651To George Washington from Winthrop Sargent, 2 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Winthrop Sargent, 2 Feb. 1776. A letter of 4 Feb. to Sargent, apparently written for GW by Stephen Moylan, “acknowledged receipt of his Letter of the 2d inst. giveing an acct of the Brig Henry & Ester, Laden with 62 Cord of wood, 150 Butts with water, 40 Suits of Soldiers Bedding, taken by Capt. Waters & Capt. Tucker & Sent into Scwan Harbour” ( DLC:GW ). For the...
652To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance with the Requisition of the Honle Continental Congress and of your Excellency, we are with the Greatest Chearfulness making our Utmost Exertions, to Raise and Dispatch one Battalion to Canada, and three to your Camp; and have much Satisfaction to Informe you, that there appears, a great Freedom in our Men, to engage in each of those important Services; and the Regiments are...
653To George Washington from Robert Carter Nicholas, 3 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your very obliging favr by Capt. Matthews. Your former Letter in Answer to mine by Mr Byrd I received in due time, & took the earliest Opportunity of recommending it to our Delegates to fix upon some Method to defray the Expences incurr’d by this Country in the northern Colonies. This they tell me that they have not been able to effect, so that I have been...
654To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 4 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 25th Decr I have recd with one from George by Mr Matthews, I approve much of your caution in bestowing Commissions, more especially on a Relation, I hope George may be servicible to you in some other way, as you must have occasion for some person to do some little things that you can confide inn, George writes me that he shall have occasion for some necessarys, anything he...
655To George Washington from Matthew Graves, 5 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Upon a friendly Notice, sent by Express in October last, that the Men of War intended soon to destroy our Seaport towns, I remov’d my Family & Effects from New London to Chatham, a Part of my Mission, wch I have occasionally attended for several Years. After three Months Residence here, I am threatned to be driven out of my Parish, & a day is appointed to transmit me from Constable to...
656To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5–6 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here yesterday but not without some difficulty—my disorder encreas’d rather than diminish’d, so that I was under the necessity of being carried in a litter a considerable part of the way. I consider it as a piece of the greatest good Fortune that the Congress have detach’d a Committee to this place—otherwise I shou’d have made a most ridiculous figure, besides bringing upon myself...
657To George Washington from Thomas Lynch, 5 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
You have doubtless heard of my being here on a Com[mitte]e of Congress the object was to consult with Genl Lee & the People of this Place on the best manner of securing it, God knows there is ample room for it. every thing is wanting, The Strong Apathy that hold Congress in fetters is still more forceable here, however luckily Clinton is come without Force, he has none but the Mercury and one...
658To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is Account of the Charges & Expences incurred, by providing for Messrs Penet & De Pliarne in their Journey to Philadelphia, by your Excellencys direction, I have sent forward to you the Bills shewing how the Account arose. Please to Order payment to be made and sent to me by the Post who brings this. The Battalion raising in this Colony to march to the Assistance of our Friends at...
659To George Washington from John Tayloe, 6 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was favored by yours, under cover from Mr Lund Washington, & accept your very friendly advice, with the utmost gratitude, & shall, agreeable to your desire, recommend to him, to deliver to Mr Francis Peyton, all the bonds, due to the Sale of Col. Mercer’s Estate, to collect. but when that is done, how is the money to be remitted, as We have no intercourse with G. B—n Exche high, &...
660To George Washington from a Citizen of Nova Scotia, 8 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
You may Reasonably imagine that it is presumption in me to take such Liberty in writing your Excellency, still its Going from one whose principles are Actuated from A Genuine feeling of Liberty, and an Indeliable Anxiety for the happiness of his Country, Annimates an Assurance that it will meet, rather with a feeling of sympathy then Censure, more perticula⟨r a⟩s it is Addressed to you sir who...
661Petition from Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, 8 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Liberty we take in Addressing a person of so Exalted a Rank, will we persume be fully pardoned, when you perceive the Occation of it. The Inhabitants of Nova scotia & in perticular those of the County of Cumberland have been under the Greatest A[n]xiety and Apprehension ever since the Great Contest subsisting between Great Britain and the American Colonies, Our situation has been such that...
662To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 8 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 8 Feb. 1776. In a letter of 26 Feb.—9 Mar. to Reed , GW wrote: “your favours of the 28th Jany and first & 8th of Feby are come to hand.”
663To George Washington from Lund Washington, 8 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
your Letter of Janry 13th I have recieve’d —the one you mention of Novmbr 26 I wrote you an answer to long since which I make no doubt you have recieve’d before now—The post Use’d to leave Alexandria by 8 OClock on sunday morning. so that I cou’d not answer any Letter of yours until the Week following—but now the post comes in on Sunday & goes out the Thursday Following as formerly. It...
664To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 9 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 9 Feb. 1776. On this date Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Sullivan: “I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of this Evening, and to Inform you, that he would not wish an Attempt to be made to bring off the Guard which you mention, ’till he has seen you, for particular reasons which he will then...
665To George Washington from William Bartlett, 10 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Bartlett, 10 Feb. 1776. On 12 Feb. Stephen Moylan wrote to Bartlett: “I Laid your Letter of the 10th instant before his Excellency, he was much Surpris’d at your fresh demand for 2000 dollars, indeed So was I, there is now upwards of 10,000 dollars advanced upon these armed vessels, & very few Accounts yet brought in” ( DLC:GW ). Moylan continued in his reply to...
666To George Washington from Garret Tunison, 10 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
When Orders came to Capt. Hugh Stephenson of Virginia to inlist a Compy of Rifle men to joyn this Army I than inliste’d on Presumption of being appointed Surgeon for Said Company: And in order to Proceed in that Capacity, Provided myself with every Necessary Article out of my own Shop, which put me to no inconsiderable expence, as well as leaving my Practice there which was much to my...
667To George Washington from Christopher Leffingwell, 11 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The above is Copy of Colo. McDougal’s Letter to the Commte of this Town —The Sloop has ariv’d at N. London—Our River being Froze She Could Come No farther—and has Landed the Stores there—The Committee here having never Taken Charge of any Stores to forward (they being principally forwarded by me) desir’d I would undertake forwarding these—Should be Glad of your Excellencys Orders Where to have...
668To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Putnam, 11 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
You have Inclos’d a Chart, of some, of the most Important Posts and Riseing ground in and near Boston, which is as Exact as I am able to make from the little Leisure I have had to take Surveys of them, by this Draught it Appears that the Enemies works on the Neck is nearer the Causway going to Dorchester Point, than Bunker Hill is to the Cover’d way going on Leachmoors Point, therefore if a...
669To George Washington from John Hancock, 12 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of 24th & 30th ulto have been duly Rec’d, and laid before the Congress, are now with their severall Inclosures under the Consideration of a Committee, as soon as Report is made, I shall do myself the honour to Transmitt you the Result of Congress thereupon. I yesterday morng Rec’d an Express from General Lee, requesting an Augmentation of Troops, Congress immediately directed one...
670To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your two Favors of the 8th Inst., have also received ⅌ Bacon, the remittance for the Expences of the French Gentlemen to Philadelphia. I had no Design to have ever called upon You for the money paid our Troops under your immediate Command, but to have accounted with the Congress, had we not been unexpectedly drained of Cash, & had pressing Calls upon Us two or three ways at once....
671To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 13 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Cambridge, 13 February 1776. Recommends the Rev. Jacob Foster as chaplain of the 7th and 18th regiments. ALS , DLC:GW . This letter is appended to a letter of 9 Feb. from the field officers of the two regiments indicating their choice of Foster as their chaplain. Col. William Prescott commanded the 7th Continental Regiment, and Col. Edmund Phinney commanded the 18th Continental...
672To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 14 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I shou’d have written to you more constantly but really had no means of conveying my letter—a Mr Buchanan and Tolby bound for head Quarters will deliver You this—You will excuse the conciseness as my time is short—The Governor and Capt. of Man of War had threaten’d perdition to the Town if the Cannon was remov’d from the Batteries and wharfs, but I ever considerd their threats as a Brutum...
673To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 14 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
A few Days ago I was honored with your Letter of the 27th Ultimo by Bennet—I was so greatly indisposed then that it was with Difficulty I could do that Business which was indispensible: I am since much better—A copious Discharge from an internal Imposthume in my Breast has given me great Relief, and I have Reason to think it is healing, as my Cough is greatly abated, and I gain Strength so...
674To George Washington from Lund Washington, 15 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
your Letter of January 25th is come to ha[n]d —If I neglected to answer your Letter of the 26th Novmbr relative to my Wages, it was not intentionaly, I shoud be sorry that you shoud believe that I wou’d exact more of you now, than when you live’d at Home—had you not offer’d to pay me equal to what I had in any former year, I should not have murmerd, but chearfully endeavour’d to have executed...
675To George Washington from Edward Biddle, 16 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Reading, Pa., 16 February 1776 . Recommends Peter Withington who “was for many Years a Quarter Master Serjeant in the Regulars & behaved himself much to the Satisfaction of his Officers. He has lived in this Place for 13 Years past & has always Supported a good Character. He was an early Associator & I believe him to be strongly attached to the great American Cause.” ALS , DLC:GW . Edward...
676To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 16 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Received the Night before last an order from Governr Trumbull to Send immedietly to you all the powder in my possesion that belonged to their colony which he Supposed was about 6000 wt when it was brought here the whole was weighed to Settle with the carter it weighed Cask and all 4217 lb. So that it falls much Short of the Governers Expectation it So unfortinately happened that all the...
677To George Washington from Colonel Lachlan McIntosh, 16 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
My Country having Honor’d me with the Command of the Continental Battalion ordered to be raised by the General Congress for the Protection and Defence of this Colony (tho’ I fear too partial to my poor Abilitys) it becomes my duty to inform your Excely of the State of our Province as far as it concerns the Service, as well as of the Troops to be immediately under my Command. Our Province has a...
678To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your pressing request by Lieut. Coll Gay I have Ordered (in Addition to about three Tons of Powder a few days agoe directed to you from Providence) two Tons more from Norwich, which is all can possibly be spared from this Colony at present. I have also sent you thirty Arms & believe in good Order—the Powder to the Amount of four Tons we must beg to have replaced by the...
679To George Washington from Christopher Leffingwell, 17 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the 11th present ⅌ Cap. Cochran informing of the Arival of a quantity of Shells & Shott from N. York—which have Brot from N. London to this Town (all Except about Two Load of Shott & hand Granadoes) have forwarded Ten Load from hence Containing (viz.) 95 Shells of 13 Inch Wt 173 Ea. 65 Do 10 inch 90
680To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 18 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 18 Feb. 1776. In a letter of 26 Feb.—9 Mar. to Reed , GW wrote: “Your favour of the 18th Ulto came to my hands by Post, last Night.”
681To George Washington from Lieutenant Henry Edwin Stanhope, 18 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
May I venture once more to trespass upon your Excellencys Patience, what I should not do, but from the most urgent Motives, (to procure myself some Money a Commodity, which I never before knew the want off,) & which cannot possibly be done but by my going to Providence, where I have a Friend, who for my Note of Hand will supply me. I hope your Excellency will condescend to grant this Request,...
682To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely happy that there is any open[ing] for a more comfortable establishment for poor Palfry than his present—He is a valuable and capable Man, and the pittance of a simple Aid de Campship is wretched for a Man who has a family to support—on this principle and in obedience to your commands I shall send him to Head Quarters without delay —I must at the same time confess that the loss...
683To George Washington from P. Moreau, 19 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty ⟨to⟩ write to you, to acquaint you that I am Chargd with a Letter for you from Mr de santerre Captain of Grenadiers, now at Cape Francois in the Island of San Domingo, by which you will See his intention Concerning these Colonies —I have Sent this Letter to Governor Cook, who promisd to Send it to you immediatly, I am much affraid that he has not explaind his Sense in these...
684To George Washington from Josiah Quincy, 19 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since the sudden and unexpected burning of the Houses upon Dorchester Neck, I have been repeatedly and earnestly solicited, by my distressed Friends and Neighbours, to make an humble Representation to your Excellency, that, our Habitations are equally exposed to be destroyed by our Enemies, whenever their Malice shall stimulate them to make us feel the Effects, of the unrelenting Vengeance of...
685To George Washington from Landon Carter, 20 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
[Sabine Hall] 20 February 1776. Wrote “attacking Paine for publishing ‘Common Sense,’ and urging against independence.” ALS , sold by Anderson’s, Robinson sale21 Jan. 1904, American Book Prices Current , 10 (1904), 636. In his diary entry for 20 Feb. 1776 Landon Carter (1710–1778) of Richmond County, Va., says that he “Wrote to Col. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee and Genl. Washington about getting...
686To George Washington from the New York Provincial Congress, 20 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have just now received Your letter of the 10th instant directed to the Chairman of our Committee of Safety they are extreamly sorry they have it not in their power to supply You with the Article You mention; as the Army raised here last Summer have entirely drained them of the Arms belonging to the Colony which have never been returned, and the more as they are by Order of...
687To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathanael Greene, 21 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Prospect Hill, 21 February 1776 . Mr Davids has been chosen chaplain for Varnum’s and Bond’s regiments, and Mr Noble chosen chaplain for Hitchcock’s and Little’s regiments. ALS , DLC:GW . Ebenezer David (c.1752–1778), who was ordained by the Sabbatarian Church of Newport on 31 May 1775, began serving as a chaplain in January 1776. It is said that he returned his commission to GW and acted as a...
688To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 22 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I some Time Since Reported, that Colonels Prescott & Phinny, had Chosen the Revd Mr Foster for the Chaplin of those Regiments This Choice is but Temporary as it is at Present Uncertain whether Mr Foster Can be absent from his Own Parrish for more than a month or Two, I now beg leave further to report that Colonels Greaton & Baldwin have made Choice of the Revd Mr Barnum for the Chaplin of...
689To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 22 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
22 February 1776 . “Certifies that the Revd Nathl Eells at present the Chaplain of the 10th & 19th Regts engaged for four Months from the first of Jany last.” DS , DLC:GW . Although this document is not specifically addressed to GW, it was apparently sent to him as were other certifications of chaplain appointments about this time. See Nathanael Greene to GW, 21 Feb ., William Heath to GW, 22...
690To George Washington from Lund Washington, 22 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have so little to write about this week that was it not that I have determine’d to write every week, & to inclose the Letter to Mrs Washington, it would be as well not to write—All is at peace with us yet, we are told of one or more ships of War haveg come to Norfolk—whether they may think of molestg us in this part of the Colony or not time will determine —Colo. Hugh Mercers Regiment is to...
691To George Washington from William Watson, 22 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by Mess[r]s Hall & Grindele the former Masters of the two ships bro’t into this port by Comodore Manly, to introduce them to your Excely by a Letter, & to acquaint your Excellency that they have a desire to go to Virginia, where they have friends & where one of them has a Brother. The crews of the two ships are now on board them & insist on continueing on board, as they have no...
692To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Frye, 24 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Camp in Cambridge, 24 February 1776 . Certifies that David Avery has been chosen chaplain of Paterson’s and Hutchinson’s regiments. The other regiments in Frye’s brigade “are . . . already provided with Chaplins, and returns thereof made to your Excely.” ALS , DLC:GW . David Avery (1746–1818) of Gageborough (now Windsor), Mass., accompanied Col. John Paterson’s regiment to Cambridge as a...
693To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 24 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 24 Feb. 1776. On 31 Mar. GW wrote to John Augustine Washington : “Your Letter of the 24th Ulto was duely forwarded to this Camp by Colo. Lee.”
694To George Washington from John Morgan, 25 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Cambridge, 25 February 1776 . Recommends “Doctr Spafford of Col: Nixons Regiment ... for a Commission as Regimental Surgeon.” ADS , DNA : RG 93, Manuscript File. Isaac Spofford (Spafford; 1752–1786), who studied medicine under Dr. James Brickett of Haverhill, Mass., was appointed surgeon of Col. John Nixon’s regiment on 5 July 1775. From January 1777 to May 1778 Spofford served as surgeon of...
695To George Washington from Brigadier General David Wooster, 25 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 27th Ulto I have receiv’d and nothing but want of time, when proper opportunities presented has prevented my answering it sooner. I am fully sensible of the importance of reducing Quebec & keeping possession of this province for the accomplishing of which, you may depend upon my utmost exertions—I am also with you fully of opinion that the ministry will send a powerful...
696To George Washington from Colonel Jacob Bayley, 26 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Views I had in sending Men from hence to Canada was as follows. That I had a Rumour of General Montgomerys Defeat at Quebec, but no Certainty, I wanted to know, that we might do every thing in our Power to strengthen and Encourage them. That they in Canada might know that help even from Cambridge might be soon and Certain with them—And that Your Excellency might have some Certainty that...
697To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 27 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 14th Ulto of Our Situation and prospects, since which nothing of Consequence has Occured, here, The Enemy to the number of abt five hundred have twice Sallied out at Pallace Gate, with Design of seizeing our Field peices, (near the Nunnery) but On Our Troops, Advanceing to Attack them, they made a precipitate retreat, under Cover of their guns—Desertions from the Garrison are...
698To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 29 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Pursuance of General Orders, I Visited the Guards on Yesterday, beginning at Cambridge Main Guard, from thence to the Store Magazine Main Guard at Winter Hill, Plowd Hill, White House, Main Guard on prospect Hill, Cobble Hill, Leichmears point, & Bridge, & North Redoubt found the Guards in good Order Save at Leichmears point Bridge, where the proper Guard had not been mounted, and One...
699To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 29 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now so far recover’d tho far from well, that I shall set out in two days —the stripping Ticonderora so intirely of it’s heavy Cannon is a most unfortunate circumstance, as the transportation of ’em from this place is a busyness of monstrous difficulties expence and labour—The Congress have as yet not taken the least step for the security of this place—the instant I leave it, I conclude...
700To George Washington from Joseph Poucher, 29 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Take the Freedom To inform Your Excellency at this Time by writeing, (being Sensible of your Candour by information) that for Some months past, I have had the Care of providing for a Number of prisioners of war Committed To this Goal by proper authority for which Service I Charged the Colonies Six Shillings pr week For Each of Them in Two former accompts heretofore Presented To the...