not bear the...
842John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
This is the first Time, that I have attempted to write, since I left you. I arrived here in good Health, after an agreable Journey, last Wednesday; There had not been Members enough to make a House, several Colonies being absent, so that I was just in Time. The next day, an adequate No. appeared, and Congress has sat ever since. Georgia is now fully represented, and united to the other Twelve....
843From John Adams to James Warren, 17 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have nothing in particular to write. Our most gracious K—— has given a fresh Proof of his Clemency, in his Answer to the City. But no more of Politicks, at present—if this Scratch of a Pen should fall into the Hands of the wiseacre Gage, as long as I confine myself, to Matrimony, and Horsemanship, there will be no Danger. Be it known to you then that two of the most unlikely Things, within...
844General Orders, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Revd Mr John Murray is appointed Chaplain to the Rhode-Island Regiments and is to be respected as such. Col. Prescott being taken sick, Lt Col. Johonnet of the 21st Regt is to go forthwith to Sewells point, to take the Command of that post. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . John Murray (1741–1815), founder of Universalism in America, came from England in 1770 and was residing at Gloucester,...
845From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 17 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, 17 Sept. 1775. On 6 Nov. Bassett wrote to GW : “Your favour of the 17 Sepr came safe to hand.”
846From George Washington to Thomas Everard, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As I believe it will be three Years next December, since some of my Ohio Lands (under the proclamation of 1754) were patented; and as they are not yet improved agreeable to the express Letter of the Law, it behoves me to have recourse, in time, to the common expedient of saving them by means of a friendly Petition. My distance from Williamsburg, and my ignorance of the mode of doing this, lays...
847To George Washington from Samuel Ward, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Having nothing of immediate Consequence to communicate & determining to sett out for this City in a few Days after the Receipt of yr favor I deferred acknowledging it until my arrival here. I am greatly obliged to you for the very kind Notice which you was pleased to take of my Son, & the favourable Light in which you view him the Advantages of travelling he wants but those of a liberal...
848[Committee on the Importantion of Gunpowder, September–November 1775.] (Adams Papers)
I have omitted some things in 1775 which must be inserted. On the 18th of September 1775. It was resolved in Congress, that a Secret Committee be appointed to contract for the Importation and delivery of any quantity of Gunpowder, not exceeding five hundred Tons. That in case such a quantity of Gunpowder cannot be procured to contract for the Importation of so much Saltpetre, with a...
8491775 Septr. 18. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning John McPherson Esq. came to my Lodging, and requested to speak with me in Private. He is the Owner of a very handsome Country Seat, about five Miles out of this City: is the Father of Mr. McPherson, an Aid de Camp to General Schuyler. He has been a Captain of a Privateer, and made a Fortune in that Way the last War. Is reputed to be well skilled in naval Affairs.—He proposes great...
850Editorial Note on the Secret Committee, 18 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
On September 18, 1775, Congress established what became one of its principal institutions for waging the war, the secret committee. Its nine members, Franklin among them, were elected the next day. Their chief responsibility was to obtain arms and ammunition, and the methods of doing so had been worked out some months earlier. Nonexportation had been relaxed to permit produce, with a few...