201To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 15 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd are the Observations as usual. I hope to be able tomorrow to forward to your Excellency a letter from the Mr J. C. the Grocer[.] I heard from him yesterday informing that he Expected to git further Information by tomorrow if it comes to hand Shall forward it with all Conveniant Speed. I am your Excellencys most Obediant Humbe Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Baldwin enclosed returns of...
202To George Washington from Major Christopher French, 15 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival in this Province in Company with Ensn Rotton of His Majesty’s 47th Regiment, & Mr McDermot a Volunteer in order to join our Regiments we were (unknowing of Hostilities having been commenc’d) made Prisoners of War of which I make no doubt you have been inform’d. As we are naturaly desirous to give our Friends the earliest notice of our Scituation we have, by permission of the...
203To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 16 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have Receivd a Letter which I Supose came From Mr J. C. by the Hand of the Gentlemen Expected, who says he is going to Head Quarters in the morning to see about the Sheep that were brought off from Puding Point which I have wrote to the adjutant General about. I am informed by a person that had it from the Pilots Mouth this day that the Ships that come in yesterday Brought 2000 Sheep and...
204To George Washington from Andrew Hamilton, 16 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys known Character for Candor, & humanity, has encouraged me to take the liberty of troubling you with this letter, & as I am certain you must be much engaged at present, will be as Concise as possible. I was made an Ensign in the 16th Regt in—59, a Lieut. in—65 & sold out in—71, since which time I have lived in Annapolis, N: Scotia, on a farm, which, with a small stock on it,...
205To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 17 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Men of wars men I mentioned in my letter of Last Night have come to Noddles Island again and are now throwing up a Small Brest work almost against the Ferry ways[.] Shoul be glad to anoy them if Possable But have not the Materials. Inclosd are the Observations. I am your Excellencys most obediant Humbe Servnt I must Inform your Excellency I am Very unwell Scercly able to Set up. ALS ,...
206To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 17 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Safety for this City & Province, being informed on saturday last, that a Ship from Cork had come up to Gloucester with some passengers, Officers of the Ministerial Army, and a quantity of Cloathing for that Army at Boston, immediately sent down Capt. Bradford with thirty Men to take those officers prisoners, and at the same time an Armed Boat, to bring up the Cloathing, both...
207To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 17 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I send you a prisoner who calls himself Terry Owen—he says he swam from Boston to Dorchester last night—His account of himself has been contradictory, and by Papers found with him which are sent by the Guards, it appears he has been engaged in the Service of the Enemy. From your Excellency’s Obedient and very humble Servant LS , M-Ar : Revolution Letters.
208To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 18 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I receeved your Excellenies message of this morning to wait on you at the Ferry, and should have complied therewith instantly, had not bodily Indisposition prevented —I have been followed very hard with a Dysentry yesterday & today—must beg leave to ask your permition to go to my Family a few days till I can in some measure recover my health—I have but very poor accomodations here, there being...
209To George Washington from the Massachusetts General Court, 18 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
This Court have attentively consider’d your Letter of the 12th Inst. & acquiesce in the Method propos’d of paying of the Troops from the 1st Augst & would inform your Excellency that this Court have taken [Measures] that the Province may not be defrauded & Justice done to the Men & likewise fulfill their Engagemts made the Troops. As to the Cloathing propos’d we apprehend there is an absolute...
210To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 19 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed the Discoveries of the Day. I have no intelligence of importance. I would acquaint your Excellency that one of the Horses under our care for the use of the Province for want of Shewing is intirely unfit for Service he has been sent to Mr Munro the blacksmith who Shews the Province Horses but the Horse not being branded the Blacksmith refused to Shew him. I would beg of your...
211To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 19 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommends for the command of a regiment “Colo. Wm Henshaw who before the Arrival of Genl Gates officiated as an Adjutant Genl being appointed to that Office by the provincial Congress.” LS , DLC:GW . William Henshaw (1735–1820) of Leicester marched to Cambridge with a regiment of Worcester Country militiamen shortly after the Battle of Lexington, and on 27 June the Massachusetts provincial...
212To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 19 August 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Artemas Ward, 19 Aug. 1775. On 20 Aug. Horatio Gates wrote on behalf of GW to Ward: “The General has this moment received Your Letter of yesterday, he is surprized to hear that the men you Mention are posted in so insecure & defenceless a Scituation, & wishes you would repair to Squantum, & examine into all the Circumstances, & if you think it prudent,...
213To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 20 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Recd your Leter Last Evaning and I moust acknoledg my Self Not Eapuil [equal] to the Trust Reposed in me But Senc your Exelencey, has intrusted me with So importinant Post I Shall mack it my Stodey to youse the Best of my Pouers to Keep Close to your orders and im Prove the furst and every oppertunity to A-Noy the Enemy at Notles Island —I have in Closed the miniets tackin By mr Leach. I am...
214To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 21 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I would in form your Exelencey that I have Nothing Remarkable to Right[.] I Have I[n] closed the minetes tacken By the Person a Pinted for that Purpos. I am your Exelencies most Humble Servent P.S. Senc I Be[g]an to Right I am in formed that Sum fue of our men have Bin over and Destroied that Litl intrinchment at Noltes Island[.] I have Bin Doun to Pottrin Pint and have got a Vary good Scow or...
215To George Washington from Peter Van Brugh Livingston, 21 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 8th & 10th Instant I have recd and communicated to our Provincial Congress. Our City Committie are ordered strictly to enquire for the Owner of the Vessel you mention to be arrived at Boston, Said to be cleared here for St Croix, and make Report; all possible care will be taken to prevent Provisions being sent from hence to Boston. If the Fleet and army should move we hope...
216To George Washington from Joseph Palmer, 21 August 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Palmer, 21 Aug. 1775. In his letter of 22 Aug. to Palmer , GW referred to “your favour of yesterday.”
217To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Esteemed Favour of the 14th instant is received, No Powder is stopped according to my request, hope that t[i]s for the best —None is lately arrived to this Colony, altho’ daily expected—We are greatly exhausted, your Order to leave a quantity out of the next parcell that passes this Colony will be agreable, if none arrive here before. Shall Take Care of the Lead ordered from...
218To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel James Babcock, 22 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Requests “a discharge from the Service, by reason of the indisposition that attends his bodily health.” L , in unidentified writing, DLC:GW . The person who wrote and signed this letter also wrote and signed the letters of this date that GW received from John Parke and John Randall. All three men served in Col. James Varnum’s Rhode Island regiment, and one of them may have written the letters...
219To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 22 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Have Sent a gentlemen to your Exelency that was from Boston yesturday, I Furst Saw him a Bout five of the C[l]ock But the Barer was gon to Head Quarters with the hors and it Did not Lay in my Pouer to git a Hors for him and he Said he Co[u]ld not goue on foot—he a Peard to Be vary noing—I inpuierd [inquired] in to his Cariter By gentelmen men of Note wich in formed me he was a man that mite...
220To George Washington from Major General William Howe, 22 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Men under your command having repeatedly fired upon the Officers of His Majesty’s Troops before they were returned to the out:works of this Camp from Parlies that have been brought on by your desire; I am to request all farther intercourse between the two Camps may be at an end; your own letters excepted, which will be received if you are pleased to send them by a Drummer. I am Sir Yr Most...
221To George Washington from Lieutenant John Parke, 22 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Requests “a discharge from the Service, by reason of his having at home a Sister in Law (whose husband was slain in the Battle at Charlestown) with a numerous Family, an aged Father and no Person remaining to provide for, and support them—and he being the only surviving brother.” L , in unidentified writing, DLC:GW . For a discussion of the handwriting, see James Babcock to GW, this date,...
222To George Washington from Captain John Randall, 22 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
“By reason of the indisposition of his body, is reduced to the necessity of asking a discharge from the Service.” L , in unidentified writing, DLC:GW . For a discussion of the handwriting, see James Babcock to GW, this date, source note . Randall’s letter includes a cover addressed to GW in the same writing. John Randall, who was commissioned a captain in Varnum’s regiment on 3 May 1775,...
223To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 22 August 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Artemas Ward, 22 Aug. 1775. On 25 Aug. Ward informed GW : “I wrote your Excy . . . the 22d Inst.”
224To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman whose name is Banister (as silly a Gentleman perhaps as lives) is accused by his Country men the People of Newport, of being a most violent Tory—I believe He is neither whig nor Tory, but an eater and drinker—it is in my opinion not worth troubling You with him—but I am oblig’d through complacency to the Corps herein, to refer him to your Excellency ⟨The⟩y will I suppose bring...
225To George Washington from William Tudor, 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
At the Time I had the Honour of your Excellency’s Appointing me to the Office of Judge Advocate to the army, my Unacquai[n]tedness with the Nature of the Department rendered me an incompetent Judge of it’s Duties. The Experience I have since had convinces me that I am engag’d in a Service, extensive, laborious & important. I must therefore beg, Sir, your Indulgence, while I mention some...
226To George Washington from the Gloucester Committee of Safety, 24 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Safety for the town of Glocester beg leave to acquaint your Excellency—that James Grant who has a family in this town has for Several months last past been employed in Catching Fish for the Kings Navy and for the Inhabitants (as he says) at Boston and for his protection he had a Fishing pass from Admiral Graves. also that Mr James Jordan of this town was Master of a Sloop...
227To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ward, 24 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Requests that “Mr Willm Prentice a good Student & Young Practitioner,” who enlisted in Colonel Doolittle’s Regiment but has been assisting Dr. Flint, chief surgeon of General Ward’s regiment, be transferred to General Ward’s regiment, “as I can’t do well without him.” ALS , PHi : Gratz Collection; Sprague transcript , DLC:GW . Although this letter is signed “J. Ward Colonel,” the references to...
228To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 25 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I would in form your Exelencey that thare is one man from Boston that Runaway and has now Bisne to git a Liven and would Enter, with me in to the Servis and one that was Presed on Bord the Ship Glasco that is of the Sam mind if your Exelencey will give Leave, thay have Now gounes. I would in form your Exelencey that I maid in Quirey Respecting the Vissels you Wrote a Bout and the Sentres Say...
229To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 25 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Relations of Several Persons last out of Boston all tending to confirm our Belief that our active & restless Enemy are making large Preparation for some important Step & having ocular Demonstration that they have stript Colo. Hancocks Lime Trees as well as many other Trees in Boston which we are informed was done for the Purpose of making Facines[.] I beg Leave to suggest to your...
230To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 25 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Of the Ordnance, Implements, Ordnance Stores &c. which I wrote your Excy for the 22nd Inst: only the follg are sent Viz. two—12 Pounders—2 doz: Cannisters without powder, a proper complement of round Shot. Implements for the Cannon only 1 Sponge to each. also a Gin —The cannon recd can be of no service witht powder. It appears a little mysterious that all the articles were not sent as I am...
231To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 26 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I would in form your Exelencey tha[t] as Soun as I Could after I Recd your orders to Send a Partey of men to Dear Island I Proc[ee]ded and Sent Leut. Feirfeild with a Bout 20 or 30 men and he Proceded and Reportes as folowth (viz.) the Sumer-Set lyes a gainest the Island and tow Tranes Portes and a Small Ship that is mr Hanckock. when they furst got thare No Person on the Island tow Bearges...
232To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favors of the 14th and 20th Inst: were delivered me last night. I left Tionderoga on thursday the 17th Instant and hoped to have returned in four days, but on my arrival at Saratoga I received Information that a large body of Indians of the Six nations were to be here as on tuesday last, And that my presence was Indispensibly necessary. I therefore Attended and on Wednesday...
233To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 29 August 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Artemas Ward, 29 Aug. 1775. On 30 Aug. Horatio Gates wrote on behalf of GW to Ward: “In answer to your Favor of Yesterday, I am commanded by His Excellency to say, that He is intirely of your Opinion, that three Hundred proper Men and Officers, should be Selected for the Batteau Service but is not certain, wheather Captain Davis is the person who ought to...
234To George Washington from Brigadier General David Wooster, 29 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have with me at this place, four hundred and fifty of my Regiment: I should before this time have returned to my Station at Harlem, but General Scuyler having ordered the three Companies raised upon this End of Long Island for the Continental Service to join their Regiment at Ticonderoga; The County Committee requested me to remain here till the return of an express, which they sent to New...
235To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, 30 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Convention broke up on Saterday last after a siting of six weeks, they have agreed to raise fourteen Hundred & forty five Men & Appointed Patrick Henry to the Command of the first Regment & William Woodford to the second, Wm Christian & Charles Scoot are Lieut. Cols. & Frans Epps & Alexr Spotswood are Majr. Fore hundred of the Men are to be Stationed on the frontiars and the others about...
236To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 30 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th instant is now before me; the Contents of which I have duly considered. When it came to Hand our small Sloop of War was out upon the Cruize which I mentioned to your Excellency in a former Letter. She hath since returned. The sending her on the Enterprize you propose could not be done without some new & further Powers from the General Assembly which sat...
237To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 31 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am Vary Sorey that thare was aney Misunder Standing in the mesage that your Eadeyeon Braught me Respecting the Signal that I was to mack on Powder Horn Hill[.] I under Stood By him that when Aney movemen⟨t⟩ By See or Land By the Regular trupes was mad that was Lickley that thay ware a Bout to Land I was to give the Signal on Said hill[.] I have in Closed the Remarckes. I am your Exelencey...
238To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 31 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here last night and Immediately renewed my orders for Sending you the lead (my former ones having not come to hand) It will leave Crown point this Afternoon and be forwarded without Loss of Time to you. Gen: Montgomery leaves Crown point to day with twelve hundred Men, and four twelve pounders, I follow him this Evening and have ordered the whole Strength I can Spare to Join me at...
239To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 31 August 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Artemas Ward, 31 Aug. 1775. On 31 Aug. Horatio Gates wrote on behalf of GW to Ward: “In Answer to your Favor of This Day to His Excellency General Washington, I have His Commands to say, that He approves of The Person being Appointed to the Command of the Boatmen being Declared in Publick Orders, before the Inlistment takes place.” MHi : Ward Papers.
240To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 1 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning I sent to the Select men of Chelsea desiring them to meet at my Quarters in the Evening of the Same day & they met accordingly I then laid before them the necessity of making some further provision for winter Quarters for the troops Stationed in this Town. They consulted freely with me and desired me to lay before your Excellency a brief account of the troops being Station’d...
241To George Washington from Captain Abiathar Angel, 2 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
“Being in a Very Poor State of Health and Some Misunderstandings happening Between Me & Some of My Company, which I did Not Expect, which Renders it difficult for me to Serve With Pleasure—I therefor Move to Your Excelly for Leave to Resign My Command in Favor of Capt. Henry Work.” ALS , DLC:GW . Abiathar Angel (1744–1830) of Lanesboro was a captain in Col. David Brewer’s Massachusetts...
242To George Washington from Clark & Nightingale, 2 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your request by Captn George Baylor your Excellency’s Aid De Camp we have deliver’d him all the Gun Powder & Lead with what arms his Honr Govr Cooke thought would be expedient to spare, the remainder of the Powder & Arms which are but few & not yet come to Town, he thinks will be best to continue here in order to supply the Inhabitants in case of an Attack upon these parts. As our...
243To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 2 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 31st of last Month by Captain Baylor; who hath purchased the warlike Stores imported by Messrs Clarke and Nightingale. The Prices appear to be very high; but considering the Cost, Expences, & Risque, I believe they are as low as can be reasonably expected. In the Letter I did myself the Honor to write you by Mr Brown I mentioned the extreme...
244To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 2 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
We receiv’d last night Mr Reeds Letter of the 24th ult. respecting Major French & the Gentn made Prisoners with him & you will find by what we wrote by Capt. Willing & Capt. Wharton, those Prisoners were sent off for your Camp long before the receipt of this letter, The Cloathing taken with them we had declared in a Certificate given Major French was detained untill the meeting of Congress on...
245To George Washington from Major Christopher French, 3 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am just now favor’d with a Letter from Mr Reed, enclosing me a Letter from you which informs me of your having been so kind as to forward the Letters I had the Honor to enclose you from Philadelphia, for which please to accept my Thanks. In that from Mr Reed, who I presume is your Secretary, ’though not so sign’d, he tells me I am to return to Hartford with the Gentlemen who are Prisoners of...
246To George Washington from John Sullivan, 3 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Sullivan, 3 Sept. 1775. On 4 Sept. GW wrote to Sullivan : “I receivd your Letter of yesterday.”
247To George Washington from Penuel Cheney, 4 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
as I was appointed by the Genl Assembly of the Colony of Connecticutt Surgeon’s mate in Genl Putnams Regiment, and have fiathfully served therein, ’til the late Appointment of Doctr Church, by the Continental Congress, Superintendant of the Hospital of the American Army, by which the sole Care of the sick and Wounded hath devolved on him, which hath rendered the Appointment of Regimental...
248To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favour of the 2nd instant was delivered to me last night; This afternoon received Genl Schuyler’s of the 31st August—He has ordered the Lead to Albany with directions to forward it by the most direct route to your Camp. We are infested by Ministerial Ships and Transports—I gave your Commissary General a Narrative yesterday—beg leave to refer you to him, from the haste of this...
249To George Washington from Lieutenant David Perry, 6 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
“Whereas God in his holy providence has frowned upon the Family of your petitioner, in that his Wife is rendered incapable of taking care thereof, by reason of having both her Arms broke by a fall from an horse; and he has a Number of small & helpless Children, And no One to provide for them,” he asks to be dismissed from the army. ALS , DLC . This document has no dateline, but Perry is said...
250To George Washington from Peyton Randolph, 6 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have it in command to transmit to you the thanks of the Convention of Virginia for your faithfull discharge of the important trust reposed in you as one of their delegates to the Continental Congress. Your appointment to an office of so much consequence to America, and incompatible with your attendance on this duty, was the only reason that cou’d have induced them not to call you to the same...