154381George Washington to Ezekiel Cheever, 17 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 17, 1778 . Instructs Cheever to rush forward arms that are en route from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Cheever was commissary of military stores at Springfield, Massachusetts.
154382George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 17, 1778 . Instructs Greene to prepare for possible movement of Army and to set up magazines along routes to North River. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
154383The American Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, 17 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society <Passy, May 17, 1778: We wish you to pay money from our joint account only on our joint order, and to send us all letters addressed to Mr. Deane on the business of the commission.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 129–30; the annotation explains the squabbling within the commission that elicited the draft, in Arthur Lee’s hand, and prevented...
154384The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We have heard of your arrival at Brest with a prize, and are surprisd that you have not given us an Account of that and of your other proceedings. We desire you will not take any measures relative to the prizes and prisoners you may have made except in securing them, nor incur any considerable expence without our orders. Upon the receipt of this you will...
154385Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Chaillot, May 17, 1778: Because I am not well enough to come to Passy I send you my drafts of important letters; alter them as you wish. If our subordinates disregard our orders, and involve us in debt without accounting for what they spend, we and the public suffer.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 130.
154386From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, [17 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin is not inclin’d to sign this Letter to Mr. Grand, 1. because he does not know that any Inconveniencies have arisen from the Order originally given that the Orders of each of us separately should be honoured. 2. Because Mr. Lee is pleas’d to be very angry with him, which is express’d in many of his Letters, and therefore Mr. F. does not...
154387Charlotte and Peter Amiel to Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Amiel present Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Mr. Adams, will do themselves the pleasure to accept their obliging invitation for next Friday. Addressed: Doctor Franklin / Passy For the husband see the note on Lee to BF above, April 2. The Amiels were frequent dinner guests of the commissioners; so was Jonathan Loring Austin, who also accepted on...
154388[Vergennes] to the American Commissioners, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai rendu compte au Roi, Messrs., de l’assûrance que vous me donnez que le Boston, qui se trouve dans le port de Bordeaux, est une frégate appartenant aux Etats-unis et armée par les ordres du Congrès. S. M. a décidé en conséquence que ce vaisseau éprouveroit le même traitement qui est d’usage à l’égard de ceux de toutes les autres...
154389To Benjamin Franklin from the Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Un Jeune homme, Monsieur, nommé Gelé m’a dit qu’il vous avoit offert ses services et demandé de l’employer en qualité de Secretaire. Quoique je ne sois point connu de vous, il desire que j’appuye sa demande de ma recommandation. Je ne connois point personnellement ses qualités et son merite; des personnes en qui j’ai toute confiance m’ont assuré qu’il...
154390To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Penet, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’est peut [n’ai pu] vous envoyer plustot la nouvelle Debitée dimanche 10 may sur la Bourse de nantes au sujet Des deux navires le Lion et le Duc de choiseul. Cy joint la note je ne vous le donne pas pour certain. J’auréz l’honneur de vous presanter mes respects Demain. Monsieur, votre serviteur Je vous seréz infiniment obligé la nouvelle leue [lue] de...
154391To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Uncertain, as I am, of the Fate of my Letters to Your Excellency, particularly of my last of the 14th. of last month: I still venture on the common public Conveÿance, for Want of a better one. Even ÿour own Letters to me, I am afraid, are Subject to the Inspection of Government, when brought by the Postoffice. What confirms me in this apprehension, is my...
154392Quétant to William Temple Franklin, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In receiving your thanks for a very trifling matter, let me return you my hearty acknowledgement for your kind remembrance and very polite letter. Nobody should be more proud than I to deserve a little share in your favour and that of your worthy grand-father. How much such an honour would prove useful for me, I am more able to feel than to express it. All...
154393General Orders, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commanding Officers of Regiments & Corps are to make an exact return tomorrow morning ten ôClock at Head-Quarters of the Arms deficient in their respective Regiments and Corps. The Commissary of Military Stores is also to make a return the 21st instant of all the Arms received from and delivered to the Army from the first of November last specifying the particular Corps & the number...
154394From George Washington to Ephraim Blaine, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Very frequent and recent intelligence from the City of Philadelphia induces me to think that the Enemy mean to evacuate that place. Such a Step must consequently make it necessary for this army to move, and as this will be a sudden affair, I now give you notice that every thing in your department may be in perfect readiness for the event. I have written to the Qr Mr General to take every step...
154395From George Washington to Ezekiel Cheever, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Knox informs me, that he directed 2000 arms to be sent on from Springfield to Lebanon; which it is to be supposed are now on their way. The distress of this army for want of arms is very great; we have a number of men intirely destitute, and many recruits are dayly coming in from whom we can derive no service on the same account. I am therefore to desire in the most urgent manner, that...
154396To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th instant I have recieved—when I mentioned the Establishment of a Post, in such Part of this State, as your Excellency should judge most proper, I meant a Post supplied by our militia; from your Excellency’s letter, I imagine you must have misunderstood me. By the latest accounts recieved from Philadelphia, Sir Harry, either intends to leave the City, or pay...
154397From George Washington to Samuel French, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
By your last return it appears that the musket cartridges in camp amount only to about 140,000 —as this number is very far from being adequate to the demand, you are without loss of time to take the most effectual means for increasing it very largely—Acquaint me in the mean time with your prospects that I may know what to depend upon. I am Sir &c. Df , in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW ;...
154398From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From a variety of concurring circumstances and the general information of persons coming from philadelphia it would appear, that the Enemy mean to evacuate the City, and accordingly are preparing to embark. Some accounts are, that part of the Heavy Cannon & baggage are already on board, and the whole agree that all the Transports are taking in wood and water. Whether an evacuation is really...
154399From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Every piece of intelligence from Philadelphia makes me think it more & more probable, that the Enemy are preparing to evacuate it—Whether they intend to leave the Continent, or only go to some other part of it must be uncertain. There are some reasons that induce a suspicion they may intend for New York. In any case it is absolutely necessary, we should be ready, for an instant movement of the...
154400From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From a number of concurring circumstances there is reason to beleive that the enemy mean to evacuate Philadelphia. It is necessary therefore to draw together as great a force as can be provided for, with the utmost expedition. But as several of our out posts, covering magazines & the like, cannot be recalled without a body of Militia to act in their room, I am obliged to request of the...
154401From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemys Transactions in Philadelphia as related by divers intelligent persons indicate the speedy evacuation of that post—this requires a state of readiness in us for marching at the shortest warning—I am therefore to desire that you will give the proper orders in your department, that every thing ⟨tha⟩t depends on you, may be prepared for moving on the first notice—You will likewise...
154402To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter of this morning respecting the probable evacuation of Philadelphia by the enemy. The peices of Artillery with the ammunition belonging to them now in Camp will be completed with horses and Geers so as to be mov’d in a day or two. I must depend on the Quarter Master General for Horses and some Waggons to move the Spare Ammunition, and he will be very soon...
154403From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 15th Instant, inclosing a paper, subscribed by Sundry Officers of General Woodford’s brigade, setting forth their reasons for not taking the Oath of Abjuration—Allegiance & Office, and thank you much for the cautious delicacy, used in communicating the matter to me. As every Oath should be a free act of the mind, founded on the conviction of the party of...
154404To George Washington from William Livingston, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am told that houses are preparing in New York for the reception of Refugees from Philadelphia. The inclosed, Lord Sterling will be able to explain to your Excellency—If not I know his Lady can —your Excellency will be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of it as soon as possible—I am with the highest Esteem your Excellencys most humble St ALS , DLC:GW . Livingston enclosed a second letter of...
154405From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From a variety of concurring circumstances and the general information of persons coming from Philadelphia, it would appear that the enemy mean to evacuate the City, and accordingly are preparing to embark. Some accounts are, that part of their heavy cannon & baggage are already on board, and all agree that the whole of the transports are wooding and watering. What objects they have in view I...
154406From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From a variety of accounts, all concurring, I am fully of opinion that the Enemy are making preparations to evacuate Philada. It is my wish to draw all the continental force together, that I may be able to act immediately as circumstances may require. Was it not for the safety of the Stores at the Head of Elk, I should order your division to join directly, but as the Stores now there and...
154407To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you the Proceedings and sentence of a Court Martial against one Jetson a person who for some time past has been not less dreaded, than fam’d for his Infamous Practices of Piloting the Enemy in the Night and Aiding them in kid-napping the more virtuous Inhabitants, particularly those who have Manifested an Attachment to, & have been active in Support of the Common Cause, and...
154408From George Washington to Philip Van Rensselaer, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Knox informs me that he gave you directions to send from albany two thousand Arms with bayonets for the use of this army —as we are in the most pressing want of these articles, I am to desire that you will exert yourself to have them forwarded with all possible expedition and to commit them to the care of an attentive, active person in your department, who may provide as well for...
154409From Benjamin Franklin to Courtney Melmoth, [on or after 12 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society It was with greater Inconvenience to myself, than you perhaps imagined that I furnished you with the 38 Guineas before, and now with 12 more, which make the whole 50 Guineas. I have too many Occasions for Money here, and too little to answer them. But I have relied and do rely on your Honour and Punctuality for the speedy Repayment: I wish you and...
154410John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose the postscript to Hall & Sellers’s Paper of the 9th instant containing the message of the undersigned Ambassador of the Court of France to the Court of London; his Majesty’s Speech in Consequence &c. &c. The message is couched in terms very ludicrous and merry. It also speaks tacitly the Power and determination of France. It has chagrined the King and Ministry...