1From George Washington to Colonel Thomas McKean, 6 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The French Gentleman whom you may recollect was at Philadelphia when I was there, in the character of the Baron de Calbiact, & who was waiting on Congress for some promotion in the Military line, is now here, and Complains of the hardship he labours under in being refused an appointment and also in having his papers & Credentials kept from him. he informs me they are in your hands, and as he...
2From George Washington to Colonel Thomas McKean, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In answer to that part of your Letter of the 10th Instt “whether, when a Brigade is drawn up, and the oldest Colonel takes the Right, his Battalion is to be on the right with him; that is, whether the Colonel gives rank to the Battalion” I shall inform you, that to the best of my Military knowledge a Regiment never looses its Rank, consequently can derive none from its Colonel, nor loose any...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas McKean, 24 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I heard your Letter read in Congress relating to the Disposition of the German Troops; and understanding from Col. Ross, that they are canton’d on the Island opposite to the Jersey Shore, I send you herewith some of the Resolutions of the Congress translated into their Language, as possibly you may find some Opportunity of conveying them over the Water,...
4From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 10 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 8th from Newark and most sincerely wish that your exertions to rouse the inhabitants of the Delaware State had been attended with better success. They certainly labour under very peculiar difficulties—the enemy in possession of their Capital—a vast number of disaffected—and the continental Army at present at too great a distance to support them. The latter is a...
5From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 1 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with your letter of the 13th March. I should be ready to afford every probable means of procuring honest testimony, to the two persons now under confinement for passing counterfeit Continental Money. But it cannot be supposed that General Howe would permit persons to come out of philadelphia to give evidence in a matter, which by being traced fairly back would fix the...
6From John Adams to Thomas McKean, 20 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
It is a long Time, Since I had the Pleasure to see you, but my Esteem is not at all diminished. None of Us have any Thing to boast of in these Times, in Respect to the Happiness of Life. You have been in disagreable Scaenes no doubt—mine have been much worse than I expected. I never heard of any Jealousy, Envy or Malevolence, among our Commissioners, at Paris, untill my Arrival at Bourdeaux....
7From John Adams to the President of Congress, 10 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 10 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 268–269. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:556–557. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an English translation of an article that...
8From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Honor done me in the Receipt of your Excellencys Favor of the 3d instant—covering the Resolutions of Congress of the 2d—The Corps of Rifle Men, requested from the State of Pensylvania, I am anxious to obtain, as I am more & more sensible of the important Benefit we may derive from their Services in our approach to New York. Your Excellency’s agreable Favor of the 6th...
9From John Adams to the President of Congress, 11 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have only time, by Major Jackson, to inform Congress, that upon Information from the Comte de Vergennes, that questions concerning Peace, under the Mediation of the two imperial Courts, were in agitation that required my Presence, I undertook the Journey and arrived here last Friday Night the 6th. of the month, and have twice waited on the Comte de Vergennes at Versailles, who this day...
10From John Adams to the President of Congress, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 13 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 287–288. LbC Adams Papers . printed : JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot Correspondence of the Late President Adams. Originally Published in the Boston Patriot. In a Series of Letters , Boston, 1809[–1810]; 10 pts. , p. 544–546. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It provided an...
11From John Adams to the President of Congress, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 13 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 283–285. LbC Adams Papers . printed : JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot Correspondence of the Late President Adams. Originally Published in the Boston Patriot. In a Series of Letters , Boston, 1809[–1810]; 10 pts. , p. 546–549. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an...
12From John Adams to the President of Congress, 14 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Copy of a Letter to the Comte de Vergennes, and Copy of Articles and an Answer. Peace is so desirable an Object, that humanity as well as Policy demands of every Nation to hearken with Patience and Sincerity to every Proposition which has a tendency to it, even only in appearance. I cannot however see any symptoms of a sincere disposition to it in the English. They...
13From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose Copy of a Letter to the Comte de Vergennes and of certain Articles and their Answers. The British Court proposed to the Imperial Courts a Congress upon two preliminary Conditions, the Rupture of the Treaty with France, and the Return of America to their Obedience. The two Imperial Courts have since proposed the inclosed Articles. Spain and France have prepared...
14From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 16 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored by the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favor of the 8th instant—with a Resolution of Congress of the 7th & an Extract of a Letter from Goverr Greene of the 7th of June, inclosed. Your Excellency is not unacquainted with the Measures which had been taken to draw forth the Aid of Militia for the Security of the State of Rhode Island, on the Withdraw of the French Troops...
15From John Adams to the President of Congress, 17 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 17 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 319–329 printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:584–588. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains a full English translation of the memorial...
16From John Adams to the President of Congress, 21 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 21 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 331–332. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:596–597. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an English translation of an article...
17From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by your Excellency’s three Letters of the 14th & 17th of this month—with the several Resolutions of Congress, & the Extracts from intercepted Letters, inclosed. I am much obliged by your attention in the Communication of the Extracts, altho I had been favored with them thro’ another Channel, previous to the Receipt of your Favor—the Intelligence to be collected from them,...
18From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favor of the 26th inst. covering a Correspondence between the Marqu i ss Lefayette & Earl Cornwallis—I am obliged by this early Transmission of the Papers—& have the Honor to concur in sentiment with your Excellency in the probable future Movement of the Enemy under Comand of His Lordship—This Conjecture is indeed already verefied...
19From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 2 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress will readily conceive the disagreeable situation in which I find myself, when they are informed, that I am not stronger at this advanced period of the Campaign than when the Army first moved out of their Winter Quarters—Justice to my own feelings and Character requires that I should lay before that Honorable Body, a summary of the measures I have taken to obtain reinforcements, and...
20From John Adams to the President of Congress, 3 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Copies of some Papers which passed between the Comte de Vergennes and me, lately at Paris. The Conjecture, that the British Court would insist upon their two Preliminaries, is become more probable by the publication of the King’s Speech at the Prorogation of Parliament. “The Zeal and Ardor which You have shewn for the Honor of my Crown,” says the King; “your firm...
21From John Adams to the President of Congress, 4 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I should Scarcely be credited, if I were to describe the present State of this Country. There is more Animosity against one another, than against the common Ennemy. They can agree upon nothing. Neither upon War, nor Peace: neither upon acknowledging the Independency of America, nor upon denying it. Hopes of a general Peace, which flatter all Parties, are continually kept up by Tales and...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 4 August 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of June the 15th . with which your Excellency was pleased to honor me came unfortunately when I was absent on a journey to the county of Bedford an hundred miles Southward of this. I there received it on the 9th. of July, and a return to this place was necessary to furnish me certain informations on which depended materially my powers to obey the wishes of Congress. This return was...
23From John Adams to the President of Congress, 6 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 6 August 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 347–350. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:623.. In this letter, which was read in Congress on 16 Nov., John Adams provided an English translation of a report dated 13 July at St....
24From John Adams to the President of Congress, 6 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
In several of the London Newspapers of July 26th. appeared the following paragraph. “An order has been sent from Lord Hillsborough’s Office for bringing Curson and Governieur, whom We sometime ago mentioned to have been confined by Command of Sir George Rodney and General Vaughan for having carried on a traiterous Correspondence with the Enemy at St. Eustatia, to Town to be confined in Newgate...
25From John Adams to the President of Congress, 8 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
This People must have their own Way. They proceed like no other. There cannot be a more striking Example of this, than the Instructions given to Privateers and Letters of Mark. The Commander is ordered to bring his Prizes into some Port of the United Provinces, or into the Ports or Roads of the Allies and Friends of this Republick, especially France, Sweeden, North America, or Spain: and the...
26From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 8 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor in inform Congress, thro’ your Excellency, that a late meeting between the American & British Commissaries of Prisoners, it has been propos’d by the latter to go into a full exchange of Lt Genll Burgoyne and all the remaining Officers of Convention (by composition where Rank will not apply) for the remainder of our Officers in this Quarter, and after them for those taken...
27From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 13 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 28th ulto and 3d 7th and 9th Insts. I esteem myself happy in a personal communication with Mr Morris & Mr Peters. good consequences must certainly result from taking up the affairs of the next campaign at so early a period as the present. I shall in obedience to the order of Congress transmit their resolve respecting the treatment of our...
28From John Adams to the President of Congress, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Temple has held offices of such Importance, and a Rank so considerable in America, before the Revolution, that his Return to his native Country at this time, cannot fail to cause much Speculation, and it is to be feared some diversity of sentiments concerning him. As he came from London to Amsterdam and did me the honor of a visit, in which he opened to me his design of returning, and his...
29From John Adams to the President of Congress, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 16 August 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 370–373. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:640. This letter, read in Congress on 12 Nov., contains an English translation of a “verbal insinuation” to the Dutch minister at St. Petersburg,...
30From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received, and do sincerely thank you, for the several articles of important intelligence contained in your private letter of the 12th—the continuation of such confidential communications will be highly pleasing to me and may be exceedingly beneficial, considered in a public point of view, as circumstances (well authenticated) should influence measures as certainly as causes produce...
31From John Adams to the President of Congress, 18 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
We have recieved at last Parkers Account of the Action with Admiral Zoutman: according to which, the Battle was maintained with a continual fire for three Hours and forty Minutes, when it became impossible to work his Ships. He made an Attempt to recommence the Action, but found it impracticable. The Bienfaisant had lost his Main-Top-Mast, and the Buffalo her Mizzen Yard, and the other Vessels...
32From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 18 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress having, in their late Regulations respecting promotion, pointed out certain districts in which Battalion Officers are to be promoted to the rank of Brigadrs by seniority—the senior Colonels in those Districts who suppose themselves, in consequence of that Resolution, entitled to succeed as Brigadiers to the command of the Brigades which are now Vacant, are anxious respecting their...
33From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 18 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to an order of Congress of the 10th of May last, I appointed a Board of Officers to consider and determine upon the Memorial of Udney Hay Esqr. I do myself the honor to inclose a Copy of their Report and am with the highest Respect Yr Excellencys Most obt and hble servt DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington, PCC—Papers of the Continental Congress. At a board of general...
34From John Adams to the President of Congress, 22 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Constitution of this Country is such, that it is difficult to discover the general Sense. There have been all along Circumstances in which it might be discerned; but these were so feeble, and so susceptible of Contradiction and Disguise, that some extraordinary Exertions were necessary to strike out unquestionable proofs of the Temper and Opinion of the Nation. Last Spring, the Part of...
35From John Adams to the President of Congress, 22 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
The late glorious Victory, obtained by Admiral Zoutman over Admiral Parker, is wholly to be ascribed to the Exertions of Amsterdam. Pretences and Excuses would have been devised, for avoiding to send out the Fleet, and indeed for avoiding an Action, when at Sea, if it had not been for the Measures which have been taken to arouse the Attention and animate the Zeal of the Nation. The Officers...
36From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform Congress, that my Expectation of the Arrival of the Fleet of Monser DeGrasse, in the Chesapeak Bay—with some other Circumstances, of which Congress were informed in my Letter of the 2d of Augst & in which very little alterations have since taken place—have induced me to make an Alteration in the concerted Operations of this Campaign. I am now on my March with a very...
37From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General Duportail has very earnestly solicited the exchange of Colos Laumois and Cambray of the Corps of Engineers who were taken prisoners at Charles Town upon the principal of the utility which they would be of to the southward should we carry on any operations in that Quarter—Altho I am impressed with the truth of Genl Duportails observation upon this matter I cannot without...
38From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 4 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the Copy of a Letter, received last night from the Commanding Officer of the British Marine at New York, in answer to mine respecting the treatment of Naval Prisoners; and have to request the decision of Congress, whether an Officer shall be sent in, to inspect the situation of our Prisoners, under the proposed conditions. I have the honor to be With perfect...
39From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 5 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
With the highest Pleasure, I do myself the Honor to transmitt to your Excellen c y the inclosed Copy of a Letter from Genl Gist—It announces the safe Arrival in the Chesapeak of Admiral D. Grasse with 28 Ships of the Line. On this happy Event, I beg your Excellency to accept my warmest Congratulations. I shall proceed myself with all possible Dispatch—forwardg as I go on, the Troops, Stores...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 7 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20’th Ult. inclosing a duplicate of the resolution of Congress which honoured me with an appointment is just come to hand. I received the Original on the 9th. of July, and was prevented answering it till the 4th. of Aug. by accidents which I therein endeavored to explain. This answer I took the liberty of putting under cover to the honble. Majr. Genl. Marquis la...
41From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 12 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Meeting the enclosed Packet at this Place—I have taken the liberty to open it, expecting to find a Letter for myself which proves to be the Case—I now enclose the Packet, which goes on with my Apology for the Liberty taken. I am pursuing my March from this—& expect to join the Marquis in two Days from this Time. With highest Respect & Esteem I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedt...
42From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 15 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Congress, that I arrived at this place last evening; that soon, after my arrival, I receiv’d the pleasing intelligence that the Count de Grasse, who had put to Sea on the 5th in pursuit of the British Fleet, had returned to his Former Station at Cape Henry, having driven the British from the Coast—taken two of their Frigates and effected a junction with the Squadron...
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 5 th July last, with the papers therewith enclosed, were delivered to me on the 29 th . ult o : by Major Franks whom the procrastination of the minister still obliges me to detain . The new commissions ^ with ^ which Congress have honored me, argue a degree of confidence, which demands my warmest acknowlegments, and which so far as it may be founded on an opinion...
44From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 23 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my Arrival at this Place, I found it would be attended with good Consequences for me to see Admiral DeGrasse in Person—this right I have performed & met the Count on Board the Ville de Paris at Cape Henry, from whence I am just returned— I am happy to inform Congress, that I found the French Admiral disposed in the best Manner, to give us all the Assistance in his Power, & perfectly to...
45From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 23 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I hold myself exceedingly obliged to your Excellency for your favor of the 15th. The intelligence it contains is so important, that I immediately transmitted it to the Count de Grasse, whose superiority, ever supposing Digby should have arrived with ten ships will be considerable. I find every disposition in the Admiral to act with vigor and decision. Want of time obliges me to refer your...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 30 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Mr. William Short purposing to Philadelphia for the prosecution of his studies, I do myself the honor under authority of the acquaintance I had the pleasure of forming with you in Philadelphia, of introducing him to your notice, persuaded that should you give him an opportunity of being known to you, you will think it a circumstance not merely indifferent to add to the number of...
47From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 1 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I was honored with your Excellencys Favor of the 21st ulto with its Inclosure—The Intelligence it contains respectg the British Fleet, is very agreable, & will be imediately transmitted to the Count de Grasse. In my last, which bore Date the 23d ulto I informed, that our Preparations for a near Investment of the Enemy at York, were fast ripening to a Point—I have now to acquaint...
My letter of the 25 th April last by M r ; Toscan informed Congress that on the 30 th day of January preceding, I had the honour of receiving their letters of the 6 th . & 17 October 1780 the latter of which states particularly, and ably, the right of the United States to the free navigation of the river Mississippi, and enumerates the various reasons which induce them to decline relinquishing...
49From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 6 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor without date, but which I suppose to have been written about the 25th ultimo, as the Revolution for sending Genll Irvine to Fort Pitt bears date the 24th. Since mine to your Excellency of the 1st inst., we have been imployed in repairing the Enemy’s Works upon Pidgeon Hill, and in constructing a new intermediate Redoubt; These will serve to give...
50From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 6 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself peculiarly obliged and honored by your Excellency’s interesting communication of the 26th Ulto. That America must place her principal dependence upon her own exertions I have always foreseen and have ever endeavoured to inculcate; and I flatter myself that from the wise system of policy which has been of late adopted and which Congress seem determined to pursue our internal means...