10351To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 14th & 17th Inst. Yesterday morning about Sunrise our Troops in Three Divisions arrived in the Neighbourhood of Fort Independence—the Right Division by the Albany Road, the Centre by Stephen Ward’s, & the left by East Chester—Upon our Approach the Enemy fled to Fort Independence; leaving 15 Muskets at one place & Ten at another, besides Blankets...
10352To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Copy of a Letter from the Convention of New York, I am directed by Congress to transmit to you, and to request your Attention to i⟨t.⟩ The very great Distress of the Troops in that State for Want of Cloathing and Blankets, calls for the most speedy Relief; and the Congress in Order to afford them every Assistance in their Power, have ordered the Co⟨nti⟩nental Agents to furnish the...
10353To George Washington from Lt. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, 18 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lt. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, 18 Jan. 1777. On 20 Jan. GW wrote Harrison that George Johnston “deliverd me your Letter of the 18th last night.”
10354To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Hartley, 18 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
For the more expeditiously raising my Regiment and having a proper Corps of Gentlemen for officers—I have fixed on the Officers of four Companies in Pennsylvania; three Captains in Maryland, and one William Kelley for a Captain in Virginia—I have seen the most of the Captains and wrote to the others inclosing Recruiting Orders and Instructions —I expect next week all my Captains will be...
10355To George Washington from James Wilson, 18 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Wilson, 18 Jan. 1777. In 1906 the American Book-Prices Current recorded the sale of Wilson’s autograph letter to GW with this description: “Carlisle, Jan. 18, 1777, to Gen. Washington. Recommending Col. [Ephraim] Blaine as a suitable person to prepare magazines of provisions in Pennsylvania” (ibid., vol. 12 [1906], 773). The letter was sold again in 1910 and 1941...
10356To George Washington from Lord Howe, 17 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Letter I received from You of the 13th Instant, is in Matter and Expression so different from the liberal turn of Sentiment I had been habituated to expect on every occasion of personal Intercourse or Correspondence with You, that I scarce know how to believe the Contents and the Name I read at the Bottom, are parts of the same Letter. It surprizes me much that the idle and unnatural...
10357To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 17 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
As We could not but feel the deepest concern for the difficulties Your Excellency has had to encounter, it is with the highest pleasure we now Congratulate you upon the happy turn of Affairs, and the signal Success which by the Blessing of Heaven has of late attended Your Arms; Which we think must greatly disconcert the Enemy, and give them an idea of American Bravery very different from what...
10358To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 17 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 17 Jan. 1777. On 19 Jan. GW wrote Reed that “your Letters of the 16 & 17th Inst. are both before me.”
10359To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, 17 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, 17 Jan. 1777. GW wrote to Ward on 20 Feb. to “acknowledge the receipt of yr two favours of the 23d Decr & 17th January.”
10360To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 16 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is probably a very unseasonable time to interrupt that attention you must be constantly paying to the momentous concerns you are engaged in, but I could not omit so good an Opportunity as offers by Mr Walker to let you know that I am alive and in good health, and that all our Relations at present enjoy the same blessing, as far as I know or have heard, for it is seldom I have the pleasure...
10361To George Washington from Colonel Nicholas Haussegger, 16 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I arrived here from New York much indisposed with the Rheumatism and pains in my Limbs, occassioned by great Colds I caught, which deprives me of the Pleasure of waiting personally on your Excellency, and therefore take the Liberty, by the first Oppertunity vizt by Capn Keepots to inform your Excelly of my Safe Arrival here. Immediately after I come to Town I was credibly informed,...
10362To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 16 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council received your Letter of the 12th Instant and are determined to give the Commissary every Assistance in their Power to secure a sufficient Quantity of Flour for the use of the Army, as we join your Excellency in Opinion, that any Scarcity of that Article at present in Pennsylvania must be artificial. The Westmoreland Battalion consisting of 620 is on its way the first Division is...
10363To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 16 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 16 Jan. 1777. On 19 Jan. GW wrote Reed : “Your Letters of the 16 & 17th Inst. are both before me.”
10364To George Washington from Gunning Bedford, 15 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I returned sometime ago from Baltimore, & with me brought the inclosed letter; as I knew it chiefly respected myself, I intended to have done myself the honor of delivering it to you in person; but when I came here, I found the Militia as they passed thro were to receive a months pay advance; the paymaster here found difficulty in paying them off without their being mustered; that I have been...
10365To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves I do myself the Honour to transmit in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, as necessary for your Information. By them you will percieve, that in Order to restore the Credit of the Continental Currency, the Congress have adopted, & recommended to the States, such Measures, as if properly executed cannot fail to produce the Effect. Doctor Potts, who is ordered to repair...
10366To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 15 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is of the Utmost Importance to inform your Excelly that the treatment our Prisoners meet with at New York is Cruelty in the Extreme; 11,000 of them, we are told by Persons of Veracity, have Died there for the Want of Fuel and Provisions—whilst their Soldiers who have fell into our hands have been treated with the utmost Care & lenity, and when they have been Exchangd have been instantly fit...
10367To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The pleasure I felt on Learning your Success At Trentown Occassioned Feelings which are Better Conceived than discribed, I very Sincerely congratulate you on that Event and the Succeding ones, may Heaven Continue To Crown you with a Succession of Laurels, and make you the happy Instrument of preserving Liberty to this much Injured Country. About one Thousand men from the Massachusetts engaged...
10368To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received the Honor of yours of the 9th Instant, and have the Pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that I am moving towards New York with all Possible Expedition our Numbers are between Two and Three Thousand, And Hope Soon to give your Excellency Some Particulars which I dare not write at this Time, least the Letter should fall into the Hands of the Enemy—your Excellency may be...
10369To George Washington from Robert Morris, 14 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 14 Jan. 1777. On 19 Jan. GW wrote Morris : “Your favor of the 14th, with the despatches from Congress, came safe to hand.”
10370To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your several Favors of the 12th 14th 16th and 21st Decemr since which the agreable Intelligence of a series of Signal Successes which has attended you in the Jersies affords the most animating Hopes & Prospects; upon which Events we most heartily Congratulate you; and trust that Heaven will still continue to succeed & bless our Exertions & enable you to...
10371To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 13 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I arived here, haveing previously done all in my power, to forward on the Militia, from the Massachusets Bay, and Connecticut, upwards of six Thousand of which I hope are in the Jerseys, before this Time. There is at this place & in the Vicinity, about Two thousand Men, part of six Thousand Ordered from the New England States, The others are on their March, & expected in, in a few...
10372To George Washington from Brig. Gen. François de Malmedy, 12 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. François de Malmedy, 12 Jan. 1777. GW wrote Malmedy on 24 Jan. : “your Favor of 12th Inst. is now before me.”
10373To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 12 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Orders of the 14th I did not receive untill the 23d of Decemr; at that Time no Militia had arrived from New England. I had heard a Day or two before that some belonging to the Massachusetts State were on their Way as far as Litchfield. I set out on my Journey the 24th day of Decemr met no Troops untill I had passed New Haven, between N. Haven and Providence, I met some...
10374To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Lt Fellows who comes to Obtain the Release of his Brother Capt. Amos Fellows now held in Close Prison in New York upon Suspicion of being concern’d in the burning of that City—he is a Militia Captain in Col. Chapmans Regiment & taken in the Retreat out of New York, & has suffered much during his Confinment. I could wish every reasonable consistent measure might be...
10375To George Washington from Col. Joseph Reed, 11 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Joseph Reed, 11 Jan. 1777. GW wrote to Reed on 12 Jan. that “yours of the eleventh is Come to hand.”
10376To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 11 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 11 Jan. 1777. Spencer wrote GW on 30 Jan. : “I wrote to your Excellency the 11th Instant.”
10377To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves will inform you of the Proceedings of Congress since my last. I have wrote to the Council of Massachusetts Bay on the Subject of the enclosed Resolve relative to an Attack on Nova Scotia, the Propriety of which the Congress have submitted to that State. You will please to inform Doctor Morgan, and likewise Doctor Stringer of their Dismission from the Service of these...
10378To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
In your Excellency’s Letter of the 7th Inst. you are pleased to leave the Settlement of the Arms that have been lost, to me—Observing that Justice should be done to the Public & to Individuals—I have been endeavoring to Settle with some of the Regiments, but I find the matter so embarrass’d, that I cannot compleat it without again applying to your Excellency for Direction. Some Regiments, in...
10379To George Washington from the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
We do Ourselves the Honor to transmit you the inclosed Report or Relation of Joseph Traversie a Canadian by which your Excellency will learn the secret Machinations of some of his Countrymen of Rank who are Prisoners in this State. It is from an Apprehension of what is there intimated that a Release of these Prisoners is about to take place, that we early make you acquainted with this...
10380To George Washington from the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have just received the dispatches from Congress delivered herewith to Colo. Hartley, & having recd Copies of the Resolves of Congress therein enclosed to you, we cannot help saying they have been liberal in their Offers to regain Genl Lee, and altho we have not only a high opinion of his merit & abilities as an Officer but also a personal regard for him, yet we are apt to think we shou’d...
10381To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of your’s of the 31st of December, & 5th & 7th of Jany. In my last I mentioned to your Excellency the taking of one Strang & the Appointment of a General Court martial for his Tryall—The Court gave in their Judgment on the 5th Inst. Copy of which I take the Liberty in inclose —I have not as yet approved or disapproved the Sentence, as this is the first Tryal of the...
10382To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 9 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 9 Jan. 1777. When writing to William Heath on 12 Jan. , GW referred to Lincoln’s “letter of the 9th.”
10383To George Washington from George Walton, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
As a general Cartelle between your Excellency, in behalf of the united states, and the Commanders of the British army and navy, has been settled, I take the liberty of enclosing to your Excellency a list of the names of the Officers and men of an armed Boat which were taken in May last by Captain Stanhope, of the Raven, while in the service of the state I have the honor to represent; and I...
10384To George Washington from John Jay, 8 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Jay, 8 Jan. 1777. On 20 Feb. GW wrote Jay that “your Card of the 8th Ulto I have had the honour to receive.”
10385To George Washington from John Hancock, 6–7 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, which I have the Honour of transmitting, call for your immediate Attention; and I am to request, you will take Measures in Pursuance thereof, as soon as possible. Genl Lee’s Situation seems to be extremely dangerous and critical; and from Genl Howe’s Behaviour to him, it is highly probable, he will be brought to a Trial for Desertion. Genl Lee, it is said, by Mr Eustace...
10386To George Washington from the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 7 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honoured with your favour of the 5th Inst. which arrived in time to forward the enclosures by Post —We waited with Impatience to learn the consequence of your late movements and have been highly gratifyed, at the same time we see plainly some Important event is still to happen, the Enemy must mean to evacuate the Jerseys or to give you Battle the latter may be ruinous in its...
10387To George Washington from Lord Cornwallis, 7 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lord Cornwallis, 7 Jan. 1777. In a letter to Cornwallis of 8 Jan. , GW referred to “your Lordship’s Favor of yesterday.”
10388To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 7 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Parke Custis, 7 Jan. 1777. On 22 Jan. GW wrote Custis that “your Letter of the 7th came to my hands a few days ago.”
10389To George Washington from William Gordon, 6 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The letter sent you the last month was brought forward by a report of the enemy’s having retreated from Brunswick by water to Amboy. This is built upon authentic intelligence received the last saturday. Having made my acknowledgments to the God of hosts, I now thank & congratulate your Excellency, for & on the success of our army the last thursday sennight. The enemy will from hence see, that...
10390To George Washington from James Mease, 6 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Among the important powers with which The Honble Congress have so wisely invested your Excellency, I understand there is that of appointing a Cloathier Genl for the Army. As I have already had some experience in the clothing business, & think myself not totally unfit for such an employment: I take the liberty with all possible deference & respect, humbly to solicit the favor of that...
10391To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 5 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
We embrace the opportunity of Mr Leman & Mr Penrose two Gentn of the Light Horse to forward Seven Packets that came to our hands from Congress last Night, these Packets contain sundry resolves of Congress & a Number of blank Commissions. The uncertain rumours of your Excellency’s success between Trenton & Prince Town and at the latter place, leave us in a most anxious State of suspence, hoping...
10392To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 5 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council being Apprehensive that your Excellency might Possibly be in want of Fixt amunition and knowing that your Attention must be engrossed with objects of the greatest importance, and being desirous of relieving your Excellency as much as our department will admit of, we have therefore sent several Waggons Loads to Bristol, there to wait the orders of your Excellency or General Putnam....
10393To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 31 December 1776–4 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 31 Dec. 1776–4 Jan. 1777. GW wrote to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety on 12 Jan. 1777 : “I have yours begun upon the 31st last Mo. and continued to the 4th Inst.”
10394To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency, that Major General Lincoln has just arrived at this Post, but his Troops have not as yet got in, except about Two Regiments. That no time should be lost I have been sending over a Quantity of provisions to Haverstraw, and as soon as the Militia arrive in sufficient numbers shall pass over with them—A Body of the Militia belonging to this State,...
10395To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just arrived here—Find only part of two Regiments of the militia, from the Massachusetts—The badness of the roads hath much retarded the troops—I have left some of our best Officers, at different posts to forward them, and provide every necessary to facilitate their march. I flatter myself, from the provisions, that hath been made, and is now making, that the time will not be long, nor the...
10396To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 4 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th Decr last is come to hand which eased us in some Degree of the Anxiety we were in from an Ignorance of your Situation & at the same time gave us great Concern to find you had been so illy supported by the States in your Vicinity at a Period when every Effort might have been expected; but we hope an opportunity for Recollection will awaken a Sense of Injury, that will...
10397To George Washington from Thomas Wharton, Jr., 3 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council of Safety understanding that our Army is in want of Liquor have sent forward twenty Hogsheads of Rum as a present Supply. It is to be forwarded to Bristol and delivered to the Commanding Officer at Burlington, if there be any at that place—Your Excellency will take the proper measures to have it brought to your Camp. It goes by Captain Watkins of our Armed Boats who is directed to...
10398To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Day before yesterday I received the Honor of yours of the 27th Decr and most Heartily Congratulate your Excellency on your Signal victory over the Enemy at Trenton, This will be Productive of the Best Consequences, and has already given New Life to Our affairs. The last night I had the Honor of yours of the 28th Containing the agreable News of the Retreat of Count Donnop—I am Extremely...
10399To George Washington from Lt. Col. George Baylor, 1 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lt. Col. George Baylor, 1 Jan. 1777. On 9 Jan. GW wrote to Baylor : “Your Letter of the 1st from Baltimore came to my hands this day.
10400To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Denison, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
After Orders came to hand that the two Companies raised here Should march & Join your Excelency: it was Conjectured by many here that your army were much Weak’ned by Reason of the monthly mens Times being up. I was therefore desired by a Number of Respectable Neighbours to Inform your Excelency that if they Should be needed, they Would Turn out two months as a Company of Volunteers (provided I...