1From John Adams to Richard Peters, 5 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 28 th. of May. M r Beals Intention was not to Stay in Philadelphia more than two or three days, and his absence from this Place was accordingly very short. I thank you, for your obliging Enquiries after him, and for your kind offers of Civility to others of my Friends. I hope e’re long to be in a Condition to receive any Friend of...
2From John Adams to Richard Peters, 18 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
Success you say, in yours of the 15 th. stamps a substantial value upon measures, Yet the Motto under a Picture of O. Cromwell, is not without its Justice It is a saying in France, “We can never be ruined, for if our ruin had been possible, it would have been accomplished long ago, since the wisest Heads in France have been these hundred Years employed in doing all they could to effect it”—...
3From John Adams to Richard Peters, 2 April 1822 (Adams Papers)
If you have brought upon yourself the garrulity of old age you must blame yourself for it. Theophrastus at 90, as some say, and at a 115, as others, in his last moments is recorded to have said; it was hard to go out of the World when he had just learned to live in it. I am so far from his temper and his philosophy that I think myself so well drilled and disciplined a Soldier as to be willing...
4Robert Morris to Alexander Hamilton, Theodorick Bland, Thomas FitzSimons, Samuel Osgood, and Richard Peters, 14 April … (Hamilton Papers)
Since the Conference I had the Honor to hold with you the ninth Instant, my Mind has been continually occupied on the important Subject to which it relates. My Feelings are strongly excited by what I wish for the Public and what I apprehend both for them and for myself. The two Points which relate to my Department are the Settlement of Accounts and Advance of Pay. With respect to the first it...
5Robert Morris to Alexander Hamilton, Richard Peters, and Nathaniel Gorham, 15 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
In Consequence of the Conversation which passed between us this Morning I shall give you the best information in my Power as to the State of my Department and the Resources I can command. You have in the enclosed Paper Number one an Account of Receipts and Expenditures from the Commencement of the Year to the End of the last Month by which it appears that there is an Advance on Credit to the...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Peters, [11 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received yours of the 16 of September; of which my hurry has prevented me an earlier acknowledgement. On the subject of your letter I can only say that the present arrangements of the Treasury department include nothing which meets the object; and that every thing future must depend on legislative provision. For the present I can only assure you of my favourable impression of Mr....
7From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Peters, 29 December 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
A disappointed politician you know is very apt to take refuge in a Garden. Accordingly I have purchased about thirty acres nine miles from Town, have built a house, planted a garden, and entered upon some other simple improvements. In this new situation, for which I am as little fitted as Jefferson to guide the helm of the UStates, I come to you as an Adept in rural science for instruction....
8William Smith to Richard Peters and Benjamin Franklin, [February 1754] (Franklin Papers)
Letter: ALS : American Philosophical Society; enclosure: draft: American Philosophical Society The attitudes and behavior of the Germans of Pennsylvania toward politics, defense, and war had concerned Franklin as far back as 1747, when he flattered them in Plain Truth , hoping to win their support for the Association (see above, III , 203). He did not succeed in detaching them from the...
9Samuel Chandler to James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Peters, Benjamin Franklin, Conrad Weiser, and William Smith … (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Horace W. Smith, Life and Correspondence of the Rev. William Smith, D.D. (Philadelphia, 1880), I , 40–2. William Smith delivered this letter to Governor Hamilton a few days after he returned from England on May 22. Hamilton communicated it at once to the others named in it. Franklin, Peters, and Weiser were about to set out to Albany, so no meeting could be held...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [30 April 1754?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania It was late in the Evening when I came home last Night, or I should have sent you Mr. Smith’s Letters, concerning which I shall be glad to talk with you when you have a little Leisure. If you are at liberty to dine where you please to day, I shall be glad of your Company; my Dame being from home, and I quite Master of the House. Your humble Servant...
11Sarah Sober to Richard Peters and Benjamin Franklin: Trust Agreement, 25 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Franklin Institute; transcript: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia June 25, 1754 Abstract: An indenture by Sarah Sober of Philadelphia, widow (called in this abstract the settlor) and Richard Peters and Benjamin Franklin (called the trustees). Whereas the settlor has assigned to the trustees two bonds, one dated Aug. 17, 1753, from Stephen Shewell and Hannah...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 17 September 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer, Mr. Elphinston, has a secret Art, by which he teaches, even a veteran Scrawler, to write fairly in 30 Hours. I have often heard you laugh at the Secretary’s Writing, and I hope he will take this Opportunity of mending his Hand; for tho’ we are about to have a new Governor, and, they say, a new Assembly, I do not desire to see a new...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 5 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Stanford University Library I sent Mr. Burd’s Letter and yours which were given me by the Speaker yesterday, to Mr. Fox, who lives nearest to me of any of the Members of Assembly. I am not well enough to go about the Town in this extreme hot weather; but some of the Members having been kind enough to visit me, I find they are of Opinion that the Application to them is quite improper. As...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [c. 1 August 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The House is not yet together: But the Speaker and a Number of the Members are of Opinion that a Common Messenger will be sufficient to carry the Letters; and are not inclin’d that any Gentlemen should be charg’d with them in Behalf of the Publick. They hope the Colonel does not mean to come to Philadelphia but only into this Province, to be near the...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [5 November 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; photostat of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearers tell me that you have promis’d to furnish them with what Arms and Ammunition they have Occasion for, provided the Assembly will engage to pay for them. If the Governor judges it for the Publick Service to spare some of the few Arms at present to be got, to a Township so far within the Settlements, (as it may be, if...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 6 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Public Record Office This letter to the secretary of the American board of war was written to introduce a Frenchman who had already had vicissitudes and was to encounter many more. Louis Garanger was born about 1741 and, because of his family connections in the corps of artillery, was admitted to it as a youngster; he was on active service at the age of fifteen. His military studies...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 12 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives The Bearer Monsieur Gerard, is recommended to me by M. Dubourg, a Gentleman of Distinction here, and a hearty Friend to our Cause. I enclose his Letter that you may see the favorable Manner in which he speaks of Mr. Gerard. I thereupon take the Liberty of recommending the young Gentleman to your Civilities and Advice, as he will be quite a Stranger there, and to request...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have at Length found your Good Father, as you will see by the inclos’d, and have given Orders to furnish him with 100 £. which you will please to remit to me in Congress Interest Bills, or in a Bill from ———. The Bearer of this M. Vateville who goes over with a View of settling in Pensylvania and leaves some Money with our Banker. He is recommended to me, as a...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 25[–27] October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With great Difficulty and after much Enquiry my Correspondent in England found out the residence of your honoured father and furnished him by my orders with an hundred Pounds sterling.— I have a Letter from him acknowledging the Receipt of it; and he writes one to you which I forward by this Conveyance. He desires me to give you my sentiments what Channel may be best...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 7 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I assure all the Officers who apply to me to be introduced in to our service in America, that our armies are fully officered; that there is no vacancy in which they can be plac’d, that a great Number of good Officers who had been here to offer their service, are actually returned to france for want of Employ, and that this must be their Case if they go over. But I...
21From George Washington to Richard Peters, 30 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to recommend Colo. Fairfax (the bearer of this) to your Friendly notice while he stays in Philadelphia. He is Son of our late President (who is but just dead) and nearly related to the present Lord Fairfax Proprietor of this Neck. Business calling him to England, he is proceeding hence to New York, hoping to get a Passage in the Packet or some Ship of War; & being a Stranger in your...
22From George Washington to Richard Peters, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 28th last Month was delivered to me by the Brigadier Le Roche de Fermoy, who is now here, but unable to render me that Service, which I dare say from his Character, he would, was he better acquainted with our Language. I yesterday recd a Letter, from you without a date, mentioning that the prisoners, from York Town, were directed to halt at Newtown for my Orders. On hearing they...
23From George Washington to Richard Peters, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by a Resolve of Congress of the 10th Inst. to transmit to the Board of War a list of the Appointments made in Consequence of the powers with which I am invested by Congress, together with a Copy of all Commissions originating from and issued by me. I have made no appointments out of the Military line, but James Mease Esq: Cloathier Genl with a Salary of 150 dollars ⅌ Month. And...
24From George Washington to Richard Peters, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 7th instant inclosing Genl Gates’s Letter to Congress. A proper attention has been paid to the importance of the passes upon Hudsons River, for the Security of which a large part of the Eastern force is ordered to Peekskill and that neighbourhood, there to wait, untill the intentions of the Enemy are more fully known. You will be pleased to transmit Major...
25From George Washington to Richard Peters, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 11th. Capt. Gamble who was at princetown has been exchanged some time since, and Capt. Mcpherson who was left there wounded, has, upon his own Request, permission to go into Brunswic, whenever the State of his health will admit of his removal. The Docr will of course go with him. I never heard of any particular improper behaviour of the Docr. Genl Putnam barely...
26From George Washington to Richard Peters, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 30th May. Mr Boudinot Commy of prisoners is gone down to Congress to lay before them a State of that department and from him you will learn that Sir Wm Howe would not permit Mr pintard to act as Agent for prisoners by Virtue of any Commission from me, but assented to his being allowed to distribute any money or necessaries that might be sent in. Mr Boudinot can...
27From George Washington to Richard Peters, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 16th. The Spears have come to hand, and are very handy and will be usefull to the Rifle Men. But they would be more conveniently carried if they had a sling fixed to them, they should also have a spike in the But end to fix them in the Ground and they would then serve as a rest for the Rifle. The Iron plates which fix the Spear head to the shaft should be at least...
28From George Washington to Richard Peters, 30 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your favour of the 28th instant with the inclosures. Every proper measure has been already taken with respect to the Artillery, imported in the Amphitrite. The whole 52 pieces have been brought to Springfield, and the 31 of the Swedish light construction is ordered on thence to Litchfield; from which place they will be forwarded to camp as fast as circumstances will...
29From George Washington to Richard Peters, 7 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours dated the 19th last Month only reached me this Morning. Ezekiel Cheever Esq: is Commissary of Military Stores at Springfeild and is the person to whom you are to apply for Returns of all that are at that place. The draft of the Spear is exactly what I meant and wish that both they and the Cannisters for Cartridges may be sent forward as quick as possible. If the Cannisters are filled...
30From George Washington to Richard Peters, 12 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 8th instant. I am as much at a loss as you can be to account for the complaint of the Northern Army for the want of Arms when it plainly appears that as many if not more new ones have been delivered than they have men in the feild, besides these, there must have been, or ought to have been, a considerable number of good old Arms belonging to the Continent. I believe...
31From George Washington to Richard Peters, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favor’d with yours of 10th Inst.—As I am an utter stranger to any want of Arms in Colo. Armand’s Corps, I am pleas’d that you have fallen upon so judicious a Mode of supplying him, should it appear upon inquiry that he wants so many, which at present I can scarcely believe; however after proper Examination the necessary Steps shall be taken respecting it—should Arms be granted...
32From George Washington to Richard Peters, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your Two Favors of the 15th & 23d Inst. I have not the proceedings of the Court Martial respecting Hudson Burr. The Crime alleged against him, I recollect, was not supported by the State of the Evidence submitted to me, and therefore I refused to confirm the Court’s sentence—At the same time being informed, that he was a Citizen of Philadelphia, I advised Genl Sullivan to...
33From George Washington to Richard Peters, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 3d which I should have answered Yesterday, but I was down the River visiting the different posts. The constant demands for Arms and Accoutrements notwithstanding the great quantities lately delivered, is a thing so unaccountable, that I think no means should be left untried to investigate the true Reasons of such deficiencies in almost every Corps. The first Step...
34From George Washington to Richard Peters, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 21st: Colo. Bland who is now here informs me that the Cannon that were in the Rariton were weighed by his directions and that they are upon one of the Wharfs at Brunswic. One of them is 8 Inches and the other seven in the Bore, they are very long. The Colo. thinks they are good. There are likewise two dble fortifyed fours. They had better be sent for from...
35From George Washington to Richard Peters, 10 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 5th and 6th instant. That of the 5th incloses Copy of a letter from an officer commanding a Regiment to a Member of Congress complaining of particular slight of his Regt by the Commissary, as there is no name to the letter it is impossible for me to inquire into the Matter. I never before knew that there was any partiality shewn to the other Officers in preference...
36From George Washington to Richard Peters, 28 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The present situation of our affairs makes it necessary we should exert every nerve to collect, without loss of time, all the force we can get together, to endeavour to compensate for the loss we have sustained, and prevent the enemy’s reaping the advantage they expect from their late success. I must therefore beg the favour of you to send forward and hurry on the militia that are coming from...
37From George Washington to Richard Peters, 7 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 1st and 2d instants. The Troops coming on from Virginia should have directions to proceed from Lancaster down what is called the Horse Shoe Road and cross Schuylkill about one Mile and an half below Potts Grove, when they have crossed the River they will hear where the Army is incamped and they must reach it by the most direct Rout. I have given authorities to Mr...
38From George Washington to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 Oct. 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman docketed Peters’s letter to GW of 7 Oct. in part: “Ansd 15th.”
39From George Washington to Richard Peters, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 18th with a Return of our military Stores in the different States. I sincerely wish they were more numerous, but I hope the Gentlemen of the Secret Committee in whose department it falls to import these Articles, have been taking care to procure a further supply. Major Nicholas who is just returned from the Eastward informs me that a large quantity of lead has...
40From George Washington to Richard Peters, 3 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 24th and am glad to find that such supplies of Lead are upon the way to the different Elaboratories. Lining the flap of the Cartouch with painted Canvas will certainly be of service, considering the Badness and thinness of the leather in general, but the greatest preservative to the Cartridges is a small inside flap of pliant leather which lays close upon the top of...
41From George Washington to Richard Peters, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your favors of the 6th & 7th Inst. The inconveniences arising from the allowance of Substitutes are severely felt & I fear will encrease. I will attempt some mode to detect Deserters now in service under that denomination. The public Arms furnished the Virginia Militia were directed to be put into the Hands of a number belonging to this State who joined Genl Potter at the time...
42From George Washington to Richard Peters, 27 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favd with yours of the 11th inst. The inattention of the Officers to the dress of their Men has been I beleive one principal cause of their present bareness and want of Cloathing. I have repeatedly given positive orders that such a list of Necessaries as you call a Rag Roll, should be kept and the Articles weekly inspected, but that, like too many other wholesome Regulations has...
43From George Washington to Richard Peters, 14 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several favs. of the 28th Novemr and 4th and 5th instants came duly to hand, but the constant motion which the Army has been in since the Rect of them has prevented me from answering them before this time. Nothing but the absolute necessity which the Army lay under for want of Cloathing induced me to send out Officers to make collections, the Cloathier General represented it to me as...
44From George Washington to Richard Peters, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Captain Jones of Coll Baylers Regt of Light dragoons has a troop of Men inlisted and accoutrements compleat, but not having been able to procure Horses at the limited price, the Men are as yet dismounted. I am informed that there are a number of horses at Lancaster and Carlisle which were purchased for the North Carolina light dragoons but tis said they have neither proper Arms or...
45From George Washington to Richard Peters, 24–25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 8th instant and that of Mr Nourse of the 16th. Upon the Rect of yours some time ago, upon the subject of the leather in the Vatts at Germantown, I made enquiry, and was told then as I am now, that except that which is fit to put into the Curriers hands is immediately worked up, and that which is not sufficiently tanned is shifted into other Vatts, that it will be...
46From George Washington to Richard Peters, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 13th on the subject of the Militia which have been stationed at Easton, Bethlehem and Reading. The matter is new to me as I do not recollect ever to have ordered a Man of them to either of the above places. Colo. Nicholas Invalids have been at Easton and Bethlehem where they were kept as a Guard to the Hospitals and Stores, and therefore Militia were not necessary...
47From George Washington to Richard Peters, 11 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 19th 27th 28th and 29th Ulto. A tolerable supply of Shoes have lately arrived to the issuing Clothier’s Store from the Eastward, Pennsylvania and Jersey, and if the different persons employed in procuring that article will exert themselves to keep up the supply, I hope we shall not be much distressed during the Winter, provided we remain quietly in...
48From George Washington to Richard Peters, 18 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The troops of the Convention have advanced considerably towards the North River. They will be guarded to that place by the Militia of Connecticut and from thence to Delaware by an escort of Continental troops. As I cannot with any degree of convenience send the Continental troops beyond Delaware, I am under the necessity of desiring the Board to make a requisition to the Executive Council of...
49From George Washington to Richard Peters, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 12th inclosing a Copy of the Invoice of the different Articles ordered from Europe for the Supply of the Year 1779. The estimate of Cloathing appears to be liberal. I am not so well acquainted with the demands of the Artillery and Quarter Master Departments, but I will consult the Gentlemen at the Head of them, and if any thing is deficient, I will acquaint the...
50From George Washington to Richard Peters, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 20th Inst. Colonel Clarks procuring of Cloathing for the N. Carolina troops he commands, on Continental account was a measure taken long before it was known, that we should have it in our power to supply the whole army with that imported from france. The whole army has been directed by a general order of the 8th Inst., that all coats Jackets and breeches which...