31To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This Day affords nothing new—I have been Honoured with your Excellenceys favor of the 13th Instant—I am well Convinced that the Enemy will Evacuate Newyork both by your Excys Letters and Every other Circumstance; Some persons who have Lately been Releasd from that City Declare that the Enemy are Laying up no forage and are Selling the wood on hand at half price: than which nothing can be...
32To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was rewarded for the confidence which I owed your Excellency, and which you inspired, by the Answer which you were so kind as to make me the 11th inst. The approbation of a great man, of one who unites the Suffrages of all, who merits them, is the most flattering of personal rewards, and can alone in part console for that fatality of events, which snatched the fleet from the happiness of...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will Accompany to Your Excellency a Packet brought from England by the same Hand that brought Mrs Rights & the other letter I sent You. I thought to have sent some person over last night, but the Storm was so high it was impossable I had 9 Saylors Deserters Yesterday, from Byrons Fleet; they say there is above 2,000 of them sick on Statten Island where they have a Vast many Sails Pitched...
34To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago, Mr Worthington Assistt Commissary of Purchases informed me he had just parted from Joseph Hobby of Horse Neck, Capt. Ezekl Hyat & Major Strang who informed him that this Morning, being at Horse Neck, they saw a large Fleet pass towards New York, larger they imagined than the Fleet which some Weeks since went to New Port. Mr Worthington could tell me no farther particulars,...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I returnd from Claps tavern to this place last Evening about Seven oClock and took post to the left of the Artillery park, the whole of the Horse was advanced on the Several roads Leading to the Enemy with orders to keep out Patrolls, which wear Advanced as fare as they Could venter with safety, they Will continue to do this untill Called off, the whole of the infantry Lay on their arms all...
36To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is all the Intelligance of this Day The Sloops & Schooners mentioned by General Cornell by the name of the mesqueto Fleet are undoubtedly the Fleet which I mentioned in a former Letter went from Newport & Stood Eastward Hugging the Shore —The other Fleet mentioned by Genl Cornell is Grays—The Ships which Colo. Peabody mentions as Coming into the Harbor are Lord Howes Fleet Joined to...
37To George Washington from Major Alexander Clough, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
since my last tho I have seen severall from New york I have not been able to collect any thing more then a confermation of the former intellegance, and that a great quantity of furniture is selling off at vandue—Adml Byron arive’d the last wedensday with a ninhty & seventy four, which as been the only movement in the fleet for this week past, according to the best inthelligance I can get. I am...
38To George Washington from Samuel Fletcher, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Esteemed favr of 14th Septemr and am quite Obliged pr your desiring General Heath to Afford me all possible Assistance in forwarding the Clothing. This Clothing had been arrived here some months before I recd charge of the same, landed in many places & some of the Packages with out any Particular Invoice, had it not been for those Circumstances I should have been able to...
39To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nothing new in this Quarter. Three Deserters came from the Enemy yesterday they Say the Sailors are all Sent off Except one Frigates Crew they think to Newyork all the Anchors Cables & Rigging out of the Stores are Loading on board the Transports. They are Laying up their winters Store of wood which they bring from Long Island they have Lately brought in twelve Ship Loads of hay. The Report of...
40From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with the Boards Letter of the 9th Inst. With respect to inlisting either Deserters or prisoners in general cases, I am decisively of Opinion against it—and I am convinced it will always operate against us, or at least till our appointments in Cloathing &c. can be placed upon as good a footing as those of the Enemy. With respect to the Count pulaski’s Corps, as the Campaign...
41To George Washington from George Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the last Flagg which arrived from New York I received Certifi cates from the Commissary Genl of Prisoners there, with Proposals for exchanging Stephen Lush (late my Brigade Major & taken at Fort Montgomerie<)> for Henry Cuyler—Cornelius Van Tessel for Alexander White and James Dole for Abraham Maybie. As I conceive the exchanges advantageous I mean to agree to the Proposals, and to direct...
42To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but his Majesty’s positive Instructions of which I send you an Extract, could have induced me to trouble you or the American Congress again on the Subject of the Troops detained in New England in direct Contravention of the Treaty entered into at Saratoga. The Neglect of the Requisitions already made on this Subject is altogether unprecedented among Parties at War. I now however repeat...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the memorial which you delivered relative to the defence of the North River at this place —and upon a view of them highly approve what you have offered upon the Subject—Col. Kosciousko who was charged by congress with the direction of the forts and batteries—has already made such a progress in the construction of them as wd render any alteration in the general plan a work of too...
44From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the 11th instant. I take the earliest oppertunity of transmitting you the following intelligence, which I have reason to think is authentic—That Lord Howe’s fleet has returned to New York, and that the seamen, which he had taken from the transports to reinforce his Crews, are remanded to their respective Ships. The day before yesterday, a...
45To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th came to hand last Night. I have waited upon General Heath and have got the state of the cloathing department. Mr Fletcher has forwarded for Springfield from this place between 10 & 12000 Blankets 7669 pair of Shoes, 8000 Suits of Uniforms & 2000 Shirts. He is forwarding from Portsmouth about 15,000 Pair of Hose & 11,000 Suits of Uniforms. Messrs Otis &...
46To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received the honor of yours of the 13th Instant. From my first being informed of Mr Fletcher’s appointment I have afforded him every assistance which he has asked for without the least delay, and have constantly enjoined upon him to acquaint me of any, the least, embarrassment which may fall in his way, which, if in my power, shall be immediately removed. Mr Fletcher has already...
47From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 17th Inst. yesterday evening. No certain conclusions can be drawn of the enemy’s designs on the Jersey from the fitting up of their flat bottomed boats. If part of them are going to the West Indies they will want them there. It will not therefore be altogether advisable on the present appearance of things to call out the militia—But in order to guard against the...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Your Excellencys Orders from Coll Harrison to try to inform you what the 29 Sail of Vessels were that Major Howell mentions I understood they were all Victualers or chiefly so as far as he knew that many of them was armed Victualers 6 or 7 of them was from Cork & the rest from England. The report of a party making ready to Imbarque still prevails some says they are going to Boston...
49From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Peter Muhlenberg and William Woodford and Colonel James Wood, 19 September … (Washington Papers)
I have herewith troubled you with a Warrant for the purpose of reinlisting the Virginia Troops in your Brigade, and when you send it to the Paymaster Genl if you will direct the Officer who may carry it to call at Head Quarters, I will transmit you the necessary instructions or if an earlier opportunity offers I will do it then. I am Sir Yr Mo. Obet Servt p.s. Do not delay a moment in sending...
50To George Washington from Otis & Andrews, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have this morning received Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant; The Cloth order’d to be made up, by the Hon’ble Board of War, has lately been order’d out of Town by General Heath, & is accordingly gone & going out, except such quantities as were necessary to keep the Taylors at work, which we requested the General’s permission to retain; There will be some unavoidable delays on...
51From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 15 Inst. by Monsr Segond. I think it will be proper for you to join the Army with your Corps, as there yet remain more than Two months in which the Enemy may operate in the Field; However, you are not to proceed with it till you receive orders from Congress or the Board of War for the purpose. If Congress or the Board of War direct you to join the...
52From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On consideration it appears to me best, that you should incamp with the division under your command on the East side of the River; so as to preserve as easy a communication with the forts, as the situation of the ground will permit. This position will be most convenient both for the benefit of water and for the greater facility with which you may form a junction with the rest of the army in...
53From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 15 Inst. last night and another of the 14 the day before. By a resolve of Congress lately passed all horses killed in action are to be paid for by the Quarter Master General on the oath of the party, a sum not exceeding 500 Dollars. We have pretty authentic intelligence of Lord Howes return with his squadron to New york—and a large fleet of transports...
54To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
There is nothing new in this Quarter Save that the Enemy have within two or three Days past pulled Down Several Houses on the North End of Rhode Island for what purpose is not known I Inclose your Excellencey a providence paper which Contains all the news in this Quarter I have the Honor to be Dear General your Excellenceys Most obedt Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Sullivan may have enclosed a...
55To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosd is the return of the Rigiment agreeable to the directions given me, by Colo. Banister. An officer will set out tomorrow for Boston, for the purpose of procuring c[l]oathing, I should of sent him off on my arrival here, but have waited for the making of a coat, which is to be the fashion of the Regiment. I neglected to mention to you when I was in your company, that Lieut. John Baylor...
56To George Washington from George Clinton, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Copies of Letters which were forwarded to me by Genl Ten Broeck and came to hand this forenoon, your Excellency will receive the disagreable Intelligence of the destruction of the valuable Settlements of the German Flatts by the Enemy and the Loss of 100 head of Cattle which were destined for Fort Schuyler. As I have not received any Account of this Affair or of the Disposition...
57From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency yesterday from Fort Clinton —since which I have received intelligence by a New York paper that Admiral Byron in the princess Royal of ninety guns—accompanied by the Culloden Capt. Balfour of seventy four, arrived at New York on the 16th instant. the same paper mentions that an armed Sloop from Hallifax announces the arrival of the following...
58To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I writ to Your Excellency the 16th by Titsworth. The present is to inclose an Act of Congress of the 17th for marching Pulaski’s Legion to Trenton, there to receive Your Excellency’s Orders. I have the honor to be &c. LB , DNA:PCC , item 13. The heading of this letter on the manuscript includes the notation: “by Colonel [Moses] Hazen.” For this resolution, see JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et...
59To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was Honoured with Your Excellencys Favour of the 19th Inst. about noon to day, it accompany one to Coll Ogden[,] Barber & some others as Coll Ogden is gone to Philada to day on some private Bussiness I opened his letter, but as I did not know what he wrote to Your Excellency last I can return nothing on that subject. I suppose he thought by this time to have much to send you and so did I,...
60To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 17th & 18th inst. went down the Sound from the Eastward upwards of one hundred Sail of vessels, part of them loaded with forage—Among them were several large ships. I have not been able to learn whether there were any troops on board. By the last Accounts from New York, five Brigades embark’d on the 16th and all the Pilots for the sound impress’d about the same time. I have two very...
61From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Morning received your favor of the 17 Instant with the Letters to which it refers. your last favor was misdated as you suppose—and will be altered agreable to your request. By a New York paper of the 17th, it appears that Admiral Biron arrived the preceding day, with the princess Royal of 90 Guns & the Colloden of 74 —His whole fleet has now got in except the ship that put back to...
62To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day nothing worth taking up a moment of your Excellenceys attention unless you find it in the Inclosed Letters which I am Requested to forward I have the Honor to be my Dear General your Excys most obedt Servant ALS , PHi : Etting Collection. On the manuscript Sullivan inadvertently wrote “Excellencelleneys.” These letters have not been identified.
63To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this Place the 18th Inst. and find that Provisions can be made nearly Equal to what I represented to your Excellency, altho’ I found some Gentlemen were Endeavouring to purchase for Private Use I have not as yet had any advice from Mr Cuyler Commissary for the Northern Department for which reason I send Capt. Young to him that the Purchase might not be delayed Inclosed Your...
64To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acquaint Your Excellency that General Mac dougals Division arrived here Yesterday, and The whole Left Wing are now encamped upon a Height, to the East of this Town; about one Mile upon the road leading to Hartford; in my Judgement, exactly the position your Excellency recommended: I apprehend the Troops posted upon the Sound, and to the Southard of Danbury, are order’d to...
65To George Washington from Major Ebenezer Gray, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Daviss who returned from the Iland this morning I have Recd the following Intelligence which he received from two credible Persons who left N. York last Saturday in the afternoon viz. that a Day before yesterday all the Light Horse were ordered to the City in order to Imbark that many of the Transports had Arm[i]ngs built for the Conveyance of Stock, and that Genl Jones was to Imbark...
66To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I have the Honour to transmitt your Excellency the act for regulating the impresses of Forage and Carriages within this State, together with <t>he Copy of a Letter from Governour Clinton to me on <t>hat subject, in consequence of which General Gates then commanding in this department <t>hought proper to grant me a general Press warrant, <in> executing of which I have been so carefull...
67To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On fryday last a Vessel arrived at Piscataqua in forty Days from Nantz, in France, Dispatches were yesterday brought up to the Count de Estaing, the Master of the Vessel reports that on the 27th July last a Navel Engagement happened off Ushant between the Squadron of his most Christian Majesty Commanded by Monsieure de Chaffault and the British Fleet Commanded by Admiral Keppel which lasted...
68To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to aknowledge the reception of your late favor —your excellency’s Sentiments were already known to me, and my heart had Anticipated your answer—I however Confess it gave me a new pleasure when I Receiv’d it—my love for you is such, my dear general, that I did enjoy it better (if possible) in a private Sentimental light than in a political one—Nothing makes me happier than to See a...
69To George Washington from William Livingston, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
About a week ago arrived in Brunswick from New york one Crowel formerly a New Jersey man with a Flagg for his Boat from Admiral Gambier, for the sole purpose of his carrying to Brunswick Lewis Costigen & his family; and another pass from General Jones in the like words except the omission of the word, sole . Crowel, after landing his Passengers obtained leave from Justice Neilson to go about...
70To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The fleet I mentiond to Your Excellency in My last coming from the eastward, I have Just been Able to Learn whither they had any troops on board A person imployd for that purpose informs me That on the 18th & 19th they came too off whitestone Where they disembarked, (he thinks) between Five and Seven thousand Men, who incamped on the Ground in That Neighbourhood. they Brought with them and...
71To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a Flag Just Returned from Newport I find that Admiral Biron in a Ninety gun Ship has Arrived at Newport a Seventy four gun Ship has also Arrived with him: Those Ships were Seperated from the Fleet in a Storm —The Fleet which I mentioned to your Excellencey as going westward have not Since been heard of I then thought New London might be their object but as they have not been Discovered in...
72Circular to Six States, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting you, Copies of two Letters from Colo. Biddle and Charles Pettit Esquire, upon the subject of forage. The representations of these Gentlemen are so full and so well founded, respecting the difficulties that attend the getting this important article, from the reluctance of the Holders to part with it—and the enormous & exorbitant prices they demand for it,...
73From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th Inst. I had the pleasure of receiving yesterday. I would wish you to ascertain with as much precision as possible the number of troops that imbark, and the time of their departure from New york, with what other circumstances can be gained respecting them. For this purpose you will use every means in your power, and transmit the result of the enquiry to me with all...
74To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Smith whome I have pitchd on to go to Boston has been so much indispos’d that he was not able to set out sooner than this morning. I must beg leave to refer you to him for the relation of an affray that has happend here between the civil authority and Major Clough; my motives for troubling you with this dispute is, that complaints have been made to the Governer who will probebly make...
75From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr De Chouin has announced to me your desire, that he may pay you a visit to explain more fully than can be done by letter, the state of affairs both with respect to the enemy and to us—their movements and probable designs and our dispositions in consequence—The intelligence, I have received of the former has been imparted to him as it arrived—the latter he has, in a great measure, had an...
76From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 16th. The exorbitancy of the price of forage to the Eastward exceeds what I had any conception of, and should the seat of War be transferred to that quarter, the prices, high as they are, would no doubt rise with the demand—Mr Pettit and Colo. Biddle, alarmed at the prices of that Article in this quarter, and finding the people every day more unwilling to...
77From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By some late accounts from the Eastward, it appears, that none of the provisions, destined for the use of the French fleet had arrived; nor had they any knowlege of its being near—I shall be glad to know what steps have been taken in consequence of my former directions, and what progress has been made in the business of forwarding supplies for the fleet—This is an object of so great...
78From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 14th instant. Whatever may be the future intentions of the enemy, it is evident that they have lain aside all designs against Boston for the present: Lord Howe having returned to the Hook with his Fleet, and the Troops under Genl Gray have come down the sound again, and have landed at White Stone upon Long Island. I shall keep the best possible watch upon their motions,...
79From George Washington to Major General Johann Kalb, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lest you should not thoroughly have conceived my intention, as communicated by Lt Colo. Hamilton, I give you the trouble of this Letter. After advancing on the Fish-kill road (by a Colo. Luddingtons) till you have crossed the Mountain, & descended into the Flat land, you will take the first good position on acct of Water—Wood—& Forage to Incamp at, having respect at the sametime to the road...
80To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that last Evening above 40 of our Officers that was Prisoners with the Enemy came here besides some Sea Men & Officers that is come since that I have not seen. They all agree in this point that they are either going on some Expeditions or they are going to leave New york. Some says there is two expeditions on foot one up the sound the other up the North River...