1To George Washington from William Dodge, 1775 (Washington Papers)
[1775] . “Your Petitioner being a man in years and being One troubled With rhumatizm and Other Disorders and being A man of Poor Sircomstance and having a Weakly Wife and a large Familey of Small Children and therefore begs of your Excelency to Give Me a Dismission from the Army for I am Not Able to go thorough the Hardships of this Winter and in Granting the Petitioner his Request You Will...
2To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1775 (Washington Papers)
Convinced of the utility, the necessity, at all times, of a well disciplined militia, to every free state; when the united wisdom of the continent, referring to the contest with the parent kingdom, called on every colony to prepare for the most unhappy events; and the more immediate recommendations of our provincial congress demanded a diligent application to the military art; deeming the...
3To George Washington from John Adams, 19–20 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Complyance with your Request, I have considered of what you proposed, and am obliged to give you my Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men, Such, whose Judgment and Integrity may be most relyed on. I mean the Committee on the State...
4Commission from the Continental Congress, 19 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I n C ongress T he delegates of the United Colonies of New-hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode-island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle Kent & Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina T o G eorge W ashington Esquire W e reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, conduct and fidelity Do by these presents constitute and...
5Instructions from the Continental Congress, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Congress This Congress having appointed you to be General & Commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies and of all the forces raised or to be raised by them and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service and join the said army for the defence of American liberty and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair with all expedition to the colony of...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Horatio Gates, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
Last night I was Honourd by the receipt of your Obliging Letter of 17th Instant, I shall Obey your Commands with all possible Expedition, & hope to be in philadelphia Thursday next, & wish earnestly to find you there. I must take the Liberty to entreat it of you, not to leave the Congress, until you are provided not only with all the Powers, but all the Means, their Power can bestow, if it is...
7To George Washington from the Massachusetts Delegates, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Complyance with your Request We have considered of what you proposed to us, and are obliged to give you our Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men; Such, whose Judgment and Integrity, may be most rely’d on; the Committee on the State...
8To George Washington from Valentine Crawford, 24 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I [am] verey Sorrey to Enform you I Recved a Letter from Mr Cleaveland of the 7th of June wherein he Seems to be in a good dale of destress[.] five of the Sarvents has Run a way and plagued him a good dale[.] the[y] got to the Indens towns Butt by the Esesten [assistance] of one Mr duncan a trador he has got them again and he has Sent three of them up By a Man he had hired with a Letter to My...
9Address from the New York Provincial Congress, 26 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a Time when the most loyal of his Majesties Subjects, from a Regard to the Laws and Constitution by which he sits on the Throne, feel themselves reduced to the unhappy Necessity of taking up Arms to defend their dearest Rights and Priviledges; While we deplore the Calamities of this divided Empire, We rejoice in the Appointment of a Gentleman from whose Abilities and Virtue we are taught to...
10To George Washington from John Hancock, 28 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
By Direction of the Congress I now Transmitt you severall Resolutions pass’d yesterday, by which you will Observe they have Directed Major General Schuyler to Examine into the State of the Posts at Ticonderoga & Crown Point, and of the Troops Station’d there, as also to Enquire into the Disposition of the Canadians and Indians. You will likewise find they have Directed him to Take or Destroy...
11To George Washington from the Delaware Delegates, 29 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommend the bearer John Parke, who “is an Ensign in the 2d Battalion of the Militia here, and is desirous of serving his country as a Volunteer under you. He has frequently drawn his pen and is now resolved to draw his sword in support of the American cause.” LS , in Thomas McKean’s writing, DLC:GW . The letter is signed by Caesar Rodney (1728–1784) and Thomas McKean (1734–1817). The third...
12To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 29 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
Nothing material has occurred since you left this place, except the imperfect accounts we have of the Charlestown battle, which upon the whole seems to have nothing unfavorable to our great cause, but the loss of Dr Warren—To an infant Country, it is loss indeed, to be deprived of wise, virtuous, and brave Citizens. I hope however, still to hear, that our Enemies have lost Characters very...
13To George Washington from the Massachusetts General Court, July–August 1775 (Washington Papers)
This Court have had information from many respectable Persons, That intelligence is constantly conveyed to General Gage, Of all the operations pursued in this Colony for the restoration of our Liberty, by some bad men from the Province of New Hamshe, who are continually going to, and from, the Army under your Excellencys command, from thence it is carried on board the Scarboro Man of war now...
14To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to advise your Excellency that the Connecticut Troops, that arrived in this Colony under the Command of Brigadier Wooster are encamped within two Miles of this Town. I have not yet had a Return of their Numbers[.] as soon as my Order for that Purpose is complied with I shall transmit it. Inclose You Sir a Copy of the Resolutions of the Hono: the Continental Congress of...
15To George Washington from Henry Ward, 1 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Transmits by order of the Rhode Island general assembly “the inclosed Vote, putting the Rhode Island Army under your Command.” ALS , DLC:GW . Henry Ward (1732–1797) served as provincial secretary of Rhode Island from 1761 to 1797. This letter apparently was sent under cover of one from Ward to Brig. Gen. Nathanael Greene, commander of the Rhode Island forces. Greene received his letter on 4...
16Address from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 3 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Congress of the Massachusetts Colony impress’d with every Sentiment of Gratitude, and Respect, beg leave to congratulate you on your safe arrival; and to wish you all imaginable Happiness and Success in the execution of the important duties of your elevated Station. While we applaud that attention to the public good, manifested in your appointment, We equally admire that disinterested...
17To George Washington from George Clinton, 4 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
4 July 1775. Recommends the bearer, “Mr. White, the Son of Anthony White Esq’r of New Jersey. . . . Inspired with Love for our much injured Country he now vissits your Camp to offer his Service as a Vollenteer in the Army under your Command.” Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds., Public Papers of George Clinton , 10 vols. (1899–1914; reprint, New York, 1973), 1:208–9. This letter may be...
18To George Washington from James Warren and Joseph Hawley, 4 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
As Pomroy is now Absent and at the distance of an hundred miles from the Army, if it can be Consistent with your Excellencys Trust & the Service to retain his Commission untill you shall recieve Advice from the Continental Congress and we shall be Able to prevail with Heath to make a Concession Honourable to himself, and Advantageous to the publick. We humbly Concieve the way would be open to...
19To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you by Alexander the Express nothing has Taken place in Congress that particularly Respects your Department. By Direction of the Congress I now Transmitt you by Mr Fessenden our Return Express, the Rules & Articles pass’d by Congress for the Government of the Troops under your Command, I wish them safe to hand. I have not Time to add, but that I am with much Respect, Sir Your...
20To George Washington from Joseph Hawley, 5 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
You were pleased the other day to mention to Colonel Warren and me, as your opinion, that it was highly probable Gage’s Troops would very shortly attack our Army in some part or other. I believe your opinion is not ill-founded; and I am sure your Excellency will be pleased with every intimation that may, in any degree, aid you in the choice of measures tending to success and victory....
21To George Washington from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 5 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
This Congress had Ordered the inclosed Resolution to be prepared and sent to Generals Ward & Thomas. but By the agreable event of your Excellency’s appointment to the Chief command of the American Army and arrival at Camp, the propriety of that Step ceases. we mean not to dictate to your excellency but presume that To Secure the health of the Army and relief for the sick, will naturally engage...
22To George Washington from John Fenton, 6 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Medford [Mass.] 6 July 1775 . “Tho’ I am quite a Stranger to your Excellency, yet the peculiarity of my Situation induces me to request that you will indulge me so far as to take me under your protection at Head Quarters.” He wishes to explain his reasons in person. ALS , NjMoHP ; Sprague transcript , DLC:GW . John Fenton (d. 1785), an active and outspoken New Hampshire Loyalist, was seized by...
23To George Washington from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 6 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency:—The bearer, Capt. Brown, is the officer who took the horses that came off from Bunker’s hill; you’ll please to direct said horses being delivered to his care. Mass. Prov. Congress Journals William Lincoln, ed. The Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Massachusetts in 1774 and 1775, and of the Committee of Safety . Boston, 1838. (Microfilm Collection of Early...
24To George Washington from Daniel Murray, 6 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
States “that he has received the repeated Commands of his Father, now a resident in Boston, to assist his Sister & two Brothers now at Waltham; in procuring them a pass into the town of Boston.” He requests GW to grant such a pass. ALS , M-Ar : Revolution Letters. Daniel Murray (1751–1832) of Rutland, Mass., and his family were zealous Loyalists. During the summer of 1774, Murray left his...
25To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Delegates, 6 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
We inclose a Resolution of our Assembly authorising us to recommend proper Officers for the Battalion of Rifflemen to be raised in this Province, and a Letter from the Committee of York County, where a Company of an hundred Men has been raised. We therefore beg Leave to recommend Mr Michael Dowdle for Captain; Mr Henry Miller for first Lieutenant; Mr John Dill for second Lieutenant; and Mr...
26To George Washington from the Fairfax Independent Company, 8 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20 Ulo notifying your Intended departure for the Camp, we Received; and after transmitting copies to the different officers, to whom it was directed, we laid it before a full meeting of your Company this day—At the same time that they deplore the unfortunate occasion, that calls you, their patron, friend & worthy citizen from them, & your more tender connections, they beg...
27To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, nothing has Taken place in Congress particularly Respecting your Department. I by order of Congress forward you the Declaration, & Address to the People of England. I must beg the favour you will Reserve some birth for me, in such Department as you may Judge most proper, for I am Determin’d to Act under you, if it be to take the firelock & Join the Ranks as a Volunteer. I...
28To George Washington from Alexander Scammell, 10 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
General Folsom begs leave to lay before your Excellency a Memorandum of what is immediately wanted at Winter Hill. Viz. three Teems, 20 Wheelbarrows. two Thousand Tenpenny Nails Four, Inch Augres. A Gouge, and four Chizzles. ALS , MHi : Norcross Papers. At the end of this document GW wrote “The Committee, or Commissary of supplies is desired to furnish the above things immediately if to be...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 10 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Maister of a vesel that Came out of Boston Saturday Night in order to Take Charge of a vesel at S[t]oneington in Coniticut Loaded with malases to Purseed to New york as he Saith his aquaintance in the Country Infor[m] that he has bin a Suspected Person & I Think it my Duty to forward him to your Exelency for you[r] Exemi[n]ation[.] I am Sir with Respect you[r] mest obeduet Humble Servt ALS ,...
30To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 12 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to congratulate your Excellency upon your being appointed General of the Armies of the United Colonies; which hath given sincere Pleasure to every Friend of America, and will I hope prove glorious to yourself, and be attended with essential Advantages to your Country. The General Assembly of this Colony have the deepest Sense of the Necessity of a strict Union, and the most...