41401From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 12th Ultimo, desiring, that so soon as any other General Officer should arrive at Tionderoga, you would immediately leave it and repair to my Head Quarters. I must now repeat that desire, as your presence here is very much wanted; and I shall expect, that after the receipt of this, you will hasten to join me with all the expedition you can. The Troops from Pennsylvania are...
41402Abigail Adams to John Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tis ten days I believe since I wrote you a Line, yet not ten minuts passes without thinking of you. Tis four Months wanting 3 days since we parted, every day of the time I have mournd the absence of my Friend, and felt a vacancy in my Heart which nothing, nothing can supply. In vain the Spring Blooms or the Birds sing, their Musick has not its formour melody, nor the Spring its usual...
41403Enclosure: List of American Losses at Danbury, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
1700 Barrells Pork 50 Do: Beef 700 Basketts Wheat 7 Hhds. Rum 6 Do: Bread 11 Tierces Claret 3 Quarter Cask Wine 12 or 1700 Wheat—Rye & Corn 12 Coile Rope 10 Waggons 1600 Tents mostly old The above is a true State of our Loss, in the affair at Danbury. 20 Men killed. 5 Missing. 17 Houses burnt. A Party that went out to bury the Dead have returned, and Report, that they have buried 62 Regulars....
41404John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have no News here but what comes from you—except that all is well and quiet at Ticonderoga, that We have four Thousand Troops there, and that they were not afraid of Carlton. The Connecticutt People have given Sir Wm. Erskine a Concord and Lexington Drubbing. But I am very angry at our People for mak ing a Magazine, so near the Water and among such a Gang of high Church Tories. The Loss...
41405John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
The only Reason why I omitted to write you when I wrote to your Brothers, was because I thought you was as yet too young to be able to read Writing, not because I had less Affection for you than for them: for you may rely upon it, you have as great a share in your Fathers Esteem and Affection as any of his Children. I hope you will be good and learn to read and write well, and then I shall...
41406From John Adams to Samuel Freeman, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had the Favour of your Letter of 23d Ultimo by this days Post. As to the Petitions you mention, the Congress have made good no Losses , to any Soldiers—nor any Accounts for Sickness, more than Pay, Rations, and Mileage. I am much obliged to you, for your Account of the Several Acts passed by the Assembly. It is very necessary that We should know here, the Proceedings of our Assembly. We...
41407From John Adams to Joseph Palmer, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had a few days ago the Pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 16. Ultimo. The Subject of Finances, is the most important, of any that can come under our Consideration. If We can Support those We can, carry on the War with Vigour and probably with success. But if We go on, as We have We must suffer, extream Distress. The science of a Financier is to be learned only from Books or from...
41408From John Adams to James Warren, 6 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
About Ten Days ago, I had the Boldness to make a Motion that a Navy Board Should be established at Boston —certain Gentlemen looked, Struck and Surprized—however it passed. I have moved, I believe fifteen Times, that a Nomination should take Place. Certain Gentlemen looked cold. Two or three Days ago, the Nomination came on. Langdon, Vernon, Deshon, Dalton, Orne, Henley, Smith, Cushing, and...
41409From Alexander Hamilton to William Duer, 6 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this is Mr. Malmedi a french Gentleman of learning, abilities and experience. I believe he thinks himself intitled to preferment and comes to Congress for that purpose. At the recommendation of General Lee he was made Brigadier General by the State of Rhode Island, and filled the station to the satisfaction of his employers, as appears by a letter from Governor Cook, speaking of...
41410Pierre Penet to the American Commissioners, 6 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon. thomas morris viens de me communicquer la lettre qu’il viens de recevoir signé de Mrs. Francklin, Diane, et Lée, ma surprisse feus grande lorsque j’en eus fais lecture. Il faut Messieurs que l’on vous aye bien male informmé de moy et mes commettans pour que tout a cou, sans nous en prevenir vous fassiéz retirer des affaires des mains de Mr. S. Sollier...
41411To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Brus, 6 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin, within weeks of his arrival in Paris, began to receive letters from strangers about service in America. The writers were sometimes putting forward friends or relatives, more often themselves; if they specified what they wanted, which many did not, it might be a military commission in advance, or passage money, or merely a letter of recommendation,...
41412To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer S. Platt, 6 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nessessaty obliges me to trouble you to forward the Inclos’d letter, as I have the Misfortune to be detain’d a Prisner in Newgate, and not Knowing when I shall obtain my Liberty. Therefore am under the Nessessaty of Writing to my Pardner in Savannah in Georgea, to make me a small Remitance, by way of France, and have taken the Liberty to request him to...
41413General Orders, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The commanding Officers of Battalions, that furnish the Commander in Chief’s Guard, are not [to] draw for the men thus furnished after they have left their respective Battalions, but are to give each man a Certificate of the day on which he was last paid; in order that the Captain of the Guard may be enabled to make out their Abstract properly. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
41414To George Washington from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 6 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 6 May 1777. Gibbs docketed GW’s letter to him of 3 May in part: “Answerd. 6th May.”
41415To George Washington from Captain Francis Grice, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Arived Heair this Day with 19 Flat Bottom Boats that will Carrey one 100 men Each and three Artillarey Flats or Scows that will Carrey Two field Peeces with thair Horsis and Stors and the Compeney thair To Belonging Each and I am Apinted Captn over the hole of them By Ginrel Mifflin who Desird me To Rite To Your Honner For forther Instructtishun: How To Porseed which I Shall Be much oblige...
41416From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I must beg the favour of you to look out for a sensible, honest, active, young fellow, well acquainted with Figures, & well qualified to discharge the duties of a Deputy Muster Master—His pay is low, 35 dollars ⅌ Month—On discovering such an one, you will be pleased to appoint him, & refer him to the Letter &C. from Colo. Ward that attend this. I am Dear Sir Yr most Obed. Servt P.S. I wish to...
41417To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Thro ^ hurry I enclosed you Yesterday by mistake, another of Col. Huntingtons instead of the enclosure. My recruiting Officer is returned with the most of the leaders of the Gang, but he lost one of them by being too eager to get the whole. one of the Prisoners says the Enemy are to evacuate their Post at the Bridge, on the 10th instant, and that the most of the Enemies Troops are gone to...
41418To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
William & George Green formerly livers in Sussex—George has land w[i]t[h]in a mile & half of the Old Log T[r]ail wint into Bergen under Capt. Annesly in Company of 73—five of whom were taken in the Cedar Swamp—It appears they belongd to Bartons Regimt were Quarterd at Commune pas [Communipaw]; reviewd Saturday last when their Corps amounted to about 280—The Whole in Bergen revie[w]d at that...
41419From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is with pain, I inform you, that a complaint has been made to me of your having treated Mrs Livingston with a degree of roughness and indelicacy, which I am convinced, your cooler reflexion must condemn. Conscious that you have too much regard for your Character as a Gentleman, and too nice a sensibility of the impulses of humanity, deliberately to commit an indiscretion of the kind, I can...
41420To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am extremly unhappy to find by your Excellency’s letter of this date that any of my private Affairs should have taken up so much of your Attention; I could wish your Excellency had beleived the whole matter had been Misrepresented to you, Mrs Livingston was informed Six Weeks ago that I was in want of that part of the house which she possesses. she had then no less than four other houses...
41421To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Monday last I wrote your Excellency, and inclosed the Returns of the Battalions: But, by a Mistake in making up the Maile, the Letter miscarried, wch induces me to inclose them with this Week’s Returns. I cannot vouch for the Certainty of these Returns as the Towns have inlisted Numbers, seperate from the Officers, whereof they have not given me any certain Information. I find a very great...
41422The American Commissioners to John Adams, [on or before 5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With this, you will receive Dispatches; with which you are to sail with all possible expedition. You will enclose the Dispatches in a Box with Lead, and have it always ready to sink, shoud you be in unavoidable danger of falling into the Enemies hands. To prevent this misfortune, you will constantly keep a good look-out, and be very cautious how you approach any...
41423To John Adams from James Warren, 5 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have no late Arrivals no foreign Intelligance. The Affair of Danbury has wholly Engrossed the Conversation here for a week past, and we were never able to determine whether what we heard was true or false, or even that there had been an Expedition there till Yesterday, when we were beyond a doubt Ascer tained of the loss of the Stores there, and the Indelible Stigma fixed on the N. England...
41424To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An express is going to Nantes at twelve o Clock this Day. I pray to see you previous, to determine on what sum shall be paid Capt. Bell, who is about to leave Nantes, and go into the service of the Gentlemen who are sending to him express. And he will be uneasy to have it determined upon. I am Sir your most Obedient and Very Humble Servant Addressed: To /...
41425General Orders, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief directs, that the strictest attention, and obedience, be paid throughout the Army, to the following resolutions of the Hon’ble the Continental Congress—viz. Resolved. That there be one Physician and Surgeon General, for each seperate Army, who shall be subject to the controul of the Director General, and Deputy Director General, of the District wherein he...
41426From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 1st instant by Capt: Lush, with Copies of the proceedings of the Courts Martial upon the case of Capt: Martin and those of Several persons accused of treasonable practices. As the proceedings against the latter, can be only sent for my opinion, I having no right to interfere in the matter, I would recommend the execution only of the most notorious, and such,...
41427From George Washington to the Continental Congress Secret Committee, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Letter of the 2d Instt, covering One for Mr Boudinot, which shall be delivered him. I wish the Bills transmitted to him, had been for a larger Sum, and I trust, in a few days they will be followed by Others or a Supply of Money. Mr Boudinots address, is, Commissary Genl of prisoners, in the Army of the United States of America. I have the Honor to be with...
41428From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your letter of the 3d Inst., with its inclosures. General Arnolds promotion gives me much pleasure; he has certainly discoverd in every instance where he has had an opportunity, much bravery, activity and enterprise; But what will be done about his Rank? he will not act most probably under those he commanded but a few weeks ago. I trust the appointment of Mr...
41429To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Mullen (accompanied by Monsr Du Bouchet Brother in law to Col. Conway) who came from France in the Ship Amphitrite—He appears to be a very good Officer, & I think would make a most excellent Major of Brigade, if your Excellency should think it proper. The Assembly of this State have Resolved to complete their 15 Battalions by Draught, which is to be made on...
41430To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favors of the 1st 3d, and that to General Clinton and me, inclosing resolves of Congress. Colonel Huntington of the first instant, and the News Paper inclosed, will give the best intelligence I am po[sse]ssed of, relative to our respective losses at Danbury. As to the Stores it is extreamly difficult to obtain a state of their loss. I have not been able to get a return...
41431To George Washington from John Rutledge, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after receiving your Favour of March 17th, I confer’d with General Howe, on the Subject—He will give you, at large, the Reasons why it does not seem proper, to attempt the Reduction of St Augustine, with what Forces may be spared from Georgia & this State. Had it appeared practicable, & expedient, you may be assured, that I would, most chearfully, have afforded all the Assistance...
41432John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed with this you have an Evening Post, containing some of the tender Mercies of the Barbarians to their Prisoners. If there is a Man, Woman or Child in America, who can read these Depositions, without Resentment, and Horror, that Person has no soul or a very wicked one. Their Treatment of Prisoners, last Year added to an Act of Parliament, which they have made to enable them to send...
41433General Orders, 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
41434To George Washington from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 4 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 4 May 1777. Gibbs docketed GW’s letter to him of 1 May in part: “Answerd. 4 May.”
41435To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Attention of the Enemy appears of late to be much turned upon this State, We have for some time been repeatedly advised of it, & now realize it, a few days since They landed at Fairfield to the number of near three thousand it is said, under Genl Erskine & made a forced march to Danbury about twenty two miles & there burnt & destroyed 1700 barrels of Pork, 50 Do Beef, 700 bushels of wheat,...
41436To George Washington from James Warren, 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of your favour of the 15th of March last, and feel myself greatly Obliged by the kind reception you were pleased to give my last disturbance, The Countenance you then gave me, the polite manner in which you have Encouraged me to An Undertaking of the same kind, & the hopes I have of doing some service to the Common Cause have Emboldened me again to Interrupt your Excellency,...
41437From John Adams to James Warren, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 3d I received. I must confess, that I am at a Loss to determine, whether it is good Policy in Us to wish for a War between France and Britain, unless We could be sure that no other Powers would engage in it. But if France engages, Spain will and then all Europe will arrange themselves on one side and the other, and what Consequences to Us might be involved in it, I dont know. If...
41438To John Adams from Henry Knox, 3 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of a Line from you. I was in hopes to have seen you when I went to Boston but you had previously set out for Congress and I miss’d you on the road. Since my return from thence the duties of my department have taken up the whole of my time, which together with the fear of trespassing on your more important engagements has prevented my writing to...
41439George Washington to the Massachusetts Legislature, 3 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 3, 1777. Transmits congressional resolve concerning defense of Ticonderoga. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
41440George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 3 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 3, 1777. Approves detention of Seward’s company. States that the sailing of British ships from Amboy, New Jersey, necessitates further attention to British movements on North River. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Captain Thomas Seward, Third Continental Artillery.
41441George Washington to Meshech Weare, 3 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 3, 1777. Transmits congressional resolve concerning defense of Ticonderoga. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress. Weare was president of New Hampshire.
41442To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane having promissd to explain my ideas of the Situation In which I could ever be inducd to revisit Berlin, and Mr. Lee knowing from me what I expected on that Subject, are the reasons which have prevented a personal explanation with you on my part. I do assure you I feel infinitely more pain in solliciting a mode of serving my country than in...
41443To Benjamin Franklin from Léonard-Louis Goueslard de Champigny, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En vous proposant de vive voix d’etablir dans votre patrie premierement une Manufacture D’Armes, secondement une fondrie D’Artillerie en cuivre, troisiemement enfin une fondrie D’artillerie en fer, dans laquelle non seulement on fondroit du canon; mais encore les crapaux destinés a monter les mortiers et Pierriers qui ne peuvent se monter sur des affuts de...
41444To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Morris, 3 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of Captain John Robarts of the Schooner Mary lately arrived from Charles Town South Carolina I beg leave to acquaint you with William Machmaster one of his Sailors, is now detained a Prisoner in this City, charged with having drowned one John Hoggins belonging to the same Vessell. The real circumstances are as follow. The said Machmaster and...
41445General Orders, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Painter is to superintend the Artificers, and Works, in and about Morristown, until further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Congress on 18 Jan. 1777 resolved that Elisha Painter (d. 1781), whom it had appointed major of Col. Seth Warner’s Continental regiment on 5 July 1776, “be removed from any command” in that regiment because a dispute about his right to be major threatened to...
41446From George Washington to Captain Caleb Gibbs, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 27th Ulto is now before me. Mr Harrison having lost, or mislaid your Letter from Newtown, I have no Acct of what you did, or meant to do, respecting our Baggage; which I wish was arrived; such parts I mean, as is intended to follow the Camp. neither have I heard any thing of Captn Lewis (or his Troop) whom I desired might come on to this place. I must desire you to urge...
41447From George Washington to Samuel Gray, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being unacquainted with the places proper for establishing magazines of Flour in Ulster and where that from the River should be removed, you will receive directions from Generals McDougall and Clinton upon the Subject, to whom I have written. I am Sir, &ca N.B. This Letter has respect to one written by Mr Trumbull to Mr Gray, leaving the place where the Stores should be deposited with the...
41448From George Washington to Colonel William Grayson, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of 22nd April I received Yesterday, by which I observe that your Regiment is not so forward as I expected it to be. You mention that Mr McCarty has got his compliment of Men. I think he is intitled to a first Lieutenancy, and as there have been some removals and resignations, make no doubt but it will be in your Power to promote him to it. I am well informed, from various parts of...
41449From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Letter of the 29th Ulto, inclosing Sundry Resolves. Agreable to the directions of Congress, I have written to the States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and urged them to compleat and forward their Troops, destined for Ticonderoga, with all possible expedition. The Brigadiers gone there for the present, are Fermoy—Poor—Patterson & Learned. Nixon & Glover...
41450To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, relative to a Variety of Subjects, are all that I have in Charge from Congress to forward at this Time. The additional Resolves respecting the Muster Masters were highly requisite to compleat that Department, and will, I trust, be punctually carried into Execution. You will perceive that Mr Ludwick is appointed to superintend the Baking Business in the Army, which I make...