1From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the Inclosed Declaration, which I have the honor to Transmit you, that Congress of late have been employed in deliberating on matters of the utmost Importance. Impelled by necessity and a repetition of Injuries unsufferable, without the most distant prospect of releif, they have asserted the claims of the American Colonies to the rights of Humanity and declared them Free...
2From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 28 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By certain Advices just received, I am informed that a Fleet consisting of 130 Sail left Hallifax the 9th Instt bound for this Place, and am well assured that General Howe is already arrived at the Hook in the Greyhound —I do therefore in the most pressing manner request, that you would not lose a moments time in sending forward the Militia of your Province, as the Enemy will undoubtedly...
3From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 16 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Honourable Continental Congress having come to sundry resolutions respecting the Cannon & Stores in & about Boston, and the mode to be observed for paying the Militias lately called in for the defence of the Lines before Boston, I do myself the honor to Transmit you Copies thereof, lest they may not have come to hand. I wou’d Observe that I think It will be of advantage to you to make your...
4From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 27 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen: The continued accumulation of price, and the scarcity which prevails throughout the camp, for the several articles of wood, hay, &c., oblige me to address your honourable Houses again upon this subject. The distress of the Army for these necessaries, I fear, will be followed, with the most dreadful effects to the general cause in which we are engaged, unless some speedy and...
5From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Among many resolves of Congress which were forwarded to me the other day, are the Inclosed. Not being able to discover from the Resolves themselves, or the Letter which accompanied them, whether a Copy had been transmitted to you by the President, or to be handed in by me, I thought it best to err on the safe side, especially as the Q. M. Genl has just inform’d me that he is exceeding scarce...
Passy, 22 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:110 . Citing the usual practice under the law of nations of allowing six months after the commencement of hostilities for subjects of both sides to remove their property, Adams and Franklin requested that, if possible, the General Court...
7From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 28 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Indian who accompanies Mr Kirtland is an Oneida Chief of considerable Rank in his own Country. He has come on a Visit to the Camp principally to satisfy his Curiosity: But as his Tribe has been very friendly to the Cause of the united Colonies, & his Report to his nation at his Return have important Consequences to the publick Interest, I have studiously endeavoured to make his Visit...
8From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 13 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The prospect of a vigorous attack upon Ticonderogo some time past, founded on a supposition that the Enemy might pass the Lakes on the Ice, induced me to order all the Continental Battalion of your State to march as fast as they were raised to that Post. A reconsideration of their Views, and the well grounded probability that they will draw the greater part of their force from Canada by Water...
9From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 7 July 1776 . Acknowledges the General Court’s letter of 2 July and thanks its members for their “compliance with the requisition of Congress” and “your kind wishes for my success.” LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, owned (1973) by the Rare Coin Company of America, Chicago; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
10From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 10 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding I have taken every method my Judgement could Suggest to procure a Sufficient Number of Firelocks for the Soldiers of this Army, by Applications to the Assemblies & Conventions of these Governments, as well as by sending Officers out with Money to purchase, I am constrained by necessity to Inform you, that the deficiency is amazingly great, and that there are not nigh enough to...