150031From George Washington to Richard Peters, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 16th instant. I have directed that only a Captn and 50 Men of Colo. Hogans may be left at Trenton that you may have as great a number as possible in Philada. I wish it were in my power to comply fully with your request for Troops, but I have had so many demands upon me from quarters exposed to the Enemy, all of which I have been obliged in some measure to...
150032From George Washington to Major Thomas Posey, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your presence with the Regiment to which you belong is now necessary, you will therefore on the receipt of this, repair here—I have written to the commanding officer at Albany, if he thinks the Corps you command can be spared, to order the Troops that compose it to join their respective Regts of this you will be informed—but you will lose no time in coming yourself. I am Sir your mo. Obet...
150033From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 9th informing me of your movements in consequence of the appearance of the enemy upon the North River. It is difficult to determine what were their inducements at that time, but I hope you will not be disturbed again in the course of the Winter. If there are any public Magasines of provisions or Stores upon the sound I highly approve of your removing them inland and...
150034To George Washington from Colonel William Russell, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the commanding officers of the fourth, and eighth Virginia regiments, in General Scott’s brigade, have drawn monies to reinlist in their regiments; I need only trouble your Excellency to grant a warrant to Captain Williams of the sixth regiment a return of the amount, he will lay before your Excellency. Shou’d any further orders relative to furloughing the reinlisted men be necessary, I...
150035From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your two letters of the 2d and 7th Int. now before me. The order communicated by the adjutant General to Col. Jackson was in consequence of my instructions. It is not however my desire to remove the band in case it has been procured at the cost of the officers, and is kept up at their private expence. This is a prerogative I could not think of assuming. But on the other hand, if it...
150036To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of Inclosing Your Excellencey a Letter from Lieut. Brownigg at New Port which will give your Excellencey the Number of Forces which went from New york also a Return of the Commissary at Newport which with making the proper allowances & Deductions will give their Numbers on Rhode Island which I have Calculated & think their Rank & File to amount to 5949 —Mr Browniggs Letter...
150037From John Adams to James Lovell, 19 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is unhappy that So many People in America, should perswade themselves that the Ennemy intend to evacuate New York and Rhode Island. This opinion cannot fail to damp their Ardour, and Slacken their Nerves. But you may depend upon it, they mean no such Thing. On the Contrary it is their unalterable Resolution, to maintain the Possession of both, as long as they can. Indeed either without the...
150038To John Adams from J. D. Schweighauser, 19 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with your order I have made enquiries for a Vessell bound to Boston but have found none—during my search I was told Yesterday that Cap. McNeil was lately arrived and imediately sent to know when he would take your few articles. He told me that it is true he offered it while his Ship laid at L’Orient, but that since that time he had taken-in, goods and Passengers and that he had...
150039From Alexander Hamilton to Baron von Steuben, [19 December 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I snatch a hasty moment My Dear Baron to acknowledge the receipt of yr. obliging favour of the 6th. It came here while I was absent in an interview with some British Commissioners on the subject of an exchange of prisoners; and was not delivered me ’till two days ago. I am sorry that your business does not seem to make so speedy a progress as we all wish; but I hope it will soon come to a...
150040George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 19 December 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] December 19, 1778 . Regrets that plans for winter quarters cannot be altered. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
150041George Washington to Baron von Steuben, 19 December 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middle Brook, New Jersey ] December 19, 1778 . Will support the inspector general’s department when it is fully established. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
150042To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 19 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Encouragd by an offer of getting this Letter deliverd safely by a private hand, I sit down to acknowlege the receipt of Your obliging favor of the 23d. Octor. relative to Mr. C: D——ks bill remitted by me; and to thank you Sir for your kind offers of attention therein made. I should think my time very well taken up in writing to you whenever I had any...
150043General Orders, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW’s aide Maj. Caleb Gibbs paid £32 New York currency, equal to $80, on this date to John Mason “in full for my servant Hannahs wages, who was in the service of His Excellency General Washington” (Revolutionary War Accounts, Vouchers, and Receipted Accounts, 1776–1780, DLC:GW , ser. 5, vol. 29).
150044To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having Sent off expresses on the 6th of the month to the officers Commandg the Militia of the Counties of York and Lancaster according to yr Excellencies Instructions to me; to have the Militia of those Counties in Readiness as well as that of Philidelphia & Bucks; I was not a little surprized, (after the Information I recd from the board of War, of the proceedgs of the President & Executive...
150045To George Washington from Captain Lewis J. Costigin, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr James Willing, with Two Officers said to be deserters from the British service, at Pensacola have been lately taken in a small sloop from that Quartr bound as suppos’d to Philadelphia. the three on being brought to this place found means to make their escape from the prize, and got into the City. Mr Willing who is some way connected with Lawr. Kirtwright immediatly repair’d to his house,...
150046From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Lee Davidson, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to leave a Captain two Subs. and fifty Men of the detachment of Colo. Hogans Regt at Trenton and proceed with the remainder to Philadelphia, upon your arrival at which place you are to make report to General Arnold or commanding Officer and take your directions from him. You are to leave word at Trenton for Colo. Hogan to follow with the remainder of the Regt (except the Captain and...
150047To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on my arrival here I called for a return of the troops and continental stores in this state, and the state of Georgia, but have not yet obtained them—otherwise I should have done myself the honor of inclosing them; but from all I can learn there are very few continental stores in either of the states. The troops have been supplied by this state, and the heads of the several...
150048To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the plasure to inclosed to Your Excellency two New York papers one of which contains a parragraph with a large sample of the old Story of the Fox & Sower grapes. and in another the distressed and disapointed state of the Refugees more than I thought they would be permited to express to the Publick. I wish Your Excellency would give me some directions concerning Hatfield and the others...
150049From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving a few days since your letter of the 6th instant; I am much obliged to you for the polite assurances you give; and in my turn, I beg you will believe, that when the institution at the head of which you have been placed, can once be established upon a footing mutually agreeable to you and to the army, to which end all the measures I have taken in it have been...
150050From George Washington to Major Lemuel Trescott, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 4th informing me of the date of Major Curtis’s resignation agreeable to which I inclose you a Commn for the Majority of the Regt—from the 20th May last. I recd a letter from the Board of War in Sepr respecting those men of your Regt who were confined at Easton. I recommended it to them to employ them upon the Works in Delaware rather than let them rejoin the Army as...
150051From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s favour of the 12th instant; inclosing the copies of two letters relative to the disposition of the troops on the East side of the North River and the quartering of Col. Sheldon’s regiment of dragoons. There is nothing I have more at heart, than the ease and security of every part of the Country and its inhabitants; and I wish Your Excellency to believe, that...
150052XXIII. State of Farell & Jones’ Judgment against John Randolph, [19 December 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Judgment £241.14. 5 Int: on Judgment from 23d July 68 till 23 Sept: 78 122. 17. 9 364. 12. 2 Put into the hands of Th: J. 1778. Dec. 19 { Recd of Sherif of James City 263.2 } 296. 2 Recd of Mr. Blair 33. £ 68. 10. 2 Pd Mr. Tazewell his fee 4 10 291 12 Carried to the Treasury the instant received, to credit of Farrel & Jones. MS (
150053John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
This Moment I had, what shall I say? the Pleasure or the pain of your Letter of 25 of Octr. As a Letter from my dearest Freind it gave me a pleasure that it would be in vain to attempt to describe: but the Complaints in it gave me more pain than I can express—this is the third Letter I have recd. in this complaining style. the former two I have not answer’d.—I had Endeavour’d to answer them.—I...
150054From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago I had the Pleasure of your obliging letter of the 15 of October. It came by the Post, and single, not a line from any other Person, so that I know not by what means it reach’d L’orient. It was not, however the less welcome to me, its intrinsic Excellence, would have recommended it, whoever had written it. The Merit of the writer would have made it dear to me if the Letter itself...
150055C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai vu notre Ami. Il y a deux Committés, pour besogner, l’un sur de nouvelles plaintes auxquelles les Anglois viennent de donner lieu; l’autre sur la réponse à faire au Mémoire de Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France, dont je vous ai envoyé copie. On ne saura le résultat que la semaine prochaine. On m’a envoyé d’Amsterdam, afin d’en faire part au Congrès, la Protestation imprimée de cette ville contre...
150056C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have seen our friend. There are two committees: one to work on the new British complaints; the other on the response to be given to the French Ambassador’s mémoire, of which I sent you a copy. We will not know the result until next week. The protest published by Amsterdam against the resolution of the 18th was sent to me so that I might send a copy to Congress. This important document is 20...
150057The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
L’on vient enfin de decouvrir, Messieurs, Les Effets du Dr. James Smith de New York. Ils sont a la Douane de Calais, et consistent en un Paquet contenant 12 Napes, 12 Couteaux et 12 fouchettes de fer, a Viroles d’Argent. Si M. Smith pretend introduire ces effets dans le Royaume, il ne Sauroit se dispenser d’en acquitter les Droits ordinaires, Mais Si Son Intention est de les renvoier en...
150058The Comte de Vergennes to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
The effects of Dr. James Smith of New York have, gentlemen, finally been found. They are at the customs office at Calais and consist of a package containing 12 table cloths and 12 knives and forks of iron with silver ferrules. If Mr. Smith plans to bring these goods into the Kingdom, he cannot avoid paying the regular charges, but if he intends to return them to America, then he will be free...
150059George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 18 December 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] December 18, 1778 . Congratulates Schuyler on acquittal. States that a winter campaign is now impossible. Agrees that reduction of Niagara is important and has made plans for that move. Has advised quartermaster general to confer with Schuyler on this matter. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
150060The American Commissioners to All Whom It May Concern, 18 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives These are to certify that the Bearer of this, Mr Gillam Tailor, is a Native and an Inhabitant of Boston in the State of Massachusetts Bay, that he is of a respectable Family, and unexceptionable Character. That he has acted for Some Years, in the public Service of the united States of America, in the Capacity of...