1751To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your Letters of the 19th & 20th on Fryday Night, The principal parts thereof have been fully answer’d by the Honble The Committee of Congss, their Letter will also be deliverd to Your Excellency by Colonel Fitzgerald; Colonel De Haas left this City the day after I sett out for Morris Town, & is not yet returnd, I understand his Son was extreamly Ill, which...
1752To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to enclose you sundry Resolves of Congress, to which I have only Time to refer your Attention, nor indeed, is any Thing further necessary as they are so very explicit. I have forwarded Commissions to the Majors General, and shall forward, by the next Opportunity, Commissions for the Brigadiers General. As I am empowered to adjourn the Congress from Baltimore to Philada on...
1753To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Honble The Continental Congress, pass’d a Resolve the 21st of last Month, Ordering that part of my Regiment, which was still to the Southward to return to Virginia, & that all the Companies belonging to the Regiment, should be Recruited to their full Complement of Men, & Marchd to Camp as soon as Compleat. The Detachment from the Southward Arrivd here this Week, in a Shattred Condition,...
1754To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
having receivd Information that a Vessel was laden with Provisions in a Harbour on the East End of Long Island & bound to New York I sent Lt Wait with a Party of Men to bring her over to the Main; they left this Place the 16th Inst., but the Shippers of the Wheat &c. having receivd some Information of the Party coming over, removd the Provisions into different Parts remote from the Water that...
1755To George Washington from Jonathan Bryan, 24 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
24 February 1777 . “The Bearer John White Esquire is appointed Colonel of the fourth Battalion of Musquetry, for the State of Georgia; and as we are in great want of Men, we are obliged to send him to the northern States, on the recruiting Service.... Your Excellency we are well assured will give him every indulgence & encouragement, when we inform you of our alarming Situation, surrounded...
1756To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Stirling, 24 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Stirling, 24 Feb. 1777. GW wrote Stirling on 25 Feb . that “I was last night favoured with your Letter of the 24th Instt.”
1757To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 24 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 31st ulto and the first, sixth, ninth Tenth and eleventh Instant, also of sixty Thousand Dollars of which I have forwarded Twenty Thousand to General Knox agreable to your Request, the remaining Forty Thousand I shall divide out to the Colonels of our Battallions as needed, having regard to the Sums they have already received...
1758To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the Resolves, which I have the Honour of transmitting herewith, you will perceive the Measures Congress have taken to reinforce your Army at this Juncture. I have wrote to the Convention of New York to place a proper Guard of Militia at the Passes in the Highlands, in Case you should think proper to call to your Assistance the Troops under Genl Heath, which will be highly agreeable to...
1759To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 25 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 25 Feb. 1777. GW writes in his letter to Putnam of 28 Feb. that “your several favours of the 25th & 26th Inst. came to hand.”
1760To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the sixth Instant and observe the Contents, we are under great, and, I fear, insurmountable Difficulties with respect to procuring Arms for the Continental Troops raising in this State, altho all persons capable have been employed near two Years in manufacturing them. many of our best Arms were stopd last Year at Roxbury, and at the End of both Campaigns at the...
1761To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am a few days retur[ne]d from the Southward, where I have a prospect of geting my horses. As the Quarter Master of this department is unwilling to Let me have any thing for the use of the Regiment, I should be glad to know of you, and have your instructions to him, for what we are to be allowed; is it not reasonable that the Men should be firnished with a Sute of Clothes? that is a Coat,...
1762To George Washington from the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have this Night received from Congress the dispatches sent herewith, by these you will see the promotions that have taken place and that no deputation of Members of Congress are to meet Genl Lee, who I suppose will be much disapointed but surely he shou’d have pointed out more clearly the design of his request, as the consequences of complyance or even of the refusal may be important. It...
1763To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall take care in future, to communicate to your Excellency by Letter certain Intelligence that may be received; my Reason for sending him up, was to give your Excellency an Opporty of asking many Questions, which perhaps I had omitted. I am much obliged by your Excellency’s Permission to purchase the Horse, I shall have him valued, & pay the Money, as proposed—shall observe your...
1764To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely glad that Morris is so far recover’d that there is a probability of his leaving Philadelphia Where I left him (as I thought) in a very bad way from the effects of his Southern expedition—I have the sincerest love and affection for him—his excellent qualities, his good sense and integrity must endear him to evrybody who knows him—Eustace I consider as my adopted Son. considering...
1765To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Smith is induced by Arguments I have used to return and accept of the Offer you was pleased to make him, of an Independant Company of 100 Men, I could wish as an additional Requisite, he had, to pay and cloath them him self—His Experience last War and the Spirit which to my Knowlege he has shewn in this, convince me, he is capable of rendering his Country particular Services in the Way...
1766To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of receiveing your Excellencys letter of Yesterday’s date with the Several Inclosures. on Communicating the Contents of the Letter to Capt. Thruston he was perfectly Satisfyed with the propriety of reasons which determined your Excellency’s Conduct with regard to his Commission, the rest of the Gentlemen will feel great Satisfaction in receiveing their Certificates. I now send...
1767To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Wyllys having returned to New York, is again permitted to return Home upon his parole to negotiate his Exchange, and yesterday presented me with a Letter from Mr Loring Commissary of prisoners in which is the following paragraph. “having received a Letter from General Washington, by Brigade Major Wyllys, desiring he might be exchanged the first after Capts. Dearborn & Trowbridge who go...
1768To George Washington from General William Howe, 27 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Some Days having elapsed since the Conference between Lt Col. Walcott and Lt Col. Harrison without hearing from You for the further Prosecution of the Business relative to Prisoners of War, I am to trouble You with my Request to have a second Meeting at the same, or at any other Place You shall appoint, and to desire You will vest Lt Col. Harrison with proper Powers for reducing to the Form of...
1769To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 27 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
My brother Delegates are of opinion that the inclosed papers may avail you something in settling some disputes about rank that may come before you, and therefore it is sent. Congress never did any thing in this matter, as the business was put into other hands. I realy think that when the history of this winters Campaign comes to be understood, the world will wonder at its success on our part....
1770To George Washington from Robert Morris, 27 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 22d Inst. which wears a very serious countenance and the opinion I entertain of the Strength of your judgement and propriety of your observations, creates doubts in my Mind which I confess I had discarded, as to the safety of this City. from various Accounts I have been taught to believe that the Enemy have since Christmass lost so many Horses, are in such want of...
1771To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 9th Instant. My future applications for Ordnance and Ordnance Stores shall be to General Knox as your Excellency directs—He has sent me two Orders on persons in Jersey for a Quantity of Shot; As I neither know the persons nor any person in Jersey whom I can request to forward it to me, I am under the Necessity of beging your...
1772To George Washington from John McKinly, 28 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received Directions from the General Assembly of this State just before their adjournment, a few Days agoe, to acquaint your Excellency that on the Receipt of your Letter of the 31st January last, they passed “An Act against Desertion & harbouring ⟨Deserters⟩ or dealing with them in certain Cases” which I flatter myself will answer the intended purpose —I also have it in charge to inform You...
1773To George Washington from Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just Received Your Orders of the 12th Instant Accordingly have sent You My Return enclosed being a true State of the Regiment Orders Are already issued for Assembling the Recruits at Peeks Kill the Greatest Part are Collected and ready for a March at any warning a Sufficiency of Officers have been left for the Recruiting Service And Your Excellency May depend that no Pleas for Delay will be...
1774To George Washington from the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The dispatches from Congress sent herewith came up last Night & we send them forward this Morning soon as the Express can be ready after delivering them to you he is to go on to the Convention of New York with the enclosed Letter from Congress to them, and you will please to deliver it to him for that purpose unless some conveyance equally safe & expeditious but less expensive offers, in that...
1775To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your’s by Lieut. Cock, & have directed all the inoculated Troops, on this side the Delaware, and shall prevent any more from being sent to any town on the great road for the future. In my last I mentioned to your excellency that the 2d & 7th virginia regiments were to pass by without suffering inoculation; but I either misunderstood Mr Morris, or he was misinformed; for the...
1776To George Washington from William Duer, 2 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the Honour of Answering your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d Febry last but have not as yet been Able to Learn from Colo. Weisenfelts, or Mr John Livingston whether, with the Assistance of a proper Major, they would engage to raise a 6th Battallion in this State. I expect to see Mr Livingston here every Moment, and shall then Inform your Excellency with the Result of...
1777To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 2 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
we have made the necessary preparations for making a Descent on Rhode Island in almost Every perticular and Should have soon proceeded if we had not been Intirely Prevented for want of men, I was in hopes of having troops Sufficient for that purpose after I have permission from your Excellency to Call in some Continental troops so as to have made the tryal before the troops now at this place...
1778To George Washington from Brigadier General David Wooster, 2 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 24th Ult. came to hand yesterday. I am sorry to inform that it was not in my power to persuade my Troops to continue at New-Rochelle, so near a much superior force of The Enemy: and having very good inteligence that about fourteen hundred from Long-Island had actualy landed on City-Island with design to surround and attack us. But a Storm prevented their landing...
1779To George Washington from Colonel James Irvine, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
pursuant to my Instructions from Major General Gates, I have examined the Ferrys from Bristol to Easton, a Report of their present State I now inclose. I have given strict Orders to Col: Erwin & Majors McIlvain & Labar to collect & bring over all the Boats in their districts respectively, and secure them in proper places on the West side of the River upon the least Alarm of the Enemies...
1780To George Washington from William Livingston, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honour of receiving your Excellency’s Favour of the 22d of february, & find myself extremely happy in your concurring with me in opinion against extorting Fines from the Militia; but alas that I fear will be our only chance of obliging some of the poorer sort to turn out at last; for our long expected Militia Bill in its present form, and as it will undoubtedly pass respecting...
1781To George Washington from William Livingston, 3 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Livingston, 3 Mar. 1777. GW wrote to Livingston on 8 Mar. that “I this Moment had the Honour to receive your two favours of the 3d Inst.” The missing second letter apparently contained a brief request for GW to forward a letter of the same date to John Jay.
1782To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 23d Ultimo. As the Season is so far advanced and Lake Champlain is not yet frozen over it is almost certain that General Carlton will not venture across, even if the Lake should close—I am however led to believe that he will make an attempt in the Spring, for unless that is his Intention I cannot concieve why he should continue to...
1783To George Washington from William Gordon, 5 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The movements of the Post not having gained a thorough establishment, notwithstanding Mr Hazard’s having been employed in regulating them, your very obliging favour of Jany was not received in due time. I should be wanting as a friend, a member of the community, a son of liberty, & a disciple of Jesus, was I not to be constantly mindful of your Excellency. What can I do less than remember you,...
1784To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 5 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 5 Mar. 1777. GW writes to the council of safety on 7 Mar. that “I am honoured with yours of the 5th.”
1785To George Washington from Robert Morris, 6–15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 2d Inst. the good opinion you are pleased to entertain of me makes me very happy because there is no mans opinion I reverence more and that very circumstance is at the same time the source of trouble in my mind as you force me to abandon that Idea of Security which I was desirous of maintaining; it is truely lamentable that we have never been able to this day to...
1786To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Christian Febiger, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
After returning Your Excellency the most sincere Thanks of Colonel Morgan, Major Heth and myself for your particular Favour in getting us exchangd and restord to the Service of our Country—I have the honor of informing your Excellency of my Arrival in this City with the first Company of our Regiment, two Companies more being on their March and hourly expected, those men, who are in Town are...
1787To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 23d Ulo I recd your Excellency’s Letters of the 8th 10th & 18th of Feby; before I recd those Letters I had establishd Hospitals in several Parts of this State for innoculating the Recruits; most of those who had not the Small Pox before are now in the Hospitals: some will come out in about ten Days. I shall pay a particular Attention to your Excellency’s Orders to send on...
1788To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Colonel Boehm of Colonel Geiger’s Batallion of Militia of Northampton Coty now in Camp, informs me that they are uneasy under an apprehension that it is intended to keep them in service more than the allotted time for the Militia, on account of some of the said Batallion deserting from this City when they were under marching Orders —at the particular request of Lieutenant Colonel...
1789To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Cadwallader having Absolutely declined accepting his Commission as Continental Brigadier, I laid your Excellencys Letter respecting the Militia of this City, before Messieurs Morris, & Clymer, two of the Committee of Congress —It is more than Ten days ago since I wrote to General De Haas desiring His attendance in this City. Your Excellencys last Letter to him went Yesterday, If he is...
1790To George Washington from Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of yours of the 20th Feby Just now, on my Return from Esopus where I have been Labouring the Appointment of Officers to fill up the Vacancies in the Regt I am Honour’d with, but have not had influence enough to get a Single officer Appoint’d; A Majority of the Committee of Arangement not being present. Your Excellencies letter to Convention was Transmitted as soon as it Come...
1791To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 18th Ultimo. I am happy to be informed by it, that my detaining General James Clinton has your approbation. I have agreeable to your Order, directed him to exercise some of the Troops to the Cannon. He hath prevailed on a Hundred of the old Garrison, Serjeants included, to remain at Fort Montgomery ’till the 15th Instant. Near that Period, the time of...
1792To George Washington from Brigadier General Gold Selleck Silliman, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Colo. Chester the Bearer I think it my Duty to acquaint Your Excellency, that for about 6 Weekes back the Enemy’s Ships of Warr & Tenders have been, and still are cruissing along the Sound Near Connecticutt Shores, and at this Time a Fleet of 11 Sail of Ships &c. are under Sail opposite to my House, passing Westward; last Monday 7 Sail went by us to the Eastward; Tuesday Morning this Town...
1793To George Washington from William Livingston, 8 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Livingston, 8 Mar. 1777. GW’s secretary Tench Tilghman writes in reply to Livingston on 11 Mar.: “His Excellency being much indisposed commands me to acknowledge the honor of yours of the 8th Currt. Many frauds will undoubtedly arise upon the irregular Mode in which we shall be obliged to settle the accounts of the Flying Camp men of this State. Under the present...
1794To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having but a few Moments Notice of this Express I can only acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellys last Favour, & acquaint you that I will take the first Oppy of consulting Mr Cox on the Appointment of Commissary of Prisoners. As Col. Biddle the Deputy Qr Master & Col. Flower the Commissary of Stores have the Rank of Colonel who have moved in much lower Spheres in Life than Col. Cox I have no...
1795To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I trouble you with the inclosed Papers lately sent to me—respecting Prisoners sentenced by Court Martial to Confinement in Simsbury Mines in this State & sent thither agreable to you[r] Excellency’s Order —with an Account of Expences incurred for their Support &Ca I shall take it as a Favour in Behalf of the Comtee of P. Town if the Necessary Orders are given for the Refunding the Expences...
1796To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 8 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 8 Mar. 1777. GW wrote his brother John on 12 April : “I have been favourd with your Letter from Mount Vernon, and one other of the 8th Ulto which is now before me, from Bushfield.”
1797To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 9 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to write to you by General Gates and since that Time by Express—My last enclosed some Sketches of Regulations in the Q.M. Gs. Department, which requird your Excellencys Examination; and, if approvd, some fixd Time for being set in Motion. I have not heard of the Receipt of either Letter. By Order of Congress I have receivd 450,000 Dlrs towards the Purchase of Horses Wagons &...
1798To George Washington from Edward Snickers, 9 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edward Snickers, 9 Mar. 1777. GW wrote to Thomas Mifflin on 19 Mar . that “I have a letter of the 9th from Mr Snickers.”
1799To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have called on General McDougle & Informed him Confidentially of the State of Our Army he Says there is about 600 Continental Troops here with two Massa. Militia Regts he is of opinion that The Continental Troops here Should be Sent forward & that the State Should Garrison this post; for which purpose he will call on Mr Jay, and consult with him upon the most Effectual Measures to bring it...
1800To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 10 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I acknowlege the Receipt of your Favr of the 3d inst. & obse[r]ve the Contents. I have wrote the Cloathr Genll by this Express & have stated what I understand to be our Condition relative to the Cloaths for our Nine & a Part of Battalions raising in this State & shall wait his Approbation & further Orders as mentioned in mine to him. The Stopping the Prize Cloathg passing thro this State, was...