157111To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Excellency’s pleasure signified by Colo. Tilghman I have Order’d Mr Reed to proceed immediately to Head Quarters with the Military Chest —My own ill State of Health is such that I am not able to follow it immediately—A violent Cold which has settled on my Lungs has Confin’d me for ten days past—I am something better, but the Disorder seems very obstinate—As soon as I can...
157112To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Webb’s falling into the Enemy’s Hands the 10th Inst. you have doubtless before this been made acquainted with. The Descent on Long Island was designd to destroy the Timber & Boards prepard at the East End of the Island for Barracks in New York, to destroy the Fleet there from Rhode Island for Wood. Attack a Regt Stationd about Eight Miles Eastward of Jamaica & remove or destroy whatever...
157113To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I have nothing more in view, in giving the following Sistem, then the fullfilling my duty to introduce & maintain good order & render Capable of service the Corps I command, I hope my frequent representations will not frustrate those whose Zeal for the good of these States is known. My Own Knowledge dictates the following Articles, which tho’ they may not be perfect yet I am assured they...
157114From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 27th as I was with those of the 22d and 25th: I imagine the Ships you saw going down were only empty transports and Victuallers for which having no use, they think it safer to send them aw⟨ay tha⟩n let them lay crouded in the docks of Phila⟨da⟩ where a single Vessel taking fire might prove destructive of the whole. The Enemy, who were only out upon a...
157115To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received yours of Yesterday evening about an hour ago. have Orderd in all the parties that are out both of my division and of the fifteen detached parties; I expect they will be ready to march for Camp by Noon. There is now a fine oppertunity for the Q.M.G. & Commissary Genl of provisions to employ their Waggons, at one place within Six miles of this place there is above 100 Tun of Bar...
157116To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency two Certificates from Doctor Rush. The Absurdity of the one, recommending more than three Hundred Miles March, for a lame Fifer; The dangerous Contents of the other, tending to discourage the Troops, & cause Tryumph in the Enemy, should a similar one fall into their Hands, induced me to trouble your Excellency in this Way. I have this Gentleman’s Recommendations...
157117To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Before this, I suppose your Excellency must have heard of a late decent on Long-Island and the objects General Putnam had in view by ordering on the Troops The detachment under my command left Norwalk in four Transports the Evening after the 9th Instant, the weather proved very blustering by which means we parted Compy—on the morning of the 10th at dawn of day we found ourselves within two...
157118To George Washington from Brigadier General George Weedon, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On considering what appears most proper in this Army, for a permanent system in future promotions, regulations, and arrangements, I would beg leave to suggest the following hints. First, All continental commissions, below the rank of Brigadier, to issue by the Commander in Chief upon the following general rule; except where extraordinary merit takes place; to which retrospect should ever be...
157119To Thomas Jefferson from John Harvie, 29 December 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of November the 26th. was handed to me by the post before the last. The great Objects of the Assemblys Deliberations are of the most Interesting Nature and I have no Doubt they will bring them to Maturity with their Usual Wisdom. If the late Generous Spirit of Virginia in their Act for Cloathing and Measures for preventing of Forestalling does not Inspire the other States with a...
157120To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 28 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I was favoured with the Receipt of your Letter of the 22d Instant some Days since and returned a short Answer to it by the Express who brought it; but as I have Reason to believe you had left Peeks’ Kill before he got there I conclude my Letter has not been received. I have not a Doubt but that there have been such unjust and dishonorable Practices committed on the Inhabitants as you mention...
157121From Benjamin Franklin to [the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts], 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I received your obliging Invitation of dining with you some day this Week. As I find all the Days engaged but Saturday, I cannot sooner have that Pleasure. We will then talk about the Affair of the young Gentleman, who by his Letter appears to be sensible and promising. With sincere Esteem and a good deal of Affection I have the Honour to be, Madam,...
157122To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you two letters last Summer in which I mentioned the feu Gregois and the Comte de Rostaing. I wish I had known by a single line That They came Safe to Hand. This goes by that Gentleman who is a Genl. officer of Artilery, and a Man of great Worth. If You will venture to take a friend of my recommending I recommend Him to you. He was sent out as...
157123To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Cantini, 28 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, December 28, 1777, in French: I enclose a letter for you from a merchant of this city, and will forward your reply.>
157124To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier d’Haudouin, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si j’avais eté certain de vous trouver a passy, j’aurais eû l’avantage d’aller vous porter le signalement que je vous adresse; s’il peut vous etre utile vous pouvez, Monsieur, disposer de mon amy a qui je feray passer vos intentions, ou si vous voulez en conferer avec moy, je suis a vos ordres que j’attends en vous priant de me croire avec de respectueux...
157125To Benjamin Franklin from Frère ——— Moüézy, 28 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bergerac in Périgord, December 28, 1777, in English: I know you are busy, and shall make my request brief. If you are passing by the Carmes billettes , would you alight and ask Father Gautier, the provincial of my order, to forgive me my failings (which are easily condoned) and send me to my native Brittany? Permit me to congratulate you on the success of...
157126General Orders, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
All the troops are to draw and cook provisions for to morrow. Two Captains of General Wayne’s division are to be detached to aid Lt Col. Bayard in the business committed to his charge —The Assistant Commissary General (Mr Chaloner) will inform the captains where Col. Bayard may be found. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For GW’s orders to Lt. Col. Stephen Bayard to collect flour, grain, cattle,...
157127From George Washington to Major General John Armstrong, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Morning receiv’d your Favor of 26th Inst. The Method you have adopted for preventing the Intercourse & Supply of Marketting from the Country, I think is a good One, & I expect will have the intended effect, though I fear it is impossible to put a total Stop to it even by the greatest exertions of the Officers, as there are many Avenues to Town which it will be found difficult to...
157128From George Washington to Colonel Clement Biddle, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Season advances when falling weather and the badness of Roads will be almost insurmountable obstacles to the transporting forage from any distance—you are without delay to form magazines for our winters Supply contiguous to the Rear of the Camp—and to take every favorable opportunity of keeping them amply furnished—so that even in case of a series of bad Weather there may be no...
157129To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 28 Dec. 1777. On 2–3 Jan. 1778 GW wrote the Board of War : “Your Favors of the 28th & 30 Ulto came to hand this Morning.”
157130From George Washington to William Buchanan, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Season advances in which bad weather and broken Roads will render the transporting provision from any distance, for the most part subject to considerable delay, and sometimes impracticable—it becomes indispensibly necessary to form with all possible expedition ample magazines for our Winters Supply contiguous to the Rear of the Camp—and to embrace every favorable opportunity of keeping...
157131To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Early this morning, a Spy came to me from Philadelphia, which place he left late last Evening, at that time, Sr Wm Howe had just arrived, & the Van of his Army had got over Schuylkill, a great many Troops were marching from this side the ferry towards the City, so that e’er this, I immagine they’ve all returned from Derby, ’twas the common talk in the City, that the Army was returning—I shall...
157132To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The march of the troops down here through the frosty roads, has cut out their shoes, & by being barefoot they are rendered unfit for duty, to remedy which, I have contracted with a gentleman here, for 200 sides of sole, & 200 sides of upper leather, for which he is to receive raw hides in exchange at the same rate on which the commissary of hides exchanges raw hides for dressed leather. I have...
157133To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency letter of Yesterday’s date. the inclosed note I received about an hour ago from Colonel Barber the same Intelligence is Confirmed by another Come in to another Quarter, I have sent out what light [Horse] were here for further Confirmation of it, and have ordered the Troops in Case it be true immediately to Search every house within their late lines for Straglers of...
157134From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter dated this day at noon and the pieces of Intelligence inclosed in it—your Lordship will act according to circumstances—I altogether approve of what you propose to be done with respect to those persons who have been detected in traiterously furnishing the Enemy with Provisions—the Punishment falling upon one or two Individuals of note will probably strike a Terror...
157135From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
When you shall have received certain intelligence of the Enemys retiring to Philadelphia—it will be expedient to march your Division and the different parties that were detached to join you with all convenient speed back to Camp—that they may as soon as possible be refreshed and provide for their Winter Shelter—this was intended to have been mentioned in this mornings Letter—but was omitted —I...
157136To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
If I am rightly Instructed, Genl Woodfords pretentions to rank is founded on his Serving as a Colonel in the State of Virginia against Govr Du[n] more in the Year 1775. I have no Idea of his being Entitled to rank in the Continental line from holding a Commission at that time in the State—especially if he Adverts to the Distinction which that State drew between the Rank of Militia, Minute men...
157137To John Adams from Johann Kalb, 27 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
As you are going to France in a publick Character from the United States, will you give me leave to present you a Letter of introduction for M Le Comte de Broglie, one for M Moreau the first Secretary to Count de Vergennes Minister of State for foreign affairs and two for my Lady, who Shall be glad to see you, and to get news from me by your means. I wish you a good passage a Safe arrival,...
157138Enclosure: Johann Kalb to the Comte de Broglie, 27 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
You take So great an Interest, in the Success of the American Cause, that I have made so bold, as to recommend to you, Mr John Adams, one of the Members of Congress who goes to France, to treat with the Court upon political Affairs, as Mr Deane will be charged, with the Affairs of Commerce. Mr Adams is a Man of Merit, generally esteemed in this Country, and to whom Mr de Valfort and myself,...
157139Enclosure: Johann Kalb to M. Moreau, 27 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Friendship, with which you have always honoured me, sir, has made me take the Liberty to recommend to you, Mr John Adams, one of the Members of Congress, who is charged with a Commission for France. As he will certainly have Demands to make of Mr the Count of Vergennes, and Affairs to treat within your Department I request you, to afford him your good offices, perswaded that whatever...
157140The American Commissioners to William Temple Franklin, 27 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library As an acknowledgement for your services as Secretary to us, we desire you will accept one hundred Louis-dores which Mr. Grand will be so good as to pay you on receipt of this. We are, Sir, Your most Obedient Servants In Arthur Lee’s hand. 2,400 l.t. Designating WTF as the commissioners’ secretary, it should be noted, did not secure him the position; the...