18181From George Washington to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 28 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I quite forgot to enquire last night (when you were shewing me the Militia Pay Rolls) at what rates the Officers pay was charged—I am willing to allow them the same pay as the Troops here had, and have—that is, to the first of Jany agreeable to the old Establishment—(more I cannot)—& For the Month of Jany according to the present pay. this is putting of them in all respects upon a footing with...
18182To George Washington from William Watson, 29–30 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I must ask your Excellencys Pardon for omitting in my last, some very meterial circumstances relative to the capture of Commodore Manlys last prizes —I had not when I wrote, got an exact account of the matter, since w[hic]h the Commodore tells me that he had taken the prizes, & had put his people on board them some time before the Tender came to Their assistance, that there were two other...
181831776 Monday. Jan. 29. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Springfield, dined at Scotts. Heard that the Cannon at Kingsbridge in N. York were spiked up. That dry Goods, English Goods were sent round to N. York from Boston, and from N. York sold all over N.E. and sent down to Camp. That Tryon has issued Writs for the Choice of a new Assembly, and that the Writs were likely to be obeyed, and the Tories were likely to carry a Majority of Members.
18184The York County Committee to the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 29 January 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Amherst College Library <York, January 29, 1776: The committee’s recommendation of officers was made, because the time was so short, without consulting them. Personal affairs prevent Barnet Eichelberger from serving; he has given his reasons in writing, and they are valid. His letter deals partly with private matters and is not enclosed; his lieutenant colonel will return the commission...
18185General Orders, 29 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Some doubts having arisen amongst the militia Companies, whether the two subalterns, are to be paid as Lieutenants, or as Lieutenant and Ensign—The General informs them, that he cannot (where there are only two subalterns to a Company) consider the youngest of them, as entitled to more than Ensigns pay, as they were all the last Campaign, notwithstanding they are denominated Second...
18186To George Washington from John Hancock, 29 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have received your letter of the 19th Instant, and highly commend your prudence and zeal in applying to the Governments of New Hampshire Massachusetts bay and Connecticut to raise forces for the service of Canada at this exigency. They have fond hopes by the zeal and alacrity of those Colonies troops will be forwarded with such expedition as will not only succour our friends but...
18187To George Washington from Captain William Palfrey, 29 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Lee being unfortunately visited with the Gout or Rheumatism, has directed me to inclose to your Excellency the Copy of a Letter he has just receiv’d by Express from the President of the Continental Congress. General Lee would have wrote you, but the position of writing is so very painful that he hopes you will excuse him. Notwithstanding his illness he is determin’d to go forward...
18188From George Washington to John Hancock, 30–31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 6th & 20th Instant, I received yesterday with the several resolves of Congress alluded to, for which I return you my thanks. Knowing the great Importance Canada will be of to us in the present Interesting contest, and the releif our Friends there stand in need of, I should be happy, were It in my power to detach a Batallion from this Camp, But It cannot be done—On the 19...
18189General Orders, 30 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
18190From George Washington to Major General William Howe, 30 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have a Command from the Honble Continental Congress to propose an Exchange of Governor Skene for Mr James Lovel & Family —If the Proposition is agreeable, you will please to signifie as much to me, & Mr Lovel that he may prepare for his Removal, whilst I cause Mr Skene to be brought to this place. I am Sir Your mo[st] humble s[ervan]t Copy, P.R.O. 30/55, Carleton Papers, document 116 (1);...
18191From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 30 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 23 Inst. & then Informed you that Genl Clinton had gone upon some expedition with 4 or 500 men; there is good reason to beleive that Tryon has applied for some Troops, & that he would join them with a great number of Inhabitants, so that you will see the necessity of your being decisive & expeditious in your operations in that Quarter—The Tories should be disarmed Immediately,...
18192To John Adams from James Warren, 31 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am Extreamly hurried this morning, and therefore have only time to Express my wishes for your Happiness. I hope by this Time you are not far from Philadelphia. I wrote in great haste to Mr. Adams this morning to whom must refer you for all the Intelligence I could give. I have received and Inclose a Number of Letters for you which I suppose have been once to Philadelphia. I have Another for...
18193General Orders, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Richd Thompson of Capt. Nuting’s Company, in Col. Prescots Regiment, tried at a late General Court Martial for “Theft and Desertion,” is found guilty of both those Crimes, and sentenced to receive thirty-nine Lashes for each, and mulcted Twenty-four Shillings & eight pence out of his pay—Twelve shillings thereof to be paid to the prosecutor Samuel Keys, and the rest to the persons who brought...
18194Speeches of the Caughnawaga, St. Johns, and Passamaquoddy Indians, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Talk of Sundry Sachems & Warriors of the Cognawaga Nation with his Excellency General Washington on the 31st January 1776. Jean Baptist or Ogaghsagighte the Cheif present. We were sent by the Five tribes of Canada Indians, consisting of the Coghnawaga &c. to see General Schuyler at Albany & then to come to you, to Inquire into the cause of the Quarrel between the people of England & Our...
18195To George Washington from George Gregory, 31 January 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Gregory, 31 Jan. 1776. A letter of 9 Feb. to Gregory, apparently written for GW by George Lewis, begins: “Your Letter, to his Excellency of the 31st ultimo is come to hand, I have it in command from him to informe you that he has Laid it down as an invariable rule (for the present) not to grant Liberty to any Prisoners of War, to remove from the Place, to which...
18196From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
In my last (date not recollected) by Mr John Adams, I communicated my distresses to you, on Acct of my want of your Assistance —since this, I have been under some concern at doing of it, least it should precipitate your return before you were ripe for it, or bring on a final resignation, which I am unwilling to think of, if your return can be made convenient and agreeable—True it is, that from...
18197To George Washington from the Salem Volunteers, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General Court of this colony having, pursuant to your request, issued orders for raising upwards of 4000 men to serve in the army that is under your Excellency’s immed⟨ia⟩te command; till the first day of April next, & of that number directed that 91 be inlisted in the town of Salem; in consequence therof the militia were mustered, the resolves of the Court read to them, and the importance...
18198To George Washington from Lund Washington, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Captn Matthews I got last Saturday Since my last the River is not Psable for Ice so that I have not seen Captn Marshal consequently cannot tell whether he will exchange his Land in this Neck for Adam’s in Maryland; but so soon as I can get to him I will let you know whether he will or not —I mention’d in a former Letter that Wm Barry had listed as a Minute Man and had march’d...
18199[In Congress, Spring 1776, and Thomas Paine] (Adams Papers)
In the Course of this Winter appeared a Phenomenon in Philadelphia a Star of Disaster (Disastrous Meteor), I mean Thomas Paine. He came from England, and got into such company as would converse with him, and ran about picking up what Information he could, concerning our Affairs, and finding the great Question was concerning Independence, he gleaned from those he saw the common place Arguments...
18200[Draft Resolutions for Encouraging Agriculture and Manufactures, February–March 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, Councils of Safety and Committees of Correspondence and Inspection, that they use their utmost Endeavours, by all reasonable Means to promote die Culture of Flax, Hemp, and Cotton and the Growth of Wool in these united Colonies. Resolved That it be recommended to the Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils of Safety, that...
18201[February 1776] (Adams Papers)
Cant we oblige B. to keep a Navy on foot the Expence of which will be double to what they will take from Us. I have heard of Bullion Sp anish Flotas being stoppd least they should be taken—But perishable Commodities never were stopped. Open your Ports to Foreigners. Your Trade will become of so much Consequence, that Foreigners will protect you. Wilson. A Gentleman from Mass, thinks that a...
18202[Memorandum of Measures to Be Pursued in Congress, February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Mem. The Confederation to be taken up in Paragraphs. An Alliance to be formed with France and Spain. Embassadors to be sent to both Courts. Government to be assumed in every Colony. Coin and Currencies to be regulated. Forces to be raised and maintained in Canada and New York. St. Lawrence and Hudsons Rivers to be secured. Hemp to be encouraged and the Manufacture of Duck. Powder Mills to be...
18203[Draft Resolves Concerning the Secret Committee of Correspondence and a Plan of Confederation, February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Resolved that the Committee of Secret Correspondence be directed to lay their Letters before this Congress. Resolved that be a Committee to prepare a Draught of firm Confederation, to be reported as soon as may be to this Congress, to be considered and digested and recommended to the several Assemblies and Conventions of these united Colonies, to be by them adopted, ratified and confirmed. It...
18204[February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
3. Jer. 12. Go proclaim these Words towards the North. Return thou backsliding Israel and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful and will not be angry forever. On 17 Feb. Congress “ Resolved , That a committee of three be chosen to prepare instructions for the committee appointed to go to Canada”; and the members chosen were JA , Wythe, and Sherman ( JCC Worthington C....
18205[February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Any Goods or Commodities, except Staves for Sale, may be exported, from the united Colonies to any other Part of the World, not subject to the Crown of G.B. Written on an otherwise blank front leaf in D/JA/26, this is evidently tentative phrasing for an article in the report of the committee of the whole on American trade. From 16 Feb. on, this committee discussed from time to time the opening...
18206[Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from General Lee &c. were referred brought in their report. Resolved that the Consideration of it be postponed till tomorrow. Mr. William Whipple from New Hampshire appeared: an excellent Member and a valuable Addition to our Phalanx. A Letter of the 14th. from General Washington, inclosing a Letter from Lord Drummond to General...
18207To George Washington from Colonel James Easton, 1–16 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Tis with the Utmost Regret that I Give Your Excelency The Trouble of This knowing your grate Multiplicity of Business But Faithfulness to the Dear Deceasd General Montgomery And his Command, A Love of Liberty and my Country Obliges me to do it You will Sr by the Letters and Orders Inclosed see the Minds of the Generals who wrote them and Agreable therto I Cald on Genll Shuyler In my March from...
18208The Committee of Secret Correspondence: a Report to Congress, [on or before 14 February 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AD : National Archives The invasion of Canada, authorized by Congress in June, 1775, had begun in August under Major General Philip Schuyler. Because of his ill health the command almost immediately devolved upon his subordinate, Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, who by November had captured the forts at Chambly and St. Johns and the city of Montreal. Governor Carleton escaped to Quebec...
18209Charter Party between the Secret Committee and Joseph Harper and James King, 1 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : The Rosenbach Foundation <February 1, 1776: The agreement is between members of the committee and James King and Joseph Harper, Philadelphia merchants and owners of the brigantine Cornelia of approximately 100 tons, Thomas Genn master, to hire her for a voyage to France. She is to sail to a port in South Carolina to be subsequently designated, there to be loaded with rice, indigo, or...
18210General Orders, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Artemas Ward’s orderly book gives the parole as “Belhaver” and the countersign as “Lancaster” ( MHi ). In the Varick transcripts “Belhaven” and “Lancaster” appear as the watchwords in the General Orders for 31 Jan. 1776 .
18211From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Bedel, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Continental Congress, haveing Calld upon the Government of New Hampshire to raise a Regiment for the Service of the United Colonies—which they have accordingly Complied with—and appointed you to the Command —I have to desire, that you will use all the deligence & dispatch possible, to raise the Said Regiment & march it into Canada takeing your Rout by Number four, and Onion River, where a...
18212Invitation to Colonel Henry and Lucy Flucker Knox, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General & Mrs Washington, present their Compliments, to Colo. Knox & Lady, begs the favor of their Company at dinner, on Friday half after 2 oClock. D , in George Baylor’s writing, NNGL : Knox Papers. Henry Knox married Lucy Flucker (c.1756–1824), a daughter of the royal secretary of Massachusetts, on 16 June 1774.
18213From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday I received, and am sorry to hear that the Quota of Militia which the Town of Salem was to furnish, by Resolve of the Honorable General Court can not be had. The Generous tender of Services made by you Sir & the rest of the Volunteers, claims a return of my sincere thanks. Should I have an occasion to call upon them, I shall do It; At present I wish them to Continue at...
18214From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had wrote the Letter herewith Inclosed before your favour of the 21st came to hand —The Acct given of the behaviour of the Men under Genl Montgomerie is exactly consonant to the opinion I have form’d of these People, and such as they will exhibit abundant proofs of in similar cases whenever called upon—Place them behind a Parapet—a Breast Work—Stone Wall—or anything that will afford them...
18215To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 1 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 1 Feb. 1776. On 10 Feb. GW wrote to Reed : “Your obliging favours of the 28th Ulto & 1st Instt are now before me.”
18216From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 27th Ulto I had the pleasure of writing you and then mentioned my being under some Embarrassment, respecting the Application which I expected from our Caghnawaga Friends—I have now the pleasure to inform you that in a Talk they honored me with Yesterday, that they put the Matter upon the Footing I wished, that is, to join the Forces in Canada whenever you shall call for their...
18217General Orders, 2 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Artemas Ward’s orderly book gives the parole as “Richmond” and the countersign as “Doncaster” ( MHi ). In the Varick transcripts these watchwords appear in the General Orders for 1 Feb. 1776 .
18218To George Washington from Major General William Howe, 2 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Answer to your Letter of the 30th Ulto which was delivered with the Seal broken, I am to acquaint you, that having lately discovered a prohibited Correspondence to be carried on by Mr James Lovell, the Liberty, which I fully intended to have given him, cannot take Place. I am, Sir, your most humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; copy, enclosed in GW to Hancock, 9 Feb. 1776 (third letter) , DNA:PCC ,...
18219To George Washington from Winthrop Sargent, 2 February 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Winthrop Sargent, 2 Feb. 1776. A letter of 4 Feb. to Sargent, apparently written for GW by Stephen Moylan, “acknowledged receipt of his Letter of the 2d inst. giveing an acct of the Brig Henry & Ester, Laden with 62 Cord of wood, 150 Butts with water, 40 Suits of Soldiers Bedding, taken by Capt. Waters & Capt. Tucker & Sent into Scwan Harbour” ( DLC:GW ). For the...
18220To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance with the Requisition of the Honle Continental Congress and of your Excellency, we are with the Greatest Chearfulness making our Utmost Exertions, to Raise and Dispatch one Battalion to Canada, and three to your Camp; and have much Satisfaction to Informe you, that there appears, a great Freedom in our Men, to engage in each of those important Services; and the Regiments are...
18221General Orders, 3 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Dustin of Capt. Farringtons Company, in the 16th Regiment of Foot, tried at a General Court Martial whereof Col. Patterson was President for “Cowardice on the 7th of Jany last, when on Command with a Detachment sent towards Bunkers-hill”—is unanimously acquitted with Honor by the Court—The General approves of the proceedings and orders Lieut. Dustin to be released from his arrest. The...
18222To George Washington from Robert Carter Nicholas, 3 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your very obliging favr by Capt. Matthews. Your former Letter in Answer to mine by Mr Byrd I received in due time, & took the earliest Opportunity of recommending it to our Delegates to fix upon some Method to defray the Expences incurr’d by this Country in the northern Colonies. This they tell me that they have not been able to effect, so that I have been...
18223General Orders, 4 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Colonel of each Regiment, to make a return on Tuesday, at Orderly time, of the number of Arms wanting to compleat the men, now in his Regiment, and to signify the Method, which appears to him most likely to procure them. Genl Putnam: Genl Sullivan & Genl Green, with the Colonels of their Brigades, to attend at Head Quarters to morrow, in the forenoon, to receive commissions for their...
18224To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 4 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 25th Decr I have recd with one from George by Mr Matthews, I approve much of your caution in bestowing Commissions, more especially on a Relation, I hope George may be servicible to you in some other way, as you must have occasion for some person to do some little things that you can confide inn, George writes me that he shall have occasion for some necessarys, anything he...
18225To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, Jr., 4 February 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
I had written to you soon after the repulse of our Troops at Quebec, giving you, as I thought, a true state of that unfortunate affair; but upon comparing it, (altho I had my information from a person who pretended to know a good deal of the matter) with one that I saw afterwards, I found they differ’d so materially that I burnt my Letter and determin’d to leave you to the News papers for your...
18226To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5–6 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here yesterday but not without some difficulty—my disorder encreas’d rather than diminish’d, so that I was under the necessity of being carried in a litter a considerable part of the way. I consider it as a piece of the greatest good Fortune that the Congress have detach’d a Committee to this place—otherwise I shou’d have made a most ridiculous figure, besides bringing upon myself...
18227To Benjamin Franklin from Trevor Newland, 5 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society Immediately after I had waited upon you at Philada. I proceeded to N. York, and finding much difficulty in pursuing my Intended journey, I deliver’d your Dispatches to Mr. Lewis, by Direction of Mr. Van B. Levingston, and wrote to you at my return acquainting you therewith. I have not wrote to you so frequently as I would do Immagining that your time might be...
18228General Orders, 5 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Colonels upon the old establishment, will this day and to morrow, receive the Warrants for their Pay-Abstracts, for the Months of November and December, of which all persons concern’d are to take notice, and govern themselves accordingly. For the future, when a Warrant is granted, and pay’d for any Sum upon account of pay, of the Regiments, or Corps, to any of the Commanding Officers...
18229To George Washington from Matthew Graves, 5 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Upon a friendly Notice, sent by Express in October last, that the Men of War intended soon to destroy our Seaport towns, I remov’d my Family & Effects from New London to Chatham, a Part of my Mission, wch I have occasionally attended for several Years. After three Months Residence here, I am threatned to be driven out of my Parish, & a day is appointed to transmit me from Constable to...
18230To George Washington from Thomas Lynch, 5 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
You have doubtless heard of my being here on a Com[mitte]e of Congress the object was to consult with Genl Lee & the People of this Place on the best manner of securing it, God knows there is ample room for it. every thing is wanting, The Strong Apathy that hold Congress in fetters is still more forceable here, however luckily Clinton is come without Force, he has none but the Mercury and one...