3401To George Washington from George Walton, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Well aware of the many great objects which necessarily & constantly occupy your mind, I would not trouble you upon the present occasion, were I not pressed to it by the bearer. He is appointed to the command of the fourth Georgia-Battalion, which is yet in great part to be raised, and that too in other states. I have suggested to him the several difficulties; I have told him, that; as Congress...
3402From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Count Pulawski of Poland, an Officer famous throughout Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defence of the Liberties of his Country against the three great invading Powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia, will have the Honour of delivering this into your Excellency’s Hands. The Court here have encouraged and promoted his Voyage, from an Opinion that he may be highly...
3403To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Zebulon Butler, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Persuent to Orders reced from your Exelency by the Hand of Majr Genl Lincoln I have Marched with the three detachments from Connecticut Regiments; Part of the Westmoreland Independant Companies have Joined me as was Ordered and more will be in this day. I am Now Encamped upon the Heights between Chatham and Springfield—Genl Stevens had Left this Place before my Arival & I am destitute of any...
3404To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Carnes being now in waiting, I have Time only to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 18th Instant and shall pay strict attention and obediance thereto, General Glover and Colo. Pickering set out this day or to morrow to join the Army And the French Officers on Monday, In my next I will transmit to your Excellency a Return of such Stores and Ordnance as are gone on to...
3405To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Putnam arrived here to the 22d, he has Since been Viewing the river and the Country, tomorrow he takes the command. A Flag I Sent to Newyork the day before yesterday, to exchange Families of ours on the Nassau Island, for Some of the Enemies, who had leave of Convention to leave this part of the State, has this day brought me the Following intelligence. “That they were not Suffered to...
3406To George Washington from Major Apollos Morris, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
My knowledge of Coll Tillingmans departure was too late to give me time to reexamine my letter. The leave therein was therefore too bald for the dictates of my heart or understanding, when speaking to a person whose character I revere, whose justly exalted Station demands respect from every one & to whom I look on myself as oblig’d by Tyes of gratitude for the Confidence shewn as well as for...
3407To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Late last night the Inclosed from General poor, was brought me Express from Ticonderoga. I also inclose Your Excellency a General Return of the Garrison at that post dated the 24th Instant, by which You will perceive the shameful deficiency in the Numbers proper for it’s defence. Artillerists are likewise much Wanted; I always expected Six Companies: Two, is as many as can be said to be there....
3408To George Washington from Captain Francis Grice and W. Masters, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to directions of General Mifflin, we are to informe your Excellency of ower safe arival at Corrells, wth a Continental Fleet consisting of eight flat bottom boats, fixed on Carrages; we expect a reinforsement of twelve by friday next all wch when arrived shall agreable to your Excellency’s order be kept on the Carrages untill further Order. The bearer Capt. Grace informes us of a...
3409To George Washington from James Lovell, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As chairman of the Committee on foreign applications, I inclose herewith to your Excellency the only list which has come to hand from France, tending, in any manner, to discover the arrangement made there of the officers who lately arrived in the Amphitrite. Should it appear hereafter by any vouchers that some of them have a just claim by compact to higher commissions, Congress will attend to...
3410To George Washington from Richard Peters, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Board I do myself the Honour of troubling your Excellency for Information on the Subject of our Prisoners who are with the Enemy. I am directed to enquire whether a Commissary has been sent in to supply them or in what Situation that Business now is & what Steps have been taken which have fallen within your Observation for the Relief of their Wants. The Board are desirous of...
3411To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Mitchell and two other Gentlemen who went (the day before Yesterday) to New York, with a Flagg (to exchange some of the Inhabitants of this Neighberhood, who had a great desire to go in; for some of the Citizens who were equally desirous to come out) we have the following Intelligence Vitz. That while he Lay in the River with the Flagg (for they would not suffer him to go on shore) he...
3412To George Washington from Colonel Robert Magaw, June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive this by Capt. Lieut. Randal of Genl Knox’s Regiment of Artillery who goes out on Exchange and can inform you of the state of the Prisoners on this Island. at the same time they bear their misfortune with proper Spirit & Magninimity we are surprized & concerned that not the least publick Provision has yet been sent in for our support. we are well informed that many...
3413To George Washington from Lewis Morris, 1 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lewis Morris, 1 June 1777. GW wrote Morris on 12 June : “Your favor of the 1st Instant has been duly receiv’d.”
3414To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is Impossible for me at this Juncture to obey your Instruction with respect to the Boats, we have verry few Flat Bottom’d ones here, and as yet only one Whale Boat has been employ’d in Cruising in the River I have Directed the Quarter Master to have Eight Built Immediately, and a proper officer with a party of men to man them—four of them I intend shall be kept alway’s down the River as a...
3415To George Washington from Col. George Baylor, 2 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. George Baylor, 2 June 1777. GW wrote Baylor on 19 June : “Yours of the 2d Instt I received by Yesterdays Post.”
3416To George Washington from Lieutenant General Cornwallis, 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I understand that Lieut: Martin when surrounded by a Party of Hessian Cavalry did not ask quarter, but on the contrary wounded one of the Hessians, when they were close to him, which so exasperated the others that they immediately cut him down with their Sabres; When a man is kill’d in that manner his body must of course be mangled: But the Hessians gave the strongest Proof that they were not...
3417To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed from Brigadier General poor, is this moment come to Hand by Express. I never thought it was possible, for the Main Force of the Enemy to come so early up The Lake; unless Tory intelligence had induced them, when the Garrison of Ticonderoga was very weak, to have made an extraordinary effort to reduce that post. Inclosed is the Commissary’s Return of provissions now at Ticonderoga....
3418To George Washington from Major Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
your Excelle. will be pleased to ex[c]use the Liberty I take in Sending this Plan. I called it a Legion formed of 13 Companys in case it should be called the Legion of the Congress! any Alteration Your Excelle. should think proper to order, I could soon make. In case the Congress should not like the raising of such a Corps—I still wish to be Usefull to Your Excle. Army in any other Brange...
3419To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d by yours of this days post. In answer to Dr Craiks to me, containing the same sentiments as are expressed in his letter to your excellency, I have enclosed his commission & desired him till he can come on, to assist & direct Dr Tilton one of our senior Surgeons who writes me he has near 1100 Carolinians, officers included, under inoculation at Dumfries, Alexandria & Georgetown;...
3420To George Washington from Colonel Charles Mynn Thruston, 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Whippany [N.J.] 2 June 1777 . Introduces the bearer “Mr John Byrn whom I have appointed Adjutant to the Regiment now raising for Me. . . . While the Companies are recruiting He concieves it will be in his power to lend a good helping hand to the difficult task, in the South Western Frontier of Virga; Where he has some popular connexions. . . . I could wish therefore, If Your Excellency have no...
3421To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Glover and Colo. Pickering being waiting to proceed on their Journey to the Army, I have only time to acknowledge the honor of yours of the 23d Ulto, and beg leave to inform your Excellency, that notwithstanding the Distresses of the Soldiery sent from this State to Peekskill for want of Cloathing, and an Officer from each Regiment Stationed there having come here to procure it. It...
3422To George Washington from Joseph Trumbull, 3 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Trumbull, 3 June 1777. Tench Tilghman wrote Trumbull on this date: “His Excellency commands me to acknowledge yours of this date.”
3423To George Washington from Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 4 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 4 June 1777. GW wrote George Clinton on 8 June : “Your favor of 4th Inst. I receiv’d this Morning.”
3424To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 4 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with yours of the 29th May ⅌ Express & take the first Oppy to express my sincere & grateful Acknowledgments of the Favour intended me by appointing me to the Command of the Horse. The Difficulties which have arisen in Congress, the Time, Manner & Circumstances under which the Appointment as General Officer has been made so as to enable me to profit by your Favour, added to the...
3425To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 4 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 4 June 1777. Alexander Hamilton wrote Sullivan on this date: “His Excellency [GW] has received your favour of this day.”
3426To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves are all I have in Charge from Congress to forward at this Time. General Mifflin having applied to Congress in Consequence of your Letter to him, he has their Permission to repair immediately to Head Quarters agreeably to his own Desire. I have made him acquainted with this Determination of Congress. In Order that you may be enabled to meet Genl Howe upon his own Ground...
3427To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
About ten days past—there was about two Tierces Tea found by some of my Troops at Paramus—it was hid in the Woods—and by the best account belongs to a great Villian Fled to New York—The party who found it Seems to think they are intitled to the benifit of it, but have forbid their makeing use of any of it—Judging it rather to belong to the States—and had orderd it Sent to Head Quarters for the...
3428To George Washington from General William Howe, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
So many Days having elapsed since my Letter to you of 22d May was dispatched without an Answer, and lest by any Accident it should not have got to your Hands, I am induced to send a Duplicate thereof, and to press my Request for your final Decision upon the Demands therein contained. With due Respect, I am Sir, your most obedient Servant LS , DLC:GW ; copy, DLC:GW ; copy, enclosed in GW to...
3429To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Resolution of Congress of the 31 ultimo has been shewn to me by some French Officers attached to the Corps of Artillery under my command, ordaining that all Officers of Artillery engaged by Mr Deane in France shall take rank in the American Artillery according to the dates of their brevet commissions in the French service. I believe the Congress did not sufficiently consider the consequences...
3430To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been much Us’d to ask Favors of your Excellency nor do I wish in any Instance to be gratified where the Public Service will be injurd by it. As I have had much Trouble in raising & forming the Regiments in this State, I should esteem it a particular Favor if I could be indulged in having the first Regiment, Col. Wyllys’s, Col. Bradly’s & Col. Saml Webb’s arrangd in the Brigade I am...
3431To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 5 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 5 June 1777. GW wrote Sullivan on 7 June : “I have yours of the 5th.”
3432To George Washington from d’Annemours, 6–7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to Communicate to your Exelency a letter Which I intend to Send to the Persons I mention’d to you at moris town, when I had the honour to wait upon you there. I have not translated it in English Because I am conscious Colonel hamilton will do it (even verbally) Better than I Could have done in writing. I have Spared none of the Reasons that are able to Determine them to Come...
3433To George Washington from Lieutenant General Cornwallis, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Lt Col: Sterling of the 42d Regt wishes to send an Officer with money & necessaries to the men of that Regiment who are confined at Philadelphia & Lancaster: I am to desire that you will please to let me know whether you chuse to comply with Lt Col: Stirling’s Request. I am, Sir, with due Respect Your Most Obedt Servt LS , DLC:GW . The closing and address are in Cornwallis’s handwriting....
3434To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to transmit sundry Resolves, wherein you will perceive the Congress have expressed the most entire Satisfaction of your Conduct relative to the Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners, and their Approbation of your Principles and Reasoning on that Occasion; insomuch that it is their Desire you will steadily adhere to them for the future. You will please to order a List of...
3435To George Washington from Gabriel Jones, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to express my gratitude in the most sincerest terms for the kind and polite reception my son met with from yr Excellency—your bestowing a Company upon him was far beyond my expectation my intention in sending him was to make a Campaign as a Volunteer as I understood by General Weedon you wanted men and knew how extremely backward our young Gentlemen had been to enter the service...
3436To George Washington from James Mease, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing your Excellency the 18 past since which am without any of your Excellencys favours As I find a number of the Eastern troops are at Peeks Kill without clothing owning to some mistake or other I have dispatch’d Mr Young to meet the clothing coming this way with directions to Issue what is wanting as far as it will go There are no coats in this parcel of clothing except...
3437To George Washington from John Rutledge, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Charleston [S.C.] 6 June 1777 . “This will be delivered to you by Mr Laurens, (Son of the Vice-President of this State,) who wishes to render his best Services to America, in a military Capacity, & with that View, has lately returned, from a foreign, to his native Country—He is desirous of acting in a more extensive Sphere than that may probably soon afford, of being where Experience will...
3438To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the enclosed Line from Cohoss, from the Revd Doctr Langdon of Cambridge. It was wrote to the Doctr by Colo. Hurd of the Militia who lives at Haverhill, in the State of New Hampshire, about 150–Miles from St Johns. The Doctr informs me that he is a Man of Veracity and thinks the Account may be depended on; if so little is to be feared from that Quarter. One of our State,...
3439To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Multiplicity of busyness the miscarriage of letters or some accident has prevented you from doing what really is in my opinion an act of justice—I mean clearing up to the world the charge brought against Lord Drummond for a breach of Parole; after having read all the Papers relative to this subject, his letters to you, yours to him, Capt. Vanderputs and the Parole —I declare solemnly that it...
3440To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Sometime since the Council received Your Excellencys favor under the 29th September 1776 Recommending to them to Collect all the Prisoners within this State in Order to be exchanged, a Commissary was immediately appointed, who was furnished with the Necessary Instructions for that purpose, agreeable to the plan laid down by your Excellency—and many of the Prisoners were accordingly...
3441To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 7 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 7 June 1777. GW wrote Sullivan on 7 June : “Yours of this date just come to hand.”
3442To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just arrivd here and to my Surprize find very few of the Boats brought up from Trenton. Mr Coryel has been two days on that Service and says it is with great difficulty they brought up four Boats with 24 Men in 2 days. I send off a strong party this Night for the Boats and will have them up by some Means or other. We have here 3 large Artillery Flats; four Scows, each of which will...
3443To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Receiv’d your favor of the 2d Inst. and with [regard] to taking steps to procure the Cloathing, I had previous to Receipt of your Letter desired General [McDougall] to send an officer from each of the Regts from Massachusetts, to inquire into the state of it and make a Report as soon as possible, none of which has yet Returnd, but expect them every day—another officer was sent to Albany to...
3444To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
At the time I last wrote to your Excellency it was impossible for me to assertain the exact number of the Dead and Deserted of my Regiment, since which I have been thro’ the different parts of the State promoteing (as far as was in my power) the recruiting service, and am happy in informing your Excellency that the Officers of my Regiment in general have exerted themselves to their utmost, my...
3445To George Washington from William Livingston, 9 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Livingston, 9 June 1777. GW wrote John Sullivan on 12 June that “Govr Livingston, in a letter of the 9th instant, informs me that he had ordered the Militia of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland to assemble at Mount Holly and that Colo. Bowes Reed was to assemble his Regt at Borden Town.”
3446To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 9 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are not unacquainted that an unhappy Dispute has long subsisted between Genl McDougall and Col. H. B. Livingston, I found it necessary, upon my Arrival at this Post, to appoint a G.C.M. for the Tryal of Col. Livingston, then under Arrest—Genl Geo. Clinton presided, the Members were all Field Officers—A Respectable Court, and whose Sentence should have been determinate—Copies of their...
3447To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 9 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose you a Letter under flying Seal for the president of Congress—I have Nothing farther to communicate than what your Excellency will find contained therein. I should be extremely happy if only one Troop of Horses could be spared for this Department. As we have not any Field pieces in this Department, I have applied to Colonel Mason at Springfield for twelve, to be...
3448To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 9 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 9 June 1777. Richard Kidder Meade wrote Sullivan on 10 June: “The Genl [GW] was favor’d with your letter of yesterday” ( DLC:GW ).
3449To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to aquaint your Exellency that several of the Regiments of Militia in this State ordered into the service of the United States of America, the last Campaigne are still unpaid and many of the Soldiers belonging to said Regiments have inlisted into the Continental Army, and appear very desirous to receive their wages for their former Services, before they Join the Army, I heartily wish...
3450To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the favor of your’s of the 7th April last enclosing the Pay Abstract of the 10th Regiment of the Connecticut Militia, from Octor to Jany last representing the unreasonable disproportion of Officers was an objection to giving the necessary orders for Payment. Am now to acquaint Your Excellency, that the Regiment was ordered to join the Continental Army in New York in August...