201From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I wrote, in haste, a Letter to you by Major Morris, and took the liberty of returning the gold you were so obliging as to send me by Jones —For your kind intention of forwarding that sum, and goodness in bringing Congress acquainted with my want of specie you will please to accept my sincere and hearty thanks—These are also due to you for your polite attention in forwarding, for...
202From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
General McIntosh will have the honor to deliver you this. He is now on his way to take the command at Pitsburg and in the western frontiers, and waites on Congress for their instructions. I would also take the liberty of submitting to Congress the inclosed account of Expences incurred by the General in his Journey from Georgia to join this Army, and which he presented to me and to the Auditors...
203George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 13, 1778 . States that Baron von Steuben waits upon Congress on the subject of the inspectorship. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
204From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Full as I was in my representation of matters in the Commissary’s department yesterday, fresh and more powerful reasons oblige me to add, that I am now convinced beyond a doubt, that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place in that line this Army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things. Starve—dissolve—or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the...
205From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The reason of my troubling you at this time is to request that Congress will defer their decision on Genl Woodfords claim of rank for the present. I find that the Gentlemen affected by it are much averst to it, and therefore shall direct the whole to state their Objections, which I shall transmit by the earliest Opportunity, that Congress may be fully possessed of the subject and apprized of...
206From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday forenoon I had the honor to receive your favor of the 23d Instant, with a Resolution of Congress of the preceding day, appointing Major General Gates to command in the Eastern district. A copy of the Resolution was immediately forwarded to him at Hartford, with a request that he would repair to Boston in compliance with it. Your Excellency’s letter to him, was also dispatched by the...
207From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 16th, with the several papers to which it referred, came duly to hand on Wednesday Afternoon. I this minute received from General Sullivan the Letter I have now the honor of forwarding you, with One addressed to myself. A copy of the latter is also inclosed. The General seems to have been very near the Enemy’s lines—& on the point of opening all his Batteries. Things appear...
208From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Congress the Inclosed Letter, which I just now received from the pay Master General. They will perceive by it, that the Military Chest is entirely exhausted, and, that a third of the Army remains unpaid for the Months of April and May. The importance & necessity of an immediate and large supply will at once appear—and I am persuaded it will be ordered and...
209From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of returning to Congress the report of their Committee on the subject of an Inspectorship, transmitted in your Letter of the 20th Ulto, which was not received till the 31st—with such observations as have occurred to me, in considering the matter, and which I have made with a freedom, that I trust will be agreable to Congress. I wish it had been in my power to have...
210From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Unwilling as I am to add any thing to the multiplicity of matter that necessarily engages the attention of Congress, I am compelled by unavoidable necessity to pass my answer to Genl Gates through their hands. What could induce Genl Gates to communicate a copy of his Letter to me, to that Honble Body, is beyond the depth of my comprehension upon any fair ground; but the fact being so, must...
211From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your dispatches of the 27th Inst. In compliance with the request of Congress, I shall immediately call upon the Officers in the Army to take the Oath of Allegiance & Abjuration. This I should have done, as soon as the Resolution passed, had it not been for the state of the Army at that time, and that there were some strong reasons which made it expedient to...
212From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit you by Express, the inclosed packet, which just arrived at our advanced post by a flag from Sir Henry Clinton. I also transmit a Copy of a Letter I received from him, of the 30th Ulto and of my answer; likewise Copies of his and Lord Howe’s Letters which came to hand by the present flag. The packet, I presume, contains Acts similar to those sent to me. I have the...
213From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose a Resolution of Congress of the 17 of September, enjoining upon us all, Attendance on the Negotiations for Peace, and if it were not Presumption to Suppose, that any Thing could be added to So pressing a Desire of Congress, I would beg Leave to add my most earnest Entreaties that you would be so good as to join Us as soon as possible. It would give me the highest...
214From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following is an extract of a letter of the 17th inst. which I had the honor to receive from the Count D’Estaing. “I intreat you to promote the exchange of prisoners already planned by Mr Gerard. The unhappy persons taken before the commencement of Hostilities cannot be fully regarded as prisoners—their lot is dreadfull—The mode adopted for exchanging them by means of your Commissary,...
215From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the time this reaches you General Du Portail will probably be at Philadelphia. One part of his business is to prosecute the directions given him, some time since, for forming a plan for the defence of the River Delaware, to be submitted to Congress. Another part is to understand from Congress, what may be their views and wishes with respect to his further continuance in America and that of...
216George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 16, 1778 . Transmits news of attack on Cherry Valley. Believes that only way to prevent such attacks is to carry on an offensive war against Indians. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
217From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be deliver’d to you by the Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis, who was among the first French Officers that joined the Army of the United States—the gallant Conduct of this young Gentleman at Brandywine, German Town, and his distinguished Services at Fort Mercer, where he united the Offices of Engineer and Commandant of Artillery, entitle him to the particular notice of Congress—he made...
218From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you to day by Captain Riley, I received a Letter from General Sullivan, a Copy of which you have inclosed. From this it appears the Count D’Estaing had not returned with his Squadron on the 13th Inst.—and there is reason to fear from the violence of the Weather ever since, that he has not yet got in. This accident has much deranged our views—and I shall be...
219From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with your favor of the 20th Instant, with the report to which it referred, and trust my situation will apol[og]ize for my not answering it before. I am now here with the main body of the Army and pressing hard to come up with the Enemy. They encamped yesterday at Monmouth Court House, having almost the whole of their front, particularly their left wing, secured by a Marsh...
220From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 21 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library; press copy of ALS and copy: Library of Congress I do not doubt but you have written to some one or other of your Colleagues since your Arrival in England; and as we have heard nothing from you, I thought it necessary by a Line to inform you that none of your Letters are come to hand. After making and sending over many Propositions of ours & of Mr. Hartley’s, and...
221From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the Honor of your several Favors of the 18–19 & 21st Instant, which with their respective Inclosures have been duly received. In compliance with the Resolution of Congress of the 5th Inst., transmitted in your Letter of the 7th—I was about to take measures for appointing a Court Martial and bringing on the Trials, which they direct; But on recurring to the papers, you...
222From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening had the honor to receive your favor of the 5th Instant with its Inclosures. The power Congress have been pleased to vest me with for appointing Aids de Camp, I shall use with œconomy, and I will not appoint more at any time, than shall be necessary & essential to advance the public interest. Any future appointments that may be material, will be made out of the line of the...
223From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 23–24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th with the inclosure referred to, came to hand yesterday. I had before received the intelligence contained in Mr Dean’s Letter—and in consequence, made part of the detachments, which have been mentioned in my late Letters. It is highly probable—that the late incursions and outrages were committed by the parties comprehended in Mr Deane’s intelligence—and I...
224George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 16, 1778 . States that command of Forts Montgomery and Clinton should be placed under general command of the Highlands. Has appointed Major General Alexander McDougall to that general command. Sees no prospect of carrying out intended expedition against Canada. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Laurens had succeeded John Hancock as...
225From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 21 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to congress, the last Gazettes and a Plann of the various Manoeuvres in the late sea fight by which the masterly Movements of the French Fleet in every Situation, and the ridiculous Confusion of the late Lords of the ocean as they called themselves are Said to be truly represented. Whether it was Want of Skill in the officers, or whether it was a Want of Men to...
226From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having had so short Notice of this Opportunity, I can only have the Honour of writing a few Lines, and of inclosing a few News Papers. If the Dispatches of the Commissioners, have not met with uncommon ill Fortune you must before this Time, have received the important News of the Treaty, as well as authentic Information of the Agonies of G.B. Whether she will plunge herself, with uniform and...
227From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose the latest Gazettes by which Congress will perceive, that We have no Intelligence from America, Since the Departure of the Comte D’Estaing from Sandy Hook. Our Anxiety is very great, but We hope that a few Hours will relieve it. In the Midst of a War in Germany, and between France and England, there was scarcely ever a greater Dearth of News in a Time of profound...
228Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Madison Papers)
General Washington sent me an Account of the Drafted Soldiers that have joined the Army from this State; & it appears that not one half of the Number voted by the Assembly have got to Camp. Truth obliges me to add that very few more of the Drafts will ever be got into the Service. I lament this capital Deficiency in our Quota of Troops; but no Efforts of the Executive have been sufficient to...
229George Washington to Henry Laurens, 19 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 19, 1778 . States that Colonel Armand wishes Congress to commission officers who served in his corps, and that Armand intends to leave for France. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
230From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 11 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to Congress, the latest Gazettes. We have no other Intelligence than is contained in them. Since the 11. July the Date of Lord Howes Letter, announcing the Arrival of the Compte D’Estaing off Sandy Hook, We have not a syllable from America by Way of England. In France We have nothing from America Since 3 July. This long Interval leaves a vast Scope for Imagination...
231From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 7 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to congress, all the News Papers, I have by me. Enough to shew that We have nothing very important here, at present. The French and British Fleets are again at Sea and We hourly expect Intelligence of a Second Battle. But our Expectations from America are still more interesting and anxious, having nothing from thence, since the 3d of July, except what is contained...
232From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 3 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to Congress, the latest News Papers: As they contain the Speech at the Opening of Parliament, and Some of the Debates in both Houses upon the Addresses in Answer to it, they are of very great Importance. I learn by Some Newspapers, and private Letters that an opinion has been prevalent in America, that the Ennemy intended to withdraw from the united States, and...
233From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 8 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose, to Congress one other Copy of the Speech, at the opening of Parliament, together with the Debates in Consequence of it. The Hints in those Debates, especially those given out by Lord Suffolk, are confirmed by the general Strain of Intelligence from London. Letters from Persons, who are supposed to know, announce the Determination of the Cabinet to be, That Clinton...
234From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening had the honor of your Favor of the 1st Instant with it’s several Inclosures. The Letter you allude to from the Committee of Congress and Board of War came to hand on Saturday morning; But it does not mention the Regulations adopted for removing the difficulties and failures in the Commissary line. I trust they will be vigorous, or the Army cannot exist. It will never answer...
235The Commissioners to the President of the Congress, 7 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour to inclose a Copy of the Declaration concerning the 11 and 12 Articles of the Treaty of Commerce, which we have received from his Excellency the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in exchange for a similar one signed by us, in Pursuance of the Instructions of Congress. We have also the Honour to inclose Copies of a Correspondence with his Excellency Mr. de Sartine, the...
236From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 23 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Having been Absent, on a Journey, I had not the Honour of receiving your Letters, until Yesterday when one of the Twenty Eighth of November inclosing a Resolution of Congress of the Same Day, and another of the third of December inclosing a Commission for Dr Franklin Dr Lee and Myself to represent the United States at the Court of France, were delivered to me in Boston. As I am deeply...
237From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 20 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose, the latest Gazettes, which contain all the News of Europe. The News from America by the Way of London, which is contained in the Courier de L’Europe of the fifteenth instant, has raised our Expectations and encreased our Anxiety. We are not without Apprehensions that the Compte D’Estaing, may fall in with the combined Fleets of How and Biron. The English are...
238From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 14 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to Congress a few of the public Papers, which contain all the News that is passing. As it is uncertain by what Vessell the Gentleman will go who takes this, the Conveyance is too precarious, to send any Thing which ought not to be known to the Enemy. We are waiting with an impatient Anxiety, to hear from America, the last Accounts from thence having been brought by...
239The Commissioners to the President of the Congress, 20 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 20 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:168–170 ; also, with “The Function of Consuls” enclosed, in Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 2:650–653. The...
240From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 27 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose, the last Gazettes by which Congress will see the Dearth of News in Europe at present. We expect an Abundance of it at once soon, as We have had nothing from America Since 4. July. The French Fleet went out again from Brest the seventeenth: but We have not yet heard that the English Fleet is out. While the two Fleets were in Harbour, the British East India Fleet,...
241George Washington to Henry Laurens, Joseph Spencer, and Nathaniel Scudder, 20 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 20, 1779. Suggests combining duties of muster department with those of inspectorship. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. These men were members of a committee of Congress on the mustering department.
242From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your polite favor of the 5th Instt I duly received, and thank you much for the information contained in it. at the sametime, I earnestly request, that you will endulge me with an excuse for not answering it before—a constant croud of business, and the intervention of a variety of circumstances have been the cause; and not an inattention to the rules of civility, or to those of friendship. Your...
243From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 1 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform Congress, of my Safe Arrival in this City in the Frigate Boston after a most dangerous, and distressing Voyage of Six Weeks and four Days. The Situation of Things in Europe is so critical, at this Moment that, notwithstanding I am exhausted with the Fatigues of the Voyage, I am determined to proceed, the Day after Tomorrow, on my Journey to Paris. By all that I...
244The Commissioners to the President of the Congress, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The last letter which We have had the Honour to write jointly to Congress, was of the Twentyeth of July, and as We have Sent Several Copies of it by different opportunities, We hope one of them at least will come Safe to hand. Since our last there has been an important Action at Sea, between two very powerfull Fleets, in which, in our Opinion the French had a manifest and great Advantage, but...
We have just received a Message from Monsr. Le Comte De Vergennes, by his Secretary, acquainting Us; that Information is received from England of the Intention of the Cabinet there, to offer (by additional Instructions to their Commissioners) Independence to the United States, on Condition of their making a Separate Peace, relying on their Majority in both Houses, for Approbation of the...