130831To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I expect with great impatience and uneasiness the convoy of Bread that falls due to night to the troops, The Commissary of Provisions tells me that the heavy rains that fell the Day before yesterday have occasioned a delay, because the Bakers as yet are not under cover at Fish kill Landing, however, boats have been seen at Tarrytown coming down the river; Chariots are just gone to fetch it...
130832To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last night I was honored with Your Excellency’s favor of the 9th Instant. The first parcel of nails and nail rods sent by Colo. Pickering is arrived, if the second compleats my estimate there will be a sufficency. I have declined building batteaux at Schenectady as the inhabitants refused their boards unless I would engage a specie payment in October, a compliance would have involved not only...
130833Washington’s Instructions, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Reconnoitering the Enemy’s Posts at the north end of York Island and the vicinity of it. His Excellency Count de Rochambeau will be pleased to order a detachment of 2000 French Soldiers exclusive of the legion of the Duke de Lauzen & have them in readiness to march at Eight o’clock this Evening. He will order Eight pieces of Ordnance to this detachment—two of which are to be twelve...
130834From George Washington to David Waterbury, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to take a position for the present some where on the left of the White Plains, towards Morineck, or the Sound, so as to keep up a communication with the Duke de Lauzun. It is a standing General Order to have three days bread & two days cooked meat constantly on hand, to which you will immediately as far as possible, pointedly attend—& hold your Corps always in the most...
130835To George Washington from Marinus Willett, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that on the Morning of the Tenth Inst. with a party of One Hundred and Forty Men, about the one half of which were Levies and the remainder Militia from this District, we gained a compleat Victory over a party of near Two Hundred Indians under the Command of the famous Joseph Brant, and not much short of one Hundred Tories command by one Brent Fry a...
130836From John Jay to Floridablanca, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have now the Honor of communicating to your Excellency a Copy of certain Instructions I have rec d . from Congress, dated the 28 May 1781; and which were included in the Dispatches which your Excellency was so obliging as to deliver to me the Evening before the last, viz “It is their Instruction that you continue to acknowledge on all suitable occasions, the grateful Impressions made on...
130837From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Favor respecting the pump at aldgate. I have since (two Days Ago) rec d . Letters from Congress assuring me that no further Bills shall be drawn upon me. These Dispatches have given me So much Business that I am obliged to desire M r . Carm[ichael] to write you the News, and to assure you without further additions to this Letter that I am Sincerely Your aff. obliged Friend...
130838To John Jay from William Bingham, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I did not know of Major Franks’s Intentions of embarking for Spain, untill this very Moment— I cannot suffer him to depart without addressing you a few Lines, should they only serve to congratulate you on the pleasing Prospect of our Affairs— In every part of the United States, the Enemy are now acting on the defensive & seem to have renounced the vain & hitherto transitory Idea of Conquest...
130839To John Jay from Robert Morris, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I enclose you in this Packet the Plan of a national Bank, which I have been induced to adopt for the following Reasons. The issuing of a large Paper Medium converted the Coin of the Country into a Commodity; so that much of it was exported, and the Remainder concealed. The Depreciation of our Paper has so lessened our Currency that there is not a Sufficiency for Commerce and Taxation without...
130840Virginia Delegates to Joseph Reed, 13 July 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Written by JM, except for the other delegates’ signatures. Docketed, “1781 July 13th. from Honble Delegates of Virginia.” The Underwritten Delegates from the State of Virginia have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letters of the 10th. & 12th instant, and to express their entire satisfaction at the readiness shewn by the Supreme...
130841Thursday July the 12th 1781. (Adams Papers)
Dusseldorp a small town strongly fortified on the land side, but open on the river Rhine which we were obliged to cross, (on one of the same machines that I have mention’d yesterday) before we got there, it is in the Dutchy of Burgin Berg and is subject to the King of Prussia. There is a famous cabinet of Paintings here, but as we only stopp’d here to dine, and the cabinet not being then open,...
130842Enclosure: A Resolution on a Treaty of Commerce, 12 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the United states in Congress assembled Resolved That the commission and instructions for negotiating a treaty of Commerce between these United states and Great Britain given to the honorable John Adams on the twenty ninth day of Sep tember one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine be and they are hereby revoked. Extract from the minutes The content of all or some notes that appeared on...
130843The Continentalist No. I, [12 July 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the first number of a series of papers which I intend to publish on matters of the greatest importance to these States; I hope they will be read with as much candour and attention as the object of them deserve, and that no conclusions will be drawn till these are fully developed. I am, Sir , Your most obedient humble servant, A.B. The Continentalist. No. I . It would be the...
130844From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 12 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 5th. Instant. I approve of the Orders you have given relating to the Subsistance of the Prisoners. It will be well to put them into the first Cartel that shall arrive at Morlaix, or go from any Port near you, taking a Receipt from the Captain, as for so many Persons—Prisoners made by the Americans. There were seventeen left in the Prison...
130845From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 12 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress Je ne doute pas que le Congrès ne se fasse un Devoir de se conformer aux Intentions du Roy, et qu’en consequence il ne donne ordre de suspendre toutes Traittes et particulierement celles du Bureau d’Emprunt; mais toutes celles qui ont été faites avant cet ordre et qui n’ont pas encore paru, me seront certainement...
130846To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 12 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Major Franks, a young Gentleman who has been in the American Army since the beginning of the War, will deliver you this, I beg leave to introduce Him to your notice and Friendship, he can acquaint you all about the Children and Family, as he very frequently saw us all together— there is a Vesel to sail in a few days by which I shall write largely,...
130847To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Benezet, 12 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having several times attempted to get intelligence by letter from my kindred at St Quentin, in Picardie, the place of my nativity I take the liberty to trouble thee, my kind Friend, with the inclosed Packet for M Debrissac, my near kinsman, one of the principal traders there; a person whose acquaintaince would, in several respects, be agreable to thee;...
130848To Benjamin Franklin from Honoré-Thomas Bligny: Receipt for Picture Frames, [12 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Memoire des Bordures et verres fournis pour Son Excellence Monsieur de Francklin Ministre plenipotentiaire des Provinces unies de la Merique Septentrionnalle, fourni par Bligny pere Cour du Manége aux Thuilleries Savoir Le 12. Juillet 1781. deux Bordures pour les portrais de Washington de 2. pouces de profil a la grec à 2 ornemens apretté, dorée d’or Jaune...
130849To Benjamin Franklin from Feutry, 12 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je manque réellement d’expression pour vous faire mes très humbles et très sinceres remercimens, des Six bouteilles de madere que vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer. J’ai été d’abord épouvanté, Monsieur, à L’aspect de ce bataillon rangé sur ma commode, mais quand J’ai réfléchi qu’il n’etoit venu là que pour ma défense, pour chasser L’ennemi, et me ramener...
130850General Orders, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Major General Parsons Colonel Butler for Picquet Major Keith Inspector 2d Massachusetts brigade Untill further orders the Troops are constantly to be provided with three days allowance of baked bread and two days allowance of cooked beef. Colonel Scammell’s detachment is to be supplied occasionally with Ammunition by the regiments to which the men respectively belong, on...
130851To George Washington from James Clinton, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor I have been this day honor’d with, the contents of which shall be punctualy attended to: the 2d Regt is encamped at this place, and every thing kept in the most perfect readiness to embark on the shortest notice. This day I have written to Col. Hay on the subject of supplies for this department and pointed out the necessity of having a quantity of beef forwarded on...
130852From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of this date. You will remain where you are ’till further orders, but you will make me an exact Return in the morning of the force which you have brought with you. However desirable a supply of Cloathing may be, I have no authority to allow it to be procured in the manner which Mr Caldwell mentions. I am Dear Sir yr most obt Servt CSmH .
130853To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place at 8 oClock this morning with the Jersey troops, excepting one subaltern and twenty men whom I ordered yesterday towards the new bridge for the purpose of seizing for our use some fat cattle of which we were in great want and which were most probably designed for the enemy. Enclosed is a letter I received from the Revd Mr Caldwell since we marched; I take the first...
130854To George Washington from Abner Dow, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to inform your Excellency that I have had the Honor to serve the United States of America under your command most of the time since the commencement of this unnatural Contest; and now am honor’d with a Captains Commission in the Same service; in which Capasity I should gladly have acted during the War, did not my private Affairs render it necessary for me to take my leave of the...
130855From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 10th You will be pleased to let me have, as quick as possible, a Return of the Troops at West Point and its dependencies, as I want to ascertain our total Strength. If you will make me acquainted with the names of the prisoners under sentence and the Regiments to which they belong, I will endeavour to find out the Judgments against them and either have them put in...
130856From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to request that you will be pleased to send one of your Aides de Camp, to give Orders to Brigadr genl Waterbury from me, to put the whole of his Troops in motion to morrow morng & to march them to Marineck or North Street—at one of which places, he will recieve further orders, respecting the position he is to take. General Waterbury will move at the time appointed without fail & give...
130857To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I believe I have heretofore mentioned to your Excellency my disappoinment in respect to the number of horses supposed to be wintered in Pensylvania. Last January, or early in February, I sent to that state & to every other where horses were wintered, for returns of them, for the purpose of ascertaining what numbers would be fit for service this campaign: but I obtained none until May & June....
130858From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Tomorrow Evening will answer very well for the movement I mentiond to your Excellency Yesterday. and I will arrange matters accordingly—2000 French Troops besides Lauzuns Legien with the Troops I shall order from the American line will be sufficient to make the reconnoitre out hazarding an Insult from the my. I shall have the honor of sp ing more in detail to your Excellen on this subject...
130859To George Washington from Nathaniel Stevens, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to your Excellency the 4th and 7th Instant, from Hartford, Informing your Excellency the measures I had taken and the knowledge obtained of Supplies comeing on, which I expect your Excellency has received. I would now inform your Excellency that I find they are collecting and forwarding beef Cattle for the army in almost every place I came through, but that I could learn nothing from...
130860Motion on John Adams’ Commission and Instructions, [12 July] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, IV, 367). Although docketed by Samuel Huntington, “Motion by Mr Madison 2d by Mr Sharpe Respecting the Instructions given to J Adams for Negotiating a Treaty of Commerce with Britain,” the “Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs,” states that John Mathews seconded it ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.;...
130861Notes from Congress’ Secret Journal on Instructions to John Adams, 12 July 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). See Notes from Secret Journal, 28 May 1781 , headnote. Madison & Mathews moved to revoke Comissn. & instrns. to Mr. Adams for Treaty of Commerce with G. B. —on which Liverm: no—Partridge Osgood no—Varnum ay—Elsworth—Sherman no, Montgomery, Clymer, T. Smith ay—Rodney McKean ay—Jenifer no Carrol ay Potts ay—Jones ay. Madiso[n] ay—Bland ay—Sharpe Johnson...
130862Joseph Reed to Virginia Delegates, [12 July] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Pennsylvania Archives Samuel Hazard et al ., eds., Pennsylvania Archives (9 ser., 138 vols.; Philadelphia and Harrisburg, 1852–1949). , 1st ser., IX, 271). Endorsed, “1781, July 12th. To Hon’ble Delegates of Virginia in Congress.” I take the earliest oppy to inform you that the Council fully concur with you in your Sentiments respecting the Seizure of Property of the...
130863Wednesday July the 11th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning at about six o’clock we set off from Nimegen and arriv’d at about 8 P.M at Hochstrass the distance is about 70 Engh. Miles; We pass’d thro’ Cleves Kleve , Xanten, and Rheimberg Rheinburg , three small unfortified towns, they all belong to the King of Prussia as does Hochstrass Which is the last town in his dominions, in this part of the country. There are but a few houses in...
130864John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am called to this Place, in the Course of my Duty: but dont conceive from it any hopes of Peace. This desireable object is yet unhappily at a Distance, a long distance I fear. My dear Charles will go home with Maj. Jackson. Put him to school and keep him steady.—He is a delightfull Child, but has too exquisite sensibility for Europe. John is gone, a long Journey with Mr. Dana:—he will serve...
130865Austro-Russian Proposal for Anglo-American Peace Negotiations, with John Adams’ Translation, 11 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Articles pour Servir de base à la négociation du retablissement de la paix. Il sera traité entre la grande Bretagne et les Colonies Américaines du rétablissement de la paix en Amérique; mais sans l’intervention d’aucunes des autres parties Belligérentes, ni même celle des deux Cours Impériales, à moins que leur médiation n’ait été formellement demandée et accordée sur cet objet. Cette paix...
130866John Adams: A Translation, 11 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Articles to Serve, as a Foundation of the negotiation, for the Re-establishment of Peace. There shall be a Treaty, between Great Britain, and the American Colonies, concerning the Re-establishment of Peace, in America; but without the Intervention of any of the other belligerent Parties, nor even that of the two Imperial Courts, at least unless their mediation Should be formally ask demanded...
130867From John Adams to the President of Congress, 11 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have only time, by Major Jackson, to inform Congress, that upon Information from the Comte de Vergennes, that questions concerning Peace, under the Mediation of the two imperial Courts, were in agitation that required my Presence, I undertook the Journey and arrived here last Friday Night the 6th. of the month, and have twice waited on the Comte de Vergennes at Versailles, who this day...
130868From Benjamin Franklin to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 11 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I approve of your not having sent the Letters of Exchange which I formerly ordered. You will see by the enclos’d that Capt. Jackson desists from his Demand. Thus you have only to retain the Money till a fresh Order from the Minister permits your Parting with it. I have the honour to be Gentlemen Y.m.o. & m h S. Two copies of the enclosure are at the...
130869From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 11 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, New York Public Library; press copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives The Number of Congress Bills that have been drawn on the Ministers in Spain and Holland, which I am by my Acceptances obliged to pay, as well as those drawn upon myself, the extreme Importance of...
130870“My Ink with a Little Loaf Sugar,” 11 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress At first glance this document makes little sense: what looks like a title line, written in a large hand and dated to the hour, is centered above two stanzas that have nothing to do with either the title or one another. Both verses are taken from the works of Joseph Addison, and the misquotations suggest that they were written from memory. Indeed, the poetry in this...
130871General Orders, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Major General Howe Colonel Tupper for Picquet Major Knap Inspector 1 Massachusetts brigade Returns of the number of shoes actually wanting in each Brigade regimentally digested, to be given in at the Adjutant General’s Office tomorrow at orderly time. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
130872From George Washington to Paul-François-Jean-Nicolas, comte de Barras, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s letters of the 24th and 30th June and 2d Inst. I observe by a late New York paper that your missing transport has been taken and carried into Hallefax. The Reinforcement which arrived at Charlestown is not so considerable as was at first reported, it may perhaps amount to about 2000 Men. The ships of War which escorted this Convoy have arrived at New...
130873To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 28th Ulto containing the very agreeable Intelligence of my Mother’s recovery has got safe to hand; I with much pleasure congratulate you on the Event, and hope She will speedily be restored to her former good State of Health. I am extremely glad that the Reasons gave, why I could not repair to New Windsor immediately on receiving your request, appear to you a sufficient...
130874From George Washington to William Greene, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address your Excellency the 1st instant—at which Time I had heard Nothing from you since mine of the 24th of May—I have now to acknowlege the Receipt of your Favor of the 7th June, which came to Hand thro’ the Channel of the Southern Post. I observe with Satisfaction the Proceedings of your Legislature, respecting their Troops, Cloathing & Supplies—and most sincerely hope...
130875From George Washington to William Greene, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
On Delive r y of this Letter it is probable the Count de Barras with the Squadron under his Comand, will have saild from Newport on an Expedition of much importance and as our Enemies may possibly think of this Opportunity to Strike some Blow upon the Stores of our Allies deposited in your State—I have to request from your Excellency, that for the Security of the Transports, Stores &ca you...
130876To George Washington from William Greene, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday Honor’d with your Excellencys favor of the 1st Instant, and am sorry to find that my letter had not come to your Knowledge; soon after the setting of the Assembly which conven’d the last of May—and considered your Requisitions, delivered to me by General Heath, I wrote you the contents of their resolutions—you have been rightly informed respecting the Beef, and I cannot account...
130877From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been informed the Refugees have been impressing Horses to day—If they have any design, it is against our Piquets, this hint will be sufficient to excite unusual vigilance. I am Dr Sr DLC : Papers of George Washington.
130878From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Intelligence from Kings bridge, that the Refugees have been impressing some Horses this day from the Inhabitants, this used to be commonly an indication of their making an incursion, towards us—If they have any thing of the kind in view at present, it is, I am persuaded, a design to attack some of our Picquets, or drive off any Cattle which may be exposed to them—I...
130879To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Letter of his Excellency and orders have been given in consequence of the intelligence therein contained. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
130880To George Washington from Alexander Scammell, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Flagg your Excellency directed me to send is returned. The officer who conducted it informs me That he was not stop ’d till within 150 yds of Kings bridge, & then by a Videte & sentinel only—That no Guards are advanc ’d from York Island this Side the Bridge. that the Hessians and anspack Yagers lay half a mile the other side of the Bridge. That a patrole of six or seven horse come out...