156851To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by Mr Francis, a french Merchant belonging to the House from which we have received our ample Supply of Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Fire Arms &c. He is come over to secure his Remittances, and will I am confident receive that respect from our Countrymen that his assistance afforded at a time of need justly merit. Part of the Cannon and Stores which arrived...
156852From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favs. of the 2d and 3d of Novemr by Genl McIntosh who arrived very opportunely to take the command of the North Carolina Brigade, which had wanted a Brigadier very much since the Fall of Genl Nash. The account you give of the numbers of Indians in the Southern Tribes far exceeds any thing that I had an Idea of, and it therefore behoves us the more to...
156853To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Schall make use in this particular instance of the liberty you gave me of telling freely every idea of mine which could strike me as not being useless to a better order of things. There were two gentlemen, same rank, same duty to perform, and same neglect of it who have been arrested the same day by me—as I went in the night around the piquets I found them in fault, and I gave an account of...
156854To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel La Radière, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
A council called for fixing the place to be fortifyed on Hudson’s River has decided Last night that west point is the best place—this post is on the west Shore of the Nort River over against fort Constution Six mile Higher than fort Montgomery 8 mile below New Windsor. we will bar the River with a chain. this Council was called at my request. I have read before these gentlemen a Memorial...
156855From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be deliver’d to you by the Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis, who was among the first French Officers that joined the Army of the United States—the gallant Conduct of this young Gentleman at Brandywine, German Town, and his distinguished Services at Fort Mercer, where he united the Offices of Engineer and Commandant of Artillery, entitle him to the particular notice of Congress—he made...
156856To George Washington from William Livingston, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon frequent Complaints that Capt. Kennedy’s Residence at his Farm was injurious to the State, & occasioned great Clamours from the People in This Neighbourhood, the Council ordered his Attendance on the Board—they at the same time desired a Gentleman near the Spot, to procure what Affidavits he could respecting Captn Kennedy’s Conduct—He sent us by return of the Express three Affidavits with...
156857To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 27th Ulto, and am happy to find that Your Excellency is Convinced, my Conduct has not been such as Represented by Col: Drake—I have ever paid the Utmost attention to the Protection of the Inhabitants; and am Vain enough to think, that they Conceive the Army to be as good Neighbours, as Col: Drake. General Parsons has not Yet Return’d, Tho is soon expected; and till...
156858From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you this morning on the subject of the prize Brig Symetry, the Regulations of the Feild Officers of the division for conducting the Sale and disposing of the Cargo was laid before me with a letter from the Regimental Surgeons and Mates to Docr Cochran. These Gentlemen feel themselves so much hurt by the discrimination made by these Regulations between them and the Officers of...
156859VII. Draft of a Resolution concerning Money Bills, [before 13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
That bills relating solely to the raising or disposing of public money in any way whatever are not amendable by the Senate. That in other bills if some clauses or sentences relate to the raising or disposing of public money, and others relate to other subjects, the said clauses or sentences so relating to the raising or disposing of public money are not amendable by the Senate; but such other...
156860Bill for Sequestering British Property, [13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas divers persons, subjects of Great Britain, had, during our connection with that Kingdom, acquired estates real and personal within this Commonwealth and had also become entitled to debts to a considerable amount, and some of them had commenced suits for the recovery of such debts before the present troubles had interrupted the administration of Justice, which suits were at that time...
156861Draft of a Resolution concerning Money Due British Subjects, [ca. 13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
And whereas his Britannic majesty did on the day of 1775 undertake by the strength of his fleets to shut up the several ports and havens of the American states and to intercept all commerce between the said states and other parts of the world, to which proceeding the British parliament had previously given their sanction by an act entitled an act whereby the monies belonging to the subjects of...
156862Bill for Dividing the Counties of Augusta and Botetourt, [16 December 1777–12 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[Whereas] it is represented to this present Session of Assembly by the Inhabitants of Augusta and Botetourt Counties that they labour under great Inconveniencies by Reason of the great Extent of the said Counties and Parishes Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly that from and after the first Day of February next the said County and Parish of Augusta shall be divided by a Line...
156863The American Commissioners to Gourlade, Bérard frères, & Monplaisir, 12 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Mr. Beaumarchais shewed us your Letter of the 7th Inst. by which we find that you had not so much Confidence in the Commissioners as to deliver the Cargo of the Amphitrite to their Order untill your Disbursements on the two Frigates should be paid you. On our part tho’ we were greatly surprised at the Amount of those Disbursements as well as the prices of...
156864The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 12 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives Not having received any letters from you since the 26 of May we were severely chagrined yesterday upon the arrival of Capt. John Folgier, who, under the name of dispatches from the Commissioners at Paris, delivered only an enclosure of clean white paper with some familiar letters, none of which contained any political intelligence. You will see by the...
156865Intelligence from Brest, 12 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
D : National Archives This is the first in a long series of intelligence reports to Franklin or the commission. Most were forwarded to Congress and are now in the National Archives; the few that are not there are copies, the originals of which were either forwarded and subsequently lost or for some reason not sent. We handle all these reports in the same way as letters from commission-seekers....
156866General Orders, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The detachments ordered to relieve Coll Morgan & to take post at the Gulph-Mill, are to be on the grand parade and ready to march at sunrise tomorrow morning with their provisions completed to next Wednesday inclusively. The Commissary General of Issues is to keep an exact account of the number of Cattle delivered to the Army that the number of hides may be thereby ascertained & duly accounted...
156867To George Washington from William Gordon, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was a stranger to the subjects of the present letter when I wrote last week, or should have mentioned them considering their importance. Mr Hancock reports that your Excellency designs quitting the command of the army. I hope he has no good foundation for what he says. I should dread your doing it, did I believe it probable, for I apprehend the cause would suffer amazingly by it, & that the...
156868From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I do not recollect with precision, whether any or what Resolutions have been made by Congress respecting Captures by the Army or Detachments of It, and not having all their proceedings with me, with which I have been honored from time to time, to assist my inquiries upon the subject, I must take the liberty to request, that they will determine and favor me with their decisions upon the...
156869To George Washington from William Livingston, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am the more chagrined at the want of provisions, to which I am informed your Army is reduced, as I believe it is partly owing to the boundless Avarice of some of our Farmers, who would rather see us ingulphed in eternal Bondage, than sell their produce at a reasonable price. This however is now remedied by our late act for regulating the price of provisions, which wants nothing but vigorous...
156870From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have duly receiv’d your favor of yesterday & Observe the Pernicious tendency which may arise from a Continuation of Intercourse between the City & Country—in order to prevent which, you are hereby instructed to take the most immediate & Coercive Measures—I should gladly Know, who the Officers are who act so directly contrary to my inclination, & express Commands, in granting passes for...
156871From George Washington to Benjamin Rush, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 26th December. Soon after the Rect I had an opportunity of communicating the substance of it, and one from Govr Livingston on the same subject, to the Director General. It is to be regretted, that a department for which such ample provision has been made, and on which so much depends, should yet be inadequate to the ends proposed. If the present medical...
156872From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 10th: My order to you to have the Baggage removed to this place was founded upon information that there was a much greater quantity than there turns out, but as it proves otherwise you were right in detaining it, till you represented the matter to me—I wish the Gentlemen who drew up and signed the representation had attended more closely to my letter. They would...
156873To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At the Request of Colo. Sheldon, who sets out this morning for Fishkills to forward the accoutring those of his Regt in that Departmt, I write this—Am to inform that we want a considerable number of Horses to complete the Regt, to the procuring & disciplining of which we should be glad to attend, as soon as your Excellency’s pleasure can be known. I am, as Commanding Officer of the Regt in...
156874To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Gosuin, 11 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Depuis Long tems je suis tenté du plaisir de vous ecrire pour vous offrir mes services pour celui des etats unis, qui dans ces circonstances doivent avoir besoin d’armes, comme j’en suis certioré par une livrance que j’en ai fait a un de mes correspondans en hollande qui ne m’a pas cachè la distination de ces armes. Je serois meme encore dans le cas d’avoir...
156875To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, 11 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of the Inclosd from Dr. Dubourg to day: Both that Gentleman, and Mr. Jeaneux, are so very anxious for the favor of your inspecting some electrical Instruments &c., &c., that I should be very happy if you could fix any Day and hour for a meeting at the Hotel de Chevigny, and let me know it by Mr. Kendall the bearer by which means, I shall...
156876General Orders, 11 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial held 3rd instant in Lord Stirling’s division, whereof Lt Coll Brearly was President, John Rea Quarter-Master in 6th Pennsylvania Regiment charged with fraudulent Practices in said Regiment, ordering Lieutt Gibbons in the Provost, and behavior unbecoming the character of an Officer or a Gentlemen—was tried—and by the unanimous opinion of the Court was found guilty of...
156877From George Washington to Captain George Lewis, 11 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by your Letter to Mr Harrison that you still continue indisposed. If the state of your health requires leave of absence, I shall not object to your visiting your friends in Virginia to recover it. You will take this in your way as I shall want to see you before you go. I wish you to have every part, & parcel of my Baggage removed from New Town to this place. I do not know in...
156878To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 11 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
yesterday morning the enemy cam out with about 50 hors and 200 of there Greens, and took four men prisnirs at the Goley post —the last week I have Spent in Visiting the difrent posts I find there is a smart Tread Carrided on Between the Cuntry and the City Som officers have given general passes too there faverits to send there sarvant with what Nessecereys they please in to the City in...
156879To George Washington from Major General Riedesel, 11 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Genl Gates having at the Request of his Excellcy Lieut. Genl Bourgoyne exchanged a certain Number of British Officers, Prisoners of War, for an equal Number of Officers of the Continental Army, and being further required to exchange a proportionable Number of german Officers, who were made Prisoners of War, said: “He cou’d not enter upon any exchange of the german Troops, without an...
156880To George Washington from James Wilson, 11 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Wilson, 11 Jan. 1778. GW wrote Wilson on 23 Jan. : “I have received your favor of the 11th Instant.”
156881Elizabeth Smith Shaw to Mary Smith Cranch, 10 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am very sorry I lost the Opportunity of conveying a Letter to Braintree by Mr. Thayer last week. We had company engaged to dine with us, expected Ladies to visit here in the PM and a very cold, short Day, when he called upon us. Otherwise I would have perswaded him to have tarried while I wrote a few Lines and thanked you for your very kind enquiries after Madam and her Spouse .—I have the...
156882John Thaxter to John Adams, 10 January 1778 (Adams Papers)
The morning after my arrival to this place, I waited on the President with your letter; upon reading of which, he informed me, that he did not think it in his power to give me the place which you so kindly sollicited for me, but assured me he would use his Endeavours to procure some place for me. I then waited upon General Roberdeau and the Massachusetts Delegates, who gave me the same...
156883The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We desire you would advance to Capt. Paul Jones, of the Ranger, five hundred Louidores, for which your draught upon us will be paid. We are Sir Your most Obedient Servants (Signed) Notation: From the American Commissioners Letter of Credit Passy January 10th 1778 recd. Passy January 10th. 1778 To cover wages and equipment for the Ranger: Morison, Jones , p. 124. Jones...
156884Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 10 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives; incomplete copies: National Archives, Harvard University Library When the conversation turned to day on giving Mr. Williams credit for 200,000 l.t. more on our Banker, as we were just parting there was not time to consider the subject so maturely as the largeness of the demand seems to me to require. But I presume it cannot be either proper or warrantable in us...
156885To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 10 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am not surprized, if my Letters, of Septr. 21t. and 26th. from my Seat at Roccall, near Bienne in Switzerland; of Novr. 9th. from Berne and Decr. 4th. from Mannheim have hitherto remained unanswered. I could not inform Your Excellency, how to direct to me; having been continually moving from Switzerland to Mannheim and from Mannheim to this City. From...
156886General Orders, 10 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The issuing Commissary is hereby authorized to furnish the Generals and other Officers of the Army with small proportionable Quantities of spirit upon their orders whenever it can be spared; of which he is to keep a regular Account and settle with them for it at a reasonable price. All the tin Cannisters that have been issued to the Troops are to be return’d forthwith to the Commissary of...
156887To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 10 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I remain in a state of inaction untill such time as your Excellency Will think fitt to employ me. I understand that your aversion to me is owing to the Letter I Wrote to general Gates. I have made you a candid answer upon that subject, and such an answer as must satisfy you and every man of a Liberal Disposition. there is not a subaltern in europe but What will Write to his friends and...
156888From 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.”
156889To 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...
156890To 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...
156891To 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...
156892To 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...
156893John 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...
156894Jonathan 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...
156895To 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....
156896To 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...
156897To 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...
156898To 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,...
156899General 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...
156900To 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...