130831From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 21 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the nineteenth, Sir, another Point has occurred to me, upon which it seems necessary, that I Should Say Something to your Excellency, before my Departure for Holland, which will be on Monday Morning. An Idea has, I perceive been suggested, of the several States of America, choosing Agents seperately, to attend the Congress, at Vienna, in order to make Peace, with Great...
130832To John Adams from the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 21 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I do not find by President Huntington’s Letter Book that he has forwarded the within Resolve of July 12th. respecting your Powers of Sept. 29th. 1779 therefore I take the Opportunity of two Vessels which are to sail in a few Hours, to communicate it doubly. The whole of the Proceedings here in regard to your two Commissions, are I think, Ill judged but I persuade myself no dishonour was for...
130833From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 21 July 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Dobbs Ferry, New York ] July 21, 1781 . Requests “particular Care in forwarding the Enclosed.” LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City.
130834To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I expect in ten, or fifteen days at fartherst to embark for Philadelphia, if your Excellency has any Letters for America & will forward them by Return of Post to Mr Williams, I will take charge of them, & deliver them (if possible) as directed— I am with the greatest Respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient humble Servt. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur...
130835To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: National Archives, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; transcript: National Archives It does not appear that the Resolutions of June 26. affecting yourself & Colleagues as well as Mr. Dana have been transmitted. Mr. Presidt. McKean will take other Opportunities of Writing. I think it essential however in the mean time to forward duplicates...
130836To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas McKean, 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; L (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania By the Act of the 26th. June, which I have the Honor to inclose, you will perceive that the United States in Congress assembled have appointed Mr Francis Dana Secretary to the Commission for negotiating a Peace, until such Time as he can proceed to the Court of Petersburg either in a public or private Capacity, without...
130837To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Library of Congress I have now to inform you that the State of Pensilvania had emitted £500,000 in Bills of Credit, funded in such Manner that there could be no reasonable Doubt of their Redemption. But the public Confidence had been so impaired, that these Bills soon after they came out, rapidly depreciated, notwithstanding the Solidity of the...
130838To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have not written to you since my Arrival because I had nothing to communicate worth troubling you with a Letter.— As a great number of our unhappy Countrymen are in the English Prisons without any prospect of an Exchange for want of Prisoners to give in return, it is proposed by the american Houses in France to build & arm a stout Privateer of 28 Guns...
130839[Diary entry: 21 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
21st. Wrote to the Count de Grasse in a Cypher of the Count de Rochambeau’s, giving information of the junction of the allied armys—the Position they had taken—our strength and that of the enemy’s—our hopes & fears & what we expected to do under different circumstances. This letter was put under cover to Genl. Forman, who was requested to have look outs on the heights of Monmouth, and deliver...
130840General Orders, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day Tomorrow Brigadier General Huntington Lieutenant Colonel Johnson For Picquet Major Knap Inspector Captain Warner At a General Court Martial whereof Colonel Putnam is President—Stephen Dodge Soldier in the second regiment of Light Dragoons charged with "Desertion and reinlisting in the York Levies" was tried found Guilty and sentenced to receive one Hundred Lashes on his bare back....
130841To George Washington from Jean-Louis Aragon de Sibille, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency your Letter for Count de Grasse translated—I have endeavoured to do it as Litterally as possible. I have, by desire of General Rochambeau, cyphered a few Lines which might have given an insight into the operations alluded to in the Letter. I hope your Excellency will be contented; that will always be my chiefest ambition. I am with great respect,...
130842From George Washington to Jean-Louis Aragon de Sibille, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by the Favor you have done me in Translating my Letter to Count DeGrasse & for Cypherg some Part there of—it is very necessary to keep its Contents from Discovery Your Goodness I hope will effect this for which you will please to accept my sincere Thanks. I am every Yours &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
130843From George Washington to Paul-François-Jean-Nicolas, comte de Barras, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 15th Inst. I have no doubt but the reasons which induce you to decline the removal of the Squadron under your command to Chesapeak at this time are founded in propriety; but I am certain that could the measure have taken place, it would have been attended with most valuable consequences, more especially as from reports and appearances the...
130844From George Washington to Board of War, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evennig favored with yours of the 16th instt—inclosing Copies of two Letters from B. Genl Knox to your Board on the Subject of forwarding military Stores to the Army—Circumstancd as I am at this Moment, with many surroundg Doubts & Uncertainties, from too many Reasons, it is impossible for me to fix on any certain Point of Time, at which I should wish to have the Stores in Camp—I...
130845From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will this evening detach a party of 100 men to take post upon the Heights at Fort Lee and those above it opposite to Spiten Devil and wherever any shipping may lay. I would wish the Officers to be intelligent and capable of observation—and to make remarks upon the seeming strength of the enemy if they turn out upon an Alarm and how they in such cases dispose of their troops—The Business of...
130846From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed for General Forman is of so much importance that I do not care to trust it to a common hand. If there should be an Officer in the Jersey Brigade who has any business in Monmouth he may be sent with it. If there is none under such circumstances, I must request you to send one on purpose. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
130847From George Washington to David Forman, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
When I request your particular Care of the inclosed, it is necessary that I should inform you in the fullest confidence, and under the strictest injunctions of secrecy, that the Count de Grasse may be shortly expected with his whole fleet from the West Indies, whether he will first appear off the Hook or the capes of Virginia is uncertain—You will be pleased immediately, upon the receipt of...
130848From George Washington to François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will have been informed by the Chevr de la Luzerne of the ardent wishes of these United States to see the Fleet under your command in these Seas—will have been told of the advantages which would in all probability be the result of such a movement—how essential it would be to make an early communication of your approach, and that you would be met off Sandy Hook with such details...
130849From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have rec’d yours of the 17th; And wish it was in my power to render your situation more eligable as to the supplies of provisions &c.; Rum you say there is but little on hand, there the Garrison is more fortunate than the Army, for we have none. The discription given of the Troops that compose your Garrison, I have too much reason to suppose has a very sufficient foundation, as the persons...
130850From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by your Excellency’s three Letters of the 14th & 17th of this month—with the several Resolutions of Congress, & the Extracts from intercepted Letters, inclosed. I am much obliged by your attention in the Communication of the Extracts, altho I had been favored with them thro’ another Channel, previous to the Receipt of your Favor—the Intelligence to be collected from them,...
130851From George Washington to John Pray, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The same Movement which was mentioned in my Letter of the 14th will be made this Evening—you will observe the same line of Conduct as pointed out in that Letter; using particular vigilance to discover every motion of the Enemy, especially to morrow night—I shall absolutely depend upon it, that the Enemy cannot move a single Vessel or Boat up the River or have any thing in agitation, without...
130852To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 15th Instant, I have this moment had the honor to receive. Eighty four batteaus were compleated. as to the Carpenters work, last night fourty or fourty one of which are ready to proceed to you assoon as General Clinton orders the troops to take them. I shall direct the Quarter master to send all the oars plank and timber which he has collected, I fear the...
130853From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 10th instt info r mg, that Congress, upon the Retiring of the late Mr President Huntington, had elected The Hono. Thomas McKean Esqr. to preside in their respectable Body—I shall for the future conduct my Correspondence agreable to this Information. I am sir Your most Obedient & humble Servant DNA : Item 152, Letters from George Washington,...
130854From George Washington to Richard Varick, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of the 19th inst. and have to assure you that I am perfectly satisfied with your Care, Attention & Diligence, being fully persuaded that no unnecessary Delay has, or will take Place thro’ your Means. I have too much Reason to apprehend, that from our Circumstances & Situation at the Time, many Irregularities & much Confusion, have crept among the Papers of 1775 &...
130855From Tench Tilghman to Richard Varick, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate you upon your having waded through what I may call the mud and mire of your Business—Where you find the papers either Copies or originals much out of shape you will reduce them to an equality upon formers—all the General wants is to have them made up compact and firm and if you can do it in the manner you propose, it will be sufficient—The endorsements need only comprehend...
130856From George Washington to David Waterbury, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Army will make a Movement this Evening—You will march your Corps on the same route, & in such time & Manner & as to be at East Chester between daybreak & sunrise; as directed in my Letter of the 14th. Your Troops should be supplied (if possible) with three days cooked provisions, and the Movement of the Army as well as of your Troops must be kept a secret until the Moment you march. In...
130857To John Jay from Floridablanca, 21 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Floridablanca fait bien ses compliments a M r de Jay et a l’honneur de lui faire savoir qu’il a reçu dans son temps ses deux Lettres datees du 2 et du 13 de ce Mois. Le court sejour de Madrid n’ayant pas donné lieu a vaquer a d’autres affaires qu’aux plus pressantes le Comte de Floridablanca n’a pas eté dans le cas de pouvoir prendre en consideration les points qui font l’objet des...
130858Friday 20th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set off from Hunfeld at about 5 o’clock for Gotha where we arriv’d at about 9 o’clock P.M. It is about 66 Miles. The 2 first Posts to Vaach Vacha and to Bercka we had very bad roads but the rest was pretty good; Vaach belongs to the Prince of Hesse-Cassel, and Bercka is the first town in Saxony. Here we saw a new Married couple going about the streets with some musicians before...
130859Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 20 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
When I looked for your Name among those who form the Representative Body of the people this year I could not find it. I sought for it with the Senate, but was still more dissapointed. I however had the pleasure of finding it amongst the delegates of this Commonwealth to Congress, where I flatter myself you will still do us Honour which posterity will gratefully acknowledge; and the virtuous...
130860To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 20 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme je n’ai pas gardé copie des Lettres que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire en Avril & May, je n’en sais plus ni le nombre ni la date. Celles dont vous m’avez favorisé cette année sont du 18 Janv. 14 Mars, 7 Avril & 4 May. J’ai du vous paroître, Monsieur, bien négligent en comparaison d’autrefois. Je ne l’ai pourtant pas été, malgré ma santé, qui n’a pas...
130861To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 20 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd yours of the 8th Current in Answer to mine of the 29 June. I wrote you a prior Letter on the 8 May which you do not acknowledge pray let me know if it came to hand— As yet I have not heard from Mr Grand— Upon receipt of yours I immediately waited upon the Board of Sick & Hurt who informed me they had just dispatched an order to Edinburg for the...
130862[Diary entry: 20 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
20th. Count de Rochambeau having called upon me, in the name of Count de Barras, for a definitive plan of Campaign, that he might communicate it to the Count de Grasse —I could not but acknowledge, that the uncertainties under which we labour—the few Men who have joined (either as recruits for the Continental Battns. or Militia) & the ignorance in which I am kept by some of the States on whom...
130863General Orders, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day Tomorrow Brigadier General Glover Lieutenant Colonel Badlam For Picquet Major Clift Inspector Captain Robinson For the Working Party Major Woodbridge The Regimental Surgeons are desired to be punctual in sending the Returns of the Sick of their respective regiments to the flying Hospital every saturday morning. Untill further orders the Drum and Fife Majors of the several Corps in...
130864From George Washington to James Clinton, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 12th I imagine before this reaches you, the first detachment of Boats will have been sent down. Should they not, you will be pleased to have the Light Company of Cortlands compleated and sent down with them. Should the Boats have come away, you will consider whether you can spare the light Company and have a sufficient number of Men left to bring down the...
130865To George Washington from James Clinton, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th inst. I have been honor’d with. I should have been happy that Money had arrived in Time to have prevented the late Murmur in the Regiment as every Circumstance of the kind is ulitmately distructive of military Discipline. I have not received the least Intelligence of the Movements either of General Starks, or the Militia from the Eastward; nor do I know...
130866To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
This letter is not By Any Means directed to the Commander in chief, But to My Most Intimate and Confidential friend—I will lay Before you My Circumstances and My wishes—Certain I am You will do whatever You Can for me that is Consistent with Your public duty. When I went to the Southward You know I Had Some private objections—But I Became Sensible of the Necessity there was for the detachement...
130867To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
No Accounts from the North ward, No Letter from Head Quarters—I am utterly a Stranger to Every thing that passes out of Virginia—and Virginian Operations Being for the Present in a State of languor, I Have More time to think of My Solitude. in a Word, My dear General, I am Home Sick and if I Can’t go to Head Quarters wish at least to Hear from there. I am Anxious to know Your opinion...
130868To George Washington from William Livingston, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Favour of the 13th instant, & shall acquaint the horsemen with your Excellency’s Sentiments concerning their offer. Respecting the progress that is made under our late Law for filling up our continental Battalions, I not able to give your Excellency any information, as no returns of the Levies are made to me; but I have reason to believe from the Enquiries I...
130869From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of last evening; and cou’d wish that the present situation of the River might be improv’d to every advantage. Whatever Boats you think necessary may be order’d to Dobb’s ferry; but particular care must be taken, in the tra n sportation of Stores across the opposite Country, that they come in small convey’s, and no deposits made either at the ferry or on the...
130870To George Washington from John Pierce, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to en close an account of several advances made by me to the Army without particular Warrants from your Excellency—some of which were by General Orders for discharged Men, others to alleviate the real wants of officers, and many have arose for the Sale of Ticketts of the last Class of the United States Lottery, all which if the Army had been regularly paid, I should have...
130871To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 10th instant, and am very sorry that the Situation of Affairs and the State of the Army will not permit my being employed in that part of it under your Excellencys immediate Command. I shall therefore prepare for a southern March; but there is no probability that it can take Place very soon, as there will be much difficulty and delay in equipping...
130872Excerpt of Alexander Small’s Memorandum on Ventilation, [before 20 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
MS and copy: Library of Congress In volume 23 we published the first section of Alexander Small’s memorandum on ventilation, setting forth what he understood were Franklin’s views on the subject. He had written that portion in 1777, while stationed on Minorca. By 1781 Small had expanded the paper considerably, adding what were primarily observations of his own, bolstered by quotations from...
130873To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [before 20 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Soit fait ainsi qu’il est requis is my Dear Doctor and Old french saying to declare that orders will be punctually and Quikly obeyed so will be what your desire as to this Translation I shall add it by way of a Postscript. It seems by what M. Small says of our hospitals at Lyons That the air be there very pure and sweet. Nevertheless by notices that have...
130874Le Roy’s Remarks on Alexander Small’s Memorandum on Ventilation: Three Extracts, [before 20 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society In preparation for submitting Alexander Small’s memorandum on ventilation to the Société royale de médecine, Franklin turned to Le Roy for help with the translation. The present document is the only extant evidence of their dialogue, which concerned not only points of language, but also matters of substance. Consisting of eight manuscript pages, many of...
130875Thursday 19th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set away from Hannau at 4 o’clock A.M. and arriv’d at Hunfeld (which is distant 75 Miles,) at about 8 o’clock P.M. The roads this day were for the most part mountainous but in some places there was a very good made road. The mountains in general, which we have pass’d over this day are pretty well cultivated.
130876From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 19 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter, Sir, of the Eighteenth, I had the Honour to mention Some Things which lay upon my Mind: but am Still apprehensive that in a former Letter, I have not conveyed my full meaning to your Excellency. In my Letter of the Sixteenth, I Submitted to your Excellencys Opinion and Advice, whether an American Minister, could appear at the Congress at Vienna, without having his Character...
130877To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I think your Excellency will not be Surprized to find that I am stil at Amsterdam. Mr. Dana is so well Accompanied on his Route, that it was quite Unnecessary any one Else should attend him; and the Difficulties daily arising in the Dispatch of the South Carolina take from me any certainty of leaving this Place yet awhile. Tis true we are told that she will go on such a day and such a day. But...
130878The Continentalist No. II, [19 July 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
In a single state, where the sovereign power is exercised by delegation, whether it be a limitted monarchy or a republic, the danger most commonly is, that the sovereign will become too powerful for his constituents; in fœderal governments, where different states are represented in a general council, the danger is on the other side—that the members will be an overmatch for the common head, or...
130879To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 19 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: University of Pennsylvania Library, Library of Congress The foregoing are Duplicates of my Letters of the several Dates there mentioned, by Major Franks who has sailed for Cadiz. I now enclose to you Duplicate Copies of the Letters and Resolutions referred to in mine of the thirteenth.— I do not write to Colo. Laurens, because I know not whether he is still in France, and because I am...
130880[Diary entry: 19 July 1781] (Washington Papers)
19th. The Enemys Shipping run down the river, and left the Navigation of it above once more free for us. In passing our Battery at Dobbs’s where were 2 Eighteen & 2 twelve pounders and two Howitzers, they recd. considerable damage; especially the Savage Sloop of War which was frequently hulled, and once set on fire; occasioning several of her people, and one of our own (taken in Dobbes Sloop,...