156851From George Washington to James Mease, 10 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Mease, 10 Jan. 1778. Mease wrote GW on 18 Jan. 1778 : “I had the honor of your Excellency’s favor of the 10 Inst. respecting the materials sent by the state of Virginia for the use of the troops.”
156852To George Washington from the Officers of General Smallwood’s Division, 10 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Smallwood having laid before us a letter, wherein your Excellency makes a proposition of rendering the distribution of the prize taken by his division more diffusive than we expected, we beg leave to address your Excellency on the subject—to claim an exclusive right to the prize—to assert it by several concise observations—to support it by precedents—and to obviate by facts the...
156853To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 10 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favors of the 7th Inst., & am peculiarly embarrassed, by a Proposition, which I am induced to think you did not mean to extend to an absolute order, as in that Instance you wou’d have been more pointed & precise, & must beg your excuse for not complying wth it, till the following Considerations were submitted, & your further Direction taken. I am persu[a]ded it wou’d be the...
156854To John Adams from Lafayette, 9 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
Headquarters, 9 January 1778. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790 , ed. Stanley J. Idzerda and others, Ithaca, N.Y., 1977– , 1:226–227. Lafayette enclosed letters to his wife and her cousin the Prince de Poix, whom he asked to introduce JA to friends. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Lafayette in the Age of the...
156855To John Adams from Samuel and Robert Purviance, 9 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
A Schooner belonging to Us by which our friend Mr. McCreery went to France, being returnd a few days ago, We inclosed you a Letter received by her from Mr. McCreery. And by this Opportunity of our Neighbour Mr. Dugan We have sent you a small Bundle received from Captn. Martin. We presume Mr. McCreery has furnished you with the same Political Advices as he has written us, which therefore may be...
156856John S. Harmanson to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is about 8 Weeks since I arrived here with a resolution of going home to Virginia which I informed Mr. Deane and Mr. Lee of. About the time I got to Bordeaux Capt. Walke of Virginia arrived with whom I concluded to go home, but unluckily for me he has not got away as yet, having been detained some time on Account of a Law Suit with Mr. Barton of this...
156857Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have received your Favour of the 3d Instant. I have concluded as the shortest and cheapest way to send a Boat out with a French Officer from this place, who has my particular orders relative to his Business. I find that the person you direct me to consult with is returned to [ blank in MS ] I shall therefore write you from thence in a day or two, to which...
156858To Benjamin Franklin from William Blakey, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I am a friend to mankind, I congratulate you on the taking Bourgoin, tho’ I am angry with the American council for using him so kindly, if I had been the cheif he should have been scalped, the officers and men were obliged to follow his buchering orders tho their infamous and Mercenary dispositions are very well known. As You are acquainted with Mr....
156859To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Collas, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Forgive me for dareing to incroch on one of you precious moments by obligeing you to read a trifeling letter from me, but as a number of letters will by Gods permition be handed to you by the Same person who brings this I cant help leting you know that this person is my Husband, whom I tenderly love and in whome all my hopes of happiness in this life are...
156860To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Here is another paper of news M. De Keralio, who gives you his kind service sends you. I wish the last Article may prove true. That of St. Brieux seems to prove the sea-fight between the Privateers, though I have been told by two Captains of this Navy that the English vessel come into Brest, said, they had cut away one their masts in a storm, and were...
156861To Benjamin Franklin from Jakob Oberleithner, 9 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Vienna, January 9, 1778, in Latin: Jakob Oberleithner, doctor of medicine, sends greetings to the most illustrious Benjamin de Francklin. We understand from the newspapers that you are acting for the Americans with authority and loving solicitude, and you will doubtless be looking for excellent physicians. If you need me, qualified as I am by my degree,...
156862General Orders, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The execution of John Reily is respited ’till tomorrow ten ôClock in the forenoon, when the detachments from the several brigades are to attend on the grand parade. Some doubts having arisen with respect to the manner in which the pay-rolls for the months extraordinary pay should be made up; the proceeding therein is to be stayed ’till further Orders. The regimental Pay-Masters are to bring in...
156863To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return from the south Branch of Potomack where I made Contracts for a Considerable Quantity of pork, I received orders from the Board of War to seize every Kind of provisions and spiritous liquors necessary for the Army, have been in this County and Berks this ten days & hope to procure six hundred head of Fatt cattle and a Considerable Quantity of Whisky, but Forestallers are giving...
156864To George Washington from William Gordon, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Monsr Le Baron De Steuben beg’d that I would make him the bearer of a few letters to some of my friends. Being in Boston the last week, learning that he had the best of recommendations, had been by some means neglected so as not to meet with the civilities that might justly be expected, & that he felt strongly the disappointment of the expectations he had formed of the manners of the people in...
156865From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favs. of the 17th and 25th of Decemr. At the time of your writing, Genl Burgoyne could not have recd my letters, which were dated the 17th and 20th of December. Colo. Webb wrote to me himself upon the subject of his Exchange, to which I have given him an answer. I beg you will carefully forward the inclosed Letters to Brigadiers Glover and Learned. They contain orders for them to...
156866From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening had the honor to receive your favor of the 5th Instant with its Inclosures. The power Congress have been pleased to vest me with for appointing Aids de Camp, I shall use with œconomy, and I will not appoint more at any time, than shall be necessary & essential to advance the public interest. Any future appointments that may be material, will be made out of the line of the...
156867To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your Excellency’s orders received by Lieutenant Lindsay, I have been engaged in acquainting myself with the roads which communicate with the left of the army. Being a stranger in that quarter, it has taken some time to be informed accurately, which is the occasion of this late report. Near the ten mile stone, below the Buck-tavern, the gulph mill road takes out from the...
156868To George Washington from William Livingston, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have directed the Bearer to take your advice respecting the part he is to act to counterplot the Designs of the Enemy. They want excedingly to know what Troops are stationd in this State, & to establish a line of Communication by Land—Should you advise Morseiles to aid in settling their Posts, & he is trusty enough to communicate it to us when established, we might by that means procure...
156869From George Washington to James Lovell, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Letter of the 31. of last month, I dispatched a Gentleman well acquainted with the ground and Inhabitants in the vicinity where the Journals of Congress were said to be deposited, in order to make inquiry concerning them—he found them, without difficulty—and they will be sent forward to York under the Escort of Colonel Hartleys Regiment—The Search for the Types was not...
156870To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday with the Cavalry where I expeted to have found forage Sufficient to Subsist the Cavalry at least for a few days, my Brigade forage master had been informed by Colo. Biddle that Such provision was made & that he would have nothing more to do then Issue the same but So farr to the Contrary there was not a Load of Hay in Town, with the greatest dificulty we have been...
156871From George Washington to Steuben, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd the honor of yours from Portsmouth inclosing the Copy of a letter from Messs. Franklin and Dean the original of wh. I shall be glad to receive from your own Hands as soon as it is convenient for you to undertake the Journey. As it will lay solely with Congress to make a suitable provision for you in the American Army you will be under the necessity of prolonging your Journey...
156872From George Washington to Lund Washington, 9 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 9 Jan. 1778. Lund Washington wrote GW on 28 Jan. : “Yours of the 9th Inst. came to hand yesterday.”
156873IV. Notes on Money Bills, [before 9 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
1671. Apr. 19. Resolved that there is a fundamental right in the house of Commons alone in bills of rates & impositions on merchandise as to the matter, the measure, & the time. Parl. deb. 1st. v. 147. note the bill in questn. was a bill for impositions on merchandise. Apr. 22. they object that instead of a discourse from the lords on the amendments to the bill they met with nothing but a...
156874V. Communication from House of Delegates to Senate concerning Money Bills, [9 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Reasons to be offered at the conference to be desired of the Senate in answer to their reasons delivered at the last conference. The house of delegates not being satisfied with the reasons urged by the Senate in support of their amendments to the resolution for allowing to Thomas Johnson the sum of £15-5-6 have desired this second conference to shew the insufficiency of the said reasons and to...
156875[John Thornton]: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [between 5 and 8 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Harvard University Library In Company with some American Gentlemen, it was dropped in conversation that it was surprising the Commissioners at Paris Knowing the deplorable situation of the American prisoners confined in the several prisons in England, that they had not sent them any relief; this induced me to wait no longer for an answer from Lord North, to run all risks and to set off...
156876Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 8 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
Did I think it in my power to afford any Consolation to my Friend I Would Readily undertake the tender task and as she Request s offer many Arguments for her support. But is it Really Necessary to Muster up arguments to prevail with my dear Mrs. Adams to Consent to what she knows is Right, to what she is sensible will Contribute Much to the welfare of the public. No surely she has Already...
156877To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane’s Compliments to Docr. Franklin and prays him to be at his house Rue Royale at Six this Evening where he will meet the Gentleman Mr. Deane went this Morning to Visit on an Affair of the greatest Consequence. Addressed: To / The Honle. Benj Franklin Esq In a similar invitation to Arthur Lee, Deane explained that the meeting was at Gérard’s request:...
156878To Benjamin Franklin from ——— De Père Meilhan, 8 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nérac near Mézin, Gascony, January 8, 1778, in French: When the name of Boston was known only in French ports, I love to remember that I publicized its glory in a small town in the depths of Gascony, and waked the kind of enthusiasm that the name rouses today throughout Europe. Hancock and Washington are now as well known as were the heroic liberators in...
156879To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, [8 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Dubourg yesterday gave me a second notice that you were to meet him and some other Company at Mr. Jeaneux’s to day. Upon my going to that Gentleman’s I found some Ladies and other Persons waiting the same Pleasure as myself, viz: that of seeing Dr: Franklin. Mr. Jeaneux beg’d I would inform you of his earnest wishes to see you upon an electrical...
156880General Orders, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is informed that gaming is again creeping into the Army; in a more especial manner among the lower staff in the environs of the camp: He therefore in the most solemn terms declares, that this Vice in either Officer or soldier, shall not when detected, escape exemplary punishment; and to avoid discrimination between play and gaming forbids Cards & Dice under any pretence...
156881From George Washington to Brigadier Generals John Glover and Ebenezer Learned, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the short time we have to lay in Winter Quarters ought to be spent in training the Men, and endeavouring to bring them into the Feild in a more regular manner than they have hitherto been, I must desire that you will join your Brigade as soon as possible, in order to effect this Measure. I have another reason, which is, that so many of the Brigadiers and Colonels Commandant, who have been...
156882To George Washington from William Gordon, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The cares & fatigues of the campaign are, I hope, so far over, as to admit of your perusing the following lines without interruption, & of writing me an answer however short, as I am desirous of knowing the state of your Excellency’s health, after all the many hardships & difficulties you have been called to pass through. I have been told that they have worn you greatly, but I flatter myself...
156883To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
From several peices of Intelligence which we have lately received, I think there are some grounds to apprehend that the Enemy are removing some of their Troops from philadelphia to New York, and from thence to Newport. Whether these movements are for the security of those places, or with further design is matter of conjecture. It has long been my Sentiment that the great Sea-port Towns are...
156884From George Washington to General William Howe, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Board of War to acquaint you, that they have received undoubted information, that a Captain Dick and a number of American Officers are confined in Dungeons in England. It is not known with whom this injurious and unwarrantable treatment originated, nor by what authority it is continued; but it is expected that you will interest yourself to have it redressed. The Board...
156885To George Washington from General William Howe, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest Occasion, after being made acquainted with the circumstances, to make known to you the coming in of 2d Lieutt Eyre of the 23d Regiment of Foot from the Place of his Confinement in Maryland, to lay his Grievances before me, finding no Probability of being otherwise redressed—His Treatment is explained in the Representation enclosed, which by his desire is transmitted to you,...
156886From George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I desire you will immediately detatch a proper Officer from your Brigade with orders to bring forward all the Men that may have been left upon command at the posts where the Brigade has been stationed, and who have recovered in the different Hospitals to which they have been sent—If any of the Men left at the Elaboratories have become expert at the Business and therefore useful in preparing...
156887From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have thought proper to give you the following Instructions relative to the Ordnance Department under your command. My wish to have so essential a Department of the Army in the best order the next Campaign induces me to desire that no time may be lost in geting every thing forward with the utmost expedition. As the short enlistments of the Artificers have been, and still may be, productive of...
156888From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the Instructions I gave you to day, I beg may be added that of providing a number of Gunscrews for the purpose of Drawing Ball. I concieve this to be a matter well worthy of attention—will prevent the disorderly firings in our Camp—and be a considerable Public saving. If they are to be made, Let them be stout & substantial. but I recollect something of a large importation of...
156889To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall take particular care with respect to the Gun screws, and if those imported should not be sufficient they shall be made. The Artillery Artificers will make the cover’d ammunition Waggens and travelling forges. I expect they will be able at Carlile and Springfield to make 200 ammunition Waggons by the Spring which in addition to those we alredy have will be nearly sufficent. I have given...
156890To George Washington from William Livingston, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was just now honoured with your Excellencys favour of the 31 Ultimo, & immediately issued orders to Collo. Ellis a Copy of which I inclose you. your Excellency will observe that the Council of Safety have no Authority to order the removal of any other Articles save those mentioned in the orders to Collo. Ellis. So that with respect to Forage & Provisions your Excellency must recur to the...
156891To George Washington from Richard Peters, 8 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Peters, 8 Jan. 1778. GW wrote Peters on 24–25 Jan. : “I have recd your favr of the 8th instant.”
156892From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was this Evening favored with your Letter of the 29th Ulto. I had heard before of your unfortunate expedition & captivity, and not without concern. It would give me pleasure to render you any services in my power, but it is impossible for me to comply with your request, without violating the principles of Justice and incurring a charge of partiality. You are sensible, that we have several...
156893I. Bill for Establishing a Land Office and Ascertaining the Terms and Manner of Granting Waste and Unappropriated Lands … (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas there are large Quantities of waste and unappropriated Lands within the territorial Limits of this Commonwealth, the granting of which will encourage the Migration of Foreigners hither, promote Population, increase the annual Revenue, and create a Fund for discharging the Public Debt, Be it enacted by the General Assembly that an Office shall be and is hereby constituted for the...
156894Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 7 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I calld at Passi yesterday in expectation of meeting you together, that I might have an explanation of the affair with Mr. Stevenson, in which the whole blame is left to rest most undeservedly on me. I have been informd, that a Letter was written on this subject by Mr. Stevenson to the Commissioners, which has been answerd by you Gentlemen without any...
156895James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 7 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer you to my letter of the 2d. instant, and altho’ I am not yet in the situation you prescribed for me to transact your Bussiness here, I am nevertheless induced, as well from the season of the year, as the reports of Captains Thompson and Green, to inform you; that the Ship Durass of near Eight hundred Tons Burthen, which is here for...
156896Paul Wentworth to [William Eden]: Extract, 7 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library Eden, the head of British intelligence, sent Wentworth to Paris in early December to talk with the commissioners, and armed him with a letter in which he sketched what he hoped might be the basis for rapprochement. He was clearly seeking some guidance for the conciliatory proposals that the government was then drafting for submission to Parliament. After two campaigns, he...
156897General Orders, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master General is to apply to the Adjt General for a fatigue party & cause all dead horses in and about the camp, and all offal to be buried, after which each division Quarter-Master is to see this regularly performed once a week in & near their own divisions—The Officers commanding Divisions are required to know that this order is executed. The Depy Clothier Genl desires those...
156898To George Washington from the General Officers, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the Army being fixed to this particular Camp, are not in a Situation to procure many Articles, wch would be very necessary for them; And being informed that in the Vessell taken from the Enemy by Genl Smalwood there were a number of such Articles, which would be of more Utility to the Officers than to any other part of the Community; & being apprehensive that if they should be...
156899To George Washington from Major Peter Scull, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had this day the honor of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant. Imprest with the warmest sentiments of Gratitude & attachment, I return you thanks for the polite & obliging manner in which you are pleased to answer my late application. At the time I made the Request I was conscious, Sir, that there was some impropriety in doing it, but that or inevitable distress was the...
156900From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Learning that the Captured Brig contains a great quantity and variety, of officers baggage; and necessaries proper for them; many articles of which from the length of time I have been in the service and difficulty of procuring them at first, I stand much in need of, I shall be obliged to you for sending me, if to be had, the things contained in the Inclosed memm. I will pay the appraised...