151From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The post being about to depart I have only time to add, That no event of importance has taken place on this side Hudson’s River since my last of the 22d Instt. The Inclosed Letter received last night from Genl Greene, who now commands in the Jerseys, will give Congress all the information I have respecting the evacuation of powles Hook and the landing of the Enemy to possess It. I this minute...
152From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the hours allotted to Sleep, I will borrow a few moments to convey my thoughts on sundry important matters to Congress. I shall offer them with that sincerety which ought to characterize a Man of candour; and with the freedom which may be used in giving useful information, without incurring the imputation of presumption. We are now as it were, upon the eve of another dissolution of our...
153From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having wrote you fully on sundry important Subjects this morning, as you will perceive by the Letter which accompanies this, I mean principally now to inclose a Copy of a Letter, received from Genl Howe on Sunday evening with the Lists of the prisoners in his Hands—of those in our possession belonging to the Army immediately under his Command, & of my Answer, which were omitted to be put in...
154From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing in particular to communicate to Congress by this days post, as Our situation is the same as when I last wrote. We are now sitting on the business, the Committee came upon, which it is probable will be finished this Evening. the result they will duly report upon their return. I received Yesterday, the Inclosed Declarn by a Gentleman from Eliza. Town, who told me, many Copies were...
155From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Being about to cross the North River this morning in order to view the post opposite and the Grounds between that and powles Hook, I shall not add much more than that I have been honored with your favor of the 24th and Its several inclosures, and that since my Letter of Yesterday no Important event has taken place. As Colo. Hugh Stephenson of the Rifle Regiment ordered lately to be raised, is...
156From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you last nothing of importance has transpired, tho from some movements yesterday on the part of the Enemy it would seem as if something was Intended. The inclosed memorial from Lieut. Colo. Sheppard of the 4th Regiment, I beg leave to submit to the consideration of Congress, and shall only add that I could wish they would promote him to the Command of the...
157From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to you the inclosed Letter from Lt Colo. Livingston with Sundry Copies of Genl Delancey’s Orders, which discover the measures the Enemy are pursuing on Long Island for raising Recruits and obtaining supplies of provisions; in consequence of the intelligence they contain and authentic advices thro other Channels respecting these matters, I have sent Brigadr...
158From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Before I knew of the late resolutions of Congress which you did me the honour to Inclose in your Letter of the 24th, and before I was favourd with the visit of your Comee, I took the liberty of giving you my Sentimts on several points which seem’d to be of Importance. I have no doubt but that the Comee will make such report of the State & Condition of the Army as will induce Congress to...
159Enclosure, 4 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Table of Proposed Pay Increases for Officers Present Pay Suppose intended Difference 1 Colonel £15 £ 25 £ 10 1 Lieut. Colo. 12 20 8 1 Major 10 15 5 8 Capts. @ £8 64 £10
160From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your favor of the 2d, with sundry Resolutions of Congress. The Officers that concurred in the Acquittal of Ensign Macumber shall be called upon, to assign their reasons for their first judgement which shall be sent as soon as they are collected. In respect to the Exchange of prisoners, I fear it will be a work of great difficulty owing to their dispersed and...
161From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to you, a Copy of a Letter from the Compte D’Emery, Govr Genl of the French part of St Domingo, which I received Yesterday, and also my Answer, which I have enclosed and left open for the consideration of Congress, wishing that it may be sealed, if they approve of the Seiur De Chambeau’s releasment, and which I think may be attended with many valuable...
162From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Dr Skinner having been very urgent and pressing to go to Philadelphia, in order to procure medicine for the sick of his regiment, I could by no means refuse my assent to his proposition; By him I beg leave to inform you, that the applications of the Regimental Surgeons, are very frequent and importunate; & it is not in my power to satisfy their demands; their situation will be fully made known...
163From George Washington to John Hancock, 8–9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing you Yesterday, I have been favoured with a Letter from the Honble Council of Massachusetts bay, covering One from Richard Derby Esqr., a Copy of which is herewith transmitted, as it contains intelligence of an important and interesting nature. As an Exchange of prisoners is about to take place, I am induced from a Question stated in a Letter I received from...
164From George Washington to John Hancock, 11–13 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you, that since my Letter of the 8th and 9th Instt, which I had the honor of addressing you, Nothing of importance has occurred, except that the Ships of War, which I then mentioned, in their passage up the River, took a Sloop that was at Anchor off the Mouth of Spitendevil, and Two of our Row Gallies, which they out sailed. The Crews finding that they could not prevent...
165From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday morning honoured with your favor of the 15th with the Resolutions of the 11th and 14th. the latter by which Congress have authorized me to appoint Monsr Pennet a Brevet Aid De Camp, claims a return of my acknowledgements. Last night I received a Letter from Mr Varrick, Secretary to Genl Schuyler, inclosing a Copy of One from Genl Arnold to Genl Gates. The Intelligence...
166From George Washington to John Hancock, 6 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that on yesterday morning the Enemy made a sudden and unexpected movement from the Several posts they had taken in our Front. they broke up their whole Encampments the preceding night, and have advanced towards King’s bridge and the North river. the design of this manuvre, is a matter of much conjecture and speculation, and cannot be accounted for with any...
167From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a Copy of a Letter from Genl Gates to Genl Schuyler, and of another paper containing intelligence respecting the Northern Army, and the situation of the Enemy in that department. they this minute came to hand, and to them I beg leave to refer you for particulars. By every information I can obtain, and the accounts I had last night by Two deserters, who were...
168From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only time to acknowledge the honor of your Letter of the 5th Instt and Its Several Inclosures, and to inform you, that agreable to the Resolves of Congress I shall use every measure in my power that the moving & present confused State of the Army will admit of, for to appoint Officers for recruiting. You will have been advised before this of the arrival of Commissioners from the...
169From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you of my arrival here Yesterday and that the whole of the Troops belonging to the States which lay South of Hudsons River and which were in New York Government have passed over to this side, except the Regiment lately Colo. Smalwoods, which I expect is now on their march. That they may be ready to check any incursions the Enemy may attempt in this Neighbourhood, I...
170From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you last, an important Event has taken place; of which I wish to give you the earliest Intelligence. The preservation of the Passage of the North River was an Object of so much Consequence that I thought no pains or Expence too great for that purpose, and therefore after sending off all the valuable Stores except such as were necessary for its Defence, I...
171From George Washington to John Hancock, 19–21 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have not been yet able to obtain a particular account of the unhappy affair of the 16th, nor of the Terms on which the Garrison surrendered. The Intelligence that has come to hand, is not so full and accurate as I could wish. One of the Artillery, & whose information is most direct, who escaped on Sunday night, says, the Enemy’s loss was very considerable, especially in the attack made above...
172From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet heard that any Provision is making to supply the place of the Troops composing the Flying Camp, whose departure is now at hand. The situation of our Affairs is truly critical & such as requires uncommon exertions on our part. From the movements of the Enemy & the information we have received, they certainly will make a push to possess themselves of this part of the Jersey. In...
173From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do my self the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 21st & 24th with their Several Inclosures. The execution of the Resolves has been & will be attended to, as far as in my power. I have wrote to Genl Schuyler to send down as early as possible, the Troops in the northern department from this and the State of Pensylvania. The proposition for exchanging Mr Franklin for Genl...
174From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of the 26th and with its Inclosures, by which I perceive the measures that have been adopted for forwarding a reinforcement of Militia. Their arrival is much to be wished, the situation of our Affairs being truly alarming and such as demands the earliest aids. As Genl Mifflins presence may have a happy influence on the disposition and temper of many of the...
175From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday had the Honor of writing you and to advise of our arrival here. I am now to inform you that the Enemy are still advancing and that their Vanguard had proceeded as far as Bonum, a small Town about four miles this side of Woodbridge according to my last intelligence. As to their number reports are various. Some say they were joined yesterday by a considerable reinforcement from...
176From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
In a little time after I wrote you this Evening, the Enemy appeared in several parties on the Heights opposite Brunswic and were advancing in a large body towards the crossing place. We had a smart canonade whilst we were parading our Men but without any or but little loss on either side. It being impossible to oppose them with our present force with the least prospect of success, we shall...
177From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here this morning with our Troops between Eight and Nine oClock, when I received the Honor of your Letter of the 1st with its Inclosure. When the Enemy first landed on this side the North River, I apprehended that they meant to make a push this way, and knowing that the force which I had, was not sufficient to oppose ’em, I wrote to Genl Lee to cross with the Several Continental...
178From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here myself Yesterday Morning with the main Body of the Army, having left Ld Stirling with two Brigades at princetown and that Neighbourhood to watch the Motions of the Enemy and give Notice of their Approach. I am informed that they had not entered Brunswic yesterday Morning at 9 OClock, but were on the opposite Side of the Rariton. Immediately on my Arrival here, I ordered the...
179From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you Yesterday, I received a Letter from Genl Lee. On the 30th Ulto he was at Peeks Kills, and expected to pass the River with his division two days after. From this intelligence you will readily conclude, that he will not be able to afford us any aid for several days. The report of Genl Sinclair’s having Joined him with Three or four Regiments, I believe to...
180From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As nothing but necessity obliged me to retire before the Enemy, & leave so much of the Jerseys unprotected, I conceive it my duty, and it corresponds with my Inclination to make head against them so soon as there shall be the least probability of doing it with propriety. That the Country might in some measure be covered, I left two Brigades consisting of the Five Virginia Regiments and that of...