201From George Washington to Major Jacob Morris, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with your Letter of the 10th Instt, and not having leizure to answer it fully, shall content my self with asking a question or two by way of Information—It being the only trouble I mean to give you at this, or any time hereafter, on the subject of your resignation. Were you not informed then, before I saw you at Genl Sullivans (a day or two preceding your going into New...
202From George Washington to Robert Morris, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour by Monsieur Armandt was duly handed me. I have been happy to show him every mark of attention in my power. The considerations you mention gave him a just claim to it; and derived additional weight from your recommendation. I am pleased to find Congress took such distinguishing notice of him as they did in their late appointment. He has requested to have the command of a partisan...
203From George Washington to Robert Morris, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you the inclosed from General Lee which I have just received by a flag. The other inclosures, I beg may be immediately handed to the Gentlemen for whom they are. As I am this moment going off to the Camp at Boundbrook, I have only time to add, that I am with sentiments of real regard & respect, Sir Your most Obedient servant LS (photocopy), in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, NjP :...
204From George Washington to Robert Morris, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a letter for Major Apollos Morris which I have left open for your inspection, after reading it, be pleased to deliver it. I will just remark, that the political Queries referred to were addressed to Lord and Sir William Howe, and Major Morris declared that if they refused to give him an answer he should look upon it as a tacit Confession that they had no other terms or poers...
205From George Washington to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
A party of your Regiment arrived here Yesterday with an escort of money. Their appearance has convinced me fully of the danger which I always apprehended from the similiarity of their Uniform to that of the British Horse, and the officer who commands the party, tells me, that the people were exceedingly alarmed upon the Road, and had they been travelling thro’ a part of the Country, where it...
206From George Washington to Col. Stephen Moylan, 8 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Stephen Moylan, 8 April 1777. Moylan referred in his letter to GW of 14 April to the “receipt of your Kind favour of the 8th instant.”
207From George Washington to Elizabeth Mallam Neil, 27 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I hoped to have given you a more favourable Acct of my application to Congress, in your behalf, than the Inclosed resolution will convey. but that Honble body have, I presume, thought it rather too early to adopt a measure of this kind yet—what they may do hereafter, I cannot undertake to say. In the meantime, as I sincerely feel for your distress, I beg your acceptance of the Inclosd as a...
208Instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Jeremiah Olney, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your detachment is to remain at Morris Town till further orders, with which, and the Militia now here, you are to Guard the Stores of different kinds, in the most effectual manner you are able. Endeavour, as far as it is in your power, to Strengthen the works already begun upon the Hill near this place, and erect such others as are necessary for the better defending of it, that it may become a...
209From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was just now favoured with your Letter of the 25th by Major Humphrys. The intelligence communicated by it, is truely interesting and agreeable, and now I shall take occasion, not only to give you my hearty approbation of your conduct in planning the expedition to Long Island, but to return my sincere thanks to Lt Colo. Meigs and to all the Officers and men engaged in it. This enterprise, so...
210From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23–25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 15th Instant. One of the Detachments you mention, I presume was that under Lieutt Colo. Butler, who arrived here the latter end of last Week. The Other has probably stopped at Pecks Kills agreable to directions lately transmitted General McDougal, till further Orders. This I was induced to direct, ’till the designs of the Enemy became unfolded and so...
211From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 25th Ultimo, I consented to your detaining some of the Continental troops to execute the expedition you proposed to Long Island. I have now to desire in the most positive manner, that you send on as fast as possible all who are not absolutely necessary for that purpose, and as I am morally certain, that till the field officers are forced from their scenes of ease and dissipation...
212From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 8th March, Those of the 4 & 6th likewise came duly to hand. I wish you had sent the Cover of the letter of mine that you suspect had been opened and put under a fresh Cover, as by comparing the direction with the hand writing of the Gentlemen of my family, the matter would have been reduced to a certainty, and the fraud, if any, might perhaps have been traced. I am...
213From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 15th inclosing the order of your Governor, founded upon a Resolve of Congress for detaining two of the Continental Battalions in Connecticut. My Letter of the 17th, fully expresses my opinion upon the impolicy of this measure, of which I am more and more convinced. From some late accounts, I have good reason to believe that the Enemy do not expect an early...
214From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Letters of the 20th & 29th Ulto will convey evident proofs to you, of my extreme sollicitude respecting the Assembling of our Troops—& yet, as I have but too much reason to believe that dissipation in some, and the comfortable enjoyment of domestick pleasures in others, have had an unhappy Influence upon the Conduct of the Recruiting Officers, I must again repeat the urgent necessity there...
215From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 21st instt from New Haven came safe to hand by Colo: Henley to which mine of the 20th instt is an answer, so far as relates to inoculation. I am very glad to find, that to morrow is the day fixed on for the completion of your Regiments; but I begin to think, that with respect to the continent at large, it is almost a matter of moonshine, whether they are completed or not,...
216From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured yesterday, with your Letter of the 11th Instt. I wrote Govr Trumbull fully, on the 11th and then informed him, that no part of the Troops exacted from the State, could remain there. This Letter, I presume, has reached the Governor, and I trust, the observations contained in it, would satisfy him of the necessity, of drawing the whole Troops together. I think with you, that the...
217From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Samuel Holden Parsons, Enoch Poor, and James Mitchell Varnum, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Situation of our Affairs again compells me to call upon you in express, and positive Terms to hasten the Troops of your State (those Inlisted for the Continent I mean) to Peeks Kills, or head Quarters, without one moments loss of time. I do not mean by this to interupt the Inoculation of them; but, that nothing which can facilitate the March of the whole, or part (under proper Officers)...
218From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 2nd Instt and am happy to hear, the order for drafting of men, is likely to be attended with so much success. The loss of the Stores at Danbury, is to be regreted, but I cannot consider it, in the important light you seem to do. Those at Derby are to be removed, by a Resolve of Congress, and I hope, the work is begun ’ere now, having wrote Generals...
219From George Washington to Colonel John Patton, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of 7th Instt with a Return of your Regiment came to hand two days ago, & am sorry to find that your Officers are so slow in the Recruiting Service—The Company you intend to March in a few days you will order directly to head Quarters, unless countermanded. The Expences that necessarily arise to recruiting Officers I believe is much increas’d, but at same time cant help remarking,...
220From George Washington to Edmund Pendleton, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the accident you have lately met with, an acct of which I receivd from B. Genl Woodford, whom I am glad to find will again enter into the Service. I have been favour’d with your Letter by Majr Taliaferro and shall always think myself happy in shewing proper attention to any Gentn of your recommending—Motives of prudence and policy however forbid me to be...
221From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Board of War, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the last return of the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, I discover a number of Vacancies, which for want of a knowledge of Gentlemen competent to the duties of an Officer I can not fill up—I must therefore beg the favour of You to perform this important business for me. The distractions occasioned in Battalions by irregular Promotions and bad Appointments are too generally known not to have...
222From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 28 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by your publication in the pennsylvania Gazette of the 19th instant that you have compleated your arrangement of Feild Officers, by means of which I hope the recruiting of your Battalions will go on more briskly than it has done heretofore. By the promotion of Major Butler and death of the Colonel and Lieut: Colonel, the eighth Regiment of your State is left without a Feild...
223From George Washington to Richard Peters, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by a Resolve of Congress of the 10th Inst. to transmit to the Board of War a list of the Appointments made in Consequence of the powers with which I am invested by Congress, together with a Copy of all Commissions originating from and issued by me. I have made no appointments out of the Military line, but James Mease Esq: Cloathier Genl with a Salary of 150 dollars ⅌ Month. And...
224From George Washington to Richard Peters, 6 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 30th May. Mr Boudinot Commy of prisoners is gone down to Congress to lay before them a State of that department and from him you will learn that Sir Wm Howe would not permit Mr pintard to act as Agent for prisoners by Virtue of any Commission from me, but assented to his being allowed to distribute any money or necessaries that might be sent in. Mr Boudinot can...
225From George Washington to Richard Peters, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 11th. Capt. Gamble who was at princetown has been exchanged some time since, and Capt. Mcpherson who was left there wounded, has, upon his own Request, permission to go into Brunswic, whenever the State of his health will admit of his removal. The Docr will of course go with him. I never heard of any particular improper behaviour of the Docr. Genl Putnam barely...
226From George Washington to Richard Peters, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 7th instant inclosing Genl Gates’s Letter to Congress. A proper attention has been paid to the importance of the passes upon Hudsons River, for the Security of which a large part of the Eastern force is ordered to Peekskill and that neighbourhood, there to wait, untill the intentions of the Enemy are more fully known. You will be pleased to transmit Major...
227From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 9th & 14th instants. Upon the Receipt of the first I had no hopes of seeing you in the department which I wished, but by the latter I am pleased to find, that upon a full reconsideration of the matter, you had determined to accept of the office of Adjutant General, provided it had not been disposed of. I am obliged to you for the free manner in which you unbosom...
228From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Adjutant General being vacant by the resignation of Colo. Reed, and the power of appointing a Successor with me, I am induced from the good opinion I entertain of your attachment to the interests of the United States and your Military character, not only to make a tender, but most heartily to wish your acceptance of it. It will give me much pleasure if the Offer meets your...
229From George Washington to Jeremiah Dummer Powell and Meshech Weare, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of advices, received by Congress of the preparations making by General Carleton to pass the lake and attack Ticonderoga, before our force is drawn together at that post, they have come to the following resolution, which I transmit to you by their direction. “Resolved, That General Washington be directed to write to the Eastern States, from whence the troops to be employed at...
230From George Washington to Jeremiah Dummer Powell, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I saw no prospect of the three Super numera[ry] Regiments allotted to your State being rais’d till lately by the legislature having adopted them, and given them the priveledge of the aditional bounty, I had order’d Colo. Henly on to Camp, with a View of providing for Him in Some other Capacity I consider Him as too valuable An Officer to permit Him to be lost to the Service But when that...
231Instructions to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having been pleased to appoint you to the rank of Brigadier General in the Armies of the United States of America, the following Regiments, in a division to be commanded by Major General Sullivan, are to compose your Brigade; vizt: the German Battalion, so called, under the Command of Baron D’Arendt, and the 2nd price’s, 4th Hall’s, 6th Williams’s, from the State of Maryland. The...
232From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Price, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 4th instant inclosing a Return of your Regt which I am sorry to find, so far below my expectation. I have wrote to Governor Johnson, entreating him to endeavour to settle the unhappy dispute that has hitherto subsisted in your State respecting Rank; and I hope it may be effected. I desire you will immediately upon the Receipt of this order your Lieut. Colonel to march to...
233From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favour of the 10th. Of the Troops coming on and to come on from Bristol, you are to detain at your post all the Marylanders, Colo. Hazen’s Regiment of Pennsylvania, and that of Delaware, the others must be sent on immediately to the places where their respective Corps are stationed. Your application to General Mifflin for tents, was right, and must be repeated, as we...
234From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 9 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 9 May 1777. Putnam wrote GW on 10 May : “I just receiv’d your favour of yesterday.”
235From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your Two favors of the 27th and 30th Ulto. I thank you for the information contained in the latter; I had the substance of it, transmitted before in a Letter from Genl McDougal. In respect to the Rhode Island Detachment, you will have received Orders for their march to join Colo. Olney at Morris Town. I do not agree with you in Sentiment, respecting the Quantity of...
236From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a copy of the Information I received last night. From this, It appears, the Enemy are drawing their force from New York, and the account seems to be corroborated thro’ several other Channels. My principal design in communicating this intelligence, is, that if the facts are true, it favours the Expedition suggested in my Letter of the 25th. You are not to understand...
237From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 14 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 14 May 1777. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Putnam’s letter to GW of 13 May in part: “Ansd within 14.” On the reverse of Putnam’s letter, Harrison wrote the following memorandum of the reply: “14 Wrote to Genl Putnam to send on All the Troops except those from Maryd—the State of Delaware, & Hazen’s Battalion.”
238From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The accounts you give me of the distress of the Massachusets Troops for cloathing surprize me a good deal, as I was always taught to beleive that they had an abundance in that State. I have wrote to the Cloathier Genl to know the Reason of it. In the mean time, that the men may not suffer, I desire you will stop a parcel of Hunting Shirts, Over alls, Waistcoats, shoes and shirts that are...
239From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d is a Letter for Colo. Sheldon which I desire you’ll forward immediately to him by express, as it contains orders for him to send on his Horse If any of them have arriv’d at Peeks kill, be pleas’d to send them on to this place as quick as possible One Troop will be left at Peeks kill, but that must be one of the last, for the Horse that are here you know have been upon hard duty all...
240From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 10 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr Young who is sent up by the Cloathier General to issue Cloathing to the Troops at Peekskill. I beg you will give him your Countenance and Assistance in seeing that none are allowed to draw but such as are really in want. Some Regiments not content with a compleat suit of Uniform have drawn a Frock, Waistcoat and over alls, by which means they are doubly clad...
241From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Would it be practicable, do you think, under the present Circumstances, and situation of the Troops at Peeks Kill, to surprise the Enemy at Kings bridge? it must be effected by surprise or not at all, and must be undertaken by Water, which would also prove abortive, if the Enemy have Vessels of any kind above Fort Washington. The undigested Ideas which I have entertained of the matter, are...
242From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you upon a particular Subject Yesterday, to which I refer, and request to know your sentiments thereon, as soon as you can with propriety communicate them, because it may have some influence upon my movements in this quarter. An Express from Govr Trumbull, which came in last night, informs me that two Hessian Regiments and an half, and the 63 British had orders on the 17th Instt to...
243From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Ramsay, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
After returning my most sincere thanks to you & the other officers of your Battalion for your services, since your arrival in this State, I am under the Necessity however painfull to me of requesting you to remain at your present Post a few days longer, (not having it in my power at present to relieve you.) I am Sensible of the Disadvantages which must of course Accrue to you & many of your...
244From George Washington to Benjamin Rush, 16 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favour of the 13th instant; and am much obliged to you, for communicating your judicious observations on the inconveniences of an early incampment. They are perfectly correspondent with my own ideas, but how far they can be allowed to operate must depend upon many other considerations and circumstances. I shall be induced to incamp the army, sooner than I could wish,...
245From George Washington to Nathaniel Sackett, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
As your Letter of yesterdays date is rather a narative of what you have done, than any thing else, scarce any answer is necessary, except to that part respecting the H[essia]n: who I think had better go to B[runswic]k as his Influence with his C[ountryme]n, if he has any at all, can be more usefully exerted there than elsewhere—If any should be sent out with Intelligence of Importance, or of a...
246From George Washington to Brigadier General Gurdon Saltonstall, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
An abstract of pay for you from the 7th Septemr to the 27th November is this moment presented to me; in which you demand pay as Brigadier from the 10th of Septr: This I confess to be altogether unexpected, as, if I remember right you were but a very few days with the army; and when, your imperfect state of health required you to leave it, I had no other idea than that you meant at that time to...
247From George Washington to Capt. John Paul Schott, 29 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Capt. John Paul Schott, 29 Mar. 1777. Tench Tilghman docketed Schott’s letter to GW of 24 Mar. in part: “Ansd 29th with orders to march the Men inlisted immediately to Morris Town—sent him a Warrant for 300 Dollars.”
248From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letters of the 18th & 22d Instant with their Inclosures. I am sorry to find there is such a Scarcity of Blankets, and doubt not, whatever Measures you pursue to procure a Supply, will be founded on the strictest propriety. I thank you for your Information respecting Mr James Fisher, and shall avail myself of it in a suitable Manner. I am Dr Sir with great Esteem &...
249From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with Yours of the 16th. I refer You to a Letter which I wrote Yesterday to Congress upon the Expediency of forwarding the Troops directly on, to join the Army here. But as it may take some Time to collect and fit them out properly at Bristol, I desire that I may have exact Returns from Time to Time, from the Commanding Officer there of the Corps to which the Detachments belong,...
250From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favor of the 30th Ultimo; and am obliged to You for the Trouble You have taken, in transmitting the Resolves of Congress, and in explaining the Reason on which they are founded. These appear to me solid & judicious; & I shall take immediate Measures, so far as depends upon me, to have the Resolutions carried into Execution with Dispatch, with such Improvements as shall seem to...