31To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency may depend on the following; as I have it from a Gentle Man of Varacity that came from Long Island yesterday Viz. Lord How went the day before yesterday off Barren Island out of the Hook and that day 4 Regts went down Long Island one of them Turnbuls, new levys, they said they were going on board of the Fleet to act as Marines but an express follow’d them that night, and they...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inclose to Your Excellency Major Howels Journal. I have it confirmed by another channel that the 7 Vessels of the Cork Fleet is arived, the day before yesterday; and that Lord How Sailed with his Fleet the same day to the Eastward; this is all I have at present only that I have Just got another Packet from the Commissioners to Congress and sent it on —I am Your...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I forwarded to your Excellency yesterday a Journal from Major Howel with an Acct of Lord Hows being saild to the East Ward, 6 or 7 of the Cork Fleet having arived in the Hook &Ca which is all confirmed; it is likewise confirmed that the 4 Regts returned that was going on board the Fleet. Genl Clinton is on long Islan, it is said with 8000 Men but one half is most likely as I have both...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Coll D’Hart having some bussiness to transact at Camp, he has obtained my leave for that purpose. I have had intiligen[c]e from New York though not d[i]rectly or by so good authority as I could wish, yet it is believed & I believe it, that a part of Birons Fleet has arived about 3 days ago Viz. five large Ships, that the Officers has been seen and spoke with in New York. I have attempted to...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have some thing to lay before your Excellency which is far from being agreeable and I do ashure you that I have done every thing in my power to prevent it, unless I had put your orders to me into publick Orders here. I have herewith sen you the proceedings of a General Court Martial where two Capts. is tryed for disobedience of Orders. I think the Evidence is quite full especialy agains Capn...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I believe I can inform you Excellency that Lord How is returned to New york with the whole or greatest part of his Fleet. This I had last night from N.Y. and to day confirmed by Major Howel so far that 29 Sail went in. The Brest Fleet is much talked of but no one knows where it is. It is said that with Genl Clinton came Lord Cornwalles & Sir Wm Arskin but that the Troops they took with them...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to Your Excellency by Coll Balor three Letters from England that may amuse You a little some of which has not gone through the Enemys hands—if Your Excellency will please to return them to me I will send them to the owners Every intiligen[c]e seems to confirm that ten Regts is ordered to the West Indias and is supposed to sail sho[r]tly I have likewise incllosed to Your Excellency...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will Accompany to Your Excellency a Packet brought from England by the same Hand that brought Mrs Rights & the other letter I sent You. I thought to have sent some person over last night, but the Storm was so high it was impossable I had 9 Saylors Deserters Yesterday, from Byrons Fleet; they say there is above 2,000 of them sick on Statten Island where they have a Vast many Sails Pitched...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Your Excellencys Orders from Coll Harrison to try to inform you what the 29 Sail of Vessels were that Major Howell mentions I understood they were all Victualers or chiefly so as far as he knew that many of them was armed Victualers 6 or 7 of them was from Cork & the rest from England. The report of a party making ready to Imbarque still prevails some says they are going to Boston...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was Honoured with Your Excellencys Favour of the 19th Inst. about noon to day, it accompany one to Coll Ogden[,] Barber & some others as Coll Ogden is gone to Philada to day on some private Bussiness I opened his letter, but as I did not know what he wrote to Your Excellency last I can return nothing on that subject. I suppose he thought by this time to have much to send you and so did I,...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that last Evening above 40 of our Officers that was Prisoners with the Enemy came here besides some Sea Men & Officers that is come since that I have not seen. They all agree in this point that they are either going on some Expeditions or they are going to leave New york. Some says there is two expeditions on foot one up the sound the other up the North River...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this oportunity by Mr Woodroof to inform Your Excellency of our affairs for some days past. I have desired that Coll Baylor would give you constantly an Account of the Hackinsack affairs, The day before yesterday we had a Flag Boat at New york with a little Flour, they saw one 20 Gun ship between 12 & 15 small armed Vessels and about 50 Flat bottom’d Boats go up the North River They...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
There is nothing new since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday save that near 50 Shallops and such small vessels went up the Bay yesterday towards Hackensack, one Row Galley among them they seem’d to have no more hands on board than sufficient to work them, it is supposed they are gone for Hay and Forrage &Ca. I had an Officer at General Winses Camp yesterday and could not find that the Enemy...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 29 Sept. 1778. Maxwell wrote GW later on this date : “Your Excellency’s Favour of the 27th Inst. came to hand since I sent of[f] mine of th[i]s morning.”
45To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favour of the 27th Inst. came to hand since I sent of[f] mine of th[i]s morning, I shewed it to General Heard and as many of the Colls as was handy, likewise Mr Caldwell that was here as he knew how the Stores was sittuated in Morristown; We were all of opinion that had Your Excellency received my last Letters and known the sittuation of General Winds and his strength that he...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the 5th Inst. I recd last evening I have forwarded Major Howe’s letter and have wrote to Coll Dayton to use every means in his power to obtain certain information about the Fleet. The Account furnished by Genl Gates of an epidemical Distemper being among Byrons Sea Men is the verry same we had handed about on their first arival but I believe without foundation, for I...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform your Excellency that last evening I recd a Letter from Major Howell dated the 4th Inst. says that on the 1st Inst. a Fleet of four Ships & eight Brigs Schooners & Sloops sailed to the Southward, designed as they imagined for Egg harbour; Several Signal Guns was heard on the 3d in the Morning and they were again seen off—Same day two Ships went in & one the day before. I wish...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledg Your Excellencys Favours of the 14th & 15th Inst., concerning the disposition of the armey for the ensuing winter, and requireing my opinion thereon. It is verry probable I would have answered them sooner had not Lord Stirling advised to defer it to see if the appearant motions of the Enemys Troops, and Fleet, (part of which must shortly move) would throw any more light...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Morrison of the first New Jersey Regt will be the bearer of this to Your Excellency. I send him to receive Your Orders on the Cloathier General for the Cloathing belonging to the New Jersey Brigade. It is useless for me to mention the difficul[t]ies that the men labour under for want of them, as they have had nothing this summer only a few light things in the Spring. There will be...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 16 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not any thing new to inform Your Excellency of, save that I have sent Coll Shrieve with his Regt to New Ark to take the command of that & second River, till further Orders. It seems necessary to lighten this place with respect to finding wood; Forrage, and even Quarters if possable. I have inclosed You a Letter from General Jones to Genl Skiner with Genl Leslies pass to Vanmater; all...
51To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the plasure to inclosed to Your Excellency two New York papers one of which contains a parragraph with a large sample of the old Story of the Fox & Sower grapes. and in another the distressed and disapointed state of the Refugees more than I thought they would be permited to express to the Publick. I wish Your Excellency would give me some directions concerning Hatfield and the others...
52To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the 21st with my Instructions came safe to hand. I shall make it my Studdy to act agreeable to them. I find it is your wish that the intercourse between the enemy and us may be as small as possable, yet you say I may permit as many of the Inhabitants to pass with in the Enemys Lines, as have written Licences from the Congress, the Governors, or Legislative...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that a Packet arived from England in the Hook the 22d. I have inclosed You an English paper and the latest New York one. We have had the sevarest weather for some time past that has been known for many Years. The Sound is froze up and it is currantly reported that a Number of Vessels is on shore at Statten Island; & some cut through and sunk coming out of the...
54To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I a few hours ago received Your Excellencys favour of the 26th Inst. with a letter accompanying it to Sir Henry Clinton that and the Letter to Coll Butler was immediately sent forward I inclose to Your Excely two New York Papers of the 26th & 30th Inst. Was I supply’d with some Pennsylvania & the Jersey Papers to send into New York I could have a constant supply in return. I have likewise...
55To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing to Inform Your Excellency of since my last, only that Lieut. Campbell of the Convention Troops is co[m]e out, and I have sent an Officer with him. I have got a London paper from him which I inclose of the 6th Octr wherein their is a passage that mentions Coll Houseker, and which I thought proper you should be acquainted with. I am your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant...
56To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 8th Inst. came safe to hand last night, accompany’d with the News papers. I like the scheme of Sending in the Flags once every month with the Inhabitants, provided that if the Enemy will not receive them on that day, or the next day, or two, as the Boats and weather m[a]y sute, in such case I might inform them, or order that they quit the town, and return to...
57To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26–27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have but little news to acquain Your Excellency with at present and that not verry certain, but such as it is I think it my duty to send it. There seems to be a good deal of a bustle amongst the new Levy’s and Refugees they have been making every atempt to see their Friends here, and declared with sheding of tears that they were going to leave the Continent or to the Southward so that they...
58To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Accompanys a Packet from Sir Henry Clinton. The Octr Packet arived from London last Saturday, I inclose You yesterdays paper. I had it from a person living on Staten Island, that he had great reason to believe that the Enemy would soon evacuate that Island. I had an account from New Ark last evening that Capt. Laurence of the N. Carrolina Brigade with 50 Men who had gone into Bergan Town...
59To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have got it amongst them that we are prepareing to carry on an Expedition to the Northward, that large quantitys of tools were collecting through the country and carrying to Albany, and great preparations making there. One Officer was heard to mention the above to the other, who reply’d D—m them let them go, we will have a large Army up by way of Canada next Spring, and if the...
60To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 7 Feb. : “I have to acknowlege your several favors of the 26th & 27 Ultimo with that of the 1st Instant.”