1General Orders, 16 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
James Finley Serjt in Capt. Price’s Company of Rifle men, tried by a General Court Martial for “expressing himself disrespectfully of the Continental Association, and drinking Genl Gage’s health”—The Court sentence the Prisoner to be deprived of his Arms and Accoutrements, put in a Horse Cart, with a Rope round his neck, and drum’d out of the Army and rendered for-ever incapable of serving in...
2General Orders, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Revd Mr John Murray is appointed Chaplain to the Rhode-Island Regiments and is to be respected as such. Col. Prescott being taken sick, Lt Col. Johonnet of the 21st Regt is to go forthwith to Sewells point, to take the Command of that post. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . John Murray (1741–1815), founder of Universalism in America, came from England in 1770 and was residing at Gloucester,...
3From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 17 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, 17 Sept. 1775. On 6 Nov. Bassett wrote to GW : “Your favour of the 17 Sepr came safe to hand.”
4From George Washington to Thomas Everard, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As I believe it will be three Years next December, since some of my Ohio Lands (under the proclamation of 1754) were patented; and as they are not yet improved agreeable to the express Letter of the Law, it behoves me to have recourse, in time, to the common expedient of saving them by means of a friendly Petition. My distance from Williamsburg, and my ignorance of the mode of doing this, lays...
5To George Washington from Samuel Ward, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Having nothing of immediate Consequence to communicate & determining to sett out for this City in a few Days after the Receipt of yr favor I deferred acknowledging it until my arrival here. I am greatly obliged to you for the very kind Notice which you was pleased to take of my Son, & the favourable Light in which you view him the Advantages of travelling he wants but those of a liberal...
6General Orders, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The enquiry into the Conduct of Dr Church Director Genl of the hospital and the respective regimental Surgeons, to be held to morrow in General Heaths brigade. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For the particulars of this inquiry, see General Orders, 7 Sept. 1775 .
7To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am constrained by the petitions of the officers & the Complaints of the Soldiers in our Regiment once more to Trouble your Excellency with the dificuties we Labour under for want of Fire Arms. By the returns this day received, there are wanting 43 Stands of Arms, with a small quantity of Powder, Ball, & Flints, to compleat the proportion allowed for each man—I should not now have had...
8From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favours of the 9th, 14 & 15th Instt have been duly received: The Readiness of the Committee to co-operate with me in procuring the most authentick Intelligence & dispatching Captn Whipple for this Purpose, is peculiarly satisfactory, & I flatter myself will be attended not only with Success, but the happiest Consequences to the publick Cause—I should immediately have sent you Notice of...
9To George Washington from Major Christopher French, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
When I first return’d to this Place in compliance with your Directions I found the Gentlemen of the Committee (Messrs Seymoure & Pain) who came to us on our arrival seem’d satisfied with our having already given our Parole to the united Provinces, and I consequently supposed all matters were adjusted between them and us, but upon their meeting on Tuesday last they put in a new Clause to which...
10To George Washington from Samuel Langdon, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
[Cambridge] 18 September [1775]. Certifies that Sgt. Samuel Woodward “is a Student of Harvard College in his last year & begs my Intercession that he may be discharged from his military services.” AD , DLC:GW . Samuel Woodward, a sergeant in Capt. Nathan Fuller’s company in the Massachusetts regiment commanded by Lt. Col. William Bond, was discharged on 20 Sept. and graduated from Harvard...
11To George Washington from Samuel Langdon, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
[Cambridge] 18 September 1775. Asks GW’s “pardon for troubling him so often with Billets, but hoping for a favorable reception of another Certificate,” informs GW that Ens. John Child “is a Student of Harvard College now in his last Year, & is earnestly desirous of perfecting his public Education.” AD , DLC:GW . John Child (d. 1825), an ensign in Capt. Abner Craft’s company in the...
12To George Washington from Lieutenant Nathaniel Maynard, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Whereas I the Subscriber Sudingley Enter’d the Service in my Zeal for the Publick Safetey in Capacetey of a first Lieut. in Capt. Russell’s Companey of Coll Jona. Brewer’s Regiment, to the great detriment of my Private Interest, haveing left my Fammeley with onley An Age’d Father to take Care of my Farm render’d unfit to take Care of the same through the infermities of Age, and Laborer’s being...
13To George Washington from Simon Pease, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
This manner of Addressing You by a Person whom you have not the least Knowledge off may appear With some Degree of Singularity, But I make no doubt to a Person of your well Known Character & Disposition, The Occasion will be a sufficient Apology; as its the Cause of a Widow & Six Fatherless Children to whom I am connected by Affinity & the Still nearer tyes of Friendship, which to the...
14To George Washington from Thomas Seymour, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As Major French proposes troubling your Excely upon the Subject of his not being allowed to wear his Sword while a Prisoner here, am directed by the Comtee to give a full State of the Case. Soon after he came to hand by Mr Webb, the Comtee let him know your Excellys order and that an exact Compliance with it was expected —he soon began to raise Objections against conforming to the same...
15To George Washington from William Woodford, 18 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Woodford, 18 Sept. 1775. On 10 Nov. GW wrote to Woodford : “Your favor of the 18th of September came to my hands on Wednesday last.”
16General Orders, 19 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
17To George Washington from Benedict Arnold, 19 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benedict Arnold, 19 Sept. 1775. On 25–27 Sept. Arnold wrote to GW : “My last of the 19th Inst. from Newbury Port . . . I make no Doubt your Excellency received.”
18Permit for Clark & Nightingale, 19 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Whereas the Necessities of the Army under my Command for Amunition are so great as to require all Possible Supplies, and Messrs Clark and Nightingale Merchants of Providence, having represented to me, that they will at their own Risque, undertake to procure from the West-Indies or elsewhere, such Quantities as may be purchased, provided they obtain my Permission for this Purpose, I do...
19To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 19 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 18th came safe to Hand, I made enquiry immediately after the Mail, was informed by the Post-Master that the Post took the Papers and he thought had carried them with him, after he was gone the Post-Master found he had left a Bundle which he supposed contained the News-Papers and followed him to the Tavern but he was gone from thence and the Post-Master sent the Package forward by...
20To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have sent to you by Major William Coates, & Captain Joseph Copperthwait five hundred twenty seven thousand four hundred and eighty dollars continental money to be delivered to the paymaster & subject to your Order for the use of The Army under your Command. I have the honour to be, Sir Your most Obedt hum. servt The Cloathing is on the way. Your Letters are now under the...
21General Orders, 20 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As the Commissions are ready to be delivered to the Officers serving in the Army of the United Colonies; The General recommends it to them, to apply (as soon as it is convenient) to him at Head Quarters, for the same. No Person is to presume to demand a Continental Commission, who is not in actual possession of the like Commission, from the proper Authority of the Colony he is at present...
22To George Washington from Benjamin Church, 20 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Church, 20 Sept. 1775. On 24 Sept. Joseph Reed wrote to Church: “I am directed by his Excelly the General to acquaint you that his Unwillingness to part with a good Officer alone prevents his complying with your Request in your Letter of the 20th Instt. He desires you would stay with your Family some Time longer & if there is then no Prospect of its being in...
23To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 20 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Day after I did Myself the Honor to write Your Excellency from Albany, I set out for this Place & arrived here on the 30th Ult: much indisposed with a billious Fever, next Day I followed General Montgomery whom I overtook on the 4th instant at the Isle au Motte he having been detained by Adverse Winds & rainy Weather, On that Day we moved on to Isle au Noix (twelve Miles South of St Johns)...
24General Orders, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Whereas frequent Applications are making to the General, Commander in Chief, by Officers of all Ranks & Denominations, for an allowance of Rations of provisions, which are not only absolutely necessary, but usual and customarily allowed to them—The General has thought proper to order, and direct, that from the first day of July last, there be Issued by the Commissary General, the following...
25From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been in daily Expectation of being favoured with the Commands of the Honbl. Congress, on the Subjects of my two last Letters. The Season now advances so fast, that I cannot any longer defer laying before them, such farther Measures, as require their immediate Attention, & in which I wait their Direction. The Mode, in which the present Army has been collected, has occasioned some...
26From George Washington to John Langdon, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
E’er this you must have heard of the taking, and retaking of your Ship; and of my ordering it to be delivered up to your Agent. I have promised the Officers, to wit Captn Broughton, Lieutt Glover, & another Subaltern whose name I cannot recollect, that I would recommd them to your notice & compensation. I should have done the same thing in behalf of the Men (for you must know the Vessell which...
27To George Washington from the Inhabitants of Marblehead, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Marblehead [Mass.] 21 September 1775 . “The Inhabitants of Marblehead being at last rous’d to a sense of the danger to which their town is expos’d (from its Unguarded situation) should it enter the Breasts of those Savage Enemies of American Liberty, to Attempt it, have by subscription rais’d a sufficient Fund, to defray the Expences of rebuilding and Fortifying their Fort Which done will...
28To George Washington from a Committee of Second Lieutenants, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioners Dellegates from the sevl Riggiments & Brigades Mentiond Viz. Col. Brewers } Genl Thos Brigade Col. Walkers from Genl Spencers Col. Fellows Col. Cottons 2 Rigts Genl Sullivans Col. Larnard 5 Rigts in Genl Greens &6 Rigts in Genl Heaths one from Col. Fryes That soon After the unhappy Commencment of hostilitys Betwen Great Brittan & the Colonies we Enterd into...
29From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
It gives me much concern to observe by yours of the 15th Instant that you should think it Necessary to distinguish between my personal & Publick Character & confine your Esteem to the former. Upon a Reperusal of Mine of the 8th Instant I cannot think the Construction you have made the Necessary one, & unless it was, I Should have hoped the Respect I really have, & which I Flattered myself I...
30From George Washington to Lund Washington, 21 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 21 Sept. 1775. On 15 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “I recieve’d on Sunday last . . . one . . . of the 21st Septmbr.”
31General Orders, 22 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The undernamed Prisoners, try’d by a General Court Martial for “Mutiny, Riot and Disobedience of orders,” are severally guilty of the Crimes, wherewith they are accused, and the Court upon due Consideration of the Evidence, do adjudge that the prisoner Joseph Seales receive thirty-nine Lashes upon his bare back and be drum’d out of the Army, and that the prisoners, John Gillard, Jacob...
32To George Washington from Captain John Black, 22 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Prospect Hill 22 September 1775 . “I have for some Time past ben Exercised with a bad pain in my Side, ocationed by a fitt of Sickness which has greatly impaired my helth so that the Docter inform’s me that unless I Quit the Camp for some time sd disorder will be Attended wth bad consequences to my Constetution; And as I live a Considerable distance from Camp, & it being verey...
33General Orders, 23 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
34To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 23 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing Rema[r]kable to Wright[.] I have Included the minutes that Mr Leach touck Down, I Should be glad to Now If I most Send Every Day If thare is Nothing Remarkable. I am your Exelencies most humble Servent at Command ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed observations have not been identified.
35General Orders, 24 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Major Scarborough Gridley, try’d at a late Genl Court Martial, whereof Brigd. Genl Green was president, for “being deficient in his duty upon the 17th June last, the day of the Action upon Bunkers-hill”—The Court find Major Scarborough Gridley guilty of a breach of orders; They do therefore dismiss him from the Massachusetts service; But on Account of his inexperience and Youth, and the great...
36To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, 24 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Prospect Hill [24 September 1775] . Gives permission for Lt. David Richmond to resign his commission if agreeable to GW. D , DLC:GW . The document is dated “Sunday Morning.” The context indicates that it was written on Sunday 24 September. See note 1 . Daniel Hitchcock (1739–1777), colonel of the 2d Rhode Island Regiment, was in civilian life a successful lawyer in Providence. Hitchcock...
37General Orders, 25 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As frequent Applications to the Major Generals for furloughs, have become very troublesome, and takes up much of their time, the following method of granting them for the future is to be observed, and under no pretence whatsoever, to be dispensed with, until further orders on this head vizt. The Colonels, or commanding Officers of Regiments, or Corps, when they find it really requisite, and...
38To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 25–27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
My last of the 19th Inst. from Newbury Port, advising of the Embarkation of the Troops I make no Doubt your Excellency received. The Same Day we left Newbury, and arrived safe in the River next Morning except a small Vessel which run on the Rocks, but is since off without Damage, & arrived safe. I found the Batteaus compleated, but many of them smaller than the Directions given, & very badly...
39From George Washington to Lund Washington, 25 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 25 Sept. 1775. On 15 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “this day I received one date’d 25th of Septmbr.”
40General Orders, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
For the future the weekly Returns on Saturdays, are to be made in the old form; The Majors of Brigade will give printed forms as usual, to the Adjutants of every brigade, at Orderly time to morrow. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
41To George Washington from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
At the request of the bearer Mr Key, I have presumed to trouble you with this letter, to introduce to your notice & countenance that young gentleman, who, I flatter myself, will endeavour to deserve your good opinion, & favour. Should hostilities be suspended and a negotiation take place this winter, I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in this city on your way to Virginia. If a treaty is...
42To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Letter of the 18th instant we have sent out our small armed Vessel with Orders to Capt. Whipple to relinquish the Voyage to Bermuda, and to prolong his Cruize for the Packet to the Sixth Day of October. Agreeable to your Advice I have communicated the proposed Adventure to Bayonne to the Congress, and most heartily wish it may be pursued, as the Ability and Integrity of...
43From George Washington to Major Christopher French, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 18th Instant is now before me, as well as that from the Committee of Hartford, on the same Subject. When I compare the Treatment you have received with that which has been Shewn to those brave American Officers who were taken fighting gallantly in Defence of the Liberties of their Country, I cannot help expressing Some Surprize that you Should thus earnestly contest Points...
44To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Upon considering your Letter of 4th August, the following Points appear’d so exceedingly important, that I am Directed to Desire you will Consult such of your Officers as you think proper, upon the most prudent & effectual Methods of Accomplishing them. These are the Continuation of the Army, now under your Command, in the Service of the Continent after the terms of Enlistment shall have been...
45From George Washington to the Hartford Committee of Safety, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 18th Instant & one from Major French on the Same Subject have come Safely to Hand. From the general Character of this Gentleman, & the acknowledged Politeness & Attention of the Committee of Hartford to the Gentlemen intrusted to their Care I flatter’d myself there would have been a mutual Emulation of Civility which would have resulted in the Ease & Convenience of both. I...
46To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Two days ago I arrived here from Virginia, which the late short adjournment just allowed me time to visit and return from. I brought two letters from thence for you which come with this. Having some business with Colo. Mason, I travelled that road and having sent to your Lady to know if she had any commands this way, had the pleasure to learn that all were well at Mount Vernon. As I suppose it...
47To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor to address You in a long Letter of the 20th which I hope will come safe to Hand. The Day before yesterday I was favored with a Letter from General Montgomery, Copy of which inclosd In the Contents of which, & on the Report of the Indian Deputies I do myself the Pleasure to congratulate Your Excellency. I have made some Explanatory Notes on General Montgomery’s Letter...
48From George Washington to Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have perused & consider’d a Petition or rather a Remonstrance directed to you & signed by Several Captains & Subalterns on the Appointment of Mr Huntington to the Lieutenancy of Capt. Chester’s Company. The decent Representation of Officers or even of common Soldiers through the Channel of their Colonel, or other superior Officers I shall always encourage & attend to: But I must declare my...
49General Orders, 27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Amos Brown of Capt. Wilders Company in Col. Whitcomb’s Regiment, tried at a General Court Martial whereof Col. Bridge was Presdt for “mutinous and abusive language”—The Court are unanimously of opinion the prisoner is not guilty & therefore acquit the prisoner. Genl Thomas’s brigade to be mustered on monday morning at seven OClock, and General Spencers on Wednesday morning at the same hour....
50To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered, James McCormick, the Criminal condemned for the Murder of Rueben Bishop, on board the Schooner Broad Bay, Capt. Clarkson, with Directions for him to be delivered to Capt. Moses Howell, at Newbury Port, who has orders to send him to your Excellency—The Criminal Appears to be very simple & ignorant, and in the Company he belonged to, had the Character of being a peacable...